Is the SYM Classic a replica Royal Enfield?

Riders of Royal Enfield motorcycles are used to getting questions shouted at them by other motorists at stoplights. One of the most frequently heard is "Hey! Is that a replica?"

A replica? No, a Royal Enfield is not a replica, although it is true to the appearance (and to some extent the mechanics) of a motorcycle of a previous age. A motorcycle that has been in continuous production can not be a replica of itself. Can it?

The trouble comes when the guy at the stoplight inevitably asks the NEXT question: "What year is it?"

Here's the dilemma: If I answer "1999" I leave him confused. How can something that looks so old be so new and yet NOT be a replica? At a stoplight, there is no time for long-winded explanations.

I could answer "1955," since there isn't much difference between my Royal Enfield Bullet and the 1955 model. But that would be a lie, and it invariably causes the guy to yell "Great job with the restoration!"

Of course, there was no restoration; I likely haven't even washed it this year.

Eventually the light changes and the problem goes away. But it all comes to mind when considering the SYM Classic 150 the SYM company of Taiwan will introduce to the U.S. in 2010. It is a retro-styled motorcycle and, in one catalog illustration, it looks an awfully lot like a Royal Enfield Bullet.

The picture shows the SYM Classic 150 with pedestrian slicer, solo seat and pillion pad, options often adopted on Royal Enfield Bullets. While these are old fashioned accessories (most Bullets come with a stock dual seat) the Royal Enfield has earned the right to wear them; it is, by heritage, a British motorcycle, although built in India since 1955.

Is the SYM Classic 150 a replica Royal Enfield? SYM already builds scooters that evoke memories of classic Hondas and Vespas. Why not a tribute to the great British style motorcycles of the past? And at half the price?

It's just not the same thing, anymore than if SYM built a 150cc motorcycle styled like a big Harley-Davidson. There are elements of scale that it can not duplicate. The engine's sound is far different, as the 150cc relies on high rpm to move it along. The riding experience will be different.

Fun comes in many sizes and fashions, of course. But if I were buying a SYM Classic 150, I would choose the model that looks more like a small Japanese motorcycle, of the 1970s, which is where its heritage begins. That way, no one would ask whether it's a replica, because it truly does look like the real thing. And, oh, by the way, "Nice job on the restoration!"

SYM Classic 150 vs. Bullet Classic C5

How does the Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500, on sale now in the U.S., compare with the SYM Classic 150, due to go on sale in March 2010? Incredibly, we already know, in part.

Phil Waters of POC Scooters took a pre-production SYM Classic 150 on a road trip, accompanied by a new Royal Enfield C5 (as the Bullet Classic 500 is called). He wrote up his impressions of the SYM Classic 150 for the blog 2StrokeBuzz. The Royal Enfield is mentioned only in passing but, if you read between the lines, it sounds as though the two motorcycles kept pace admirably and even burned the same amount of fuel.

Waters referred to the Taiwanese SYM as "the Wolf 150" but the Wolf name has been dropped for the U.S., according to Pete McIntosh. He is with the marketing department of Carter Brothers Manufacturing, exclusive U.S. distributor for SYM. The Classic 150 is just one of the SYM scooters and ATVs Carter markets here. One really cute SYM product is the Symba, by all appearances the rebirth of a Honda Super Cub step-through.

The "hunter green" version of the SYM Classic 500 will be sold with a standard bench seat, but the solo seat, pillion pad, left-side saddlebag and front pedestrian-slicer license plate will be available. The license plate will say "SYM 1954," marking the birth of the company now known as Sanyang Industry Co. Ltd., or SYM.

The 1954 notation, green color and options could all be seen as a tribute (or a challenge) to Royal Enfield, in business since 1955 in India. The two-tone red and white SYM Classic 150, looking more like a small Japanese motorcycle of the 1970s, will be sold as well.

McIntosh and SYM enthusiast Nate Dahl tell me the SYM Classic 150 is a four-stroke motorcycle, with 5-speed manual transmission, carburetor, electronic ignition and a curb weight of 266 pounds. Carter Brothers is targeting an introductory price of only $2,999. McIntosh said they hope the bike will prove popular with motorcycle training courses.

Will the SYM Classic 150 prove popular with riders who were considering buying a Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500?

What do you think? Leave a comment here.

SYM Classic looks a lot like Royal Enfield

UPDATE: Carter Brothers says the motorcycle will be called the "SYM Classic 150" for the U.S. They hope to have it in showrooms in March, 2010 at an introductory price of $2,999. It will come standard with bench seat but the solo seat and removable pillion pad on the rack will be options.

If you are a fan of Royal Enfield motorcycles you will notice something very familiar about the retro-styled motorcycle a Taiwanese manufacturer will introduce in the U.S. in 2010.

The 2009 SYM product catalog shows a "sneak preview" of the Wolf Classic motorcycle, coming to America in 2010. The Wolf is shown in green with tan solo seat and either a matching pillion or rear rack, and a tan saddle bag (on one side!). On the front fender a pedestrian-slicer license plate completes the old-style British motorcycle look.

These features, down to the solid green color, are all typical of Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles sold in the U.S. The Wolf Classic is also shown with '70s-style two-tone paint, dual seat and yellow(!) shock absorbers. The hunter green, "vintage Brit" look is an option, as it pretty much is on Royal Enfields as well.

Scooter-News.com fills in some details from a dealer expo:

"This vintage styled machine definitely looked the part and featured several cool updates to vintage bikes. It's powered by a 150cc single-cylinder engine, has a beefy looking 4-piston disc brake, and clip-on handlebars to finish the cafe racer look. Fit and finish seemed to be good (typical for SYM) and this bike looks to bring the classic motorcycle back for the budget motorcyclist. The Wolf Classic is going to be priced in the low-$3,000s."

Looking around the web it's apparent that the Wolf Classic has a tachometer, kick and electric start, and a mellow burble at idle. As speed increases this sound quickly changes to the familiar enraged sewing machine noise of a 150cc engine.

Is it competition for Royal Enfield? Not to my eye. To me, it looks more at home in its '70s suit of clothes. The twin gauges and slim, light look of its bodywork don't create the stout hearted appearance of vintage machines. The streamlined rear fender shape clearly says "dual purpose" in a way that cancels out the effect of the front pedestrian slicer.

SYM is Sanyang Industry Co. Ltd., with 2,400 workers in six facilities. The main manufacturing plant is in Hukou Hsinchu, Taiwan, just south of Taipei. SYM manufactures scooters and ATVs and has built cars for Honda. It is now a partner of Hyundai. Its scooters feature modern designs, but some mimic Vespas and even the iconic Honda 90 step-through.

Carter Brothers Manufacturing of Brundidge, Alabama is exclusive U.S. distributor for SYM. In 1967 Carter manufactured the first go-kart. Since then, Carter has produced over 1.5 million go-karts.

I am indebted to reader Robert J. Slovey for pointing out the SYM catalog to me. The "sneak preview" page featuring the Wolf Classic does not appear in the 2009 Product Brochure on the U.S. SYM web site.