Owning a Supersport Bike in Cambodia
Owning a Supersport Bike in Cambodia
In the past I never wrote a review on any of the supersport bikes I rode since I figured virtually none of the K440 audience would ever find themselves on one, but not much else to do now.
So some background, I’m much more of a “classic” bike enthusiast (think E140 Bonnies or the original CB750), and sport/street bikes are most definitely NOT my thing, especially in Cambodia. Even outside of Cambodia I’ve only made use of a handful of street bikes (GSXR 1300R , CBR 1000RR, and a ZX-3, ZX-6, GSXR 600, etc.), and I’ve never tracked anything before, so I’m the wrong kind of enthusiast to appreciate these kind of bikes.
But I wont let that stop me from sharing what the last week has been like using this beast.
So first the bike. A 2007 Yamaha YZF R6, 600cc & 131 horsepower. I would go through the spec sheet, but seriously there’s no need.
There’s not a single place in Cambodia minus the airstrip at Pochentong where you’ll get anywhere near maxing the potential out of this thing. If you have to know though, it’s an 11 second 1/4 mile bike out of the box.
Me personally, I don’t think I even got halfway to redline even once.
***What’s it like to ride in Cambodia? Miserable.***
It’s pretty damn miserable for me since I can’t flat foot this bike because I’m short (5’7”), but even if I could set my feet down I would still say it’s not really a nice bike to ride anywhere here. It’s heavy for stop and go traffic manuevering, annoying to constantly clutch the rev happy engine, and forget making a U-turn as the turning circle is...a tad wide.
Wearing shorts for anything other than to make a quick run to the shops and your legs will eventually roast from the heat coming off of the cooling fan. Even with a decent set of trousers on it’s still very hot. Then couple that to the heat coming off of 4 wheeled vehicles around you at stoplights, let’s say this bike has what it takes to give you heat stroke in a hurry.
Taking it on an open road really isn’t much fun either as this bike is obviously no tourer. Worst being the constant “waves” in the asphalt which spoil the ride a lot more vs. a touring bike.
So unless you like sport bikes and want to wrench on something “special” in your free time…just forget it. I love motorcycles (although not street bikes I’ll admit), but I really hate using this thing here. Hard suspension, fiddly clutch in stop and go traffic, expensive and intense maintenance, target for theft…It’s just not worth it to me.
Fuel consumption came to 28 mpg US, (11.9 km/l, 8.4L/100 km) for the only tank it was been run through, which meant the “reserve” light came on for the 17 litre tank around 90 miles indicated (145 km). $12 to fill it up.
Rain wasn't too bad though. Plenty of rubber to grip the road and at no point did I feel I was in trouble for traction in the city. Not like I would be though.
***So, what’s in like for attention? Lots of attention, but not what I was expecting.***
Lots of looks at stop lights but most interestingly of all, a lot of really nice Khmer “kids” in their 20’s who know a thing or two about bikes wanting to chat about it. I made conversation with several Khmer my age (in English) who were happy to talk about bikes and such and shared a coffee with them for 10 minutes after getting fuel. Was a nice throwback to when I was a part of a motorcycle club when I was younger.
If you go eat out at a restaurant however, it doesn’t really attract attention at all unless you’re eating at a 2500 riel coffee shop. Everywhere else people seem used to seeing big bikes enough to where I’d feel safe enough leaving it on a crowded street, so long as it has a high quality disc lock and immobiliser on it.
I never took it out passed 8PM however, so no comment on the safety late at night.
***Anything else interesting? It’s surprisingly easy to keep up to service, so long as you know what needs to be done.***
For me this was the first time I couldn’t be arsed to do my own oil change, so a $5 tip was in order to the Viet/Khmer kid who went through the hassle of removing the farings, taking his time and not ruining any of the plastic snaps.
Parts of course are not in stock locally, but no big deal since it’s not like chains suddenly fracture or light bulbs stop the engine working, so a quick stop at a local big bike shop and anything common for the bike was readily available to order. I can’t comment on shops being able to work on it, but at least now it seems parts can be had for slightly obscure bikes like these.
***Summary. Not in the least bit interested in keeping it, no way.***
Truth be told, I was a little surprised how much it sucked to ride this thing. A big part of it was my inability to flat foot it, coupled to a very rev happy difficult to clutch engine plus Cambodian traffic, but the ZX-3 I’m coming off of was not nearly as bad as this was.
So unsurprisingly, it’s not a great bike to enjoy in Cambodia but I don’t think it takes a genius to know that.
Reckless driving cucumber - 成
- Steve Zodiac
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I loved my CBR1000FP & the ZZR600, but wouldn't dream of owning a sports bike here. Too many potholes, cows etc. & I doubt you'd even get of of second gear around town with the traffic.
I had a earlier ZX6 which is similar to an R6.
Absolutely pointless, or any sports bike to be honest,in any city never mind PP.
