Singapore Expats

Hey, I've recently arrived in SG clutching my brand spanking new Entrepass, and am looking to get a bike for a bit of fun and transport. I'm hoping to get a used sports tourer, maybe around the 600cc range and have been looking around for pricing and availability. Ebay and other local internet classified sites seem to be quite rubbish for selection, and I've not seen many bike shops around where I live (Katong), and those I have run across only seem to sell gear, accessories, and/or small bikes.

What are my options? Are there any good internet sites/dead tree listings/bricks and mortar establishments around that might be useful?

Also, I have a valid Australian riders license (since 2003). Would my best bet to go for a conversion straight away, or is it possible to purchase and register a bike on a foreign license, then take my time getting the conversion?

Thanks.

Do a search on motor cycle license conversion. It's been discussed a number of times. In fact, one of our Mods, Strong Eagle, is a Valk rider. Curiousgeorge was a big bike rider as well. There are a few more here I believe. There are also some dedicated forum for bikes here but the links are not at hand but I know they are in some of the discussion threads here.

Thanks sundaymorningstaple, I did read up on the conversion process so am reasonably familiar with what is involved, what is not clear is if one can legally purchase and register a motorcycle prior to conversion of one's license (waiting 3 months to take the test doesn't sound like much fun in the mean time). That was a bit of a secondary question anyway.

I wasn't able to locate the motorcycle specific forum you refer to. Hopefully someone here will be able to point me to it.

Nathan Explosion wrote:... what is not clear is if one can legally purchase and register a motorcycle prior to conversion of one's license (waiting 3 months to take the test doesn't sound like much fun in the mean time). That was a bit of a secondary question anyway.

If you say there are no bike shops in Singapore, you gotta look harder mate .. there is a whole building selling all types of bikes ..

And you can ride with your license, if it is in the TP list of allowed licenses (IDP and the like .. ) until you get your conversion ..

I think it was six months from the date you arrived here.

Oh, as SMS says, do read up on the conversion thing ..

Thanks ecureilx, as I mentioned I did read read up on the conversion thing, and I am aware that I can ride on my current foreign license. My question was regarding the legality of physical ownership of a motorcycle. Having lived in a number of countries I can tell you that these can be two very different issues in the eyes of the law.

I'm pretty sure I didn't say that there are no bike shops, I said I've not seen many bike shops around where I live, and that those I have seen don't sell bikes of the size I am seeking.

If there is a whole building selling all types of bikes, would you be able to direct me as to where I might find it? Unfortunately being a recent arrival I have not yet had the chance to visit all parts of the island from coast to coast. Perhaps a motorcycle might help with this.

Thanks again.

Just for starters.....

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic45738.html

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic36706.html

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic56735.html

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic71692.html

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic63383.html

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic63383.html

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic48879.html

Nathan Explosion wrote:Thanks ecureilx, as I mentioned I did read read up on the conversion thing, and I am aware that I can ride on my current foreign license. My question was regarding the legality of physical ownership of a motorcycle. Having lived in a number of countries I can tell you that these can be two very different issues in the eyes of the law.

why would it ?? Where I come from, and in Singapore from what I know, I know people who are 'legal owners' of cars (oh, not bikes but cars) but they don't have a local driving license. Their kids drive it as the kids have local licenses. The owner is the parent .. I know that much, as I have driven one car when the owner was in town, and his son was not in Singapore, as he can't drive, minus a local license.

I'm pretty sure I didn't say that there are no bike shops, I said I've not seen many bike shops around where I live, and that those I have seen don't sell bikes of the size I am seeking.

If there is a whole building selling all types of bikes, would you be able to direct me as to where I might find it? Unfortunately being a recent arrival I have not yet had the chance to visit all parts of the island from coast to coast. Perhaps a motorcycle might help with this.

Thanks again.

you can start off with the papers.. for the various bike sales ..

And why do you need a big bike ? Singapore is not like 1000 kilometer by 1000 kilometer ? unless you plan to be a babe magnet

And .. well, I didn't need a bike to get to know Singapore, and oh, the MRT was less than half the size it was then .. there was no NEL, no Circle Line, no BP LRT, and no train to Changi ..

