2009 SYM Symba Scooter Review
May 18th, 2009 - Late last week Scooter-News got the chance to test drive one of the USA's very first Symbas to come into the country. Thanks to Tom and Suzanne from SYM and Charlie from Alcoa Good Times for getting the bike to us so quickly.
So does the Symba live up to the hype? My conclusion is a resounding YES! After snaking the bike alongside the Tennessee river for most of a beautiful afternoon, I couldn't really find any flaws with the bike. Some people will want a little more power, but when you keep in mind the bike is only 100cc, the bike puts out very respectable power. Actually, on second thought, there is one very small flaw, but more on that later.
Most people know the history/background by this point, but if you happen to be fresh to the Symba, it is based off of Honda's classic Super Cub. The bike is powered by SYM's 100cc version of Honda's horizontal motor and features an automatic clutch so newbies can focus on riding and shifting instead of feathering the clutch. I would say that this is probably the easiest shifting road legal scooter or motorcycle out there. It is worth noting that the Honda horizontal engine design is used almost exclusively in pitbikes, so aftermarket parts and larger engines that fit the Symba are already readily available.
The design of the Symba is both classic and modern, combining the essence of the original Super Cub's styling while updating the looks just enough to be unique. The bike rides on 17" wheels and has drum brakes on both ends. While the braking technology used may have been designed in the 1960s, the brakes worked great. The brakes are more than adequate for a 100cc bike and had even had great feedback. Surprisingly enough, the top speed of the bike was a bit greater than I expected. While SYM only suggested that the Symba would only be able to top out at 55MPH, I got the bike to reach an indicated 65MPH while going downhill in a tuck. Not too bad for a 100cc engine, huh? In everyday riding conditions, 55MPH was about all the bike had while sitting upright, so the bike is not going to be great for 55MPH roads, but for a few miles it would be fine.
The chassis felt very planted and stable. As an owner of the original Super Cub I can most definitely say the Symba's chassis is much improved over the inspiration. It felt good in the corners and the bike was definitely capable of more in the twisties than the engine could give it.
One of the cool things about the Symba is its potential for broad appeal. While most people will go ahead and lump the Symba with other vintage influenced bikes like Genuine's Stella or Yamaha's Vino (it certainly belongs there as well), the bike also could be perfect for folks looking at the Rattler 110 or Ruckus. It feels very utilitarian and its #1 influence, the original Super Cub, was designed "to go anywhere at anytime for a cheap price." While the Symba isn't a motocross bike, it could definitely handle a light trail or dirt road, just as well, if not better than a Ruckus type scooter.
As I hinted at earlier, the bike does have one small flaw: no storage space. Unfortunately, the design of the bike allows for no under seat storage space as seen on most scooters because on the Symba, you actually sit on top of the gas tank. Fortunately an easy fix would be to mount an egg crate or ammo can to the rear cargo rack. In the Symba's stock configuration, the passenger pillion easily removes via a couple of tabs to expose a rear cargo rack. While the Symba may not have as much storage space as a conventional scooter, with the addition of the cargo box it would have plenty of room for a medium sized grocery run,
Luckily enough, the Symba comes equipped with both side and center stands. Personally, ever since owning my Super Cub, I've loved center stands and I'm glad that SYM choose to include one on this bike. Have you ever tries to change a flat on the road without a center stand? It is virtually impossible. Speaking of cool features on the bike, one of the coolest features on the new Symba is its adjustable rear suspension. With a flick of a switch the bike's rear preload suspension is stiffened to accommodate a passenger, very cool! SYM even included an easy-to-understand picture of either one or two people on the preload lever to let you know what position the rear suspension is in.
All in all, the Symba lives up to its already large reputation. The quality/fit and finish are outstanding, the ride is wonderful, and the bike is definitely a head turner. While $2600 may seem a bit pricey, in today's world you get what you pay for. In the case of the Symba, I think that you actually get more than $2600 dollars worth and I'm sure this bike will last just as long as the original Super Cub. Get'em while you can because I'm sure SYM's new Symba will be going fast! Stay tuned for a Honda Super Cub/SYM Symba comparison coming later in the week.
TECH. SPECS:
MSRP: $2,598
Length: 75 in (1905 mm)
Width: 27 in (686 mm)
Height: 41 in (1041 mm)
Seat height: 29.9 in (760 mm)
Weight: 209 lbs (95 kg)
Load Capacity: 199 lbs (90 kg) Front suspension: telescopic fork
Rear suspension: swing arm
Front brake: 130mm drum
Rear brake: 110mm drum
Engine: 101cc, single cylinder, air-cooled
Power/torque: 6.7 (5 kw) @8500 rpm/5 ft-lbs (6.8 nm) @6000 rpm
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Comments
I think RogerTango and Icehawk are entirely missing the point of the bike, it is an homage to the old Honda c100, always considered the more desirable or the cub series. A disc would be unfaithful to the original and detract from the look of the vehicle. Okay I know it has telescopic forks instead of the leading links of the originals however if you look closely you will see that they have tried to replicate the fork shrouds of the original bike. I believe the reason they haven't included them on this modern clone is due to there being no provision for dampers on the leading link forks which apparently wouldn't pass current safety legislation. A shame really because they pretty much defined the ride and handling characteristics of the original. Quote
I think RogerTango and Icehawk are entirely missing the point of the bike, it is an homage to the old Honda c100, always considered the more desirable or the cub series. A disc would be unfaithful to the original and detract from the look of the vehicle. Okay I know it has telescopic forks instead of the leading links of the originals however if you look closely you will see that they have tried to replicate the fork shrouds of the original bike. I believe the reason they haven't included them on this modern clone is due to there being no provision for dampers on the leading link forks which apparently wouldn't pass current safety legislation. A shame really because they pretty much defined the ride and handling characteristics of the original. Quote
This is a really sweet ride! I can't wait for someone in my Club to get one for their own (I suspect it won't be long!).
I was really concerned that some local bloggers were 'softballing' the SYM Symba just because a local dealer let them take it for a spin, but you seem willing to tell it like it is. Thanks for a great review and keep up the good work! Quote
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