Team SYMBA

To de-smog or not to de-smog. That is the question.

2012-01-07T15:44:00.000-05:00

The Symba's Secondary Air Injection System ("AIC")

Now that so many Symbas are in use in the USA and have been for almost 3 years, some "experience" is developing regarding certain aspects of the bike.

More than a few Symba owners have reported a problem with the engine not starting, or not running smoothly. One of the first solutions promulgated on the SYM Owner's Forum was the air-mixture adjustment screw on the carburetor (or, carburettor, if you're British).

I ran into this on my daughter's Symba. Right out of the crate, it was reluctant to start and it ran poorly - rolling on the throttle resulted in engine cut-off, requiring quick action (pumping the throttle) to avoid stalls. The solution was to re-adjust the air-fuel mixture - a simple procedure on older bikes such as my '69 Honda Cub, but made a PITA on the Symba by the EPA-mandated shaving and sealing of the screw. I wound up purchasing a whole new screw and removing the old one by drilling away the resin sealant and using an easy-out tool (since the head had been shaved off). If you feel you need to do this, see the info here.

Now Symba owners are starting to discover other problems - bikes that suddenly won't start, even when the engine is warm, and particularly after filling the gas tank, resulting in the sorry spectacle of a Symba being pushed home on the side of the road, like some POS Znen or Wildfire bike that also rusts over if you put it in the same room with a damp rag.

The problem seems to be, again, over-zealous pollution control subsystems. The Symba has two of these encumbrances: the Secondary Air Injection System ("AIC") and the Evaporative Emissions Control System ("EEC"). Some riders who have encountered engine starting woes have removed one or both of these, which takes only novice mechanical skills.

If you're having the problems described, it might be worth considering going this route. For more info, see these entries in the SYM Forum's Symba section.

Carter Brothers Manufacturing: 1936 - 2011. Done. Gone. Finis.

2011-12-11T13:27:00.002-05:00

I had originally written a long treatise on the demise of Carter Brothers to be posted here, but it seems to me that there is no point. The company simply failed, and the reasons, which are many, are now meaningless, because in the final analysis, nobody cares.

This may very well be my last post on this blog. I'll keep it up a bit longer for the benefit of Symba owners who might find the links useful. But, although I am relieved that SYM has decided to stick it out in the USA, at least for now, and has a new and eager distributor in the form of Alliance Powersports, I find it difficult to muster much enthusiasm. It seems to me that SYM is a company with many flaws, not least of which is a marked lack of vision. They are definitely not taking cues from the history of American Honda, or even that of the more recent Kymco USA. If they were really serious about establishing the SYM brand in America, they would have set up their own subsidiary rather than relying on 3rd party distributors such as Carter Brothers and (now) Alliance Powersports. If not for the incompetence and ultimate failure of Carter Brothers, SYM might have been quite a bit farther along in the USA than it is now, instead of basically back to square one, working out of the same (failed) playbook.

I remain an admirer of their products, particularly the Symba. But that's not enough. Back in 2006 when I first emailed SYM and Carter Brothers about the Symba, and found a receptive ear, I hoped to be part of something worthwhile and exciting. The spirit is just not there, unfortunately. Alas.

2011-11-09T14:33:00.000-05:00

Well, it's that time of the year again, at least for Symba owners in the parts of the world that get all snowy and icy during the Winter months. I could have moved to southern California, or Texas, but New Jersey is my home and I've just got to bear it.

Here's a guide to winterizing your Symba. It's advised if you are going to store your bike for more than a month, you'd best follow these procedures so that you get back on the road in the Spring with a minimum of hassle.

Exclusive Peek Inside the New Alliance Powersports Website!

2011-10-08T12:02:00.001-04:00

Breaking News! Our intrepid research staff at Teamsymba.com has managed to hack into www.alliancepowersports.com and download unpublished web pages, such as the above screen shot of the 2012 SYM Wolf Classic page. Does that put us in the same class with those guys that hide in the Ann Arbor shrubbery for days trying to snap a spyshot of some future Ford or Buick? Unfortunately not. Actually, we just stumbled across the pages that Google had already cataloged by its own methods and added to search results. Oh well. Anyway, its still interesting to see the new site take shape!

More Photos of the SYM Wolf (aka, "Classic 150")

2011-09-18T23:54:00.000-04:00

It's Almost Here...

2011-09-14T23:14:00.001-04:00

Website coming soon...

Coming Soon to the USA?

2011-07-28T21:47:00.000-04:00

Pictured above is the SYM Wolf Classic - otherwise known as the "Classic 150". As the former owner of a '75 Honda CB125, this bike has me drooling. Look at the classic CB styling (but with SYM's elegant touch that Honda CB's never had). Note the pea-shooter exhaust, and the stylish saddle. As pictured, you can't see the 3-gauge instrument cluster (beautiful), or the rally stripe that goes down the center of the tank - touches that make this bike into an instant classic. Fitted with raked-down handlebars, it makes a fantastic urban cafe racer. At 150cc and mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Wolf Classic should handle most urban/suburban commutes with aplomb. Expect it to be added to the Alliance Powersports roster next season, hopefully in its fuel-injected configuration!

Lance Powersports Demo Website

2011-07-10T13:22:00.000-04:00

Astute observers at Teamsymba.com recently noticed that Lance Powerports has put up a demo version of their new website, featuring the (SYM-manufactured) Cali Classic. Soon they'll be adding the full line of SYM USA scooters and, of course, our beloved Symba.

