Yamaha Exciter 150 (aka Spark, Sniper, Jupiter)

[XB12X]

Why?

[roo860]

Coz it's not a step through.

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[Still Living]

On December 13, 2016 at 9:41 PM, XB12X said:

Edit to post # 142: I hadn't noticed there were six pages to this thread when I posted. There seems to be quite a lot of them around. For the money, it's hard to think of a better bike in this class.

 

The Exciter 150 is wildly popular here in Vietnam. Many friends have them. Some with high mileage. No problems. It's a great bike! I went with the Honda myself. 

 

I don't know how much more a cbr150 or Mslaz cost in Thailand. A proper motorcycle is better looking for sure. But for a daily driver it's hard to beat the exciter. Can mount a small top box and add hooks to hang shopping. Still have some fun ripping through the gears. Enough power to pull a big farang up the  hills. 

 

Look at the exciter groups on Facebook. People are doing some cool things with these bikes. $2k well spent! 

[GoldenTriangle]

The 150 Exciter is a great little bike for the city but the forks are terrible, bottom out easily. Also rust developing around rear brake pedal pivot and fork bolts on a bike that a year old and less than 10k. As usual, the good parts of the bike, like the engine, brakes and transmission are paid for by cutting costs on low end suspension and cheaper tires. Anyone know of any aftermarket suspension parts that aren't too expensive? I've seen complete aftermarket exhaust systems for this bike that range between 15,000 to 20,000 baht. The exhaust appears to be a single system so to just put on a different end can, you'd have to cut the header pipe. Mechanics at Yamaha have told me that swapping out the big stock end can releases a bit of power and loses some weight, and looks better. I got the bike at a good price and don't plan on selling it anytime soon so I'd like to do some modification to suit. Any owners done any mods they're happy with?

thanks

[Lampang2]

10 minutes ago, GoldenTriangle said:

The 150 Exciter is a great little bike for the city but the forks are terrible, bottom out easily. Also rust developing around rear brake pedal pivot and fork bolts on a bike that a year old and less than 10k. As usual, the good parts of the bike, like the engine, brakes and transmission are paid for by cutting costs on low end suspension and cheaper tires. Anyone know of any aftermarket suspension parts that aren't too expensive? I've seen complete aftermarket exhaust systems for this bike that range between 15,000 to 20,000 baht. The exhaust appears to be a single system so to just put on a different end can, you'd have to cut the header pipe. Mechanics at Yamaha have told me that swapping out the big stock end can releases a bit of power and loses some weight, and looks better. I got the bike at a good price and don't plan on selling it anytime soon so I'd like to do some modification to suit. Any owners done any mods they're happy with?

thanks

 

i bought the rack-holder

 

agree the tyres are crap and front forks also crap

 

tyres i recommend to all and everyone to replace asap

security

 

[papa al]

How much to replace the weak front suspension?

[Lampang2]

How much to replace the weak front suspension?

Don't know how.
If any kits are available.

Maybe someone else knows.


Skickat från min SM-N910F via Tapatalk

[GoldenTriangle]

A general improvement to forks is thicker oil. I'm doing it soon and will report. Can't find any fork kits online.

[Briggsy]

I just bought an Exciter 150 replacing my Sonic. (I think I sold the Sonic too cheap but never mind.)

[roo860]

I just bought an Exciter 150 replacing my Sonic. (I think I sold the Sonic too cheap but never mind.)

What do you reckon, a good choice?

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[Briggsy]

16 hours ago, roo860 said:

 

What do you reckon, a good choice?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

In order to answer your question you need to understand what I was looking for.

 

I have a big bike and a little bike. This was the replacement of the little bike. The little bike goes to the shops and generally doesn't go further than 10 kms from my home. The big bike may be found on occasion in neighbouring countries, over 1000 km from home.

 

Spec required

 

Manual gears with clutch

Mag wheels / tubeless tyres

Nippy

No basket or silliness like that

No weird makes

No Chinese makes

Disc brakes

Liquid cooled

Not too long, not too wide, not too heavy so good in traffic and easy to park

125 - 150 cc

 

Competitors I also considered

 

Suzuki Raider (came 2nd but girlfriend laughed at me that it looked identical to the Sonic - loss of face, could not buy)

Kawasaki D-Tracker 150? (came 3rd but overpriced)

Honda MSX / Kawasaki Z 125 (decided they were ridiculous)

Honda Winner (not available in Thailand)

 

First impression

 

Longer than I hoped but not too bad.

