SYM XS 125 — a pretty good “road car” in a classic design. Produced on the island of Taiwan by SYM. This company is gradually increasing its turnover in the global market and is already known in Russia today for its scooters and ATVs.
In our country, the device is popular for several reasons: firstly, this model has similar features to one of the most popular motorcycles in the “125 cc” category, the European model Yamaha YBR 125.
Secondly, the technical characteristics of this motorcycle are also at a good level for modern models: front disc brake with a diameter of 240 mm, cast 18-inch wheels, a 5-speed manual gearbox, a large gas tank with a capacity of 14.5 liters and low fuel consumption in the area 1.5 liters per “hundred”.
And, probably, one of the most important reasons for choosing this bike is its reasonable price. This motorcycle in completely new condition can be bought for 20 thousand rubles cheaper compared to the Japanese Yamaha. But few people know that YBR 125 models assembled in Turkey are imported into Russia, which have significant technical differences from the declared data on European websites (fuel injection has been replaced by a carburetor, and the round headlight has been replaced by a rectangular one with an incomprehensible-shaped shield).
In general, the conclusion can be drawn as follows: when buying a SYM XS 125, you do not overpay for a “promoted” brand, but you get a motorcycle of almost the same quality.
Disadvantages of the model
- As you approach maximum speed, handling deteriorates noticeably.
- Neutral gear does not engage immediately.
Overall, reviews of sym 125 are positive. The motorcycle is worth its price in full. A comfortable fit and a large tank allow you to travel hundreds of kilometers. A good engine and suspension perform well on a flat asphalt road and on a dirt road. If you replace tires with a large tread, the motorcycle will not be afraid of dirt and sand. The motorcycle is ideal for beginners due to its light weight and good handling. If you fall, picking up such a bike will not be difficult. Finding spare parts for a motorcycle is easy.
Technical characteristics of SYM XS 125 K
- type - classic road motorcycle, street, classic, city bike.
- country of origin: Taiwan, SYM (Sanyang Industry Co.)
- brand, brand - the SYM company was founded in 1954, in the Russian market it is known for its SYM scooters and ATVs, as well as Hyundai cars.
- The name of the model in Russian is “Sim XS 125 K”.
Engine:
- working volume - 125 cubic meters. see (124 cc).
- 1 cylinder, four stroke.
- Timing - OHC 2 valves per cylinder.
- standard - Euro 3.
- maximum power - 8.02 kW = 10.9 hp. at 8500 rpm.
- torque - 9 Nm at 8000 rpm.
- bore/stroke: 56.5 mm x 49.5 mm.
- compression ratio - 9.0:1.
- ignition type - electronic.
- cooling system – air.
- fuel supply system (intake type) – carburetor.
- starting system – electric starter and kickstarter.
Transmission, chassis, brake system:
- gearbox - mechanical, 5 gears.
- drive - chain.
- frame - tubular steel.
- front suspension - telescopic fork.
- rear suspension - pendulum type with two shock absorbers.
- front brakes are disc brakes, one disc with a diameter of 240 mm. with 2-piston caliper.
- rear brakes are drum.
Dimensions:
- length - 2040 mm.
- width - 750 mm.
- height - 1100 mm.
- wheelbase - 1280 mm.
- ground clearance (ground clearance) - 200 mm.
- dry weight – 130 kg.
Wheels:
- wheels - alloy wheels.
- front tire size - 2.75-18
- rear tire size - 90/90-18
Other information:
- gas tank volume – 14.5 liters.
- Fuel consumption is about 1.5 liters per 100 km.
- Recommended fuel is gasoline with an octane rating of AI-92.
- maximum speed - 100 km/h (62 mph).
- color options - black, silver, blue, red.
Comparison of Yamaha YZ125 and KTM 125 SX. Thinking out loud
It's more fun to ride a Yamaha YZ125. It picks up sharper and more cheerfully in the lows and mids. If I missed a turn, the YZ125 will help me. The KTM corners better, but is easier to lose revs and slow down on.
The KTM 125SX is much faster than the Yamaha YZ125. It has better top end, revs faster and has a longer rev range. The YZ125 runs out of steam in the low end. And let the Yamaha respond faster to the gas, but then all you can do is watch how the KTM catches up and overtakes.
I would probably make the chainring one tooth smaller to improve the response at the bottom, especially on short climbs before jumping.
The Yamaha front brake was much better than I remembered. It's not as good as a Brembo, but it presses nicely and modulates clearly. And this is great, because when racing against a four-stroke 250, you have to take advantage of all the features of a two-stroke engine and a lightweight chassis. You know it's going to be dull coming out of the corner if you don't dive into the corner literally at the last moment and open up as early as possible.
I liked the lower KTM handlebar better, probably because the YZ125 handlebar is the same as the YZ250 handlebar and is a bit tall. Another complaint about the Yamaha is the lower subframe bolt on the left side of the bike. It sticks out too far, and I kept catching it with my boot.