Rumor has it the much-anticipated Classic-150 will be making its USA debut either late this year or early in 2012. That's a very interesting bike! Very much a retro throw-back to the Honda CB125 of the '70's, and with some really cool trim options, such as a Triumph Cub look (with pea-shooter exhaust, which I adore), a cafe racer, and even a '40's military version. I'm not sure how many of these Alliance will decide to bring in from Taiwan, but they're all on the table.

In the LA Area? Get a Brand New Symba for $67.65 Per Month!

2011-06-09T14:29:00.000-04:00

Hey, it looks like dealers are finally able to offer financing options again, so customers can finance their bikes like back in the old days (2007 and earlier)! HB Scooters of Huntington Beach, CA is advertising the Symba at a monthly cost of only $67.65. Not bad! They're also a Lance dealer, so they should make an easy transition to Alliance PowerSports (website to be up soon) as they take over from SYM's former USA distributor, Carter Brothers.

Could the Symba be the World's Most Fuel-Efficient Mode of (ICE) Transportation?

2011-05-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

Fuelly is a website that posts real-world fuel efficiency data for cars and motorcycles collected by people who own and use the vehicles in question. So far there are five posts by Symba owners, indicating that the Symba gets from 104.9 to 111.6 MPG. That's pretty darn good - even for a motorcycle - and about twice what you get in a Toyota Prius.

The higher the price of gas goes, the more sense it makes to have a Symba in your garage (next to your bicycle and Chevy Volt, of course)!

Click here to see the Symba MPG resluts at www.fuelly.com.

Good News From Alliance - Symba Parts Are Coming Soon!

2011-05-15T13:41:00.003-04:00

This is good news: Alliance Powersports is expecting a new container shipment of SYM bikes ('12 models) and parts to be on its way within 30 days, including a good quantity of Symba bench seats and the rear racks that fit with them.

Now would probably be a good time to contact your dealer and put in an order for one of the new and improved bench seats. According to photos I've seen of the new seat, its much taller and therefore probably provides more cushioning for a softer ride. That was one of my concerns about the original design - the padding was rather thin.

Also, the new rear rack that is designed to fit with the bench seat installed should be available soon. Previously, you had to make a choice: solo seat and rack, or bench seat and no rack. Now you can have both!

Introducing:

2011-04-08T13:50:00.002-04:00

Anyone who owns a Symba or a SYM scooter will soon be familiar with this name: Alliance Powersports (website not quite up yet). They're the new USA distributor of SYM vehicles, taking over this month from the former distributor, Carter Brothers (see story about Carter Brothers, below).

This is great news for Symba fans! So far, the response by SYM dealers regarding Alliance Powersports has been very positive: scooters are in stock and shipping, parts and accessories are flowing again, and warranties are being honored - including those on bikes sold through the previous distributor. The people at Alliance are excited at this new opportunity to really do justice to the Symba and the other quality scooters made by SYM. They are definitely keeping the Symba as part of the USA product line (why wouldn't they - it's very popular!), and are looking to adding the new and much-anticipated Classic 150. The impression I got from my emails and phone calls with Mike Hickman, the head honcho over at Alliance, is that this is going to be a whole new ball game. Hooray!

And by the way, if you'd like to add a really fine 125cc scooter as a companion to your Symba, you can get the (made by SYM) Lance Cali Classic at only $1995 ($300 less than the SYM Fiddle-II), at Alliance's sister company, Lance Powersports.

SYM and Carter Brothers - Splitsville!

2011-03-17T17:53:00.000-04:00

It's been fairly obvious for some time now to anyone following the USA scooter industry that things have not been going particularly well for SYM's exclusive USA distributor, Carter Brothers.

Ever since the devastating fire of last July that destroyed their main warehouse - and over 3,000 SYM scooters - and the subsequent determination of arson as the cause, Carter Brothers has seemed to be in a protracted state of limbo. Immediately after the fire they boldly announced that they were going to rebuild and get parts and warranty service up and running again as quickly as possible, but that never happened. In fact, nothing much has happened since then. Their operations seem to have come to a complete standstill.

Take the SYM-USA website for example: it has become a time capsule of the "before the fire" state of the company. It hasn't been updated since July, 2010 (over seven months ago) - not even the "news" section. Nothing about the fire, no updated information for SYM owners regarding where to get parts or warranty service, no reassuring words about their commitment to rebuilding.

Even before the fire there were general complaints circulating among SYM dealers regarding difficulty getting parts and product support. Carter Brothers did not appear to be keeping their parts warehouse adequately stocked. Since the fire, dealers have reported trouble even getting through to Carter Brothers by phone or email. The most they seemed willing or able to do was to post a parts order form on their Facebook page and instruct dealers to place their orders with SYM Canada. That's been the general state of affairs for over six months now.

One can not help but observe that any reasonably capable company should have been able to set up at least a shoe-string parts distribution operation by now. How long does it take to rent a warehouse and get a basic supply of spare parts shipped from Taiwan? Nowhere near seven months. Also, it's not difficult in this day and age to drop-ship parts directly from the manufacturer (or SYM's own parts operation) in Taiwan. Carter Brothers could have had that up and running in less than a month after the fire.

But, again, nothing happened!

The fire burned down a building - albeit a very large one housing much of Carter Brothers inventory and manufacturing operations. However, it didn't also burn down the company's employees, the company's websites (which are remotely hosted), or the Bellsouth Telephone Company. Unfortunately, Carter Brothers has been behaving as if the fire wiped out all of southern Alabama.

Many of us have been wondering what SYM was going to do in the face of such (sorry to say it) lethargic and inept behavior on the part of their exclusive USA distributor.

