Test of the coolest Taiwanese scooter SYM Maxsym TL500

When creating the SYM Wolf T2, Taiwanese engineers clearly focused not on Chinese competitors, but on Japanese ones. This has led to an increase in the cost of the design when compared with budget motorcycles from mainland China, but from a technical point of view the bike is much closer to the “Japanese” ones. And the price still held back from a sharp rise, and this model became almost an ideal choice for those who do not have the money to buy a Japanese motorcycle, but do not want to deal with the budget “Chinese”.

Design

Sim Wolf T2 looks quite aggressive , but not pretentious, and looking at it, it’s hard to guess that this is a Chinese motorcycle. Refusing to copy and imitate, Taiwanese designers have developed a modern look for it, attractive and catchy, thanks to which the bike immediately stands out in city traffic. Each element is worked out in detail, and all together they form a coherent style.

Specifications

In terms of characteristics, the brainchild of the Chinese concern is comparable more with Japanese competitors than with other motorcycles from the PRC. A powerful engine, dynamic brakes, a generally balanced design and well-thought-out ergonomics are an excellent set of qualities , especially if you remember that it is offered to customers at a low price.

Engine

The 249 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled injection engine behaves flawlessly and starts up properly in any weather. Power is rated at 25.6 horsepower at 7,500 rpm , which is excellent considering it doesn't even vibrate in a way that's noticeable until 8,000 rpm. The maximum speed that the SYM Wolf T2 motorcycle can develop is 150 km/h .

Transmission

The modern and technologically advanced 6-speed gearbox deserves all praise. The first 4 gears are short, so you will have to change them often when driving around the city, and most of the time you will be driving in fifth. Sixth gear acts as an overdrive, and you can’t count on vigorous acceleration in it. But, having picked up speed in fifth, you can safely switch to sixth - the engine speed will drop, and along with it, fuel consumption will decrease.

Chassis and brakes

The engineers distinguished themselves here too. Taking a simple steel frame , they installed good suspensions, albeit slightly outdated. The front end received a telescopic fork, and a monoshock absorber with adjustable stiffness was installed at the rear. For Russian roads, the quality of which is no secret, there are enough of them even if there is a passenger. The brakes are, without exaggeration, excellent, and all they lack is ABS. The front wheel has a brake disc with a powerful 4-piston caliper, and the rear wheel has another disc with a 1-piston caliper.

Electronics

Having designed a very successful model, Chinese engineers wisely decided not to complicate it. This helped to keep production costs at an affordable level and at the same time facilitate any service operations. Electronics in the “Taiwan Wolf” are minimal, and it won’t be difficult to understand it by simply looking at the manual and arming yourself with the necessary tools.

Weight and dimensions

Dry weight – 173 kg . The center of gravity is low, so subjectively the bike seems quite light, and it’s easy to roll it around the garage or parking lot with your feet. The dimensions can be called compact - just 200.5 cm in length and 79 cm in width at the extreme points. Ergonomics are thought out to the smallest detail, and even a tall driver will be able to sit comfortably, which cannot be said about the passenger. Alas, Sim Wolf T2 was clearly not designed for long trips for two people.

Controllability

The clever design gives the SYM Wolf T2 excellent maneuverability, and in the hands of an experienced pilot this bike can work wonders. It easily changes lanes, brakes effectively, quickly picks up speed and confidently takes sharp turns. On the move, its weight is not felt at all, and such refined handling can be called one of its main advantages.

Fuel consumption

Officially declared fuel consumption averages 4 liters , but owner reviews often claim that it is actually lower, from 3 to 3.5 liters . Considering the volume of the gas tank is 14 liters , the power reserve when driving on the highway can reach 400 kilometers! The engine runs on AI-95 and AI-92, and most owners of this model prefer to use the latter in order to save money, since it is cheaper.

Hi all! I have long wanted to start my own blog on BP, and finally the material for the first post has appeared. I'll tell you a little about myself. I have been interested in motorcycles since childhood, thanks to my grandfather, who to this day in the Kostroma region has a whole fleet of motorcycles waiting for me every year from Minsk to Dnepr. I always knew that I would be a motorcycle traveler, but due to life circumstances it was not possible to become one for a long time. At 23, I realized that if I didn’t buy a motorcycle now, I wouldn’t buy it for a long time, and after much thought I bought a SYM XS – 125K, which I knew well from work.

