Good things to say about your Phantom

[matthias76]

Long time never open new thread liao - and the reason for opening this new thread is because I was suddenly "inspired" by Ah Chong from Bafang. I went for a EO oil last night and asked him whether it was possible to improve the ride comfort for my TA200. His reply was priceless.
Me: Chong, can make my Phantom less bumpy on the road or not? Now Singapore road damn jialat la.
Chong: Can. Change Super4.
Me: ????Change Super4 suspension ah?
Chong: No. Change Super4 bike. Now I got one, sell you at $8000.
Me: ...........

There are a myriad of reasons why people choose Phantom TA200 over all other Classes of 2b bikes. There are probably even more reasons why people don't want to ride a TA200. Like what the thread title says, and being a TA200 rider for nearly 7 years, I already know whats good and bad about riding a TA200. But I really wish to hear good things about how other TA200 riders love about their bikes. For so long, keep hearing different mechs say how lousy TA200 is, how bo hua it is to ride a TA200 when the fuel economy for the newer Fazers (2b) is so much higher.

So let me start the ball rolling

1. Despite being a bike that was extensively modded to suit its previous (big size rider), my previous Gen 1 TA200 managed to survive a honeycomb crack (EO literally spewing all over) for 3 months before I sent it in for a honeycomb replacement. During the period of time, all I had to do was to ensure EO levels were check daily during riding and topped up whenever necessary. Bullet-Proof bike isn't it?
2. There was once when my chain "lao lian" or disenagaged when I skidded. I picked up the bike, then aligned the chain back on the chain and push forward. Rode it back to the bike shop to readjust chain tension.
3. Bike price is cheap, and you can still get a less than $1000 TA200 (without COE of course) until recently. Repair cost if you know the right shop to go, usually won't burn your pockets as well. Anyway, hardly anything to repair also, unless you buang or engine "chao ta" because you forget to top up EO. Still, repair costs hardly venture beyond 1k.
4. Spares are aplenty. First hand (Everfit, Eversuccesss, FJT, LAB, Jalan Besar Plaza), 2nd hand (forum, scrapyards)
5. And most important for me ever since I started on my Gen 2 - Customizability.(Aunty Ubi; EBay; Bike Fabricator) I have finally found a combination of items and fittings that would suit my riding style and comfort. Despite road conditions getting worse off, suspension and ride comfort has been relatively good on major expressways and night rides home while listening to an audiophile piece (earphones) is an orgasmic experience. Having the gear shift lever and brake pedal shifted forward made the ride feel so much more cruiser-like and "airs" my b@lls during such rides.

I can't say much about other classes (2A or 2) cruisers since I have no license to ride. But the humming of my pipes, the economy of "chng-ing" it to the way I like, the fuel economy that comes along with it (33ish/litre), I will ride my TA200 for another 10 years, and more if God be willing to let me have my life as long.

Anyway, here's a look at how shiny I love my bike to be.

IMG-20140418-WA0006.jpg

[wywsyy]

Me: Chong, can make my Phantom less bumpy on the road or not? Now Singapore road damn jialat la.
Chong: Can. Change Super4.
Me: ????Change Super4 suspension ah?
Chong: No. Change Super4 bike. Now I got one, sell you at $8000.
Me: ...........

IMG-20140418-WA0006.jpg

it's true, s4 really move comfy haha

[sprocketty]

Love my TA200 (left 2 years more before scrapping)

--Fuel economy
--Decent size / weight so easy to drive. Yet can comfortably cruise at 100/110kmh without shaking / gyrating at every bump (often i see those cubs / scooters back wheel shivering when they go high speed).
--Love the sound.
--Very good upright riding position
--Cheap spares, easy to fix, reliable
--low maintenance cost (change EO / sparkplug etc all quite cheap)

Very sad mine bike must scrap. Also very sad they don't make a replacement model.

[|squee|]

You can always buy another one that has COE till 202*

I love my phantom too. Gets me from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

[swissbake]

My first bike. Loved it. Comfy and easy going. Many people will be interested where you got your forward controls. Only major service I did to my then 7yr old bike was changing the clutch plates. Suddenly it was able to go from a max 110 to a new top 130kmh. Trusty. Reliable. Dependable. Except in heavy rain haha

[ber]

Parts are cheap,
Very reliable,
doesn't catch lta, tp attention.
Big gas tank for its fuel consumption, though I wish It could be a 15l
carb so it is traditional. Fuel injected just isn't right of a cruiser.
Throaty sound.
No silly electronics to short circuit.
Tubeless tires with front and back disk, try finding that in other cruisers.
No coolant so nothing to corrode n leak n fail.
It is just a prudent n sensible choice.
Pity they don't make bikes like this anymore.

Fazer? Nah, unfazed.

[sawfly]

common engine design with XR200 so u won't have an issue with parts replacement for a while. a very basic and we'll tested honda engine and motorcycle design hence troubleshooting is well established and can be learned on own.

[matthias76]

Parts are cheap,
Very reliable,
doesn't catch lta, tp attention.
Big gas tank for its fuel consumption, though I wish It could be a 15l
carb so it is traditional. Fuel injected just isn't right of a cruiser.
Throaty sound.
No silly electronics to short circuit.
Tubeless tires with front and back disk, try finding that in other cruisers.
No coolant so nothing to corrode n leak n fail.
It is just a prudent n sensible choice.
Pity they don't make bikes like this anymore.

Fazer? Nah, unfazed.

After taking apart the electronics to install fog lights, I have to agree with Ber. Its a bike thats relatively easy to DIY without fear of shorting the elects. And even if you do (like me), the replacements are relatively cheap to replace as well. The starter relay goes at $28/ pc.

[ricebandit]

So far, it has been nothing but reliable, economical to maintain and run. Parts easy to get, and stable to ride.

[ahguang]

- low maintenance (change $30 of EO every 1500km only)
- can put alot of box (big top box + side panner)
- big fuel tank
- large wheel and heavy bike = stable.
- decent speed

[Stuntplayertoday]

-Very very reliable.
-Rarely gives you problem.
-Is very stable and gives a rider a lot of confident in handling even with pillion.
-Not bad pick-up for a heavy 2B Bike.
-I love the reserve tank for my Ta200 as it tells me i have roughly about 2L left or less and i do not need to panic rather than the meter type.
-Not expensive to maintain.

[am92]

Just started riding phantom for almost a year. Very reliable bike. Superb fuel consumption. Low maintenance. The only worry for this bike is just engine oil.

Relatively a lot of torque for a 2b bike. Acceleration is quite fast. Full throttle acceleration comparable to Honda sp. Shocking but true. Did it twice.

Nice throaty exhaust sound is music to my ears. Top speed is 140kmh on speedo. I believe can do more if there is smaller rear sprocket than the 39T.

[rknights]

Mine had been with me for 12 years.. other than the needed overhaul last month, (gear 6 damage) it had been serving me well.. Seriously.. a great transportation means.

[wdwflash]

The Phantom has massive engine main bearings and is way over built. I've ridden for 54+ years and ridden just about everything you can think of and really like the Phantom. Hard to believe its only 196cc. One reason and the fact no one has done it that I'm making a 230cc Phantom. Its reliable and just about bullet/rider proof. (except the cam chain tensioner, but that's only one thing and easy to fix.) It looks like a bigger bike, but is light enough to manhandle with little effort. I live in Sihanoukville, Cambodia and when I bought my Phantom over three years ago there were just a few in town, now there must be over 50 around.