2015 Top 6 Malaysian Beginner Bike

   2 years ago I posted an article titled "Malaysian Top 5 Beginner Bike. Well, that is for year 2014. For 2015, after we done lots of researches, we got better bike, with different prices and different experiences. So I have been done some research for 2015 and they are totally different than last  2 years. so, here we go.

1. Kawasaki Ninja 250RR
   
   
   
   
   Quick Spec : 250 cc, 6 gear transmission, liquid cooling, twin cylinders
   Price           : RM 25,000 ++    
           This is the bike that owned most beginner riders in Malaysian. In fact, some of them stay with this bike too. With bigger chassis size, this bike really has 650 cc of body size. The handle is too high makes it relaxing for you to ride.
   
   

   

   
   

   
   PRO:    
    1. The Kawasaki Brand is trusted. So this bike is reliable. Worth to own. Some of the spare parts are ready stock, so you don't have to order and wait for it.    
   2. Bigger body size is really look like you owning big bike. Also makes you stable in high speed.    
   3. This is among the fastest bike for 250 cc class. The rival is Yamaha R25.
   
   

   

   
   

   CON:    
   1. Parts are too expensive. Plus this bike also the most expensive bike of 250 cc class.  
   2. Good with speed, bad with fuel consumption. A higher speed requires more fuel.    
   3. Dude, don't you have another design? I have been seeing this kind of face since 2012. Do some changes for this bike appearance, please! 
   

   
   
   (This is Carburetor Model. The only model that using EFi is the final version, 2012)

   
   
2. Yamaha R25
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Quick Spec : Spec is quite similar with her rival, Ninja. She 250 cc, 6 gear transmission, liquid                       cooling, twin cylinders. The difference is only the dimensions, material and other features.
   Price           : RM 23,000 ++
   
           This is the rival for Kawasaki Ninja 250RR. In my previous blog, most frequently asked question is about the differences between these two bikes. Yamaha has their own name, and popularity. So it is up to you to choose which one but to be, if you are smaller person then this bike is suitable since Kawasaki Ninja is too big for you. Trust me on this.
   
   

   

    (Black Version is the rarest one)

   
   

   
   

   PRO:    
   1. Fast bike, but they claim that this bike also has good fuel consumption too.    
   2. Smaller body size makes smaller siz rider can ride. But taller person also looks great on this bike.    
   3. Worthy bike like ninja. With just RM 23,000.00 you will own this. Some of the owners won't upgrade to another bike.
   
   

   
   (They came in three different styles and colors)

   
   CON:  
   1. Since this model lunched early of this year, the spare parts are more likely not ready stock.
   2.  Errr.. nope, I don't see any dislike~
   

   

   (Valentino Rossi in Official Poster of Yamaha R25)

   
   

   
   
3. Kawasaki Z250
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Quick Spec : Spec is same as Kawasaki Ninja 250RR ( 250 cc, 6 gear transmission, liquid cooling, twin cylinders) But this is the naked version.
   
   Price: RM 21,000.00 ++
   
          If its not Ninja, then it should be Z250. This is the version or people who love naked bike. Naked bike are good for urban ride with heavy traffic jammed. and this bike is in third place in our list. Yeah, a lot of Malaysians riders riding this. And this bike is very common in the road.
   
   

   

   PRO:    
   1. Just like Ninja 250RR, this bike is real fast!
   2. Not just ready stock spare parts, but they also has a lot of genuine parts. Because you don't mess with substitute spare parts.

   
   
   

   

   CON:  
   1.We all know the Kawasaki spare parts are very expensive.
   2. Z250 is the most expensive 250 cc superbike.
   
   

   

   
   
4. KTM  Duke 200
   

   

   Quick Spec : 200 cc of engine displacement, Liquid Cooler, Single Cylinder, 6 gears of Transmission
   
   Price: RM 16 ,000.00 ++
   
          People choose this bike only for 3 reasons; The Price, The Sound, or because you are a girl. Well, this could be the cheapest beginner bike so far. Cheap, but reliable. Only with 200 cc, but the power can outrun any other 200 cc bikes like Skyline/ DZM/ or Fz 150i.
         More, this is the bike that has high votes from girls. Maybe the like the face lift, or maybe this bike is easier for them to ride? Could ask them though.
   
    PRO:      

   1. Fastest in its class.
   2. Very cheap for beginner bike.
   3. Voted to have good face lift.
   4. Girls love this bike.
   
   CON:  
   1 .Single cylinder but the piston size is the biggest in 250cc class. So the sound is too loud.
   2. Not all parts are ready stock.
   
   

   (This is the newer version of KTM Duke 200)

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   (But the old version is the one who in our list)

   

   
   

   
   
5. Honda CBR 250RR
   
   
   
   
   Quick Spec : 250 cc of engine displacement, Liquid Cooler, Single Cylinder, 6 gears of Transmission
   
   
   Price: RM 22 ,000.00 ++
   
   

      This is a simple bike but still a lot of riders choose to ride this as their starter bike. Could be easy maintain or good design. But newer Honda CBR has dual light is not popular as previous one. I prefer the dual light actually. Maybe old model has their own story.
   
    PRO:      

   1. Easy maintain, and good fuel consumption.
   2. Good price compared to Kawasaki Ninja and Yamaha R25.
   3. Very good bike for stater.
   4. Super light!
   
