RE: "Help me choose bike pls!"

[30spartan0]

hahaah wah this thread up there sia....on for don noe how many years rdy...good thread for new comers...

[est1892]

Vadero seems good for beginners

[qianhanhua]

Learning the 2B license now. It is lucky I registered this forum and read this post. I give me a general idea about bikes. But it may be good to add some pictures for each kind of bike so it will be more tangible.

[asakura_hao88]

Hi guys!! I passed my 2B today and am deciding what bike to get?

 

I think im more into the street bike kind..hope to get a 2nd hand bike, budget less than 2k, probably gonna use it for a yr or two before i go for 2A..

 

4 stroke and good FC would be preferred!

 

Any recommendations and recommended shops to get from? Thanks

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Hi guys!! I passed my 2B today and am deciding what bike to get?

 

I think im more into the street bike kind..hope to get a 2nd hand bike, budget less than 2k, probably gonna use it for a yr or two before i go for 2A..

 

4 stroke and good FC would be preferred!

 

Any recommendations and recommended shops to get from? Thanks

 

For -maximum- 4 stroke efficiency a second hand Pulsar is a good buy but be aware that only Universal Motors and a handful of other shops can service Indian technology. I'd choose something like an RXZ instead because while it's 2 stroke, it's a rather economical and reliable one. Can be had for much less than 2k so feel free to try your hand customising it. The idea of getting a 2 stroke is not to speed but... some older 4 strokes take a fair bit of effort to keep up with modern highway speeds, whereas a RXZ or sports-type cub can cruise along at whatever speed you want quite happily.

 

Other good 4 stroke choices include the CBF150, YBR125, and try to see if someone is selling a used Yamaha FZ150i for cheap. Cos off the top of my head that's the most impressive small commuter (non cub) so far.

 

I chose a Phantom instead but it's not really the smartest choice. You need to DIY a bit to get the performance back, after years of previous owners abuse and rusting away in Singapore rain.

[asakura_hao88]

i was intending to get a Phantom cuz my rather big size so i would rather a bigger bike..

Since you rode Phantom maybe you might wana share more on the pros and cons of riding a Phantom?

 

I only know that FC-wise is very gd but wad about the maintenance and the rough cost of getting it 2nd hand?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

i was intending to get a Phantom cuz my rather big size so i would rather a bigger bike..

Since you rode Phantom maybe you might wana share more on the pros and cons of riding a Phantom?

 

I only know that FC-wise is very gd but wad about the maintenance and the rough cost of getting it 2nd hand?

 

Pros:

 

- Popular bike - easy to get spare parts.

- Cheap or even no maintenence, due to simple design

- Easy to self-tune and DIY maintain using your preferred techniques (learn from American websites then try)

- Like an AK-47, it just keeps going and going even in the worst of times, just change EO every 2,000km as it has no oil filter

- CB200 (Honda Tiger) engine. Phantom is not a slow chopper. It has a lot of torque so if you're creative you can keep up traffic very well up to the speed limit. No inline-4 big horsepower fun but a lot of low speed, economical fun.

- Easy to handle, once you get used to the long wheelbase. Spend a lot of time in backroads and MSCPs getting used to her. Master the art of U-turning this super-long 'heavy vehicle' and the rest is easy.

 

Cons/Personal experience tips:

 

- Because there is so many ways to maintain a Phantom (remember it won't complain about poor running conditions), many bike shops try to carrot you by improper maintenence practises, improper carb tuning etc. Try not to "doll her up" with half a ton of accessories because the reason why a 200cc "cruiser" exists, is because its light enough for the tiny motor.

 

- Beware if people say "Phantom eat oil normal one lah!" "Chopper like that one lah! always backfire" - this is absolutely NOT the case as the Phantom uses the proven CB200 engine, of which the crank design can be used to build 50-250cc engines. And we know how good Honda engineers are on bikes since the 60s. Problematic designs will not be so extensively used worldwide?

 

- Old bike. You can get second/third/fifth-hand for $600 but mechanical condition? Usually quite bad, and rusty. Best to do like I did and spend $2k, get it rebuilt. While waiting ask the shop to do chroming on engine covers, forks, and risers ($400). That's how to get 20,000km hassle-free high speed class 2B fun without spending anything on repairs.

