Buying a 2B bike

[bikerunner]

Hi everyone!

 

I am going to take my TP test in a month's time, and (hopefully i pass) i intend to buy a bike. I am thinking should I buy a brand new one or should i buy a second- or third-hand bike? If i buy a used bike, what should I watch out for? How about the prices? Where to get them? New & old. and How?

 

I want to get a low maintenance bike and may change to a 2A bike next year.

 

My thinking is this: get a 2B 4-stroke road bike(old/new), then get a 2A sports-tour bike(new). As for class 2 bike, a bit too far to think about it right now lol

 

So what do you guys think? Would really appreciate any one who would give any tips and advice. Do recommend any model or brand to let me consider. Feel free to ask me more questions to help me make better and more informed choice!

 

Thanks in advance!!

[vvv]

12344567890

Edited July 30, 2015 by vvv

[tranceaddict]

Get a 2nd hand 2B bike... Go take 2A but still ride your 2B bike. Wait another year, take class 2 then buy a big bike... If budget is of your concern, then choose this route. Just need patience and self control...

 

All the best

[dreamer_toons]

Just a sharing.

 

My friend who passed 2B recently got into the same dilemma. Eventually, he bought a brand new one because his augment was "buy high now, can sell high next year". Many of us thought it was uneconomical since he plans to upgrade to a class 2 bike eventually.

 

Anyway, it is his money and we won't know what is going to happen in a year time in this current volatile climate of sky rocket COE.

 

Like many others would have advised you, getting a 2nd hand bike will be more economical since you have the desire to upgrade to a 2A next year. More so during this high COE period; whereby a brand new 2B bike would have cost a lot more.

 

Use the 2nd hand bike to gain road experience and hone your riding skill to prepare your next upgrade. Even if is a drop/knock (touch wood & no offence intended), it won't be so heart pain; take it as a learning experience and move on to be a better rider.

 

Best wishes to your coming TP test.

Edited February 13, 2015 by dreamer_toons

[Siphon]

Get a bike with 3 or less years COE balance as your 1st bike. We tend to do stupid things with our first bike... because of inexperience... i almost dropped my first bike while pumping air at the station... yes... silly things like that happens...

 

Get the hang of riding, and you can sell off the bike with lesser $$ lost when you sell it.

 

Then get a better 2A bike. Cause that bike is likely to be the one you'll keep for a longer period if you intend to ride for a long time. And its prob good enough to do some runs up to malaysia.

 

Else you can always get a decent Super 4 or one of the more common bikes where it can be easily sold when you want to upgrade. some bikes are just work horse... after 20 years it might still be running strong if you take good care of it.

 

For 2nd hand, engine is the most important. The other components are cheaper to replace... and confirm you will replace... things like tire, sprocket, chain, suspension, batteries... bikes are not as hard to maintain than cars and we have alot of DIY brothers here. Sure can find some help in here

 

Have fun! bring a brother along to help u look out for potential problems with the bike u want to buy. Else can always meet the seller at one of the trusted bike shop for the nice uncle to check for you.

[bikerunner]

I agree with most of the points that you all mentioned regarding money of having a 2nd-hand bike e.g.: if (choi, choi) some thing happen, i will not feel so much of a pain in terms of money, or short period left for COE, so can buy cheap, sell cheap, etc.

 

But i am concern that since it has been used before, some parts will surely need to be replaced or soon to be at the point of sale. But if they are not replace and i just buy and some thing happen, it might be too much of a price to pay (not in terms of money la), after all bikes are not like cars.

 

 

For 2nd hand, engine is the most important. The other components are cheaper to replace... and confirm you will replace... things like tire, sprocket, chain, suspension, batteries... bikes are not as hard to maintain than cars and we have alot of DIY brothers here. Sure can find some help in here

 

Have fun! bring a brother along to help u look out for potential problems with the bike u want to buy. Else can always meet the seller at one of the trusted bike shop for the nice uncle to check for you.

 

The problem is actually, i have never encounter this kind of thing before, meaning like knowing when to repair, when change, how to do it, what are the signs that show that some things need to be done, etc.

 

Because my family dont drive nor ride and my friends hardly talk about this kind of things as they also neither drive nor ride, so i have ZERO ideas of everything!