Recently, indications of SYM's intent have begun trickling out, not in the form of any official pronouncements, but through events. In mid-February it became known that Alliance Powersports (a unit of Lance Powersports, Inc.) had sent out notices to SYM dealers in the western region of the USA that they were taking over distribution of the SYM brand as of April 1st. This new relationship was officially confirmed by SYM on March 1st (without elaboration).

Speculation followed that, perhaps, Carter Brothers might possibly be retained as the SYM distributor for the eastern-half of the country, with Lance handling the western states.

However, Team Symba has recently been informed that, indeed, as of April 1, 2011, Carter Brothers will no longer be a distributor of SYM scooters and motorcycles in the USA, period. They are officially out of the scooter business.

So, who's going to be the new SYM distributor for the eastern half of the country? Nothing definite on that yet - but there have been some hints from various sources that SYM Canada might be filling that role. To date, SYM Taiwan has not confirmed anything on this question.

The more important concern for us Symba owners is, what does this mean for warranty service and the availability of parts and accessories? I hope to have some information to post on this subject as we get into April.

Now You Can Have The Symba Bench Seat AND A Rear Rack!

2011-03-17T11:03:00.000-04:00

Good news for Symba owners who have opted for the bench seart! SYM has finally introduced a new rear rack for the Symba that fits with the bench seat. It's not quite in the USA yet, but Chris at Ooty's Scooters (Santa Barbara, CA) has put in an order for them - along with more of the bench seats, which have been hard to find for quite some time now. Email Chris to reserve one or both for your Symba!

Note in the photo above that there is also a Symba "inner" rack that fits on the legshield. Let's hope they soon become available as well!

The Symba Conquers the Australian Outback

2011-03-02T12:59:00.000-05:00

Two intrepid Australian chaps have made the 2,148 mile journey across their home continent, from Perth to Melbourne - each on a Symba, of course! Of note is the fact that on one day of the trip the temperature went over 110 degrees (F)! Just shows to go you - the Symba is a quality machine that can take extremes in stride and just keep going. The only issue either bike had during the 7-day trek was a flat tire (or, "tyre", to use the king's English). The full story is here.

A Few Simple Customizations Can Make Your Symba Really Special!

2011-03-01T08:34:00.000-05:00

This Symba is new on my list of favorites! The owner painted the side covers to match the body - which may sound like a minor point but I think it really enhances the classic "Cub" lines of the bike - and he added rally striping and decal to the legshield. Nnnice! I'm not too keen on windshields, though - but if you're going for that British "Mod" scooter look, they work. About 8 more headlamps would be fitting as well. Perhaps that's next on his list! Thanks for the submission! Visit the owner's blog here.

Symba Appears in Local News Report on Scooter Industry

2010-12-31T11:47:00.000-05:00

Story link: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

It's not great news (scooter sales off by 67% compared with prior year - oof!), but there is a great shot of the Symba.

Wow! A Brand new Symba for $1500!

2010-12-15T11:40:00.000-05:00

March 1, 2011 - Update: Wasko's is sold out!

How'd you like to get a brand new Symba for under dealer cost? Way under, in fact. Team Symba has just learned that Wasko's, a major SYM dealership in Whitehall, PA has decided to clear out their remaining stock of 2010 Symba scooters at the amazing low price of $1500. MSRP is $2499, so this represents a savings of $1,000. That's an excellent value for such a quality vehicle. Contact them at www.waskos.com or 1-888-927-5640. I've bought Symba accessories from this dealership and they are good people.

If you're in the market for a Symba, it makes sense to purchase a 2010 model. For one thing, there are no changes planned to the Symba for 2011. For another thing, availability of the Symba in the future might be a problem, due to the continuing effects of the fire that destroyed the Carter Brothers factory/warehouse in Alabama last June.

Note: this is not an advertisement. teamsymba.com has no commercial relationship with Wasko's, Inc.

Taiwan's Super Cub History...

2010-10-30T18:35:00.000-04:00

The Super Cub is the most manufactured motor vehicle in history, having been made not just in Japan but throughout Asia for the past 52 years.

In Taiwan, Honda chose to license manufacturing to local companies operating on the Island, rather than pay the stiff import duties levied on imported vehicles.

The company they chose to manufacture Honda motorcycles for them was Sanyang Industry Co. (SYM), which started production of the Super Cub in 1962. This photo is of the SYM museum in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Note the C100 Cub on the right and the Symba on the far left, with all the intervening models in between.

Today, SYM is one of the major manufacturers of both motorcycles and automobiles in Taiwan. No longer under license from Honda, SYM produces a line of world-class quality scooters and motorcycles that are designed in Taiwan by SYM engineers, and compete with Honda and other major brands head-on. SYM has won praise and admiration for its extremely high quality standards and the resulting durability of its scooters. Thus, we have the Symba, which came to these shores in 2009, two years after SYM's entry into the USA.

Download it Today - The Symba Service Manual!

2010-09-13T20:07:00.000-04:00

The Symba Service Manual. Every Symba owner should have a copy of this document. If you ever need to adjust your valve clearance, set the ignition timing, gap a new spark plug, replace the main fuse, etc... this is the source for technical specifications and instructions on how to make such adjustments and repairs.

As far as I know, this is the only copy available in its entirety online.

Download it here.

Note: if the link above doesn't work or if the file is too large (23 megabytes!), you can download the Service Manual (in sections) here.

The Symba is for Sale in California! Finally!