 

- Need to know how to break in the engine. Otherwise cannot use synthetic oil as oil consumption will occur due to poor ring sealing. Again refer to italic paragraph above.

 

- LOUD. Once done up with DIY performance mods (functional, btw) I couldn't stand wearing open face helmet.

 

- Reputation - Prone to skidding, due to weight transfer on long wheelbase and relatively light frame weight (for a cruiser). You're encouraged to read up on vehicle dynamics, and custom tuning to improve the handling.

 

- There is no "high performance Phantom" fanclub or DIY tuner club except for my own. This is a pity because the Phantom is much more fun than my cub and it has been getting faster and faster over the past 9 months under my care

 

Conclusion:

 

Phantom is fun, but instead of a bike you'll be getting a crash course on how to be your own mechanic. And it has quite unique performance, because you can indeed drill some holes in the bike and it actually becomes faster. Which to me, is priceless.

 

Getting an old out of production vehicle is like an invitation to master its engineering. It's not for the faint of heart to NOT do like the Romans do, but it's very worth it. Saves you lots of $ on all your future bikes.

 

Just bear in mind whatever bike you get, to ride safe and not spend a ton of $ on performance parts. You don't need them, unless you are proficient with handling motorcycle physics and engine tech. That's why Phantom to people like me is a great "performance" bike. The performance parts are free (fabricated from stock spare parts)

[asakura_hao88]

Wow!! This is informative! Thanks! Im still contemplatiing thou..where can i go to test ride a phantom? I wana know if im comfortable with it..

 

I live in Woodlands area thou..

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Wow!! This is informative! Thanks! Im still contemplatiing thou..where can i go to test ride a phantom? I wana know if im comfortable with it..

 

I live in Woodlands area thou..

 

Lol hope you enjoyed yesterday's Top Gear style bike review. Secret "Need for Speed" areas too that no one knows about

[foxin]

This is definitely the best place for all freshy to the road to come here for an orientation.

 

Any 'smart' thing to kinda ask so that I would not be carrot too much into the shop?

(Of course, giving them interest based business is more than enough)

Looking at sport bike though

And that riejsut **dunno how to spell** is like... DROOLING!

 

Looking at

- Daelim Roadwin 125R FI

- Yamaha YZF R15

- Derbi 125 4T 4V

 

Any thoughts on that one?

[spaiduhz]

This is definitely the best place for all freshy to the road to come here for an orientation.

 

Any 'smart' thing to kinda ask so that I would not be carrot too much into the shop?

(Of course, giving them interest based business is more than enough)

Looking at sport bike though

And that riejsut **dunno how to spell** is like... DROOLING!

 

Looking at

- Daelim Roadwin 125R FI

- Yamaha YZF R15

- Derbi 125 4T 4V

 

Any thoughts on that one?

 

Well, i suppose the bikes available nowadays have greatly changed. What with all those big sized bikes by yammy...

[foxin]

Yeap!

Was looking at some stuff like 'wet sump', 'dry sum'.. Quite a bit of technical stuff.

Would like to also know if there is someone who tried all those bike and like to see how it goes.

Very much into R15 and Derbi GPR 125 4s 4v. But would like to know the price range also.

Any idea? R15 for 6.5K OTR good?

How about the rest?

[spaiduhz]

Yeap!

Was looking at some stuff like 'wet sump', 'dry sum'.. Quite a bit of technical stuff.

Would like to also know if there is someone who tried all those bike and like to see how it goes.

Very much into R15 and Derbi GPR 125 4s 4v. But would like to know the price range also.

Any idea? R15 for 6.5K OTR good?

How about the rest?

 

Inclusive of insurance?

[foxin]

Got a quote for R15

7k otr exclu insurance. Good?

Like to know any thoughts on Derbi/ rieju bike too

[Jehuty]

Ride 2B 2 strokes la,they teach you more on maintenance and powerband.

[terrormania]

best transport go public....

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

best transport go public....