If I was looking for a fun bike, I'd buy a YZ125, keep it stock and happily ride it. I wouldn't buy it for racing.
Yamaha YZ125 2020
Well, what would it cost them to make the YZ125 newer? Yes, they switched to new Arrow plastics in 2015, but it's been 5 years since then and even the YZ250F and YZ450F don't look the same anymore.
Neither the YZ125 nor the KTM had any mixture problems. This was simply not possible until KTM switched from Keihin to Mikuni. Now they have the same carburetor.
Given the same distance to the jump, I definitely choose the KTM. I was always under-flying the YZ125.
It looks like the 2006 Yamaha YZ125 was an incredibly cool bike in its day. Because how else would it have been produced for so many years without any changes?
Test drive SYMSymphony 125
Scooters and motorcycles from Taiwan are sold almost all over the world and are deservedly popular among not very wealthy buyers, since they do not cost much more than purebred “Chinese” ones, but are more reliable in operation. We have already tested scooters and motorcycles from Taiwanese manufacturers CPI, PGO and Sym, which really left a good impression. But in order to form a final opinion about a particular brand, you should try at least a few units of its products. And today’s test of the Sym Symphony 125 scooter may be a good reason to strengthen, or, conversely, refute the opinion about the good quality of the products of this Taiwanese brand.
It’s worth noting right away that the Sym Symphony 125 is a budget scooter, equipped with an air-cooled engine, but with a modern design that can appeal not only to young people, but also to those over 30. At a cost of $1900, it is one of the the most inexpensive 125 cc scooters of the Sym brand. For example, the Sym HD Evo 125, which is more advanced in terms of characteristics and equipment, will cost $3,100.
The Sym Symphony 125 motor is capable of producing 10 hp. and 9.4 Nm of torque, which is not bad at all for an air-cooled 125. It starts either with the kick starter foot or with the electric starter button when the brake is depressed. After a cold start, the automatic starting enrichment increases the engine speed for a couple of minutes so that it warms up faster. When the engine speed drops to the usual idle, you can safely set out on the road.
From the first meters you can feel the extraordinary lightness of the scooter and the fact that its bulk is very low. Therefore, it is very easy to maneuver it at walking speeds, even if there is a passenger sitting behind you. Moreover, the presence of a passenger is felt only by the load on the rear suspension, and does not cause any inconvenience to the driver, since this scooter is a full-fledged two-seater. The wide platform is reserved exclusively for the driver’s feet, and there is enough space between the seat and the front shield so that the knees do not rest against it. And the steering wheel of the Sym Symphony is quite high and does not catch on your knees even when turning. The passenger part of the seat, separated from the driver by a small “step,” is wide and comfortable, and therefore the “second number” will not feel “superfluous”. It also has comfortable retractable aluminum footrests, and the metal trunk serves as handles. In addition, it will be convenient to hold on to them, even if you install a small case on the scooter.
The variator is configured for a smooth start and equally smooth acceleration. The four-stroke engine runs very quietly and does not emit unpleasant vibrations, providing a good level of comfort, including acoustics. Even during the initial inspection of the scooter, I noted the good quality of the workmanship and fit of the plastic and other parts of the scooter, which on the move is reflected in the complete absence of all sorts of rattles, knocks and squeaks characteristic of cheaper Chinese scooters. And even though this “Taiwanese” belongs to the budget category, I found only one point that I can find fault with – its suspension.
Despite the installed 16-inch wheels, this scooter feels every bump that they drive over. The only good thing is that the soft seat absorbs some of the shock loads and they reach the driver and passenger in a slightly weakened form. The rear shock absorber is devoid of any adjustment, and its standard stiffness and travel are clearly designed for smoother Taiwanese or European roads. The front fork also turned out to be not very soft, and periodically knocked during a very sharp reverse stroke. In addition, both the fork and the rear shock absorber have weak shock-absorbing characteristics, and, as it seemed to me, they work on the same springs. This can be felt by the rocking of the scooter when driving over some bumps.
The recommended load is limited by the manufacturer at 150 kg, but our test subject (while driving with a photographer passenger and photographic equipment on board) had to carry about 160-170 kg, and therefore the standard rear shock absorber sometimes “punched” on some bumps. But, if someone plans to constantly carry not a photographer from MotoDrive magazine, but some fragile girl on this scooter (which, you see, is much easier and more pleasant), the travel and stiffness of the standard shock absorber should be enough.
The brakes and standard tires have proven themselves to be quite good. The power of the 226 mm front disc and two-piston caliper is always enough to quickly stop the scooter. If you also connect the rear drum brake to the braking, things will go even faster. The front brake has good information content, which cannot be said about the rear. The tires clung well to the asphalt and even on large slopes, in which we specifically placed the scooter, did not show any desire to slip.
