Questions To Ask Yourself Before Purchasing A Motorbike

1. Can you afford it? 
2. What kind of person are you? 
3. Do you care a lot about public image? 
4. Do you really need a bike?

Getting your own ride, especially in the Singapore context, is always a big deal. Buying your own mode of transportation, whether it’s a car or a motorbike, requires some sort of significant financial muscle and commitment. As every driver and rider would know, it’s also a game of luck with the COE. Everyone only buys when the price of a COE is low.

If you need to quickly check the latest COE bidding results, you can go onto http://www.sgbikemart.com.sg, Singapore’s leading motorcycle classified ads website.

Everyone always worries about COE of cars, but what about motorcycles? The COE of a motorbike used to cost only $1.8k. Now, it is a whopping $6k. This has made many bikers confused. The purpose of COE is to help manage the level of traffic and congestion present on the street. Motorbikes are small nifty modes of transport that do not cause much congestion. They help you get to your destination faster, and use less fuel at the same time. So why are motorcyclists being penalized with higher COE prices? Because of this, motorbikes are no longer something that you can purchase on a whim. You need to dedicate time and effort to research on the type of bikes you will buy.

Because of the high level of resources that you need to commit to your vehicle, it is wise to do some sort of research into the vehicle of your choice before signing your name on the purchase document. But we also know that this decision is often tinged with emotions, raging testosterones and a sometimes-crippling inability to think rationally and logically. Hence, SGBikeMart has come up with an easy guide/checklist that you can use to determine if you really should ride a motorbike in Singapore.

Buying a motorbike

This should be the first question on your mind. Of course, purchasing either a car or a motorbike will have its own pros and cons.

The first and most practical reason why you would consider buying a motorcycle is because it is very convenient. A Motorbike can zip through traffic jams easily. Finding a parking space is easy. Compared to cars, motorbikes also require less maintenance.

The second point that you should consider is your available funds. Cars are extremely expensive in Singapore, and let’s also not forget the money that you have to spend on petrol. A bike is definitely much cheaper, because the COE prices are considerably less. Also, parking costs and ERP charges are all cheaper as compared to that of a car. For example, parking at Suntec City will cost $1.10 per hour from 7am to 12 midnight; but if you ride a bike, it’s completely free! 

For ERP, the price difference in ERP is also quite stark. For example, if you are passing through CTE at 8am, the ERP charge for a motorbike is only $1.75. But if you are driving a car? $3.50! That is twice the cost. Although it may not seem much, it will definitely add up over time.

Singapore bikes also use much less fuel as compared to cars, because they are lighter and hence, easier to propel forward.

So we have briefly discussed the main pros of buying a motorbike. But are there any other factors that you have to consider before committing to a bike as your chosen mode of transport? Of course there are.

The most important consideration is safety. As we all know, Singapore doesn’t have the most polite drivers around. People are impatient, rude and inconsiderate. Some drivers like to honk for no reason. Other drivers refuse to give way. Some like to swerve in and out of lanes dangerously. Others always have the mindset that they have the right of way, or daydream when they are driving. Although all this bad behavior is common, it still is very dangerous for bikers, as one tiny bump from a car will send you flying from your bike. And since most bikers we see around the roads do not kit up in full protective riding gear, chances are you will sustain serious injuries.

Therefore, you must be committed to riding safe. One tip that we have is to always be focused on the road and your environment. Don’t blindly assume that other drivers will keep a lookout for you, because they may be dreaming as well. And if anything happens (touch wood), their car may be dented but it may cost you your life. Always be alert while riding.

During rainy or wet weather, be even more alert and safe on the roads. Try to wear bright, reflective clothing that will help inform other drivers of your presence. Rainy days will cut driver visibility by a lot; hence they might not even see you riding near them. Thus, wearing brightly colored clothing or raincoats will be a big help towards ensuring your maximal safety on the road.

What kind of bike to buy?

There are plenty of Singapore motorcycles models available on the market. You can choose to buy a brand-new bike, or opt for second-hand models if you do not wish to commit a significant amount of funds. SGBikeMart has the largest number of listings for both brand-new and second-hand bike models in Singapore, so you’re sure to find something that you love on there.

In terms of bike maintenance and accessories, they’re not 100% necessary. But of course, if you take good care of your bike by servicing it regularly, your bike will reward you in return by performing well and not failing on you when you need it.