Sym Citycom 300i Review + Maintenance

[Gary]

Kiwi -
That shield is huge. You'll be nicely tucked away behind it when those gales hit.
Enjoy,
Gary

[Kiwiscoot]

Let me tell you I DID hide this week. We had a bitterly cold week, hail, sleet and rain to work. Snow on the hills. As for me, I was nicely tucked in behind the shield. I find the cold now seems to creep around from the back. Minus 1.2 degC when I left home, but who feels the cold behind my "Warrior shield"! ;D ;D ;D BE BRAVE WARRIOR, YOUR BEATING THE OIL BARONS!!" YEEHAAAAAAA!!!! ;D ;D ;D

[A.B.Normal]

Great thread, mate.

If I could floats and a paddle wheel on my Linhai, I'd make it down there in probably six months if I could get petrol every 200 miles or so.

Thanks for the vids. Beautiful country down there.

[Kiwiscoot]

Well today with 6300kms on the scoot I gave the variator a service. Noticed a few interesting things:
1.) no wear on any of the rollers or any other parts of the variator.
2.) the " body" of the variator and the plate that push on to the rollers were marked and these marks were lined up in the assembly. I don't know it this was for balancing? as the factory service manual did not mention it. I assembled it like that again.
3.) No grease only gray dry lubrication, which looked a lot like graphite.
4.) the belt did not need replacing. It will be looked at @ 12000kms.

I gave it my service as I did on the Xingyue/Ita XY150. Took 1000 grit emery paper and smoothed any imperfections in the roller tracks of variator body. Also smoothed any rough spots on the plate and rollers. This was done using the emery paper wet (water) to give a very smooth finish without removing much material. It basically shined up the surfaces. Less friction is better for smooth operation and less wear on the components. I then lubricated it with graphite using a HB pencil. Grease on the variator + dust blowing around by the varaitor fan = grinding paste to me = wear = less reliability. Graphite does not give the dust a surface to adhere to. Grease tends to go where it should not with time and heat like on to the varaitor faces or inside the CVT, collects dust. Any excess graphite just blows away.

"Color" it in well (shiny surface) like this. I hold it against the light to show up any imperfections in the surface of the roller and then fill those imperfections up to a shiny surface with the pencil. I color the roller surfaces of the variator body in, the roller surfaces on the plate, the plastic bushes of the plate and the plate slide guides on the variator body. Also the shaft bushes on the variator body and the shaft bush where the variator slide on. Basically all the surfaces of the variator where parts rub against each other during operation. After assembly I wiped the belt surface of the variator with cream cleaner just to make sure no graphite got on it.
I can feel a great improvement in the operation of the variator. At 50kph the scoot's engine is running between 500 and 1000rpm slower as the roller run out further with less friction. This should be good for fuel consumption. Pick-up has always been smooth, so no noticeable difference there.
Again I was very impressed with what I saw of the quality of the parts and the assembly. I have the confidence that this scoot will be able to do high kms like the Japanese scoots. ;D ;D ;D
Well now it will be some more miles of smiles for me...and I wish it on you all too. ;D ;D

[Gary]

Good stuff. Will have to try graphite on my sliders next time.
Cheers,
Gary

[Kiwiscoot]

A.B. Normal - don't come now IMHO - cold dark rainy and grey here now. Enjoy your summer, come February, leave the Linhai at home, hire a scoot from Cityscooters and enjoy our countryside. They have a nice Kymco Xting 500 for hire. ( I have no affiliation with them - just a suggestion )

Gary - try it, I'm sure you'll notice a difference. The application is very "user friendly" too. I even applied it in the lounge over a cup of coffee while speaking to my wife. Now try to do that with grease - I'm sure you would land outside on your ear! ;D ;D I would like to try sliders one day as the belt runs to about 5mm from the edge of the variator surface as it is now. Sliders may get it to run that little bit further. 70mph is at 6000 - 6500rpm, which is right at the peak HP, but it does feel like it could rev lower at that speed.

