A 700cc bike is not beginner friendly if your previous 2 wheeler is still human powered.

Start with something smaller.....and disposable.

There is nothing wrong with the MT07 platform. It's light, punchy powerband makes for a very fun bike to ride. For the exact reasons it makes it fun, it would make a greenhorn nervous. And nervous isn't what you want to be when you are learning to ride.

If you are commuting in all weather, do yourself a favour and get a bike with ABS, and TC if it comes with such an option.

If you are new at this, a less intimidating bike will help you learn skills faster that will be needed when you get on a more powerful machine.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Oct 13 2024, 05:46 PM

lol, no it wont. It simply doesnt have the power and power delivery of the bigger bikes.

But as a commuter bike, the MT25 would be a good starting platform. But for the used prices, you can do better.


Most people don't factor in a running costs of a big bike if doing some serious commuting miles, primarily tyres.


Tyres : That big 180 section rear tyre will need replacement every 12000km to 15000km depending on how you ride. More expensive sport touring rubber like the dual compound tyres will last longer but you are still looking at about 20k km ish. And at 600-700 a pop, it aint cheap to be changing rear tyres every year or less. I personally go through about 2 rear tyres a year given my mileage.


I would still recommend someone start off on a used 250 to 400cc bike if he/she is a complete greenhorn. Get a year or 2 of seat time and miles before moving to the 600-700cc bikes. The smaller bikes would handle commuting just fine and cost less to run.

Personally I am in favour of a cheap used Dominar, as I spent 3 years and 70k km on one learning the ropes. Jumping to something significantly more powerful like my 800NK takes experience. Its shit scary when it wheelspins at 160km/h.

Much was asked and many questions were answered about the dominar previously. Head over to the dominar thread and read the archives. Everything you need to know about the bike is there.

For our market here. The Dominar has become the quintessential b full starter bike since its launch in 2018.

The good. Cheap. Robust. Parts availability, has ABS. Decent entry level touring bike. Stable highway speeds

The bad. Heavy for its class, vibrations at higher highway speeds exceeding 130-140 (it's a big single).

For an experienced rider maybe.

But for a.greenhorn that might end up dropping the bike....probably not a good idea.

Why would ABS be detrimental? It's a safety feature. Especially for an inexperienced rider.

Btw, a Dominar isn't 210kg. Not sure where U got that from. The official kerb weight with fuel is 182kg.

I think you might want to read up what ABS does.

I think Alexei's choice of the words is misinterpreted. Alexei is no greenhorn when it comes to bikes. His complaint of ABS being intrusive only applies to riders that actually know how to use the brakes properly.

But yes, seasoned bikers prefer not to have ABS as they have the skill levels to properly handle the bike without any rider aids. I doubt it applies here. When you are not paying attention like he would be on the track, say when commuting and in the wet, then ABS is crucial.

No short cut.

Ride and ride more.

First week do nothing but low speed drills in the parking lot. Learn the clutch friction zone. Slow turns, low speed balance, tight U turns and tight figure 8. Learn counter balancing for tight turns. Learn to use the rear brake for low speed. If you do it correctly expect to drop the bike a few times. If you don't, you are not trying hard enough. Do emergency braking and rolling stops, learn to balance the bike to fall to your left side when coming to a stop. Then learn to fall off the bike. Learn to pick up the bike

Then only go out on the road.

Then learn counter steering, proper braking and turning technique.


The b full test only teaches you how to pass the test. It does not teach you how to ride a bike.

I have been riding for a year on L before taking the b full test. Did everything including off roading. Dropped the bike many many times.

Which is why people say, get a cheap disposable bike you don't mind dropping. You can't sayang your first bike as you will stunt your own skills.

You don't fall, you don't learn. To be honest, the test was a breeze. But then again, by the time I took my b full in a year, I already done 20k km on the dominar.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Oct 14 2024, 10:34 PM

Well ABS is ABS. I don't particularly like it, but I appreciate it is there. Most of the time it's just annoying when it's not needed, but invaluable when it is needed.

The thing about ABS is the cheaper ABS modules all cut in too soon and stay on too long leaving you with no brakes. But it does what it is supposed to do which is preventing lockups and preventing you tucking the front wheel.

