motorbike licence in Singapore

[Strong Eagle]

You can now only convert to a 2B licence, so max 200cc. They used to be flexible on this if you could prove experience with a bigger bike, but no longer. You have to do the practical training and test after 1 year to get a 2A, then the same again a year later for the 2... booo

This is not quite true. It will depend upon your years of experience on large bikes and your age. I am aware of two recent foreign conversions. In the first, a lengthy time of driving a bike and some certificates and pics did the trick. In the second, as noted in earlier posts, the individual bought a large bike here, rode it for 11 months, then took his written test. When applying for license, they checked '2b', and he said, 'Hey, you mean I need to sell my 1100 after almost a year?'. All the rest of the boxes got checked. If you have ridden for almost a year in Singapore it is kind of hard to say you don't have the road experience.

The whole point of the law is to stop inexperienced youngsters from coming in and buying a Hayabusa only to promptly crash it. If you have experience (more than just a little bit), age, and/or a big bike here, you should be OK. If you are 'youthful' it may not work.

It also requires not taking 'no' for an answer at the license booth. I think the one at Bukit Batok driving centre is the best for motorcycle conversions.

[Jeddyboy]

That's more like it!! I am 40 years old and have been riding BIG bikes for years, never had an accident, touch wood, and would go insane if I had to ride anything below 200cc!!

Thanks for the tip...

Does anyone know a ball park figure for me to ship my bike from London Gatwick to Singapore as well as the sort of costs for registering it in Sing?

It is a Transalp XL650V.

Thanks

[durain]

That's more like it!! I am 40 years old and have been riding BIG bikes for years, never had an accident, touch wood, and would go insane if I had to ride anything below 200cc!!

Thanks for the tip...

Does anyone know a ball park figure for me to ship my bike from London Gatwick to Singapore as well as the sort of costs for registering it in Sing?

It is a Transalp XL650V.

Thanks

dude, you want to air cargo your bike to singapore?! or how about riding it all the way to singapore? a transalp is perfect for round the world ride!

[Jeddyboy]

Now there's an idea, if only I had the time....

[sundaymorningstaple]

I would have brought up SE's case but at the end of the day what they got away with is not something that anybody can guarantee. It's a gamble you take. You buys your ticket and takes your chances.

[Strong Eagle]

That's more like it!! I am 40 years old and have been riding BIG bikes for years, never had an accident, touch wood, and would go insane if I had to ride anything below 200cc!!

Thanks for the tip...

Does anyone know a ball park figure for me to ship my bike from London Gatwick to Singapore as well as the sort of costs for registering it in Sing?

It is a Transalp XL650V.

Thanks

Very big hassle. Costly to ship. Cannot even do if bike is over 3 years old.

http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/o ... rcycle.pdf

And like SMS said, these things happen on an exception basis. But it can be done.

[sillingw]

Agree with SG, remember you get a year on your overseas licence so get here, get a big bike, asap so you can genuinely say you have been riding in SG for some time, the bike is outside and be polite, Having gone thru this myself, this is what I would do, although according to some posters there may be an element of risk.

I would not want to ride on these roads without a valid liceence, but my perception is you stand a good chance of getting one, If you can get proof of long insurance with a big bike, then it would not do any harm - if they refuse you, it would be nearly impossible to overturn, so when you apply, you need to have a good case, be well armed and be polite.

[Jeddyboy]

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I think I will buy a big bike when I arrive and ride it for a year and then seek a SG licence, and go from there. Any advice or recommendations of the best bike insurance to get in SG?

Thanks again...

[sillingw]

could depend on the bike, I have a BMW and got s good deal thru the BMW motorcycle club of singapore, again, get proof of insurance history, you MAY be able to use it in negotiaion, when you know the bike, let us know, i'll ask around,

[Jeddyboy]

Thanks sillingw. Must admit, I can't wait to get over to SG, have gotten fed up commuting 110 miles round M25 every day, even on my Transalp!!!

[sillingw]

One other must - wet weather gear!! It rains a lot - really rains - and it's hot so sometimes when you are stuck in traffic, it's like riding in a sauna - you will see a lot of the little bikers going around in flip-flops, shots and t-shirt - not recommended on SG roads they don't seem to realise what gravity and momentum can do to a human body when you get bumped by an innatentive driver - they also seem to think that the lane demarkation lines have to be driven on rigidly - which means they appear out of nowhere - makes life interesting

[Jeddyboy]

I noticed the slight humidity when I was out there, and the rather fanciful driving, esp by the taxi drivers. That reminds me, how do so many taxi drivers NOT know where certain landmarks are? Drove me mad...

[Lars andersen]

hey all,

1st nice pic of the bike above

and thankyou to all for you information and help, i will
have to agree with a few people, and buy a bigger
bike for the year coming. As for making a solid case
i think it would be wiser for me to buy something
similar to a suzuki gs500f, which in NSW Australia
is also Learner legal. Whilst its not quick it does
have enough low down and would keep me sane
enough. This way i may be able to plea that the
bike is safe and equivalent to some <200cc bikes
considering power to weight ratio... maybe..

I dont want to start a new thread for it, and there
seems to be some interest in it also, so next
question would be..

Where to get insurance? are there any particulars in
Spore? eg. suzuki GS500F

oh and i heard a Dainese shop recently opened up,
do you know if they cater for tall people? and is
there a Draggin Jeans store around?
Just thinking i might not want to bring all my gear
with me..

thank you all for the help so far,,... and after

[Strong Eagle]

Like everywhere else, insurance rates are a function of bike type and cost, rider age and experience, and level of coverage desired (liability, fire and theft, comprehensive, etc).

There are several insurance agencies/companies around; my personal preference is to deal directly with NTUC, competitive rates. I pay around S$475 per year for my scooter (1500 cc) for liability and fire and theft (can't get comprehensive because of its age). I'm 58 with 40 years of riding experience.

[trinity511]

I noticed the slight humidity when I was out there, and the rather fanciful driving, esp by the taxi drivers. That reminds me, how do so many taxi drivers NOT know where certain landmarks are? Drove me mad...

The thing with taxi drivers is that they dont have to pass a test of any sort to become one, also if they pretend not to know where they are going its easier to take the long way. Had a driver try this on me but only paid him what it normaly cost to get where I was going. Now back to the subject in hand, you need to be aware that the max speed limit on any road in Singapore is only 90km so unless you go touring through Malaysia a big bike can be a waste, in saying that I have had to sit my license here in Sing as I never bothered in NZ/Aus (big mistake) so I have taken the 200cc route until the year passes and its sufficient for now.