My KLR has a new stable mate. The SYM VTS 200

My KLR has a new stable mate. The SYM VTS 200. It is a scooter, a big one. 175 cc that can launch 2 averaged sized human to 100 km/h effortlessly. with a few tweaks here and there, some say that it can reach up to 140km/h. i was looking for my wife a bike that she can ride comfortably and she can follow me in long distance journey and adventures down the b-roads of Malaysia. We were thinking of getting an Aprilia Mana 850..... but that would be too much for a beginners bike. We opted for a scooter instead as we had one and it was fun to ride it. I had a Modenas Elegan and buy was it hard to kill it. Due to the lack of maintenance that I myself has deliberately forgot and the long hauls of going to and fro to work with an estimation of 50 KM per dah . i managed to wreck it by going oil dry for amonth before the piston jammed up, later to find out that you need to use an original piston with ceramic coating and not one of those aftermarket ones which lasted only 6 months before it jammed up again . so thats 2 piston heads and 2 overhauls. Scooter as it is named, is a very functional bike . more of a Start and Go bike , especially great when running errands as it has storage space under the seat which comfortable fits a helmet, rain coat and some extra space for takeaways. As it is, it can fit in a 10 kg sack of rice. So we got the VTS 200 assembled by M-force bikes in Kedah. The maker of the bike is SYM, a Korean Based company that ships their product all over the word. Their Sister company, KYMCO is also in the scooter business and is well known all over the world. The Bike was smashing as i picked it up. Came home and my wife rode it a few times just to get familiarize with it. She was quite good at it, if only there was no traffic at all on the road. I do not blame her, the traffic here is scary. Cars whizzes pass you in break neck speed. As if motorbikes do not exist in their vision. So the limit of bike riding for her will only be around a 5KM radius from our home. We joined a bikers group called the SYM Owner Club and we had our first Free ride. So i was the pilot, riding 2 up with my wife. Started from Empangan Batu and ending up in Kuala Selangor taking the long way around. Route details, E.Batu> Kuala Kubu Bharu> Tanjung Malim> Sg Besar> Down to Kuala Selangor. The Ride was Epic as we were closed of by a fast rising flood, cutting us off in the frond and the back of us. This was in Sg Besar where the river water had swelled up due to the rain up river. So there was no turning back as the road behind us was no longer there, there was only water and it was rising fast. At a rate of 1 inch per minute, our group decides to carry on . We reached a standstill traffic where the cars and the lorries had no where else to go, The water has reached more than 1 feet of water and the wattery path was almost 200 m . It could be deeper in the middle, but we would not know. Our brave Marshall, Iezzad was a gung Ho person and passed to safety. Others was reluctant to go. Time was not on our side as the water from the back was coming in fat and our frond road slowly sinks. A car decides to trudge on . Without any thinking and some wise but panic words from my wife ( She has a good point, to ride closely behind the car as the car splits the water). I quickly shouted to the others that im going through while my wife behind explained to them why we need to do this. Off we go with 7 other bikes behind us trailing our lead. Thanks to the cars wake, the water level was just below our exhaust and intake system, Lets just hope the car in from up us does not stall. Alas, we made it and the excitement from the other members was so over whelming that we took a 5 min stop just to admire the adventure that we had passed as we looked behind us a grand river with its blackish water and a lorry that is now stuck as the water had reached almost a meter deep since we passed. Now that's a quick thinking. Damn, I had the scooter for a week and i had a damn good experience and adventure with it. I had my KLR for a year now and still no adventure. Well. KLR time will come. Overall, I think my scooter and the KLR is now in the same rank and has earned its place next to it.

KLR 650 Specs

Whether your path takes you through urban chaos, mountain serenity or desert enchantment, the Kawasaki KLR™650 motorcycle is the platform world travelers have chosen for over 21 years. With its legendary reliability, long distance fuel efficiency, usable performance and startlingly low price tag, the Kawasaki KLR650 is simply a smart choice for today’s rider.

The rugged and proven 651cc motor is the foundation of the KLR650’s globetrotting prowess. An all-around performer, the single-cylinder four-stroke engine provides quick throttle response and healthy low-end grunt – ideal for tight trails or dealing with traffic snarls. Equally impressive, the KLR’s composure at highway speeds makes long distance travel a pleasure.

Matching the engine’s abilities every step of the way is the KLR650’s suspension. The 41mm fork with 7.9 inches of suspension travel up front and UNI-TRAK® linkage system with 7.3 inches of wheel travel in the rear combine to make the KLR650 a fun, functional commuter during the week and an adept back road blaster on weekends.

Braking duties are handled by a dual-piston caliper gripping a 280mm petal-style disc at the front and a 240mm petal-style disc squeezed by a single-piston caliper at the rear. This suspension and brake package boosts the KLR650’s on-road performance, without diminishing its versatile off-road capabilities.

