It’s been over a year since Fly first showed their cub styled scooter at the Indy Dealer Expo and today the Scout is finally ready to launch! This new Scout bares little in common with the sample shown at the 2009 Expo and really looks more like an old school Honda Cub in its current form. Dealers are expected to begin receiving the new 2010 Scout in about a month. We are yet to see how this new kid on the block stacks up against the old salty dog from SYM. With a one year head start, the Symba has already proven itself as a pretty reliable machine. Looking at their specs, there’s no clear winner… it all depends on what more important to you the consumer. I’ve put together this little table to help you see how they stack up:
| 2010 SYM Symba | 2010 FLY Scout | |
| Engine | ||
| Type | 4-Stroke | 4-Stroke |
| Displacement | 101.4cc | 107cc |
| Cooling System | Air | Air |
| Carburetion | Carburetor – In Taiwan this is now EFi, no word on if US version has been updated as well. |
Carburetor |
| Transmission | Manual / Auto Clutch | Manual / Auto Double Clutch |
| Emission | EPA / CARB Certified | EPA / CARB (in process) |
| Horsepower | 6.7 (reported) | 6.2 (reported) |
| Max. Capacity | 199 lbs. | 400 lbs. |
| Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescoping Fork | Leading Link |
| Rear Suspension | Twin Sided Swing Arm | Twin Sided Swing Arm |
| Front Brake | Drum | Drum |
| Rear Brake | Drum | Drum |
| Front Tire | 2.5 x 17 | 2.5 x 17 |
| Rear Tire | 2.5 x 17 | 2.75 x 17 |
| Dimensions | ||
| L x W x H | 75” x 27” x 41” | 73″ x 27″ x 44″ |
| Dry Weight | 209 lbs. | 178 lbs. |
| Fuel Capacity | 1.1 gal | 1 gal |
| Warranty | 24 Month | 12 Month Parts 2 Months Labor |
| MSRP | $2598 *$230 Accessory Pack included until April |
$1799 |
So, what’s it gonna be? The $800 savings (not including SYM’s promo) of the Scout? Are you more interested in the Symba’s 2 year warranty? Do you like the more modern, front suspension of the Symba or are you good with the more traditional, old school leading link of the Scout? It’s a pretty tough battle and I think we’ll have a better idea of who’s gonna come out on top by Spring 2011.
If you’re in California, expect the Scout to receive its CARB badge by this summer.
-NOTE: The Symba has always shown a 199 lbs. maximum capacity, though I suspect that number was just never converted from kg to lbs.
***Update 3/6/2010***
Got some new photos of the Scout for ya.
5. March 2010 at 1:54 pm
The Scout might be an option for those who carp about the Symba’s price ($2600 for a 50-year old bike???), but I’d really be interested in seeing where Fly is finding the 800 bucks.
OTOH, I’ve had dealers tell me bikes at the Scout’s price point are primarily purchased to carry in RVs, so maybe it won’t matter…
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
6. March 2010 at 8:59 am
Doesn’t Honda still make this bike and sell it overseas? Isn’t the price point about $1500?
6. March 2010 at 12:29 pm
You know, I just checked out Honda’s virtual shop and after the Yen to USD conversion, it looks like the Super Cub retails for nearly $2700! More than I imagined. They also have something called the Super Cub Pro that retails for $3206.00. I wonder if the actual Japanese Honda Super Cub would sell in the US for $2700. I think if that were the “out the door” price, it’s possible but definitely not an easy sell.
6. March 2010 at 12:17 pm
Where is the Fly made? Is it another Taiwan build Honda?
6. March 2010 at 12:45 pm
Hey Mark! The Fly will be from Mainland China, possibly accounting for some of that savings.
6. March 2010 at 7:12 pm
Yeah, I guess they have to get the savings by going there. That’s ok, I am sure there is a market for it.
Nice look for your site, Steve. I really like it. Certainly pops! I check it every day.
20. April 2010 at 11:06 pm
when it comes to scooters, it seems less than sincere to compare taiwanese to chinese. unless of course one prides themselves in misguiding.
29. April 2010 at 11:12 pm
Does it? Are they not both scooters? Aren’t they both competing in the same market?
Now, of course we haven’t seen the Scout in person and traditionally Chinese scooters are not nearly as substantial as rival products from Taiwan, Korea, or Japan.
In a real, head-to-head comparison I’d wager that Japan’s version (the EFi Cub) would be of the highest quality, followed closely by the Symba with the Scout follow in third and the corresponding MSRP of the three following suit.
Side note:
The problem in America is that we expect to pay Chinese prices and get Japanese quality. I’ve talked to consumers about the Symba (back when I did sales for SYM) and when I told them they were about $2600 (yes, a bit more expensive than I would like) they withdrew in shock! I asked, “well, how much should they cost and they’d say something akin to the MSRP of the Cub from 1983. It’s a tough sell sometimes.
7. March 2010 at 7:37 am
The Honda Wave 100, which is a sort of modern Cub sells for just over $1500 in Mexico – http://www.honda.com.mx/motos/wave/
When can we get into some of that action?
7. March 2010 at 3:48 pm
Ive had a prototype scout for about 500 miles. Rus great, had to up the mainjet one size for it to run clean. top speed is about 50. The solo seat would be a little cramped if you are over 6 feet. All the electrics have been fine. I have ridden it in as cold as the teens, starts right up. I think its going to be very good city transportation. I wouldn’t put 400 lbs on it and hit a pot hole, and the tank is a little less then a gallon. I am very happy with it, especially at this price point. Yes I’m a dealer.
