Kinetic Flyte: Riding Impression

So what is the Kinetic Flyte like, then?
I know I haven't written a Sym impression so far. I'm remiss, but I had other things that kept me busy. So here goes.

Fit/finish-Build quality
I have to say that I'm seriously impressed. And if you don't believe me, park a new Nova 135, a new Blaze and a new Sym next to each other. If you aren't blind, you'll see that the Sym is far, far ahead of the other two in every quality related aspect. In fact, park the Sym next to the Honda Activa (an acknowledged quality great) or a Suzuki Access (surprisingly similar to the Activa on the quality front; riding impression pending) and you will notice that the Sym is equal or nearly equal to either. Which, for Kinetic, is a massive, massive improvement.

Now, I know there are people who wonder if this quality parity will last over a period of time, in the ownership cycle. Honest answer? I don't know. Best guesstimate? Nothing in the scooter's demeanor suggests that the Kinetic Sym product will rapidly deteriorate.

Engine/performance
It's a nice, likeable engine. It's pretty quiet engine at idle, but it does get throaty when you want nailed-to-the-stop acceleration. The transmission's pretty slick as well and frankly, this is probably Kinetic's slickest powertrain yet. I do think that the power output from the 125cc engine could have been more, er..., serious. That said, progress is adequately brisk. And that's just on its own. In traffic, the small size, agility and that slick powertrain feel really very good. I'm as surprised as I am happy to be surprised. A lot of people who've turned a blind eye to Kinetic need to open them peepers and take the Sym out for a spin. Seriously. You may not convert to the Kinetic camp, I admit, but you'll notice that the Flyte is pretty promising.

Ride quality/Handling
As I already mentioned, the Flyte is pretty agile. It turns quicker and harder than either the Honda or the Suzuki and that makes it a hoot to slice through traffic on. A good rider on a Flyte would be a pretty hard target to catch in traffic methinks. Ride quality is good too. The slightly plasticky thumping over the bumps (Access and Activa) is more subdued and the tele-forks up front really do the business. And you can brake as hard as you like too (No Activa can do that).

What I don't like
It isn't the complete scooter package by any means, of course. I get nervous watching the rather sudden popping of the otherwise convenient fuel tank lid. I don't particularly like the bottom swivel mirrors and that full-face helmet under the seat isn't true at all. Try it. You'll scratch the lid on the way in and way out and won't be able to shut the seat anyway. That magnetic thing is pretty silly/interesting too. A metallic flap cover the keyhole when you use the rear end of the key to theft-proof the scooter. Which is interesting, but you just know our thieves will get around it in a flash too, right?

Overall
I was quite surprised at how well the Kinetic-Sym Flyte works. I think it is a pretty interesting scooter and if Kinetic can hold on to (or improve on) this kind of quality and product specification, I think they can do wonders for their bottom lines and their product range. Can't wait to see this kind of quality on an ex-Italjet Dragster for instance. Or an equally effortless and much faster Sym Fighter, for that matter.