I'm in Cambodia now. I drove mostly an old beat-up 124CC Suzuki Marauder that couldn't get up the hills, especially if I had to stop at traffic lights in the middle of climbing one. Not a problem in most Cambodia but I an still hankering for a bike with proper gears, so when I go back I won't get confused again... I drove a couple of times 500 cc and once a 600 cc bike and apart from them being almost too heavy to push back upright (saddle was a little high, I prefer to be able to reach both feet down fully) but once I got them moving they were actually easier to drive somehow, the 600 one even more so for doing slalom and figures of 8 - on the road it was more the matter of getting used to the short distance of clutch compared to my Marauder.
What I liked about my Suzuki viva was the... basket and the shape between the steering column and seat: I could put a case of milk and some other shopping between my legs as well as have stuff in the basket and hanging from the left-hand handle bar... Bit I don't expect I can do that on any of the more modern bikes. Lexus Schmexus mentions that 135 bikes will have proper gears. Can anyone confirm it? When I said I want 250 cc, I forgot that there are also 135 and 150 cc bikes around - it seems in England young adults go for 500 cc bike as soon as they can and older people like me go for 600 cc up. I will be happy with smaller bike as most of the time inside PP big bikes are really overkill, more expensive to ride and repair...
Can anyone suggest a decent seller and reliable makes? Is Kawasaki any good? They seem to be styled more like racing bikes than workhorses replacing a bicycle, which is what I really want. How much do I expect to pay for a new one or one with low mileage? (A reliable seller will not tamper with odometer!)
A silly question about motorbikes
I have been riding bikes in Phnom Penh for over 20 years. I have ridden bigger bikes here when the traffic was not so bad, but for the last 15 years or so I have used small bikes in Phnom Penh. I bought a Yamaha Jupiter z1 new four years ago when I moved over to Chroy Changvar. I was doing until recently about 1000km/month. I use it for shopping and "going out" its 115 cc ohc engine and very responsive. Its actually possible to get 120 kph out of it but i've never had it over 86.
For driving in town I think an automatic clutch essential I used to have a Honda CBR which was great out of town but a manual clutch is a pain in traffic. Personally I would always have manual gears as it gives a lot of control regarding fast acceleration. I have occasionally driven fully automatics when I rented down in Sihanoukville and I find them sluggish and unpleasant to drive. I would also make sure that the bike had a front disk as it gives you a lot more stopping power and is better in the wet. The cost of the bike new was a little under $1600, but yamaha do new bikes for just over $1000 I think.
For driving in town I think an automatic clutch essential I used to have a Honda CBR which was great out of town but a manual clutch is a pain in traffic. Personally I would always have manual gears as it gives a lot of control regarding fast acceleration. I have occasionally driven fully automatics when I rented down in Sihanoukville and I find them sluggish and unpleasant to drive. I would also make sure that the bike had a front disk as it gives you a lot more stopping power and is better in the wet. The cost of the bike new was a little under $1600, but yamaha do new bikes for just over $1000 I think.
Thanks Mèo Đen, for your reply. Yes, I think a small automatic bike in the city would be best, I could put a lot of shopping on the "floor" of a scooter, too. That's what it is meant for, isn't it? But I don't like scooters, they are so heavy and my understanding is that they consume a lot of petrol, too. but my main point at the moment is to have a fully geared bike with gears like in Europe (1st gear down, then lift with toe to go up the gears). I am so dumb that I still kept getting confused with the Asian gear change (Viva) even after several days of driving, because of habit. Next time I won't have to luxury of time for getting used to proper gear change but I must be able to drive to a standard without having to think about gear change; I must be ready to take all the three tests within less than two weeks - it's going to be bad enough to drive according highway code and not like everyone drives here, including myself.
In Europe all geared bikes have the same gear change regardless of engine size and everyone thinks you are crazy if you drive with flip-flops or sandals on! I know that driving my own bike I don't need a licence as long as it doesn't exceed 125cc (except the police will ask it if they catch me with something minor offence, like driving with my lights on) but what about bike rentals, especially if I want to hire a more powerful bike?
In Europe all geared bikes have the same gear change regardless of engine size and everyone thinks you are crazy if you drive with flip-flops or sandals on! I know that driving my own bike I don't need a licence as long as it doesn't exceed 125cc (except the police will ask it if they catch me with something minor offence, like driving with my lights on) but what about bike rentals, especially if I want to hire a more powerful bike?
I personally wouldn't go for a scooter IMO the small "underbone" design bikes are better. The fuel consumption of mine is around 45 km/litre, although I believe the PI version gives 69km/litre. The bike weighs 102kg and puts out 13.49 HP (9.8 kW)) @ 7750 RPM, Torque: 9.90 Nm (1.0 kgf-m or 7.3 ft.lbs) @ 6500 RPMclaptrap1 wrote:Thanks Mèo Đen, for your reply. Yes, I think a small automatic bike in the city would be best, I could put a lot of shopping on the "floor" of a scooter, too. That's what it is meant for, isn't it? But I don't like scooters, they are so heavy and my understanding is that they consume a lot of petrol, too.
