SYM Jet X 125 test: the ultimate weapon for the city

Mobility is changing at a rapid pace, and more and more users have decided to leave the car in the garage and look for new ways to get around. The price of fuel, the constant mobility restrictions in all those cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, and the traffic that floods their city centres have led a large number of drivers to choose the motorcycle to get around.

Sales figures confirm this: after a 2022 in which registrations plummeted alarmingly in practically all segments, the motorcycle market has continued its positive trajectory, improving its figures by 4.6% compared to the previous year. If we break down motorcycle registrations during 2022, it is easy to see which segment accounts for more than half of the year’s cumulative sales: scooters.

Their arguments are more than clear: they are comfortable, agile for getting around the city centre, offer practical storage spaces for annoying items such as the helmet or shopping bags and, above all, need very little fuel to cover hundreds of kilometres.

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On the other hand, analysing sales by engine capacity, we can see that more than half of the motorcycles sold in Spain in 2022 were 125 cc. The eighth-of-a-litre category is the favourite of most users, and the possibility of riding them without having to obtain a specific licence has encouraged a large number of drivers to switch to two wheels.

After 18 years on the market, the Taiwanese brand SYM has managed to become a bestseller thanks to a range focused, above all, on 125 cc models. The brand’s customers can choose from six models that suit all kinds of use: urban (Fiddle), large-wheel (Symphony), sporty (Jet 14 LC and Jet X) and grand touring (Joymax Z+ and Cruisym Alpha).

Its latest novelty is the Jet X 125, a scooter with a striking design that, thanks to arguments such as its high degree of practicality and good dynamism, has declared war on heavyweights in its category such as the Honda PCX 125 and the Yamaha N-Max 125.

A sporty design that seeks to attract younger audiences

Aesthetically, the SYM Jet X 125 leaves no one indifferent, and its sharp forms present at every angle make it one of the scooters with the sportiest appearance on the market. Its design is defined by its front cross-member chassis, a configuration that gives greater stability and confidence when leaning into corners although, admittedly, it rules out any possibility of carrying luggage in that area.

At the front we find a nose full of edges, highlighted by a generously sized black windscreen and, below it, LED-technology headlights that provide good illumination. SYM’s good work in design is also evident when viewing this scooter in profile, as details such as the rear footrests integrated in the same colour as the bodywork give it a fairly attractive look. Perhaps the rear is the least convincing part: although the sharp shapes keep time with the rest of the ensemble, we miss some colour to differentiate the pillion area from the enormous plastic number-plate holder.

As for storage spaces, the SYM Jet X 125 has a small glovebox at the front with a 12V USB socket and a trunk with just enough room for a full-face helmet. This is where our protagonist loses ground compared to its two main rivals, as the fuel tank integrated under the seat means we lose a good part of the cargo space.

The riding position is very comfortable thanks to a seat with a plush cushioning that keeps the position equally comfortable even with a second passenger. The handlebar position is the second key to its ergonomic riding posture, as it allows the arms to stay relaxed. Behind it, we have a generously sized LCD screen in colour that offers a large amount of information: speed, revs, ammeter, odometer, etc.

We take the controls: how does the SYM Jet X 125 go?

Once we get going, the SYM Jet X 125 shows very dynamic behaviour. Its engine delivers 12.6 CV of power, placing it in line with its most direct rivals and even slightly surpassing them.

Its 140 kg on the scales penalises it against its competitors, as it is 10 kg heavier than the PCX and 9 kg heavier than the Yamaha N-Max. Despite this, the SYM Jet X 125 shows a lively response at all times, allowing us to “take the pole” at traffic lights and reach a top speed close to 115 km/h, enough to get out of the city centre if needed.

In its natural habitat, the brand’s Korean scooter surprises with its agility, as its 760 mm overall width lets the rider make use of every gap in the traffic. Add to this a suspension with a firmer setting than we are used to on this type of scooter and 14-inch wheels, and you have a package that is equally practical and dynamic.

One of the Jet X 125’s distinguishing features compared to its competition is that it has brake discs on both wheels. At the front there is a 260 mm brake disc gripped by a two-piston calliper, while at the rear there is a slightly smaller disc (240 mm) with a single-piston calliper. To manage its powerful braking, the Jet X has a 2-channel ABS system. With this setup, the feeling of safety when facing an emergency stop is total.

As we have explained previously, the SYM Jet X has a fuel tank with a capacity of 7.5 litres. Lacking a consumption indicator (which its rivals do have) and taking into account that the range on a full tank was slightly over 200 km, we conclude that the Jet X makes do with just over 3 litres to cover 100 km, a figure that places it slightly above average.

How much does the SYM Jet X 125 cost?

Price is one of the fundamental factors to consider when acquiring any type of vehicle. This factor is even more important in the motorcycle market, as the price war we have seen in recent years is fierce, so much so that there are no differences of more than 500 euros between one model and another.

The price of the SYM Jet-X is €3,499, which leaves it in a comfortable position compared with its two most direct rivals. Our protagonist is €300 cheaper than the Yamaha N-Max 125, while it sits €250 above the year’s best-selling scooter, the Honda PCX 125. However, SYM has an ace up its sleeve with the Jet X 125: its price includes a 5-year warranty and, even more importantly in terms of savings, one year of free insurance with theft and fire cover included.