Sym Quality By steve (Read 1,247 times)

[steve]

I've decided to get away from the Chinese market and am looking at Sym. Anybody have any input as quality/reliability/parts? Not really a scooter, but I'm looking at the symwolf. Also looking at the Honda PCX150 which seems to have everything hi tech from water cooling to EFI. Only drawback is that it's almost $4K.

[tankrider]

I bought a 2013 SYM RV200 this past fall. The smoothness of the ride compared to my previous scooter is amazing. So far it seems to be a quality manufactured scooter and the 2-yrs warranty is almost unheard off.

Sent from my XT907 using proboards

[trailheadmike]

Tankrider - that's my current scoot of choice when I get some extra money together. The literature puts it at over 15hp with an under 200cc dispacement, without EFI, which is more than I get from my 257cc. Please continue to post your impressions of the scoot as time goes by.

[amac1680]

The first thing I would do is to decide whether I wanted a motorcycle or scooter. The Wolf classic is a very cool little motorcycle, and would be on my short list if it was a small motorcycle I was looking for.

I was moving from a 16 inch wheel scooter. I have always liked the big wheel scooters and the HD 200 is the absolute best scooter in its class. Smooth and stable and an excellent reliability record.

After having the opportunity to extensively ride both HD 200 and RV 200 I purchased the RV. My main purpose for choosing the RV 200 was utility. The ability to carry lots of stuff is a huge factor for me. I've never been a big fan of the top box so the ability to pack a large quantity under the seat makes the top box unneeded for my daily purposes.

Be aware that SYM does not offer a rack so if you chooses to use a top box an aftermarket rack will need to be fitted.



Contents from under seat .



Full face helmet
Rain Jacket and Pants
Long sleeve tee
HiVis Safety vest
Gloves and do rag
Small tool kit
Small backpack
Cane

Also playing into the utility is the larger foot area on the RV as opposed to the HD. You can put your feet in a bunch of different positions and carry a lot of cargo. A case or two of beer is no problem.

Another reason why I like the RV is the seat height. Although the published height is 32.5 inches that seems to be measured at the high point in the front of the seat. With my 135 pound body on its more like 30 inches. I know because I can make flat-footed landings, another reason I was moving to a smaller wheeled scoot.

I did have a concern how the smaller wheels would handle at speed. That HD 200 is very solid at 70 miles. Top end is 75.2 GPS . As it turns out SYM seemed to get it right. At 65 to 70 miles an hour I ride feet forward and it is if the scooter is on tracks. It has very good balance both at highway speed and around town.

I have taken a couple of mid range trips, 600 miles , with the "full-dress" crowd I used to ride with and she did just fine. Never did I feel like I was the "scooter" in the group. I have a 1500 mile trip planed for April. With saddlebags and a Bikers-friend roll bag I can pack for two weeks and the bags goes on or off in less than five mins.





The kick-starter works fine and the windscreen will fit under most covers made for mid size scooters. It's only about 50lbs heavier then the HD and with the smaller wheels and low center of gravity its easy to "flick around". After a spinal cord injury I'm a incomplete paraplegic ,my legs are compromised and still have no problem with this bike.

I have nothing but praise for SYM. Both my RV200 and Cali Classic provide solid reliable rides at price that is hard to beat. I can't see you going wrong with any of the SYMs your considering.

Enjoy your search!

Be Big,
AMAC

[steve]

Both the HD and the symwolf are on my list but I also keep going back to the Honda PCX150. The efi engine and the dealer network are big selling points for me as is the quality factor. The Honda lists 14" front and back which might be good middle ground. My issue is the $310 destination charge that Honda tacks on. Do Sym dealers add this fee to the MSRP? I hadn't considered the storage issue or the legroom of the RV, but I sure did like the yellow HD. I also have no use for a top box.

