Ok, here is my approx. 1h and 30km testride report in short:
Ergonomics is better, more space for legs and feet. Seat height is up significantly. Maybe also due to a much better seat and seat foam quality . With this seat you can ride for hours without pita I believe. Similar to Vespas now.
CBS Disk Brakes are very strong with a good dosage. Pulling only the rear brake lever activates rear and front brakes with 70% and 30%. Front brake lever only activates front brakes. Probably for a good reason.
LED Lights all around. Couldn´t test the brightness during my testride in the afternoon.
Suspension has improved noticeably, bumps are handled smoother and easier and softer. But the suspension is still on the sporty side. Still not comparable to a Vespa. I have tested the scooter on bumpy roads and hillside roads with some potholes, manholecovers, cobblestoneroads and so on.
The frame has been improved too and got stiffer. Especially an improvement on higher speeds and or bumpy roads. Not so much of a handle bar wobbling/shimmy.
Engine starts instantly and runs very quietly and smoothly with only some minor vibratons on idle and without any clutch chatter. Due to the Euro 4 Emission standards ,gear ratio (moderate rpm´s), and the higher dry weight of the scooter the engine seems to be a little bit lazy. Its for sure not a racing bike.
On take off the scooter is not so nippy as expected, it takes off moderately and pulls itsself constantly up to its top speed.
I couldnt test the top speed in town of course, but I assume the topspeed would be at 95kmh.
So imho the 125cc with 7.2kW seems a bit on the weak side for the scooter. Therefore the 150cc model would for sure be the better choice.
But the 150cc wont be sold in many countries in Europe. Not even in Italy as I was told today.
Maybe in the Netherlands, maybe in France.
OEM Tires are still a total desaster. This time they use chinese Cheng Shing tires in 110-12 and 130-12. Unbalanced of course and with 90 degree angeled valve stems...
These tires are softer in compound, therefore probably wear much quicker than the Kendas, but will probably also have grip or at least more grip on wet roads.
In dry conditions they work good with lots of grip. But I don´t like the brand at all and I don´t like the thread pattern.
Underseat compartement is now big enough for a full integral helmet I guess. My jet helmet fitted in there very easily and with space left for other stuff. Also the battery can be found here.
Glove box as usual but with a glove box cover that seems pretty fragile at the hinges and the lock. All thin plastic. Not good for regular use I guess.
Top cases, mountings, crash bars and all other accessoires should be availae in September or so.
Odometer Display is good, reads pretty accurate speeds compared to a gps app on my mobile. Maybe 5kmh off.
With 2 trip meters, a voltmeter and a temp. gauge.
The fueltank and filling neck with a fragile filler neck cover is down now and asks for some reorientation and adaption when filling up at a gas station. I thought it would be easier, but it wasn´t at first attempt. Had quiet a bit of a struggle with that heavy stiff pump hose and the pistol to maneuver it into that filling neck almost on the ground and without spilling the restfuel in the pistol directly onto the floorbord of the new scooter. Additionally you can´t see the filling level anymore.
I guess not parking too close to the filling pump might do the trick.
Price is also on the high side for what you get.
So what do I think about the new Like?
I am undecided. It´s for sure a pretty and nice overhouled scooter with some interesting improvements.
For newbies who like the classic italian Vespa scooter style probably a good choice.
Would I now instantly want to switch to the new model? Probably and most likely not.
So when I rode home from the dealer on my OLD Like, I felt very pleased and confident with what I have now and felt no hurry for a change. Especially when not having the chance to get a 150i with a bit more punch in near future.
So fun are both models to ride. New and old.
So maybe the best for me would be to invest just little money in a new seatcover and better seatfoam.