Front suspension is no good as everybody says. Any bump in the road, pothole or sleeping policeman leads to a clunk and jolt or even the front wheel leaving the road noticeably.

Much more responsive than I imagined. This is good from the fun aspect. But slightly annoying in first gear as the very definite on/off throttle gives a jerky ride at low speed. Hopefully over time the clutch will become sloppier.

Brakes seem fine

Seat is ok.

Spot of rust when brand new near the right footpeg.

Nice sound, better than the Sonic.

The instruments have an average speed calculator and you can change the greeting name! I may put something rude on like F*** off, thief.

I suspect it doesn't have the Honda build quality. Ask me in 10 years.

 

Edited May 27, 2017 by Briggsy

[roo860]

In order to answer your question you need to understand what I was looking for.
 
I have a big bike and a little bike. This was the replacement of the little bike. The little bike goes to the shops and generally doesn't go further than 10 kms from my home. The big bike may be found on occasion in neighbouring countries, over 1000 km from home.
 
Spec required
 
Manual gears with clutch
Mag wheels / tubeless tyres
Nippy
No basket or silliness like that
No weird makes
No Chinese makes
Disc brakes
Liquid cooled
Not too long, not too wide, not too heavy so good in traffic and easy to park
125 - 150 cc
 
Competitors I also considered
 
Suzuki Raider (came 2nd but girlfriend laughed at me that it looked identical to the Sonic - loss of face, could not buy)
Kawasaki D-Tracker 150? (came 3rd but overpriced)
Honda MSX / Kawasaki Z 125 (decided they were ridiculous)
Honda Winner (not available in Thailand)
 
First impression
 
Longer than I hoped but not too bad.
Front suspension is no good as everybody says. Any bump in the road, pothole or sleeping policeman leads to a clunk and jolt or even the front wheel leaving the road noticeably.
Much more responsive than I imagined. This is good from the fun aspect. But slightly annoying in first gear as the very definite on/off throttle gives a jerky ride at low speed. Hopefully over time the clutch will become sloppier.
Brakes seem fine
Seat is ok.
Spot of rust when brand new near the right footpeg.
Nice sound, better than the Sonic.
The instruments have an average speed calculator and you can change the greeting name! I may put something rude on like F*** off, thief.
I suspect it doesn't have the Honda build quality. Ask me in 10 years.
 

Cheers for that, I've used mine few times to ride over to Utteradit, 540km round trip, 100kph all day, no numb arse either. For me it's a cracking little bike.

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[Briggsy]

550 kms done

 

Run-in

 

I discovered in the manual there is quite a strict recommended run-in. I was taking it easy but it recommends not over 5000 rpm for the first 1000 km and then not over 7500 rpm for the 1000 - 1600 km period. So, I decided to play the white man and follow the recommended run-in. Aaagh, it's boring. 5000 revs in top gear = 69 km/h. But I will stick with it. I am over half way there.

 

Seating position

 

The seat is comfy. The peg position is relaxed. On the downside, I must have banged my shin around 10 times when kicking the side stand up or down. This probably relates to it being in a different position to other bikes I have/have had. The back pegs are quite far forward meaning I bang the back of my legs on my girlfriend's feet. This usually happens as I stop at a junction.

 

Admiring looks

 

Almost none. How strange

 

Left-hand controls

 

Definitely not as neatly placed as the Honda controls. The Yamaha controls are positioned away from the handlebar making simultaneous use of the clutch and indicators slightly more problematic.

 

Chain adjustment

 

I have discovered that Yamaha add an extra complication for the chain adjustment. The back brake is bolted to the swinging arm and this bolt must be loosened when adjusting the chain. It looks a bit of a pain to get at, right next to the back brake line. I hope this doesn't become an issue.

 

 

Design

 

I washed the bike for the first time the other day and came to appreciate how the designers had gone out of their way to make the bike look different with many little touches.

 

Coolant reservoir

 

I discovered this in an unexpected place, just inside the belly pan next to the exhaust on the left of the bike. Could be tricky to fill up. Managed to get a tiny burn on my hand from the exhaust when examining it.

 

Lean

 

The bike has more width, more height and greater lean than your Honda Wave. This means when parking, position the Exciter over to the right as it will lean over and take up a lot of space widthwise.

 

The important bits

 

Brakes, engine and tyres seem fine so far.

