SBF Kymco Downtown 125/200/300/350i Cafe 2013

[topgearalwaysrock]

Lol. U work for airlines?? Me travel to USA was in March. Haha. Too late liao....

 

But anyways, for the 2hrs transit I had the last time, we have to get down from the plane while cleaners cleared the airplane and load up new loads of food and all....

[kongfu]

Lol. U work for airlines?? Me travel to USA was in March. Haha. Too late liao....

 

But anyways, for the 2hrs transit I had the last time, we have to get down from the plane while cleaners cleared the airplane and load up new loads of food and all....

 

No la but I work in the logistics industry and I associate a fair bit with the airline ppl lor...

 

Btw I remember you say you bought your tire at JR right? They do installation? If its that cheap, I plan to change it after my bike run-in cos I find

Dunlop ridiculously priced zzz...

[topgearalwaysrock]

Erm, JR don't do installation. You can ask MotorSports Ubi to bring the tires over. Installation is usually $30 thereabouts. I got mine 14 front, 13 rear for $170 + $29 installation at Unique MotorSports. Haha.

 

Xciting is using 15" Front, 14" Rear, so prices will be much more expensive. You may wanna try Pirelli Diablo?? Pirelli owns Metzeler now. Pirelli widely available, Metzeler gotta order if no stock.

[kongfu]

Erm, JR don't do installation. You can ask MotorSports Ubi to bring the tires over. Installation is usually $30 thereabouts. I got mine 14 front, 13 rear for $170 + $29 installation at Unique MotorSports. Haha.

 

Xciting is using 15" Front, 14" Rear, so prices will be much more expensive. You may wanna try Pirelli Diablo?? Pirelli owns Metzeler now. Pirelli widely available, Metzeler gotta order if no stock.

 

Is the pirelli as cheap?For me its the price as i dun do alot of cornering so pricing is a

factor. By getting MS to bring over wudnt they mark up?

[topgearalwaysrock]

Erm, JR is just down the road from MS Ubi. You want you can pick up the tires yourself also. Haha.

 

Pirelli Diablo I have quotes from $170-$230 depending on shop (14" F, 13" R). Haha. How much is the Dunlop that MS quoted you???

[topgearalwaysrock]

Me latest fuel consumption: 26.3km/L....

[kongfu]

Erm, JR is just down the road from MS Ubi. You want you can pick up the tires yourself also. Haha.

 

Pirelli Diablo I have quotes from $170-$230 depending on shop (14" F, 13" R). Haha. How much is the Dunlop that MS quoted you???

 

No i dun hv any quote yet but base on previous experience

With SW its gonna set me back by about $300 for a set of dunlop tho i quite like the tire as its not too soft not too hard.

 

Thats why I tot of trying metlzer since the diff in price is so much. So JR carry pirelli too n beside them can u give me a couple shops that i can enquire?

 

Sorry but this is de 1st time I decide not to b a carrot for any motor shop hence the

lengthy question paiseh n thx

[topgearalwaysrock]

Hmm. But Silverwing uses the same F-14" R-13" Tires as Downtown. Haha.

 

So far, $170 is from Ah Chong Motors (Kaki Bukit First East Ctr - 90220203 Ah Chong). $230 is from TaiHin 67427389 (Also same place but different unit). Prices are for Pirelli Diablo tires....

 

I will be trying Pirelli Diablo for me next tire change as well.

 

Erm, don't think JR carries Pirelli, as they're the sole distributor for Metzeler tires here.

Edited July 3, 2012 by topgearalwaysrock

[topgearalwaysrock]

@kongfu: I've called up Ah Chong. He don't have stock for the rear 150-70 R14 tires. He'll get back to me on availability and price later.

[kongfu]

@kongfu: I've called up Ah Chong. He don't have stock for the rear 150-70 R14 tires. He'll get back to me on availability and price later.

 

Oh thank you very much for the effort n assistance. Will chk up de 2 stores when time is

due.

 

Why wanna pirelli if metzler is working well for u?

[topgearalwaysrock]

Will wanna try Pirelli -> Most ppl claim they're actually the same. Haha.

 

Anyways, got the price already:

 

120/70 R15: $160

150/70 R14: $95

 

So total: $255 inclusive of installation. Additional $10-15 for new tire valves and caps (which is recommended with every change of tires).

 

As for Downtown: Metzeler is $210, Pirelli is $170 (both prices inclusive of installation). Hmm. Will change to Pirelli then soon. Currently, my set of Metzeler has 11.5k km mileage on it already. These few days have been raining cats and dogs as well. Though it'll be good to change.

[kongfu]

Will wanna try Pirelli -> Most ppl claim they're actually the same. Haha.

 

Anyways, got the price already:

 

120/70 R15: $160

150/70 R14: $95

 

So total: $255 inclusive of installation. Additional $10-15 for new tire valves and caps (which is recommended with every change of tires).