[ootscoot]

Kiwiscoot - thanks for the weather update from down under - I was there in your mid-summer, snowed and hailed on me on Christmas day! Some of the most beautiful country side for touring - was wishing I had brought my RV250 w/ me...Kayaked Kaiteriteri instead...

[shalomdawg]

howdy, thanks for the update and indication that the belt and such could be longlived.

lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken

[Kiwiscoot]

Well it's 10 months since my experience with the Citycom started. In this time I have only been impressed. It keep on delivering and in my book it is the "best bang for a buck". As one live with a scoot things sort of collect and settle in their place in the scoot. I thought I would give an overview of what I carry in the scoot. I am not one to carry "everything and the kitchen sink" like the Kiwi saying goes. As far as tools go I carry a small set of 1/4" drive sockets (8,10,12,13,14,15,17mm), fold out screwdriver set and the tools that came with the scoot.

Sorry for spelling in photo, that should be tire repair. For info on the Cable alarm see my post scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=15790


The tools are wrapped in an old tea-towel to stop them rattling. They are held together with the tire repair by an elastic band cut from an old tire tube. The front of the bucket has 3 compartments that are deep enough to hold a small pen, pain tablets, tire pressure gauge and notebook. A small digital camera lives near the facecloth, but is absent from the photo due to it being in use. ;D

The tools&tire repair are held in position by an elastic band around the battery housing. This stops them from wandering around in the under seat bucket during a trip. This photo should give the general idea.

This is the tire repair covered by an old sock courtesy of Singapore Airlines, hence the shocking purple color. ;D It is an aerosol which seals the hole and inflate the tire to get one to civilization again - hopefully. I don't carry a tire repair kit (patches and glue,etc.) as I can't see myself doing those repairs next to the road. The same goes for big mechanical repair. I would just hide the scoot in the bush and hitch a ride to the nearest town.

When parked in town on a cold day where the bike jacket stays on the body every thing fits like this under the seat. Helmet with waterproof pants :oinside and gloves. Nice and tidy - no temptation.

When it is a hot day the jacket , pants and gloves go under the seat like this. The helmet is locked with the cable lock and goes.....

like this in it's very secure spot. The front of the seat fits into the bottom of the helmet. "Ya toucha my helmet&scoot me alarma give you 120dB blast!!" ;D ;D

The front of the helmet fits into the petrol cap recess like this.

The helmet does not rest on the visor. The visor clear of the floor of the step-thru. I have never used it like this in rain, but it should not get rain water into the helmet.
The scoot does not heat up on my 7km run to work due to our cold weather ( -3 degC) mornings. This has caused the fuel consumption to go down a bit. I suspected no or an open stuck thermostat. I tested the thermostat, but it opens when it should. I now let the scoot idle for 10 minutes before go to heat up. I'll see how the fuel consumption goes.
Doing this I had a look again at the "headless" design of the engine. Imagine no head gasket to go. It only has a tappet cover. This could be too why it takes a bit to warm up as the whole barrel is quite big. Oops, I may have started an Internet rumour. Not true about the engine, I saw something someone wrote on the WEB and did not check the service manual. It is a normal engine design with a head gasket. Sorry folks, should've done my homework before writing.
Well all for now. happy miles of smiles to you. ;D ;D

[shalomdawg]

it sounds like you think you should be able to use a camera to take a picture if itself---oh-maybe in a mirror . tha'd be an interesting project that is to take a picture of itself in its usual place--

lotsa miles and smiles to ya---i'm smilin

[Kiwiscoot]

Well I changed the brake pads after about 7000kms and caused quite a saga. I wouldn't repeat it here, but you can read about it here:
scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=200cc&thread=25080&page=1