 

Roll on 1000 kms.

[Lampang2]

47 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

550 kms done

 

Run-in

 

I discovered in the manual there is quite a strict recommended run-in. I was taking it easy but it recommends not over 5000 rpm for the first 1000 km and then not over 7500 rpm for the 1000 - 1600 km period. So, I decided to play the white man and follow the recommended run-in. Aaagh, it's boring. 5000 revs in top gear = 69 km/h. But I will stick with it. I am over half way there.

 

Seating position

 

The seat is comfy. The peg position is relaxed. On the downside, I must have banged my shin around 10 times when kicking the side stand up or down. This probably relates to it being in a different position to other bikes I have/have had. The back pegs are quite far forward meaning I bang the back of my legs on my girlfriend's feet. This usually happens as I stop at a junction.

 

Admiring looks

 

Almost none. How strange

 

Left-hand controls

 

Definitely not as neatly placed as the Honda controls. The Yamaha controls are positioned away from the handlebar making simultaneous use of the clutch and indicators slightly more problematic.

 

Chain adjustment

 

I have discovered that Yamaha add an extra complication for the chain adjustment. The back brake is bolted to the swinging arm and this bolt must be loosened when adjusting the chain. It looks a bit of a pain to get at, right next to the back brake line. I hope this doesn't become an issue.

 

 

Design

 

I washed the bike for the first time the other day and came to appreciate how the designers had gone out of their way to make the bike look different with many little touches.

 

Coolant reservoir

 

I discovered this in an unexpected place, just inside the belly pan next to the exhaust on the left of the bike. Could be tricky to fill up. Managed to get a tiny burn on my hand from the exhaust when examining it.

 

Lean

 

The bike has more width, more height and greater lean than your Honda Wave. This means when parking, position the Exciter over to the right as it will lean over and take up a lot of space widthwise.

 

The important bits

 

Brakes, engine and tyres seem fine so far.

 

Roll on 1000 kms.

 

front tyre very slippery

 

recommended replacement suggestions wanted.

 

 

 

 

 

[Briggsy]

10 hours ago, Lampang2 said:

 

front tyre very slippery

 

recommended replacement suggestions wanted.

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I read that on here. Owners complaining about the tyres. I haven't experienced anything yet like that but I am alert to it. Sometimes tyres deteriorate quite considerably after 2000 kms. Perhaps I will reconsider then.

 

If you go back earlier in the thread, there are recommendations. Is there a Michelin Sporty in this size? Very probably.

[GoldenTriangle]

I just had the 10,000km service on my Exciter 150. They replaced the chain and the automatic choke, changed oil/filter, plug, balanced the wheels/tires, lubed all pivoting/moving levers etc, adjusted clutch lever, washed the bike thoroughly. Charged me just under 1000 baht.

The only problems with this bike is the quality of tires out of the factory. I changed them to Michelins. Much better.

The other problem is the front forks. I had a friend who was a suspension specialist in Irish Road Racing circuit and he found there was too much oil and air pressure in the forks. They were hammering at even small potholes. After he corrected the oil and air, much much better.

The 150 Exciter has a five speed transmission and with the clutch properly adjusted, shifts very smoothly. Fit and finish is very high quality and I really like they're built with an analog tach beside a digital speedo & odometer. I've always preferred analog tachos over digital version, which is difficult to see in daylight.

Oh, and there is absolutely ZERO storage space. They could have included a couple of cubby holes under the handlebars within all that plastic. But there is a plate you can get that fits into the same bolt holes as the grab bar and then install a box.

Overall, great little bike with ample power for pulling away at lights and handles much better than other smaller machines Ive tried, like the 125 Click and 150 PCX.

I think they retail for about 62,000 baht. I got mine considerably cheaper when it had 7700kms on it.

If you want a scooter sized machine to zip around town but want something with gears and handles more like a motorcycles, I'd seriously consider the Exciter 150. Mine's blue and silver but they also come in black/red and white/red, I believe.

[GoldenTriangle]

On 6/13/2017 at 7:54 AM, Briggsy said:

Yes, I read that on here. Owners complaining about the tyres. I haven't experienced anything yet like that but I am alert to it. Sometimes tyres deteriorate quite considerably after 2000 kms. Perhaps I will reconsider then.

 

If you go back earlier in the thread, there are recommendations. Is there a Michelin Sporty in this size? Very probably.

