We don’t always have to complicate what is simple, and this is a rule we can often apply when riding a scooter. The Joyride 300 is SYM’s most affordable scooter over 125 cc, but does it lose out in many respects to the rest of the range and the competition? It’s time to find out!
This is a very easy and practical scooter, as all automatic scooters should be. In fact, SYM is a Taiwanese brand known for its value for money, so this model has a similar price to several 125s! Since it entered our market, SYM has immediately attracted many new users on two wheels, especially with its well-equipped and affordable low-cylinder scooters. The GTS 125 sold like hotcakes, but today the brand has many options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Above 125 cc, this Joyride 300 is the cheapest or least premium automatic, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. In terms of motorization, it comes equipped with a liquid-cooled single-cylinder that delivers 25.8 horsepower. It doesn’t sound like much, but the extra 10 hp compared to the most powerful 125s on the market makes all the difference when starting off and overtaking.
EASY
One of the special features of this scooter is that it has a flat bottom in the footwell. This helps a lot when getting on and off the vehicle, and also allows you to place a backpack or bag next to your legs, which is not always possible on a scooter. The only thing missing is a support hook in this area. Under the seat, there’s plenty of room to store a full-face helmet and there’s plenty of space left over.
In terms of performance, the engine has the traditional characteristics of the segment, and the same goes for the bike, where we find a conventional fork at the front, with the particularity of being covered in rubber bellows. At the rear there’s a double shock absorber with spring preload adjustment and a disc brake on each axle, with 15-inch and 14-inch wheels at the front and rear respectively.
The brakes do their job well in terms of power and the feel of the levers, even though they are not adjustable and are slightly away from the grips, which can get in the way of the less experienced or those with simply smaller hands. The seat is in an accessible position and the riding position is good, in a narrow package with good aerodynamic protection, where only the shoulders are somewhat exposed to the wind. As for the passenger, they ride comfortably, with a good seat and legroom.
THE BEST Legroom, price, acceleration TO BE IMPROVED Shock absorbers in bad conditions. aesthetics
Still in terms of equipment, the ignition is keyless and works well, the lighting is full LED and the front windshield is adjustable with a tool. There’s also a USB port and the instrumentation is attractive but fairly simple, with no on-board computer. Simplicity is almost always the watchword on this scooter, even in terms of construction and finishes.
DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR
Dynamically, everything works quite well on this SYM. As we’ve already said, it’s a very practical scooter to use, and the fact that it has a flat footrest will benefit even women who want to ride in a skirt or dress. The engine offers very strong acceleration, with slight vibrations when starting off which then disappear, and it’s only after 100 km/h that you notice the engine responding less strongly, but still ensuring a top speed of around 140 km/h, or a little more when going downhill.
Average consumption, measured at the pump (as the Joyride doesn’t have an on-board computer), was around 3.6 liters at 100, and in dynamic terms the only complaints are the behavior of the rear shock absorbers on bad roads, which left the scooter very bouncy. On good asphalt everything works well, and the fact that we have a flat foot platform doesn’t even detract from the stability of the set, with good rigidity and CST tires that, at least when dry, offer good grip.
The front and rear headlights, with LED technology, are beautiful and guarantee good lighting, and while it’s true that in aesthetic terms this Joyride isn’t exciting, in practice it’s a good scooter and has all the features we like to appreciate in a vehicle in this segment.
With a price of 125 cc and a five-year warranty, this Joyride 300 isn’t a premium scooter, but it has good quality and the dynamics don’t disappoint. It’s a well-suited scooter for those who want a very practical and affordable vehicle, and its features mean it can already be used for a few weekend trips.