While we're on the subject of the SYM Citycom's brakes; I have read a review or two where the reviewer felt the brakes could be better. I was perfectly happy with mine as they came from the factory. But after I replaced the factory pads now with Scandinavian Brake Systems (SBS) brake pads, I can only say that it transformed the brakes. Much more grip and way better feel in the brake handle. We'll have to wait to see if they last 7000kms.
Well this week (4 August 2009) I did a 360km run in 4 hours. The scoot sat at 110kph/70mph @ 6250rpm no sweat. Even coming back with a head -wind it held a 110kph and passed quite a number of vehicles at 120kph. You can check the MPG at www.fuelly.com/driver/kiwiscoot/citycom-300i Average for the trip was 75.5 UK MPG / 63 US MPG / 26.5 km/l. I felt comfortable and my wife who followed in the car said I looked very comfortable on the scoot. I did have a stop every 100kms or so. I'm quite tall @ 6'4.5 so I guess any "normal" person would be very comfortable.
The tall shield did a superb job and I was only buffeted by the wind of a big fast going truck who had a tail wind. I'll do it again "at the drop of a hat". ;D ;D
Hey - this scoot is fun! 8000kms will roll past this week. Yahoo and our weather is dry , cool and sunny. "Purrfect" riding weather with enough layers of clothes on.

[ootscoot]

I read that review about the brakes as well, but I must say that I am very satisfied with the braking on my citycom. I have been using mine as intended - daily commute , 25 miles round trip, 5 days a week and joy rides on the day off. This bike is great - the most comfortable ride I have experienced. Solid and stable at high speeds, nimble and easy to handle in traffic...a real pleasure ride. I do like the taller windscreen as well.
I gave my hd200 to my son and sold the rv250 - the citycom is all I need or could wish for in a bike.

[Kiwiscoot]

Aug 5, 2009 18:50:53 GMT -5 ootscoot said:

I read that review about the brakes as well, but I must say that I am very satisfied with the braking on my citycom. I have been using mine as intended - daily commute , 25 miles round trip, 5 days a week and joy rides on the day off. This bike is great - the most comfortable ride I have experienced. Solid and stable at high speeds, nimble and easy to handle in traffic...a real pleasure ride. I do like the taller windscreen as well.
I gave my hd200 to my son and sold the rv250 - the citycom is all I need or could wish for in a bike.

Glad your enjoying yours. The factory brakes were fine for me , even with my wife on the back. These new pads did make a huge difference.
Here is an email I recieved from another rider radiuswoodguy:
Oregon guy
« Message sent on Jul 14, 2009, 5:31pm » [Reply]

[Delete]
I put on 2000 to 3000 mile a month on my city-com. the ride home twice a week is 100 miles each way over the mt to the coast . chilly and wet like a rain Forrest great deal of the time. the city com postings are great info thanks. have a wobble in the front end mostly around 32 to 36 miles a hour. Got some real tires Michelin Gold Standard balanced right - and made a great improvement in ride .much better on gravel and wet roads . This scoot is a up grade from a kymco 250 s. thanks
I have only heard of good experiences so far.
SYM stands for Smile Your Miles ;D ;D

[Kiwiscoot]

Aug 5, 2009 18:50:53 GMT -5 ootscoot said:

I read that review about the brakes as well, but I must say that I am very satisfied with the braking on my citycom. I have been using mine as intended - daily commute , 25 miles round trip, 5 days a week and joy rides on the day off. This bike is great - the most comfortable ride I have experienced. Solid and stable at high speeds, nimble and easy to handle in traffic...a real pleasure ride. I do like the taller windscreen as well.
I gave my hd200 to my son and sold the rv250 - the citycom is all I need or could wish for in a bike.

Hi ootscoot, could you give us your impressions of the differences between the RV250 and the Citycom please? You are probably the most qualified as you have owned and used both of them as everyday transport.
cheers

[Kiwiscoot]

Here is an email I received from another rider "radiuswoodguy"
Oregon guy. He's Citycom must be the grand daddy as far as mileage goes. By the sound of it it is giving him very good service.