There are a number of 150 Exciters on the road now and checking tires, I've seen a fairly wide variety. That could mean owners are getting rid of the factory issued rubber. I bought my Exciter with 7700kms and it had the original tires. They were pretty well finished but the previous owner said they weren't very good from the beginning. I bought a set of Michelin Pilot Street tires. Big improvement, esp in the rain. Btw, the Blue/Silver edition is the Exciter 150 GP and the other color combos, black/red, yellow/black, white/red etc are all known as the Exciter 150 RC. I've noticed that several online tire sites list tires for the RC but not the GP model, while they are the exact same bikes, other than the paint job.

[Briggsy]

Just now, GoldenTriangle said:

There are a number of 150 Exciters on the road now and checking tires, I've seen a fairly wide variety. That could mean owners are getting rid of the factory issued rubber. I bought my Exciter with 7700kms and it had the original tires. They were pretty well finished but the previous owner said they weren't very good from the beginning. I bought a set of Michelin Pilot Street tires. Big improvement, esp in the rain. Btw, the Blue/Silver edition is the Exciter 150 GP and the other color combos, black/red, yellow/black, white/red etc are all known as the Exciter 150 RC. I've noticed that several online tire sites list tires for the RC but not the GP model, while they are the exact same bikes, other than the paint job.

Yeah, I have the GP edition.

 

The colours are now onto the next edition. Yellow/black and white/red are no longer sold. There are 4 colours now, black-red, black-green. blue-silver and then blue-silver with the Yamaha Movistar racing colours. The last one has stickers rather than a respray and costs 500 Baht extra.

 

I will keep an eye on the tyres.

 

Another thing I like is the indicators. Very visible.

[GoldenTriangle]

Just now, Briggsy said:

Yeah, I have the GP edition.

 

The colours are now onto the next edition. Yellow/black and white/red are no longer sold. There are 4 colours now, black-red, black-green. blue-silver and then blue-silver with the Yamaha Movistar racing colours. The last one has stickers rather than a respray and costs 500 Baht extra.

 

I will keep an eye on the tyres.

 

Another thing I like is the indicators. Very visible.

Ah, right. New model year. Thanks for the update. 500 baht for stickers. I guess it's worth it to some people. And yes, the indicators are well done on these bikes. I just wish they'd include a bit of storage space. Rear box is the only option and i'm not crazy about them.

[Briggsy]

33 minutes ago, GoldenTriangle said:

Ah, right. New model year. Thanks for the update. 500 baht for stickers. I guess it's worth it to some people. And yes, the indicators are well done on these bikes. I just wish they'd include a bit of storage space. Rear box is the only option and i'm not crazy about them.

In the dealership just as I am receiving the bike.

 

Middle-aged female dealer (upon opening the seat) "There's no storage space!" (aghast)

 

Obligatory katoey assistant "Yeah, it's a teenager's bike." (matter of fact)

 

Make of that what you will.

 

I have a top box on my "big" bike. (the Exciter is the "little" bike) so I don't need any storage space. Backpack suffices in all situations.

 

I bought the bike with the stickers. I am 47 years old.

[Lampang2]

49 minutes ago, GoldenTriangle said:

There are a number of 150 Exciters on the road now and checking tires, I've seen a fairly wide variety. That could mean owners are getting rid of the factory issued rubber. I bought my Exciter with 7700kms and it had the original tires. They were pretty well finished but the previous owner said they weren't very good from the beginning. I bought a set of Michelin Pilot Street tires. Big improvement, esp in the rain. Btw, the Blue/Silver edition is the Exciter 150 GP and the other color combos, black/red, yellow/black, white/red etc are all known as the Exciter 150 RC. I've noticed that several online tire sites list tires for the RC but not the GP model, while they are the exact same bikes, other than the paint job.

 

did you get original dimensions for the michelin pilots ?

 

where did you get them ?

 

Even if Lampang is no small city I have found it hard ro get since no normal thai seems to order michelin pilots in that dimensions and for reasons unclear to mankind no dealer wants to bring home on request.

 

So how did you manage to get your hands on a pair, or did you buy frontweel only ?

 

 

 

[Briggsy]

What tool do you use to untighten the back brake bracket bolt from the swinging arm? I can see it is 14mm but it is difficult to get it. It is required to do this to adjust the chain or to remove the back wheel. I am figuring some sort of socket wrench but even that would be fiddly.

[kekalot]

On 2017-06-15 at 2:02 PM, Lampang2 said:

 

did you get original dimensions for the michelin pilots ?

