Malaysia to Turkey, bike advice?
 

Sorry to repeat a thread I know has bed had countless times before...
I'm about to arrive in Malaysia to search for a bike to take me to Turkey, via south east Asia and the Stans.
I'm reading here and online, and many people are talking about bikes which have price tags way out of my league (KLM650, DR650). I'm probably looking for something about 250cc, for a price of around US$2000.
Problem is, being new to riding, I still don't know all the bikes which might be good options for me! I've just completed 3500 km on a Honda Megapro 150 in Sumatra with my pack strapped to the back, which went ok, but I'd prefer to be able to attach panniers and have confidence in a bit more power, as well as getting off-road. Something comfortable for the long rides for a tall (190 cm) bloke.
I know the trip can be completed on any sort of bike as long as I can put up with it, but I'd like to enjoy it!
What advice can you offer, what bikes might you recommend?

Theres a lot of 150 ccm bikes in Malaysia. Like Yamaha FZ 15 and Honda Cb 150. Should be well up to the task I belive. They got big tanks, around 12 litres which gives a huge range. Theyre solid and reliable. Dont know about shocks and seat comfort though. And they might not be ergonomically perfect for a 190 cm tall person.

Have seen Kawasakis Klx both 150 and 250 there. But you would need a better seat and and a bigger tank as a minimum for a longer trip with those bikes.

Can you get a Carnet for a bike bought in Malaysia then?

My wife n I rode our yamaha fz150 5000 km around Malaysia 2up,not a fast bike
we have our tickets for the first of next year to continue on to Viet Nam.
we added 3 givi bags fro $200 ,rebuilt the seat to level n widen it ,pulled the 3/4 inch peg rubbers n enjoyed it , the future change will be an adjustable rear shock n shift linkage. LEDS n outside temp n clock. Fun little bike that will pull the hills easily by dropping out of the wind,great little bike. $2600 OTD at 3.64/1.now over 4/1 US

Unfortunately I just sold my XR600R ;)

You won't find any DR650 here I'm afraid, I'd have bought one if there were..

This is the main website for 2nd hand bikes here:

Malaysia's Largest Marketplace - Mudah.my

There's a couple of decent looking KLR650s for sale but priced at RM21-25k. They've been advertised for a while so you never know. They already have racks and panniers so you'd be good to go.

Also have a look at the CRF250L, I nearly bought one last week but went for something bigger. Priced around RM16-18k.

Well... I'm currently looking at the Keeway RKV200, Chinabike. Reviews sound positive for a Chinabike, and archiving in Malaysia and Thailand will be ok, but elsewhere? Hmm... If it's a Honda copy most things should fit?

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power wise it is identical to the fz150i,quality wise it will not be anywhere as nice.

If you can find a Honda Crf 250L there it would be my favorite. Although seat comfort would be a problem on longer trips, and the gas tank only holds 7,7 liters which gives a range of max 250 kms. Rear shock could also be better.

But they are much cheaper in Thailand, the last two second hand Crfs I saw for sale there was priced 80 k baht and 100 k baht - which is around 9-12 000 Ringits. And thus almost half the price compared to Malaysia.

But then again - its difficult if not impossible to get a Carnet in Thailand. Malaysia might be easier?

The crf is too expensive for me sadly. I have (want) to buy in Malaysia for carnet and preferences. I'm in Singapore now.
The fz150 I know will be reliable, but I'm 6'3, and worry that it is too small for such a long period in the saddle.
The Keeway is higher, more upright and looks comfortable. It is also beautifully priced at $2000brand new, with side boxes and top box thrown in by the dealer, plus warranty and for as long as I'm in Malaysia (about two months 2000km).
If I had the cash I'd go one better, but this seems like a winner to me.
If I bought a second hand touring bike I'd feel confident in how it had been treated. For a second hand enduro in Malaysia...different story.

It doesn't set off alarm bells for you does it? Are you just advising caution?



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I m 6-3 also,redid the seat n took off the peg rubbers,62 yo with back history n had no troubles,didnt even adjust the bars.