2010-08-24T22:52:00.000-04:00

The Scoot Shop of Sacramento, CA announces the arrival of the Symba to dealerships in sunny California. What took so long? The answer is, it was the very stringent and incredibly slow CARB (California Air Resources Board) certification process, which can take upwards of a year or more from the date of application to approval. Without a CARB certificate, a scooter or motorcycle can't be legally sold in the state of California. Period. California is a very important state for scooters, partly because its the nation's most populous state (with nearly 40 million residents), but also because more scooters are sold there than in any other state by a wide margin (runner up: Texas). Also, California has the distinction of being where, in 1959, Honda opened its USA headquarters and introduced the Super Cub to American scooteristas. The Cub was a big hit - and inspired at hit song, too - the 1964 Beach Boy's tune, "Little Honda". The arrival of the Symba in California signals the return of the classic Cub to its American spawning grounds, and (finally) gives Cub enthusiasts there the opportunity to get back on their favorite ride!

Binh is Back (home)!

2010-07-22T12:35:00.000-04:00

Our friend and intrepid Symba-trekker Binh Cheung has completed his incredible ride to Alaska and back! Both rider and Symba made it in good shape - Binh showing himself to be quite the minimalist (the photo above is his Symba with all the gear he took on his month-long trip. No chase vehicle - just Binh, Symba, tent and sleeping bag!) and the 2010 Symba proving its durability and endurance! Binh has posted a summary of his ride and a bunch of great photos at SYMplifylife.com.

Editor's note: The previous post about the fire at Carter Brothers has been removed. I've made the decision not to distract Team Symba from our primary interest - the bike!

Binh's Amazing San Jose to Alaska Journey - Update...

2010-06-22T22:10:00.000-04:00

A remarkably rested and healthy-looking Binh Cheung stopped by The Seattle Scooter Center and posted this short video of his visit. Enjoy!

Alaska Symba Trek - 1300 miles in 3 days!

2010-06-22T08:56:00.000-04:00

Here's an update from Binh on the road to Alaska:

Got to Seattle late last night.

First day was a late start only did about 250miles thru the central valley. Stayed just north of Chico on hwy32. Did the second oil change around 300miles

Second day was a long one, over 450miles. I wanted to make the ride into Seattle a shorter one for the third day. Stayed a little past Bend Oregon. Did the third oil change around 600miles.

Third day. This day had some drama. My original route was snowed covered. I had planned to go over the Gifford Pinchot NF passes but got stuck in the snow. Had to turn around and go around. This added over 150miles to Seattle, turned out to be a 450+ miles instead of the 300 as planned. I had to go by local direction which made it take even longer. The bike started to make funny noises and I noticed the license plate starting to crack, epoxyed it.

I was only going to stay the night and continue north but decide to stay in Seattle for a day then head north. This break gave me time to do break in maintenance: valve adjust, chain adjust, clutch adjust, 4th oil change around 1275miles started using synthetic. Bike sounds normal now and runs much smoother and quieter then the previous day. The funny noises was cause by a very loose drive chain.

Epoxy didn't hold up so my buddy Fred here in Seattle made me a backing plate for the license plate so it can be held using all 4 holes. Bike now has over 1300miles and runs strong. The fastest I got it up to was just shy of 70mph down hill and about 60mph on the flats.

I've added more pics to photobucket:

http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/binhkc/Symba%20Alaska/

From San Jose to Alaska and Back - On a Symba!

2010-06-18T23:27:00.000-04:00

Friends and readers, meet Binh Cheung and his new Symba! The two of them embark today on a ride from Northern California to the Arctic Circle (and perhaps Arctic Ocean) and back: an 8,000+ mile, 1 month, 300 mile-per-day endurance test for both man and machine. As you can see in the photo (credit: Binh Cheung), he's packed all his gear plus an auxiliary gas tank on the front and a few spare tires on the rear rack.

It's a test I'm sure the Symba is up to, and here's hoping that Binh is as durable as his ride! Not to worry - Binh's an experienced endurance rider, having already taken road trips on 50cc scooters from his home in San Jose to Denver and Seattle. He probably feels over-powered on the 100cc Symba!

We'll be posting updates here, but just in case we get behind, you can also check Symplylife.com.

Here Come the Symba Customization Projects...

2010-05-03T17:55:00.000-04:00

Here's a nice one! A Symba owner repainted his legshield and side covers black and added a rally stripe on the front that matches his helmet. Very creative and well done! For more details about how he did it, see the Symba Forum. By the way, if you've customized your Symba, please post your photos on the forum when you can!

Installing the Symba "Long" Seat...

2010-04-18T23:07:00.000-04:00

Have you purchased the long (bench) seat for your Symba, only to find that it comes without installation instructions? Not to worry! A member of the Symba Forum has generously posted photos of the installation. Have a look, here.

How to Start Your Symba After the Long Winter...

2010-03-11T00:02:00.000-05:00

If the cold and snow has forced you to leave your Symba in the garage for months, and now you find it difficult to start, there's some excellent, first-hand advice on how to get her started and running well again - here.

Symba Commercial !!!

2010-02-25T21:50:00.000-05:00

Canadians Finally Get the Symba!

2010-01-03T06:33:00.000-05:00

According to the Scooter Underground, Canadian scooteristas (or "CubCanucks"?) will soon be able to unload their hoarded loonies on the Symba of their choice at their nearest SYM dealership. Apparently (but not surprisingly), the Symba is widely regarded as "Dekey" and has been anxiously anticipated since its introduction in the States. Oh, and here's a link to SYM Canada.

2009-12-11T09:47:00.000-05:00

It's ironic that the most thorough review of the Symba done so far is in a city newspaper rather than a motorcycle or scooter magazine (or website)! The LA Times put together an intelligent and rider-oriented piece that really does the Symba justice as a non-Vespa, but still very classic, choice for urban scooterists. Great video, too! Click on the LA Times masthead above to to to the review. The video is posted below.

