written by on 02/08/2009
The Sym GTS 250 is a fantastic machine for a 250cc, once owned a X9500 and this bike beats it hands down for comfort and handling. only gripe i have is the oil sign that lights up every 1000km telling you to change the oil,..1000km! too soon surely! and there is no tool to adjust the rear shocks, very bad thing for sym to be doing for a new bike. Other than those things, i wouldnt change it for any other bike.
written by on 25/07/2009
The Sym GTS scooter is very good. I drive 43 kms daily. Power is terrific. Fuel consumption around 24 kms/liter, city driving. You can do self-maintenance if you have some basic tools in the house.
Written on: 01/11/2012
I can vouch for that 24kms/ltr figure. I've had my 250 for just over 4 years and have kept close track of my fuel consumption. As of last week I've got an average of 23.49k/pl (55+MPG) and the majority of my driving is short hops of 10k or less.
written by paul54 on 25/06/2009
Just an update now I've had the Sym GTS 250 for a couple of months. I've fitted a Multivar 2000 Malossi variator (158 pounds) and the initial and 'in gear' acceleration is awesome and there's a few miles an hour extra top speed too. The engine revs a bit higher at lower speeds so have lost about 5/6 mpg. Well worth it though. Recently done a 500 mile round trip and the scoot was comfortable, absolutely reliable and cruised on the motorway at an easy 68/70 mph!!. This is an impressive piece of kit and I can't wait for the GTS 300 if Sym bring it here. The downside is still that noisy screen, have to wear plugs for all but the shortest of journeys and will shortly need a rear tyre. The wheel looks a bit complex to remove.
written by Scooter lover on 19/05/2009
The Sym GTS 250 scooter is very economical n friendly scooter,
written by alextune on 11/05/2009
Sym GTS250cc Excellent scooter. I have been riding it in New Zealand for about 8 month and I have done on it over 16 000 km.
It goes smooth and it is very comfortable to ride in a traffic on motorway. Easily taking over another cars.
Possible to ride the distance over 300 km for full tank of fuel ( 12 L), which is quite economical.
written by paul54 on 06/04/2009
Ibought my 2006 Sym Voyager 250 a couple of months ago and had to replace the clutch rollers and belt almost straight away at a cost of 183 pounds. This was a very disappointing start. The headlight bulb blew and the whole of the front fairing had to be removed. On my previous scooter, a Honda Foresight 250, it took just a couple of minutes. The Honda was always going to be a hard act to follow, however, the Sym has aquitted itself well. The engine is smoother than the Honda and has more torque. I hope it will be as reliable.
Written on: 18/04/2009
If your scooter is out of warranty I would have changed the belt and roller myself...it's not as difficult as you think and you woul have saved yourself a lot of money. £183 is far too much for what should be a relatively simple job for a dealer. I wonder how much they charged you for the belt? Personally I think you were ripped off....sorry
Written on: 22/05/2019
did you change the roller, please advice why the roller has weight. Why do the change the roller with different weight
written by on 31/12/2008
I bought the Sym 250GTSi to replace a Honda Deauville 650cc and I am not disappointed. My journeys are mainly commuting a short distance to work on urban roads and there is little difference between the two bikes. Acceleration is quick from the lights, easily leaving the cars back at the line.
The riding position is very comfortable, especially feet up, with a soft seat that has a raised back. The screen is nice and big, pushing the headwind over me although it would be good to have something to deflect the wind away from my hands to keep them warmer in the winter months.
As I am not riding too far, about 14km per day, the fuel consumption is not as impressive as others have reported but I still get a steady 62mpg which is better than my old 650cc bike.
My only real regret is that I didn't buy one of these years ago as they are so much fun. It seems far nippier and nimble than the motorbike and can get around cars far easier as well. It holds the road very well, although it's a good idea to avoid pot holes and sunken manholes in this part of the world, but that only makes the experience more enjoyable as leaning into corners is one of the best bits.
The lighting is excellent, and the spot lights really help when moving in commuting traffic, as they see you far quicker.