Scooters are most often purchased to quickly move around the city. And this Sym, when used as a city slicker, will not feel inferior. On the contrary, the driver sits quite high on it (seat height is 800 mm), which makes it possible to see a gap in any traffic jam, and the narrow steering wheel makes it easy to squeeze into it. In addition, the Sym Symphony has a fairly large steering angle, which makes maneuvering easier, and the visibility in the mirrors is sufficient to avoid turning around during smooth lane changes.
Stopping at the park to take a better look at the scooter, we noted its good suitability for carrying luggage. In addition to the rear metal trunk, on which, as we have already said, you can install a case, the Sym Symphony has an underseat container, which, according to the features of this class of two-wheeled vehicles, can only accommodate a half-face helmet. In the front panel there is a small lockable glove compartment, which can fit two pairs of leather gloves without advanced protection or one (using the example of the Probiker F-308) with protection. Above the glove compartment there is a hook for packages, but, unfortunately, without a latch. The seat unlocking mechanism is very conveniently implemented: in order to open it, you don’t even need to turn off the ignition. On the contrary, it opens when the ignition is turned on with a button on the left steering wheel, which also serves as a toggle switch for switching low and high beams. Under the seat there is another interesting toggle switch that blocks the engine from starting, even when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position. This "anti-theft" in some cases can help prevent the theft of a scooter if an attacker breaks the ignition switch.
For its 125 cubic meters, this scooter looks quite compact. This impression is achieved mainly due to the narrow silhouette and thin wheels. Sometimes it seems that this is not a 125, but a typical European “fifty dollar” like the Aprilia Scarabeo or Piaggio Liberty. However, this assumption is partly correct, because the 50 cc Sym Symphony model is produced in the same case. But with the estimated cost of Symphony 50 at $1,900 and taking into account the fact that since 2010 they plan to introduce mandatory registration of fifty dollars throughout Ukraine, Symphony 125 will be a more profitable and reasonable investment. And getting a license, if someone doesn’t have one, is not at all a harsh necessity, but an important and responsible step towards a meaningful motorcycle life.
Roman Vasilenko (MONK)
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Driving experience: 10 years.
The impression is extremely positive! Very high quality and carefully fitted plastic, comfortable “seat”. The instrument panel is very readable even in direct sunlight. I immediately gained respect for the manufacturer. The fit is quite high - just right for my height (180 cm)! I start it - no extraneous noise or vibration. Pulling off is easy and relaxed. I tried to make a couple of circles around the clearing - I was pleased with the handling at low speed and the way the scooter “swallows” potholes and bumps (I would definitely feel less comfortable on a Japanese “fifty kopeck” scooter). The suspension seemed a little harsh (but in moderation, I think it would be just right with a passenger). We're heading out onto the highway. Still the same easy and relaxed acceleration and almost unchanged rumbling of the engine. He doesn’t feel my 80 kg at all, even untested, even on a flat road, even uphill. You don’t want to set yourself up for aggressive riding on this scooter at all, its soft ride is so pleasant. The controls are located in a standard manner; it didn’t take much getting used to. Among the inconveniences, I note the limited platform for the feet and the small volume of the “toilet bowl”.
Natalya Andreeva
Height: 167 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Driving experience: 2 years.
I have little experience driving scooters. Before Symphony, I rode used Japanese and Chinese scooters. I had only seen models of scooters with large wheels from afar and, of course, wanted to ride one of these. I really liked the design, the smooth lines of the body shapes of this “Symphony”. Design means a lot to me. As it turned out, large wheels are very good - they create even greater comfort when driving on our difficult roads. And although driving a scooter with large wheels was a little unusual at first, after 5 minutes I realized that it was just as easy as on other scooters. Comfortable seating, comfortable steering wheel, pleasant engine sound - these are the points that were important to me. The softness when driving on the Symphony and the old Japanese cars is very similar on a good road, but when driving on a bad road, the situation is better on the SYM.
Text: Vladislav Sofonov
Photo: Andrey Shlenchak
Scooter for test provided by Motoua.net
Prices for SYM XS 125 K
The average retail price for this model is 60 thousand rubles. In some stores, the price may be higher or lower, depending on demand, season and other facts.
Prices for a used motorcycle SYM XS 125 K start from 25,000 rubles and above. A large number of sales advertisements can be found on popular websites and free message boards (for example, moto.auto.ru, avito.ru, irr.ru). Be careful when buying used equipment, carefully check not only the condition of the motorcycle, but also the documents.
Conclusion: light, practical, modern, economical, and most importantly relatively inexpensive motorcycle, a classic “road bike”. Suitable for beginners, “fragile” girls and all lovers of classics with a small engine capacity. We also recommend considering this model as one of the options if you don’t have enough money for a Yamaha, but really want to ride a good motorcycle.
