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 rising 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 motorcycles to get around.

The sales figures confirm this, and after 2022, a year in which registrations plummeted alarmingly in practically every segment, the motorcycle market has continued its positive trend, improving its figures by 4.6% compared with last year. If we break down motorcycle registrations during 2022, it is easy to see which segment accounts for more than half of year-to-date sales: scooters.

Their advantages are more than clear: they are comfortable, agile for moving through the city centre, offer practical storage space for annoying bits and pieces such as the helmet or shopping bags and, above all, they 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 among 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 become a bestseller thanks to a range focused, above all, on 125 cc models. The firm’s customers can choose from six models that suit all kinds of use: urban (Fiddle), high-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 groundbreaking 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 shapes present at every angle make it one of the most sporty-looking scooters on the market. Its design is defined by its front cross-member frame, a concept that provides greater stability and confidence when leaning into corners, although, it must be said, it rules out any possibility of carrying loads in that area.

At the front we have 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 quite attractive appearance. Perhaps the rear is the least convincing area, since although the sharp shapes keep pace with the rest of the ensemble, we miss some colour to differentiate the pillion area from the large 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 an integral helmet. This is where our protagonist loses ground compared with its two main rivals, since the integration of the fuel tank 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 cushioned padding that keeps the position equally comfortable even when carrying 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 find a generously sized colour LCD screen that offers a large amount of information: speed, revs, ammeter, odometer, etc.

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

Once we set off, the SYM Jet X 125 shows very dynamic behaviour. Its engine delivers a power output of 12.6 CV, which places it in line with its most direct rivals and even edges them out slightly.

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

In its natural habitat, the scooter from the Korean brand surprises with its agility, since its 760 mm overall width allows the rider to 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 wheels measuring 14 inches, and you get a package that is practical and dynamic in equal measure.

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

As we explained earlier, the SYM Jet X has a fuel tank with a capacity of 7.5 litres. Lacking a consumption indicator (something its rivals do have), and taking into account that its range on a full tank was slightly more than 200 km, we conclude that the Jet X manages with a little over 3 litres per 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, and the price war we have seen in recent years has been 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 middle ground when compared with its two most direct rivals. Our protagonist is €300 cheaper than the Yamaha N-Max 125, while it sits €250 above the best-selling scooter of the year, the Honda PCX 125. However, SYM has an ace up its sleeve with the Jet X 125, since its price includes a 5-year warranty and, even more important in terms of savings, one year of free insurance with theft and fire cover included.