SYM HD2 200 / 200 CBS
SYM HD2 200 / 200 CBS
.Featured in the elegant and yet sporty style, HD2 is acomplete upgraded version from its predecessor. The new bodyline design, dualheadlights and taillight complete the evolution of HD. The details are equallyremarkable- the SYM logo on the radiator and Y-shaped decoration add itsuniqueness of the front design. The user-friendly improvement on HD2 includesthe lowered seat height of 790 mm and engine cut-off switch. In addition, thereis the combined braking system (CBS), it brings the scooter to a rapid stop tofulfil the safety wise.
The HD2 is an evolution of the HD 200 fromSYM, and whilst not a great deal has changed over the years,this scooter still represents some of the best value for moneyon today's market. The big wheeled platform combined with apunchy, liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine makes the HD a bit of acommuters dream.There have been a host of upgrades since I last rode SYM’s HD.Notable changes include disc brakes front and rear. The wavediscs measure 220 mm on the front and 226 mm on the rear, theyboth feel responsive. The new dash takes a European analogueapproach and now includes a digital clock. New styling aroundthe front end is dominated by twin headlamps. In the onposition, the left hand light performs low beam honours. The newHD2 badges do look classy.
The flat floor comes in handy whencarrying additional loads via the bag hook. The rear rack is boxready and there’s enough room under the seat for a half facedhelmet or some spare wet weather gear. The underseat storagearea opens via the ignition and there’s also two external helmethooks if required. The glove box is fairly small and in realityjust allows access to the coolant reservoir.
When riding the HD2, the first thing younotice is just how sorted and refined this model is. It’s notbig or bulky, it’s light and easy to ride, very easy tomanoeuvre. The HD turns into corners well and balances all thiswith fairly good stability at high speed. When filtering, youimmediately realise how thin the proportions are. Like I said,the HD2 is very well sorted. The engine provides enough punch to accelerate away from trafficand the HD will easily cruise at a steady 100 km/h. Two-up andthe HD still manages well, it just requires a bigger twist ofthe wrist. The passenger sits comfortably on the raised seatsection and their feet remain clear of the riders. Ergonomicallythe HD is very sound.Probably the only negative would be the raised seat sectionitself which tends to force the rider forward. The HD2 alsolacks a 12 volt charger, though I don’t remember the last time Icharged my phone on a scooter, especially when only commutingacross town. The HD lives in that zone we call the middle ground. It’s notclassed as a large capacity scooter and it’s not a budgetcommuter either - it’s somewhere in-between. The benefits areplentiful. Fantastic fuel economy, low registration costs due tothe capacity and a really nice balance of weight and power.The HD2 retails for around $5000 on the road registered. That’sjust over a grand more when comparing it with the majority ofbudget commuter scooters, yet the HD2 offers so much more whenit comes to flexibility. You don’t need to shy away frommotorways and you’ll still have a really “easy to live with”commuter friendly scooter that can pillion if needed. The HD2provides the best of both worlds.
We had the HD2 for an extended trial overa two month period. It performed faultlessly, performing dutiesfrom daily shop runs, to extended days out two-up. The engine inmy opinion, can be placed in the same class as Piaggio’s Quasar,it’s an absolute cracker that has a real sense of reliabilityand refinement about it. The more k’s we placed on it, thebetter it felt.
Extracts from a review by AllenDrysdale.