Indonesian Motorcycle Reviews

KYMCO LIBERO

2008-11-18T05:08:00.000-08:00

New Identity

The Presence of Kymco Libero is an improvement from the previous variant. The engine's power is so responsive and the handling is very nimble. With the compact design and combined with the dynamic body stripes makes it Kymco Libero a new identity and a pioneer of the automatic scooter. Kymco Libero's market has been contorting and it has found its dignity. After a test ride, the deck feels spacious than it's seen. In this chance, the rider with 5'7" tall and 154 pounds weight still feel comfortable riding it.

One of Kymco Libero's characteristics is that, the rider does not need to go down from the seat to refill the gasoline. Because the fuel cap's position is at the front of the legs, right behind the front cover. Talking about the acceleration, it can be considered quick for taking over other vehicle. For women rider with 5'0" tall has a difficulty riding Kymco Libero.

Libero's engine capacity is 108cc and it is nimble enough to play at 120 kph. That number is not maximal, the throttle gas is not fully twisted. The acceleration from 60-90 kph is easy to get even in tandem ride.

Rider's position is very comfortable with its wide seat, they called it an absolute package. That makes the rider and the passenger comfy. The ergonomics felt comfortable and less painful.

Brakes and suspension must be concerned for the sake of safety. the effect is that the scooter body's vibration is felt because the brakes are still in trouble. Besides that, the suspension and the rear tyre can be easily wobbly.

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SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE
Engine Type	4 Stroke, SOHC, Air Cooler
Cylinder Composition	Single
Bore x Stroke	52,4 x 51,8 mm
Engine Capacity	111,2 cm3
Compression Ratio	9,5 : 1
Engine Oil Capacity	0,80 litre
Clutch	Centrifugal Automatic
Transmission	Automatic (CVT)
Engine Starter	Kick & Electric Starter
Battery	12v-5AH
Spark Plug	Champion PZ7HC
Ignition System	CDI

CHASSIS
Length x Width x Height	1.823 x 690 x 1.113 mm
Wheelbase	1.270 mm
Ground Clearance	123 mm
Weight	98 kg
Frame Type	Under bone

SUSPENSION / TIRE
Front Suspension	Telescopic
Rear Suspension	Swing Arm, Mono shock
Front Tire	90/90 - 12
Rear Tire	90/90 - 12
Front Brake	Double Piston Disk Brake
Rear Brake	Drum Brake
Fuel Tank Capacity	5 litres

PERFORMANCE
Max Power	9,2 ps /7.500 rpm
Max Torque	0,9 kg m /6.500 rpm

SUZUKI SKYWAVE

2008-11-17T07:54:00.000-08:00

ULTIMATE SCOOTER

Suzuki Skywave has amazed the test riders with its awesome design. In addition to the design, it is also equipped with features and exclusive colors. The biggest engine on its class can be a special attraction. Its high torque is supported by a smooth engine's acceleration. This makes Skywave a strategic Scooter for a touring scooter category. The handling is good when going through the surging road. The vehicle's dimension and the suspension's rebound really support the stability to beat the curves and doing a zigzag maneuver. It is equipped with an off engine sensor on its side stand, very useful for a safety when the engine is about to be started. During the tests, Skywave achieved the BEST scooter in 115-125 cc class.

With the twin head lights on the front cover and supported by an aerodynamic body design, it can release the air current perfectly. The features that skywave showed are perfection and aesthetics value. Luxurious! is the comment that comes out from 5 test riders. Plus there is a large baggage space for storing the full face helmet under the seat. It has 2 front racks and one hook for carrying small stuffs.

The pleasure of riding Skywave can be fulfilled as it has a wide seat. When the engine is started, the CVT is fully responding straightaway. With PAIR (Pulsed Secondary Air Injection) Technology and Catalytic converter that are environment friendly are indeed according to EURO II standard.

Analog indicator that inspired by a race bike are easy to read as it is ordered nicely. Skywave's riding position is comfortable for a 5'9" tall rider. Over all, the design and the engine output of Skywave 125 are good.

Straight track acceleration is really easy to be beaten by Skywave, but for the ascent is rather heavy, the engine is not responsive. Based on the braking test from 30 - 50 kph, the brakes are not taking hold well. Braking test was also done in ascent, with stop and go system. The extreme sound was heard out from the air filter.