The Symba Generation is Born!

2009-11-28T15:56:00.000-05:00

This is the first Symba ad I've seen in the mainstream press. It appeared alongside a very positive review of the Symba in the October '09 issue of Scoot Magazine. I picked up my copy at Border's Books just the other day. It's a good ad, although a bit slogan-heavy with three different versions, as if the designers of the ad liked them all and couldn't make up their minds which to go with. My choice would be, "The Symba Generation is Born!", because it's forward-looking. However, the large photo of the Symba parked next to a vintage Super Cub really works with, "Make new friends and keep the old" in a very special way. The third one is, "The Wow is Now!", which only really means anything to those of us who knew the bike back when it was only available in Taiwan as the "WoWOW" and for years pestered/cajoled/begged Carter Brothers to bring it to America.

Symba Owner's Manual - Available Online Now...

2009-11-20T21:15:00.000-05:00

It's always good to have a digital copy of important documents, and every Symba owner should have the Symba Owner's Manual on their PC or Mac. I've posted it here. Download it to your Symba folder for safe keeping. Note that the procedure for removing and cleaning the oil filter screen is still incorrect - so if you need to, download the corrected instructions here.

Download Your Copy of The Symba Wiring Diagram

2009-10-24T18:39:00.000-04:00

Planning to install an electric accessory? Here's the Symba wiring diagram!

symba_wiring.pdf

Symba Review at Motorcycle.com: What a Crock!

2009-10-11T12:01:00.000-04:00

Do you agree with the above? I certainly don't, and I'll bet if you are a fan of the Symba you won't, either. It's the rating given the Symba over at motorcycle.com based on ONE review - posted by somebody who definitely does not "get it", and thinks the Symba was designed for "grandmas". Oof!

Please, please - if you have a few moments to spare, go here and post your impressions of the Symba. Let's set the record straight!

Team - Don't Skimp on Protective Clothing!

2009-09-27T23:17:00.000-04:00

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've given "the wave" to a passing harley or GSX-R and noticed that the rider was wearing shorts, t-shirt, sneakers, and no gloves. Once a rider on a Buell came up along side me on my Symba at a red light and, in a nice way, made fun of my wearing a Shoei RF-1000 (full-face) helmet.

Fact: if you're not wearing the proper protective gear, you can get just as messed up hitting the pavement at 40 mph on a Symba as on a Sportster. So please, my fellow Symbaistas, don't skimp on the protective riding apparel! That means: gloves, jacket, full-face helmet, long pants, and riding boots. Every ride - no exceptions.

For some important information on the value of protective riding gear, please visit the Gear Up! Project website*.

The Symba Has its Own Song in Taiwan...

2009-08-24T23:07:00.000-04:00

As most of us know, the Symba is made in Taiwan. Over there the Symba is known as the "WoWOW", and it has quite a following among young people. Here is the popular band, "Wonfu", performing the "Every Day, WoWOW!" song at a concert in Taipei.

Symba Accessories - The Catalog is Here!

2009-08-20T00:32:00.000-04:00

SYM USA has released its 2009 Accessory List (click to download the PDF file). It's the whole catalog for all SYM vehicles, including two pages of items specifically for the Symba. I've ordered the wind screen, the hard-side cases, and the black bench seat - when installed, I'll post some pics!

New Symba Forum - Let's All Join In!

2009-08-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

There's a new forum dedicated to the Symba, and already quite a few Symba owners are starting to talk and trade info. It's time for all of us to join in. Please go to www.symforum.com and bookmark the Symba sub-forum.

Justgottascoot Tries Out the Symba Bench Seat...

2009-07-19T21:42:00.000-04:00

We've been hearing for weeks now that Justgottascoot.com has been working on a review of the Symba. The word on the street has been that one negative in their unpublished draft was how the solo seat forced some riders into an uncomfortable riding position (I think they'd find a lot of agreement on that point). But, being of the gentlemanly sort, they held the review until Carter Brothers was able to get them one of the new (longer) "bench" seats, and now the review has been published. It's one of the best, most positive, and also very detailed. Have a read, here. As for me, I really like the look of the seat, and have one on order.

Holy Upsell - Check out the Symba Accessories...

2009-07-13T00:20:00.000-04:00

Many of the much-anticipated Symba accessories are starting to appear in SYM dealerships: the front rack and basket, the windscreen, the rear hard case, etc... I can't wait for the long seat and the hard side cases!

SYM is Raffling off a Fiddle II 50!

2009-07-09T08:26:00.000-04:00

Sign up for SYM's newsletter and you'll be entered in their drawing for a brand new Fiddle II 50cc scooter! Just the thing to keep your Symba company in that big, lonely garage. And, you'll have a scoot to take out in the rain (after all, nobody in their right mind would let their Symba get rained on)!

UPDATE: (Sept 18, 2009) The winner of the drawing is Chris Dunning of Oswego, NY. Congratulations!

Check out the SYM Facebook Page!

2009-07-06T06:18:00.000-04:00

SYM is now on Facebook - check it out, team, and be sure to click on "Become a Fan" to receive news and updates on your own Facebook page direct from SYM.

New Rear Rack Coming Soon!

2009-05-31T13:11:00.000-04:00

Is the stock Symba solo seat giving you a case of fan-agony? When you ride, do you find yourself butting (no pun intended) up against that bar on the rear rack? Help is on the way: SYM-USA is manufacturing - right here in the USA - a new rack that makes it possible to stretch back a bit more and use the pillion seat for "expansion", while not limiting at all the rear storage capacity. Expect it to be available from Sym dealers in a month or so.

