Hi Guys
Looking to get a motorbike for food delivery side jobs and commute. I live in Sydney eastern suburb and work in Liverpool, it doesn't need to be fuel gurgling speed demon (preferred not) but it need to be able to go at least 100kph, and climb steep areas such as Barker Street in between UNSW and Randwick (21 degree maybe). anyone got any recommendation?
BTW I am very interested with KTM 200, but hoping anyone got recommendations.
lol alright, edited to 21 degree.
But then my comment isn't relevant…
As the world's steepest street is NOT Barker Street, then it must be less than 21 degrees.
Your comment is still relevant, and OP is still overstating things.
@GG57: I'm at work and bored, so I checked via LiDAR survey. Barker is 9.09 degrees at the steepest section
Did you maybe mean % instead degrees?
21° = 38.4%
You're doing the right thing, nothing worse than getting stuck behind those scooters which can't even hit 60kph on the main road, they should be illegal as they're dangerous, particularly for the rider. I know nothing about motorbikes though so can't help you there.
Stay clear of the Chinese stuff (CF Moto, Benelli, Lifan, SWM, Zongshen)
The KTM is OK, but will be working hard at highway speeds and they tend to get very hot at low speeds in the summer. I would be inclined to look at the 390 Duke over the 200but also be aware they are known for being a little flakey in the electronics, probably due to being built in India.
I think the Yamaha MT-03 is a more reliable option. Also Honda CB 400.
Steer clear of full-fairing style road bikes as you WILL be dropping it and it makes for much more expensive repair.
What about taiwanese? another driver leaving the work offered me TGB 303RS150 2008, 48000km so far.
I cant agree with some of these. I don't know how you can lump in the likes of SWM and Benelli with Lifan and Zongshen.
Absolutley, Lifan and Zongshen are absolute garbage. Very cheaply made and unreliable, but SWM and Benelli, while being Chinese made are about as different as a crap Chinese phone compared with a high end phone made in the same country.
Benelli have been in the motorcycle game for about 100 years. They build reasonably good quality and affordable bikes.
SWM is basically a rebirth of a brand by an ex-Husqvarna engineer and the old Husqvarna factory and tooling. SWM have also been around making bikes for quite some time (albeit a break when they went into liquidation). (Note: SWM will keep manufacturing in Italy at Biandronno near Varese, in the old factory of Husqvarna closed from KTM.)
CF Moto is hit and miss. I would buy a CF Moto over a Lifan or a Zongshen, but would buy a SWM or Benelli over a lot of mainstream brands.
After having owned a RC390, There is no way I would own a 200 KTM. The 390 was gutless, the 200 would be worse.
The MT-03 Would be a good choice, as it is a 660cc and a much nicer bike to ride than a CB400. More power and doesn't feel as heavy or bulky to ride. (And for the record, I think the MT-03 is made in Indonesia. That's better than China???)
SWM adventure/trail (& new motard) bikes are made in Italy, but they also have road bikes made by Shineray (their financial saviour) in China. The Italian bikes are good, dunno about the Chinese stuff.
They may be long-standing brands, but as with BMW and KTM outsourcing to India, there is a loss of quality control. There is also issues of spare parts, after-sales support and factory trained mechanics availability that is just not there.
SWM are probably better than Benelli for reliability for the reasons you referred to, but there are issues with build finish and electrical on them. I haven't ridden the SWM, only read stuff on bike forums, but the Benelli's ride nicely, just feels a little dated (small thing, I know). and are known for oil seepage from various points.
As for CF moto you only have to look at all the rolling chassis' for sale on the internet with expired engines for their quality.
So far, the Japanese factories are best at maintaining quality control when moving production to other Asian countries. Teey also sell in such markedly higher volume.
Motorcycles may not be as complex as cars, but I still see that having reliable parts supply and factory trained mechanics as being important when buying a new motorcycle.
I still wouldn't lump SWM and Benelli in with Lifan and Zhongshen…
Any of the Japanese 250's or 300's will do. Buy a Ninja which already has some cosmetic damage and you won't have to stress about adding a few more scratches. They're everywhere, so parts are easy and cheap.
Otherwise, get a DRZ250 and you can have some fun as well.
For the lowest maintenance and repair costs I'd recommend to copy the taxi and courier industry. For cars that means Falcon/Commodore. For motorcycle couriers I think they used to be Kawasaki 250cc and 300cc Ninja.
If most of your pickup deliveries are in the CBD I'd recommend a bike that has a tight turning circle. A good turning circle means quicker parking and easier to U-turn. Scooters usually have the tightest turning circles and are excellent as commuters.
What scooter is good that can hit 100kph easily and climb hills?
You can buy scooters with different engine sizes, they're not all 50cc. For example, the Suzuki Burgman 600 is fairly popular. You will need a motorcycle licence to ride it though (whereas you can ride a 50cc scooter with a car licence in some states).
Suzuki GS500, reliable, solid and enough power to make hills fun. Was my first bike, can usually get one for about $3-4k and they hold their value pretty well. Good luck.
Are you allowed to get a 500cc as beginner? I thought they were 250cc and power restricted.
Isn’t about the CC but the power to weight ratio. Like a restricted KLR 650 is fine. Look up a DRZ 400SM.
oh ok. I got my open motorbike license in 1992 so I'm not really familiar with LAMS etc.
@lunchbox99: LAMS is up to 660cc and under 150kw/tonne. So it counts out things like GSXR600/CBR600/ZX600 etc, but allows for bikes like Ducati 659 Monster
After owning the KTM 390, you don't want to go smaller than that. If you like the KTM, do not go for the 200.
If it's for deliveries, get a larger capacity scooter, like a 250 or 300. A lot easier to ride around in urban areas and will easily do 100 on a highway. Dont get a Vespa, because you can get the same thing in another brand without having to pay for the stupid brand name they put on it.
Alternative is something like a Suzuki DR400 Super Motard. Super easy to ride, great at blasting around in back streets and through traffic, more than enough power for freeway cruising. They are also super economical and easy to service and maintain.
Yes to the DRZ! My first bike. Didn’t see your comment before. Was on a SMC 690 for a while but that thing was a tad too crazy.
Honda Grom
need to be able to go at least 100kph
Counts the Grom out.
Ahaha true..
Hayabusa
*Turbo ‘busa
Smart
Get an old postie bike
Freeway speeds and climbing hills comfortably counts postie bikes out.
Can't beat them as a delivery bike though. What I have seen these bikes loaded up with each time I got to Vietnam is amazing.
What is your budget ? Are you planning to buy new or used ? Definitely buy a naked. The newer Duke 390's are great
The steepest street in the world maxes out at 21°.
I doubt the street you talk of is anywhere near 40°.