There are lots of reviews on the Sym bikes. Theyre pretty terrible all around, dealer support is next to non-existent.
I have one of the CCW misfits. I bought it because I got a pretty good deal, and I was looking for a small displacement, easy to work on bike. I like the classic styling way more than sports styling, so it was an easy choice over a CBR250.
Pros:
- Based on a Honda CG125, so the engine is dead simple (push rod valves, single cylinder), but modernized (CDI ignition, no points) and bored/stroked to 250cc.
- Everything is exposed, you can drop the engine with like 8 bolts
- Surprising amount of power for a 250cc pushrod engine. You arent going to beat any super sports or ferraris, but you will out accelerate most commuter cars fairly easily. Keep it in the powerband though, it is still a small displacement bike.
- Frame is solid, welds are really well done (unlike every other bike you have listed). The Royal Enfields for example, at 10k OTD, have giant gaps in the triple tree and swing arm welds.
- Good riding position stock, if you are used to standard bikes.
- Not a "small" bike, it is slightly smaller than a CB450. I dont care about that (I have a CB125 as well), but I know a lot of people do
- Lots of nice little details, like external reservoir shocks, stainless braided lines, good controls, etc.
- Lots of bolt on parts for "performance", and theyre affordable. New port/polished head, exhaust, and carbs to match costs under 900, which is cheaper than the exhaust alone for a honda.
- Crazy fuel economy. 100mpg isnt a joke. 5 gallon tank means you will rarely put gas in it.
Cons:
- Gauges are so ****. Like, unusably ****. The fact that the gas gauge is 2x the size of the tach is ridiculous. Learn to ride without relying on your instruments for sure. The tach is also X2000 in canada, although it only indicates X1000 (the US version is "accurate"). Dont care what you have done to a CG125 engine design, pushrods arent revving to 12k redline on a single cylinder.
- Like all old small displacement honda gearbox designs, neutral is impossible to find at a stop. It gets "better" as the bike breaks in, but its always pretty bad. Always try to kick it into neutral as you are rolling to a stop, otherwise, just hold the clutch.
- Throttle feels bad unless you put it at the very, very edge of adjustment. The carb has an accelerator pump which eats up about 10 degrees of throttle play, and it also has a bit of play on its own (3 or 4 degrees). The throttle run is also really long, like almost a complete 360 degree turn. Really benefits from either a proper quickturn throttle, or a quickturn mod.
- Axle doesnt have a cotter pin, which I thought was actually illegal in canada, but I guess not.
- Paint on the frame/engine/exhaust is ****. There is one coat, no base. You can take it off with your finger nail, and the steel isnt stainless so as soon as the paint is gone, it rusts. The tank and tail paint is OK though. Kind of a shame as until this year, all that stuff was chromed (chrome was probably terrible too though).
- Stock chain is SUPER ****. As in, you will adjust it every 20 miles, no joke. Buy a new chain ASAP, I would probably try to get a the dealer to throw in a DID chain. Its 428, 110 links FYI, no one can tell you that, which leads me to...
- There is no information on this bike. None. The manual has nothing as far as service, maintenance, or wiring. If it does, its wrong because the majority of the manual is written for the ACTUAL CG125 lifan engine, not this overbored/customized version. CCW doesnt answer emails or their phone (despite what everyone says) so you will be left on your own. Only your dealer or yourself will service it because its a chinese bike, so be prepared to get your hands dirty or open your wallet.
- (This one could be a pro depending on why you want this bike) it FEELS like an old bike. It shakes a bit at top speed, its a bit finicky to start, the throttle response isnt always there because its carbed, the shifting can take some getting used to, etc. If you have ever ridden an old honda (or any vintage bike really), you will feel right at home, but if you have only ever ridden brand new sport bikes, it will take some adjustment for sure.
- (This could also be a pro if you like posing) Everyone will talk to you about this bike. Every time I ride it, people will want to talk about the bike, whether its an old man who had a CB back in the 60s or 70s, or younger guys who want to buy a new bike. I've even had people wander onto the road while im stopped at a light to chat about the bike. Its actually WORSE than riding a vintage bike, because no one knows what it is.
Dealer Specific Con:
- Motoretta is so bad at PDI. My buddy and myself both got bikes, each bike was PDI'd improperly. Handle bars were loose, signals were loose, chain adjustment bolts were loose, my axle bolt was put on with air tools which bent the adjustment slot, making it hard to get the axle straight now. Also forgot to put on the battery drain cable, so the first hot day I came out to battery acid all over my swingarm and engine (which ate the paint and immediately rusted). Acid also ate the bottom bracket on the chain guard, which caused it to crack off (cheap plastic).
All that said, I have no regrets about buying this bike. I can work on it myself, and it fits the role I bought it for, daily driver and occasional long (non-highway) rides, better than anything else I looked at (Looked at the CBR125 and 250 (both legit and grey market), Royal Enfields, Triumphs, Moto Guzzi V7). Plus, with the recent used bike prices in Toronto, its actually about the same price as a ready-to-ride vintage bike, but you get an actual warranty.
However, if you are looking for a bike that you can guarantee wont have any issues, has a great dealer network behind it, and requires next to no maintenance, this is not the bike for you. Go with one of the small displacement hondas. But if you are OK with occasionally getting your hands dirty, or enjoy modifying your bike YOURSELF, then this is a pretty good bike.
