Finally after 12 years I finally own & ride a S4 again. From Project Big to now Spec III. Frankly speaking, the least of my worries was being unable to handle the bike since previously I only ride class 2A bikes (that is before my license was revoked). But earlier on during the ride back on this Super Four, I realise I need a lot more practise. I guess it is because I have been riding an auto scooter for almost 4 years. The handling is just totally different. Firstly is the clutch on the left hand, gear change lever on the left foot & rear brakes on the right foot. This conventional configuration is just different from my scooter. VXR only has rear brakes on left lever & front brakes on right lever. It is basically a T&G, Twist & Go!
Anyway, right after collecting the bike I made a trip down to 洛阳大伯公 (Loyang Tua Pek Kong) to pray for safety. Yeah, old people tend to be more superstitious. Pantang to be more exact. Anyway, I forgot about the safety feature whereby you have to release the side stand before you engage 1st gear or else the engine will get cut off. That embarassing moment happened when I was leaving the petrol kiosk. But embarassment is nothing compared to my personal safety.
Now I have to shuffle between the Super Four & VXR. My VXR is very attention seeking. Why do I say so? Because if I don't ride her at least every alternate day, she will have problem starting up & the feel will be weird when travelling on her. Until my delicate delicacy decides to takeover her, I am left with no other options but to ride both bikes on alternate days. But since I have yet to buy season parking for the new 大黄, I have no choice but to leave 小红 at home again tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
小红变大黄
I had been considering about getting a bigger bike since the day I started riding again. To be exact, a Honda Super 4. I have no qualms about getting either a Project Big, Version R or S, Spec I, II or III. I know the qualities of this bike. I used to own a Project Big during my NS time. It was the best ride I ever had. But of course if you were to compare the power, then the Hurricane was the most powerful in the class 2A category.
Anyway, the main factor holding me back from buying a S4 was the price itself. A whopping $13K+ for a brand new machine. And with the increasing COE, that certainly hold me back for good. But as my VXR has been giving me problems once too often, I have no choice but to scout for an alternative. I have been eyeing the yellow Spec III for some time now. Amongst the colours available, yellow was the 1 that really seduced me. When I spotted someone selling it in the Garage Sales section of a bike forum, I couldn't help myself but to call up the owner to arrange for a meeting. To view & to test the bike.
Last Thursday afternoon, I met up with the owner at 3pm at his place. He showed me his bike & told me straightforward that other than it being dirty, there is absolutely no problem with it. I personally inspected the bike, walked twice around it & started the engine. The idling was stable & firm. I then got onto the bike & rode 1 round in the car park, testing all the gears & both brakes. When I returned to where the owner was standing I asked him when can I do the transfer?
He gave me that stunned look & asked if I need to consider. Hmm, I found that question very interesting. I asked him why would I want to consider after I have tested the bike? He has no idea but it is common practise for buyers-to-be to consider for at least a day before committing into the sales. I told him that the price was right for me, that's why I'm there to view & to test the bike. Since I have already tested it & was pleased with its condition, what's more is there to consider? So I popped the gold question again & he said he could do it later in the evening if it was convenient for me. No problem man! I wished to get it done & over with as soon as possible too!
We arranged to meet at the bike shop to do the necessary paperwork at 1645hrs. I was a little late as I had some work to be done back in the office. I received a miss call from the seller at exactly 1645hrs. I guess he was apprehensive about my sincerity in the purchase as I was too quick in making my decision. Hahaha! I had to stop by the roadside & sms that I will be late to keep him there. I was in fact worried that he would not wait for me.
At the bike shop, as we were going through the paperworks, the bike shop owner asked how much downpayment would I like to pay. I asked him back how much discount can he give if I were to clear the entire payment without instalments. He said $100. WTF? If I were to pay $8.7K in cash, he will only give me a paltry $100 off? I asked him is that all? He confirmed the $100 discount. Immediately I said instalment. I rather keep that money in my bank than to give it all up for just a $100 discount. I decided to put a $1.7K downpayment so as to round up the loan amount to $7K. Deciding on how many years loan wasn't that difficult. 1 year loan means a monthly instalment of $618.30, which I found too high a commitment for myself thus decided on a 2 year loan with a monthly instalment of $326.60.
The best part of it, I needed a guarantor for a $7K loan. What? I don't need a guarantor for a $50K loan to buy a car but I need 1 for a $7K loan to purchase a bike? I don't really understand the logic behind it but as if I have a choice. So I got my friend to sign the paperwork on Saturday & good news is that I can officially collect & ride the bike on Tuesday!
