Scooter News Daelim S1 125 Impressed by our last meeting, now even more impressed with the 2009 model update.
Allen Drysdale Having recently spent some time on the 2008 model we couldn’t help but be impressed by the ‘bang for your buck’ value the Daelim S1 offered. Released onto the world stage for the first time in 2007, the S1 offered a host of features, like somebody had sat down with a blank piece of paper and said “now what should we include on this scooter”.
Features like a fuel injected motor, combined analogue/digital dash, linked braking and a 12 volt power outlet, just to name a few. Nice touches included the courtesy light under the seat and the passenger back rest incorporated into the sturdy rear rack. The 9.5 litre fuel tank is one of the largest on a scooter of this capacity and the external fuel filler is unique in this class. Now all this at the time of writing came with a base price of just under $4000 before on-roads.
On concluding our time on the older model we thought maybe the seat comfort could have come in for some attention, but as for the build quality and dynamics, the Daelim S1 did nothing but impress us. And for 2009 it just keeps getting better, as somebody has taken all the feedback collected from around the world and made the relevant changes.
 Take the seat for example; the padding has been revised and now feels softer and more supportive in the way it allows you to sit ‘in’ rather than ‘on’ the scooter. I would still remove the hump that rises for the pillion, but I’m happy to say that the seat is far more comfortable than before. Red stitching just adds to the look and feel of the seat and adds another dimension.
Some remapping of the EFI unit means that the power delivery now comes on with a surge from the get-go, making the 2009 model just seem a little more seamless. The 4 valve engine, fuel injected with oil cooler, is a sturdy solid unit known for its effortless performance and reliability. So no change to the power plant itself, just a better way in delivering the 8.5kw of power.
Styling–wise, new colours and black painted wheels make a cool point of difference from previous models. Also a black surround on the front dual headlight and the clear indicator lenses emphasise these changes. I like the new look and it gives it a meaner, direct kind of purpose. Like to say “hey, I’ve been here for a while but now I’m even better then before.”
So everything else remains unchanged, dynamically the Daelim remains solid and true on the road. The quality is at the top of its class and the feature list remains intact.
So the 2009 Daelim S1 125 is all about making an already feature rich, dynamic package even better. And still for a base price under the $4000 barrier, amazing value for such a machine.
Scootersales.com.au says,
The Daelim S1 125 is a go anywhere commuter with a host of features, meaning that ownership will not just be an overnight flirtation. You will soon run out of reasons why you would ever need to upgrade, as the performance of this scooter will suffice in 99% of cases. If you’re after long-term, economical and reliable ownership then the Daelim S1 should be on the list of choices or certainly an upgrade option. Styling changes for me are a huge improvement and help give the scooter some intended purpose. Overall a clear winner in most areas and still for a base price of $3990.
See our Daelim S1 125 video and review HERE
published 11/08/2009 |