Symba and heavier riders?

[steve_rolfeca]

Any big folks riding the Symba?

I'm 6'2" and 230lb with riding gear, and I'm wondering whether the Symba's unusually low max weight limit is simply a guideline to protect SYM from liability for user abuse, or a hard and fast rule due to weak rims or other issues.

Knowing the way Cubs are used in Asia, I'm thinking that it ought to be able to handle my weight...

[NC Scootin]

I am around your weight.  I bought a Symba and have only put about 200 miles on it so far. I'm selling mine (want to buy it? lol)  but more due to not liking the shifting than anything else.

It is 101cc so it is probably just for local runs. I took it 20 miles (each way) to a Honda dealer to get some parts. At the end of the 40 miles trip my back didn't feel so good. Not terrible but not good.

BUT - for local running around - and if you are into the shifting - it is an awesome scooter. The shifting is fun 'cause you can downshift around corners and for better torque, then upshift - feels like you are riding a racer! It is a fun ride.

As to "can it handle you" based on my limited time on it and how it feels riding it - I would say absolutely. The Symba feels very solid - there is no frame flexing or anything like that (something you might suspect from a scoot that looks like a bicycle).  From my first ride on it I was extremely impressed with the quality of the build.  I've owned over 20 scooters in the last 10 years and SYM, IMO, is one of the best.  i decided the Symba wasn't for me but SYM was so i found a used HD200 and bought that and am equally impressed by it.

In fact, one of the thoughts I've had is to strip down the Symba, add knobbies and a higher muffler and take it trail riding.  It isn't made for that kind of abuse but, it sure feels like it is.

hope that helps.

[Blake]

Steve, I don't know how SYM derived the 199 pound weight limit but I weigh about 210 and have put about 1200 miles on mine so far with no problems.  Heavier riders will probably experience increased wear on certain parts- clutch plates, shocks, and brake shoes come immediately to mind.  Also, you're right that the weight limit seems to be widely ignored in Asia (if it even exists there).  I'd say ride it and enjoy yourself.

[campurvis]

I've never seen one with a big solo rider, but I do know from personal
experience that they don't handle worth a damn if you are packing an adult passenger.

[steve_rolfeca]

I finally got a demo ride, thanks to Urban Wasp in London, Ontario.

It handled my weight very well (I'm 6'2', 240lb). The suspension felt pretty cushy, and didn't bottom out like other scooters I've ridden. Nothing flexed or felt like it was being overstressed.

Handling is light, almost bicycle-like, and yet very stable. There's none of the twitchiness you get with 10-inch wheels. Braking was ample for the speed capabilities of the machine- I wish the brakes on my Yamaha C3 were as good.

The auto clutch engaged smoothly and predictably. Acceleration was excellent for the engine size. This is where the  semi-auto gearbox and enclosed chain drive shine compared to typical scooter CVT's. The downside, is that you can't release the clutch for downshifts. It takes a lot of practice to downshift smoothly- If I had a Symba, I think I might nickname it Lurch...

The only disappointment for me, was the compact riding position. Taller riders will definitely want the bench seat.

[DaBinChe]

if you look up in the service manual and the owners manual it says max load is 374lbs.

[Uncle Burger]

Steve, I don't know how SYM derived the 199 pound weight limit but I weigh about 210 and have put about 1200 miles on mine so far with no problems.  Heavier riders will probably experience increased wear on certain parts- clutch plates, shocks, and brake shoes come immediately to mind.  Also, you're right that the weight limit seems to be widely ignored in Asia (if it even exists there).  I'd say ride it and enjoy yourself.

Well ... we don't have the Symba in Malaysia (an Asian country, yes) ... but we do have the inspiration for the Symba here. And they consistently get ridden the snot out of them with loads that will make a GS Adventure blush ... without problems whatsoever.

So I second what Blake says here, and just enjoy the Symba :-)

[campurvis]

I don't know about heavy riders but if a 150 lb. rider adds even a 140 pound passenger the steering gets very light and imprecise.  I won't carry a passenger for this reason and also because the front brake on this machine is already quite challenged with just one medium sized rider.

These bikes are great around town for errands, but what you see is what you get--cheap, reliable no-frills transportation.  I've got 30,000 km. in one of these bikes--all urban commuting.

Cam Purvis
Hsinchu, Taiwan

[cplschnapps]

I'd been looking for a lightweight motorcycle to ride when my Triumph Bonneville is too much trouble to get out of the garage.  While searching for Triumph dealers in the northwest, I came across www.empire-cycles.com in Spokane. They are also a SYM dealer, and when I checked the Symba spec sheet it said, and I quote "Passengers / Weight: 244.2 lbs. Total Weight: 453.2 lbs. Curb Weight: 209 lbs. "  Well, I weigh about 220 with my gear, so I figured, if I could find one, it would be at least adequate for my weight -  with about 25 lbs to spare.

As luck would have it, I stopped into the local Vespa-Genuine shop here in town and lo and behold there was a shiny new 2010 Symba with only 90 miles on the odo! Traded in on a Vespa apparently. They wanted $1900 for it, bench seat included, so I couldn't resist! Bought it without even riding it (I had a '64 CT 200 back in - well, many moons ago - so I figured how different could it be?). At any rate AFTER I bought it I found the SYM site with the 199 lbs weight limit!

Still, no real issues so far, have nearly 500 miles so far. Set the shocks for the heavy load. Not the most comfortable ride - I can feel every crack in the pavement - but I wasn't expected a Goldwing. Can get up to an indicated 50 mph or so, which is about 5 mph faster than my CT200 would do back when I weighed about 40 lbs less.

Anybody know where the Empire Cycle figures came from?

[cplschnapps]

CORRECTION - that should be www.empire-cycle.com (no "s" after cycle). Empire CycleS is a bicycle dealer.