It’s a cool morning in Ooty. The mist clings to the tea leaves, the smell of eucalyptus is in the air, and the winding mountain roads stretch like an invitation. I’m standing beside the SYM NH-T 125, a Taiwanese 125cc light motorcycle that looks ready for adventure. But appearances, as I soon learned, can be deceiving, in a good way. This isn’t a review filled with numbers and charts. This is how the SYM NH-T 125 behaved where it really matters, on the road, between the bends, up the inclines, and through the narrow hill town traffic of the Nilgiris. And it all begins with how this bike feels beneath you.
Comfortable Seating Position with Low Weight
The moment I swung a leg over the SYM NH-T 125, I could feel it, this bike is made to make you feel at ease. At 150 kg, it’s light. And that makes a massive difference when you’re tiptoeing through uphill hairpins or trying to duck between two tourist vans clogging a bend. The seat height,81 cm ,is just right. I’m about 5’9″, and I could comfortably flat-foot it on both sides. That’s confidence, especially when you’re stopped on a sloped street in front of a chai stall with gravel under your boots. The handlebars are wide and swept back slightly, giving an upright and relaxed riding stance. Long rides? Not a problem. Even after two hours straight on the Mettupalayam-Ooty Ghat Road, I wasn’t hunched or sore. But the real magic is in the weight distribution. Despite being styled like an adventure bike, the NH-T 125 feels planted and nimble, never top-heavy. I weaved through hillside markets, dodged potholes, and managed steep U-turns without ever feeling overwhelmed. It’s friendly. It’s forgiving. And it’s probably the most unintimidating adventure-styled bike I’ve ever sat on.
Slightly Underpowered: 11 hp
Let’s talk power. Or the lack of it. The SYM NH-T 125 makes just under 11 horsepower, and you feel that, especially in the hills. Leaving Ooty behind and pushing toward Avalanche Lake, I found myself revving high and often. The engine prefers to live between 6,000 and 9,000 rpm if you want to make any meaningful progress. Below that, it just kind of hums along politely without any sense of urgency. But let’s be fair. This isn’t a bike built for speed demons. It’s for commuters, learners, or folks who just want to enjoy the ride without racing through it. What the engine lacks in punch, it makes up for in smoothness. Throttle response is clean. Clutch action is feather-light. Gear changes through the five-speed box are a bit rubbery, but nothing that would ruin your ride. On straight stretches, I coaxed it up to 105 km/h, flat out. It took its time. But cruising around 70-80 km/h feels just right for this bike. It’s not a sprinter. It’s a stroll-through-the-hills kind of bike. And that’s okay.
Low Consumption
The lack of horsepower does have one clear upside: ridiculously low fuel consumption. I averaged just under 2.5 liters per 100 km, and that included hill climbs, city traffic, and one unnecessarily long throttle pull near Emerald. On a full tank, you’re looking at nearly 400 kilometers of range. That’s enough to get you from Coimbatore to Ooty and back with plenty to spare. You can stretch the revs without stressing the wallet. And for someone riding daily or taking weekend escapes to hill stations, that fuel efficiency is a huge win.
Good Driving Stability on Asphalt
Now here’s where the SYM NH-T 125 surprised me. Despite the enduro styling, this bike feels right at home on the tarmac. The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels come with a semi-knobby CST tire setup, and though they look adventure-ready, they behave like urban sneakers. On smooth asphalt, the handling is neutral and predictable. It tips into corners willingly, holds its line, and doesn’t feel twitchy. The front brake is a 288 mm wave disc, and it grabs hard, almost too hard. The fork actually twists a little under aggressive braking, especially when the ABS kicks in. The rear brake, by contrast, is more subdued. Together, they work, but you’ll need to get used to the balance. In rapid-fire corners descending toward Coonoor, the SYM held its composure better than expected. There’s nothing sporty about the chassis, but it doesn’t feel vague either. It’s competent, calm, and built for real-world riding. But a word of advice: the tires need a bit of warming up. On a cold morning, they felt doughy and unsure, especially at low speeds. Give them a few kilometers to get grippy.
Light Motorcycle with Solid Standard Equipment
Here’s where SYM really earns your respect. For a bike in this price range, the NH-T 125 is kitted surprisingly well. The LCD dash, though basic, is clear and sunlight-readable. You get speed, gear position, revs, trip meter, fuel level… everything you need. There’s also a USB port right on the tank for charging your phone or GPS, an honest-to-goodness lifesaver when you’re navigating Google Maps in the middle of misty roads with no signboards. The standard luggage rack is sturdy and practical. It’s not made for world travel, but a backpack or a camera bag? Easy. Plus, the side stand and center stand combo is something you’ll appreciate every time you park on uneven ground. The fit and finish is better than expected. Plastics feel tight. Paint looks premium. Controls are intuitive. It’s not flashy, but it’s not bargain-bin either. It feels well thought out, not slapped together.
Technical data SYM NH-T 125
| Manufacturer information | Specification |
| Engine/Transmission | Air-cooled single-cylinder engine, 124 cc displacement, 8 kW/11 hp at 8500 rpm, maximum torque 9.5 Nm at 6500 rpm; two valves/cylinder, OHC, injection, five-speed gearbox, chain |
| Performance and consumption | Top speed 105 km/h, 2.4 l/100 km |
| Assistance systems | ABS |
| chassis | Tubular steel frame; 36 mm telescopic fork at the front (non-adjustable), 140 mm travel; steel double-sided swing arm at the rear, single shock absorber (preload adjustable), 45 mm travel; wire-spoke wheels; tires 100/90-19 (front) and 130/80-17 (rear). 288 mm single-disc brake at the front, 220 mm single-disc brake at the rear |
| Dimensions and weights | Wheelbase 1405 mm, seat height 810 mm, weight ready to ride 150 kg, payload 150 kg; fuel tank capacity 11 l |
| Price | 3199 euros |
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a bike to tear up trails, the SYM NH-T 125 isn’t your machine. But if you want a solid, honest, fuel-sipping companion for mountain commutes, weekend escapes, and daily riding, this bike makes a strong case. It’s not fast. But it’s friendly. It’s not off-road ready. But on paved mountain roads? It’s a joy. It’s not premium. Bu it’s practical, comfortable, and incredibly efficient. As I sipped ginger tea at a tiny roadside shop just outside Doddabetta, watching mist roll across the road and my SYM NH-T 125 resting by the stone wall, I realized something: this isn’t a bike that tries to impress you with performance. It grows on you with personality. And sometimes, that’s the better kind of ride. So if you’re eyeing a lightweight bike for city and hill life, something that won’t burn fuel or your budget, the SYM NH-T 125 might just be the right kind of simple.
