hairball wrote:Hi guys,
I'm coming from Canada for a one-year program and since I'll be travelling back and forth a lot to school, I've been thinking about getting a motorcycle. I'm licensed in Canada.
I was wondering if anyone could help me clarify what the typical buying process of a used motorcycle is in Singapore?
Here typically, you would find and pay for the bike, then it needs to pass a safety before you can plate it (this can involve having it brought to a mechanic) and then it needs to be insured before finally you can legally drive it. This process tends to involve a lot of either getting friends with a truck to help you move the bike or renting a trailer.
Is it similar in Singapore? or is there a window where you can you ride it home once you've bought it and then go through the insurance process?
Thanks!
It's simpler. Assuming it's a private transaction;
Find a bike on sgbikemart or similar.
Take a look at it - if you want it pay a small deposit and agree to meet at the LTA offfice to do the transfer.
Go home - arrange insurance to start the day of the takeover (direct asia online insurance).
Meet the fellow at the LTA (he rides the bike to LTA). You do a transfer at the LTA counter *(you need proof of insurance and your passport). You pay him there and then the balance in cash or with a bankers draft. Ride home (or drop by and collect from his house/work whatever). The LTA transfer is not much - $20 or so. In my opinion the used bike market here is a buyers market - most riders like to upgrade regularly here and can't maintain a bicycle much less a bike so can't cope with minor problems and just change bikes to get away from issues - so offer a lower price than the asking price every time!
DON"T buy bikes that have been extensively modified - used bikes have to pass a yearly inspection and mods are a no-no (particularly exhaust mods).
If you do this at LTA together you have assurance that the owner is legit, that the bike is not stolen or under finance and that it is registered (and hence passed it's last safety inspection).
It's a little simpler when buying from a shop - you don't have to go into LTA and they can arrange insurance on the spot as well as finance. You usually find a bike you like and then arrange to come back with the funds to collect it on a set day. IF buying from a shop they should meet a min mechanical standard as well - I usually insist on new tyres, chains, sprockets, grips and mirrors (if damaged) along with a fresh oil change and battery (if not obviously very new) and sometimes a new cheapo helmet, bike cover and rain gear. You are expected to pay a deposit to be taken seriously. I have had good service from AS Phoon.
(Note - you could in theory buy a private bike in one to two hours if you had access to a printer and online laptop - the usual bottleneck is getting insurance arranged but now with direct asia online you can apply and priint out in 10 mins or so and then go straight to LTA together - the buyer and seller HAVE to be present at LTA for private transactions - makes it a pain in the ass if you try to sell your bike remotely - sell it before you leave or at least leave someone authorised in writing to sell it).
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