Sym Jet Power 125

As you might have noticed, this scooter has more styling than any sub 5,000 scooter has any right to be. And it is a well-executed design too and not just a combination of stylish body parts. It is compact with 1850 mm length, 690 mm width and 1090 mm height. The bulky looking front end compliments the compactness of the Sym. And the front end is bulky because it houses that huge twin headlight setup. The headlights look like eyes from the front. Then there is the added tear like lights that look like molten and dripping extensions of the headlights. Above them is a wavy 3D accent piece that gives the bike even more striking presence. There are some other wings like accent pieces on the sides of the aprons. We move to the sides to find an equally striking and aggressive body panelling. Even the footboard is festooned with sculpted details. Then we come to the grab rail which is made to look like an extension of the body itself and not a tacked on piece. The grab rail is split in the back and goes very well the rest of the tail. With the newer color schemes, the grab rail is made to look like a brush stroke that starts from the body and extends outside the bike like a floating wing tuft. Underneath is another brush stroke created by a glossy black finished piece starting from the base of the seat. The rail floats above the pointy tail section and is one of the best details on the bike. The tail is high as is the taillight that blends with the side panels. The way that Sym has used color schemes and graphics to accentuate the styling of the Jet Power is simply inspired. There are four color options – grey, red, yellow, blue - all of which are two-toned with black. Except for the grey which comes with red graphics. There is also a body colored tire hugger on which the number plate can be mounted. The scooter is equipped with 14-inch five spoke alloy wheels with 80/90 tyres in the front and 90/90 tyres in the rear. There is some decent storage space under the seat too that can store a helmet and some other cargo. The seat can be unlocked by pressing a button on the handlebar which is a pleasant surprise at this price range.

Suspension duties are handled by telescopic front forks and a single side mounted shock absorber attached to the unit swingarm. The single piece seat is comfortable. But it’s in an odd shape instead of being flat. The seat follows the slope of the tail section which you would have noticed is quite high. The front seat, however, takes a slight tilt upwards creating a slight depression in the middle. This should however not cause any issues with the ride as the seats are wide enough. The scooter has an upright seating position thanks to the high handlebars. The tires are sufficiently wide and grippy. This scooter then should be fun and convenient for urban commuting, which is its natural stomping ground.

Alas, the Jet Power 125 is not powered by a jet engine. It is powered by an air-cooled and carbureted SOHC 124.66 cc single cylinder engine. Max power of 8.5 PS comes at 7500 rpm and peak torque of 8.6 Nm comes up at 6500 rpm. This is enough to propel the 106 kg bike to speeds of up to 80 kmph. Sym has worked hard to create a durable and powerful engine that delivers fast acceleration. Mileage is also more than decent at 43 kmpl as claimed by Sym. The company provides the bike with electric as well as a kick start, thereby increasing its practicality.

Braking is also well sorted with 230 mm front discs with a single piston calliper. The rear comes with conventional drum brakes. More than enough braking power for its intended purpose.

For a scooter under the RM 5,000 range, the SYM Jet Power 125 brings a lot to the table. It is extremely stylish and has some practical features. Most of the competition resides on the wrong side of the RM 5,000 mark and often misses out on crucial features that are available on the Sym. But with the competition, you get a badge that often weighs the argument in their favour. The SYM badge is not the most prestigious, but instead, you get a bike that will stand out from the crowd. Is this enough to look over the badge issue? Then there are issues of durability and resale value. Should you buy the Sym Jet Power 125? Only you can decide.