 

As for Downtown: Metzeler is $210, Pirelli is $170 (both prices inclusive of installation). Hmm. Will change to Pirelli then soon. Currently, my set of Metzeler has 11.5k km mileage on it already. These few days have been raining cats and dogs as well. Though it'll be good to change.

 

Good to know the Pirelli is cheaper than Metzeler.. dunno if it's good or not tho but I guess they cant b too bad for a name like theirs...

 

Thanks for your help bro btw which shop quoted you the price? Ah Chong?

 

How far have u travel since you install the Metzeler that you have to change tire again?

Edited July 4, 2012 by kongfu

[topgearalwaysrock]

Yes. Prices from Ah Chong.

 

So far, I've travelled 11500 km on the Metzeler....

 

Gonna change soon.

 

*Just to add, the superb sticky grip only lasts for the first 3000km. Thereafter, the grip starts to wear off. But it's still better than the stock Maxxis tires that said (which skidded even on dry roads on road markings - apparently, only I experience this). Nearing to 7-8000 km, the Feel Free does start to skid around in wet weather (white road markings & multi storey carparks from experience). But after 9000km thereabouts, the grip from after 3000km comes back (no skid on road markings, carparks), but no more the super sticky feeling prior to 3000km of usage.

 

So I hope the Pirelli Diablo Sports tire will give the sticky grip for longer periods of time, especially now that it's starting to rain more often....

Edited July 4, 2012 by topgearalwaysrock

[topgearalwaysrock]

Gosh. Just came back from riding in the rain. Road was super reflective!!! Can't see the lane markings....

And I wouldn't recommend Caberg Konda flip up/ modular helmet - stupid visor collects rain droplets instead of letting the air flow help clear it. Me ex-cheapo China Yema helmet don't have this problem, except in really exceptional heavy rain. The Yema doesn't steam up as well, unlike the Konda - where the design of the chin guard is touching your chin, instead of having a clearance.... Hais. Just too bad the screw threads attaching the visor to the Yema helmet failed to bite after a while. What a pity!

 

Must make a trip down to GuangZhou - they have really amazing motorbike apparels and accessories at good original quality (as well as the different grades of counterfeits) for MIC price =D This advise was given by me mechanic. =D

 

*I must make it clear that it's my personal opinion. I don't mean to attack fans of Caberg or put down the brand. And using of any unapproved helmets, including domestic brands from China is at your own risk. I take no responsibility in promoting non-approved helmets by foreign/ local test authorities.

[kongfu]

I hv used numerous tires in my more than 20 yrs riding n i felt that b'cos u oredi got used to the tire perfomance dats why u dont feel the quality of the tire after a

while b it michelin, metzer or pirelli. I could b wrong tho but dats wat I felt.

 

As for raining days dont expect any tire to work like 1 when its hot n sunny so u gotta go

slow.

 

I would suggest u bite the bullet to get a good helmet be it shoei or arai. You'll feel the diff

once u wear it n i personally favor arai more than shoei n have been using it all this while. To compliment myself for getting a new scooter i recently bought a new arai ram4 which i m happy with. I really see no point in getting it especially china with so many fake out

there unless u know de product well tob con

[topgearalwaysrock]

But the S$25 cheapo Yema helmet is really good! Hehe.

 

Yeap. Saving up now for AGV modular helmet (in excess of $300). I can only go for flip up helmet cos I wear specs.... Full Face don't fit me. I also don't dare wear open face/ demi-jet helmets.... Wind draft like crazy. Haha.

 

Arai and Shoei are branded stuff.... Haha. Can't afford their flip up range now.... Maybe next time when I start working....

[kongfu]

But the S$25 cheapo Yema helmet is really good! Hehe.

 

Yeap. Saving up now for AGV modular helmet (in excess of $300). I can only go for flip up helmet cos I wear specs.... Full Face don't fit me. I also don't dare wear open face/ demi-jet helmets.... Wind draft like crazy. Haha.

 

Arai and Shoei are branded stuff.... Haha. Can't afford their flip up range now.... Maybe next time when I start working....

 

I hv been using open face all this while n feel its ok le unless u go faster than 140kmph.

However i understand diff ppl hv diff tolerence tho

[topgearalwaysrock]

Well, I prefer modular helmets =D Hehe. Have used open face helmets a few times. Dont like the rain splashing all around while riding.

 

So what helmets to recommend with a budget of less than $300??

[parotae]

Buying a good fitting helmet is more important than price.

 

Read somewhere that an expensive and approved bad fitting helmet won't beat a cheap, approved good fitting helmet.

 

I am surprise that a lot of people go for comfort rather than good fitting helmet.

 

Then there are website that stresses comfort are more important because discomfort create unnecessary distraction from riding on the road.