A few words about this motorcycle and why I bought it. I have always liked classic motorcycles and cruisers, but when buying, I was guided by two parameters: price and quality. For the 60 K that I had at my disposal, you couldn’t buy anything of cubic size, not even a heavily rolled Japanese one. Moreover, the lack of a garage, and therefore the opportunity to tinker with the motorcycle, prompted me to buy a new device. Back in the day, I got enough of the Voskhod engines, so I just wanted to drive and not look. At the time of purchase (winter 2013), there were few offers on the market. I was choosing between Stels Delta 200 and SYM. (Flame 200 was not in Moscow at that time, and the price tag was higher) Because. worked in a scooter and bicycle store, I had a chance to compare the build quality of SYM and Stels equipment. There was no doubt that SYM was better.

Objectively on the motorcycle: Worth the money (by the way, now you can buy it for 50k, and with low mileage for only 35).

Cons Fragile plastic and inconvenient fastening of the side pads. The fastenings also broke off in the store, this is a design flaw. Can be glued or mounted on bolts. After the same Delta, I was confused by the thickness of the tank, it’s really thin, on the Delta it’s like at sunrise, but this one plays a little. But it doesn't wobble. The quality of the paintwork is average. I didn’t find any more cons.

Operation Tires: Rating 4. In my opinion – good. Compared to the Chinese, it is much better. For any Chinese, when you pull the tendril of the casting, it breaks off, and the rubber itself shines, which hints at oakiness. The tires on SYM are soft. Its disadvantage is that it does not hold up on sand, but this is not a question of quality but of the type of tires, they are purely road tires. And it holds rain on the asphalt normally, although I don’t lay it down, I don’t know the limit. But there were never any breakdowns.

Brakes: Rated 5. The brakes match the weight and power of the bike and provide effective braking. The front disc with a two-piston caliper is informative and allows you to calculate the force on the lever. The rear drum, like all drums, works adequately.

Electrical: Rating 4. In terms of wiring quality, SYM outperforms the Chinese, because uses better wire insulation, it is softer. Over the 6 thousand mileage, there have never been any problems with the electric train, not a single lamp has burned out. I have a complaint about the light, but I don’t drive much at night, so I haven’t looked into the headlight yet, but it could be brighter. There is no standard alarm. Ergonomics. Rating 5. The motorcycle is extremely comfortable. This is facilitated by a comfortable straight fit. Non-folding driver's footrests (I consider this a plus), an informative instrument panel (except for the gear number, which is not readable in the sun). The instruments hardly lie. Maybe the speedometer is a little high, because... accelerated to 115 km. according to it, but the manual says 90. Idk, it doesn’t matter to me. The odometer surprised me, it is extremely accurate, I checked it using GPS. The tachometer is also good, the needle picks up speed smoothly, and does not jump like on some Chinese equipment. The control panels were inherited from Honda. I haven’t seen anything better quality on octagons and quarters. I also like the thick handles, they are comfortable for me. The mirrors are also good, the metal bracket is strong and does not get knocked down. The swell appears at revs, and only in one mirror, most likely this is due to the fact that I have both left mirrors, I couldn’t find the right one in Tver (what was there was cracked from the showroom).

Engine. Rating 4.5. After any scoop, it's just a song! The 4t impressed with its torque in any gear, quiet operation and fuel consumption. However, I didn't think the motor was that torquey. Its cutoff begins at 8-9 thousand rpm, and at first it seemed strange to me. I wanted to change the gear ratio, because... I drove mainly in the two highest gears. Then it dawned on me that the manufacturer specifically planned this so that 125 cubic meters would not lag behind in city traffic. The engine would be ideal if not for two things. At high speeds, there is not enough balancer shaft, which is available on some analogues (YBR 125), and of course you want sixth gear, which follows from first gear. Now it’s time to adjust the valves; it doesn’t affect the driving performance, but I can hear by the sound what needs to be adjusted. I couldn’t do this myself due to lack of experience and tools (you need a special probe, you can’t get it with ordinary horseradish). And it makes no sense, officials in Moscow ask for 900 rubles. for adjustment, not so expensive.

Frame. Rating 4. There were no problems with the frame, but its shortcomings are not due to the quality of the workmanship, but rather to the type of construction. The simple, open frame plays a little under the two riders; this is also facilitated by the upper stamped fork crossmember and the pendulum. But what can you do, the light weight and price tag. When I travel alone, even with a load, there are no problems. There are no questions about the fork and shock absorbers. Miscellaneous. Manipulating the motorcycle after 6000 miles did not tire me out. The chain did not stretch to the end, so about once every few hundred km. I pull her up. Again, in China it sag immediately, but my own one is still standing, and I haven’t seen any development of stars yet either. I changed the spark plug once, because... I realized that it was sparking every once in a while due to the behavior of the spendthrift (he was dull). Well, I washed the air filter once, more for fun than out of necessity. I pumped the wheels once))) After a slight fall, the dashboard cracked a little. So I drive with the crack, it doesn’t affect anything. The motorcycle starts with a choke in any weather and runs stably at idle. Sometimes I stood all night in the pouring rain, and there were no problems after that. In 6000, not a single bolt-nut connection has loosened. However, even during the purchase, mechanic friends said that there was no need to extend the SYM. That's how it happened.