I currently have a Jonway YY250T, and if I can get it back from the courts, (stolen and recovered last week), a highly customized Ice Bear Viking 150. After much work, both are running well, but the fit/finish are terrible. Ice Bear guarantees the chrome for 10 days but it didn't last even that long, and the clear plastic on the Jonway went yellow in 3 months and I can no longer read the gages. I understood what I was getting into when I bought both.

My heart is set on Da Heist by CCW which is in the same price range as the Sym and Honda, but it also is made in China. CCW claims high quality, but no real dealer network, and I have know way of knowing if the quality matches.

[amac1680]

I also took a hard look at the PCX150. That is really a great scooter, the ergonomics were just not going to work for me. Honda obviously has a huge dealer network here in the US.

I am very fortunate to have quality scooter dealer support close by for most Taiwanese brands. SYM is building their dealer network rapidly. But there are parts of the country where there is a void.

It seems to be pretty common practice for SYM and Kymco dealers to tack on about $200 in freight charges. They are more apt to give out the door price that truly holds up at closing. They also discount their leftovers deeper into Japanese brands. When I was shopping leftovers Honda was really offering nothing. I bought the RV 200 for a hair under 3600.00 out to door. The PCX was a little over 4100.00.

As far as quality of the build I really couldn't find much difference between the Hondas and the SYM. Everything fit well , motors ran well none of them rattled. Fit and finish was great on both.

Again either way I don't see how you could go wrong. It's really a matter of what style scooter you're looking for. For me to step through was of the essence for others that's not an issue.

Be Big,
AMAC

[amac1680]

Hey BTW the SYM Wolf is truly a great little motorcycle! I have a friend that has one and had the opportunity to ride. If I could get my leg over it consistently I buy one tomorrow ! It really is very good-looking, although I may be biased because I enjoy the bikes of my day.

That said it's hard to get a discount on them. Very few leftovers kicking around and they are in demand. But there is really nothing else to compare it to. It really doesn't fit with the PCX in the RV 200.

[steve]

Chances are that the Sym and Honda are made in the same factory. Right now, it's a toss-up between the HD and the PCX. There is a Sym dealer very near here, but if all goes well, I will be able to retire and move to Bandera, TX in the next year and the nearest Sym dealer would be Austin. I have a truck for toting stuff, but I do not live to drive cages. I had a Valk. I was lying to my wife when I told her it was the second best thing I ever had between my legs.

[symjoyrider200]

I have a question I ride a sym rv 200 and I have been having a problem after a fill up everytime I fill it up it and let it sit it sounds bad usually after letting it sit for it fires up normal again. Would it be possible to add fuel additive and what would anyone recommend as a good one? Please get back to me asap !!!

[amac1680]

I use AMSOIL Quickshot at the moment but have used Startron, Seafoam etc over the years.
Your going to get a bunch on different answers to what additive is the best. They have all worked fine for me.

Not sure what you mean by "sounds bad" ?

[steve]

Shot in the dark here, but have you tried starting it up after the fill with the cap off? Might be the vents in the cap causing a slight vaccum in the tank.

[symjoyrider200]

What I mean "Sounds bad" itll sputter and itll cut off. I bought some sea foam yesterday and put it in the gas the tank was still full. Also I started it with the gas cap off. I also think im over filling it. I also think it quality of gas as well. I use nothing but premium gas but I think the quality of gas is not that good.

[amac1680]

Its easy to over fill that scoot. There is a weep hole at the top of the fill pipe. Fill up slowly and stop as soon as any gas flows from that hole.

But I don't think that's the issue here.

I had a vacume problem very early on. The scooter fires right up cold but run it a while then shut it down for a short time and it was hard to start. It was one of the vacume lines. Once fixed never another problem. That's the first place I'd look.

I can't tell you what line it was, my dealer does the wrenching in mine.
I would also check the SYM forums for input.

[symjoyrider200]

I think your right I dont touch my scoot either I let dealer mess with it due to the warranty Imma take it in for service next week but ever since I put in that seafoam it sounds better though