Job Discussion Forums

[gugelhupf]

Have any bules had much experience buying, registering and running a 'big' bike in Indonesia - specifically Jabotabek?

I run a Yamaha Scorpio as it is one of the few Indo bikes with much legroom between the seat and footpegs but I'd really like a big trail bike (XT600, Africa Twin, BMW F650 etc etc). I understand that rules and regs are quite complex and usually involve much greasing of palms down at the police HQ. Any advice, folks?

Alternatively, does anyone know where I could get a motocross bike with a tall seat height that could be registered for on the road without special licensing?

[Chester]

Some of the Korean bikes imported a like a trail/motocross.
they look pretty good, but i guess they will not be up to the quality of jap or european bikes, just yet.

there is a place in Bintaro that sells them. they are cheap and have decent leg space (so the knees dont stick out, geez i hate that).
and the suspension has a fair bit of travel.

[Cardinal Synn]

I'm pretty sure that only the police can ride off road bikes on the street. Even if there's a legal way around this, I imagine you'd get pulled all the time as the average cop would reckon you're breaking the law and want some cash - so you'd be pull bait. Best to go for a road bike. I notice the cops use Yam 750s. Nice. I had a Honda Tiger coz it was fairly hassle free, but I can understand you wanting something bigger than a 200.

[gugelhupf]

Thanks guys. I've seen the Korean 'trail' bike, the K-cross, and iIdon't think it looks very robust especially with a big heavy bule in the seat. I'm told it might be possible to register a Yamaha 250 trail but I'll have to look into that. I've just put sports tyres and a loud pipe on my Scorpio to try to fool myself that I'm riding a bigger bike......sad eh?

On the positive side I joined the Yamaha Scorpio club in Jakarta - there are similar touring clubs for the Honda Tiger - and I found this is an excellent way to get to know a new circle of friends very quickly and have had loads of help finding dealers and accessory shops around town.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

My advice would be 'DON"T TOUCH WITH A BARGEPOLE'

I had a Tiger for my first year which was great - I fancied something different so I bought a Honda CBR 400. This turned out to be one of the most expensive mistakes I've ever made.

Unless you can afford the ridiculous price of a new bike (plus import tax) you'll end up buying a re-con death trap that's been exported from Singapore because it's not road worthy over there, but judged ok for Indonesia. To register this heap of cr@p you must be a member of a club, who will also expect to be paid 'extras' to get you this piece of paper (which only lasts 6 months If i remember?)

Also, finding a mechanic/parts for these bikes is a nightmare. Expect to be bent over and shafted for every thing related to this bike - until at last you sell it on to another sucker.

[guruengerish]

my two penneworth re motor bikes is this: I had a Yamaha trail bike for some years and never had any problems with registering it, and was often stopped by the police for a licence check, but nothing else.

While off road bikes are normally only sold to the police, and mine was exactly the same as the standard police issue, there were never any problems. I bought mine 2nd hand, and don't know what the previous owner did to get this, if anything.

When I wanted to extend my driver's licence, the cops wanted Rp500.000. I declined, and had another international licence sent to me for AU$20.00.