Hi otai otai bikers, I intend to get a 250 cc bike in a few months. I have read most topics here but can’t find anyone talk about pillion riders.

The bike is for weekend rides, light off road trails, city rides if alone and occasional long distance holidays. Eg. KL - Melaka - JB etc. My wife will follow as well.

My budget is below RM 15 K. I intend to buy second hand.
I’m not sure which one is comfortable for pillion riders on long distance rides. I prefer a quite type or a soft whisper type as the noisy ones are deafening.

I’m a B2 holder and has no intention to upgrade to B full, so the Itch to upgrade to bigger bikes is NIL. Lifetime B2.

My friend recommended the Versys 250 and Z 250. I have not rode or listen to the exhaust sounds of either bikes.
Vulcan S is not in my class type and I feel awkward with my legs in front. Most cruisers are like that?

Please recommend a few types. Thanks.

This post has been edited by Mikelimks: Oct 19 2018, 10:10 AM

Z250 is definitely not suitable for pillion for long distance rides....i used to own 1..even for the rider it can get uncomfortable due to the thin n hard seat....with a pillion itll be worse coz the pillion will be leaning forward onto u...putting more weight on ur back, arms n wrist

For ur kind of riding, the versys x 250 would be best. But not sure if it fits ur budget...Those kind of touring bikes... unfortunately not many in that displacement...the only other bike i know is the ktn rs3 but not sure of reliability n its a single cylinder so higher vibration

Dont be too bothered with exhaust sound...as long as stock exhaust...itll be fine

As for no itch to upgrade.... lifetime b2... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... just give it time

my suggestion, just go get a b full...n get a used versys 650....this combo should last u longer before the itch kicks in

This post has been edited by mADmAN: Oct 6 2018, 01:32 AM

Thanks for a speedy response, Madman.
I did read ALL of you mentioned about the Itch to upgrade to bigger bike later on. But I don’t know whether I’ll fall for it. I’m the type that once I’m happy with it I will stick to it as long as I can.

During my younger days, I used to own the Rxz for 10 years before I downgraded to RS110. Now using Modenas MR 1 to travel to the city during weekends.

Am considering your recommendation for B full.

I read about the Versys 650 in this forum. Most people mentioned it’s too high for them, even those at 175 cm high. They can’t flat footed the ground and my height is 168 cm.

My other concern is the maintenance and repair costs for the 650. Costs of spare parts etc.

Not all bro

👌🏼😁😁😁

if ur talking about urself...... ptuih

gixxer... remember? hahahhahha

Bike suitable for pillion.... Gold wing

Comfortable for pillion and occasional long distance?IMHO, Yamaha XMax 250. Storage already built in.

Focusing on your budget and conditions and also choices, Versys 250 is the best choice for pillion riders. Wind or airflow resistance maybe an issue due to rear seat height but I think should be good enough to sustain.
Tens of other models are also available but let's just focus on your budget and conditions ... 😁😊😊😁

Thanks for the info but I’m not interested in scooter type.

Hehe ^

I’ve no worry about airflow resistance etc. Furthermore, mostly I will just be cruising around 100-120 kph and not looking for top speed.

This morning I went to Sunway Kawasaki center and sat on the new Versys 650 and just managed to tiptoed on both legs only and hard to balance while the 250 are just nice for me though not flat footed on the ground. The boss there is very friendly and said both bikes can be lowered by 1 inch but have to pay for the accessories about RM 200-300.

They don’t have second hand machines. The 250 is at RM 24,820.00. Seems like I have to stretch my budget slightly higher. Atm I will kiv Versys 250 while looking for other models to compare.

I’m planning to buy latest by Feb or Mar 2019. Will keep looking for 250 second hand unit as it might be in my budget range at that time.

My height is at 166cm and I'm riding an adventure bike.
My pillion rider prefers adventure bike comparing to lower retro ones.
At this height, riding an adventure bikes is always challenging but worth the nervousness.
Putting 2 feet flat on the ground is impossible. No matter how much I may say that I'm ok, I would always sweating nervously when riding in the traffic 🤣🤣🤣
The 250 might be a good choice but if you're eyeing on 650, I would propose you to wait a little longer and get the 650. 😁😁

250 below good for pillion.... strike out maxi scooter... good luck..




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Add, never upgrade.

And that remains a dream because I gotten an "underpowered" (according to many people since today age of forced induction la) car

Buy dominar 400 at 15k use 1k go do b full at metro, at the mean time renew l

Thanks for the info. But I’m not interested in scooters.

Thanks.

Hmm... am not ready to upgrade to B full yet.

I did looked up on Dominar 400, the review about pillion’s comfort only for short distance.

I think I’ll stick to Versys X for now.

Thanks.

Hmm... am not ready to upgrade to B full yet.

I did looked up on Dominar 400, the review about pillion’s comfort only for short distance.

I think I’ll stick to Versys X for now.

Since your affection to keep bikes in long period, reliability is the key factor. Versys 250 than.