My only complaints are that the filler spout on the fuel tank has a tight bend that causes the fuel pumps to cut out, which in turn means I have to fill up very slowly and watch carefully for the fuel to reach the top of the spout which usually results in some petrol spilling out. The other annoying feature is a light on the dash which tells you that the seat is open, but only when it is nearly vertical which is a bit pointless really as I would imagine most people will be aware at that point that the seat is open? Finally, for a scoot this size a hand brake of some sort would be useful to assist with parking on inclines.
But don't let my complaints bother you, if you are thinking of buying one of these, think no longer and go and do it - it will take ages to remove the grin.
written by Dave Mac on 15/12/2008
Comfortable to ride, enough power to easily & safely overtake those annoying 95kph drivers. Looks good & folding mirrors make it easy to get round corners into home parking space.
Have owned this for 2 months, after previously owning a Suzuki 125J scooter - both good, but the power & comfort of this are great. Have ridden 500km in a day for a meeting and had no problems on open highways, also back country roads fine. Used primarily to commute, and goes really well in traffic. Really good value for money in my opinion.
written by Pure and Symple on 22/11/2008
Bought to replace a 250 Yamaha majesty which was getting a bit long in the tooth.
The Yamaha Majesty managed more MPG in the low to mid 80s on My 12 mile rural commute & was slightly more refined with a more comfy seat.
The Sym is a good value for money machine which could be even better with a higher standard screen as the wind noise even with ear plugs in is deafening!
Would consider the new 300cc one with fuel injection & a higher screen or might try a used Majesty 400.
Overall though a good bike with just a few niggly problems.
written by david6510 on 12/11/2008
Brilliant. Excellant ride. can throw it about just as much as my previous bikes. Good fuel economy. Average 90 mpg.
written by xm v6 on 09/11/2008
Good overall building quality, Pleasure to drive, fuel : 3,3 liter100km; topspeed 142 km/h on speedo, more like 128 km/h realistic.
written by Expat47 on 20/10/2008
My previous machine was a Kawasaki Classic. This is my first scooter and I'm very, very surprised at the stability and handling. I ride, primarily, in city traffic where handling, breaking, and lighting are all important and the GTSi fits the bill handily.
I purchased this machine based on reviews like this on and on the word of some guy about my age (60) I met that was riding last year's model. Purchase price was factor also as I didn't know what I was getting into with a scooter.
written by sherwin9mm on 09/09/2008
The Sym GTS250 is an average and top level performance scooter, sym has achieve a high sense of quality and topness among those known its history.
written by grumpy old bikey on 01/08/2008
Just an update on my first review, done aroun 2000 miles now and I have to say this scoot is impressive, this is the fuel injection model which is averaging 78mpg, thats around 230 miles on a tank full of fuel
Written on: 20/10/2008
I agree with your comments. I have had my Voyager now for 4 weeks. It is not yet run in but my only criticism was the wind buffet from the screen. I have had the taller Sym screen fitted
<br/>and this has transformed the bike.
<br/>It is a pleasure to ride and I love it.
Written on: 30/10/2008
I have also fitted the larger screen and agree it does transform the bike but since fitting it I have noticed a handlebar wobble at a very low speed, nothing that concerns me too much though, I also fitted the sym rear carrier rack and a 45 litre box capable of holding two helmets, along with a couple of blind spot mirrors stuck to the original mirrors to solve the rear view problem. After reading a previous comment on here regarding the suspension I have adjusted mine to the lowest setting which has made the bike even more comfortable to ride.
<br/>Still well impressed!
Written on: 22/10/2008
I have had my scooter for about 4 weeks and I am delighted with it.
<br/>I agree with your comment regarding the screen though. I have purchased the higher screen and this has transformed the bike for me.
written by on 12/07/2008
This is my first purchase of a bigger scooter. The scooter represents great value and is very comfortable to ride. It seems quite heavy especially with a full tank of fuel.
written by kpieszc on 16/06/2008
Great "Scootercycle". Had it about 2 months now and I can't wait to wake up in the morning to ride it. Some say it's heavy but I don't think so. As a woman riding it, I can handle it well and love it. I feel comfortable riding it and actually perfer it over my old 250 cc motorcycle.
Written on: 05/07/2008
In fact the pop-up flap on the central tunnel does hold a pair of drink holders! Not sure about Tim Hortons coffee though.
