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ROUNDUP

SYM SYMBA

ANYONE LOOKING FOR INexpensive urban transportation or a camp-ground runabout in a light, simple package should take a look at the $2598 Sym Symba. If this Taiwanese-built scooter looks familiar, it should; it’s a direct knock-off of Honda’s C70 Passport, which was produced in 1970-’73 and 1980-’83.

A couple of key changes have been made that differentiate the Sym from the Passport of yore. The air-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine displaces lOlcc, while the Honda relied on 72cc. Another key difference is the use of a four-speed, semi-auto transmission in place of the threespeed on the original.

The Symba was quite at home around our Newport Beach, California, offices. Need a late-afternoon espresso during deadline week? The Symba was the perfect mount. Just hop on, hit the starter button and weave your way through traffic to your favorite coffee shop. The four-speed gearbox gives this scooter the ability to pull away from traffic lights without worrying about getting run over by Newport housewives in their Cadillac Escalades.

The only time that the Symba felt completely outgunned was on roads with posted speed limits higher than, say, 50 mph. Holeshotting traffic required cutting a quick light. Once up to speed, keeping up with traffic flow was easy enough; getting there ahead of it was at times challenging. We did see an indicated 60 mph on the speedometer (okay, we admit it was slightly downhill!), but freeway use, at least in congested SoCal, is out of the question-and illegal on all Cali freeways.

With its combination of narrow, 2.50-inch-wide tires and a claimed 209-pound dry weight, the Symba is a nimble handler. Our only issue was that with a 170-pound rider aboard, cornering clearance was very limited in right-handers as the exhaust would kiss the tarmac occasionally. Footpegs would scrape apexes in either direction.

Utility comes in the form of an optional rack that eliminates the pillion seat and extends over the rear fender, allowing items to be easily strapped down. An optional basket attaches to the front fender and will swallow a six-pack or other small items. There is no underseat storage or a place to stow a helmet out of sight when the Symba is parked. Eliminating the passenger seat shouldn’t be a concern as the Sym’s 199-pound maximum-load capacity pretty much limits two-up options to skinny teenage girls

Fuel economy is excellent. Sym claims 153 mpg for the Symba around town, which we didn’t match, but we consistently achieved three-digit figures, which should make any miser happy.

"The Symba is a modern reincarnation of the best-selling motorcycle of all time, the Honda Cub."

Blake Conner