I would say daily riding, ABS isnt intrusive but if you are riding at 95+% it can get in the way. Or if you are doing stupid shit like jumping speed humps. Once the front wheel or both wheels gets off the ground, you have no brakes for the split second or so after you land. Very interesting if going down genting with all the speed humps and sharp corner that comes right after.

Then again, it's no fault of the ABS if you are intent to do stupid shit.

Yes indeed. Start off on a smaller cheap bike.

It's easier to build confidence and skill up faster than if you jumped right into a big bike that is too powerful, too heavy and too tall for your skill level.

Once you have managed to build the skills and confidence, then upgrade.

Don't let the 500 fool you.

It's a big bike. And at 200kg, and 830cm seat height, unless you have the legs for it, it's not something a greenhorn can manage well.

I understand why people want to just jump on the bigger bike.

Not to say you can't. But unless you are one of those brilliant riders that takes to bikes like a duck to water, most new riders will benefit from starting on a smaller lighter bike.

This is true from personal experience and what I see on a lot of newer riders that went on a new big bike. I am able to skill up waaay faster than those that went the big bike route immediately. Even now, after a few years of riding, they can't properly do a tight U turn or corner at higher speed with confidence.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Oct 17 2024, 11:34 AM

It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.

That aside. Smaller lighter bike is just much easier to filter and cilok around KL traffic. Plus for the commute, you are not planning to hit big speeds anyway so a more efficient bike is welcome.

As for filtering. It's just like jumping into a cold swimming pool. You just have to decide to go through with it. KL drivers are used to bikes filtering so usually they will give you a wide berth. Smaller towns and city not so much...especially for big bikes. Simple matter of fact is, if you don't feel comfortable or safe filtering, just don't. Once you get more riding skill and confidence, it will come naturally...just as long you remember a big bike is a lot wider than a kapchai, especially if you have panniers sticking out beyond your handlebars.

As for rain riding. I usually just ride through it with or without rain gear. Just bring speeds down, stay off painted lines, allow for more braking distance... Standard stuff. But get a helmet with a pinlock.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Oct 18 2024, 09:12 AM

You start off with a shitty bike like a Dominar then you'd appreciate your new bike more. When I say shitty, it's relative. It's heavy, handles quite top heavy on slow speed, not the quietest nor smoothest bike out there. But what makes it shitty, is good training ground.

To be honest the dominar is a very average bike. But it's cheap and serves as a perfect learners bike. Cheap and easily sourced replacement parts means it's a decent commuter bike if you plan to pile up the mileage.

REAR brake.

Get some speed and throttle to go up. Keep the clutch in the friction zone throughout the titi (don't fully disengage the clutch and cut power). Then use rear brake to slow down and hold steady. Continue to drag the rear brake throughout the run. Don't touch the front brake.

Most people don't get enough speed going up the bump. Remember you can always slow down when you are up.

Look ahead to the first cone for the slalom. Usually they will line it up with the tiri.

Anyway keep practicing slow speed balancing and clutch friction control. <5kmh speeds. youd know you are good enough, when you can do footless stops over and over again.


Actually the titi is a good test. Both for nerves and technique. I got plenty of that going off-road prior so the titi was a breeze.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Nov 17 2024, 03:45 PM

Must be new. When I was there only z650s

Curiously, going 200+ on a bike feels slower than the same speeds in a car.

Your brain just speeds up to compensate, making everything slow motion.

Just need to ride more and get used to it.....as with anything.


When I first got my dominar, the 35hp felt damn fast. Now the 100hp NK feels "just adequate".

never really had that problem

Only once.
When i test road the NK800, it felt super fast. speedo showed 60-70 on smaller roads with closely spaced speed bump and hitting way harder than i am used to. ...... confused my butt dyno.......only to realize later the speedo was set to mph..... ;p

I tend to jump speed humps. Using the bump to launch off.

Merry Christmas to you as well.

Ride safe, ATGATT.

Actually the titi test and what you learn from it is very applicable to real world riding. In time you will appreciate it. There is a reason it is part of the test.

Now do it with 1 hand (left) with only clutch control and no throttle. Low speed 5kmh.

After that do the same for the figure 8. Left hand only, no throttle.

Next do the same with right hand only, standing up. 10-15kmh. Same drills...as slow as you can get.