Welcome to Team SYMBA: dedicated to the new SYMBA motorcycle, manufactured by SYM. It's a modern interpretation of the world-famous Super Cub, and is now available in the USA.
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Sorry - what I meant in the post is that the Alliance Powersports website is "almost here". They are already up and running as nationwide USA distributor of (albeit a pared-down number of) SYM models. I think it's not quite accurate to refer to SYM as "Chinese" - yes, the people on Taiwan are Chinese, but the manufacturing quality, particularly of motorcycles and scooters, in Taiwan is world-class, in contrast to that of (Mainland) China, which is sub-par. SYM scooters are widely regarded as equal if not superior to Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha.
The retro bike looks nice but I gotta be honest...At the price they are saying it's going to go for which I think is around $3500 there's no way I would buy it (A new Ninja 250 is around $4200). I agree that SYM is a way cut above for quality than other Chinese motos/scooters but the price is way high considering there is right now VERY little support for SYM due to the collapse of the SYM dealer network. This Lance Motorsports thing is moving at a snail's pace and they seem more preoccupied with selling more machines (Which is the case of most scooter dealers) than becoming a real importer/distributor supporting a dealer network with parts. I have serious doubts about the Lance Motorsports thing working but as a SYM owner I'm hoping for the best. The motorcycle is way overpriced (As is the SYMBA)...But we'll see how many people buy this updated Honda CB 125S (I had a CL125S back in 1973) for about $500 less than a Ninja 250 which sips gas at around 60MPG and can come close to 100MPH (I currently own the older model Ninja 250 and it's a fantastic motorcycle and this motorcycle is not even in the same league although it's price will be pretty close). The SYMBA should be priced at around $1800 and this motorcycle priced at around $2300 to get any real action. And this Lance Motorsports thing needs to act like a real distributor and not just some small scooter shop and get parts AND ACCESSORIES out and available without having to call and know a secret handshake or something. Right now their accessories for the SYMBA consist of a way overpriced seat and the front carrier/box. Sorry to say but CARTER BROS. did a way better job and SYMBA owners are still scrambling to find leftover Carter Bros. accessories as there really isn't anything now in the U.S. market except a crazy overpriced accessory seat. This will not do anything to improve the situation of SYM in the U.S.
You make some very good points and I hope the folks at Alliance Powersports are listening, for their own good. I agree that the price point of the Wolf is on the high side. However, overall, SYM's MSRPs are competitive with Kymco and Genuine, at least in the scooter segment. They may regard the Symba and the Wolf as specialty products that are aimed at a market niche where competition is not as intense. Remember the Fly Scout? It almost gave the Symba a serious challenge, but the company went belly-up soon after the Fly was introduced. Nevertheless, people who find the classic CB-styling of the Wolf attractive might also be drawn to the Suzuki TU250X, which, at $3999 not only features more power and fuel-injection, but also a well-established and relatively stable USA dealer (and parts/accessories) network.
The TU is difficult to find (and impossible in CA) because Suzuki has realized that most Americans, like the above poster, would rather buy a stupid crotch rocket covered in cheap fairings so they can SQUID their way across a freeway at 100mph. I'd line right up to buy a Wolf any day, other than the TU250 (which I can not get in CA) there is no new bike on the market less than $7000 that I would buy. In fact, not more than $7000 either, as I like the Enfields and the Triumphs, but who needs such big motors for city/country road riding?
SYM (and my Symba) are of parallel quality to the Japanese manufacturers and are therefore deserving of similar pricing. Enjoy your Ninja.