 

As we all know, bike is riskier than car, i really dont want to learn things the hard way, at least as little as possible. If a car breaks down, it breaks down la, at most cause traffic jam only; but if a bike breaks down, it land to one side and.....

 

Can say i hum ji, but just trying to be safe lol!

 

Does anyone has advice on what to look out for if I get a used bike? Is there any trick or pattern that a dishonest seller will do? Not forgetting paperwork like insurance, approval or what not. lol

 

Thanks in advance again!!

 

Happy Chinese New Year and to those not celebrating, Happy Holidays/Super-Long Weekend!!

[Siphon]

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/75248-10-habits-of-good-Riding

 

This may be useful for you

 

There are alot of tips in this forum for you to research on. Once you decided on the bike u want, check out those pages with the bike. Sure will learn something useful:)

[beginner444]

Hi everyone!

 

I am going to take my TP test in a month's time, and (hopefully i pass) i intend to buy a bike. I am thinking should I buy a brand new one or should i buy a second- or third-hand bike? If i buy a used bike, what should I watch out for? How about the prices? Where to get them? New & old. and How?

 

I want to get a low maintenance bike and may change to a 2A bike next year.

 

My thinking is this: get a 2B 4-stroke road bike(old/new), then get a 2A sports-tour bike(new). As for class 2 bike, a bit too far to think about it right now lol

 

So what do you guys think? Would really appreciate any one who would give any tips and advice. Do recommend any model or brand to let me consider. Feel free to ask me more questions to help me make better and more informed choice!

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

Just don't buy from heng motors, my personal experience

[bikerunner]

Thanks Siphon, will read it when i am free

 

 

Just don't buy from heng motors, my personal experience

 

why?

[SV650]

I agree with most of the points that you all mentioned regarding money of having a 2nd-hand bike e.g.: if (choi, choi) some thing happen, i will not feel so much of a pain in terms of money, or short period left for COE, so can buy cheap, sell cheap, etc.

 

But i am concern that since it has been used before, some parts will surely need to be replaced or soon to be at the point of sale. But if they are not replace and i just buy and some thing happen, it might be too much of a price to pay (not in terms of money la), after all bikes are not like cars.

 

 

 

 

The problem is actually, i have never encounter this kind of thing before, meaning like knowing when to repair, when change, how to do it, what are the signs that show that some things need to be done, etc.

 

Because my family dont drive nor ride and my friends hardly talk about this kind of things as they also neither drive nor ride, so i have ZERO ideas of everything!

 

As we all know, bike is riskier than car, i really dont want to learn things the hard way, at least as little as possible. If a car breaks down, it breaks down la, at most cause traffic jam only; but if a bike breaks down, it land to one side and.....

 

Can say i hum ji, but just trying to be safe lol!

 

Does anyone has advice on what to look out for if I get a used bike? Is there any trick or pattern that a dishonest seller will do? Not forgetting paperwork like insurance, approval or what not. lol

 

Thanks in advance again!!

 

Happy Chinese New Year and to those not celebrating, Happy Holidays/Super-Long Weekend!!

 

 

Easier if you can bring along a friend that has some riding experience to do bike shopping with you. Some things are a little tricky to put in words.

 

Have fun shopping and riding.

[bikerunner]

Easier if you can bring along a friend that has some riding experience to do bike shopping with you. Some things are a little tricky to put in words.

 

Have fun shopping and riding.

 

 

But problem is i dont have any lol

[swiftee]

But problem is i dont have any lol

 

ok. if that's the case.

 

1) buy new bike

 

2) buy a young (1-2 yr old) 2nd hand japanese bike from one of the proven reliable models. If the bike is clean and looks well-kept (ok, even if you have no experience, you can tell whether the owner got regularly wash, got many rusty parts, crash damage etc or not). If the bike looks like it has been gently used and someone has actually been actively taking care of it, then chance is higher that it won't be a lemon. look for stock paintwork, make sure all legal parts are there (the last thing you want to worry about is failing your inspection when you're a bike newbie).

Also for the japanese brands, a 1-2 year old bike is not likely to give you many problems.

But also, expect to pay a lot for such a bike.

