The SYM Maxsym is the flagship maxi-scooter of the Taiwanese manufacturer Sanyang Motor. Work began in 2007 with styling by the Italian studio Andreani Design, the first static prototype was shown at EICMA in 2009, and production started in early 2011 with a 400, followed later that year by a 600.
SYM Maxsym at a glance
| Maker | SYM (Sanyang Motor), Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Design | Andreani Design, Italy |
| Production | since 2011 |
| First shown | prototype at EICMA 2009, final model at Intermot Cologne 2010 |
| Maxsym 400 | 399.3 cc single, 34 hp at 7,000 rpm, 34 Nm at 6,500 rpm |
| Maxsym 400 second series | 2020, 219 kg, 40 Nm at 5,500 rpm |
| Maxsym 600 | 565 cc single, 45 hp at 6,750 rpm, 50 Nm at 5,000 rpm, 2013–2020 |
| Maxsym TL 500 | 465 cc parallel twin, 39.5 hp, 2019–2020 |
| Maxsym TL 508 | 508 cc parallel twin, 45.5 hp, 50 Nm, from 2021 |
| First-series 400 weight | 234 kg |
| Brakes | twin 275 mm front discs, 275 mm rear disc, combined braking, ABS from 2012 |
There is no English Wikipedia article on the Maxsym; the page is based on the Italian article on the model and on the English article on the manufacturer. The 400 and the 600 share one article.
History of the SYM Maxsym
The Maxsym is the top of SYM’s scooter range. Development of the project started in 2007 and the styling was entrusted to the Italian firm Andreani Design; a first static prototype was shown at EICMA in 2009. The definitive model was unveiled at the Intermot show in Cologne in October 2010 in 600 cc form, and the 400 was announced at EICMA the following month. Production and sales began in the first months of 2011, with the 400 first and the 600 following at the end of 2011. The Maxsym was a commercial success, above all in its 400 form.
Maxsym 400, first series (2011–2019)
Europe received the 400 first. It had twin lenticular headlights with LED position lights, twin LED tail lights, mixed instrumentation with an LCD trip computer in chromed dials and backrests for both rider and passenger. It was 2,270 mm long with a 1,555 mm wheelbase, braked by a pair of 275 mm front discs and a single 275 mm rear disc with combined braking, and ABS became standard in 2012. The frame was a single-cradle steel structure with a conventional 41 mm fork and twin rear shocks, on 15-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels, and it weighed 234 kg. The 399.3 cc four-valve liquid-cooled single made 34 hp at 7,000 rpm and 34 Nm at 6,500 rpm.
Maxsym 400, second series (from 2020)
The second generation was presented at EICMA 2019 and sold from 2020. It is lighter than the first series and completely restyled along the lines of the Maxsym TL 500, with a wide central tunnel and two-tone bodywork with grey contrasting panels at the front. The 399 cc engine now makes 34 hp at 7,000 rpm and 40 Nm at 5,500 rpm; length is 2,232 mm on the same 1,555 mm wheelbase, the seat is 750 mm high and weight drops to 219 kg.
Maxsym 600 (2013–2020)
The 600 was presented at EICMA 2013 and sold in Europe from 2014, in Italy only during 2014 and elsewhere until 2017. Its 565 cc electronically injected single makes 45 hp (33.4 kW) at 6,750 rpm and 50 Nm at 5,000 rpm, with a dry weight of 238 kg and ABS as standard; the chassis was that of the first-series 400. It left production for good in 2020, replaced by the more sporting twin-cylinder Maxsym TL 500.
Maxsym TL 500 and TL 508
The TL 500 was previewed as a prototype at EICMA 2015, shown in final form in 2018 and built from 2019 as a new flagship. Its “Twin Line” 465 cc eight-valve parallel twin is liquid-cooled and makes 39.5 hp at 7,000 rpm and 41.2 Nm at 5,000 rpm, mounted in the middle of the platform with a 50/50 front-to-rear weight split. It has a wet clutch, a balancer shaft and a chain final drive, a 41 mm upside-down fork with a progressive six-linkage rear monoshock, twin 275 mm front discs with radially mounted calipers, 15-inch wheels, a 12.5-litre tank and a 37-litre under-seat compartment that takes a full-face helmet; it is 2.215 m long with a 795 mm seat and a 223 kg dry weight. Its successor, the TL 508, was presented at EICMA 2020 and sold from 2021 with a new 508 cc Euro 5 twin making 45.5 hp and 50 Nm at 5,250 rpm, a USB 3.0 socket and keyless starting.
Design and features
- Italian styling: the bodywork of the original Maxsym was drawn by Andreani Design.
- Flagship equipment: twin front discs, LED lights, LCD trip computer and backrests for both riders.
- Two engine families: single-cylinder 400 and 600 first, then the parallel-twin TL 500 and TL 508.
- Big storage: the TL’s under-seat compartment holds a full-face helmet.
SYM Maxsym versions
- Maxsym 400 (2011–2019): the original flagship, 234 kg, combined braking and ABS from 2012.
- Maxsym 600 (2013–2020): 565 cc single with 45 hp and 50 Nm.
- Maxsym 400 second series (from 2020): lighter and restyled, 219 kg.
- Maxsym TL 500 (2019–2020): 465 cc parallel twin with chain drive.
- Maxsym TL 508 (from 2021): Euro 5 508 cc twin, 45.5 hp.
The Maxsym is the largest scooter in the range above the Joyride and the high-wheel Symphony. More SYM models are in the SYM collection.
Video: SYM MaxSym 400i ABS review
Video by MOTOshopUA on YouTube.
Sources
- SYM Maxsym, Italian Wikipedia: generations, engines, dimensions
- Sanyang Motor, English Wikipedia: company history