Wahlau, you had MRT when you came? You lucky dawg! I didn't even have the CTE! In fact only had three letter highways then, AYE, PIE & ECP

sundaymorningstaple, thanks very much for the links, I do appreciate the effort in trying to help me. I apologise that perhaps I have not been very clear. I already completely understand my legal position with regard to riding a motorcycle in Singapore, and the procedure involved in converting a foreign license to a local one. This is all very straight forward, and there is an abundance of information on this topic, all of which I believe I have read.

What is not clear, and is not mentioned in those threads, or in any other places that I have been able to find, is whether or not one can purchase and register a motorcycle without a local license. As an example, in the state I am from in Australia anyone with a foreign license can drive a vehicle. Anyone can purchase a motor vehicle (car, bike, whatever), however in order to legally operate that motor vehicle they are required to register it. Failure to register a vehicle will result in a number of charges being levelled at the driver, including "Driving an unregistered vehicle", "Failure to pay road tax", and "Driving an uninsured vehicle". Believe me, I know. Perhaps a regular bike rider here in Singapore might be able to let us know what the situation is with some first hand experience.

ecureilx, thank you for the hint, I will check out the Straights Times. If there are any motorcycle mega malls around, locations of those would be great too.

As for the bike size, well, lets put it this way, I get the feeling that a 6", 90kg Ang Moh on a 50cc scooter riding along the ECP is a great recipe for ending up under a number 36 bus.

Thanks.

Nathan Explosion wrote:Thanks ecureilx, as I mentioned I did read read up on the conversion thing, and I am aware that I can ride on my current foreign license. My question was regarding the legality of physical ownership of a motorcycle. Having lived in a number of countries I can tell you that these can be two very different issues in the eyes of the law.

I'm pretty sure I didn't say that there are no bike shops, I said I've not seen many bike shops around where I live, and that those I have seen don't sell bikes of the size I am seeking.

If there is a whole building selling all types of bikes, would you be able to direct me as to where I might find it? Unfortunately being a recent arrival I have not yet had the chance to visit all parts of the island from coast to coast. Perhaps a motorcycle might help with this.

Thanks again.

Mah Pte Ltd, 1179 Serangoon Road, Singapore

http://www.mah.com.sg/

Try Clarke Quay at 2am......

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Wahlau, you had MRT when you came? You lucky dawg! I didn't even have the CTE!

I told somebody you are Ancient

When I came, CTE and all was there, no KPE though ..

Oh, I still have the street map (Mighty Minds Road Directory) and when I stare at it, I realised that a lot of new roads don't exist in the map of 1999 and then I realised that even the street map of 2002 is too useless to a great extent ..


BillyB: OT at 3 AM too is good I saw some guys who roar their Harleys at at time ..

ecureilx wrote:

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Wahlau, you had MRT when you came? You lucky dawg! I didn't even have the CTE!

I told somebody you are Ancient

When I came, CTE and all was there, no KPE though ..

Oh, I still have the street map (Mighty Minds Road Directory) and when I stare at it, I realised that a lot of new roads don't exist in the map of 1999 and then I realised that even the street map of 2002 is too useless to a great extent ..


BillyB: OT at 3 AM too is good I saw some guys who roar their Harleys at at time ..

Is that code?!

BillyB wrote:
BillyB: OT at 3 AM too is good I saw some guys who roar their Harleys at at time ..

Is that code?!

No .. not code .. literally they show off their Harleys around that time .. God Only know what they gain by doing it at that time of the night (or day .. )

ecureilx wrote:

BillyB wrote:
BillyB: OT at 3 AM too is good I saw some guys who roar their Harleys at at time ..

Is that code?!

No .. not code .. literally they show off their Harleys around that time .. God Only know what they gain by doing it at that time of the night (or day .. )

Noun
bike (plural bikes)
A short form of bicycle.
A short form of motorcycle.
(slang) A promiscuous woman; from “the town bike (everybody rides her)”