25/05/2025

theSunday Special XIV ON SUNDAY MAY 25, 2025 heSunday Special y p

SYM ADXTG Hyper VVS

0 TCS and ABS by Bosch are standard, and the TCS and rear ABS function can be deactivated for off-road use. 0 The front wheel is 15-inches, while the rear is 14-inches. They are beautifully cast and uses thin wall construction to save weight. 0 Other features include a bright and sharp colour LCD panel, which is just as good as a TFT display. 0 Reversible handle bar clamp, allow ing you to set your preferred reach. osch are standard, ar ABS function can off-road use. 15-inches, while the hey are beautifully wall construction to ude a bright CD panel, d as a the front, and the seat flips up toward the back to allow for better access. 0 Adjustable windscreen, adjustable over 92mm in two positions. 0 Handguards and under engine bash plate. DESIGN AND STYLING There is a saying in the automotive world that “something that looks good, goes good.” Well, the SYM ADXTG 400 certainly looks good. Who would buy and ride an ugly motorcycle, right? SYM says that they were inspired by the prehistoric sabertooth tiger’s fangs when they designed the front end, and this can be seen on the two daytime running light strips that run down the front of the fair ing. From the side, the panels evoke the body shape of a large cat in full sprint. However, in layman terms, the bike looks great without being fussy. If the Honda ADV350 is the embodiment of sim plicity, and the Zontes 368G the personifi cation of a futuristic robot design (read: Gundam), the ADXTG sits smack in the middle. Besides that, the ADXTG has its own, distinctive design language. So, we do not eat back to allow reen, adjustable positions. nder engine bash ING g in the automotive ing that looks good, he SYM ADXTG 400 h ld b d Approaching the bike, it looked big but climbing on was easy, as the sides of the rider’s seat tapered inwards sharply. On most scooters of this size, you can have a hard time putting a foot down, never mind both, as the rider’s seat is very wide. However, this was the first time that we felt that the seat was closer to its 790mm specification. Reach to the handlebar was perfect, putting us immediately at ease. A glance at the test rider and we found out why: He was about the same height as this writer i.e. 167cm. To start the bike, you need to switch the ignition on by pressing the main button, pull in the rear brake lever (like all auto matic scooters), and jab the engine start button. The engine came to life with a vroom but it was noticeably smooth without that high frequency vibe of single-bangers. Twist the throttle and the ADXTG rode off smoothly without trying to overwhelm your senses. The SYM test area was separated into two: One for straight-line testing and 0 Smart key system. 0 32-litre under seat storage space, which can fit an XXL-sized full-face helmet. 0 The seat’s lock is at want to hear the word “copycat”! RIDING THE SYM ADXTG 400

The takeaways from this session confirmed that : 0 The engine’s dual counter balanc ers worked really well in stamping out that irritating and buzzy vibration associated with single cylinder motorcycles. This writer’s finger joints and arm sockets are prone to hurting now that arthritis is setting in (no, not a joke) so a smooth engine is much welcomed. 0 The smooth powerband says that the ADXTG is not a sports scooter, but something that is easy to live with day-after-day come. 0 There was no doubt that the Hyper VVS feature contributed to the smooth power band, although there was a slightly per ceptible “bump” in engine torque when the revs reached a higher RPM. 0 During the acceleration testing, we threw out the anchor with just 30m to a berm that separated us from the Taiwanese countryside. Thank goodness the brakes were powerful which needed only two fingered pulls on both brake levers. MANOEUVRABILITY TESTING One aspect that is always overlooked by many motorcycle buyers in Malaysia is han dling and agility. Never mind whether a bike can turn and brake, it is always “What’s the top speed?”. That’s sad. As we mentioned earlier, the second area of the SYM testing grounds is for bike han dling, which included a virtual roundabout. The asphalt in this area was not exactly smooth. It was dusty with patches of dirt and loose tar-covered gravel. We did not complain because it replicated real-life situations. The takeaways from this session con firmed: 0 The SYM ADXTG 400 turned in well during the initial tip in. However, there was a noticeable pushback from the han dlebar at very low speeds. It was the signal that you can ride the bike faster, which we did. 0 The bike felt better the faster we went around and around. The tyres did not slip one bit. 0 Much of the bike’s weight is biased to the back, however, it would change if we turned the handlebar mount around. CONCLUSION Truth is, we kept wishing we could go out of the factory grounds for a full road test, but perhaps it was not an easy thing to do in Taiwan. We really hope MForce Bike Holdings will extend a unit for more comprehensive tests (and prettier pictures) once it is launched in Malaysia sometime this month. The takeaways from this The engine’s du ers worked really w out that irritat vibration asso cylinder write and pron that a in (no smoot welcom powerba ADXTG is scooter, but s easy to live with day-af There was no doubt th feature contributed to band, although there w ceptible “bump” in eng the revs reached a high During the acceleratio out the anchor with jus that separated us from countryside. Thank go were powerful which n fingered pulls on both MANOEUVRABILITY T One aspect that is alw many motorcycle buyers

The single-cylinder engine offers a good balance of power and efficiency.

The swingarm of the SYM is made of aluminium, making it surprisingly light.

another for manoeuvrability. STRAIGHT-LINE TESTING

but this time for a rolling position instead of from idle. Again, the engine revved up smoothly as the speed increased. We saw nearly 130kph at the end of the straight. What we gathered here was that the engine has plenty of go, but did it in a smooth manner, instead of hammering on the speed in a jiffy. This is for better control when riding off road, befitting SYM’s “The real adventure scooter” tagline for the ADXTG 400.

SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 399cc, single-cylinder,

liquid cooled, SOHC Transmission: CVT

We took the bike to the end of the 200m-long straight and slammed the throttle all the way to the stop. Of course, the ADXTG took off but it did not exhibit a big kick. Instead it blasted down the straight quickly but smoothly without the engine yelling for help. We turned around and did another run,

Power: 34.5 @ 7000rpm Torque: 37 @ 5500rpm Suspension: Upside down fork (front)/Centralised Multilink (Rear) Price (As tested): RM29,888 We like: Good looks, features. We don’t like: Can’t fault it.