Monday, May 30, 2016

SYM Symba Exits the US Market

Alas, the SYM Symba has been discontinued.  After over 40 years, SYM has ceased manufacturing their well-made and somewhat unique version of the Super Cub. It had been available in the US since 2009, to the delight of stalwart Cub fans - but now that has come to an end. The Symba had been the only Cub available in the US in recent years from a reputable manufacturer (you can find cheap clones from dodgy Chinese manufacturers, but they are generally garbage), so now it's back to restoring '59 - '83 Hondas!

A bit of background about SYM:  known as San Yang Motorcycle in Taiwan, the company manufactured Honda motorcycles and automobiles there under license by Honda from 1961 to 2002, after which Honda entered the Taiwan market directly and SYM went on their own, designing and manufacturing scooters, motorcycles, and Hyundai automobiles (under contract with Hyundai).  They took the Cub design under their own engineering wings, renaming it the "Symba" and enhancing and improving the bike through the years. They added power (110cc), comfort (telescopic front fork), and modern technology (the domestic model in Taiwan was fuel-injected), but kept the monocoque underbone frame and Cub appearance.  As of 2015, the Symba actually looked more like the classic Cub than Honda's version (OMG. Super UGLY! Google it.).

Farewell, faithful, reliable, simple, and elegant friend!


Note:  There may still be some bikes in stock at SYM dealers, so if you had been considering buying one, better do it now! Go to Alliance Powersports to find a local dealer.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Mike Nesmith (of Monkees fame) on a C102!

I don't know how this "Supercub sighting" slipped by, but here we have a C102 featured in a 1967 episode of, "The Monkees".  Actually, there are two in the show - one "normal" one and another modifed to appear as though its doing a wheelie (if you look closely you can see it's on a dolly).  If you'd like to watch the episode, it's on Youtube.