BikerVoodoo reader Al sent this in. Kicked in the butt by economic reality, he chose to buy a used Modenas Elit 150 (rebadged PGO T-Rex 150) scooter for daily commuting. Read and enjoy!

PRACTICALITY
I picked up my scooter 1 day before the Malaysian fuel/electricity price hike, so it’s pretty good timing. Evaluating my needs for transportation, I realised, after many months of riding around on my buddy’s 115cc Yamaha Ego, that I didn’t really need a car to get to work. I live 3km away from my office, in a straight line, so obviously fuel consumption isn’t the biggest of my concerns, and neither is toll. Most of the major savings come from not paying for parking, at RM5 per day, and having to wake up early to get a parking spot, otherwise I’d be paying RM7, per day. (There’s only one parking area that charges RM5. The rest charge RM7-10 a day).

Based on my calculations, return on investment for my used bike, valued at RM2500 for a 2004 model, I would have fully amortized it within 10-11 months just on fuel and parking savings alone. This doesn’t even include the weekend excursions.

What if it rains? You get wet. That’s the only real downside… that and it hurts if you fall.

USAGE
It’s pretty quick on its feet. Acceleration is sufficient to stay ahead of traffic in town, and cruise at highway speed of 110km/h without straining mechanicals or rider too much. The fat tyres are sticky enough for their purpose, and being 120/70R12 fronts and 130/70R12 rear, you have a pick of the best scooter tyres available, namely Pirelli, Michelin or Bridgestone. Of course for the budget conscious, I’ve been told that brands like Duro and FKR make reasonably good tyres for these sizes at between RM70-80 a piece.

The top end could be slightly better and less stressed, but that’s compared to being on a 2-stroke repliracer or underbone. It’s reasonable for a town hack. Don’t do long distances and you’re fine.

Vibrations are still quite annoying, although it might just be my particular specimen. Despite having a rock-steady idle, vibes are transferred from the engine to the handlebars pretty well. I’ll figure something out soon.

T-Rex/Elit dash is informative – tachometer, speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. There’s even a digital clock but it wasn’t working as for some reason it is powered by a separate button type battery!

BUYING ONE
Why a Modenas Elit 150? Low resale values makes them good buys used, and they’re not the hottest thing in the market right now so it won’t get stolen. Parts are cheap, plentiful and well made. Why a 150? Cos the 125 just not fast enough! Finally, the Elit 150 / T-Rex 150 is small enough to lane split (as opposed to a larger scooter).

Make sure they have had regular oil, pulley component and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) belt changes or you’re in for a painful introduction to the pavement. If in doubt, just change them when you get the bike. Oil changes are inexpensive, so change often, at every 1000 km or so. and don’t forget a tube of gear lube while you’re at it. Belts and pulleys should last 18000 to 20000km depending on usage. Get the original part. I must stress on original. Any substitute belts have been known to fray and snap in a matter of 2000 – 12000km. It’s just not worth the lost skin.

REFERENCES:
a) MODENAS
b) PGO

バイカーブードゥー

BikerVoodoo reader Al sent this in. Kicked in the butt by economic reality, he chose to buy a used Modenas Elit 150 (rebadged PGO T-Rex 150) scooter for daily commuting. Read and enjoy!

PRACTICALITY
I picked up my scooter 1 day before the Malaysian fuel/electricity price hike, so it’s pretty good timing. Evaluating my needs for transportation, I realised, after many months of riding around on my buddy’s 115cc Yamaha Ego, that I didn’t really need a car to get to work. I live 3km away from my office, in a straight line, so obviously fuel consumption isn’t the biggest of my concerns, and neither is toll. Most of the major savings come from not paying for parking, at RM5 per day, and having to wake up early to get a parking spot, otherwise I’d be paying RM7, per day. (There’s only one parking area that charges RM5. The rest charge RM7-10 a day).

Based on my calculations, return on investment for my used bike, valued at RM2500 for a 2004 model, I would have fully amortized it within 10-11 months just on fuel and parking savings alone. This doesn’t even include the weekend excursions.

What if it rains? You get wet. That’s the only real downside… that and it hurts if you fall.

USAGE
It’s pretty quick on its feet. Acceleration is sufficient to stay ahead of traffic in town, and cruise at highway speed of 110km/h without straining mechanicals or rider too much. The fat tyres are sticky enough for their purpose, and being 120/70R12 fronts and 130/70R12 rear, you have a pick of the best scooter tyres available, namely Pirelli, Michelin or Bridgestone. Of course for the budget conscious, I’ve been told that brands like Duro and FKR make reasonably good tyres for these sizes at between RM70-80 a piece.

The top end could be slightly better and less stressed, but that’s compared to being on a 2-stroke repliracer or underbone. It’s reasonable for a town hack. Don’t do long distances and you’re fine.

Vibrations are still quite annoying, although it might just be my particular specimen. Despite having a rock-steady idle, vibes are transferred from the engine to the handlebars pretty well. I’ll figure something out soon.

T-Rex/Elit dash is informative – tachometer, speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. There’s even a digital clock but it wasn’t working as for some reason it is powered by a separate button type battery!

BUYING ONE
Why a Modenas Elit 150? Low resale values makes them good buys used, and they’re not the hottest thing in the market right now so it won’t get stolen. Parts are cheap, plentiful and well made. Why a 150? Cos the 125 just not fast enough! Finally, the Elit 150 / T-Rex 150 is small enough to lane split (as opposed to a larger scooter).

Make sure they have had regular oil, pulley component and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) belt changes or you’re in for a painful introduction to the pavement. If in doubt, just change them when you get the bike. Oil changes are inexpensive, so change often, at every 1000 km or so. and don’t forget a tube of gear lube while you’re at it. Belts and pulleys should last 18000 to 20000km depending on usage. Get the original part. I must stress on original. Any substitute belts have been known to fray and snap in a matter of 2000 – 12000km. It’s just not worth the lost skin.

REFERENCES:
a) MODENAS
b) PGO

バイカーブードゥー