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SPECIFICATIONS


DIMENSION
Length	1.935 mm
Width	670 mm
Height	1.070 mm
Wheelbase	1.285 mm
Ground Clearance	140 mm
Weight	113 Kg

ENGINE
Engine Type	4-Stroke, Air Cooled, SOHC
Cylinder Composition	1 (One)
Bore	53.5 mm
Stroke	55.2 mm
Cylinder Capacity	124 CC
Compression Ratio	9.6 : 1
Max. Power	9,5 ps / 7.500 rpm
Max. Torque	1.1 Kg.m / 6.500 rpm
Carburetor	Mikuni BS 26
Air Filter	Paper Element
Starter System	Electric and Kick Starter

TRANSMISSION
Clutch	Dry, Automatic Centrifugal
Transmission	Automatic V-Belt

FRAME
Type	Under bone
Front Suspension	Telescopic, Coil Spring, oil absorber
Rear Suspension	Swing Arm, double shock, coil spring, oil absorber
Front Brake	Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake	Drum
Front Tyre Size	70/90 - 16 M/C 36P
Rear Tyre Size	80/90 - 16 M/C 43P

ELECTRICAL
Ignition System	CD-CDI (DIGITAL)/SPARK IGNITION
Spark Plug	NGK CR6HSA / ND U20FSR-U
Battery	12V (3.5Ah)/10HR

CAPACITY
Under Seat Baggage	17,7 Litre
Fuel Tank	4,7 Litre
Engine Oil	1.000 ml

HONDA BEAT

2008-11-12T21:50:00.000-08:00

Outstanding Performance

Scooter’s market still has big opportunities, the presence of Honda Beat had thrilled the scooter’s world. Beat with its smaller size than Honda Vario, its predecessor has very convincing appearance. Although Beat is trying to make a breakthrough with a sporty look by showing the front suspension, How was the performance when we test it?

Before doing a test ride, every test rider has been given a chance to see and appraise the design of every motorcycle. The test riders have agreed that Honda Beat has the best design. The design is very attractive, eventhough sometimes it looks amusing with the cast wheel. The ordering of the head lights, body stripes, and the meter panel is in perfect union.

During the Test ride, just like the other competitors, Beat must be able to beat the climb and curving road. Starts on the climb road, beat was rated perfect without vibration and it was able to move smoothly. Whereas, the test rider has twisted the throttle to maximum. The heavy trial like this needs a lot of energy and gasoline, during the trial, beat was able to go through 44,68 km for 1 litre of gasoline. Beat is the most economical scooter in its class. Doing a start at the climb road was supported by a hand brake, and it is one of a kind in its class.

Seems that Honda has concerned about the safety, just like Vario, Beat also has the switch on its side stand. When the side stand is being used or the bike is at rest, the engine can not be started, can bring down the possibility the motorcycle can run uncontrollably.

Beat is the best in 110-115 CC scooter category, Beat has weakness for a tall rider. A test rider with 5’9” was having difficulty riding it, the knee always touched the front panel. The only tactic to avoid that is that the rider must sit a-back a bit or ride with the legs wide open. But for a rider with 5’6”, Beat is still a comfort scooter to ride. No wonder, Honda beat is targeting its market to house wives and teenage girls.

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SPECIFICATIONS:

ENGINE
Engine Type	4 Stroke, SOHC, Fan cooled
Bore x Stroke	50 x 55 mm
Cylinder Volume	108 cc
Compression Ratio	9,2 : 1
Max Power	8,22 PS / 8.000 rpm
Max Torque	0,85 kgf.m / 5.500 rpm
Engine Oil Capacity	0.7 litre
Clutch	Dry, Automatic Centrifugal
Transmission	Automatic V-Belt

CHASSIS
Dimension (L x W x H)	1.859 x 876 x 1.053 mm
Wheel Base	1.240 mm
Ground Clearance	156 mm
Weight	89,3 kg
Frame Type	Under Bone
Fuel Tank Capacity	3.5 Litre

SUSPENSION / TIRE
Front Suspension	Telescopic
Rear Suspension	Swing Arm, Mono shock
Front Tire Size	80/90 - 14 M/C 40P
Rear Tire Size	90/90 - 14 M/C 46P
Front Brake	Hydraulic Single Disc
Rear Brake	Drum

ELECTRICAL & IGNITION
Starter Type	Electric & Kick Starter
Battery	NF Battery, 12 V - 3,5 Ah
Spark Plug Type	ND U 24 EPR9 / NGK CPR8 EA-9
Ignition System	DC - CDI, Battery

YAMAHA Mio Sporty

2008-11-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Dimension Has Become the Key

Yamaha Mio had been launched for quite long in Indonesia and it has minor changes in Mio's design. In fact, Mio has not got a proper safety equipment. For the colors and body stripes, they look matched, but from working processes, they don't seem concern on the details. Some parts have no equal estrangement.

When doing a test ride, Mio is quite comfortable. The space around the legs is too tight for a person with 5' 9" tall, however the riding position is quite good. It is fit to be used for a person below 5'5" tall. On the surging road, Mio is still stable, it can maneuver friskily. When we see from the size, Mio is actually smaller than its competitors, but it has a bigger space for legs. Mio's engine sounds noisy when riding at high speed, whereas the exhaust pipe sounds quite smooth. Uniquely, the brakes work better at high speed than at low speed.

Mio's engine with 1:8.8 compression ratio has problem when it is raced to high rev. The engine is roaring without any progress in speed, but in low rev, it is proven good. The advantage with this compression ratio is that the bike can work in an optimal fashion even if it uses premium 88 gasoline. During the test, it used the Pertamax 92 gasoline.