Subject: oregon scoot guy


www.justgottascoot.com/podcasts.htm Good to here from you, I forward your review to some shops in the states and" just got to scoot" It was very well received. I travel alot of trips to job sites and to and from my costal home to the valley around 100 miles each way. Just ran over 10000 miles . The valley Portland Oregon was over 105 deg. the coast was 76 deg last week. The coast is Rain Forrest so many time it will be sunny and dry in the valley with overcast light rain at the coast so riding gear is a must. I ran a kymco 250s before and enjoy the more usable tork that the city com has. the fit and quality of the city com is much better. the seat on the kymco was a very cruel joke to say the least. Things i think the citycom could of done much better is no helmet hook under the seat or any where else. We have gas pumps here for filling large cars and trucks 90 psi it is very had to fill the scoot,most of the worlds pumps are 50 psi or less.also the spot for the electric plug should allow a wire to felicitate a gps or phone out of the compartment. Our tax guys give us a write off of 48.5 cents a mile sense i legally live at the coast i can get millage for most of my use around 15000 usually more. same for a car or truck. So i run the scoots a couple years and give them away to a worthy soul. my scoots get wet alot and are not usually garaged , i gave up on covers and went to a seat cover only cuts down on cold wet butt, The stock tires the city came with were not good and "feathered" pulled those at 4500 miles and out of balance from the factory. I run Michelin Gold they seam to do well on wet pavement not bad on a logging road ok at 80 mph. the current set has 5000 miles on them hard riding summer miles look like another like number of miles they are toast. I like to have fresh tires for the fall and winter and keep a spare set at most times they can take time to get. keep motorex scooter 4T oil buy the case. change oil every two weeks sometimes,use a bel-ray gear oil. changing to your air filter idea. need to flush the cooling system also with your great advice. the only problem i have had is head light is out and rocking the switch gets it on the shop wants to change the relay. The states did not get the pod mount for almost a year . i need gear and have to take my apple lab top with over 50000 scoot miles . milage for me is what you are seeing when i ride hard i use more fuel . few rattles need to chase them down i do some rough roads briefly . send more later

And here are pictures of a 10 000mile Sym Citycom. Give it a round of applause! ;D ;D




I think this just proves what we knew all along.
Happy scooting - we have some miles and smiles to catch up "radiuswoodguy"! ;D ;D

[Gary]

Now that is a SERIOUS scooterist. Thanks for sharing.

[Kiwiscoot]

Just had another email from radiuswoodguy. In the 10 000miles he only had to replace the factory tyres which was out of balance and the brake pads after 5000miles. I would think that is excellent.
It seems one can expect about 4000 - 5000miles on a set of brake pads. well all for now
happy scooting.

[argirhs]

Hi,may i ask about how did you break-in your citycom?http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[argirhs]

in greece it costs 3900 euros,and you can have it be paying in two years 165,42euros per month(no interest)

[scosgt]

Aug 14, 2009 6:44:08 GMT -5 Kiwiscoot said:

Just had another email from radiuswoodguy. In the 10 000miles he only had to replace the factory tyres which was out of balance and the brake pads after 5000miles. I would think that is excellent.
It seems one can expect about 4000 - 5000miles on a set of brake pads. well all for now
happy scooting.

I just replaced the front pads on my HD 200 at 3500 miles. I had it inspected, the inspector said the pads looked thin, so I pulled the caliper to take a look. One side had probably 2000 more miles on it, the other was close to the wear indicator, but could have gone another 500. While I was inspecting the inner fell out, so I said the hell with it and put on new pads!

I also just changed the air filter, and I must tell you, it was like getting a new bike. I wil change it every 2K from now on, it really matters.

[Kiwiscoot]

Aug 29, 2009 7:06:44 GMT -5 argirhs said:

Hi,may i ask about how did you break-in your citycom?http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

You can read about it here
scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=25346&page=2
Unfortunately one cannot run it in exactly like Motoman suggest, but the main thing is to get it accelerating as hard as possible to get the rings to bed in well and then decelerate as hard as possible to clean the metal off the rings. Worked for me. Congratulations on your scoot as I presume you have a new one. You'll love it.
SYM = Smile Your Miles.