Thanks...MY Ninja is a great bike...60 to 70MPG and can reach near 100Mph...By the way it's the older model so it' more of a sport-tourer than the new "crotch rocket" model. If you want to buy an updated CB125 for $3500 with little to no dealer network or support go for it. I have no doubt the WOLF or whatever they call it will be decent quality and a nice bike like the Symba but not only will it be overpriced (At least initially) but the SYM situation in the U.S. is not a good one right now unless this Lance/Alliance motorsports thing improves (And it's pretty sketchy)...Was not berating the new SYM motorcycle...And to be honest if it was being offered at a lower price (Significantly) and the SYM situation in the U.S. was a better one then I would have even considered replacing my SYMBA with it...But no way for me now with that price and the SYM situation the way it is...But hey I wouldn't buy an Enfield, a URAL or any of those other brands which have a handful of dealers in the U.S. but some dudes do and maybe you're one of them...Go for it...I like seeing them on the road (I just don't want to pay for them or try to maintain them)...
Yes...I've seen that MSRP...I've also seen other advertisements that it's coming listing it around $3500 (At least one was from a dealer in Chicago)...
Here's the URLs for all of the WOLF Models that come from SYM...Seems like they "punched" out the motor another 25cc for our market...I wonder what the retail for these are in Taiwan...
I just noticed that the Wolf SB125Ni has EFI... Now that would have been a hot spec for the WOLF here in the U.S. Not all of us live in flat and level sea level suburbia...
Yeah, all motorcycles and scooters sold in Taiwan have to be fuel-injected now, due to more stringent emissions standards. They still make normally-aspirated (carburetor) versions for export. But, of course, it's an option that's readily available for Alliance to go for, and I agree that they should. The whole USA line-up should have EFI, in my view. Kymco USA has it standard on everything from 200cc up.
Posts
Ummmm...What?
ReplyDeleteAnother year of waiting for a real Sym Distributor to emerge?
Or do you mean a $3500 chinese motorcycle based on 1970s technology?
Sorry - what I meant in the post is that the Alliance Powersports website is "almost here". They are already up and running as nationwide USA distributor of (albeit a pared-down number of) SYM models. I think it's not quite accurate to refer to SYM as "Chinese" - yes, the people on Taiwan are Chinese, but the manufacturing quality, particularly of motorcycles and scooters, in Taiwan is world-class, in contrast to that of (Mainland) China, which is sub-par. SYM scooters are widely regarded as equal if not superior to Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha.
ReplyDeleteThe retro bike looks nice but I gotta be honest...At the price they are saying it's going to go for which I think is around $3500 there's no way I would buy it (A new Ninja 250 is around $4200). I agree that SYM is a way cut above for quality than other Chinese motos/scooters but the price is way high considering there is right now VERY little support for SYM due to the collapse of the SYM dealer network. This Lance Motorsports thing is moving at a snail's pace and they seem more preoccupied with selling more machines (Which is the case of most scooter dealers) than becoming a real importer/distributor supporting a dealer network with parts. I have serious doubts about the Lance Motorsports thing working but as a SYM owner I'm hoping for the best. The motorcycle is way overpriced (As is the SYMBA)...But we'll see how many people buy this updated Honda CB 125S (I had a CL125S back in 1973) for about $500 less than a Ninja 250 which sips gas at around 60MPG and can come close to 100MPH (I currently own the older model Ninja 250 and it's a fantastic motorcycle and this motorcycle is not even in the same league although it's price will be pretty close). The SYMBA should be priced at around $1800 and this motorcycle priced at around $2300 to get any real action. And this Lance Motorsports thing needs to act like a real distributor and not just some small scooter shop and get parts AND ACCESSORIES out and available without having to call and know a secret handshake or something. Right now their accessories for the SYMBA consist of a way overpriced seat and the front carrier/box. Sorry to say but CARTER BROS. did a way better job and SYMBA owners are still scrambling to find leftover Carter Bros. accessories as there really isn't anything now in the U.S. market except a crazy overpriced accessory seat. This will not do anything to improve the situation of SYM in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteYou make some very good points and I hope the folks at Alliance Powersports are listening, for their own good. I agree that the price point of the Wolf is on the high side. However, overall, SYM's MSRPs are competitive with Kymco and Genuine, at least in the scooter segment. They may regard the Symba and the Wolf as specialty products that are aimed at a market niche where competition is not as intense. Remember the Fly Scout? It almost gave the Symba a serious challenge, but the company went belly-up soon after the Fly was introduced. Nevertheless, people who find the classic CB-styling of the Wolf attractive might also be drawn to the Suzuki TU250X, which, at $3999 not only features more power and fuel-injection, but also a well-established and relatively stable USA dealer (and parts/accessories) network.