 

Good option. Until realising I have to wait 1 hour for bus due to screwed up schedule, MRTs keep emergency braking every 10 minutes due to screwed up track schedules, no fun queueing up with people who don't know what a "queue" is for, etc.

 

After trying "BMW" (bus mrt walk) for a week, motorbike ftw

 

If you evade ERP, a nice low maintenance 4 stroke is much cheaper than MRT.

[washabushi]

Hi bikers,

 

I'm not sure if this thread is up to date.

I'm still in the midst of getting my 2B license and would like to seek advice which bike to get.

Here's some of my details.

 

why bike?:

1) staying at Fernvale(Sengkang) working near Tanjong Pagar. BMW took me bout 1 hour, bike probably 30 minutes

2) also will pillion my gf go night class...I'm bout 90kg and she bout 60kg = 150kg

 

prefer naked bike as i'm bout 186cm also would like to utilize the 200cc so the bike wont scream because of my weight. Speed is not my priority, power/torque and FC is.

 

bike in my list now(in order)

1) Bajaj Pulsar 200cc

2) Honda Tiger 200cc

3) Bajaj Pulsar 180cc

4) Yamaha Fz16 150cc

 

I love hands on the machine but because I'm staying in HDB I prefer not to. So prefer something hassle free(4 stroke) n low maintenance.

 

Your advise is much appreciated

 

forgot to include budget, less then 4k for the machine...hopefully insurance n others can settle within 1.5k

[lycan]

Hi bikers,

 

I'm not sure if this thread is up to date.

I'm still in the midst of getting my 2B license and would like to seek advice which bike to get.

Here's some of my details.

 

why bike?:

1) staying at Fernvale(Sengkang) working near Tanjong Pagar. BMW took me bout 1 hour, bike probably 30 minutes

2) also will pillion my gf go night class...I'm bout 90kg and she bout 60kg = 150kg

 

prefer naked bike as i'm bout 186cm also would like to utilize the 200cc so the bike wont scream because of my weight. Speed is not my priority, power/torque and FC is.

 

bike in my list now(in order)

1) Bajaj Pulsar 200cc

2) Honda Tiger 200cc

3) Bajaj Pulsar 180cc

4) Yamaha Fz16 150cc

 

I love hands on the machine but because I'm staying in HDB I prefer not to. So prefer something hassle free(4 stroke) n low maintenance.

 

Your advise is much appreciated

 

forgot to include budget, less then 4k for the machine...hopefully insurance n others can settle within 1.5k

 

You should just get a phantom TA200.. You can easily find one at $1000 and you can ride it for at least years..

 

I am 90plus and my gf is 50plus.. So far so good..

 

Save money on your 2B and use those money to get a 2A that wont scream because of weight..

 

It is a 4 stroke by the way.

[le_stann]

I have to agree with lycan there..

 

Guess from your gfs studying, you guys should be around early 20s.

Washabushi. If Speed is not your priority, power/torque and FC is.. , I recommend that you slowly find a good bike here online which in this case I would recommend a phantom TA200. Being a prior owner myself .

 

I have to admit I was not intelligent enough back then (6 years back) to find out about this beautiful website . (If I had , I would have saved myself a few hundred dollars and probably had gotten a better machine which was well taken care of by its owner, if I STRESS strongly that you know how look or somebody who knows helps you to.)

 

That being said , I am 75kg-180cm . Was a ex-phantom owner myself.

Points on why I recommend a phantom for yourself~

1) You will look kinda funny on any 2B bike , I guess in a nice way. Anybody that big and tall should be riding a 2A bike at least if they can afford.

But what do we do when we need to wait a year before being able to upgrade and clear lvl 2A.. We do the next best thing and that would be to find a decent "next best thing" . Remember smart thing to do.. The TA200 though would be the next best thing being a transporter , it would go on with your gf's and your weight w/o much complaining at the higher speeds. There would be a slight hiccup at the pickup though I foresee, would take awhile to get from 10 to 30 km/h becos of the weight and you need good clutch control and balancing to keep the bike from wobbling. But the good fact about the phantom is that it has a low center of gravity so the bike is very stable for big people on small bikes.

