Symply 125

Sometimes testing scoots can be tough. You'll put a day or two aside to go out and get a few miles on a new machine, then the weather scuppers your plans and messes up your photos. If you happen to be reading this copy of Twist & Go overseas you'll probably be basking in some February sunshine, while we'll still be wearing our wellies and winter coats!
In the last 12 months we've had more rain in the UK than you can imagine possible. Thousands of people are still homeless after being flooded out of their homes last summer and rivers are swelling by the day, threatening to spill their murky contents over pretty little riverside houses and towns once again. The day I picked to test this little Symply 125 was no exception and the nearby River Trent had burst its banks forcing me to test the amphibious nature of the little scoot.

Like many major manufacturers, Taiwanese giants SYM have been forced to develop some budget models to help them compete with the cheap and cheerful Chinese machines we've seen in recent times - if you can't beat 'em, join em. San Yang Motors [or SYM for short] has set up manufacturing plants in Vietnam and China, mostly to supply the domestic market, although some of their products are also being sent over to Europe.
When you mention the word 'Chinese' people still think of terrible build quality and unreliability, not to mention a useless spares and technical backup, but times are changing. The UK SYM importer, Moore Large is so confident of the product that they've recently added a fantastic three year parts and labour warranty on all their machines of 125cc and above! Who else offers such a warranty?



It's no secret that the Symply 125 is the budget machine in the SYM range, and as such the finish isn't quite as perfect as the Taiwanese-built models (especially on the test bike, which had been abused by the importer for 2000 miles through winter before we got Our hands On it). There are a few little bits and pieces which don't look as nice as they could, but once you're riding the scooter you could be on almost any machine you can think of because it rides so well. The engine picks up better than many four-stroke 12Ss and it'll soon reach BOmph before eventually climbing to a little over 65. At the top end you can tell the engine is working hard and there is a slight vibration through the narrow handlebars, but it's certainly a willing little scooter.
The suspension is well up to spec for what is essentially a budget machine and the 12m Duro tyres offer plenty of grip in the wet, leaving me feeling confident in their ability. In fact, I had to get off and check The handling of this budget scooter inspires confidence.

what lyres were fitted after a while because I'd been riding fairly hard in driving rain and couldn't get the tyres to let go. Even when I pulled the rear brake hard to try and skid, they were still very predictable. I half expected to see Michelin on the sidewalls - not bad for a lesser-known brand. The rear brake was fairly decent and the front disc was pretty sharp as well. Used together they're more than up to the job.

The dash is basic, as you'd expect, but you do get the usual idiot lights and a useful fuel gauge. There is also a headlight flash button and seat release operated by the left thumb (although the seat catch itself seemed quite awkward and flimsy to be honest). Under the seat there's a smallish sized storage space and if you want a bit of extra luggage space to bungee a bag onto, there is also a handy rack on the back of the scooter. To help keep thieves at bay, there is a manual immobiliser switch hidden under the seat, which is always worth having and the fuel filler is tucked away under the seat too. Weather protection is a big selling point for many scooter owners, the SyrTiply has got a nifty little flyscreen to stop some of the rain hitting you, but the legshields are quite narrow so you have to tuck your feet in a bit to get any real benefit from them.
The Symply 125 and its 'soon to be released' smaller sibling, the Symply 50, are dependable workhorses designed with the commuter or occasional scooter rider in mind. They may not have all the bells and whistles of some more expensive scooters, but quite Symply they do exactly what they're meant to do and you've got the added piece of mind provided by the fantastic warranty.

Here it comes the Specifications :