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| SYM Orbit 125 |
I find it a bit tough now after writing many reviews to write about a scooter that is well… a scooter. You see after a while unless something stands out as being decidedly remarkable about a machine it is very easy for said machine to fade into the background. This is to some degree the case with the Orbit, or it should have been… It really isn’t particularly profound, I couldn’t with any degree of seriousness espouse this bikes charms. For the most part because it isn’t very charming. I had high hopes for the Orbit, virtually every other SYM scooter we have tested to date has been a top notch machine… fun to ride, comfortable, good looking etc, etc. The Orbit is none of these things. For a start it is very high and very narrow, the high seat and centre of gravity makes the bike feel like it is ready to topple over at the slightest gust of wind. Now normally with the weight high like this the bike would be very good in corners and this one is no exception. The problem is that it does not instil any confidence whatsoever while cornering… this was the opinion of everyone who rode it. Now I managed to get a pretty handy time around our test track on the Orbit but I spent a vast amount of the lap thinking I was about to die. Contrast this with the Honda Forza which I track tested the same day… now the Forza is a big heavy maxi that should have felt like a tank on the track, however compared to the Orbit the Forza felt refined and composed at all times. I cannot explain what the problem was… but there was definitely a problem.
The styling is the first thing you will notice about the Orbit, the front has very narrow “leg guards†and decidedly modern styling. However the trimming of the guards doesn’t make the bike any narrower… taking into account the standard width handlebars. So what is the point? There is less weather protection for no apparent benefit; I am not sure of the reasoning behind this design. Throw your leg over the high seat and fire the Orbit up, it sounds ok, twist the throttle and acceleration is average, no better or worse than most 125cc machines. It is easy to move around and the storage was adequate although squeezing a medium sized helmet under the seat was only achieved with some brute force and ignorance i.e. quite a bit of manhandling to get the seat latched. The bike had good headlights, nice and powerful they were not mounted on the bars howevever so when cornering the lighting was not always optimal. The dash was well laid out and easy to read.
 The only real upside to the Orbit is the price, in most territories it is at the lower end of the spectrum for 125cc scooters. Being at the lower end does not however make it significantly cheaper than it’s competitors. For my money, unless you are an unusually tall rider or have a fetish for the Orbit’s styling I would be inclined to go for something like the Piaggio Fly 125 instead even if you do have to spend a few more clams.
Don’t let me put you wrong this is not a “bad†bike, it is just that for a slightly larger outlay you can get something that in my opinion is much better built, with better performance. By all means ride one, it may be just what you are looking for… unfortunately, for me it just missed the mark.
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(5)
 written by nike air max 97 , December 22, 2011
"And you really thought your grandfather wore a blanket embroidered with beads, and ornamented his leggins with the scalps of his enemies?" http://www.airmax-trainers.org...-c-52.html
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 written by Oldwolf , April 03, 2010
I tried this scoot, found it to suit me perfectly (knee-angle, footspace, firmness and form of the seat), better than all the hondas/suzuki/yamaha 125 I also checked out. Low power on paper, but quite good on the road actually.
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What I don't get is the slim legguard, and no glovebox. The underseat storage is not that deep, so a topbox is needed. BUT, the seat can be unlatched with the highbeam switch, and the lateral stand doesn't cut the engine off, both a high plus in everyday use. About the slim legguards, in hot weather you get better riding comfort, and for the winter it is better to have a legcover anyway (you can fix it on the orbit, not simply attached like on most scooters). About cornering, since the orbit has way wide tires (120 and 130!) with a non-round shape at the borders the limit is well, very surprising. Not confidence inspiring at first, but a matter of accomodation like everything. The front and rear suspension is far better than average, and the kickstarter a solid plus too. Unfortunately, Sym also sells (at almost the same price) the symphony 125, which has all the pros of the orbit but not the cons. Adequate legshield with big glovebox, 10hp engine, 16 inch wheels (with round border tire profile), a headlight that moves with the handlebars, so it is a no-brainer. It also looks more like a motorcycle from behind, so you get more respect from cardrivers (they don't mistake you for a slow 50cc scooter). I name this passive security, it often makes all the difference. report abuse
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 written by tom , December 09, 2009
actually.i have the sym orbit 125 and im preety satisfied with it..
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the price is economical for the poor people among us/// the one thing i can connect to is the corning...i do believe that there is something wrong with it...and i hope maybe you can sheck it out or try to find the reall reason for that...apart from which i genuine love the scooter it fills all my needs report abuse
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 written by vincel , August 13, 2008
Sorry about that... bike pictured was the one reviewed... just user error in the editing stages. has been repaired.
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 written by Greg Harper , August 12, 2008
This review claims that this scooter ..."had fairly useful headlights mounted on the bars meaning they were pointed where you were going"...
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Yet the photos show the opposite, the headlight on the front of the scooter body. Are the photos actually of the same scooter as reviewed? report abuse
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