Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Shakalaka

Which Mortard/ Scrambler is better?

Shakalaka — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 08:55:36 +0800

Hey everyone! icon_rolleyes.gif After several discussions, I have decided to get myself a SECOND HAND mortard/ scrambler as my first bike for practice and also commuting. Reason why I decided to get mortard because its durable for a newbie like me who might commit silly mistakes or accidents. I too believe I need months of experience in handling slightly bigger and taller bikes before the driving school people allow me to ride on a bigger bike for practice. My height is 5'5 (165cm) and ideal budget is about RM4000 - RM5000. RM6000 is my maximum. I believe my height is not a problem if I get myself a pair of riding boots.

I have several mortards in mind now (Ideal cc is 200),
Demak DTM 150
Demak DTM 200
Kawasaki KLX 150 S/L
Honda MTX 200 (30 years old model which I believe it will be a rare to find)
Honda CRF250L

Would like to know your opinions from the above options or if there are any other better and affordable choices do let me know. Thanks thumbup.gif

Edit: Sorry for the poll thread. Please ignore the other thread and proceed with this thread. Thanks!

Which Mortard/ Scrambler is better?

Shakalaka — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 08:12:06 +0800

Hey everyone! After several discussions, I have decided to get myself a SECOND HAND mortard/ scrambler as my first bike for practice and also commuting. Reason why I decided to get mortard because its durable for a newbie like me who might commit silly mistakes or accidents. I too believe I need months of experience in handling slightly bigger and taller bikes before the driving school people allow me to ride on a bigger bike for practice. My height is 5'5 (165cm) and ideal budget is about RM4000 - RM5000. RM6000 is my maximum. I believe my height is not a problem if I get myself a pair of riding boots.

I have several mortards in mind now (Ideal cc is 200),
Demak DTM 150
Demak DTM 200
Kawasaki KLX 150 S/L
Honda MTX 200 (30 years old model which I believe it will be a rare to find)
Honda CRF250L

Would like to know your opinions from the above options or if there are any other better and affordable choices do let me know. Thanks

Entry Bike For Beginners

Shakalaka — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 09:43:17 +0800

I have no prior experience in riding bikes on the road and have no bikes at home. One day, I decided to take B full straight.

The instructor advised me to find a clutch bike myself or borrow from somebody as I could start practicing and familiarize with how the clutch works. So that he could allow me to ride on a bigger cc bike during the future lessons. I have asked around and unfortunately, none of my friends have a clutch bike. Moreover, I only get to practice with a clutch EX5 bike for like once or twice a week during the weekends when I attend driving school. Some more, the instructors are actually very busy, they can't really focus on coaching me since they still have other plenty candidates to coach as well.

After attending 1 - 2 lessons in just learning the clutch, I feel the need to really start practicing at home myself. Hence, I came to the conclusion to consider buying a bike which allows me to practice and also commute. Additional info, my height is 5'5 and I wonder if height is a concern for the choice of my first bike.

So, what kind of bike would you suggest me to get as a beginner in terms of bike types and cc? (Preferably sporty looking and can be either first or second hand). Is fun bike a good option? Or should I go for a scrambler or a sports bike?

Appreciate your replies!

About Yamaha RD350

Shakalaka — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:18:05 +0800

I have several questions on the Yamaha RD350.

I'm wonder if the old Yamaha RD350 is suitable for beginner riders (as in first bike)? Or should I find a lower cc Yamaha RD series?

Where can I find a second hand Yamaha RD350 for sale? I can't find it anywhere online. Would like to know how much it cost.

Is the RD350 comparable to modern sportsbike with about same cc range? It is so hard to find videos and reviews on this bike especially on Youtube.

Appreciate your feedback and clarification!

NEWBIE FULL B License

Shakalaka — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 20:29:52 +0800

Hi netizens!
Brief Introduction:-
I'm 23 years old from Penang. Height: 5'4. Already owned a D license for 5 years. NO bike license at all and ZERO experience in riding a bike. I have only cars at home, no motorcycle.

I have several things in mind which I would like seek clarification from everyone. But before we get to that, I would like to share my learning experience in a driving school.

My sharing:-
Just recently, I gain an interest in wanting to ride big bikes, especially Cafe Racer types. So I registered for B Full License straight at Cemerlang Driving School due to lower cost compared to getting B2 first then B Full which is mathematically more expensive. I already attended 4 practical lessons for bike. I started my lessons with a kapchai (Honda EX-5) as suggested by the Instructor as he wants me to familiarize in riding first then only proceed to a clutch bike. My first 2 lessons were about how to ride, gear shift, brake, maneuvering the bike to the desired direction and learning how to corner by circling the roundabout. After seeing how much I improved, the instructor said that I am allowed to enter the circuit starting from 3rd lesson onward. With that improvement in mind, I actually plan to get myself a bike that has clutch, so that I can practice as I commute daily on the road. The options I have in mind were KTNS GP125/250cc or Jaguh 185cc (preferably second hand). I actually wanted to go for maybe a Kawasaki/ Yamaha/ Duke bike that is around 150 ~ 250cc but thinking that I might get into accidents or dropping the bike, repairs might become a concern since it is a lot more expensive compared to local brand like Modenas/KTNS.

A month later, I then proceed with my 3rd lesson, I was told by the new Malay instructor that the instructor who taught me how to ride previously along with another Chinese Instructor whom both are qualified in teaching B Full Candidates just resigned. So this young Malay instructor will be in charge for all bike lessons but only B2 as the Malay instructor admitted himself saying that he has no qualification in teaching B Full candidates how to ride big bikes. Based on my observation so far after the two instructors left, most of the candidates who practice using big bikes such as E6RN or Jaguh already have prior experience as they just rode on it without having people to guide them on the basics. With that said, I proceed to learn Bahagian 2 & Bahagian 3 with the kapchai. After going through 4 practical lessons, I am able to tailgate behind slow cars (meaning I'm able to ride at slow speeds while following behind vehicles), able to complete Bahagian 3, but my Bahagian 2 is still bad because I have troubles going pass 2 obstacle course which is "Bridge Test" and "Passing Between Cones", the rest is okay. Also, during my 4th lesson, i got into an accident half way through the bridge as I lost balance and my bike flew across the left side of the pavement, fortunately my body suffered no bruise or injuries. This accident happened just today, and now I'm starting to worry if I should really buy a bike to ride daily for practice on the road since I couldn't even cross a single bridge for once. Another concern is that I cannot just be practicing with a kapchai, I feel I should really learn how to ride a bike slightly larger cc with clutch by myself for awhile first before I actually attempt Bahagian 2 at my driving school since I will have to use big bikes to pass my riding tests. Lastly, I feel I am not learning much in the driving school because the instructors are just unhelpful and lazy, they only teach me what I should do during test and not the skills to do it.

Questions that I need to clarify:-
1) Bridge Test = Balancing right? If I can't cross "Bridge Test" or "Passing between Cones" properly, do you think it impacts my riding ability if I plan to commute daily with a bike on the road?

2) Do you think its wise that I get a second hand bike with clutch and start riding now for awhile? Will it actually help improve my ability to manage the first two obstacles in Bahagian 2 which is "Bridge Test" and "Passing Between Cones"?

3) What kind of bike with clutch should I get to ride on the road for practice? I'm personally a cafe racer lover, but any other suggestions are most welcomed!

Your replies are kindly appreciated!