Besides the phantom, there's Steed and Virago. But the popular
choice would be the Phantom.
If you plan to upgrade your license and bike in future, it is
recommended that you get a 2nd hand bike. But if you get a first
hand bike and it breaks down, it is either yours or the
manufacturer's fault. I feel better if my bike conks out and I know
that I am the cause of it.
COE you will have to check the COE listings every month. Other than
that the bike shop will tell you how much the COE is. I normally
don't bother about this because no matter what the bike's COE is
still cheaper than a car's.
Insurance is dependant on your age and what kind of bike you're
riding. Young person on a sportsbike, high insurance. Old man on a
less appealing bike, cheaper insurance.
Road tax is dependant on the bike's cc.
For instalments, different shops offer different rates. When you
hear 5% over 3 years, it is 15%. The last known range I heard of
would be 3%-5%. I can't remember because my last bike I paid
full.
The plates you hear kinda let you know what year the bike was
out... FR, FQ, FV... the current plate now is, FZ. So in future
people mention a FZ plate, you can roughly gauge that it was out
around 2004-5. But like cars, there are people who buy number
plates so if you hear anything special, then the generation of the
bike isn't accurate anymore.
I used to ride a phantom 200 and for a full tank inclusive of
reserve costing $11-15 took me 250-300+km. Parking charges, eh I
can't remember I pay by GIRO. It's still cheaper than a car. ERP,
depends on how often you go in. Don't forget to put some money
aside for fines.
Where to buy bikes? Hmmm there are a few shops, depends on whether
you want good after service or some other factors. Some shops sell
cheap, you get your bike and then they don't care about you. Some
require you to pay more and you can send it back for servicing for
around 3 sessions without paying anything. Its a give and take
situation, you gotta know what you want.
Hope this helps. For any incorrect/outdated info, pls provide the
correct/updated one.