ReplyDeleteThe TU is difficult to find (and impossible in CA) because Suzuki has realized that most Americans, like the above poster, would rather buy a stupid crotch rocket covered in cheap fairings so they can SQUID their way across a freeway at 100mph. I'd line right up to buy a Wolf any day, other than the TU250 (which I can not get in CA) there is no new bike on the market less than $7000 that I would buy. In fact, not more than $7000 either, as I like the Enfields and the Triumphs, but who needs such big motors for city/country road riding?
ReplyDeleteSYM (and my Symba) are of parallel quality to the Japanese manufacturers and are therefore deserving of similar pricing. Enjoy your Ninja.
Thanks...MY Ninja is a great bike...60 to 70MPG and can reach near 100Mph...By the way it's the older model so it' more of a sport-tourer than the new "crotch rocket" model. If you want to buy an updated CB125 for $3500 with little to no dealer network or support go for it. I have no doubt the WOLF or whatever they call it will be decent quality and a nice bike like the Symba but not only will it be overpriced (At least initially) but the SYM situation in the U.S. is not a good one right now unless this Lance/Alliance motorsports thing improves (And it's pretty sketchy)...Was not berating the new SYM motorcycle...And to be honest if it was being offered at a lower price (Significantly) and the SYM situation in the U.S. was a better one then I would have even considered replacing my SYMBA with it...But no way for me now with that price and the SYM situation the way it is...But hey I wouldn't buy an Enfield, a URAL or any of those other brands which have a handful of dealers in the U.S. but some dudes do and maybe you're one of them...Go for it...I like seeing them on the road (I just don't want to pay for them or try to maintain them)...
ReplyDeleteJust for clarification purposes, the MSRP on the Wolf is $2999.
ReplyDeleteYes...I've seen that MSRP...I've also seen other advertisements that it's coming listing it around $3500 (At least one was from a dealer in Chicago)...
ReplyDeleteHere's just a couple of quick prices from a couple of dealers...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scooterdynasty.com/150ccsymwolfclassic.aspx
http://www.iheartscooters.com/scooters/sym-Wolf-Classic-150.php
Here's the URLs for all of the WOLF Models that come from SYM...Seems like they "punched" out the motor another 25cc for our market...I wonder what the retail for these are in Taiwan...
http://www.sym.com.tw/eng/showroom/index.php?tid=2&mode=brand&bid=41
http://www.sym.com.tw/eng/showroom/index.php?tid=2&mode=brand&bid=47
http://www.sym.com.tw/eng/showroom/index.php?tid=2&mode=brand&bid=59
http://www.sym.com.tw/eng/showroom/index.php?tid=2&mode=brand&bid=37
http://www.sym.com.tw/eng/showroom/index.php?tid=2&mode=brand&bid=46
I like the X-Wolf but without the engine guard.
I just noticed that the Wolf SB125Ni has EFI...
ReplyDeleteNow that would have been a hot spec for the WOLF here in the U.S. Not all of us live in flat and level sea level suburbia...
Yeah, all motorcycles and scooters sold in Taiwan have to be fuel-injected now, due to more stringent emissions standards. They still make normally-aspirated (carburetor) versions for export. But, of course, it's an option that's readily available for Alliance to go for, and I agree that they should. The whole USA line-up should have EFI, in my view. Kymco USA has it standard on everything from 200cc up.
ReplyDeleteThat advertised $3500 price for the Wolf may be an "out-the-door" quote - which includes dealer prep and (possibly) sales tax.
ReplyDelete