That's all. To summarize, I want to say that I am satisfied with the motorcycle. Taiwanese technology occupies a niche between China and Japan, much like Korea. This motorcycle is ideal as a city means of transport (unless, of course, we are talking about Moscow, then something bigger is needed, although I drive and keep up, but I have to turn). For small towns and villages it is very convenient, not least because of fuel consumption. There are spare parts in stock, of course not in bulk like on YBR, but according to the officials, they have almost everything.

Motorcycle price

A new bike can be bought from dealers for 180-190 thousand rubles. On the secondary market there are offers from 120-130 thousand, but the choice is small. When buying this bike, you should take into account the low liquidity of the model - it will not be easy to sell it when you get tired of it. Despite all its advantages, the Taiwanese brand is not very well known in Russia, and therefore its products are not very popular.

Repair and tuning

An inexpensive motorcycle should also be inexpensive to maintain, otherwise there will be little point in buying it. This is what’s good about the SYM T2 250 Wolf - it doesn’t cost much more than most Chinese competitors, being two heads above them all in terms of quality, and spare parts and consumables for it are cheap. The choice of non-original parts, however, is small, since the motorcycle is assembled not in mainland China, but in the Republic of China, but the prices for originals are not high.

Repair

Despite the completely modern design, there is nothing particularly complicated about this bike, so repairing it is not difficult. Some components can be repaired if necessary, while others will be easier to replace. Any motorcycle mechanic can easily figure out all possible problems, which, according to reviews from owners, arise very rarely. Surely this is partly due to the small age of most SYM Wolf T2 copies, but five to six years are enough for most other “Chinese” models to begin to crumble on the go. But for some reason the brainchild of the Taiwanese company is in no hurry to break down.

Spare parts

The easiest way to buy parts for this model is from official dealers, of which there are plenty in Russia. They are inexpensive, the quality is excellent, and residents of the regions can always order them through the Moscow representative office of the company. You can buy everything from consumables like oil seals and gaskets to a new gearbox. Although no one has yet heard of global problems with the engine, transmission and other important components on SIM Wolf T2.

Tuning

Due to the virtual absence of any proprietary tuning, one has to be content with universal options. And there is room to turn around! Mufflers, windshields, saddlebags, tank bags, grips, footpegs... The quality of body kits produced in China varies from case to case, but the prices will pleasantly surprise any thrifty motorcyclist.

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.

Advantages and disadvantages

When most people hear the words “Chinese small-capacity model,” they immediately think of something extremely budget-friendly, hand-made, archaic, and generally second-rate. But the SYM Wolf T2 motorcycle shatters these stereotypes - assembled with attention to detail, technically quite modern, attractive and cheerful, it also costs reasonable money. Against the backdrop of a whole horde of cheap bikes from China, a native of Taiwan looks like a confident and strong fighter, capable of competing even with the products of famous European and Japanese brands.

Advantages

• Amazingly high build quality . Even the levers are covered in chrome!
• Excellent dynamics for a small motorcycle.
• Easy adjustment of braking force on the front brake lever.
• Spare parts are usually available from dealers and are cheap.
• Gripping brakes that effectively stop the SYM T2 at any speed.
• Low gasoline consumption and a solid power reserve.

Flaws

• Complete lack of wind protection . And due to not fully thought-out aerodynamics, the headwind begins to cause inconvenience already at a speed of 110-115 km/h.
• Inconvenient place for a passenger .
• The water pump cover is poorly positioned and often suffers when dropped on its side.
• The stock mirrors are difficult to adjust correctly, especially if the pilot is tall and broad-shouldered. The problem is solved by replacing the mirrors.

SYM motorcycles

A company from Taiwan, Sanyang Industry Co , or SYM , has been in the motorcycle market for more than half a century. During this time, she managed to go from a small team of ten people producing electric generators for bicycles to one of the largest motorcycle companies in the domestic market.

In collaboration with the Japanese company HONDA, in 1962 the SYM plant launched the production of 50 and 80 cc scooters, followed by the production of small cars, on the basis of which some HYUNDAI cars were subsequently produced. Since 1978, SYM has had a special department dedicated to optimization of production, design of manufactured equipment, and design improvements, which are carried out according to the wishes of consumers. The company annually spends about five percent of its total annual income on the development of new designs. Today, one of the main goals of Sanyang Industry Co is to become one of the world's largest motorcycle manufacturers.

