Bike Trader

SYM might well be a Taiwanese manufacturer but last year it spent six consecutive months in the UK’s top-ten sales chart.

There are currently 30 different models of two-wheelers to choose from and in 2012 there will be four new models:

• a 400cc MaxSym super-scooter.

• a 600cc MaxSym super-scooter.

• a 100cc scooter called the Symba.

• a 250cc geared motorcycle called the Wolf.

If the low-capacity scooters don't satisfy when we twist the throttle, then a 400cc or 600cc MaxSym scooter will certainly have more of the acceleration and speed we’re looking for from a two-wheeler runaround. The MaxSym represents the level of manufacturing the company has now reached, with an offering which can rival similar machines from the likes of Honda, Aprilia and BMW - and remember, these maxi scooters are going to become more prominent, particularly in Europe first and then even more so in the UK as people realise the comfort and cost savings to be had when compared to a car. Price yet to be announced.

Read More > Milan Show Trends: Maxi Scooters

The 100cc Symba is a real treat. It's effectively a Honda Cub replica. Note the choice of name; Simba was the name of the Lion Cub in the Lion King film so it's a clever play on words from the Taiwanese manufacturer. But this is no direct copy Honda’s Cub, well, maybe it is with a smidge of artistic licence, because SYM actually manufactured the Cub for Honda for 40 years. SYM used to be part of Honda in Taiwan before it was divided into two. Funnily enough, the other half became the Kwang Yang Motor Co or more recognisably nowadays as KYMCO, one of the big rivals to SYM...

For those who rode a Honda Cub years ago and want to bring back the nostalgia, this year will be our chance to own one again or to buy one for the first time. Price to be announced.

A 250cc version of the Wolf (below) is likely to be a hit amongst those who want something tasty to ride around on after passing our test. SYM already sell a 125cc version so a 250cc one will certainly find a market. With the yellow version looking like a baby version of Ducati’s Streetfighter, this is likely to be a great seller this year – especially as it’s priced at £2,999. And at that price we get a machine which has features usually only seen on more expensive bikes. The 250cc Wolf comes with halogen headlights, an LED rear light unit, blue LCD display, fuel gauge, clock, trip meter and oil change warning light. It even has braided brake hoses and an aircraft-type fuel filler cap. It’s one of the few 250cc naked bikes out there (Suzuki will also release its 250cc naked Inazuma later this year which is also under the £3000 mark).

Despite old attitudes towards Taiwanese-built machinery, SYM’s bikes are making a name for being high on quality - and on technology too.

SYM (which is short for Sanyang Motor) was the first company in Taiwan to make motorcycles, joining forces with Honda in 1962. Today, it makes cars for Hyundai and has the capacity to build a million two-wheelers a year in its factories in Taiwan, China and Vietnam.

Here in the UK, MotoGB became the UK importer of SYM in March 2011. Yet in the space of just a few months, SYM has often being ahead of the more famous bike manufacturers in the sales charts.

Why? Well it’s largely down to its lower pricing compared to rivals along with the surge in demand for 50cc to 125cc scooters and this is an area where SYM has tons of choice for buyers.

July 2011’s sales results saw SYM UK take 8th spot in the top-ten, they then climbed to 7th the following month, then hit a high of 5th overall in October. November’s sales showed them once more in the top-ten in 9th and they rose once more to 8th in December 2011.

The success has pleased top bosses at MotoGB who say they are stunned by the success that SYM has had in the UK. “We are not surprised though,” adds MotoGB’s Steve Oliver. “SYM products are high-quality and yet offer the perfect solution to cost-effective, practical transport.”

“I’m even more excited for the future as I know what models are in the pipeline and we shall see SYM’s popularity increase still further in the UK, of that I have no doubt.”

SYM is currently continuing with a 0% finance or free/low-cost insurance on almost all SYM models.

See SYM bikes for sale in our classifieds.