| DAVID GOH'S HOME PAGE Last updated: 26 Dec 2001 D'Singapore Scene
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Getting
Your First Bike in Singapore Page created on since 24 Aug 1999 This article is in answer to a question posed to me. Here is my personal advice based on my own experience, which I think is best shared with all brand new Class 2B riders for the benefit of all, not just a selected few. Not everybody may agree, but do take these points into consideration, and make the decision that works best for you. Also, please do not ask me about the prices of motorcycles: I do not run a motorcycle business and therefore cannot advise. However, you could try posing your question to others who may know at Singapore Bikers' Hangout forum Q: I just got myself a 2B license. Any suggestions on what to buy? A: Here is my suggestion: Right now, buy an old second hand Japanese street bike that will be similar to the ones used in the training circuit. Let me explain why... Reason #1: Tendency to change bikes early on,
and reduction of monetary losses when upgrading to another bike Reason #2: Minimise cost of repairs Most new bikers have many accidents, large and small, especially in the first few years of riding (I know I did). It could be as minor as toppling their bike while trying to put it on its centre stand, as stupid as toppling while pushing back the bike from a parking lot, or as bad as taking a skid in wet weather (and hopefully not hitting anything/anyone one or being hit). Since these bikes will be thrashed in process, it is more prudent to use an old second hand bike for this reason. When you become more experienced (usually after a couple of years of riding) and stop having such incidents, that's a good time to consider buying the bike of your dreams. Try to avoid the ones with fairings. Besides the damage being cosmetically unsightly and heartbreaking (especially if it is a brand new bike), replacement fairings are also very expensive to replace and/or repair or replace every time you damage them. If you are a newbie and already have such a bike and happen to damage it, simply patch it up a bit and use it until it is worth your while to replace them (usually when you are more experienced or you want to sell the bike). Also buy Japanese bikes, as their components are cheaper and very easily obtained, brands like Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha... but not Kawasaki, and definitely not the non-Japanese makes. Too many a rider has bought an Italian bike, like the Cagiva or Aprilla, banged it up, only to find it costs a fortune to replace the fairings, signal lamps, etc... only to bang it up again and repeat the process! My personal favourite will be fairing-less bikes like the old CG125, RX-K, RX-Z or similar bikes. So what if they look awful and "old fashioned"... but they are usually simple to repair and maintain . Reason #3: Maintain good riding posture for future upgrading of driving license
Especially if you intend to upgrade from Class 2B to Class 2A or higher, it is vital to keep good riding posture. This is important because the training schools typically use street bikes; these require an upright riding posture and conventional motorcycle gearing/clutching. For Class 2A bikes (200cc to 400cc), these are typically the Honda CB400 Super 4 or Honda Bandit 250, or the older modified Honda CB250 Nighthawk where the handlebars have been modified to force a more upright street-bike posture. Class 2 bikes (>400cc) typically include the Honda CB750 and Honda Bandit 600. Once you become too accustomed to alternative riding postures or motorcycle handling techniques and gear changing techniques which typically occurs when one rides cruisers or scooters, you may find it more difficult when you have to return to the training circuit and use the bikes there.
Choppers or cruisers have a posture that is too "laid-back", and the wheel base somewhat longer, so the manouevering is more limited, and the handling is quite different. Scooters on the other hand, besides having a different posture and handling, also have a different gearing system. Motorcross and enduro bikes might not be too bad... their handling is pretty good and upright... except that it might be a wee bit uncomfortable on long rides, and my personal opinion is that the knobbly tyres give a rumbling feel and have less traction. How to go about finding the right bike for you? Check the classified ads in the newspapers: This gives some idea about the market prices for second-hand motorcycles. You could either buy from a shop or from individual owners. Generally shops will charge more, but it may be worthwhile to cough up a bit more if the shop is honest and reliable. Visit motorcycle shops and dealers: Ask around various motorcycle shops which are found in many locations, including around Serangoon Road, or at Alexandra Village. It is admittedly time consuming, but if you intend to shell out serious money, it is worth your while to investigate. Personally, I use Belwin Motors at Syed Alwi Road... you could ask David Mah for help. He gives pretty good personal advice. Typical tricks by rotten bike shopes include overcharging, lousy service and dishonest dealings (not telling you about the extras you have to pay for until later) Internet and other bikers: The best way of finding out the best bike for me is to meet other bikers, hopefully riding the bikes I am interested in. The internet and websites do carry some information about various motorcycles. Though you could visit the various manufacturer's websites, they admittedly carry the latest models only, or specific models for selected markets, usually not for Singapore. Other bikers, on the other hand, are the best source of information because they can tell me first-hand about the bike, its problems. It is also good because if I can get them to let me try their bikes, I can get a feel about its handling and performance, before I actually decide on whether to buy one or not. Let me tell you a recent experience that helped me to decide that the CBR1100XX Blackbird was not for me: a friend of mine bought this bike new. I was lusting after it because of its tremendous engine power. However after a single exhilirating ride, I found that the forward-leaning seated position was, though comfortable for a short ride, potentially difficult for longer rides, especially since I could ride for hours if touring in Malaysia. Trying out another friend's ST1100 Pan-European and GL1500 GoldWing convinced me that tourers or street bikes are more suitable for me, more upright, easier handling. If you insist on buying a new bike Remember to find out all the charges! Typically dealers offer an "on the road" price (or OTR). To put a bike on the road, the minimums are:
Anything else is usually extra:
To be sure, when you visit the shop, ask them to write down what is included in the price... shops have a tendency to claim that something is not included and therefore a chargeable extra! In conclusion Don't be in a hurry buy a bike: ask around, try it out... never commit to buying anything untill you are absolutely sure, don't even put down a deposit. Some shops try to pressure you, offering you discounts if you buy now, etc. You have the right to decide.... and you certainly want to be absolutely sure before you shell your hard-earned money and end up with a "lemon". If for some reason you really need a bike in a hurry, pick up a second hand bike first. It will give you some time to learn what sort of handling you really like and hence the kind of bike you want, as well as time to shop around for the bike of your dreams. The bike you buy has got to be right ride for you: right type, right brand, right condition, right handling, right comfort, right price. Good luck, good hunting and safe riding! (P.S. Please do not ask me for comments or opinions on various bikes.)
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Foreigners
who convert their existing foreign driving licenses are not affected by this.
Singaporeans and Singapore residents (foreigners) who acquire their driving
licenses in Singapore must take this into account.