   CON:  
   1 .Single cylinder, so sound doesn't quite same as Ninja and Yamaha R25.
   2. Even though its HONDA, but most spare parts are not ready stock
   
   

   
   
   
6. Naza Blade 250 TBR
   
   
   
   
   
   Quick Spec : 250 cc of engine displacement, Liquid Cooler, V-Twin, 6 gears of Transmission
   
   
   Price: RM 17 ,000.00 ++
   
             This is Naza Blade 250 TBR. What the differences between the normal Naza Blade 250R? Well, it just some accessories. Like Exhaust, and some stickers on the fairing. Yet, this kind of bike still become choices of some newbie riders.
             The older version of this bike has a lot of complaints. The newer ones that using EFi instead of carburetor, the only problem that we hear about is the sensor. That is what you nned to be careful while purchasing this bike.
             Yeah, since it is using same engine system like Ducati, its possible to have exactly Ducati engine's sound.Except Ducati is much louder due to larger pistons. But since you can have Ducati sound, why don't you try to convert your Naza Blade into Ducati as well? It would be nice.
   

   

   
   
    PRO:      

   1. Cheaper recommended V-Twin bike you can own.
   2. This is the bike can you can customized most. Some of them convert to Ducati, some of the convert to R6, and more.
   3. Tank size is 18L, makes your bike look like a 650cc. In fact, hard to know either your Naza Blade is 250 cc or 650 cc

   
   

   CON:  

   1 .Too much problem in older version, still has some problem with newer model.
   2. This bike is ideal for 650 cc but it is too heavy for 250 cc. So if you are small dude, I suggest you choose smaller bike like Duke 200 or R25.

   

    TRIVIA

1. Kawasaki Ninja wins the most beloved beginner bike, since last year.
2. Most girls love either KTM Duke 200, or Kawasaki Z250. I seen these girls ride that kind of bikes.
3. The most expensive bike is Kawasaki Ninja 250R, and the cheapest one you can get is KTM Duke 200.
4. Latest version of KTM Duke 200, hasn't introduced yet into Malaysian Market.
5. All of these beginner bike are 250 cc, except KTM Duke that only 200 cc of displacement.

         Until today, no one knows which one is best beginner bike. Its all up to you, what kind of style that suit you.  Good luck.

REVIEW: KTM Duke 200 ( with Custom Mode)

    Hello again. This is my another review to you. And this review is about KTM Duke 200. But its not just the Duke, but this bike has been customized and is so funny to see. But first, let me to introduce you about KTM Duke 200 specification:.

ENGINE

• Type: Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine, liquid-cooled
• Displacement 199.5 cm³
• Bore 72 mm
• Stroke 49 mm
• Power: 19 kW (25 hp)
• Starter System:  Electric starter
• Transmission: 6-speed, claw shifted
• Primary gear ratio: 22:72
• Secondary gear ratio: 14:42
• Cooling system: Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump
• Clutch: Clutch in oil bath / mechanically operated
• Ignition system: Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment

And here are another info about Chassis and Dimension:

Frame	Tubular space frame made from steel tubes, powder-coated
Fork	WP Suspension Up Side Down
Shock absorber	WP Suspension Monoshock
Suspension travel Front	150 mm
Suspension travel Rear	150 mm
Brake system Front	Disc brake with four-pot brake caliper
Brake system Rear	Disc brake with one-pot brake caliper, floating brake discs
Brake discs - diameter front	300 mm
Brake discs - diameter rear	230 mm
Chain	5/8 x 1/4” X‑Ring
Steering head angle	65°
Wheel base	1,367±15 mm
Ground clearance (unloaded)	170 mm
Seat height (unloaded)	800 mm
Total fuel tank capacity approx.	11 l Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON)
Weight without fuel approx.	129.5 kg

      Now we go to the review. Why I giving this review is because I have a friends that used to ride this before he trade in to bigger super bike. I have ride this for less than 30 minutes so not much of review I can give you, but here is what I found out with ridding it in short moment.

1. KTM Duke 200 is super light compared to full fairing super bike. That is why we call it naked bike or street fighter bike. SO we can see the advantages for small engine to run faster. Plus the acceleration are good too.
2. But bare in mind, that when it comes to naked bike/street fighter bike, they won't be so stable when it comes to top speed. You can feel some vibrations while riding Duke above 135 km/h. SO I can say here that naked bike are not for fast riding.
3. KTM Duke 200 is good for daily use, since its easier to control in small area, live for urban ride, and you can ride it on traffic jam without rising the engine's temperature, 
4. The price is good too. Its around RM 16,000 to RM 19,000. SO you do the maths.
5. About the brand, KTM Duke is still new in Malaysia. So the after sale service is still no match with long established company in Malaysia like Kawasaki and Yamaha.
6. The spare parts are not ready stock too. My friends have to wait three days just to get the sprocket. Wow. That's a long wait.
7. Has good fuel consumption compared to full fairing super bike. Well, this bike is so light anyway.
8. Sound is too loud. Even its a single cylinder bike, but the piston is so big, Same size with compact car's piston. Cool, power, but also makes your neighbor hood uncomfortable sometime. Let's me give you an advice, "Don't ever change the exhaust".
9. Most riders are agree that KTM Duke series (200, 390 and 690 cc) has the best street fighter design.

     So that's all my review. Sorry for lack info since I only ridden this machine less than 30 minutes. But So far I recommended you to pick this KTM Duke 200 if you are looking first bike for daily use. Easier to maintain and most of all, the styles are stunning. SO have fun and ride with pride.

   Oh, before I left you, here some photos from Indonesia, where they use KTM Duke 200 to support his business. One word : CREATIVE!