 

where did you get them ?

 

Even if Lampang is no small city I have found it hard ro get since no normal thai seems to order michelin pilots in that dimensions and for reasons unclear to mankind no dealer wants to bring home on request.

 

So how did you manage to get your hands on a pair, or did you buy frontweel only ?

 

 

 

I am interested in better type/dimensions information etc myself.

I have just gotten a second hand one, and while can't say I have looked into it much and by no means an expert (far from it), the front tire looks a bit crappy..

 

anyone knows offhand how much we talking about for proper replacements?

[macknife]

8 hours ago, kekalot said:

I am interested in better type/dimensions information etc myself.

I have just gotten a second hand one, and while can't say I have looked into it much and by no means an expert (far from it), the front tire looks a bit crappy..

 

anyone knows offhand how much we talking about for proper replacements?

2000Baht at the most for the pair, likely cheaper.

[kekalot]

17 hours ago, macknife said:

2000Baht at the most for the pair, likely cheaper.

any brands that i should go for?

I should know all that (and I will) but it's my first time dealing with tubeless. don't want to be taken for a ride and buy the cheapo ripoff ones

[macknife]

6 hours ago, kekalot said:

any brands that i should go for?

I should know all that (and I will) but it's my first time dealing with tubeless. don't want to be taken for a ride and buy the cheapo ripoff ones

It's hard to go wrong with Michelin. Michelin city pro or Michelin pilot street should both work well.

[Briggsy]

On 17/06/2017 at 5:51 PM, Briggsy said:

What tool do you use to untighten the back brake bracket bolt from the swinging arm? I can see it is 14mm but it is difficult to get it. It is required to do this to adjust the chain or to remove the back wheel. I am figuring some sort of socket wrench but even that would be fiddly.

No experiences here?

 

So, I asked the mechanic in the Yamaha dealer and he said there was no need to loosen the back brake bracket bolt. This directly contradicts the manual. I suspect it is a (Thai-style) shortcut. I am going to have a bash tomorrow and do it the way the mechanic suggests. I suspect the result, if it goes well, will be the rear brake pads moving to a slightly different position on the rear brake disc. If it goes badly, the wheel will not move in relation to the swinging arm, the chain will remain incorrectly adjusted (slack), the back wheel will not be aligned and I may mess up the adjuster nuts.

[Dutchbike]

18 hours ago, Briggsy said:

No experiences here?

 

So, I asked the mechanic in the Yamaha dealer and he said there was no need to loosen the back brake bracket bolt. This directly contradicts the manual. I suspect it is a (Thai-style) shortcut. I am going to have a bash tomorrow and do it the way the mechanic suggests. I suspect the result, if it goes well, will be the rear brake pads moving to a slightly different position on the rear brake disc. If it goes badly, the wheel will not move in relation to the swinging arm, the chain will remain incorrectly adjusted (slack), the back wheel will not be aligned and I may mess up the adjuster nuts.

No......don't do it the Thai ( short cut) way, this is typical how the average mechanic works here,  that brake bracket needs to be undone so everything can move along when you adjust the chain, if not bad things will kappen as you describe. I do not have a Exciter but two Yamaha's ( a TZM and a TZR) which are similar as you describe for the exciter.

from workshop manual TZM

 

From Parts book Exciter

 

It might be hard to undo that bolt but try to get the right tool.

Good luck!!

[Briggsy]

Thanks for the reply. I thought the mechanic had to be talking rubbish. However I have done it his way this morning! Too late!

 

You would think you wouldn't get this BS from the Yamaha dealership but TIT!

 

I will acquire a 14mm socket spanner and see if I can get to it using that and redo it. The exhaust is in the way on the offside, the swinging arm to the front and the wheel to the nearside.

 

I even stopped and asked a little bike repair shack as well. Their reply was, "No, that is only to do with the brake. No need to loosen that. But it's a new model so I'm not sure. If it doesn't work, then loosen that bolt." At least the kid from the shack was 10% right as opposed to the Yamaha mechanic who appears to be 0% right.

[Dutchbike]

Ah well, it all depends how tight that bolt is set at the factory, adjusting the chain tensioners might have moved it backwards (that's the theory behind the Thai short cut) but obviously not the correct way way of doing it.

If you don't have have one yet try get get one of these:

That might do the trick 

Edited June 22, 2017 by Dutchbike