First bike

[Siphon]

On 1/26/2023 at 2:01 PM, Lbq said:

Hi, may i know which bike shop is more reliable or recommend? (I would like to rent first before considering to get one).

All bike shops needs to make a living, so if you go to a "well known one" where they have been around for a while. Prob you will be safer because they won't just close down the next month and run away. 

Like AS Phoon, Mah motor type deals with new bikes and are authorised dealers and they do trade ins so usually there will be 2nd hand bikes there. 

As long as the shop isn't too shady and looks like its closing down. You just need to meet the right person who's honest and doesn't just try to hard sell you thing he/she wants to sell you. 

Also you can't test "ride" motorcycles... so there's no way to take a ride and know if its good. 

My few tips would be. 

1. Look at the paint work. Look for original paint, can be a little faded and all if its older. But a bike with Original paint tells you.... It hasn't crashed badly and need a whole paint job. So the bike would be pretty much in good shape if it hasn't been in an accident. 

2. Sit on the bike if the visuals looks good and the accessories suits you. Feel everything, if it feels right then you can start thinking about it. 

3. Spare about 2-3k cash in your pocket after you purchased the bike... Why? Because you'll need to do some "safety maintenance". Typically, brakes, oil change, chain, sprockets, gears, tires and maybe a top overhaul might take you a long way if you intent to keep the bike for 2-3 years. Any of those fail on you when you're riding = very painful experience. 

So its important to find a good mechanic near by whom you can trust your bike with. Most mechanics are riders themselves and wants to keep you safe too. So as long as you are nice to them they will try their best to tell you what you should change for your own good. Some shops owners do push for "sales" but ... if you're friends with the mechanics they will give you the "eye" whether need or not... and of course is about how deep your pocket goes too.

Some OEM items are almost as good as the branded stuff. Some might even be better because there are new technologies added.  So don't always need to be Honda OEM for Honda bikes. It can be a OEM but made in thailand or korea even. And its decent in terms of quality and value. 

On 6/20/2022 at 8:01 AM, adesmond2 said:

check with bike shop/mech if it's the standard sound for your bike? Just in case it's overly rich configured.. Especially if carb (previous owner manually adjust fuel/air jets)

fuel ignition leh... but i think its prob a little rich plus its an aftermarket exhaust

[adesmond2]

2 minutes ago, Siphon said:

As long as the shop isn't too shady and looks like its closing down. You just need to meet the right person who's honest and doesn't just try to hard sell you thing he/she wants to sell you. 

Also you can't test "ride" motorcycles... so there's no way to take a ride and know if its good. 

My few tips would be. 

1. Look at the paint work. Look for original paint, can be a little faded and all if its older. But a bike with Original paint tells you.... It hasn't crashed badly and need a whole paint job. So the bike would be pretty much in good shape if it hasn't been in an accident. 

2. Sit on the bike if the visuals looks good and the accessories suits you. Feel everything, if it feels right then you can start thinking about it. 

3. Spare about 2-3k cash in your pocket after you purchased the bike... Why? Because you'll need to do some "safety maintenance". Typically, brakes, oil change, chain, sprockets, gears, tires and maybe a top overhaul might take you a long way if you intent to keep the bike for 2-3 years. Any of those fail on you when you're riding = very painful experience. 

So its important to find a good mechanic near by whom you can trust your bike with. Most mechanics are riders themselves and wants to keep you safe too. So as long as you are nice to them they will try their best to tell you what you should change for your own good. Some shops owners do push for "sales" but ... if you're friends with the mechanics they will give you the "eye" whether need or not... and of course is about how deep your pocket goes too.

Some OEM items are almost as good as the branded stuff. Some might even be better because there are new technologies added.  So don't always need to be Honda OEM for Honda bikes. It can be a OEM but made in thailand or korea even. And its decent in terms of quality and value. 

fuel ignition leh... but i think its prob a little rich plus its an aftermarket exhaust

- agreed.. major shops and/or highly recommended shops

- can la.. if the owner refused to let you test or for official insurance reasonings, get the owner to pillion you lor.. The feel of the bike and etc..

- Paintwork.. U can ask bah.. If I'm getting a bike that' not all black.. I'll respray it to my liking.. hahahaha... it's my bike and I wan it to look the way I want it.. in fact.. I respray my ohlin suspension from gold to black as well..

- Yup.. my bike shop also tell me.. if it feels right, then can buy.. if it doesn't feel quite right or not there.. DUN buy.. 

- 100%.. but no need 2-3k la.. 2-3k is class 2 liaoz.. 2B 1k-2k just in case anything major need to change.. most 2B bike parts $xx-$xxx.. 2A will raise the price point abit higher about $8x-1xx for minor stuff.. major stuff will be $2xx and above. CL2 will go up higher..

Parts wise, depending on yourself.. but Planet ah chiong = 100% OEM.. I guess he got bad experiences with 3rd parties.. haha..