I have waited 12 years to own a Super 4 again & I thought a few days more is nothing. Oh I was wrong. I was so wrong. It was really agonizing knowing the bike is just there but I couldn't ride it. But 4 days have passed & just 1 more night to go. Tomorrow I will be riding it once again!
Anyway, the main factor holding me back from buying a S4 was the price itself. A whopping $13K+ for a brand new machine. And with the increasing COE, that certainly hold me back for good. But as my VXR has been giving me problems once too often, I have no choice but to scout for an alternative. I have been eyeing the yellow Spec III for some time now. Amongst the colours available, yellow was the 1 that really seduced me. When I spotted someone selling it in the Garage Sales section of a bike forum, I couldn't help myself but to call up the owner to arrange for a meeting. To view & to test the bike.
Last Thursday afternoon, I met up with the owner at 3pm at his place. He showed me his bike & told me straightforward that other than it being dirty, there is absolutely no problem with it. I personally inspected the bike, walked twice around it & started the engine. The idling was stable & firm. I then got onto the bike & rode 1 round in the car park, testing all the gears & both brakes. When I returned to where the owner was standing I asked him when can I do the transfer?
He gave me that stunned look & asked if I need to consider. Hmm, I found that question very interesting. I asked him why would I want to consider after I have tested the bike? He has no idea but it is common practise for buyers-to-be to consider for at least a day before committing into the sales. I told him that the price was right for me, that's why I'm there to view & to test the bike. Since I have already tested it & was pleased with its condition, what's more is there to consider? So I popped the gold question again & he said he could do it later in the evening if it was convenient for me. No problem man! I wished to get it done & over with as soon as possible too!
We arranged to meet at the bike shop to do the necessary paperwork at 1645hrs. I was a little late as I had some work to be done back in the office. I received a miss call from the seller at exactly 1645hrs. I guess he was apprehensive about my sincerity in the purchase as I was too quick in making my decision. Hahaha! I had to stop by the roadside & sms that I will be late to keep him there. I was in fact worried that he would not wait for me.
At the bike shop, as we were going through the paperworks, the bike shop owner asked how much downpayment would I like to pay. I asked him back how much discount can he give if I were to clear the entire payment without instalments. He said $100. WTF? If I were to pay $8.7K in cash, he will only give me a paltry $100 off? I asked him is that all? He confirmed the $100 discount. Immediately I said instalment. I rather keep that money in my bank than to give it all up for just a $100 discount. I decided to put a $1.7K downpayment so as to round up the loan amount to $7K. Deciding on how many years loan wasn't that difficult. 1 year loan means a monthly instalment of $618.30, which I found too high a commitment for myself thus decided on a 2 year loan with a monthly instalment of $326.60.
The best part of it, I needed a guarantor for a $7K loan. What? I don't need a guarantor for a $50K loan to buy a car but I need 1 for a $7K loan to purchase a bike? I don't really understand the logic behind it but as if I have a choice. So I got my friend to sign the paperwork on Saturday & good news is that I can officially collect & ride the bike on Tuesday!
I have waited 12 years to own a Super 4 again & I thought a few days more is nothing. Oh I was wrong. I was so wrong. It was really agonizing knowing the bike is just there but I couldn't ride it. But 4 days have passed & just 1 more night to go. Tomorrow I will be riding it once again!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
中元到中秋
My company has an annual ritual of making offerings to the good brothers (好兄弟) during 中元节. This year is no exception either. Although I missed the prayer session on the 1st day of the Ghost Festival, I did managed to make it back in time for the burning of offerings.
Today I had the luxury to participate in the entire ritual as I managed to end job on time. At 6pm, we started to set up the altar outside our office.
Did you notice the huat kuay (发糕)?
It is BIG!!! And why do I say it is big? It is not just because it looks big...
Because even on the receipt it says BIG!!!
Well, now that the Ghost Festival is officially over, it is time to move on & get ready for 中秋节 aka the Mooncake Festival!
Time for loads of lanterns & mooncakes!
Today I had the luxury to participate in the entire ritual as I managed to end job on time. At 6pm, we started to set up the altar outside our office.
Did you notice the huat kuay (发糕)?
It is BIG!!! And why do I say it is big? It is not just because it looks big...
Because even on the receipt it says BIG!!!
Well, now that the Ghost Festival is officially over, it is time to move on & get ready for 中秋节 aka the Mooncake Festival!
Time for loads of lanterns & mooncakes!
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