Important Update: Cleaning the Symba's Oil Strainer

2009-05-28T17:17:00.000-04:00

SYM-USA just released a correction to the Symba Owner's Manual that shows how to remove and clean the oil strainer - this was incorrect in the original version that was shipped with the first wave of Symbas sold in America. I'd recommend that you download this correction and keep a printed copy with your Symba Owner's Manual. The oil strainer should be cleaned regularly - I'd do it at every oil change (every 1500 miles or so - of course, the oil should be changed more often during the break-in period - about every 150 miles for the first 600 miles).

Tune in to Just Gotta Scoot for a Symba "Audio Review"!

2009-05-26T15:18:00.001-04:00

Dave Harrington of Just Gotta Scoot recently posted his "audio review" of the Symba and an interview with four people who are involved with the Symba on an intimate basis: a large SYM dealer, a SYM regional sales manager, SYM-USA's marketing director Pete McIntosh, and.... yours truly (representing Cub enthusiasts)! It's a good review and discussion - about 42 minutes of interesting and enjoyable "Symba" talk, including some special news from SYM regarding new Symba accessories! Click here to have a listen.

New Symba Review and Video at Scooter-news.com

2009-05-19T09:33:00.000-04:00

Discerning scooter enthusiast and blogger Ryan Carden spent an afternoon with the Symba and has posted his review and video on his www.scooter-news.com site. I have to admit that when I first saw the article I held my breath, because Ryan is pretty blunt and outspoken in his reviews, both positive and negative (which I greatly respect). He is a shill for no brand. Also, he is the proud owner of a '60's Honda Super Cub that he has restored himself: the fact that the Symba is a new interpretation of the Cub theme can either appeal or offend anyone who appreciates the original. How did the Symba fare? Well, far be it for me to characterize - read it for yourself (here).

You Meet the Nicest People Writing About the Symba...

2009-05-18T20:48:00.000-04:00

Not surprisingly, bloggers are starting to write about the Symba. This article just appeared on "Scootin' Old School", and I'd say it's one of the best urban-centric reviews of the Symba so far. In the author's words, the SYM Symba and Portland, Oregon are just "Perfect Together"!

First Symba Accessory Sighting!

2009-05-15T23:35:00.000-04:00

Discussion groups are starting to buzz about the Symba, as they start rolling out of showrooms and onto American roads. This is the first one I have seen that has an accessory - notice the front rack. It looks to me as if it's a rack off a Honda C70 Passport. I'm not surprised!

2nd USA Symba Sighting!

2009-05-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

The above photo was recently posted by a SYM dealer in Tennessee. Ah, at last a red one! Well, it looks like the initial USA allocation of Symbas has been pretty well distributed by now.

First Symba Sighting!

2009-05-06T01:55:00.000-04:00

The above is, as far as I know, the very first photo taken of a Symba from the first shipment of bikes that just arrived yesterday! It was posted by a SYM dealer in Lexington, KY.

Official Symba Countdown!

2009-04-16T22:38:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's finally official: The ocean freighter carrying the first shipment of Symbas is on the way, and is scheduled to get here on May 5th. That's... NOW!

Heads Up, USA, Here They Come!

2009-04-04T12:16:00.000-04:00

Well, this certainly is a good sign! SYM's USA website was recently updated with this tantalizing graphic on the home page. I guess that means bikes are almost, "on the water", which means we could see them by sometime in May! I plan to get confirmation of this by the relevant authorities at SYM, but I doubt they'd put this message up on the site if they didn't feel pretty confident that SYM dealers will be rolling these beauties into their showrooms before long!

One thing that I've always appreciated about the way the SYM-USA group conducts its affairs: they don't say anything that can't be backed up by action, and they do not cut corners, either with the truth or the quality of their products!

Symba! Where are You?

2009-04-02T09:42:00.000-04:00

This is getting to be like "Waiting for Godot"! I feel like I did as a kid, after ordering something from the back page of a comic book (they had cheap stuff back there that appealed to 12 year-old boys: "practical joke" supplies such as onion-flavored gum, whoopee cushions, smoke bombs, handshake buzzers, etc...) and counting off the "allow 8 weeks for delivery", which always stretched to 9 or 10 weeks with me running to the mailbox every afternoon, etc.... The good news is, we know for sure that the Symba is coming - a boatload of them! Unless the ship strikes a leftover WWII mine or something, we're going to see them soon. The wait is making my Joie de vivre go a bit groggy, though!

Just in! Video Introduction to the Symba!

2009-03-27T06:49:00.001-04:00

Steve Guzman of The Scooter Scoop and John from Moxie Scooters give us a video overview of the Symba. It's the two of them walking around the bike, talking about its features and the "timeless, classic" design - they got that right! Click on the screen shot above to view it.

2009-03-21T16:39:00.000-04:00

Heads-up, USA scooter market - here comes the Symba!

"...this year, after benefiting from a 40-year relationship with Honda, Taiwan's Sanyang Industry Co. Ltd. (SYM) plans to bring ... the SYMBA, to the United States."

Click on the image above to read the full article.

SYM-USA Website is Updated: Hello, Symba!

2009-02-23T22:41:00.000-05:00

Fellow Symba fans, the day when we can zip down to the coffee shop on our Symbas has just gotten much closer. The SYM-USA website has just been updated, and the Symba is now officially part of the line up!

Last I heard, there remains one - just one more hurdle for SYM to jump before the first shipment leaves Taiwan. They won't say exactly when the ship will sail until they are absolutely sure that the way is clear, and I respect them for that. Once I get word, the news will be posted here.

