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

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.

👌🏼😁😁😁

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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. 😬

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...

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.

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.

Good choice.

our country is always very slow in everything.

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