Moving to Singapore (from UK) – a few questions

[Saracen]

Hi all,

 

I'm about to move to Singapore from the UK, where I've been riding on and off for around 7 years. I took a Direct Access course back in 2005, and rode a Suzuki SV650 for two years, racking up miles on a nice 18mi commute across London. Been off for two years though.

 

I'll be working near NTU, living near Toa Payoh, so a bike is looking like a good idea; will be nice to get back on.

 

So here's a few questions I'd really appreciate help with:

• I always wore full gear in the UK, and plan to do the same in Singapore, but given the weather, what sort of stuff is suggested?

• How bad is the situation with heavy rain on a daily commute. Will I get caught out often? Is it ridable?

• I've read the post about getting converted straight to class 2 by riding a big bike on my UK license initially. I have some documentation to show I took the big bike test, and had a big bike for 2 years (insurance documents?) Anything else I need to bring with me from here? My age (30) could be a factor?

• Are SV650s available in Singapore? Anything similar? Z750? Where's the best place to find good deals on used bikes?

 

Thanks again, and you'll likely see a fair bit more of me round here!

[craz_03]

1st point : wear full gear is always recommended.. but due to the hot weather, normally most of the riders who are safety-minded wear their armour jacket, normal jeans, n covered shoes. Gloves and full faced helmets are a plus point too for added protection.

 

2nd: Rain is unpredictable, so maybe get a set of rain pants. so u get to use them together with ur armour jacket (which are mostly water-proof/splashed)

Bring extra socks coz u'll definitely get them wet.. heehee

drizzling rains are still ok to ride, but thunderstorms n heavy rainpours, the visibility is much worst. + the unexperienced drivers handing outside the roads in that weather, accidents go up to 120%.. haaaha

 

u can always hide under flyovers which provide a rain shelter on unpredictable rainy days.

 

3rd point: u can call BBDC/SSDC/CDC to enquire.

google is a very good tool. By the way, they are the driving centres in singapore.

i think their receptionists will be obliged to help.

 

4th: yes they are available. Through bikeshops ( reputable ones wld be good), or private owners who might wan to sell their bikes off.

 

check on the threads in the forum n u'll see a sv650 thread, n garage sales/ads for bike sales.

 

hope my answers help u. have a good day =)

[Saracen]

Thanks for the reply, craz_03,

 

I'm curious as to the armoured jackets worn out there. I've seen these mesh armour-only tops, guess they would be much cooler than a full jacket. Also I'd be hesitant riding in just jeans with no armour!

 

I'm hoping my Sidi Black Rain Evo boots will keep my feet dry.

 

Are there any online shops I could use to gauge prices of equipment/clothing (even bikes)? Would be good to check things out beforehand.

 

Thanks!

[theblackmamba]

hi for your licence u need to have an international drivers' permit license from the automobiles' assosciation UK, this will really expedite your conversion should u stay in singapore for the longer term. mean while here's the OFFICIAL singapore traffic police website

 

http://www.ifaq.gov.sg/spf/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx?qst=2fN7e274RAp%2bbUzLdEL%2fmCxs7iwcgv8gv2atNDOvsLDL%2fMNkXpO7D5Ez91GPnnkY7q0F79FHziyVU88WNRsvGPTg8iYX9XuIQ3v2k%2fkIAvmF3y00bNt8DcVfgo9iES%2bRgCeh40AwqNWmJTqTA9lg1Gj3mC%2bO1ZLZ3tll2Ta7%2fTpcek4%2ftp161L8HSdjnKsHZweBs6JVwYbXDJ03hQ5Y4u6VhkgjYGEdIcsVa5M0lGAo7fTrMFFVZfQ%3d%3d

 

Ive read thru and its best u call them for confirmation, can't be too difficult, lots of people myself included are on bikes that are waaaay too fast for our useless bodies and slow minds

 

 

hope this helps and welcome to singapore. i presume u'll either be in biotech or the ship/rig building industries.

[theblackmamba]

as for the rain, get good rain gear, of course be prepared to rough it out putting your rain gear on at the road side. its monsoon season so gear up for the weather. btw how much is direct access in the UK and where in London is the course reputed to be 'easier' to clear

[kobesingh]

Hi there,

 

As mentioned by some of the bikers here, its good to give a call to either Singapore Traffic Police or the driving centres here if you are able to convert your license. The weather here is really unpredictable and you will get unexpected rain out of no where. it can happen where its raining suddenly and 1 - 3 miles down the road its very bright and sunny. its good to wear armour protection but it also depends on your riding style. from toa payoh to NTU takes about 15 - 25 mins depending on your riding style and the traffic. pretty easy access with one direct expressway straight to NTU. bike shops are everywhere in singapore, there are those who give you good options there are those who give you a cheaper alternative. its best you search through this forum or when ur down in singapore i believe a few senior bikers wouldnt mind taking you around to get you to know some motorshops around here. hope we have helped enough..

[GuiNNeSS]

Hi all,

 

I'm about to move to Singapore from the UK, where I've been riding on and off for around 7 years. I took a Direct Access course back in 2005, and rode a Suzuki SV650 for two years, racking up miles on a nice 18mi commute across London. Been off for two years though.

 

I'll be working near NTU, living near Toa Payoh, so a bike is looking like a good idea; will be nice to get back on.

 

So here's a few questions I'd really appreciate help with:

• I always wore full gear in the UK, and plan to do the same in Singapore, but given the weather, what sort of stuff is suggested?

• How bad is the situation with heavy rain on a daily commute. Will I get caught out often? Is it ridable?

