Maxsym 600

[Data]

I don't get the constant need to have digs at Steve about the lack of demos. I don't know what it's like in North but it's a nightmare down here in the South. When I decided to switch from a bike to a maxi I checked out my local deales. 1 x Honda, 1 x Piaggio , 2 x Yamaha, 2 x SYM, 1 x Suzuki, 1 x BMW. Honda, no big scoots in stock, no demos, getting a used SH300 in the following week I could try. Piaggio, did have a X10 under wraps in the corner with other bikes in front of it. Just about managed to sit on it (through the plastic). Only demo was a Beverly, was told no dealer was going to waste money having X10 demos in stock. E mailed Piaggio, they told me a dealer at Heathrow had a demo, contacted them but never heard back. Yamaha (1), a couple of small scoots and a XMax 250, no demos. Yamaha (2), no scoots, no demos. Sym (1) no scoots at all in stock and no demos, Sym (2) a few small machines no demos. Suzuki, a 400 and 650 in stock and a couple of used machines so there would have been stuff to try. BMW, no demo currently available. So tell me why SYM is always considered the big baddie in all this, I just dont get it.

+1 again!

Meldrew, lovely guy that you are I'm sure, you clearly are a glass half empty sort of guy. Your experiences and what you see in your local area are not what many of us find in our areas. I've never yet managed to get a test ride on any Guzzi bikes. I was prepared to travel too. Getting test rides on any make of bike or scooter is not always easy. Frankly, not much different to Sym. At least Steve at SYM is trying to raise their game and is doing his best know doubt. We don't live in a perfect world and speaking as someone who has worked in the car and motorcycle industry for too many year, you don't appear to understand how things work. And yes, you shouldn't have to, but it helps if you can grasp the basics. It will help you understand, but I would guess you are not bothered. Yes, it could be better, and it's getting there inspite of the economic hardship, but give us all a break. Look at the positive for once, especially with Sym.

I'm frankly surprised that Steve at SYM has been so polite and restrained in his reply to some of the comments and critiscm leveled at him. I do hope he has not become fed up with the site. That happens sometimes and if it does we will all be the worse for it.

[Data]

Well it wouldn't surprise me if he didn't bother coming back on here again - and quite frankly I wouldn't blame him.
Go on then chaps try getting another representative from another manufacturer on here. I await the flood of all these new reps joining the forum with interest

And Meldrew - it's no good comparing even Guzzi with SYM, let alone KIA. The only fair comparison is how many manufacturers provide a maxi to test ride. We've heard that the odd Kawasaki dealer has with the new J300 and obviously BM will, but who are the others who provide test vehicles on a regular basis?

Fully agree wozz.

[gn2]

Both main dealers in Abedeen have offered me test rides on maxi scooters.
When I was first looking at the PCX there was no demonstrator available but the dealer said they would fix a test ride for me if I wanted.
I declined because I had made my mind up to buy it the moment I saw one.

[wozza]

Both main dealers in Abedeen have offered me test rides on maxi scooters.
When I was first looking at the PCX there was no demonstrator available but the dealer said they would fix a test ride for me if I wanted.
I declined because I had made my mind up to buy it the moment I saw one.

Well that's good to hear. I think Lancaster Honda may have had a Forza on demo, but that's it as far as I can remember.

[Data]

I'm touring again on the Silver Wing later this year after a years break. What about you Wozza, and you Data, going off anywhere nice on whatever you're riding or is that just something we half empty glass types do?

Touring over to Italy later in the summer on the 400 Burgman. Couldn't do it last year due to work, but don't have that problem now. Yippee!

Yes I think we all know it's down to the dealers to give test rides where they can. That's the point I was making. But importers also need to give support with pricing to dealers to make demo models attractive. Steve is going a good way to help relieve the dealers of a lot of extra cost. Smaller dealers cannot afford the big bikes quite often to hold in stock. We don't all have dealers in our area's that can facilitate test rides on some machines be they from Sym, Piaggio, or whoever. Depends what dealers are prepared to stock. Some can get them in without too much of a problem, others cannot due to costs or unavailability of a demo model floating around. There can be many reasons for lack of demo models. It actually very much the same with cars too. You cannot always get a test drive at the time you want one and a demo model may not be available for weeks or even months depending on manufacturer and model. Trust me, I like many others have experienced that many times. I'm like many. I never buy without a test ride or test drive.