Currently the company produces:

• Scooters with engine capacity from 50 cm3 to 400 cm3 inclusive. They satisfy the needs of consumers in a wide range of price requirements and consume very little gasoline. Most SYM scooter models are equipped with a four-stroke engine. The design of SYM scooters is always very impressive and ergonomic - all parts of the body provide not only an aesthetic component of the design, but also increase the streamlining of the body.
• ATVs, including children's ones, also have engines of various cubic capacity . Depending on the buyer’s preferences, you can purchase both a sporty and a utilitarian version. The price range is between Chinese and Japanese manufacturers, while the quality is not inferior to the Japanese.
• Motorcycles. The SYM motorcycle line currently comes in several different variants. Among the common features of existing motorcycles, the following stand out: ease of operation, which allows even a beginner to feel confident in traffic, economical gas consumption, and laconic design. The availability of components is a definite plus when choosing a SYM motorcycle.
• Several models of HYUNDAI cars - Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Matrix.

The SYM company has a large number of awards for achievements in the field of quality; all its products are certified according to international standards. Reliability of designs, a diverse range of models and constant work to improve the technical characteristics of SYM products make the company increasingly popular in European countries and at the global level.

Owner reviews

A peppy motorcycle that surprisingly doesn’t lose momentum even with a passenger. True, for a passenger it will be torture to drive it for more than 20-30 km - the legs are lifted up to the ears, the seat is hard, the wind blows over the pilot’s head at speed so that it tries to break the neck. But the quality of the bike is up to par, the gaps are all even, the plastic is thick and flexible, there were no problems starting the engine even at +2 degrees, although the bike is stored in an unheated garage. Sometimes vibrations start to get annoying, but they appear at 8000 rpm and above, that is, at a speed at which you rarely drive anyway due to the lack of a fairing. The instrument panel is readable and even shows the battery charge level. Sergey, Omsk.

SYM Wolf T2 is my first bike, I switched to it from a 125cc Chinese scooter, it feels like heaven and earth. The dynamics are crazy for a small car, we measured it with a stopwatch - acceleration from 0 to 100 is about 7 seconds, but I'm a so-so driver, so, probably, this figure can be reduced even more. The brakes grab tightly, even if you set them to the lightest position. The assembly is pleasing, I didn’t even have to change the stock parts - the standard tires are standard, not a plastic donut, the headlight shines at a solid 5, the original battery is already in its third year. The only thing I will say is that the chain stretched quickly, so I replaced it with another one after 5-7 thousand km, I don’t remember exactly. I touched the motorcycle on its side once, but the plastic held up. Then I installed sliders, it’s somehow calmer with them. Vladislav, Rostov-on-Don.

I skated one season on a Taiwanese car, sold it because I wanted something more vigorous, and ended up buying a CBF600. But I only have the most pleasant impressions about Wolf, the bike never let me down, although I didn’t get it with 16k mileage, and almost 20 more passed under me. Of the replacements, only a dead clutch, tortured by the previous owner, and a pump cover that was damaged when it fell on gravel road My opinion is that the motorcycle is good, but most pilots will get tired of it within a season or two simply because of the low power. If squeezing adrenaline on the road every day doesn’t interest you, then maybe you won’t get tired of it)) Alexey, Moscow.

FAQ

• Do Chinese online stores have spare parts for the Wolf? In reality - yes, officially - no, since the bike was produced in Taiwan, which has had a diplomatic conflict with China for more than a hundred years. But in Russia there are SYM dealers through whom you can order anything.
• I heard that its brakes are too harsh and there is no ABS. Isn't it dangerous? No, it's not dangerous if you drive carefully. And the brakes can be adjusted to suit you in half a minute.
• The Wolf T2 250 is noticeably more expensive than other 250 cc Chinese models. Is it worth overpaying? This is a completely different level and a different quality. By the way, Sim Wolf T2 was developed in South Korea, simply by order of a Taiwanese company. And this is not another copy of some “Japanese” product, but a completely independent development.

Conclusion

The Republic of China makes not only good cars, but also good motorcycles. The SYM Wolf T2 motorcycle is 250cc of a completely modern engine, attention to detail, high build quality and good technical characteristics , and all this is offered at an affordable price . Friendly and flexible, this bike is equally suitable for both the novice motorcyclist and the experienced biker who needs an inexpensive two-wheeler at an affordable price. It is distinguished from most other Chinese motorcycles by its well-thought-out design, the absence of any “inherent problems” and a nice design created from scratch. In addition, this model has been sold in Russia for a long time, and it can already be called time-tested.

Specifications

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.