It is a very quick bike for its size and handles very well. Yamaha also race these bikes, see below
My other bike was a Honda CBR which has the standard gear change and manual clutch. You can get similar bikes here from 150 cc and up. If you want a bigger bike I would recommend a RR 150 similar to the one below,they are really quick and handle very well. You will find the manual clutch a pain when driving in Phnom Penh.claptrap1 wrote: In Europe all geared bikes have the same gear change regardless of engine size and everyone thinks you are crazy if you drive with flip-flops or sandals on!
Also if you value your feet don't drive in flip flops, the only reason I still have two feet is that I was wearing good footware when I got "T boned"
I went looking around for a Jupiter or similar bike, one that looks like a Honda dream or Suzuki Viva so wouldn't look out of place on the street (always a bonus for not attracting attention) and it is even possible to wear a skirt when riding one of those. But I couldn't find anything of that style. I have one more shop in mind when the new air bridge starts towards airport but if they don't have it then what shall I do?
I have seen two very similar 125cc mini-bikes by Honda and Kawasaki and while their height could actually be even slightly lower the bike still feels like a child's toy, especially the steering. I might be a short ass but I'm heavy built. If I cannot find anything else with a clutch, should I consider one of those things? Or should I get more "manly"/"sporty" 150cc or 250 cc bike? Like I said, I find it easier to drive 500cc or 600cc bike but I drive mainly in the city and there aren't any big hills either, so I don't need anything bigger than 125 cc as long as it has a proper gear change with clutch. And a reliable engine that doesn't need constant, expensive repairs.
I'm starting to get desperate because after cycling to work I have to sit right at the worst trajectory of icy cold wind or an air con with a soaking wet shirt on, so I have a constant, nasty cold. Nobody understands why I keep turning the air con off when nobody else is in the room... If I have a motorbike, I will be soaking wet from sweat only 50% of the time and maybe I might even get out more. Other than that, I see so much more on the route to somewhere when I'm doodling with a bicycle.
I have seen two very similar 125cc mini-bikes by Honda and Kawasaki and while their height could actually be even slightly lower the bike still feels like a child's toy, especially the steering. I might be a short ass but I'm heavy built. If I cannot find anything else with a clutch, should I consider one of those things? Or should I get more "manly"/"sporty" 150cc or 250 cc bike? Like I said, I find it easier to drive 500cc or 600cc bike but I drive mainly in the city and there aren't any big hills either, so I don't need anything bigger than 125 cc as long as it has a proper gear change with clutch. And a reliable engine that doesn't need constant, expensive repairs.
I'm starting to get desperate because after cycling to work I have to sit right at the worst trajectory of icy cold wind or an air con with a soaking wet shirt on, so I have a constant, nasty cold. Nobody understands why I keep turning the air con off when nobody else is in the room... If I have a motorbike, I will be soaking wet from sweat only 50% of the time and maybe I might even get out more. Other than that, I see so much more on the route to somewhere when I'm doodling with a bicycle.
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Look on Khmer24 or there are loads of second hand motorbike shops on the streets around o’russey market
You sit around all day in a sweat soaked shirt? Your colleagues must love you. Take a change of clothes you donkey.claptrap1 wrote:I went looking around for a Jupiter or similar bike, one that looks like a Honda dream or Suzuki Viva so wouldn't look out of place on the street (always a bonus for not attracting attention) and it is even possible to wear a skirt when riding one of those. But I couldn't find anything of that style. I have one more shop in mind when the new air bridge starts towards airport but if they don't have it then what shall I do?
I have seen two very similar 125cc mini-bikes by Honda and Kawasaki and while their height could actually be even slightly lower the bike still feels like a child's toy, especially the steering. I might be a short ass but I'm heavy built. If I cannot find anything else with a clutch, should I consider one of those things? Or should I get more "manly"/"sporty" 150cc or 250 cc bike? Like I said, I find it easier to drive 500cc or 600cc bike but I drive mainly in the city and there aren't any big hills either, so I don't need anything bigger than 125 cc as long as it has a proper gear change with clutch. And a reliable engine that doesn't need constant, expensive repairs.
I'm starting to get desperate because after cycling to work I have to sit right at the worst trajectory of icy cold wind or an air con with a soaking wet shirt on, so I have a constant, nasty cold. Nobody understands why I keep turning the air con off when nobody else is in the room... If I have a motorbike, I will be soaking wet from sweat only 50% of the time and maybe I might even get out more. Other than that, I see so much more on the route to somewhere when I'm doodling with a bicycle.
Look at a 200cc keeway if you want a clutch, none of the 125 scooters are full manual.
Now THAT's funny (although you forgot being rolled over by a Tundra)....YaTingPom wrote: Riding here is nothing like it is in the UK. Do you remember those riots in London? People running around, burning cars, cops, cop dogs chasing baddies in the streets, burning wheelie bins being pushed into the street, projectiles being thrown etc?
Well that's what's it's like riding here.
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