Most likely lor.. 

[Siphon]

1 hour ago, adesmond2 said:

- agreed.. major shops and/or highly recommended shops

- can la.. if the owner refused to let you test or for official insurance reasonings, get the owner to pillion you lor.. The feel of the bike and etc..

- Paintwork.. U can ask bah.. If I'm getting a bike that' not all black.. I'll respray it to my liking.. hahahaha... it's my bike and I wan it to look the way I want it.. in fact.. I respray my ohlin suspension from gold to black as well..

- Yup.. my bike shop also tell me.. if it feels right, then can buy.. if it doesn't feel quite right or not there.. DUN buy.. 

- 100%.. but no need 2-3k la.. 2-3k is class 2 liaoz.. 2B 1k-2k just in case anything major need to change.. most 2B bike parts $xx-$xxx.. 2A will raise the price point abit higher about $8x-1xx for minor stuff.. major stuff will be $2xx and above. CL2 will go up higher..

Parts wise, depending on yourself.. but Planet ah chiong = 100% OEM.. I guess he got bad experiences with 3rd parties.. haha..

Most likely lor.. 

Haha... Planet's Uncle Chong is operating at minimal profit even when he takes the branded parts. Plus he really specializes in the common bikes. His price are impossible to beat unless u can find the OEM. He's my favorite mech really... unfortunately when he saw me rode the GS in... he told me... I don't do this type one laaaaa.... then keep laughing... cause i was so sad hahahaa... I thought your planet do everything mah... anyways. 

2-3k as a budget is a good safety net hehee... plan for overhaul in case.  2A and 2... depending on the bike really. Some class 2 bikes are cheaper than S4 to maintain... haha. 

 

 

[Lbq]

@Siphon @adesmond2

Thank you so much for your advise. I will definitely look through what you all have said here when i purchase a bike. Totally appreciate as i have zero knowledge on this. 

Thank you @Nakuruas well!!!

[adesmond2]

18 minutes ago, Siphon said:

Haha... Planet's Uncle Chong is operating at minimal profit even when he takes the branded parts. Plus he really specializes in the common bikes. His price are impossible to beat unless u can find the OEM. He's my favorite mech really... unfortunately when he saw me rode the GS in... he told me... I don't do this type one laaaaa.... then keep laughing... cause i was so sad hahahaa... I thought your planet do everything mah... anyways. 

2-3k as a budget is a good safety net hehee... plan for overhaul in case.  2A and 2... depending on the bike really. Some class 2 bikes are cheaper than S4 to maintain... haha. 

 

 

yeah.. he usually go with regular customers plus help out if possible.. He told me he once change brake pad for Ducati.. (regular customer) guess what? brake jam.. he managed to squeeze it open since Ducati is just opposite his workshop.. the owner push over.. then come back and say.. need to use computer to "reset" the brake system".. then they know it's a new brake pad and will release the brake pad to the full opening.. =.=''

that was the first and last time he did a Ducati.. LOL..

I can't recall which brand he also did once.. then he call the main supplier to buy the parts.. The supplier scold him and say they dun sell to workshop.. ask the customer to ride over and they will repair for him.. then you know la.. they start quarrelling.. and ah chiong fixed back everything and ask his regular customer to go over there..

 

14 minutes ago, Lbq said:

@Siphon @adesmond2

Thank you so much for your advise. I will definitely look through what you all have said here when i purchase a bike. Totally appreciate as i have zero knowledge on this. 

Thank you @Nakuruas well!!!

no worries la.. drop us a pm/whatsapp if you doesn't have any biker friends who have basic mechanical knowledge..

I diy alot of electrical stuff.. LOL.. Previous bike, mod/install myself - tail light/headlight/ignition/batter/IU/camera/alarm/fog light. (additional "nice lights/angel eyes") even remove engine 2 times with the help of my mechanic..  basic troubleshoot for my friends on their bikes.. when it cannot move.. revive 4 bikes on the spots out of 6 bikes.. the 5th bike piston jam.. =.=''  6th bike one of the internal wire break apart.. need time to find..

 

[Nakuru]

14 hours ago, adesmond2 said:

drop Nakuru a WhatsApp if you wan to WhatsApp me directly for any viewing of bikes.. or maybe you can ask Nakuru then ask her to ask me along also.. LOL.. more people can pressure the seller more.. hahahahahah..

Yep, we dun mind cos we r they kpo type who is willing to help too.. hahahaha BQ does have a few in mind so i can send u over whatsapp later.. hehe 

1 hour ago, Siphon said:

2-3k as a budget is a good safety net hehee... plan for overhaul in case.  2A and 2... depending on the bike really. Some class 2 bikes are cheaper than S4 to maintain... haha

Still need to factor in insurance.. + accessories that u wanna add.. i think i spent 2-3k on fixing up my bike so far oso n its just a small msx.. hahaha but mine got accident la.. so have to spend a bit more on it..