Mio is cute scooter, but it has big space for legs and it is easy to operate. The instrument panel looks old-fashioned, but it is very easy to read.

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SPECIFICATIONS:

ENGINE
Engine Type	4 Stroke, SOHC 2-valve air cooled
	AIS (Air Induction System) EURO 2 Ready
Bore x stroke	50.0 x 57.9 mm
Cylinder Volume	113.7 CC
Compression Ratio	8.8 : 1
Clutch	Dry, Automatic Centrifugal
Cylinder Composition	Single
Carburetor	NCV24x1 (Keihin)
Ignition System	DC-CDI
Lubricant	Wet Sump
Engine Oil Capacity	0.9 Litre
Transmission	Automatic V-Belt
Gear Ratio	2.399 - 0.829
Caster / Trail	26.5 degree/ 100 mm
Front Brake System	Hydraulic Single Piston
Rear Brake System	Drum

CHASSIS
Dimension (L x W x H)	1,820 x 675 x 1,050 mm
Starter System	Kick & Electric
Weight	87 kg
Frame Type	Steel Tube
Fuel Tank Capacity	3,7 Litre
Wheel Base	1,240 mm
Ground Clearance	130 mm
Seat Height	745 mm

SUSPENSION / TIRE
Front Suspension	Telescopic
Rear Suspension	Telescopic
Front Tire Size	70/90-14MC 34P Publish Post
Rear Tire Size	80/90-14MC 34P

PERFORMANCE
Max Power	6.54 Km (8.9 ps) / 8,000 rpm
Max Torque	7.84 Nm (0.88 kgf.m) / 7,000 rpm

KYMCO FREE LX

2008-11-11T05:46:00.000-08:00

Most Responsive Scooter

In fact the scooter rider still can enjoy riding an agile motorcycle when overlapping as it has a responsive engine. The Test rider claimed that Free LX is good for stop and Go although in the slant ways. Stop and Go in the city road seems easy to be beaten, including taking over the other vehicle. For braking, Free LX needs 2,04 seconds to stop from 50 kph.

As much as the other scooter, Kymco Free LX seems impractical when using the kick starter. For a scooter that originally designed for a female rider, it is tended to use the electric starter. Starting the engine using the kick starter for a woman who wears a skirt is really inconvenient thing to do. Other facility, the fuel cap is at the front, which is very user friendly, it can be opened from the key starter.

The scooter is stable when it is raced in high speed, less vibration. Plus, the engine and exhaust pipe sound smooth, it is very compatible for a housing complex use. Although the handling is categorized as good, the suspension is rated hard, the pleasure in riding it on the rough road is disturbed.

Regarding the back-seat rider, to eject the rear footrest is just press the button. The effect is that, when not using the footrest, the scooter's body will look slim and neat. Over all, the Kymco Free LX's design is dynamic, where there is a compatibility between the air filter and the body stripes.

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SPECIFICATIONS:

ENGINE
Engine Type	4 stroke, SOHC, Air cooled
Cylinder Composition	Single
Bore x Stroke	52,4 x 51,8 mm
Cylinder Capacity	111,2 CC
Compression Ratio	9,8 : 1
Engine Oil Capacity	0.80 litre
Clutch	Centrifugal Automatic
Transmission	Automatic (CVT)
Starter System	Kick & Electric Starter
Battery	12V-5AH
Spark Plug	Champion PZ7HC
Ignition System	CDI

CHASSIS
Dimension (L x W x H)	1.835 x 610 x 1.100 mm
Wheel base	1.270 mm
Ground clearance	135 mm
Weight	100 kg
Frame Type	Under bone

SUSPENSION / TIRE
Front Suspension	Telescopic
Rear Suspension	Swing Arm, Mono shock
Front Tire	90/90-12
Rear Tire	90/90-12
Front Brake	Disc brake, Double piston
Rear Brake	Drum brake
Fuel Tank Capacity	5 litres

PERFORMANCE
Max Power	9,2 PS /7.500 rpm
Max Torque	0,9 kg m /6.500 rpm

Indonesian Motorcycle Review

2008-10-11T11:17:00.001-07:00

Hi,

I am BJ, I would like to write all the reviews about Indonesian motorcycles. I will go with all brands, names, types, and engine capacities. I will put the specifications, the reviews and the test. All articles are based from the motorcycle magazines, tabloids, Internet, and also my own experience.

I ever had a Honda Astrea 100 cc, Suzuki Shogun 110 cc, Suzuki Shogun 125 cc, but currently I am riding a Yamaha Jupiter MX 135 LC. My dream is to own the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, because I like that bike.

I really like riding a motorcycle than driving 4-wheels. I like speeding, but safety for me is no 1. I am writing this blog for all bikers in the world, who would like to know about Indonesian Motorcycles and their reviews as well.

I will be very objective in reviewing the bikes. So, before you buy a motorcycle, make sure you read these articles and guides.

I hope these articles are useful for you

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