Suzuki Best Vs Suzuki Raider Vs Yamaha X1r

[heybruce]

I have been looking for a practical and fun small bike for getting around Chiang Mai and taking occasional short trips out of town. Sometime later I will buy a bigger bike for longer trips. I have narrowed the field down to a 125cc Suzuki Best 4-speed for 36,000 baht, a 150cc Suzuki Raider 6-speed for 54,000 baht, and a 135cc Yahama X1R which I think is a 5-speed for 49,000 baht. All of these are clutch bikes, which is the only kind I will consider.

Apparently I will have to choose without the benefit of a test drive since dealors don't allow them and none of the rental places in the area have these models. So I am asking for recommendations from anyone who has any experience with these bikes. I am 5' 10"/177cm and weigh a little over 100kg. I am not considering the Honda Sonic because the frame is a little too small for comfort for me. I am not a speed demon but do like quick acceleration. Thanks for your help.

[dave_boo]

I have been looking for a practical and fun small bike for getting around Chiang Mai and taking occasional short trips out of town. Sometime later I will buy a bigger bike for longer trips. I have narrowed the field down to a 125cc Suzuki Best 4-speed for 36,000 baht, a 150cc Suzuki Raider 6-speed for 54,000 baht, and a 135cc Yahama X1R which I think is a 5-speed for 49,000 baht. All of these are clutch bikes, which is the only kind I will consider.

Apparently I will have to choose without the benefit of a test drive since dealors don't allow them and none of the rental places in the area have these models. So I am asking for recommendations from anyone who has any experience with these bikes. I am 5' 10"/177cm and weigh a little over 100kg. I am not considering the Honda Sonic because the frame is a little too small for comfort for me. I am not a speed demon but do like quick acceleration. Thanks for your help.

If you're willing to drop another 10k bhat, the CBR150 is a hoot to drive. Plus it has the legendary Honda build quality, although depreciation is a bit*h. You're pretty much the same size as me, and the CBR will keep me ahead of just about anything that a Thai is driving, except for one who's beating on a NSR. But than again, I don't have the maintanence issues NSR's have.

[Soi Sauce]

Always, always,buy Honda. They may not be the sexiest, but they're the best.

[warwick7735]

Hi

I had your dilemma a couple of months back, decisions desicions.

I opted for the raider, why? Well I wanted something which was small, light, agile, quick and different to all the other sheep on the road, the Raider filled all the criteria. It has a rev counter (and digital speedo) which the others you mention dont, and has alot more HP too (16 little ponies). OK the NSR does look more like a proper bike but when you slide it down the road on its side it will cost more to repair and also the turning circle isnt as good for city driving. The only thing I'm not to keen on is the footpegs which dont spring up if you do lay it down on its side, they are just one piece from one side to the other, and no electric start.

You should be able to get one cheaper than 54k mine was 47k after some major haggling. They are no longer selling them in Thailand so once the stocks are gone thats it, so find a dealer who has them in stock as he will want to turn it back into cash. In Malaysia and Singapore they are very popular with all sorts of tuning goodies available.

I looked at the X1R but it just felt to plasticy, it's actually only a 4 speed, well it has markings on the dash upto 4 gears.

All the Japanese bike manufactures make good bikes, look after them and it doesn't matter what you buy.

Hope that helps

Ride safely whatever you buy

Warwick

[Thanh-BKK]

Always, always,buy Honda. They may not be the sexiest, but they're the best.

Oha.

I can say that i am perfectly happy with my 13 year old "Bulldozer", a Yamaha RXZ 135 two-stroke. Recently had a slight problem (couple of problems actually - lousy running when raining which was caused by the ignition coil being no longer waterproof, and then loss of power caused by a scratched piston - at 58.000 kilometers on the clock that can be forgiven!)

It pulls nicely, good to cruise up to 90 km/h which in 5th gear is 5.000 rpm, if you want to REALLY scream off, shift a gear down, open the throttle and let it rip, at 10.000 rpm shift up and repeat, when you hit the redline you'll be going 150+ km/h........ and that thing is 13 years old, solid as a rock, stable driving at high speeds even (18 inch proper wheels) and still agile enough to cope with Bangkok's traffic chaos.

