I'm Moving to Singapore
Discussion
OK, I signed my contract for a secondment to Singapore today. I'll be there for a year in the first instance and possibly more. I'm not going to buy a car but am planning on a motorbike. My wish list runs Moto Guzzi Stelvio, Ducati Multistrada, BMW R1200GS. I know Stelvios are rare in Singapore and it wouln't surprise me if I end up with the BMW. Anyway, thanks to those who have already pointed me to some of the bike small ads sites. I've had a look. Can anyone recommend any good dealers? I get 5 days settling in leave and it would be great to find something in this time. Also, I still haven't quite got my head around the permit system. If I buy a used bike, e.g. 3 years old, will it automatically come with the permit (7 years remaining) or do I have to any additional paperwork? Lastly, what are insurance costs like? I'm 50 years old, would want fully comp and to be insured for commuting. I'd also want insurance for Malaysia if that is possible. Any advice would be great. Thanks. Bryn.
Firstly I can't believe you are from the North east with a name like that, the man on Sing is John, but I can tell you there is no problem with bringing a Sing bike to Malaysia, you can sort insurance etc.
As to what to get, are you planning to do track days? there is a tack at JB just over the border, which has reguler days and of course Sepang is not far, althought days there are limited. If not think about somthing more suited to touring, I got rid of my sport bike last year and went for a cruiser, just not using the sport bike enought. Touring here is great, you cn ride up to S Thailand no problem.
John will no doubt tell you all about permits.
As to what to get, are you planning to do track days? there is a tack at JB just over the border, which has reguler days and of course Sepang is not far, althought days there are limited. If not think about somthing more suited to touring, I got rid of my sport bike last year and went for a cruiser, just not using the sport bike enought. Touring here is great, you cn ride up to S Thailand no problem.
John will no doubt tell you all about permits.
Bingoej said:
OK, I signed my contract for a secondment to Singapore today. I'll be there for a year in the first instance and possibly more. I'm not going to buy a car but am planning on a motorbike. My wish list runs Moto Guzzi Stelvio, Ducati Multistrada, BMW R1200GS. I know Stelvios are rare in Singapore and it wouln't surprise me if I end up with the BMW. Anyway, thanks to those who have already pointed me to some of the bike small ads sites. I've had a look. Can anyone recommend any good dealers? I get 5 days settling in leave and it would be great to find something in this time. Also, I still haven't quite got my head around the permit system. If I buy a used bike, e.g. 3 years old, will it automatically come with the permit (7 years remaining) or do I have to any additional paperwork? Lastly, what are insurance costs like? I'm 50 years old, would want fully comp and to be insured for commuting. I'd also want insurance for Malaysia if that is possible. Any advice would be great. Thanks. Bryn.
Guzzi's, BM's and Ducati's are premium brands here in Singapore. They are top dollar over most bikes. A new Multi will set you back $40+! . Not many Guzzi's around and not many people know how to work on them. BMW S1000RR is $45k!Buying a 3 year old bike will leave you with 7 years left on the CoE. CoE on bikes at the moment is around $1800 for 10 years.
Insurance isn't cheap but it's ok. They do not take into account your UK NCB. I'm 31 and I pay $580 fully comp on a 2012 Triumph Street Triple R (minus 15% NCB). Where as I paid $1100 for my 2008 Fireblade with zero NCB when I moved here. I only pay $96 a year third pary for my rough old 1980 classic Vespa however. NTUC or Direct Asia for insurance.
SBR Trackdays run trackdays at Sepang (but not that often), I've been doing them for the last 3 years. Pasir Gudang is a ropey old track across the boarder in Malaysia. Tyres last around 5 laps. But it's a cheap blast.
Minerva are the Ducati main dealer. Performace Motors are the BMW dealer. Looi's sell imports. I find it's best to buy private bikes as a foreign face = price hike! Look for expats who are leaving Sg. Normally low mileage machines, which have been looked after and kept under cover. Deals are to be had. I paid $10k less than a new bike for my super low mileage Triumph. Check SGbikemart or SG bikers forum/classifieds.
Unapproved exhaust systems are illegal and you'll get your ass spanked for riding with one ($500 fine per silencer). Legal ones are a rip-off. Bikes need inspecting/MOT every year (once they are over 2/3 years). Insurance and road tax need to cover the same period or you cannot have either. So often means you have to extend insurance a few months to ensure you can buy the road tax.
Feel free to message me if you need more info.
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 19th September 06:01
Rich is the bike guy here so as above although some good window shopping to be had here ...
http://www.sgbikemart.com.sg/
Will probably be able to pick up a good deal on a low miler second hand bike from an expat leaving (generally big bikes are owned by expats from my experience.
Insurance in Singapore always covers Malaysia too, some policies will give Thailand also, make sure that there is a "get my bike back to SG" option though.
