Hi Scotty,
What are your thoughts on a Sym Wolf Classic 150 in regards to a beginner bike?
From what I understand Sym made the Honda CB 125 from the 70's & 80s and Honda here badge on it. The Sym Wolf looks identical, and from what I understand is the same bike with higher displacement) 25cc, electronic start & upgraded brakes. Old design (carburetor even) of classic reliable bike, with brand new parts for super cheap.
Are there any cons (outside of performance and features)?
https://www.symcanada.com/wolfClassic.html
Look forward to your response.
You are going to find 150cc extremely under powered for a first bike. Most people think they want to start out small and work up to bigger bikes. Baloney! Two weeks after getting it you'll kick yourself for not getting a larger displacement bike. I went through this about 50 years ago and it hasn't changed. I bought a Honda 90 thinking it was my "first bike." 2 weeks later, I moved right up to a Triumph Bonneville 650 and never looked back.
Cons?
A. They look like Hondas, but are built with lower quality materials and inferior workmanship
B. Parts and service aren't really available
C. When you want to sell it, nobody will want it, they will buy older Hondas, Suzukis, etc. instead
Thanks for the feedback. I am looking for clarification though.
A - You said these weren't Hondas. As far as I know neither was the 70-80's CB 125, they were built by SYM/ Sanyang - https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/sym-wolf-classic-150-zmbz13jazbea/
"Almost from the start, Honda pursued licensing agreements with other companies to build its bikes. In 1962, Taiwan’s Sanyang Industry Co. Ltd. partnered with Honda to build Honda motorcycles, eventually manufacturing Honda cars before the joint venture was abandoned in 2002. In the intervening 40 years, SYM, Sanyang’s motorcycle division, built literally millions of little Honda singles. It still does today, but now they’re sold under the SYM banner."
B - Good point, not a lot of dealerships carry Sym now that I look. Looks like most parts are ordered from Tawain
C - Wouldn't low resale be a good thing if I found a new one?
Look forward to hearing from you
Why not getting a Honda instead? Get yourself a used Honda or Yamaha and save bunch of money.
The used Hondas that are like new condition are dramatically more than the Sym brand new.
Sym used (2013) on marketplace is similar price to the 40 year old (running) Honda
So it tells you about the quality difference. If Honda is expensive there, look for other Japanese motorcycles. There are plenty.
So are you saying that the Honda CB wasn't built by SYM then?
If it was, that would mean its the same quality as Honda right?
Resale doesn't always dictate quality as much as brand recognition. Example Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix same vehicle (Matrix cost more). Same thing with Mazda Tribute/ Ford escape, Mazda B series/ Ford Ranger, etc. See https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/twinned-vehicles-same-cars-different-brands.html for more examples.
If the Honda CB wasn't built by SYM I would understand the argument that its less reliable, but if they did I am confused on where you are coming from on quality. Am I missing something?
I don't know if it is true that Honda did not make it's own motorcycle. Assuming you are correct on that, it does not tell you that the quality is the same. Do you think that if Pontiac existed, it could make better cars than Toyota? Even Vibe quality was much lower than Matrix.
At the end of the day, it is your money you can do whatever you want to do with it but I hope you don't regret down the road.
Appreciate the thoughts, thanks for the feedback
You're welcome and good luck with your purchase.
You asked "Are there any cons (outside of performance and features)?". You seem to be already convinced the Sym is a better buy, so by all means, get one. It's your money.
But if you ask for cons, you get cons.
Not at all, I don't know much about bikes. I was just seeking clarification on quality. From what I read online Sym built the 70-80's Honda CB 125. People are saying Honda is reliable (implying all Honda's), but not SYM. If the SYM wolf and the Honda CB are both made by SYM how could the Honda bike be reliable and not the Sym. I have no clue if the CB's were unreliable, but from what the reviews I have read it seems like they were. This is what I was seeking further clarification on.
The other con listed was parts availability which seems like a genuine concern