Don't understand why you're surprised it's not suitable!
Outside PP it would be ok. Especially up Bokar Mountain.
Absolutely pointless, or any sports bike to be honest,in any city never mind PP.
Don't understand why you're surprised it's not suitable!
Outside PP it would be ok. Especially up Bokar Mountain.
pew, pew, pew, pew!
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A lot of Khmer guys have these bikes and there are several sponsored events on Facebook and so on (Pirelli/Oil companies etc). Once you get to know more people into the same hobby it's a lot more fun. Bit like a brotherhood and you'll recognize many faces around town. Riding to Koh Kong/Bokor with a group is more fun than being alone (for the most part).
Group riding on sports bikes is a bloody nightmare and not at all enjoyable. Too many different skill levels which mean waiting for the slower riders and avoiding the idiots who think they are good riders. You will get dicks who nail it on the straights and slow down to a crawl and wobble around a slight bend.
Only time I liked it was when we cruised through a town for a charity event and everyone was doing 10mph and still there were two crashes! (A day old Ducati and BMW!)
Khmers seems to buy these bikes get scared then sell them sharpish. It is hard enough maneuvering a 100kg bike as a barang let alone a 5'5 35kg skinny Asian boy! (Not talking about Akira)
(In the UK and Ireland biking used to be about the fun of tinkering and keeping your old beater bike going. First you would start off on a 50cc then a 250 then a 400 and eventually a big bike - this would take 5 plus years - now in the UK middle aged blokes do a quick access course and go out and buy a big bike. Their skill level is zero and being adults they also don't want to fall off or damage their £5k bike. As a kid you had no fear but your skill level increased. Now it's about how much your leathers cost and showing off the latest 180mph+ sports bike nutter whilst you sip a diet coke with a load of other blokes also dressed head to toe in leather!. /end rant)
Only time I liked it was when we cruised through a town for a charity event and everyone was doing 10mph and still there were two crashes! (A day old Ducati and BMW!)
Khmers seems to buy these bikes get scared then sell them sharpish. It is hard enough maneuvering a 100kg bike as a barang let alone a 5'5 35kg skinny Asian boy! (Not talking about Akira)
(In the UK and Ireland biking used to be about the fun of tinkering and keeping your old beater bike going. First you would start off on a 50cc then a 250 then a 400 and eventually a big bike - this would take 5 plus years - now in the UK middle aged blokes do a quick access course and go out and buy a big bike. Their skill level is zero and being adults they also don't want to fall off or damage their £5k bike. As a kid you had no fear but your skill level increased. Now it's about how much your leathers cost and showing off the latest 180mph+ sports bike nutter whilst you sip a diet coke with a load of other blokes also dressed head to toe in leather!. /end rant)
pew, pew, pew, pew!
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Haha fair enough. I just know a few Khmer lads who are into sports bikes and love going on these group tours for the camaraderie. These sponsored rides arent that common however (a few times per year). Mostly they'll ride with their own group of friends for the aforementioned reasons, but I still think they love that stuff compared to foreigners. Anyone's welcome sort of deal (kids of the ultra rich to the guy who scrounged all his cash for a newish 600cc bike). I've never ridden a sports bikes as I've never been into them, and riding one here sounds like a nightmare because of the road conditions and random dangers. There aren't many places in the Kingdom you can actually "let it rip" semi-properly.
I agree about old dudes and bikes. Some are extremely knowledgeable, but when I go back to my home country I see it's all about a middle-aged crisis: guys who have never ridden get fully kitted out outfits and buy BMW 1200s with skid plates and all as if they were about to ride the Dakkar.
I agree about old dudes and bikes. Some are extremely knowledgeable, but when I go back to my home country I see it's all about a middle-aged crisis: guys who have never ridden get fully kitted out outfits and buy BMW 1200s with skid plates and all as if they were about to ride the Dakkar.
Yeah. Midlife crisis is rife in the UK. Full leathers, hump (that GP riders have), sliders (not a mark on them) and a £900 Rossi Rep helmet. You can also buy elbow sliders so you too can look like Marquez!
My uncle had an old RD350 and he was the only old school biker in his group of mates. They all had big new sports bikes. He would just leave them standing. In the end it got too dangerous because they were all trying to keep up with him so he just stopped and started going on track days.
I have seen a load of 600 riding through SHV a few times. I guess they were off to Bokor.
I have tinkered with the idea of getting a 600 (There was a 1000cc Fireblade for sale on here a while ago, very nearly went up to PP...) but the road traffic is too unpredictable as are the dogs and cows. The good thing is no speed cameras or police that give a toss. Watched an Yamaha R1 (1000cc) wheelie off the lights in PP and the two cops just nonchalantly looked up and continued talking as did the cops at the lights, when we caught him up, Cool.
Akira. Does this mean you will be selling?