Fuel "economy" isn't like a 100cc four-stroke of course - with 10 liters i go some 260-270 kilometers, but then it probably weighs as much as two of those modern "yoghurt cups". Still if it happens to be tipped over by a kid or if i rammed a bus out of my path i don't need replacement plastic crap thousands of Baht worth, instead i can present a dent with proud - "at this spot a bus disintegrated".

Just to say - there are others beside the "mighty Honda" who's last beautiful and practical small bike was the Super Cub c70.

Kind regards......

your Thanh

[dave_boo]

Oha.

I can say that i am perfectly happy with my 13 year old "Bulldozer", a Yamaha RXZ 135 two-stroke. Recently had a slight problem (couple of problems actually - lousy running when raining which was caused by the ignition coil being no longer waterproof, and then loss of power caused by a scratched piston - at 58.000 kilometers on the clock that can be forgiven!)

It pulls nicely, good to cruise up to 90 km/h which in 5th gear is 5.000 rpm, if you want to REALLY scream off, shift a gear down, open the throttle and let it rip, at 10.000 rpm shift up and repeat, when you hit the redline you'll be going 150+ km/h........ and that thing is 13 years old, solid as a rock, stable driving at high speeds even (18 inch proper wheels) and still agile enough to cope with Bangkok's traffic chaos.

Fuel "economy" isn't like a 100cc four-stroke of course - with 10 liters i go some 260-270 kilometers, but then it probably weighs as much as two of those modern "yoghurt cups". Still if it happens to be tipped over by a kid or if i rammed a bus out of my path i don't need replacement plastic crap thousands of Baht worth, instead i can present a dent with proud - "at this spot a bus disintegrated".

Just to say - there are others beside the "mighty Honda" who's last beautiful and practical small bike was the Super Cub c70.

Kind regards......

your Thanh

I'll agree that most, if not all, Japanese bike makers are on top of their game. I personally wouldn't buy a Honda car, especially after all those riced out ones invaded the states, but I may be prejudiced slightly toward them for bikes.

I would have bought a "smoker" had they had new ones for sale. There's nothing quite punch when they finally get up into their powerband.

Coincidentally, I think you're being a bit too harsh on the CBR. I managed to drop mine twice at the track around 45 KPH and nothing happened to any of the fairings. Honda did an excellent job designing that bike.

[JimmyTheMook]

Coincidentally, I think you're being a bit too harsh on the CBR. I managed to drop mine twice at the track around 45 KPH and nothing happened to any of the fairings. Honda did an excellent job designing that bike.

Exactly , these are shaped and designed as track bikes and have a crappy turning axis compared to what a street bike should have.

The little step throughs turn on a dime and make for good city driving.

[dave_boo]

Exactly , these are shaped and designed as track bikes and have a crappy turning axis compared to what a street bike should have.

The little step throughs turn on a dime and make for good city driving.

Honda CBR 150R:

Wheel base: 1 286 MM

Honda Nova Sonic RS:

Wheel base: 1 250

Not that big of a difference between what's generally considered one of the most nimble bikes out there and the CBR.

[heybruce]

I took a closer look at both the Suzuki Raider and the Suzuki Best today. The Raider looks very much like a slightly larger Honda Sonic, and the Best has a frame very much like the Honda Dream. In fact I read on the internet that Honda was considering taking legal action against competitors that were copying its designs. So Suzuki gets no credit for originality. And I have no doubt that Honda makes excellent quality bikes that will be easier to sell when I'm ready for a change. However---

My only complaint against the Honda Sonic is that it is just a little too small for comfort. So a copy that is a little bigger, plus has a 150cc engine and a 6-speed is very attractive. Plus I was told today I could have the Raider R for 45,000 baht.

The Suzuki Best I am considering is the Best Super, which means a 125cc 4-speed cluctch bike with front and back disc brakes, and larger than standard tires for 36,000 baht. If Honda made a Dream or Wave with these features I would consider buying it.

In summary, Suzuki copied the Honda Sonic and made it a little bigger with a larger engine and one more speed; it made the bike more appealing. Suzuki also copied the Dream but gave it the features that I wish I could find on a Dream. Suzuki is making fun to drive small bikes, Honda is making fun to drive big bikes and easy to use, but somewhat boring, small bikes. That is why I am considering Suzuki.

