250cc Cruising Speed

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

Hi,

I'm looking for an all weather commuter and I came across a Sym GTS 250i. It does everything I want, apart from the engine capacity.
I've had a Google around and there's a few people who say 85, late-70s and what-not on the speedometer, which is fine. However, I'm wondering how much stress would that put on an engine of that size to do it for about 20 miles per stint?

I live in the flattest part of the country so there isn't any proper hills, but riding near to top speed all the while can't be good... can it?
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

23hp just about gets you into real 70+ territory. 80 is optimistic. But the speedo will be too.

Change the oil regularly, don't worry about it.

The fact that it's a used Sym means that you should be paying loose change for it and expecting it to be essentially disposable anyway. I'm not saying that it's a bad scooter, I have no idea, just that the only thing that you can be certain of it is that it'll be hard to find someone willing to buy it from you if you don't get on with it.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

Yeah, they don't seem to have the best reputation... but that also seems to be from people that haven't ridden them. A lot of Sym owners seem perfectly happy, and that's likely why this one falls in to my budget.

I'm just waiting to hear back on a Burgman 400 (again) before I decide to go and view it.
If it can sit at 70mph for 10 miles and 60 the rest of the way, I'd be satisfied.

I just want something cheap to run, insure and keep me dry all year around.
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

Sniff9 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 03 May 2017 Karma :

Christ my old GT250 Suzook did just over an indicated "ton" back in the 80's, infact i kept up no bother with a mates 250LC up to about 80 then he started pulling away, not quick but away none the less. These modern 250s must be shit unless they're 4st.

Snowdonia Rider · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Oct 2014 Karma :

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

You're comparing a 2-stroke naked to a commuting maxi scooter from Taiwan.
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

https://lmgtfy.com/?q=Sym+Voyager+GTS+250

But seriously, here's the link to the ad.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/sym-motorbikes/sym-250i-gts-voyager/1238325607

However, the Burgman is looking promising. So this might be a redundant topic.
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

andyscooter · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 May 2009 Karma :

hav look on www.maximuppets,co.uk

loads of happy sym owners on there

I used to ride my 200cc scooter for miles without issues
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

RhynoCZ · Super Spammer Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Fizzoid · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Karma :

davethekwak · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 25 Jan 2017 Karma :

The GT250 also did about 25MPG if you were lucky but petrol was cheap in them days. 50p a gallon, about 12.5p a ltr in new money
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ZX6R G2 (1999) & ZX6R F2 (1996). I like ZX6!

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Butter was three shillings per pat and policemen always doffed their hats to a lady.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

davethekwak · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 25 Jan 2017 Karma :

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

I bought the Burgman. Rode it back from near Biggleswade to Peterborough. It was comfortable and much more wind protected. Duck down behind the screen and there's nothing but engine noise.
I may have seen 95mph on the clock once... briefly... on the (M) section. And it still had more to give.
I'm very pleased. Pics will follow when there's daylight.
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

MahatmaAndhi · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Jun 2015 Karma :

I need to keep the ER5 insured and I don't wanna miss out on my NCD in August, so I got 24 hour insurance for the Burg and taxed it last night. So, as it's still running, I took it to work and it's so much more fun than the ER5!
I know it'll never set the world alight, but it was fun, handles well and £600! The fuel needle has barely moved either, which is also reassuring.

So, without further ado, meet BLO Job (working title).

https://i.imgur.com/QUGaZV0l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JeyslMDl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/McpSs0hl.jpg

I'm particularly fond (see: 'absolutely loath') the police reflective strips and bullet-hole stickers.
They're coming off as soon as I get a minute.
Tyres are in good condition, not much rust about, stainless exhaust (the original came with it.) It looks alright.
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

They are cosy things. Fit some muffs and a Tucano Termoscud invalid blanket and they're nearly as practical as a car. Which I'd rather use.

If it's pre-2007 it's likely to be sucking oil from the crankcase up into the airbox. It'll be swimming with oil under the filter.

The mitigation is to unplug the vent hose at the airbox, plug the airbox hole up, and if you're really fancy, clamp a filter over the end of the hose.

If that's fun, I shudder to think what an ER5 must be like. Pale

____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike