The Best Bike In Town For Town

[2long]

You can give reasons on cost, ease of use, how many kids are able to be squeazed on, reliability, or whatever.

Please feel free to argue your point and stick up for your choice. This will also keep the poll high up in the forum.

Me? Nouvo for one key operation, speed in all real-world situations and storage space. There's so much more to the Nouvo, but my fellow voters can extol its virtues further.

Happy voting

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

I voted for the GTO because you forgot the best of the best - Yamaha RXZ However here are the reasons "why GTO":

1) Two-stroke - no valves, camshafts and other useless stuff only invented to break down

2) Lotsa torque - can be driven low-rev/high gear, very economically

3) Beautiful, classic look - looks "like a motorbike", not like a toy

4) Enough power to go fast if required - sure not a GP superbike, but beats a Phantom or any of the automatics any time

5) Can carry heavy loads - number one bike for transporting gas cylinders

Only ONE downside - hey, it's 2008 and we STILL can't get a disc brake????? Come on, Kawasaki.........

Best regards.....

Thanh

[ilyushin]

Kawasaki GTO - Best motorcycle for the money.

[LivinLOS]

Best ??

Cheapest ?? Quickest ?? Most reliable ?? Least fuel / running costs ?? Biggest storage ?? Carrying passengers ?? Size of rider ?? Town has hills ?? Parts availability / dealer network ?? Looks ?? Safety ?? Ease of rice ?? Handling ??

Theres lots of bests.. If I am riding to town I want some power to shift me (400.. Tho a 250 motard would be nice).. If I am riding to the shops I need storage (wave)..

[2long]

Sorry, I DID think about the RXZ Yam, but didn't have enough space for all bikes. Let's say that the GTO option includes the Yamaha RXZ

[Bagwain]

Yamy Spark.

Had to put a box and larger wheels on it though.

[2long]

What was all that hot air about how good Airblades were, when they first came out?

[dave_boo]

I voted for the CBR 150R. Great bike for threading through the traffic of busy streets, and has the acceleration to stay ahead of all those nasty buses. A bit of a chore bringing home the groceries, but you can always put your better(?) half in a taxi and have them sent home that way. I suppose that having to manually shift gears would make it a bit of a chore for our older TV members, but there really isn't an automatic that delivers what I would categorize as the best in town bike. They seem too big, not that sprightly, etc. for what I believe you need in town. Also, at ~40 Km/L, you get excellent mileage out of the CBR.

[PeaceBlondie]

I voted for the CBR 150R. Great bike for threading through the traffic of busy streets, and has the acceleration to stay ahead of all those nasty buses. A bit of a chore bringing home the groceries, but you can always put your better(?) half in a taxi and have them sent home that way. I suppose that having to manually shift gears would make it a bit of a chore for our older TV members, but there really isn't an automatic that delivers what I would categorize as the best in town bike. They seem too big, not that sprightly, etc. for what I believe you need in town. Also, at ~40 Km/L, you get excellent mileage out of the CBR.

dave, maybe this Peter Pan never grew up, but shifting gears is no chore. Maybe I do not shift up soon enough, because both my CBR150's never gave me 33 km/liter. When we really need to bring home groceries, like 3,500 baht (or five cases of Pepsi Max) we use the pickup or the car. I almost voted for the Phantom 200 or the Spark, since we have those too, but to me, the CBR150 is the best.

Correction: my last two tanks of E10 gasohol got 35.68, and I was driving like a teenager. Maybe middle-aged men can get 38 on a CBR150R.

[2long]

30 votes! Is that it? Come on!

[dave_boo]

I voted for the CBR 150R. Great bike for threading through the traffic of busy streets, and has the acceleration to stay ahead of all those nasty buses. A bit of a chore bringing home the groceries, but you can always put your better(?) half in a taxi and have them sent home that way. I suppose that having to manually shift gears would make it a bit of a chore for our older TV members, but there really isn't an automatic that delivers what I would categorize as the best in town bike. They seem too big, not that sprightly, etc. for what I believe you need in town. Also, at ~40 Km/L, you get excellent mileage out of the CBR.

dave, maybe this Peter Pan never grew up, but shifting gears is no chore. Maybe I do not shift up soon enough, because both my CBR150's never gave me 33 km/liter. When we really need to bring home groceries, like 3,500 baht (or five cases of Pepsi Max) we use the pickup or the car. I almost voted for the Phantom 200 or the Spark, since we have those too, but to me, the CBR150 is the best.

Correction: my last two tanks of E10 gasohol got 35.68, and I was driving like a teenager. Maybe middle-aged men can get 38 on a CBR150R.

My grandpa taught me to drive. Of course his mantra was shift early and shift often. I suppose that I've lived with that since, in fact there's been few cars/motorcycles where I wasn't pleased with the mileage. Of course, I'm not even in my 3rd decade of life, so there are times when I do open her up and try and bury the tach! However, overall, I've always seen high 30s per litre of gas with the CBR 150R.

[MaiChai]

Something small, fast and without gears? Got to be the Fino/Mio. The sales numbers point to this? Saw someone do a wheely on a pink Fino the other day

We are talking her best bike for city driving, not necessarily best bike!

[Jim's_a_Thai_Fox]

Personally, I dislike the lack of engine breaking with an automatic (especially at low speed when it kicks into manual and you actually speed up). They have come on leaps and bounds in the last two years or so and can understand why so many people like the 'twist and go' experience.

For me, manual gearboxes are the only choice for the real feel and control (the semi autos on the Waves etc are OK, but I like a clutchm what can i say?) I went with the Sonic as the riding position around town is better suited than the CBR - the weight on the front wheels gives it more manoeuverability for my liking.

That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it!

[moo9]

CBR is not the best bike in town. It is a nice bike, I loved it.

But manual shifting in dense traffic is no fun after all. So I changed it for an Airblade, which is not as fast, however provides much better storage, my wife finds it more comfortable.

Honestly I do not like the sound, but apart from that, it is a true city motorcyc.

If I would like outside of the city, I probably would have kept my CBR.

[dotcom]

Thanks for including my CB400. Nothing else. Period. Of course it's a mans bike.

[tropo]

If I am riding to the shops I need storage (wave)..

There's no storage in a Honda Wave.

If shopping is the activity of motorcycling choice, an automatic with underseat storage and hooks is the way to go. 1st...Nouvo, 2nd Air Blade

[tropo]

What was all that hot air about how good Airblades were, when they first came out?

It wasn't hot air..it was fact. They're still fantastic around town bikes.

[LivinLOS]

If I am riding to the shops I need storage (wave)..

There's no storage in a Honda Wave.

You have obviously never owned one...

Under seat.. Plus front basket.. Plus hooks..

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

Granted i never owned one either - but my boyfriend's mum does, and i had the pleasure of riding it often enough.

Under the seat is the tank - and enough "storage" to carry a squeezed-in pack of cigarettes. No more.

Front basket - yes. Hooks - no, you'd have to mount them yourself.

I am talking about the "Wave 100 S".

Best regards......

Thanh

[Captain Haddock]

Where's my Yamaha XJ650 Special then?

Seriously, my 125cc Dream is the best town bike. Basket, biggest leg rain-shields than other bikes, tougher than a Wave, not about to be stolen, as economical as you can get, reliable, quiet, and I am always able to get away from the other bikes at the lights as I know how to use the gearbox! Semi - no clutch, so you have a hand free for the beer, and can downshift for extra oomph. Only thing is the drum brakes - but again, reading the road ahed helps. I have ridden it for over 25,000 km in the countryside and in the city (daily commute of 40km in central Bangkok - in the rain and at night etc) with no prangs yet.

[LivinLOS]

Hi

Granted i never owned one either - but my boyfriend's mum does, and i had the pleasure of riding it often enough.

Under the seat is the tank - and enough "storage" to carry a squeezed-in pack of cigarettes. No more.

Front basket - yes. Hooks - no, you'd have to mount them yourself.

I am talking about the "Wave 100 S".

Best regards......

Thanh

Theres a wave 125i downstairs that has probably a bigger under seat than an airblade.. Can get a full face helmet in it.. Not as big as the Nuovos storage but its large. Has a huge basket and a hook, no idea if either were optional extras but it has a pre made 'hook point' center of the front which an older cheer down there doesnt have.

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

Thanks for clearing that - so it's obvious that the different "Wave" series have different storage capacities. I didn't think so because, from the outside, they look rather similar...... well, we always learn new things

Best regards....

Thanh

[dave_boo]

FWIW, I know that when I bought the family a Wave 125i it did not have the hook. Of course brother in law installed one on the provided threaded hole (what's wrong with using the mirrors like I use on the CBR 150?). Also, when bought it did not have a front basket. However, one appeared and was installed. For that reason, I don't know if it is an option give for paying cash or included on all new 125i.

I will say though that having a basket on the front seems like a bad idea if you are the type to overload it. Blocked visiblity caused by the obstruction of the light beam, in addition to the lowering of being able to be seen by other motorists seems like a bad idea.

[Captain Haddock]

Which is why Malaysia don't allow the basket in front of the bike, but behind the fairing in front of your knees.

My two Dreams both came with baskets as standard. Given their cost, it's not exactly eating up profits to give you one when you buy the bike. Or a basket...

[dotcom]

FWIW, I know that when I bought the family a Wave 125i it did not have the hook. Of course brother in law installed one on the provided threaded hole (what's wrong with using the mirrors like I use on the CBR 150?). Also, when bought it did not have a front basket. However, one appeared and was installed. For that reason, I don't know if it is an option give for paying cash or included on all new 125i.

I will say though that having a basket on the front seems like a bad idea if you are the type to overload it. Blocked visiblity caused by the obstruction of the light beam, in addition to the lowering of being able to be seen by other motorists seems like a bad idea.

I just about got clocked one night by a moron who had a helmet in his basket. He might as well have not had any headlight. Scared the sh_it out of me.

[mickba]

I bought my Spark 135 CDi a year ago and the only thing I'd swap it for is the new one with rear disc brake etc., but really that's a bit cosmetic because the fr/disc and r/drum are excellent and way better than anything else I've ridden here - which is basically a couple of auto Nouveaus (one almost new) and a couple of Suzukis and a Honda Airblade.

I should say that I'm biassed towards gears. Having ridden all manner of scooters and bikes large and small, I really don't like the lack of control with autos, albeit I do appreciate how convenient they might be in town (as per the Q) and especially for farang who often haven't ridden a bike before they came here (sorry).

No they don't have much/any luggage space but I hate front baskets and the Givi box on the back is much more use than most under the seat spaces.

I think the new one is about 46k baht + about 800 for the Givi box. Last time I looked that was cheaper than the Nouveau but I'm not sure.

Although I'm looking at my 60th very soon now, I do like to crack on when I feel like it and I've never found the Spark lacking in that respect, whereas I found all the autos very sluggish whatever the cc. One cool night somewhere along Sukhamvit with a tail wind I saw 148 km/hr on the clock - yes I know it's stupid in flip-flops and vest but there you go. The point is that they can if you want - up to you. My only problem is that at 95kg+ I find that some of these 40kg lads on 2strokes and CBRs get away from me at the lights, but I can catch most (ok not all) of them eventually.

In reality I won't trade my Spark in, but I would like to put some bigger/wider wheels on to get a bigger footprint (I realise I might then have to look at the gearing). I'd also like to get a couple more horses out of it by freeing the exhaust gases/losing the cat' but I don't want to go for one of the "race" cans as they're far too noisy for an old git.

[dave_boo]

I bought my Spark 135 CDi a year ago and the only thing I'd swap it for is the new one with rear disc brake etc., but really that's a bit cosmetic because the fr/disc and r/drum are excellent and way better than anything else I've ridden here - which is basically a couple of auto Nouveaus (one almost new) and a couple of Suzukis and a Honda Airblade.

I should say that I'm biassed towards gears. Having ridden all manner of scooters and bikes large and small, I really don't like the lack of control with autos, albeit I do appreciate how convenient they might be in town (as per the Q) and especially for farang who often haven't ridden a bike before they came here (sorry).

No they don't have much/any luggage space but I hate front baskets and the Givi box on the back is much more use than most under the seat spaces.

I think the new one is about 46k baht + about 800 for the Givi box. Last time I looked that was cheaper than the Nouveau but I'm not sure.

Although I'm looking at my 60th very soon now, I do like to crack on when I feel like it and I've never found the Spark lacking in that respect, whereas I found all the autos very sluggish whatever the cc. One cool night somewhere along Sukhamvit with a tail wind I saw 148 km/hr on the clock - yes I know it's stupid in flip-flops and vest but there you go. The point is that they can if you want - up to you. My only problem is that at 95kg+ I find that some of these 40kg lads on 2strokes and CBRs get away from me at the lights, but I can catch most (ok not all) of them eventually.

In reality I won't trade my Spark in, but I would like to put some bigger/wider wheels on to get a bigger footprint (I realise I might then have to look at the gearing). I'd also like to get a couple more horses out of it by freeing the exhaust gases/losing the cat' but I don't want to go for one of the "race" cans as they're far too noisy for an old git.

Bah, too noisy. Just slap a sticker on your 'noisy' bike that says "When I grow up I want to be a Harley" and nobody will bother you! I remember there was a big commotion about this bike when it first came out, but I believe you're the first 'review' I've read of it.

Just out of curiousity, where can I buy a quality box? It doesn't matter if I have to travel down to BKK to get it.

Oh, and for anyone who cares, at 12:24 Wednesday morning the count has CBR 150R in the lead with 12.5% more votes than its closest competitor, the Nouvo!

[LivinLOS]

Sparks arent really that noisy are they ??

If they redesigned the spark to have enough space under the seat for storage large enough for a helmet I would probably own one.

[mickba]

I bought my Spark 135 CDi a year ago and the only thing I'd swap it for is the new one

Bah, too noisy. Just slap a sticker on your 'noisy' bike that says "When I grow up I want to be a Harley" and nobody will bother you! I remember there was a big commotion about this bike when it first came out, but I believe you're the first 'review' I've read of it.

Just out of curiousity, where can I buy a quality box? It doesn't matter if I have to travel down to BKK to get it.

Oh, and for anyone who cares, at 12:24 Wednesday morning the count has CBR 150R in the lead with 12.5% more votes than its closest competitor, the Nouvo!

Zorst -I'd like a proper open can (Carbon Fibre and S/S with a bit of f/glas packed in) but these 800 baht sports zorsts I've seen here are more like baked bean cans and sound reet raucous. Maybe I'm not going to grow up now (at 60 what's the point?) but I can say that of all the bikes I've had (incll ZZR11 and VMax) for some reason I've never ever wanted a Harley Ferguson (or a Massey Davidson) - to each their own of course.

The best box I know is the Givi. For the Monorack and small box (the big one looks daft on these bikes) I'm sure it was <1000 baht fitted. You don't have to go to BKK, any decent bike dealer will have one or get one.

Re CBR150R - dam_n good little motor bike I believe, but personally I think it's not really in this category. They are really proper motor bikes rather than scoots etc., and not very handy for lady passengers - don't see many as taxis. I know they're fast because some of them get away from me, but I'm working on it. There was a thread on here not long ago asking what were the alternatives among the scoots to the CBR150 and the Spark came out on top of that.

I understand there's a race series on these (Sparks) in the Phillipines so there must be some stuff available somewhere. I've seen mention of a chipped CDI on here but I haven't found it. The zorst seems the obvious first step. As i've said, at my size I'd like a bit more rubber on the road and a flyscreen would be handy.

Anyway, I've never come across any criticism of the Spark apart from luggage space and a Givi box is better than a hole under the seat. For anyone in doubt why don't you hire one - the hirers have a few, albeit autos are more popular with those who can't do gears.

Any info' re wheel/tyre options appreciated.

[mickba]

Sparks arent really that noisy are they ??

If they redesigned the spark to have enough space under the seat for storage large enough for a helmet I would probably own one.

No, Sparks are very (too?) quiet in standard form, but I was talking about the after market zorsts available here (see above).

If they redesigned the Spark to have space under the seat it would be a Nouveau or somat. As far as I know, none of the "underbone" bikes have it because you have a proper frame instead.