Written on: 30/09/2008
I just wanted to add that I am also a woman (5'5") and do not feel that the scooter is too heavy for me either.
written by grumpy old bikey on 21/03/2008
Only had this Sym Voyager for a month now but have to say I am well impressed. Sym have just fitted a fuel injection system to this model which makes the running very smooth, the riding position is very comfortable especially with the option of your feet forward or down on the footwell. The weight is around 178 kilos which is fine for wheeling in and out of the garage and heavy enough to give you stability at speed. The scooter has ample storage space under the seat which does take an open face or small full face helmet with room to spare for coats gloves etc., I have a Suzuki GSX 1400 and a Honda SH125i but I have to say the Sym Voyager is, in my opinion, the most comfortable and fun to ride. Well impressed!
Written on: 31/03/2008
I find I can fit my XL full-face helmet under the seat of my GTS 250 without any problem (I also have a top-box to take a second helmet). Perhaps it depends on the brand of helmet, or possibly the fuel-injected version has a smaller luggage capacity; mine is a carburettor model as the EFI model is not yet available in Spain, where I live. That does mean the old model is currently a very good price (about 2550 Sterling equivalent with on-the-road charges).
written by on 22/01/2008
But it is very expensive to own SYM 250GTS, i think the price is not reasonable even if you get a installment the Down payment is very expensive to.
Written on: 13/03/2008
I would say the price is very reasonable for the specification, at least here in Spain (currently €2999, or approx 2250 Sterling).
Written on: 09/06/2008
Have owned my Sym GTS 250 for 18 months. It has been trouble free throughout and is a pleasure to ride (unlike some other scooters and bikes that I have had). When I first bought it I was concerned that the low price might mean poor quality. I no longer have that concern!
<br/>Excellent value for money, inexpensive to run, easy and inexpensive servicing.
<br/>Have just moved to Spain and brought my GTS 250 along. What a great way to get around the quiet roads of Andalucia!
Written on: 03/05/2008
I am driving the Sym now for 5 months. Its a perfect machine for the money. Also the driving is cheap, so i don't understand this review.
Written on: 31/03/2008
The (Spanish) logbook for my GTS 250 gives a maximum payload of 160 kg, not great but adequate for my needs at least.
written by Paul B4 on 28/11/2007
I've owned one of these now for 2 years, and in all I find it difficult to fault this bike. It is reasonably quick (it will hit just over 80 MPH, and accelerates at around the same rate as a sporty 2 litre car), and mine gives me a reliable 90+MPG. Handling is also good.
Safety features are excellent, with disk brakes front and rear with a linked braking system as well as outstanding lighting (twin headlamp up front as well as twin fog lamps, and high visibility LED array at the rear.) The dials are well illuminated and easy to read, although the MPH calibration on the speedo is minuscule and only shows 20 MPH increments; this makes 30 MPH a matter of guesswork, unless you happen to know that 50 KMH will get you through most speed cameras without putting points on your license.
Early on I acquired a workshop manual (from ebay, to supplement the hopeless user manual) and a rack / top box (from the UK importer).
Unfortunately, the workshop manual seems to claim that the maximum recommended passenger payload for this bike is 110Kg (around 17 stone), which is not only less than some monkey bikes I have seen but means that only the slimmest and lightest of couples could use this machine for two up riding. I suspect that this figure may well either be incorrect or possibly conservative in the extreme. Being a bit "chunky" I take up most of the 17 stone on my own, and the bike doesn't seem to struggle with me on board...
The bike will hold 2.5 UK gallons of fuel, filled via a natty "pop-up" petrol cap which pops up via the ignition key.
There is plenty of storage, including under seat storage, glove box, storage box and a little pop up tray section in the footwell. The only downside is that some are secure by those "push lock" connectors, which can occasionally play up.
In all, I have no complaints, and am astonished that I don't see more of these machines on UK roads, especially given the "Bargain Basement" price.
A lot of bike for your money. Totally recommended.
Written on: 19/06/2008
The handbook for my Sym GTS250 gives a payload of 160 kg rather than 110 kg. Perhaps a problem in the translation? (mine is a Spanish version). On the other hand I can't get anywhere near 90 mpg. At the moment I average about 55 mpg in mostly city traffic. The bike is still running in so I'm taking it easy and seldom exceed 4000 rpm and never 5000 rpm.