 

2) Point 1 being said, time to do point two.. Why phantom and not one of the few bikes you mentioned. (Though I have not riden any of the new bikes but I have seen them, at least view them online for yoursake..)

- You will defintely upgrade. If you can confirm, you are not planning to .. Then skip the rest of my stuff and test-ride those bikes in your list.

Buying a second hand bike now and riding it for a year plus or so will save you a tonne of money and you will be better able to save up for high downpayment or to pay full cash when you pass your 2A and decide to upgrade. It will also be a test to see if you are really into 'the biker thing'. An it will not be an expensive lesson should you or your gf decide that riding is not your thing and you wanna get a car. Raining, smog, no air-con, friends getting cars or striking toto could really be thorn on the arse. So yourself been in the works for upgrading would be the main reason to slow down , think with your head (the upper one).. , think again... and all would be right to support the idea.

- those bikes you mentioned are all 'new' models to the sg market or at least the tiger and fz16 I think and they are all the people outside want right now. So of course the shops are going to mark up their prices and make a buck. (I could easily think that the bikes would cost around 6k (plus high insurance-no third party becos bike haven't pay full... Interest) if you are going to downpayment 1 or 2k . See this other guy's story I guess you read about if not from here.http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/326986-FZ-16-only-2-months.-FOR-SALE!

- Getting a second-hand entry level bike would be the most in-expensive way and authentic way to join the community. (copy the phrase from Jay Barberio's Rider handbook) It will prove as a test whether you belong to the community and it would be great when your 'lady' (refering to your bike) gives you a cough and you can self-troubleshoot or service her for just a couple of bucks with readily available amounts of spare parts and second hand goods. This Cheap and Priceless. As good as it gets.

- Lastly a good second-hand bike would have or should have everything that you the new rider would need or skip to the next one for viewing. Box, pillion footrest. Some new stuff or recently changed stuff would be an advantage. If not you could bargain down the price or no deal. First hand bikes well through my experience , much of the cost that arise first owner will have to pay and if downpayment low you're the sucker...

 

Now there is big wave of phantom and wave owners whose COE are coming up in 2011/12/13. FU/FV/FW so can make use of this knowledge and this trend to catch a nice bike which the owner has done up a lot of work and waiting for you to take over his bike as, he has two bikes ? 2A and 2B.. Seen many of those, or owner upgrading to car or bigger bike. Last but not least, I can see you on a super4 class 2A FW plate which you bought second-hand too from this site and you will be thanking me for replying your post at this time of the hour. And taking this long.. (I was being detailed and want everyone who reads this article to have a better understanding of the bike scene/market in sg and react positively to it.

 

 

If you do choose however to go ahead and get a new one, have it your way.. This is what I recommend. Ride it for the life of it and dun think about upgrading unless you manage to sell it yourself here online w/o losing much. (some guys I know of, spoke that they manage to do so.) And in order of preference of liking in terms of looks,

1. Yamaha Fz16 150cc

2. Honda Tiger 200cc

3. Bajaj Pulsar 200cc

 

You should just get a phantom TA200.. You can easily find one at $1000 and you can ride it for at least years..

 

I am 90plus and my gf is 50plus.. So far so good..

 

Save money on your 2B and use those money to get a 2A that wont scream because of weight..

 

It is a 4 stroke by the way.

 

50cc

Edited July 3, 2011 by le_stann

[khozh]

hey guys im a new to the bike scene and i intend to take my bike license soon for 2. What are some good recommendations for a second hand bike thats comfortable and in the price range of ard max 2.5 k? and i have another qn to ask too. phantm is a extemely old model so is it reliable to get a second one that is safe? thanks for the help guys.

[houstanrojas]

Great info for the new riders keep it up

[houstanrojas]

You need to keep three main things in your mind before you head towards bike purchase

1- You should know specs

2- What you want to buy is being manufactured by whom?

3- What other organizations are offering this model or brand you want....

[houstanrojas]

Anyone aboard? Mm Bike purchasing must be kept at second step first keep bike costs n estimates in mind properly.......

[houstanrojas]

Well I think this post needs to be closed because nobody is in interest ryt?