• I've read the post about getting converted straight to class 2 by riding a big bike on my UK license initially. I have some documentation to show I took the big bike test, and had a big bike for 2 years (insurance documents?) Anything else I need to bring with me from here? My age (30) could be a factor?

• Are SV650s available in Singapore? Anything similar? Z750? Where's the best place to find good deals on used bikes?

 

Thanks again, and you'll likely see a fair bit more of me round here!

 

You can convert direct to class2 license in Singapore with no issues. Just bring your UK license to the Traffic Police HQ at Paya Lebar for verification.

 

Staying in TPY and commuting to the West via the PIE (expressway) is generally a nice ride. You will face 1 fixed camera, and no ERP gantrys; There are a few speed trap along the way but if u been in Ldn, you should be more than used to them. Usual peak hour traffic situations exist.

 

Weather situation is quite alright for most of the year. Usual year end wet season but if you ride 365 in London, you will survive here; we have larger rain drops thats all.

 

One plus point is we seldom face diesel spills in Singapore so that is one less worry. However there are other dangers which you might not be as used to.

Unlike Blackcabs who are polite and road conscious, the taxis in Singapore will try to kill you so watch out for them.

 

Whilst the SV was popular in the UK, it is a rarity in Sg. Available bike models are pretty much similar to the UK. It sounds like you are after a streetbike, which there are multiple models available here. Just visit the dealers/shops to check them out.

 

Welcome to Singapore.

[Lion]

Here's a guide to online bike dealers and prices.

 

The mods must have filter out the URL so you'll have to type sgbikemart under the local Yahoo search engine. The first result would be the ONE.

[SV650]

Hi Saracen,

 

I'm riding an SV650. You may want to try your luck with this guy - Alfred aka paxson 99. Do also check out the SV650 thread in this forum.

Edited November 18, 2009 by SV650

[SV650]

I'm staying near NTU. If you are in town, do PM me and we can probably catch up. Have fun in your stay in Singapore.

[contrarian]

Singapore's weather is characterised by short, localised showers and thunderstorms that usually develop randomly and rather quickly. The presence of relatively light winds throughout most of the year also contributes to Singapore's fast-changing weather.

Singapore has two main seasons, the Northeast Monsoon (December to March) and the Southwest Monsoon season (May to September), separated by two relatively shorter inter-monsoon periods. Although there are no distinct wet or dry periods, the mean monthly rainfall shows drier weather conditions from May to July and wetter conditions in the months from November to January. February is also a relatively dry month. The beginning and end of the monsoons are usually not very well-defined. Hence, from year to year, there could be slight delay in the beginning or end of a monsoon period. This probably accounts for the monthly rainfall anomaly experienced from year to year.

[barefoot]

only curvy sv650 are available here, even so, pretty hard to find one.

[DeusExMachina]

 

So here's a few questions I'd really appreciate help with:

 

• I always wore full gear in the UK, and plan to do the same in Singapore, but given the weather, what sort of stuff is suggested?

 

Get a set of full gear anyway. If you're not gonna use it while commuting, you're likely to use it when touring. And if you get a big bike here in SG, and hook up with other bikers, you WILL tour.

 

For commuting......

Just get an armored mesh jacket and short gloves for your daily ride. At city speeds, it'll provide ample protection for you while at the same time not be too hot in our tropical climate.

 

I can't say much for leg protection. Wear a good pair of boots. If you're gonna work in an office, leave your pair of office/dress shoes in the office and wear your riding boots to work. That's what I do.

 

If you need to wear pants to work, or a pair of jeans to town (you don't want to wear touring/riding pants walking around, trust me the hell on this ) ... and you're really concerned about having unscarred legs, then get a pair of kneepads that you can stow in your bike/box/bag when you park. Your knees are the most likely part of your legs to impact the ground first in a get-off situation.

 

 

• How bad is the situation with heavy rain on a daily commute. Will I get caught out often? Is it ridable?

 

Rainy season is generally from Oct to Feb. And yes, it can pretty wet here. But not windy though. Cross or strong winds are a rarity here.

 

I recommend getting a light/compact raingear that you can wear over your jacket. I've got one to recommend. It's an RS Taichi .... let me paste a pic for you to compare. It cost me about SGD70 a few months back and be bought from Motoworld.

 

Here's a pic of the raingear in its sheath. Note the size of the short gloves and the pair of glasses. Easy to carry around in your backpack or in a box.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/DeusXMachina/DSC00140.jpg

 

 

 

 

• I've read the post about getting converted straight to class 2 by riding a big bike on my UK license initially. I have some documentation to show I took the big bike test, and had a big bike for 2 years (insurance documents?) Anything else I need to bring with me from here? My age (30) could be a factor?

 

This has been answered. Bring your relevant documents. Compared to the UK, insurance for bikers here is a cakewalk.

 

 

• Are SV650s available in Singapore? Anything similar? Z750? Where's the best place to find good deals on used bikes?

 

You can find good deals on bikes in the Garage Sales section here. Otherwise, you could just go to any bikeshops here in SG. Just bring along a knowledgeable local friend, though.... as many bike shops are apt to rip off the unwitting foreigner/expat.

Edited November 23, 2009 by DeusExMachina

[Stoned]

I think you'd be surprised at how many of the people here ride without adequate safety gear. If you've never seen people riding in a singlet and flip flops before on a R1 this would be the place to see this phenomenon.

 

Otherwise, as what someone has previously mentioned, you'd normally be leaving your armored pants at home most of the time, unless you really enjoy wet knickers. It's just so hot here that donning the full set of gear really gets to you.

 

Normally most of us safety-conscious ones get by with just an armored jacket and a FF. Again, most of the riders here don't even wear a full-face helmet, so safety isn't really big in our biking culture.