Top 5 Highlights Of SYM’s Upcoming 300cc Maxiscooter

The SYM Joymax Z 300 maxi scooter was spotted testing in Pune recently, sparking off speculations about the Taiwanese brand’s comeback (after parting ways with Kinetic) into the Indian market. Here’s everything you need to know about this upcoming performance-oriented scooter:

Quintessential maxi-scooter styling:

The SYM Joymax Z 300 is big, burly and definitely looks the part of a traditional European maxi-scooter. The bulbous apron features a halogen headlamp with a large adjustable windshield up top. While the headlamp shape is quite sporty, we wish it were all-LED in line with the modern times. At 747mm, the nicely contoured single-piece seat is quite low. A pair of large split grab rails complement the pillion seat and the tail lamp looks quite sleek, in contrast to the bulbous exhaust system. We wish the rear fender was shorter for an added dose of sportiness.

High on features and practicality:

SYM has equipped the Joymax Z 300 with a generous underseat storage that can swallow two full face helmets. For better convenience the boot lid gets hydraulic actuation, and the fuel tank cap is located on the floorboard hump. There’s also a closed apron-mounted glove box with an integrated USB charging port to keep you electronic devices topped up.

The scooter employs a twin-pod analogue instrument cluster with a digital inset in the middle. The inset shows details like fuel level, time, coolant temperature, odometer and tripmeter readings. We’d have liked it if SYM had equipped the scooter with a real time fuel efficiency indicator as well.

Reasonably powerful engine:

The Joymax Z 300 packs a 278.3cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, generating 27.3PS at 8000rpm and 27.3Nm at 6,750rpm. For better reliability and thermal performance, the cylinder is coated with ceramic. The test mule one of our colleagues spotted recently was cruising at triple digit speeds, thus reinforcing its performance-oriented demeanour. SYM says the scooter will top out at over 129kmph.

Competent underpinnings:

The scooter is suspended on a telescopic front fork and a pair of traditional shock absorbers at the rear. To ensure better ride quality, it rolls on a larger 14-inch front wheel and a smaller 13-incher at the rear. The aluminium wheels are wrapped with a fat 120-section tyre up front and a 140-section rear rubber. SYM has also equipped the 300cc maxi scooter with a proper 260mm front and a 240mm rear petal disc with dual-channel ABS as standard. At 12 litres, the fuel tank capacity is quite generous. While it may be heavy, at 184kg kerb, the scooter should be easy to maneuver because of its low seat height.

Expected pricing and launch details:

In the early 2000s, SYM used to cater to the Indian market in partnership with Kinetic. Then Kinetic got acquired by Mahindra and Mahindra via an 80 percent stake. In 2016, the company formed a new multi-brand venture called Kinetic MotoRoyale, which brought in exotic brands like Norton, MV Agusta and the likes. However, due to changing emission norms and organisational restructuring of its clients, MotoRoyale has no product on sale as of now. The company could either partner with SYM to reinvigorate its business in India or SYM could join hands with Mahindra and Mahindra for its Indian operations.

In any case, the Joymax Z 300 is expected to cater to the premium scooter segment along the lines of the upcoming Honda Forza 350. If we’re being optimistic, we could expect it to be launched in mid-2021, at an estimated price tag between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh (ex-showroom).