5°F commute to work at 4:51AM on my LIKE200i

[Stig / Major Tom]

January 14th, 2015 - arrived at work at 4:51AM.




I was a little concerned about how the plastic panels would do in this cold - the temp was sitting at 5°F.
After I got to work, I turned around to take a snap with my phone - figured i might be setting a personal record that morning.
Found this on my phone today - with the details of time, date & temperature.

I used my LIKE for work yr/around commuting from my house in the 'burbs through town throughout the year - if roads clear of snow and ice.

Of course - as every LIKE200i owner knows - the scooter fired up instantly on that 5°F morning.
I've only owned 4 new scooters, each with EFI,  (Kymco, Honda, Piaggio and Suzuki) but the best EFI starts were always with this LIKE.
Going into its 10th winter with it - and starts are still nearly instantaneous, quickly settling into a smooth strong idle. (I give some credit to an NGK Iridium spark plug for the strong idle)

Stig

[Neil955i]

Minus 15c?!  Nope, can’t match that. I think the coldest I commuted in was about minus 7 or 8c  The benefits of our temperate climate.

Was once (early 80’sj in London (Greenford) when the temperature dropped to a record -12c. The oil in my car sump turned to a frozen sludge and we had to tow it for over a mile before it fired up!  Then the drive home was 100+ miles in blizzard conditions.

[Viper254]

I could never fault my Like 200 (yes, that's why I'm on this forum!) for it's fuel injection, it was always stellar.

I try not to buy anything without FI now. I never understand people who are the other way around - carbs 4 lyf.

[rjs987]

Cold winters in central Iowa never stopped me from riding. I always commuted to work if the streets were clear and dry regardless what the temperature was. After retirement I still ride in the cold if the streets are clear and dry, just not as often. My coldest ride anywhere was a very early ride for "fun" for a 60 mile ride at just below -15F (just below -26C). The coldest I rode on my Kymco AK 550 was earlier this year right at zeroF (-17.8C) on the coldest day we had this year that I was able to ride (snow on roads on another colder day so no riding). No issues with the plastic. All temps verified by an aquarium/terrarium temperature device capable of -58F to +158F (-50C to +70C). I like the aquarium/terrarium devices since their probes are designed for being submerged in water or being hot and dry as well.

I've found that Kymco has better, more durable, plastic panels and attachment tabs than either my Honda ST1100/CTX1300 or Suzuki Burgman 650 had. Kymco panels seem just a bit more flexible and the tabs more substantial than other bikes I've owned. I know that all plastics get more stiff and brittle in very cold temps but from what I've seen, having removed many plastic bits on my Kymco and all my other bikes as well, the Kymco plastics will "weather" the cold well IMO.

Oh, and should the time come for me to downsize my bike again I am very interested in the Like 200i. Hope it's still around when that time comes.