>whistle< Nothing to see here, move along.
My uncle had an old RD350 and he was the only old school biker in his group of mates. They all had big new sports bikes. He would just leave them standing. In the end it got too dangerous because they were all trying to keep up with him so he just stopped and started going on track days.
I have seen a load of 600 riding through SHV a few times. I guess they were off to Bokor.
I have tinkered with the idea of getting a 600 (There was a 1000cc Fireblade for sale on here a while ago, very nearly went up to PP...) but the road traffic is too unpredictable as are the dogs and cows. The good thing is no speed cameras or police that give a toss. Watched an Yamaha R1 (1000cc) wheelie off the lights in PP and the two cops just nonchalantly looked up and continued talking as did the cops at the lights, when we caught him up, Cool.
Akira. Does this mean you will be selling?
>whistle< Nothing to see here, move along.
pew, pew, pew, pew!
Already ditched it. Can't wait to be back on my little 125.YaTingPom wrote: Akira. Does this mean you will be selling?
Reckless driving cucumber - 成
- vladimir
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I had a Honda VFR400R with full fairing, nightmare in Cambodia.
Sold it for $500 eventually, ad was glad to get rid of it.
Horrible riding position for older people, impractical, shite resale value, spares etc.
Most practical bikes in Cambodia remain Scrambler 250s (Baja, DR) and what Khmers ride, 125s.
Next bike I buy will be a 125 automatic scooter, Suzuki.
Sold it for $500 eventually, ad was glad to get rid of it.
Horrible riding position for older people, impractical, shite resale value, spares etc.
Most practical bikes in Cambodia remain Scrambler 250s (Baja, DR) and what Khmers ride, 125s.
Next bike I buy will be a 125 automatic scooter, Suzuki.
ירי ילדים והפצצת אזרחים דורש אומץ, כמו גם הטרדה מינית של עובדי ההוראה.
^^Actually Hondas in general are better in the automatic department, both in build quality and resale value in terms of Thai bikes. Japanese market Suzuki autos are a different story but I have yet to see a Japanese market Suzuki auto on the road in Cambodia.
Reckless driving cucumber - 成
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Great post, I always wondered what it would be like to drive a racing-type bike here, and I've been seeing a lot more of them over time. It's hilarious that you just want to get back on a 125, and out of choice.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
I'm kind of an old man when it comes to priorities now. Practicality, comfort, easy to ride and wont draw much attention.
Honestly though, it's hard for a small person like me to enjoy riding anything bigger than a 125 in Phnom Penh. In other countries with open roads I'd happily make use of a 750 but here...forget it.
Honestly though, it's hard for a small person like me to enjoy riding anything bigger than a 125 in Phnom Penh. In other countries with open roads I'd happily make use of a 750 but here...forget it.
Reckless driving cucumber - 成
There was an advert for a 2005 Honda CBR1000RR on khmer24.
$2500.
Yes. $2500.
Same bike was for sale three years ago for $5500. In return that bike was for sale on 440 for £4500 one month ago. Which dropped to $3500.
I rang the seller (Dara a well know big bike mechanic) who sold it 1 hour after they listed it. The same bike in the uk is at the very min. $3500 for a shitheap.
$2500.
Yes. $2500.
Same bike was for sale three years ago for $5500. In return that bike was for sale on 440 for £4500 one month ago. Which dropped to $3500.
I rang the seller (Dara a well know big bike mechanic) who sold it 1 hour after they listed it. The same bike in the uk is at the very min. $3500 for a shitheap.
pew, pew, pew, pew!
Just curious AE86 on if you have any similar experience on a typical larger cruiser in PP? It has crossed my mind to get something a bit bigger, but frankly I'm finding my dinky Bajaj 135 is nearly perfect for roads here; small & nimble enough to be like a normal moped, but with the fuel tank mount, slightly higher ride height/size, etc suits a tallr man a bit better, and looks like it bites much harder than it actually can (frankly its piss-poor performance vs a Dream/Wave 125cc - or I'm just heavier ). Sports bikes don't interest me at all - the whole riding position & build for speed seems daft when you'd be riding in traffic & invariable jams. As you mention, similarly useless longer haul as you've got no guarantee that a cow isn't just going to walk in front of you at high speed ... will be sticking to the car for those journeysAE86 wrote:I'm kind of an old man when it comes to priorities now. Practicality, comfort, easy to ride and wont draw much attention.
Honestly though, it's hard for a small person like me to enjoy riding anything bigger than a 125 in Phnom Penh. In other countries with open roads I'd happily make use of a 750 but here...forget it.
Meum est propositum in taberna mori,
ut sint Guinness proxima morientis ori.
tunc cantabunt letius angelorum chori:
"Sit Deus propitius huic potatori."
ut sint Guinness proxima morientis ori.
tunc cantabunt letius angelorum chori:
"Sit Deus propitius huic potatori."
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