All sportbikes so far... why not try....A TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE?



Fits the bill for 1 & 2 but not so sure about Sepang. How often will you go to a track? Maybe the sportier-looking Thruxton will be worth a look too, for the latter?

One of my neighbours bought a Bonneville recently. Now it's a highlight of my day walking past it to and from my bike in the garage. Bonerville

I went for the local Triumph dealership's test ride session last year. Me on a Street Triple following one of their staff on a Bonneville. He was really hustling the thing down Penang's back roads and I could barely keep up. Don't underestimate them.

Triumphs use quite a bit of Japanese parts now as well. IIRC one of the shop guys said that the Street Triple can use Kawasaki oil filters. Could make a difference in servicing costs.

Other than that, out of the 4, considering your experience, I'd just say Ninja 250r. It's been around a lot longer. One guy rode through the Himalayas on one. They are readily available second hand, older models are around 9k-10k, glorious fuel-injected models are available in Malaysia and Kawasaki is widespread in Malaysia and Thailand. You can get on with riding straight away and less likely to get potato'd by one of the 600cc bikes.

I've test ridden the RC200 before, basically the same chassis but with a smaller engine. The RC bikes have a real 'supersports' position so you have to lean forward a lot. The handlebars are right on the triple clamp (the big plate connecting the front wheel and forks to the bike frame). This could mean more strain on your back and neck as well. The position makes it a bit harder to look around because your torso and head are low over the bike. On the other hand the RC bikes are really narrow and light as well, good for ciloking traffic. Fuel consumption is quite economical as well. Feels like riding a bicycle!

R25 has a more neutral riding position. The handlebars are raised above the triple clamp. This position is usually more comfortable for most people who are commuting. Your head is also higher above the bike so its easier to look around in traffic, though not as much as a full upright position like on a Versys. The R25 is also larger and heavier so you get more of a 'big bike' feeling on one. For most ppl the higher weight makes the bike feel more stable at high speed.

Hope that helps


I've heard rumours that modern superbikes are so powerful that it is nearly impossible for ordinary people to ride them without TC. Dunno how true that is.Here is a video of traction control being demonstrated by a ZX10-R being ridden offroad. The technology is pretty amazing nowadays.

ABS is useful as a backup, it's just an additional layer of protection. There seems to be lots of argument in the superbike world over how helpful it is. Some people claim that ABS encourages poor braking habits since it is always there to save your ass. I still think it's good to have it around just in case but riders should still know how to emergency brake properly without locking a wheel.

Piston engine bikes are for filthy casuals. Real men commute every day on jet turbine powered ground missiles.

no am filthy casual

R3 has a slightly larger engine (320cc or something like that) with more torque and higher top speed. TBH I would skip R3, Ninja 300 and Z300 and just go straight to a bigger bike because you still need full B for a 300cc bike and their current prices are too high for their engine size IMO.

You can change the level of the handlebars on any bike to a different position but that involves modifications. I'm not actually sure of any bike that allows handlebar level adjustment from stock. Judging from how the R25's handlebars are connected, you might be able to change the angle of the handlebars but you'll have to confirm with a R25 rider.

RC390's handlebars bolt directly into the triple clamp (the big flat piece of metal with four shiny circles in it). Looks neat at first but I can imagine it getting a bit weird if you want to change to clip-on handlebars below the triple clamp or raise the handlebars above the triple clamp:



Heavier bikes can actually feel more stable and easier to handle, even at slow speeds and when filtering through traffic. I think the extra weight helps to damp any destabilizing effects caused by riders' body movements while moving at low speeds.

Both R25 and RC390 are easy to handle.

Yeah that is the issue with heavier bikes. You will get used to it though. Everyone drops their bikes by accident. I remember my first time getting on a 500cc after riding a 125cc, jatuh bodoh on the first attempt to turn at slow speed

I agree with Cyphereza on starting on a second-hand 250. Cheaper and if you drop it, less expensive and painful compared to accidentally dropping a brand new S1000RR in your parking lot.

You can also try a second-hand ER6N. 650cc bike that's popular with training schools, very easygoing and very similar in size to a Ninja 250. Way more power than a 250cc too. Quite cheap nowadays as well for secondhand pre-2012 models.

Yup, another reason for starting on a 250. More forgiving. Move on to the superbikes once your throttle control is good enough to manage a sensitive throttle.


This post has been edited by deadwolf: Apr 13 2016, 03:32 PM

Yup. If I topped up 4k more I could've gotten one instead of my Ninja 250r. Consoling myself with the a)cheaper insurance and roadtax b) somewhat cheaper running costs c)Ninja 250r looks smexier on most days

I think all Ninja 250s in Malaysia are FI. We never got the pre-2008 version which still uses carbs. 2008-2011 models (single angry headlight) shld be around 8k-11k IIRC. 2012 version onwards (2 angry headlights) around 15k-25k depending on how recent?

