SYM Jet: the small sporty scooter that became a family

The SYM Jet is a small sporty scooter that the Taiwanese manufacturer SYM has built since 1999. Most were 50 cc, but there was also a 100 cc version from 1999 to 2002, and over the years the model grew into a family with the Euro X, the Sport X and the four-stroke Jet 4.

SYM Jet at a glance

The Jet and the Jet 50 share one article. There is no single English article on the whole Jet family: the page combines the English article on the Jet Euro X with the Italian articles on the Jet and the Jet 4.

History of the SYM Jet

The Jet went on sale in 1999 as a sporty scooter with 12-inch wheels and sport-tread tyres as standard, powered by a forced-air-cooled two-stroke. Most of the production was 50 cc, but a 100 cc version was built from 1999 to 2002. The first series had lights similar to those of the Italjet Formula, rounded bodywork and round tail lights. From 1999 to 2002 the SYM catalogue also listed the Red Devil, which differed from the Jet only in its 10-inch wheels instead of 12-inch ones.

Euro X (2003–2011)

The second series, called Euro X, was built from 2003 to 2011 in 50 cc form only. It differed from the first series mainly in the sharper, more angular shape of its lights. In the English-language description the Jet Euro X is a scooter-style moped available with 49 cc and 101 cc two-stroke engines: the 49 cc version is restricted to 31 mph (50 km/h) but can reach 40–45 mph once de-restricted, and the under-seat compartment takes a full-size helmet. Both engines are air-cooled, both models have a front disc and a rear drum brake and a 6.3-litre fuel tank.

Sport X (from 2007)

The third series, the Sport X, arrived in 2007 with a complete restyle: sharper bodywork in line with the styling of the time, different wheels, a rear disc brake in place of the drum and an LCD instrument panel.

Jet 4

The Jet 4 is the successor to the two-stroke Jet, offered with 50 and 125 cc four-stroke engines; the smaller Jet4R was also available with a two-stroke. With this model SYM dropped the twin headlights for a single unit on the front shield, with the indicators beside the handlebar, and moved to a 13-inch front wheel instead of 12 inches. All versions have a front disc and a rear drum, except the two-stroke 50R, which uses a “margherita” front disc instead of the conventional set-up of the four-strokes.

Design and features

• Sporty from the start: 12-inch wheels and sport-tread tyres were standard on the 1999 original.
• Long family life: first series, Euro X, Sport X and Jet 4 across more than two decades.
• Practical details: the under-seat compartment holds a full-face helmet and the tank takes 6.3 litres.
• Two- and four-stroke: the Jet was a two-stroke, the Jet 4 mostly a four-stroke.

SYM Jet versions

• Jet (1999–): the original sporty two-stroke, 50 and 100 cc.
• Red Devil (1999–2002): the same scooter on 10-inch wheels.
• Jet Euro X (2003–2011): sharper lights, 50 cc only.
• Jet Sport X (from 2007): full restyle with rear disc and LCD dashboard.
• Jet 4: four-stroke 50 and 125 with a 13-inch front wheel.

The Jet’s styling influenced the larger Joyride, and the little scooter sits below the high-wheel Symphony in the range. More models are in the SYM collection.

Sources

• Sym Jet Euro X, English Wikipedia: engines, speed, brakes, tank
• Sym Jet, Italian Wikipedia: first series, Euro X, Sport X, Red Devil
• Sym Jet4, Italian Wikipedia: Jet 4, engines, wheels, brakes
• Sanyang Motor, English Wikipedia: company history, model list