Internet slow. Double post

This post has been edited by mypie: Oct 7 2018, 06:03 PM

Atm yes but I’ll keep my options open. Maybe by Jan 2019 has new models with ABS!

still an upgrade.... not upgrade means not changing and not adding.

jgn persoal

Well! It still didn't happen wut

My point being up I'll never ditch my 250
And considering how it is currently, I never needed my b full license

Versys 250...

I thought your budget is 15k?

Yes, originally. But have to save more “IF” want to go bigger. Still exploring few options as most sifus here gave good recommendations.

I just need to hunt for those models and feel and try to test if possible. Then wait for year end sales and decide which one I’m comfortable with. Or buy direct from individual owner.

See racun so kuat here, how come you want lifetime b2?

Agree, kena racun Kawkaw. The sifus here Very persuasive and managed to Xcites my curiosity about bikes above 250 cc.

Let’s wait first until I’ve seen and feel feel those bikes then will make my decision.

Today managed to go to Welly Batu Caves and Big Wing Setapak and a few smaller shops nearby.

A lot of difference between the Versys 650 and the 500X. I like the 500X more as the seat height is lower and I can balance pretty well, the design is more appealing to me. I felt more comfortable when I sat on the seat and can push the bike behind with both legs. Even tiptoeing 😱😱😱 I can’t balance the 650 properly unless one legged flat footed. 😅

Couldn’t find the other suggested 250 and 400 anywhere around there.

The salesmen from both shops are very friendly and explained the pros and cons etc. And both also tried to persuade me to get bigger cc between 400 - 650 and don’t waste time on 250 as the thrills and excitements will wane in a few months and raring to go even bigger. They said most experienced bikers slowly upgrade to bigger and bigger cc after they mastered the bikes they rode for a few years. Yes?

But I believed some Jumped straight into the unknown 750 and above. No?

So, for now it’s Versys X250 with an inclination towards the CB500X and (Upgrade License). Still got time to hunt for the others... to feel feel and sit sit 🤣😂😂

Anymore informations I don’t know about the secrets of Biking BIG bikes?🤔

Anymore inputs and reasons to sway my decision to go B full? What am I talking about? 🤣🤣🤣

This place is very very dangerous and venomous 🤗🤗🤗

This post has been edited by Mikelimks: Oct 9 2018, 01:56 AM

but, the main question is, how yr pillion says bout their comfortable? do u bring them to test also? don't forget bout them.

No, not yet. My missus is working. I will bring her there to test it out. The honda salesman did asked me to bring her along later, to make sure she feel comfortable. He assured me that the pillion will feel comfortable in long distance journeys too. He himself use 500X and his pillion did not complain anything. (Can I take his word for it? 🤔)

He showed me his bike and I tested it and I like the sound better then the 650. He won’t let me test ride it. 😬

Burning lots of money and higher risk if bodily injuries or perhaps even death.

How's that for a counter sway?

cb500x got Abs, but only have single front disk and slightly under power. But Mat salleh on youtube really loves it.

Versys 650 - have the power, dont have abs, got double front disk and the size is bigger.

Yup agree with you 100%. Knew about the risks all along. And more costly to maintain and service than smaller bikes.

Hehe... that’s why I mentioned Lifetime B2 as I’ve decided long long ago that my biggest bike is 250 cc and below. I’ve raced with 200 cc and below bikes in my younger years. Those twin exhausts types. Those were the days. And now cruising with cubcais only.

But the big bike’s Racun is slowly spreading...

250 and 500 or even 650cc Jepunis bike maintenance not much different la... even the tyre size almost same2 price range....

From kapchai to 250cc yes, the maintenance expenses gap is huge....

try to find 250cc used bike is better compare to get a new 250cc bike, at least you can spend the extra money to mod the pillion seat more comfortable.

Some say stick with 250cc, many said you will grow tired of it and upgrade... Everyone have their own opinion, at the end is your own money where to decide.. not us.. we just giving advises and options as we been into your situation before.. so close ur eyes and take the leap.. haaha

oh ya... i forgot about the CB500x.

thats another damn good bike... smaller and quite comfy too. add the top box and panniers and u have a very capable tourer.

Good advice 👍🏼

Yes yes very good. When I seen it and feel it, it’s felt good and I like the curvy design. It’s so much comfortable than the Versys 650 and 250 when I sat on it.

But still have to bring my missus to look and feel it and sit as pillion. If she’s comfortable and like it, then its more or less ahem...

I can wait another few months, until someone is selling their ABS machine or if there’s a second hand ABS unit in dealer’s shop.

I recently bought a Versys 650, cannot both leg flatfoot, agree cannot easily move behind if like this, so i just pull backward before riding it or just avoid to reverse..haha
I like the bike compare with 500X, too bad no ABS

You bought new or used?
Not necessarily flat footed on both legs, at least can move behind while seated. It’s too high to mount and unmount the bike, for short people.

