Test: Kymco Like 125

Test: Kymco Like 125

125cc city runabout

Kymco dresses its city runabout Like 125 in the chrome-loving style of the 50s. The four-stroke engine impresses with its handiness, good brakes and an affordable price.

Appealing design often comes from Italy, but not always. With the new Like, which is available in the 50s and 125s – each with an air-cooled four-stroke engine – Taiwan’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer Kymco also shows a knack for beautiful, sometimes playful shapes in the spirit of the 50s. The like that MOTORRAD was able to test as a 125cc is petite. Low bench, high step – only fits drivers with short legs. The softly padded bench, on the other hand, is long enough for two people, but the compartment underneath is too flat for most helmets. Good thing the importer 2009 "15 years of Kymco in Germany" celebrates and therefore donated a topcase and carrier.

He is right in his element L.ike 125 in town. Stalking into pole position is not a problem, thanks to the narrow handlebars and small turning circle, the Taiwanese master excellently at hooking around obstructive four-wheelers. From the traffic lights he sprints off quickly, above city speed 50 he only accelerates comfortably. When things get tight, there is no need to panic. Because the brakes of the Like are not retro at all, they are simply a stunner: powerful and easy to adjust, the double-piston calipers bite into the windows in two-finger mode on the steel-flex lines at the front and rear. Such stoppers would look good on some sportier scooters. Particularly when it is wet, however, you should be careful, as Cheng Shin’s series tires cannot keep up with the brakes when it comes to grip.

The suspension is less sensitive to work, never leaving the driver in the dark about the road conditions. But the Like appeals with bright light, handy levers and switches, large mirrors and many practical details such as bag hooks, a lockable compartment in the leg shield and passenger pegs that fold out at the push of a button. Main and side stands, electric and kick starters complete the everyday equipment. On top of the low price of 1995 euros, the importer is giving an anniversary discount of 200 euros until the end of July.

Test: Kymco Like 125

125cc city runabout

Technical data – Kymco Like 125

engine
Fan-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, an overhead, chain-driven camshaft, two valves per cylinder, carburetor, battery 12 V / 6 Ah, electric and kick starter, centrifugal clutch and variator.
Bore x stroke 52.4 x 57.8 mm
Compression 9.6: 1
Cubic capacity 125 cm3
Rated output 7.0 kW (9.5 PS) at 8000 rpm
Max. Torque 9.5 Nm at 6500 rpm

landing gear
Tubular steel frame, telescopic fork, Ø 31 mm, two spring struts with adjustable spring base, front disc brake, Ø 220 mm, double-piston floating caliper, rear disc brake, Ø 200 mm, double-piston floating caliper.

Front tires 120 / 70-12, rear 130 / 70-12

Dimensions + weights
Wheelbase 1325 mm, seat height * 780 mm, weight with a full tank * 121 kg, tank capacity 8.0 liters.

Price including additional costs: 1995 euros

Readings
Performance
Top speed 85 km / h
Acceleration 0 – 50 km / h 5.3 sec
Consumption 3.8 liters / 100 km

Positive / negative

+ Brakes front and rear extremely effective and finely adjustable
+ The engine pulls strongly away from the traffic light
+ Driving characteristics extremely handy
+ Price cheap for what is offered

– Very tight suspension
– Sitting position very low
– Series tires with little grip

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