 

So comes the question good and snug fitting helmet maybe uncomfortable and 1 size bigger more comfortable fitting helmet safer?

 

A lot of people don't know (I guess) that Ang moh branded helmet are usually cater to ang moh head (Their head more oval, Asian more round - just a general gauge, that's why must try for fit) as they generate the greatest sales in European countries. I'm just saying. I am one of those that know nuts about helmet until i tested and realize why the helmet at first fit but later felt weird and uncomfortable. I was wearing the wrong size, wrong fitting and wrong head shape helmet.

 

I've got a HJC flip up that took me a long time before i realize it was a bad fitting helmet though its very comfortable most times.

 

I was shopping for another HJC and realize that the correct size helmet just don't fit my head. In fact i tried all i can get my hands on and they just dont fit, giving me a bad headache after trying. So i have come to the conclusion that HJC not for my head.

 

HJC when i wear, there's gaps in my forehead and rear depending on where i push. A good one shouldn't have even 1 finger in them. Some one told me must have 1 finger in forehead. I won't be surprise they learned from motorshop selling premium helmets as i am one of them that kenna smoke by them. Heng i bought the correct size as they suggested 1 size bigger, telling me must have 1 finger at forehead. I was like shouting inside my head "WHAT!!!!"

 

So when you go bike shop to buy helmet, must read a lot from website like aria or shoei that tell you how to get the right helmet.

[topgearalwaysrock]

As long as no headache when wearing the helmet, it'll be fine I guess. Then again, how does one factor in the sponge expansion (loosening)??

[kongfu]

As long as no headache when wearing the helmet, it'll be fine I guess. Then again, how does one factor in the sponge expansion (loosening)??

 

For me simple. Just need to replace the sponge once you find it too lose to fit.

[kongfu]

Buying a good fitting helmet is more important than price.

 

Read somewhere that an expensive and approved bad fitting helmet won't beat a cheap, approved good fitting helmet.

 

I am surprise that a lot of people go for comfort rather than good fitting helmet.

 

Then there are website that stresses comfort are more important because discomfort create unnecessary distraction from riding on the road.

 

So comes the question good and snug fitting helmet maybe uncomfortable and 1 size bigger more comfortable fitting helmet safer?

 

A lot of people don't know (I guess) that Ang moh branded helmet are usually cater to ang moh head (Their head more oval, Asian more round - just a general gauge, that's why must try for fit) as they generate the greatest sales in European countries. I'm just saying. I am one of those that know nuts about helmet until i tested and realize why the helmet at first fit but later felt weird and uncomfortable. I was wearing the wrong size, wrong fitting and wrong head shape helmet.

 

I've got a HJC flip up that took me a long time before i realize it was a bad fitting helmet though its very comfortable most times.

 

I was shopping for another HJC and realize that the correct size helmet just don't fit my head. In fact i tried all i can get my hands on and they just dont fit, giving me a bad headache after trying. So i have come to the conclusion that HJC not for my head.

 

HJC when i wear, there's gaps in my forehead and rear depending on where i push. A good one shouldn't have even 1 finger in them. Some one told me must have 1 finger in forehead. I won't be surprise they learned from motorshop selling premium helmets as i am one of them that kenna smoke by them. Heng i bought the correct size as they suggested 1 size bigger, telling me must have 1 finger at forehead. I was like shouting inside my head "WHAT!!!!"

 

So when you go bike shop to buy helmet, must read a lot from website like aria or shoei that tell you how to get the right helmet.

 

Yea.. alot of people will buy a bigger size so it feels comfortable thus neglecting the purpose of wearing a helmet....

[topgearalwaysrock]

Should get a helmet that's a snug fit rather than tight/ lose fit. Haha.

 

Anyways, just beware that certain helmets don't fit nicely in the underseat compartment. I have to "force close" the Downtown seat to accommodate the Caberg Konda.

[topgearalwaysrock]

Should get a helmet that's a snug fit rather than tight/ lose fit. Haha.

 

Anyways, just beware that certain helmets don't fit nicely in the underseat compartment. I have to "force close" the Downtown seat to accommodate the Caberg Konda.

[kongfu]

Should get a helmet that's a snug fit rather than tight/ lose fit. Haha.

 

Anyways, just beware that certain helmets don't fit nicely in the underseat compartment. I have to "force close" the Downtown seat to accommodate the Caberg Konda.

 

Mine is a little tight as the next size is a just fit. Since it will loosen abit overtime so no issue for me.

 

Btw, do u have any experience with RS-Taichi Drymaster rain coat? I found out from the web there's actually 3 model in the Drymaster series being the Drymaster, Drymaster-X n Drymaster-x compact. Beside the X having a hood, any idea what are the difference in them? Thought of posting to ask

but dunno where to post oso