Sucks eh! No ABS yet even for new models.

I bought new. Choose Versys over 500X coz of the size also. I like bigger bike. Haha

Other country got versys with abs.. our country hurmmm

beli scooter konpem selesa

Good choice.

our country is always very slow in everything.

Always reverse parking to reduce the need to push backward. With the slope design to side road, it is quite easy to perform this. That is why you see almost all big bike reverse park.

I went to Honda Wings Setapak about 3 weeks ago, there was a used and very low mileage NC750X. You may want to have a look.

Haha... racun lagi eh! NC 750 X? Nah... I don’t think so. But when I bring my wife there to test out the 500X, I’ll look for it out of curiosity.

Im still more to Vx250 (no need B full) with kiv 500x. Still searching Vstrom 250 to test it out. Most shops I went to don’t have Vstrom 250.

This post has been edited by Mikelimks: Oct 11 2018, 10:55 AM

xmax 250, HUGE underseat storage. TWIN channel ABS + TC (traction control). no other bike 250cc & below in malaysia have TC so far, only XMAX250 has it.

if not mistaken susuki msia din officially bring in vstrom 250. if got is grey import..

Go for cb500x bro with safety feature abs some more

Scooter fat and ugly. 😅

Oic... so no need waste time looking. Thanks.

Yup, that’s what am thinking and considering too. Let my wife try it out first then final decision.

Ya, i was looking to buy Vulcan S but dealer ask me to wait for new facelift since they only have 2016 stock.
They promised me launching by Sep but now still no news. end up i missed the tax Holiday and paid SST for Vesys...sigh

Haizzz.... maybe the dealers also wait for the SST Then release the new ones. More earnings ma.

Just curious:
Any VStrom 650 second hand unit to view in any dealer shop? And second hand unit how much?
I read UK Mat Saleh’s review that for long distance, it’s the most comfortable for pillion rider, compared to Versys 650.

sin seng huat.. @ klang susuki dealer, 29.8k used 2015

u search mudah got a few. some wit abs.

comfort cos d bike has longer wheelbase n bigger front wheel.. its a bigger bike.. compared to versys 650..

mat salleh swears by it...

Thanks.

Hm... Rm 46 K otr for Vstrom 650 with ABS and TC.
Rm 35 K for CB 500X with ABS only. If otr will be extra few thousands.
Worth considering if interested but Versys 650 already quite high, Vstrom even higher seat... 😅😅😅

This post has been edited by Mikelimks: Oct 11 2018, 05:27 PM

Found this video, how short people can ride big bike.
https://youtu.be/uHkob7iTLnk

https://youtu.be/ahwEI8a8_NY

https://youtu.be/pCjPKiZpkAk



This post has been edited by Mikelimks: Oct 12 2018, 11:22 PM

Cb500x abs i think will be around 35k otr if im not mistaken.
46k otr for new cbu vstorm is worth it i guess...versys around 41k otr with no fking ABS... haha your choice bro.. i already in the dilemma just like you.. i wish can fork out more money for mt09- complete packages..

Haha.. Headache eh! Dilemma dilemma...
Agree cbu Vstrom 650 look very tempting. Now it's between Vstrom and 500X.
MT09 is a sports bike, not suitable for pillion on long-distance journeys. It's aggressive looks captured my heart.
Need to save more money and delay buying for another few months. Need to really think to decide and take my time. After all, I'm not in a hurry to buy.

reached hometown earlier and just came back from visiting Melaka’s Ban Zen motor shop. The biggest big bike dealer in Melaka. They have used Vstrom 1000, Versys 1000, CB 500 x, MT 07 and others including Harleys and Gold Wings etc.
New Vstrom 650 so attractive...

My wife likes both Vstrom and 500X. She let me decide which one I prefer.

Go for vstrom if you have the budget... usd fork, abs, traction control.. just like an upgrade of cb500x.. how about suzuki after sales service? The spare part? Is it hard to get or expensive?you really need to take a look on this as well


Sorry it doesnt have usd fork

This post has been edited by redjol: Oct 13 2018, 12:59 PM

Vstorm 650 doesn't come with usd fork. Only 1000 is.

yeah i've just edited it.. is there any chance that versys 650 will come with ABS this year?

I'm 175cm tall only. So far so good. I think abs is good to have features if you have the budget. But other thing like weight, handling, your feel to the bike also very important.

Vstrom 1000 only RM 55++K

Yup, agree.

Ya. My friend said Suzuki big bikes spare parts expensive and have to order, will take 2-3 weeks depending on the parts and the models. As for Honda, it's readily available so no worries.
After sales service very good as I bought and sell my bikes there. Been more than 30 years servicing my bikes there.

Looks like is going to get 500X already~hahaha

Or wait for versys 650 with abs

Ya. More or less looks like it... But no final decision yet.

Yup, hopefully, there's news soon that it will be out early 2019. Not only ABS, with traction control also.

If is global news, then you might need to wait longer then that. Malaysia always late.