Finally - cops hang out on pedestrian bridges with trafic camera's (cop ontop) but only the bridges with covers to keep the sun off. Popular spots - AYE / Pioneer Road, Whitley Road going north, CTE turn before bedok
Static cameras only in the KPE tunnel, (3 each direction) all the others are dummies.
You have 1 year on your UK license to learn where these are before you start accumulating points also
http://www.sgbikemart.com.sg/
Will probably be able to pick up a good deal on a low miler second hand bike from an expat leaving (generally big bikes are owned by expats from my experience.
Insurance in Singapore always covers Malaysia too, some policies will give Thailand also, make sure that there is a "get my bike back to SG" option though.
Finally - cops hang out on pedestrian bridges with trafic camera's (cop ontop) but only the bridges with covers to keep the sun off. Popular spots - AYE / Pioneer Road, Whitley Road going north, CTE turn before bedok
Static cameras only in the KPE tunnel, (3 each direction) all the others are dummies.
You have 1 year on your UK license to learn where these are before you start accumulating points also
Bingoej said:
If I buy a used bike, e.g. 3 years old, will it automatically come with the permit (7 years remaining)
Correct - assume you are buying 2 things - teh bike and the COE - devalue the COE by 10% / year (based on its value when purchased) and add to whatever you think the bike is worth = the starting point for your negotiations for a purchase! Rich_AR said:
"Look for expats who are leaving Sg. Normally low mileage machines, which have been looked after and kept under cover. Deals are to be had. I paid $10k less than a new bike for my super low mileage Triumph. Check SGbikemart or SG bikers forum/classifieds"
XJSJohn said:
http://www.sgbikemart.com.sg/
Will probably be able to pick up a good deal on a low miler second hand bike from an expat leaving (generally big bikes are owned by expats from my experience.
Is there a parrot in here? Will probably be able to pick up a good deal on a low miler second hand bike from an expat leaving (generally big bikes are owned by expats from my experience.
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 19th September 07:58
Rich_AR said:
Rich_AR said:
"Look for expats who are leaving Sg. Normally low mileage machines, which have been looked after and kept under cover. Deals are to be had. I paid $10k less than a new bike for my super low mileage Triumph. Check SGbikemart or SG bikers forum/classifieds"
XJSJohn said:
http://www.sgbikemart.com.sg/
Will probably be able to pick up a good deal on a low miler second hand bike from an expat leaving (generally big bikes are owned by expats from my experience.
Is there a parrot in here? Will probably be able to pick up a good deal on a low miler second hand bike from an expat leaving (generally big bikes are owned by expats from my experience.
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 19th September 07:58
Teach me for scan reading posts
- mine has a flashy clickable link though 
Thanks all. I'll do some more looking. Not really planning on track days. I have done a dozen or more in the car but never done one on bikes. I'm more interested in something to get me a bit of mobility and allow weekends etc. up into Malaysia, so it's really "adventure bike" style. I think it will have to be a euro twin though. That's all I've ever really had on the bike front and can't see myself changing.
I've lived in Newcastle and the north-east for a long time now, but no, I'm not from here. But hey, now I'm going to live in Singapore for a year or so! Bryn
I've lived in Newcastle and the north-east for a long time now, but no, I'm not from here. But hey, now I'm going to live in Singapore for a year or so! Bryn
One brand I'd look at here in Singapore is Aprilia. They are under valued compared to the likes of Ducati and BMW. My friend recently bought a brand new 2012 RSV4 for $30k on the road. This is UK prices. Compare that to the Ducati 1199, which base is circa $43k+. If i was in the market for a 1000cc machine, RSV4 would be the choice. Doesn't Aprilia do an adventure bike?
MAH Motors are the local Aprilia dealer. They are the Triumph dealer as well (Tiger 800, sir?)
MAH Motors are the local Aprilia dealer. They are the Triumph dealer as well (Tiger 800, sir?)
Hi, I'm moving to SG myself in a month.
It would be good to link up with other pistonheads members, if at all possible.
For what it's worth, I won't have a car there, it's too expensive. But I have sourced a grandpa type of Harley Davidson to go around in.
I know, it's overpriced tat, but it sounds nice, it's slow enough for me not to get in trouble and it does have a radio so that I can annoy other commuters by listening to Slayer.
It would be good to link up with other pistonheads members, if at all possible.
For what it's worth, I won't have a car there, it's too expensive. But I have sourced a grandpa type of Harley Davidson to go around in.
I know, it's overpriced tat, but it sounds nice, it's slow enough for me not to get in trouble and it does have a radio so that I can annoy other commuters by listening to Slayer.
Bingoej said:
Out of interest, how did you find your bike? I'm still looking?
I just walked into the Harley dealer and asked if they had anything second hand. They said no, but then I asked them if they were selling their rental bikes as I know they renew the fleet now and then.
Then I got my eyes on a blue Street Glide and agreed to give them a deposit to hold it for me until I move (in 1 month exactly).
When are you moving?
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