[wozza]

Meldrew, no touring for me I'm afraid, I haven't done any touring for quite a few years not since the early 90s.

[gn2]

Well that's good to hear. I think Lancaster Honda may have had a Forza on demo, but that's it as far as I can remember.

I had a demo on a Forza before buying mine.
If the demo hadn't been available I probably wouldn't have bought it till after the winter.
Rode the demo, had to have one right away.
There's a lot to be said for having demos or at least actual stock in showrooms.

Last September I was in the market for a 300 maxi.
Kymco, local dealer, no stock no demo
Sym, no local dealer, no stock no demo at remote dealer
Piaggio, no local dealer, no stock no demo at remote dealer
Honda, local dealer, bikes in stock and demo available for test ride
imo the Honda would have won through anyway, but when the others aren't even available to look at they have no chance.

The Kawasaki dealer in town has/had? a J300 demo in recently but I've yet to see one about the town.
Forza sightings are getting more frequent, saw three today.

[mac65]

Well when I bought my PCX from the Honda dealer in Aberdeen, I didn't get offered a test ride. Did get to try an SH125 just to see how a 125 scoot felt, had a Bonneville at the time! The other dealer does have a J300, but never seen any Burgmans in his showroom. The SYM dealer, is also a small concern and doesn't have space to stock machines that may take a while to shift, this may be one of the issues. The fact dealers don't have machines to road test is down to the dealer and the fact that maxi scoots are not top selling machines. When I bought my new car at £24000 they didn't have a new demonstrator, but I did get to try a used automatic! Not quite the same! Surely it is impossible for every dealer to have a demo model of every model they stock! I think what SYM UK is trying to do by supply demo scoots to dealers great. I know other dealer often have open days to give you a chance to try different machine, and this must work as my local, Triumph/Suzuki and Kawasaki dealer does this through the summer. Surely SYMUK can't be wrong for trying!!

[horobags]

Id love to have a go on a forza, I love the sh 300 and its best bit is the motor, so im sure ill be impressed with a forza, saying that I couldnt buy a new model without riding one first.

[SYMUK]

My oh my, this is NOT what I would like to see

And I apologise most profusely to Mildrew and any other forum members who may have taken offence

In my defence may I please offer the following

1. I am a Yorkshireman living in Wakefield working for MotoGB at a high level of management, I also have a dry sense of humour.....
2. I am a member of IAM and hold a full car and bike licence - I test ride ALL of the machines that MotoGB import
3. I have two children by my first marriage, and a third by my current partner, I am 52 years ols and my little girl is just three years old
4. I love my work, and I don't go to work just to pay my bills
5. We actually sell 10,000 bikes per year (including second hand) which means we are a major player in the market - only 90,000 bikes registered last year!
6. We hold franchises for Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha. Victory etc.... And we have demonstrators! We log every demo ride and shall we say we follow closely the J300 - and responses to test rides etc - I do not take advantage of responses and I do not post anything other really than SYM
7. I do not need to be here, but I feel that my input as I portray it is actually beneficial to all brands - we cannot afford demonstrators in every dealers - the cost is massive against the return
8. I am on YOUR side, I would not buy a car without at test ride....... But the cost of a demonstrator for the dealer is prohibitive - It does not matter the brand, it is all down to economics....Look at Piaggio, SYM. Kymco .... let me know the demonstrators AVAILABLE!
9. MPH clocks, I agree, we should have priority graduation, but it don't make a difference to the quality or riding experience of the scooter....

I do get tired with superficial jibes from forum contributors who are shall we say ignorant of the trials and tribulations of the import and distribution of scooters.... I would welcome anyone to take my seat! You are ALL welcome to visit and see the operation AND take test rides!

Have fun guys, stop being 'keyboad warriors', get a life and RIDE!

I do daily...

SYMUK