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

Mobility is changing at breakneck speed, and more and more users have decided to leave their car in the garage to look for new ways of getting 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 motorcycles to get around.

Sales figures confirm this: after a 2022 in which registrations plummeted alarmingly across practically all segments, the motorcycle market has continued its positive trajectory, improving its figures by 4.6% compared with 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.

The arguments in their favour are more than clear: they are comfortable, agile for moving through the city centre, offer practical storage space for bothersome bits and pieces 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-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 best-seller thanks to a range focused above all on 125 cc models. Customers of the firm can choose between 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 striking design that, thanks to arguments such as its high level 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 buyers

Aesthetically, the SYM Jet X 125 leaves no one indifferent, and its sharp shapes 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 concept that provides greater stability and confidence when leaning into corners although, admittedly, ruling out any possibility of carrying luggage in that area.

At the front we have a nose full of edges in which a generously sized black windscreen stands out and, below it, LED-technology headlights that offer good illumination. SYM’s good work in design is also noticeable when viewing this scooter in profile, as details such as the rear footrests integrated in the same colour as the bodywork give it a rather attractive look. Perhaps the rear is the least convincing part, since although the sharp shapes dance in step 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 glove box at the front with a 12V USB socket and a trunk with just enough room for one full-face helmet. This is where our protagonist loses ground to its two main rivals, since the fuel tank being 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 when carrying a second passenger. The handlebar position is the second key to achieving its ergonomic riding posture, as it allows the arms to stay relaxed. Behind it we find a generously sized LCD screen in colour that offers a great deal of information: speed, revs, ammeter, odometer, and so on.

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

Once we get moving, the SYM Jet X 125 shows very lively behaviour. Its engine delivers a power output of 12.6 CV, which places it in line with its most direct rivals and even slightly surpasses them.

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 maintains a cheerful response at all times that lets us “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 Korean brand’s scooter surprises with its agility, since its 760 mm overall width lets the rider make the most of every gap in traffic. Add to this a suspension with a firmer setup than we are used to on this type of scooter, and wheels measuring 14 inches, and we have a package that is both practical and dynamic in equal measure.

One of the Jet X 125’s distinguishing features compared with its competition is that it has disc brakes 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 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 the range on a single tank was somewhat 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, since 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, so it sits 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: 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.