Helping make the KLR650 a worthy touring companion is an expansive, saddlebag-friendly, rear luggage rack that can be fitted with a tail trunk. A large 6.1-gallon fuel tank and exemplary fuel economy mean the KLR650 can cover an amazing amount of ground between fill-ups.

That fuel range can translate into a long day in the saddle, so good wind protection is a must. This important job is handled by the frame-mounted bodywork, which includes a tall windscreen and large shrouds. Rider comfort is enhanced further by the seat design and plush urethane foam. A high-capacity 36W alternator pumps out enough juice for a high-output headlight and has the extra capacity to power the add-on electronic gadgets no touring rider can live without.

FEATURES

Long Distance Minded 651cc Four-stroke Single

• Cam timing and tuning combination aid in producing a broad user-friendly powerband
• Smooth bends on the one-piece exhaust pipe permit exhaust efficiency at all rpm
• Light, silent cam chain contributes to a quieter engine
• Double engine balancer helps engine run smoothly from idle to redline for less fatigue on long rides
• New piston ring design helps prevent oil consumption
• Oillevel window permits easy and accurate inspection

Four-valve Cylinder Head

• Compact combustion chamber allows increased compression ratio with less detonation yet provides maximum valve area for optimum flow
• Boosts low-end torque and its easy breathing means power at all rpm
• Secondary air (ASV) system helps reduce harmful exhaust emissions

Liquid Cooling

• Thin and lightweight Denso radiator fitted with a lightweight and thin cooling fan for maximum cooling efficiency, even when speeds are low
• Maintains consistent engine temperatures for long engine life and sustained power during hard use
• Allows tighter engine clearances for quieter running
• Includes a temperature gauge

Fully Transistorized Ignition

• Fully transistorized ignition unit precisely controls timing no matter how fast the rpm changes
• Long, trouble-free lifespan

Electric Starter

• Easy and convenient starting

Handlebar-mounted Choke

• Convenient location makes starting and warm-up easier

Five-speed Transmission

• The engine’s broad torque curve means only five speeds needed for off-road sprinting and relaxed highway cruising
• O-ring drive chain for reduced maintenance and long chain service life

Capable Suspension

• Beefy 41mm front fork with 7.9 inches of travel is rigid and plush enough to tackle on- and off-road terrain and provide all day comfort to the rider
• High-mounted front fender for any adventure-touring situation
• Rear UNI-TRAK® suspension features a five-way preload shock absorber with four-way rebound damping and 7.3 inches of rear suspension travel
• Progressive rate provides a smooth, controlled ride
• D-section swingarm contributes to the bike’s excellent traction

Strong Wheels

• 4mm spokes provide wheel stiffness, further enhancing handling performance and improving steering response

Chassis

• Semi-double cradle frame made of high-tech, round-section, high-tensile steel

• Detachable rear subframe provides access to the rear shock, airbox and carburetor for easy maintenance
• Large rear cargo rack included

Engine Guard

• Protects engine from rocks and trail debris when the going gets tough

Front and Rear Disc Brakes

• Lightweight 280mm front and 240mm rear petal discs offer excellent braking

Lighting

• Dual-bulb headlamp offers great night illumination
• Rear taillight, parking light and the high-mounted turn signals improve the KLR650’s visibility at night or in poor visibility conditions

Large 6.1-gallon Fuel Tank

• Generous capacity permits serious adventure touring

Additional Comfort and Touring Features

• Bodywork includes a large fairing contributes to increased wind protection

• Alternator output is 17A, with a total capacity of 36W to provide ample power for the headlight as well as add-on grip heaters and other accessories
• Easy-to-read instrument panel is mounted to the frame – contributing to lighter steering – and includes a large-face speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip meter and water temperature gauge

• Urethane seat foam offers all-day comfort for long-distance riding

• Optional extended warranty

SPECIFICATIONS

• Engine : Four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single
• Displacement : 651cc

• Bore x stroke : 100.0 x 83.0mm

• Compression ratio : 9.8:1

• Cooling : Liquid
• Carburetion : Keihin CVK40
• Ignition : Fully transistorized
• Transmission : Five-speed
• Final drive :Chain

• Frame : Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

• Rake / trail : 28 degrees / 4.4 in.
• Front suspension / wheel travel : 41mm telescopic fork / 7.9 in.
• Rear suspension / wheel travel : UNI-TRAK® single-shock system with 5-way preload and stepless rebound damping / 7.3 in.
• Front tire : 90/90×21

• Rear tire : 130/80×17
• Front brake / rear brake : Single 280mm petal-type disc, two-piston caliper / single 240mm disc, single-piston caliper
• Overall length : 90.4 in.

• Overall width : 37.8 in.

• Overall height : 53.1 in.

• Ground clearance : 8.3 in.

• Seat height : 35.0 in.
• Curb weight : 432 lbs.
• Fuel capacity : 6.1 gal.

• Wheelbase : 58.3 in.

• Color choices : Ebony, Sunbeam Red, Oriental Blue