SYMBA is a Hit with Motorcycle Dealers!

2009-02-16T12:50:00.000-05:00

It's a good thing I had a "press" badge for the Dealer Expo show - getting in an hour earlier than the dealers was the only way I could get on the SYMBA and have my picture taken without drawing a crowd. Once the doors opened, dealers flocked around the bike as if it was Jessica Alba in a string bikini handing out free beers! I took a bunch of photos, posted here, or you can view the slideshow below. Click on any image to see a larger version in a new browser tab/window.

News from Carter-SYM is good - a full line of SYMBA accessories is being prepared for us to customize our bikes, such as the longer seat, front and rear chrome racks, side cases, SYM-branded helmets and even apparel.

SYM dealerships should be receiving their initial shipments of SYMBAs in the next couple of months. I'm told that the exact timing depends on a number of factors, including how early your local dealer gets their order in - so if you want to be sure to get one, call your nearest SYM dealer soon!

SYMBA Ad Campaign Begins!

2009-02-11T10:43:00.000-05:00

Here's a look at the new full-page ad from Carter-SYM. It appeared in the Dealer Expo Show Preview Special Issue of Dealernews magazine. Click on the ad to see a larger version. Note the text toward the bottom, "Demand for this bike in the US market has been extraordinary. Don't miss out on selling this recession-proof bike". If this is based on input from dealers (which I assume), then better get your order in soon if you want to get the color of your choice for the 2009 riding season!

SYM Factory visit report...

2009-01-28T09:12:00.000-05:00

The top photo is me standing just outside the front door of the SYM's main assembly plant in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Notice the jacket - it does get chilly during the winter months, even there, and the temperature never got over 55 that day.

There were many happy events and surprises during my morning with SYM, but sorry to say a major disappointment also: no pictures allowed inside the factory! So, aside from the photos posted above, there are none that show the high-tech vehicle assembly line, the extensive quality and safety check department, and SYM's equally-impressive robot-driven warehouse facility.

The middle 3 shots are of the showroom/lobby, and the bottom photo is of my son, Jon, standing at the welcome desk with our very welcoming host, Mr. Eddie Lu of SYM's Overseas Marketing group. Thanks go out to Eddie for a very pleasant tour and discussion. Thanks also to Pete McIntosh at Carter-SYM for his help in arranging the tour in the first place.

It's amazing to see how quickly a scooter comes together on the assembly line - from the machining of pistons, cylinders and valves into complete engines; from steel tubing into welded and painted frames; from bins of wire and connectors into complete wiring harnesses - and then the merge of all these different lines into the final assembly where in about 50 feet and 15 minutes, out comes a finished, running vehicle. From there the scooter is ridden about 10 yards into a test area where all the functions and sub-systems of the scooter are run through stringent quality and performance tests. After that, it's whisked to a holding area in preparation for crating and shipping (or storage in the warehouse). Amazing!

When we arrived in the warehouse, there was a Symba! Eddie turned to me and to my surprise and delight, handed me a helmet and said, "Want to take it for a ride"? Naturally! So, up and down the factory roads I went for about 15 minutes. Acceleration: good; ride and handling: good and solid; seat comfort: good; braking: good (although I never got over 35 due to having to dodge people, fork lifts, and various other equipment). Overall impression: pretty much exactly what I hoped for.

Symba Emblem

2009-01-23T06:52:00.000-05:00

Here it is, folks - the official Symba emblem. It's the badge that will go on the front of every Symba sold here in the USA. You can see it on the styling prototype in my previous post. What do you think? Personally, I'm pleased. There's nothing "Wo Wow"-ish about it - which means, a guy can ride the bike around town without fear of being asked if it belongs to his wife or girlfriend. Thank God it's not a cute little lion cub!

The first SYMBA hits US shores!

2009-01-22T09:59:00.000-05:00

True to their name, the Scooter Scoop has got the scoop on the 2009 Symba! They actually have one down there in Austin and have taken it out for a couple of rides. It seems it's not the "full" USA version, however, as Steve mentions the speedometer reads in KPH. I presume it's one of the styling prototypes they made to nail-down the colors and Symba-specific badges and markings (I see a nice "Symba" badge in the pic. Sweet!).

Steve promises more test rides and details to come - we'll pick up whatever they report and post it here, of course!

http://thescooterscoop.blogspot.com/2009/01/teaser-shot-2009-symba.html

Can't wait to order your Symba? Moxie Scooters is taking reservations now!

2009-01-21T23:49:00.000-05:00

If you live within driving distance of Colleyville, Texas, you can order your Symba now for pick-up in April! It might be a good idea to do this, particularly if you've already made up your mind: who knows how many units Carter Brothers is going to be able to get in the 1st shipment from Taiwan? Moreover, how many out of that quantity will your local dealership order or be allocated? My "local" dealership in Brooklyn NY seems to have a tiny showroom and not much space to store inventory. With a pre-order, you'll have a better chance of getting one from the first bunch from the factory, as well as your color selection. I assume dealerships such as Moxie that take pre-orders will definitely be allocated at least the quantity they have already sold to (anxious) customers!

http://www.moxiescooters.com/SYM_Symba_p/sc-sym-symba.htm

Symba MSRP: $2598.00. Availability: April, '09

2009-01-08T09:16:00.000-05:00

Team Symba has just been informed that the suggested MSRP for the 2009 Symba has been tentatively set at $2598.00. That puts it right next to the Fiddle-II 125. I think with fully restored antique Super Cubs selling just under that range, the updated features of the Symba, plus the 2-year warranty and SYM's outstanding reputation for quality all put together make this price a very good value for the American Cub enthusiast as well as the scooter/light motorcycle community!

