[SingaporeScott]

Well, after months of patiently waiting (and daydreaming), my brand new '04 R1 FINALLY arrived in Singapore!! I picked it up yesterday after work and put a quick 100KM on it last night.

As a first impression, I am very very happy (and very very impressed) with the bike.
1. The stock exhaust -- even brand new -- sounds awesome (a sweet grumble/growl while idling and a nice whine while accelerating).
2. The shifting is tight and precise.
3. The acceleration is very smooth and responsive.
4. The braking is solid (although I haven't really stood on them yet).
5. The stock suspension set-up seems to feel pretty good to me (I am quite light at 145lbs) -- cornering into the entry/exit ramps on the highway were a dream (the only "twisty bits" I got to do last night while blasting around town). It may require some adjustment when I get more used to the bike/it gets "broken in", but as it stands now I am pretty pleased with the set-up.

My only negative comments would be:
1. The temperature of the frame/pipe is very hot, especially around my thighs/legs. I do live in a humid, tropical climate (it is consistently between 28-32 Celsius in Singapore) so its understandable that the bike gets hot, but on first impression it seems to run quite a bit warmer than my '01.
2. As soon as I got the bike I was having some issues with the engine stalling at low revs while clutching-in and downshifting into 2nd/1st during braking to make corners or while city stop-and-go riding. However, I adjusted for both (a) a little more clutch play and (b) a slightly higher idle speed and it seems to have solved the problem. We'll have to see...

OK, that's about it. Oh -- except of course for the pictures. Here ya'll go...

 

[SingaporeScott]

Nice rear-view. I need to sort out a bracket for my Graves fender eliminator so I can mount the plate a bit lower -- it's too long and covers the turn signals a little bit -- but it'll do for today...

 

[KNEEDY R1]

Congrats "SS" :thumbup

 

[SingaporeScott]

A little front view...

 

[djetch]

congrats!!! Nice write up too!

 

[SingaporeScott]

Oh, its a beauty...

 

[R1WILL]

Congrats! I love the way the stock exhaust sounds too.........not bad for stock.:hellobye

 

[SingaporeScott]

Last one -- safely in its parking spot at home...

 

[LarsR1]

Congratulations Scott. I do have a few questions: 1) what did your R1 cost in U.S. dollars? 2) what are the roads like in singapore? 3) Isn't this the place they caned a U.S. kid for spraypaintig graffiti. Have serious laws against such things as failure to flush a public toilet and improper disposal of bubble gum? Be careful, instead of a speeding ticket you my be subject to public hanging.

 

[EvilSpike]

Congratulations Scott. I do have a few questions: 1) what did your R1 cost in U.S. dollars? 2) what are the roads like in singapore? 3) Isn't this the place they caned a U.S. kid for spraypaintig graffiti. Have serious laws against such things as failure to flush a public toilet and improper disposal of bubble gum? Be careful, instead of a speeding ticket you my be subject to public hanging.

No penalty for improper disposal of bubble gum.......it's outright ILLEGAL to have it at all

 

[.1394]

i think some 04 owners have been removing the CAT in response to the heat issue, dunno if thats an option for you but there ya are

 

[Helix007]

yeah was also wondering if you could elaborate some more what its like there in Singapore?

 

[R1Gladiator]

Cool write up

how are the twisty roads?

 

[gbro1201]

That plate is trick!

 

[r1-superstar]

Nice ride.............Congrats!:beer

If you don't need the top speed, then may I suggest changing the countershaft sprocket? Check out this thread: 16T

 

[FIXTITS]

scott are you from there originally? cuz you seem to know english so well ,and in one of those pics the tire and exhaust cans look wet ,is
that from rain or is it oil?my other question is why do you have your plate# on your windscreen??

 

[FIXTITS]

and oh yeah sorry, nice bike..take some outdoor shots and share

 

[SingaporeScott]

Thanks for the comments, gents.