7. March 2010 at 4:25 pm
These are motorcycles imo.
7. March 2010 at 5:22 pm
It seems unlikely that the Scout is capable of carrying 201 pounds more than the Symba. Is the 400lbs number the GWVR for the Scout and the 199 Lbs number the “Max load” for the Symba? Because these are very different things.
8. March 2010 at 8:49 am
It seems like the Symba has 8% more horsepower and 17% more weight. Obviously, the only way to tell which one is better is with a drag race.
9. March 2010 at 7:34 am
I support WilliamL’s idea. Let’s get on this drag race idea pronto.
9. March 2010 at 11:44 am
I have challanged the local SYM dealer to a race. When It stops raining here I will post the results.
10. March 2010 at 11:41 am
It is highly unlikely that the Chinese made Scout can match quality of the Taiwanese made Symba, but the Scout sure looks better!
I just can’t get past how ugly the headlight/handlebars look on the Symba.
The two tone seats are pretty ugly, too.
12. March 2010 at 6:39 pm
I bought the Honda WAVE 100 in Mexico in 2007 for $1600 new, out the door. I have smuggled it into the Land o’ Libre (and out again and back in again and out… you get the picture) several times. I have 17,000k on her now and I really love it. I don’t like being illegal though, even if I do have a little rebel in me! Just today I found the SCOUT and now I want one of those. I am heading up to Oregon on my World-Wide book-signing tour, and I’d like to buy one there (zero sales-tax). I just hope I can work this out before they throw my pretty posterior in the hoozgow for operating an illegal scooter! Yes, she spends a lot of time on the front bumper of my coach.
24. August 2011 at 9:28 am
I would love to purchase the wave from you! Seriously.
14. March 2010 at 11:24 am
Mr. Honda and his right hand man went to Europe in the mid-50s, looking for inspiration for a new model. They left thinking about building either a moped or a scooter.
In Europe they stumbled across the Moto Guzzi Galletto: sheet metal construction, step thru design and rider shield like a motor scooter, but forward engine, foot shift, chain drive and large wheels like a motorcycle. They went back home to Japan and drew up the Cub, as Mr. Honda said, “a unique type of vehicle”.
So is the Cub a motor scooter or motorcycle? Gear-head Brian Wilson probably got it right in Little Honda (1964): the Cub is “a groovy little motorbike”.
Harv
15. March 2010 at 11:22 am
The weather finally cleared and the race was on. First a disclaimer. The prototype scout came with a 75 main jet and ran poorly, the main jet was replace with a 80 which I believe will be stock. After two runs, same results. The Scout was a little quicker off the line, then the two bikes ran fairly even through about 1/8 mile course. Scout wins by a nose. Top speed seems about the same.
17. March 2010 at 5:17 pm
Great! Thanx for doing that so we don’t have to wait 6 months for the information.Im a big heavy guy and think I would need a little more power than 6.2 0r 6.7 hp. The new Honda Supercub with f.i has 8.0 the Symba in Taiwan now has f.i.but don’t know if it has more power.I have a Jailing 125 engine that would drop right into one of your scouts and make it a 100kph flyer-sounds like fun!
17. March 2010 at 10:17 pm
The article has one error about the SYMba. It has not yet passed CARB.
26. April 2011 at 12:22 pm
Ttrying to find parts for 20 yr old Super Scout electric scooter 703-451-7779
1. May 2011 at 8:10 pm
Hi, I’ve ridden the symba many times, also owned a 81 passport for nearly 20 yrs and now own a scout 110. By far IMHO, pretty good quality, runs and starts easily, I tore it down made a few mods tightend up the chain and basic prep (after dealer already did his prep) and no rattles, noises or clunks. Just runs beatifully. Got it for 1250. Love it so far. Better than the symba by for a few reasons. One the symba headlamp is just awkward vs the Scout/Cub/ passport. The rear seat grab bar (we all know about it). I like the styling of the scout better than my old passport. Eaasy to fix parts are readily avialable except body (plastic) but, I dont plan on wrecking nor have I ever had one in 30 yrs. SO I give the Scout an A.
22. May 2011 at 6:25 pm
I’m having trouble deciding between the Scout and the Symba.
The only thing holding me back from the Scout is the front suspension. Is the leading link config. noticeably less efficient than the Symba’s telescopic fork? I really just need to go look at both in person to see if there’s a big difference in fit and finish. My local dealer is selling the Scout for much cheaper so it’s hard to justify the Symba’s price difference if the suspension difference is not such a big deal.
Thanks for your opinions,
Dave
20. July 2011 at 11:56 pm
I have owned a Flyscooter Scout for nearly a year now, I’ve had a few problems with it but thus far have logged over 2200 km (odometer runs in km but speedo in mph) It’s is mechanically sound. Most of problems have been bulbs breaking and creating shorts that in turn burn out the other bulbs. The suspension is a bit old but with careful handling you can navigate the pot-hole ridden streets of inner cincinnati. I deliver pizzas on mine and ride to to college everyday. It’s certainly reliable and easy to maintain. I wish more underbone motorcycles were sold here in the States b/c they sure are easy to ride, tons of fun, economical, and a real eye catcher. I will own one for the rest of my life simply for the “unique factor” even if my next one is a Symba. Get one! You won’t regret it! :-)