Symba Factory, here I come!

2009-01-01T22:52:00.001-05:00

In about a week from now, I"ll be on my way to Taiwan! During my 10-day stay in this beautiful and exciting democracy, I'll be visiting the SYM factory in Hsinchu, Taiwan's high-tech science and industrial center located about an hour's drive from the capital city of Taipei.

It's not my first trip to Taiwan by any means - I've been a regular visitor for the past 20 years as part of my carreer in the computer hardware manufacturing business. It was during just such a trip in the summer of 2007 that I first saw the SYM "WoWOW" on the streets of Taipei. As a long-time Cub enthusiast, that really gave me a pleasant surprise!

I go to the SYM factory hoping to get a look at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility (perhaps even the SYMBA production line) and also come away with a better sense of the history of the company and their plans for the future.

I'm very grateful to the public-relations people at SYM, who have been very kind in accommodating this rather sudden drop-in by an American Symba fan! Thanks also to Pete McIntosh at Carter Brothers here in the USA for his help.

- Nate

SYM does not make clones...

2008-12-17T21:20:00.000-05:00

Anyone wondering about the status of SYM as a world-class manufacturer of motorcycles and automobiles can check out their "SYM Story" page on their website: http://www.sym.com.tw/eng/about/symstory.php One of the entries that particularly caught my eye was: "1962 > Formed a joint venture with Honda Motor Japan to manufacture 50cc, 150cc and 160cc motorcycles and became the first motorcycle manufacturing company in Taiwan with 30% localized production."

Why a joint venture with Honda instead of just importing Honda motorcycles to Taiwan from Japan? There are two answers to this:

1. Duties and taxes on imported goods were extremely high in those days. The government wanted to encourage local production, and so in many cases (for example, automobiles), the duty on imported goods could be as high as 180% of the retail price. Manufacturing motorcycles domestically avoided such added costs.

2. In the early days of the Republic of China on Taiwan, relations with Japan were not particularly sanguine. Japan had occupied and ruled Taiwan - a province of China - for 50 years leading up to World War II. When the war ended and Taiwan was returned to China, there was for many years a general anti-Japanese sentiment that discouraged the entry of Japanese brand products into the Taiwan market. However, domestic companies in Taiwan were not prohibited from assembling what were essentially Honda vehicles locally, as long as they did not carry the "Honda" brand name. The intense demand for motorcycles in the rapidly-developing Taiwan consumer economy of the early 1960's could not be met by purely domestic sources - so, there was no other option than to allow Sanyang Industry (SYM) to form a joint venture with Honda to manufacture the Honda Cub (re-branded the "WoWOW", of course) and other Honda models.

2009 SYMBA Colors

2008-12-09T20:30:00.000-05:00

The SYMBA will be available in 3 color choices for the 2009 USA model year - red(my favorite), blue and black. The Super Cub of the '60's, '70's and '80's was available in the same colors. So, it's plain to see that SYM has wisely chosen to keep the SYMBA "iconic" in color schemes as well as in body style. Great! Specifications (subject to change): Overall Length: 74.8 in. (1900 mm) Overall Width: 25.2 in. (640 mm) Overall Height: 40.7 in. (1035 mm) Wheelbase: 48.2 in. (1225 mm) Seat Height: 29.9 in. (760 mm) Curb weight: 200.6 lbs. (91 Kg) Tires: 2.50 x 17 4-ply (front/rear) Engine: 100cc 4-stroke Horsepower: 6.7 @ 8500 RPM Estimated MPG: 151 (65 KM/L) (wow!) Transmission: 4-speed auto clutch Start: Electric and kick Fuel Capacity: 0.84 gal. (3.2 L) (not much but at least there is a fuel gauge!) Brakes: 110 mm drum (front and rear) Lighting: 35W headlight/10W directionals/8-led array tail/stop light Suspension: Front telescopic forks / rear adjustable (1/2 rider) springs Warranty: 24 months MSRP: TBD (Source: SYM WoWOW Specifications at http://www.sym.com/tw)

We're off !

2008-12-08T10:40:00.000-05:00

Yes, we're off - launched, released, unveiled, unleashed, exposed, etc... Just this past Saturday, December 6th, Carter-SYM ended all rumors and speculation by announcing that the SYMBA (formerly, "WoWOW") will - yes, will definitely be a part of their USA product line in the spring of 2009! This is a cause for celebration for fans of this exciting new small-displacement motorcycle that combines the iconic look of the classic Super Cub with many SYM-specific engineering improvements and updates. The SYMBA is the first small displacement (under 250cc) motorcycle to be introduced into the North American market since the mid-1980's. Up until now, if the USA consumer wanted a sub-250cc ride, the choices were limited to the Kawasaki Eliminator 125 (a cruiser), scooters or aging antique bikes such as the 1960-1983 Super Cub. With the introduction of the SYMBA, all that is changed. Soon, those of us who love the Super Cub but would also like to have something we can just get on and ride will have a new option: a band-new SYMBA in the garage, backed up by a SYM warranty and dealer network, 100% fresh from the factory and ready to go.

Also, the SYMBA is a re-introduction of the iconic Cub design to a whole new generation of riders: college students, city dwellers, small town commuters, etc... who otherwise would never have had the opportunity to own and enjoy such a special vehicle. Personally, I like that idea. If you do as well, please join Team SYMBA. And when you become a SYMBA owner, check out the SYMBA Yahoo discussion group, which I also moderate.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/symba/

- Nate