OK, to answer all the questions/comments (in the order they were asked):

LarsR1:
- The '04 set me back SGD$22,484 (OTR without insurance) which is about USD$13,000. Insurance was a further SGD$1,500 or USD$900 for full comprehensive coverage.
- The roads in Singapore are very good. When most people think of Asia, they think of places they see in the movies (like Vietnam or Cambodia) which are obviously 3rd World. Singapore is far, far from that -- it is most certainly a 1st World nation, so the infrastructure like public transportation, roads, etc... are very very good. The roads are certainly crowded -- especially at peak periods -- which is a drag, but that's pretty much like any major global city. There are about 4 million people in Singapore, which is a lot when you consider it is a small island only 45KM x 25KM in size. Overall, there are lots of good places to ride outside of the main city area (near the airport, out towards the industrial areas, etc...) -- you just have to know where they are. Also, riding later in the evening is better -- cooler, less crowded, etc... Malaysia is also a great place to ride -- you can just shoot across the causeway connecting Singapore to Malaysia and the roads are wide, long and smooth. Some great twisty bits through the rubber plantations along the East Coast, too... And with it being so near the equator, it is always summer -- which is great for riding (and a far cry from the weather I grew up with in Canada)!!
- Yes, Singapore is the place they caned Michael Faye for spraypainting cars. What can I say? It was a dumb thing to do -- especially in a place where a Mercedes will set you back SGD$200,000 minimum (USD$120,000). It was a long time ago -- and from what I know, he had been in trouble with the law before. Besides, rules are rules -- you need to obey them in your country of residence and he chose not to. Payback's a bitch, I suppose.


EvilSpike:
- You're right -- no gum here in Singapore.


DaoTan:
- Thanks for the CAT advice -- it's something to consider... Anyone else have comments/experience with this?


Helix007:
- Singapore is a great place to live and work -- although I am originally from Canada (I am Caucasian, born and raised there) I moved to Asia in 1996 after I graduated from University -- and I've never returned (except for holiday)... In Singapore it is always summer, you're like a 2-3 hour flight from some of the world's most beautiful beach destinations (Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand) and some of the world's most exciting cities (Bangkok, Hong Kong), the tax rate is very very low (compared to Canada) -- my wife pays about 8% and I pay 15% -- and the quality of life is excellent. I am not sure I will ever return to Canada -- after 8 years Asia has really become "my home"...


r1gladiator:
- The twisty roads are really to be found in Malaysia (as I mentioned above). We head up there often -- you can also ride at a track called Pasir Gudang (about an hour from Singapore) and sometimes as Sepang, too (F1, MotoGP track).


gbro1201:
- Thanks for the plate compliment -- not sure its legal, but it looks better than the "billboard" they give you when you register your bike... That HAD to go!!


r1-superstar:
- Thanks for the sprocket tip -- I'll consider it...


FIXTITS:
- As mentioned above, I am from Ontario, Canada (Niagara Region) -- that would explain the English...
- The cans/tires were wet because the guys washed the bike for me just before I left the shop yesterday and it hadn't fully dried yet.
- In Singapore all motorcycles are required to have a plate on the front and back of the bike -- it doesn't look great, but oh well...
- Will do on the outdoor shots!!


Whew -- that was a lot. Thanks for the comments, guys -- hope I answered all the questions. Here's one more pic I had...

 

[R1one]

English is the first language in Singapore under british rule back in the days. Yes rules are strick...lowest crime rate maybe not. Fill me on this Scott. Its been awhile for me. lol As for not flushing, thats just rumors. Cops are everywhere. i don't think Scott can or will ever get to its top speed however they do have the best system of road in the world and of course, Clean! Best place to go riding malaysia. pasir gudang and the famous Sepang Gp track.

 

[R1Gladiator]

Cool great Info:thumbup

how are the tickets for speeding? Like what would they do to you if caught near top speed? Better not to stop?

I lived In Kuala Lumpur when I was a wee lad.


Sounds like a first rate place to live.


Do they still make you get a haircut at the airport:lol