[argirhs]

just about to order it this week,thanks,of course i hear a lot of staff,like "we dont you buy a scooter from a well known brand",but recently i was in a greek island and anyone there had sym scooter, so i think its a good idea for my too,i also like it,its a good deal,honda and yamaha are too expensive and made in italy as i read,so iam ordering the citycom.I drove it and i find that its i little high for me(1,78),but i think its something i can used to it

[argirhs]

and please tell me,what mineral oil for the first 2000 kms,and what synthetic after that,thanks

[ootscoot]

For my citycom 300i, I started out with 10 - 40 Castrol motorcycle oil, ran the bike easy for about 2 miles then opened it up to 75 mph, de-accelerating about every minute, then accelerating for 5 minutes - all this for about 20 miles, then oil change -still 10/40w, repeat for a week - 100 miles, change oil again, 10/40. I won't put in synthetic until 2200 miles. I used to use the Shell Rotella T 15/40 in my HD200, but it has a higher level of polymers, detergents and less zinc than the 10 - 40 castrol, and since I am changing the oil often at first, I am using the 10-40w.

[ootscoot]

Also, just got in a new 2009 citycom in blue/black - it has new mirrors - bigger/beefier, and approx 2" more footroom - will post pics as soon as I figure it out...

[Kiwiscoot]

Aug 30, 2009 10:19:26 GMT -5 argirhs said:

and please tell me,what mineral oil for the first 2000 kms,and what synthetic after that,thanks

Use 10W30 mineral oil, that is what the Factory service manual states. You can download it here:
www.4shared.com/account/dir/15412986/3c778837/sharing.html
Any mineral oil from a reputable company (Shell, Mobil, Castrol,etc.) will do. I would suggest you replace the oil frequently during the first 500kms. I replaced mine within the first 200kms from memory. did about 3000kms on mineral oil.
I have been running mine with Mobil 1 10W30 synthetic and a mixture of Mobil 1 10W30 synthetic + Mobil diesel 15W30 too. Diesel oils are good for these engines with no oil filter as they have more detergent in them. I have gone off running it with the diesel oil as the oil at 2000km service intervals look like dark liquid honey, not dirty at all. Apparently synthetic oil keeps the engine cleaner than mineral oil too. I now use synthetic only.
I have since done a bit of a study on engine oils and engine oil weights. 5W30 (thinner) oil is better at start-up than 10W30. At start-up is when most of the wear happens. Both these oils are about 10W weight at operating temperatures. I have since gone to 5W30 Castrol Edge Synthetic and the engine is quieter at start-up, idles higher at start-up on cold (minus degC) mornings and my fuel consumption has gone down. I will run with this for a while and then experiment with Castrol 0W40, which will even be better at start-up, but is about a 15W at operating temperatures. My running is mostly city, cold start in the morning and after 7 km to work the scoot is hardly up to temperature ( thermostat work fine - it seems this is just how the scoot is), then 7kms back home again in the afternoon, not good for an engine.
Congratulations with yours, you'll love it. ;D ;D

[Kiwiscoot]

Aug 30, 2009 18:37:20 GMT -5 ootscoot said:

Also, just got in a new 2009 citycom in blue/black - it has new mirrors - bigger/beefier, and approx 2" more footroom - will post pics as soon as I figure it out...

Now that's interesting. I am keen to see those photos. I did not know it was updated.
For the photos -- Just open an account in Photobucket, ( www.photobucket.com ) upload your photos, when you put the cursor over you photo a menu appear under the photo, click on the "IMG Code" and copy the code. Paste it in you Scootdawg message where you want the photo and Viola! it appears there.

have fun - Smile Your Miles!! ;D ;D

[argirhs]

hi,my citycom is coming possible in friday and in blue-black,the person that sells them told me(after i order it)that it is possibly the best scooter concidering the build quality,its really nice and i cant wait

[cp750]

Hi all, just bought a Citycom from Cityscooters in Christchurch this morningnso found this thread really interesting to read as I pondered my purchase. I got fedup being hassled on a 50cc.

[Kiwiscoot]

Congratulations cp750,another black/blue Citycom on the prowl around Christchurch. You'll love it.
argirhs I hope you have your Citycom by now.
You'll love it\.