[JimmyTheMook]

I took a closer look at both the Suzuki Raider and the Suzuki Best today. The Raider looks very much like a slightly larger Honda Sonic, and the Best has a frame very much like the Honda Dream. In fact I read on the internet that Honda was considering taking legal action against competitors that were copying its designs. So Suzuki gets no credit for originality. And I have no doubt that Honda makes excellent quality bikes that will be easier to sell when I'm ready for a change. However---

My only complaint against the Honda Sonic is that it is just a little too small for comfort. So a copy that is a little bigger, plus has a 150cc engine and a 6-speed is very attractive. Plus I was told today I could have the Raider R for 45,000 baht.

The Suzuki Best I am considering is the Best Super, which means a 125cc 4-speed cluctch bike with front and back disc brakes, and larger than standard tires for 36,000 baht. If Honda made a Dream or Wave with these features I would consider buying it.

In summary, Suzuki copied the Honda Sonic and made it a little bigger with a larger engine and one more speed; it made the bike more appealing. Suzuki also copied the Dream but gave it the features that I wish I could find on a Dream. Suzuki is making fun to drive small bikes, Honda is making fun to drive big bikes and easy to use, but somewhat boring, small bikes. That is why I am considering Suzuki.

I'll be looking at that Suzuki Best tomorrow . I did not know they had one with a clutch.

I would avoid the Raider as the bike has been discontinued and spare parts may be harder to get as the bike gets older.

I like the Yamaha X1 with clutch and electric starter.

[Thanh-BKK]

Hello again

Don't mean to hijack this thread but since i've mentioned my bike before (the RXZ),i just want to put a photo here too which wasn't available to me when i made that first post (wasn't at home then). As you can see, a Bulldozer indeed According to some info i got from a Singapore-based forum, the RXZ is still made today which makes it one of the longest-produced two-stroke bikes in history, from the mid-eighties to today with a virtually unchanged engine and frame, in Malaysia and Singapore this is a well-loved and very popular bike with the latest model even having a catalytic converter (on a two-stroke! Talk about a non-"smoker" there!) I wonder why they don't bring it to Thailand too, here the last RXZ sold was the '95 model.... it's a shame, now only Kawasaki's GTO still holds the two-stroke flag with pride.

A question completely unrelated: What's the legal issues with "changing a vehicle's colour" here? Everywhere i know of the first step in customizing a vehicle is the custom paint job - yet in Thailand it seems to be illegal to change the colour at all, apart from stickers etc? Is there a way to get a change in colour legalized? Mine RXZ would look great in Caterpillar-yellow Buses and trucks, out of the way - here comes Thanh on his Bulldozer!

And to the topic: Recently after a vacation in Chiang Mai i had the opportunity to ask a motorbike shop owner about his personal opinion between Honda Wave and Suzuki Best, the latter seemingly rather unpopular here. His answer (he doesn't sell new bikes of either brand but does repairs on any type of bike) was simple: "Technically, they are just equal. Good quality, easy to fix, spare parts easily available and cheap. Just Honda has a better known name due to marketing, the quality isn't any better than Yamaha or Suzuki or Kawasaki, people who say that have no idea". And i trust that guy because he's the only mechanic that i ever came across in Thailand who NEVER ripped me off a single Baht.

Best regards.....

Thanh

[MaiChai]

Thanh-BKK, interesting looking bike! Bet you get alot of looks with that rear box?

The colour of the bike does not mean anything in the tabien rot. The only things that seem to matter are the chassis and engine serial numbers, who its registered to and whether your road tax is up to date. I recently changed ownership of a bike at Chatuchak; they got the address completly wrong, and I asked them to change it. They said to me 'does not matter' and refused to spend any time changing it. My Yamaha VRR150 does not even have the model in the tabient lot, which was confusing because I was not sure if it was a real VRR or a TZR/TZM with the plastics changed (turns out it is a VRR).

I just had a look at http://www.motor2market.com/ and there is a 3 year old Suzuki Smash 110 for 9000baht. I don't understand why these bikes are not valued and dont hold their price while Honda Waves do. IMHO equally as good. Well if it was my money and I wanted a cheap price I would not hesitate buying the Suzuki. Also the Suzuki is very easy and cheap to get spare parts for. So same, same?

The thing about Honda in Thailand is that they offer very good after sales service; I mean that is often the reason why people prefer Honda to the other brands. After sales service means excellent servicing and spare parts service. Honda looks after their customers.

Edited May 29, 2007 by MaiChai