Written on: 26/03/2009
An update on the above review.
<br/>Weeks after the 2 year warrenty expired, the bike had several electrical failures in quick succession (possibly brought on by weeks of continuous rain). Mostly they were easy to remedy (e.g. the indicator relay had to be replaced), but one proved to be the final straw - the speedometer unit failed, meaning the loss of speed and rev data, as well as engine temperature info, fuel tank info and odometer data. I had to get a new unit, which cost me £350 +VAT (the downside of fancy electronic instrumentation.) My dealer suggested that I should fit a bicycle speedo... thanks for that.
<br/>In fairness, I still recommend the scooter and I think that the problems I had were a one-off, but I now tend to stick to more old-fashioned machines with mechanical bits that can be repaired.
<br/>
Written on: 20/06/2008
I've rechecked my maths, and my mpg is nearer mid 80's than 90+. still, its pretty good.
Written on: 20/06/2008
With reference to the above review, I had a quick check of my maths... My MPG is more mid 80's than 90+.. still, its pretty good in any event - and mine isn't the fuel-injected model.
written by Richard Polson on 15/07/2007
The Sym GTS 250 is a comfortable, reliable and good looking scooter. I have now covered 8000 km and the only thing I've needed to have fixed (under warranty) was a failed flasher/indicator unit. There is a slight flat spot in it's power delivery between 40 and 50 m.p.h, however its acceleration outside these speeds is reasonably brisk. It's performance at higher speeds is excellent, being able to cruise at 70+ mph with remarkable ease baring in mind it's only a 250. I average about 62 mpg, which in fairness is reasonable in that much of my riding is in heavy traffic. The highest speed I've seen on what I suspect is a slightly optimistic speedo is 131 kmh = about 81 mph. Handling and roadholding are both reasonably good and the linked brakes reassuring. My biggest complaints about the scooter are that it needs to be serviced every 3000 km and there is very little information regarding doing your own servicing in the handbook. A headlight bulb blew and I had to contact Sym in Taiwan in order to find out how to access it, as no information was given in the hopeless handbook and the local dealer didn't have much idea either! Incredibly this required the removal of numerous screws and bolts, the removal of the screen and front bodywork of the scooter. Unfortunately some of the screws failed to locate correctly on re-assembly. I sincerely hope Sym improve on these basic problems as all in all it's a terrific machine.
Written on: 05/08/2007
I am about to buy a scooter for work and pleasure so could you tell me is the weather protection OK on this scooter, at the present I have a Honda SH125 with a screen fitted which is excellent for all year round use but a little underpowered for 2 people when touring.
Written on: 13/04/2008
I was unlucky enough to have an accident on my Sym GTS 250 recently. Why? An oncoming car on my side of the road forced me very close to the kerb; unfortunately the kerb was high and the ground clearance is very low. Result, underside of scooter hit the kerb, tipping me the other way so that I lost control and dropped it. All this at about 5 mph but a scratched and battered machine as a result. No, the car didn't stop. Luckily neither I nor my passenger received more than grazes and bruises. Since then I have looked closely at other scooters and noticed that most "feet forward" designs have potential for an underside collision with a kerb. Me, I'm now looking for a narrower machine with more ground clearance, probably a large wheel design for its better stability.
Written on: 27/11/2007
Re:- Bad points,
<br/>In fairness, changing a bulb on most scooters involves removing acres of plastic - the same goes for odometers calibrated in kilometers, which are increasingly common. The speedo DOES have MPH readings, its just that they are VERY small...
<br/>
<br/>I have had my GTS250 now for 2 years (12000km), and get a reliable 90MPG, although I don't do much motorway driving.
<br/>
<br/>I can't understand why I don't see more GTS250s around, as it is a superb machine!
<br/>
<br/>I did locate two incredibly useful items - a rack / top box (UK importer), and a workshop manual (Ebay).
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Paul54's Comment
Written on: 05/08/2009
The oil service light should come on every 3000km which is approximately 1800 miles. If yours doesn't there is a problem with it as the hand/service book also says 3k.