Motorcycle Journeys

[Joko]

Renting a motorbike in Manado wouldn't be a problem. That is if you DON'T say to the owner that you intend to do a loop going south to Palu with the motorbike of course.

Should you decide to come around here, I will try to check (and more importantly, convince) if anyone is willing to let his/her motorbike going down to Palu. Most of the rental I know don't allow the motorbike being brought out of the province.

The region and scenery are fantastic. I was used to go down to Palu and Poso a couple of time a month, either in car or truck and really had a lot of fun. Doing it on a motorbike, you would have to go for a 150cc minimum. There are plenty of possibilities to avoid to be back by the same road, however checking the condition of the road before is imperative.
Alternatively you could even visit the Togean and user Terry MacArsey in your loop.

Thanks, Atlantis... Yes, I have definitely decided upon Sulawesi Utara for the next destination in visiting Indonesia. It'll be from the mid-March to early April. If you could start putting some feelers out there for renting bike... a good bike, maybe even an enduro type bike... something more than the standard 125cc... I would really appreciate it. In any case, I look forward to meeting you 4 months hence.

 

[steveandpenny]

I know this is off topic a little but want to get a sissy bar backrest for my wife , for a honda verio 150. Really want to do some road trips with my wife but after after 30 klicks wife is complaining with just cause.
Been asking around but all i get is whats a sissy bar?
Any help ?

 

[atlantis]

Been asking around but all i get is whats a sissy bar?

Er... I'd love to help Steve... but... what the heck is a sissy bar? Any pics with an example to direct me to?

 

[CaturMuka]

I know this is off topic a little but want to get a sissy bar backrest for my wife , for a honda verio 150. Really want to do some road trips with my wife but after after 30 klicks wife is complaining with just cause.
Been asking around but all i get is whats a sissy bar?
Any help ?

I've never seen one on a modern scooter (you might be able to get one on an old Vespa), so it might be easier just to get a storage box installed which your wife can lean back on. Like everything in Indonesia, you'll need to check the sturdiness of that setup yourself, don't just trust that the guy installing it knew what he was doing.

 

[Wisnu]

I know this is off topic a little but want to get a sissy bar backrest for my wife , for a honda verio 150. Really want to do some road trips with my wife but after after 30 klicks wife is complaining with just cause.
Been asking around but all i get is whats a sissy bar?
Any help ?

Check this
https://boncenganmotor.com/produk-boncengan-motor/sandaran-punggung-dewasaorang-tua/

Or Google sandaran punggung motor , you'll find few.

 

[steveandpenny]

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/ZZ85191
Heres a link showing a sissy bar.

 

[fastpitch17]

I know this is off topic a little but want to get a sissy bar backrest for my wife , for a honda verio 150. Really want to do some road trips with my wife but after after 30 klicks wife is complaining with just cause.
Been asking around but all i get is whats a sissy bar?
Any help ?

Take pictures to some welders and see if they can make for you.

 

[steveandpenny]

Damn wisnu , thats way cool , its a whole chair back. Ill check it out . I was looking for something alot smaller but that could work.

 

[steveandpenny]

It might be easier for me to go buy a welder and make one myself. I was a mechanic after all and ive seen some of the welding around here. Anywhere from perfect to wtf is that.

 

[fastpitch17]

It might be easier for me to go buy a welder and make one myself. I was a mechanic after all and ive seen some of the welding around here. Anywhere from perfect to wtf is that.

Someone would probably let you use their equipment. For a small fee of course.

 

[RICK]

Im still waiting for my 10 year old scorpio to retire , but still going strong as like new (modded better rar shockm and with 17 inch wheels and wider sticky bridgestone tires and rear disc)
.., but if I was to upgrade , it would still be the Kawasaki KLX 250 Dtracker (supermoto type) but id have to get the aftermarket sargent comfort seat so that skinny stock seat didnt ride up yer butt. To me its still the best bank for the buck with parts availability

Ive 'borrowed' friends scooters occasionally (all types) for a run to the shops etc , and to me they all feel too ricketty, and feeble to me .., scary even, and I feel every speck of gravel rattling up through the skinny forks and handlebars through to your bones and teeth. Id dread having to do any type of emergency braking maneuvers on those things with your legs in that unstable scooter position , and those little skinny wheels going over gravel or pot holes no thanks .

I have also ridden quite a few KLX 150's including modded ones , but also to me they feel like a kiddies bike, with the only advantage being more stable to ride than a scoot, and higher ground clearance (for trails- or gutters / footpaths haha)

Fair enough I get the point about what a scooters is for .., but I have never once met a motorcycle rider 150 - 250 cc straddle type (in indonesia) who would give up their ride to go back to riding a scooter.

As for automatic scooters being used as an excuse as an advantage for a bike .., I dont get this statement either unless its coming from an absolute beginner rider (not to be condescending) - as manual gears on a bike (especially used with a manual clutch) IS WHERE half the stability and control of a bike comes from (the other half comes from the combined mass + bigger wheels/tires + legs straddling over that centred mass)

CONDESENDING????After 8 years of living in Indonesia and riding scooters all that time I have never found them wanting. From125s to start with now 20000kl on a NMAX155 I cant see what all the fuss is about!!!Trips include Bali Lombok and Java NO PROBLEM

 

[RICK]

Joko, you are here for to journey not the Grand MotoGP Glad you enjoyed. I'm off on a trip from Bali to Jakarta and return by different route in August 2017 on my Yammy NMAX. Love it!!