Fwooohhhh sweet videos. Thanks for taking us along on the ride

This post has been edited by deadwolf: Apr 14 2016, 11:49 AM

inb4 M'sian Ghost Rider

+1 for full face helmet. Bila pakai rasa macam kepala saya dalam kereta. Hujan atau angin, tak penduli lol

Can also try GIVI helmets...pretty sure they have some helmets that match your criteria

Things haven't changed. Got my full B about a year ago. The only thing I did at the driving school was ride their banged-up Virago around the course over and over again. It's pretty pathetic tbh. I think the only improvement recently is their new handbook which has some useful tips for first timers on lane position and other things.

So glad I got my first motorcycle license in the UK. Having not grown up on EX5s and only getting into bikes at like 23 yrs old, the stuff they teach as part of the licensing process in the UK is invaluable.

Interested in this as well...I heard the valve defect is only on older (possibly CBU) Kawasaki 650 models?

Welcome to the dark side...

Good for American straight roads where you never have to turn.

Srsly heard before of some rider in the USA using a car tyre on his rear wheel and moto rear tyre on his front wheel...

Would love to see a vid of this guy cornering with his car tyre.

Saw this at the bike shop last week:



Why don't we have this anymore? Sometimes my nuts man...

inb4 I used to be a rider like you but then I took a fuel tank to the crotch

Maybe 20k-30k? Those old school adventure bikes are pretty rare in M'sia. Parts will be quite hard to find, especially being CAGIVA.

Might have better luck with finding and maintaining one of the old Honda Africa Twins, I see one once in a while, never seen a CAGIVA in person.

Apart from the old-skool-cool factor I don't see how they'd be better than a Versys.

This post has been edited by deadwolf: Apr 27 2016, 05:48 PM

Out of that bunch I would pick Street Triple...very agile, uses Japanese parts so servicing should be a bit cheaper. MT-09 is supposed to be a contender against the STriple but I prefer STriple's looks haha. More unique too, seems like everyone and their cat has a Z800 nowadays while the Ducati is the stereotypical Euro choice which demands that you try to dress like a fashionista while riding it .

Since you're doing a 30km trip at 100km/h...a 250 would be enough. But if you can afford a bigger bike, why not? It can do everything a 250 can, plus have more power for faster highways as well.

I'm currently using a LS2 helmet. RM400, double visor, fully removable lining (so you can wash it separately). It's pretty good so far and IMO quality is 1 level up from Grayfosh, dunno how it compares to GIVI though.


Right now I'm using 'FAG' brand chain lube, I kid you not that is actually its real name (maybe its in fact a different type of lube that was accidentally sent to the bike shop). RM10 per bottle and I have no idea what effect it actually has on my chain. Nowadays O-ring chains don't need lubricant for the actual chain itself (the O-rings contain grease that lasts the life of the chain), the lube is more like a protective layer to stop dirt from getting in between the chain links which helps extend chain life.

No ScottOiler users here?

This post has been edited by deadwolf: Apr 29 2016, 04:14 PM

LS2 has middle-range and upper range stuff including carbon fibre helmets.

This is my RM400 one, LS2 FF396 FT2:



Bought in Penang, not sure about KL prices. I think its a newer model hence the price, the prev gen ones are probably RM300 like ZZR Pilot said.

It's light and a great commuting helmet like mentioned earlier, FOV is average though.

It also has the inflatable cheek pad thing which is just a novelty. Better buy a helmet that fits properly without needing to inflate the lining.

Been on my Ninja 250r for slightly over a year now, now considering switching to a 2010 or 2011 ER6n in the near future. Seeking advice from sifus on the following:

1)Lots of reaaally cheap 2009-2011 ER6ns around nowadays. Is that because it's so common, or are they all nearing valve clearance check time or in danger of the notorious valve failure?

2)How much is insurance per year for, let's say, a 2nd hand RM16k ER6n with full comprehensive etc? (I don't know whether all those online quote calculators actually give an accurate figure).

3)Which insurance companies would you recommend for superbikes?

4)What tyre options are available? I'm looking for something similar to the Michelin Pilot Streets on my Ninja right now. Something with good wet weather behaviour and decent tyre life. My current style of riding doesn't require expensive sporty sticky tires.

5)What's the tank range like for the 2010/2011 models? Checked on fuelly and they don't seem to get very impressive fuel consumption figures for a commuter bike. Ninja gets almost 380km a tank, hoping the ER6n gets at least 250km...

6)Are topboxes that go over the pillion seat available for the ER6n in M'sia? Would prefer a plug-n-play set rather than having to custom-make a rack. Something like this:



Thanks