 

3) Make friends with biker and ask them to help you view bike. Sorry, I can't help in this area, I'm not good at judging bike condition myself.

 

4) Buy the first bike within your budget that you like the look of, and take the subsequent repairs as training fee. Which is not really a bad thing in itself, cause you get to learn a lot from a problematic bike, provided you don't get discouraged, and you know when to call it quits. 2b bike the repairs are still relatively affordable.

Edited February 18, 2015 by swiftee

[bikerunner]

I see, thanks!!

 

Will most probably do 2 & 4 lol

Edited February 21, 2015 by bikerunner

[FireGunz]

Hi bro, any guide about buy from shop & direct owner? What are the thing to aware of.... also how about [P] plate insurance cost it? Any recommendations (if unable to show this post can pm me)

Thank

 

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

[daz3]

Hi bro, any guide about buy from shop & direct owner? What are the thing to aware of.... also how about [P] plate insurance cost it? Any recommendations (if unable to show this post can pm me)

Thank

 

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

 

Insurance very subjective, it will depend on your age and what sort of bike you buying.

[JiaWing]

buy from shop very simple, they will do everything for u

ask or read if there is any hidden cost

 

buy from direct seller need to do everything urself

if taking loan, need to find some shops to do for u, not all shops will do it

 

for insurance most people take ntuc, just call or email them for a quote

other insurance company also can, u need to google around see which one do bike insurance

young + p plate is quite ex for insurance, i think around 1k+?

after loan and insurance settled, go LTA with the seller together to do the ownership transfer

[FireGunz]

buy from shop very simple, they will do everything for u

ask or read if there is any hidden cost

 

buy from direct seller need to do everything urself

if taking loan, need to find some shops to do for u, not all shops will do it

 

for insurance most people take ntuc, just call or email them for a quote

other insurance company also can, u need to google around see which one do bike insurance

young + p plate is quite ex for insurance, i think around 1k+?

after loan and insurance settled, go LTA with the seller together to do the ownership transfer

Hi bro,

 

I'm age 4+ also as the "P" plate (just recently passed) as for the bike to chose think sport or street bike (the reason is there got manual clutch & prepare to go upgrading class 2A next year).

 

Any motor shop that you guys can recommend it (which you think the price is reasonable or the service good) for me to see about the bike & cost too...

 

Most of the bike "COE" expire around 1-3 year left & the bike cost around $2.5-5k (used bike). base on SG bike, which I think abit expensive to me that cost roughly $1000 per year for the bike or I might be in wrong too (which was suppose to be that way).

 

Looking for more advice from you guys, base on your experience about which bike should I go to.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[JiaWing]

Hi bro,

 

I'm age 4+ also as the "P" plate (just recently passed) as for the bike to chose think sport or street bike (the reason is there got manual clutch & prepare to go upgrading class 2A next year).

 

Any motor shop that you guys can recommend it (which you think the price is reasonable or the service good) for me to see about the bike & cost too...

 

Most of the bike "COE" expire around 1-3 year left & the bike cost around $2.5-5k (used bike). base on SG bike, which I think abit expensive to me that cost roughly $1000 per year for the bike or I might be in wrong too (which was suppose to be that way).

 

Looking for more advice from you guys, base on your experience about which bike should I go to.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

once u cross 30 yrs old, the insurance will be cheaper but for p plate will still be ex

since u have the intention to upgrade 2A, get a cheaper bike now to gain experience only, sell off after 1 year

not sure whats the price for 2B bike now, my current 2A bike is 2k per year already

u can go to sgbikemart to see current bike price or bikemart from this forum (can find the link on the top left, mostly direct seller)

[FireGunz]

once u cross 30 yrs old, the insurance will be cheaper but for p plate will still be ex

since u have the intention to upgrade 2A, get a cheaper bike now to gain experience only, sell off after 1 year

not sure whats the price for 2B bike now, my current 2A bike is 2k per year already

u can go to sgbikemart to see current bike price or bikemart from this forum (can find the link on the top left, mostly direct seller)

Thank bro for the info.

 

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[daz3]

Ya agree,if you going for 2A bike then just get a used 2B bike first.at least you dont lose too much when you upgrade to 2A in future.