First impressions

I've never own a motorcycle before. In fact, I've never drove a motorcycle until two moths ago, when I took a 4 hour beginner course. I choosed the bike from reading magazines and reviews on the net. I didn't performed any test-drive on any machine (much due to my lack of experience and fear of some casual fatality).

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The price was one determinative aspect in the final choice. Compare to similar motorcycles, the SYM GTS 125 Evo is cheaper.
Also the looks... the bike is very beautiful, no? At least for those who like maxi-scooters, I believe it is.
And the technical reviews from magazines and fewer articles and posts on the net were also very positive.

So the choice was made... and yesterday my brand new bike was delivered...

With lot's of caution, some mixture of anxiety and a little fear, there I was trying the bike around the streets of my neighborhood. Very slow at first and then speeding it up a little. I drove it for an hour or so.

I loved the feeling of riding it. Felt really nice and secure.
Easily turned on the roundabouts, nice acceleration, nice breaks.
Very pleasant... for an rookie like me that is.
It seems that in comparison tests there are better scooters in every other aspect, but overall I was very satisfied with it. And that's what counts. :)

There are some minor issues nevertheless...

It's a very heavy scooter, 162kg (162 kilograms, 5714 ounces, 357 pounds). I mean, heavy. At least for me.
It's hard to turn when stopped. To enter and exit small spaces it will be a challenge... and I have to arrange a way, since my garage will be packed with 2 cars and the scooter (I know, my fault. But I never though it would be so difficult to turn on small places, specifically on the backwards mode).

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The other disappointing topic is not about the scooter it self... It's a mix of stupidity, distraction and beginner error. I also bought a great looking helmet, which I assume would fit onto the enormous space available under the seat. It doesn't. Just for a tiny little bit, but it doesn't fit. And since I made a very small scratch on the helmet, must probably the store will not exchange it for another. Damn.

Piece of advice: make a list of stuff you need to check prior to the moment of buy, and check it and recheck it on the store. This was a detail I remembered when first went choosing helmets, but due to last change switch totally slip my mind.

The space under the seat is really great, big, probably can fit two helmets, but be aware of the size, test them first if possible.

Unfortunately today started heavy rain... so I just stare at the scooter and did this blog...

The color palette...

The Sym GTS 125 Evo model comes in a variety of colors, well, not colors but a monochromatic palette.
Nevertheless the bikes look amazing within the four possibilities.

You can see the detail information in the official web site on http://www.sym.com.tw/eng/.

I have no idea if mine is the gray or the silver one, it's neither black or white that's for sure, but since in my country there were only three colors to choose from, mine is the color in between :)

They are all beautiful... I've seen them all live at the stand...
Black looks great. Really.
White is the fashion color this year in bikes and cars (long after the iPod trend).
Since my car is black, my wife's car is black... I choose the gray/silver...
I believe the white suits the girls better (hey, my opinion only, if you're a man with a white bike, peace bro).

[SYM company people: Please don't sue me for using your images and photos...! I'm helping you promoting your products :) ]

The official site for SYM Joymax/GTS Evo

You can find the official information in:
http://www.sym.com.tw/eng/

Search under the Scooter menu.

Note that the GTS model is also know as Joymax.
I believe that its just a marketing thing... :)

Finally... it arrived!

After a long journey by boat, from the other side of the world, my brand new SYM GTS 125 EVO finally arrived! I was waiting for six long weeks... :-(

In this blog I'll try to post my opinions about the bike, the goods and the bads, some photos and, hopefully, some videos... keep visiting!

These are the first photos I shot with my phone camera, it was already late on the afternoon so the light was not the best, but hey, first shoots on first day...