Lithium-Ion batteries in Motorcycles?

After I killed my motorcycle battery with a deep discharge just barely 3-months after installing it, many have asked me if I considered replacing it with a technologically newer lithium-ion, or specifically lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) one. For awhile, I did explore to use the opportunity to “upgrade” to a lithium-based battery. But before that, let’s consider the merits and pitfalls of it… Continue reading “Lithium-Ion batteries in Motorcycles?”

I think I killed my motorcycle battery

I had only replaced the battery on my Pulsar 200NS motorcycle 3 months ago – just before I took it on a 2-month tour around SE Asia. My previous battery was about 2 years old and I didn’t want to risk a bad battery on the trip.

But shortly after returning to Singapore, and while performing maintenance on the bike, I had absent-mindedly left the key in the ignition and in the ON position. That severely drained the battery and was left with less than 5V. After an eventful jumpstart, stalling the engine down the road, and a good samaritan assisting in “push starting” my bike using his own motorcycle and his leg, I managed to get to KL and back without incident.

After the incident, I was  Continue reading “I think I killed my motorcycle battery”

Not too pleased with Givi Point Singapore

I happened to be round the corner and headed to Givi Point Singapore today. Honestly, it wasn’t only until last week that I knew that Singapore had a Givi Point. (Hey! I’m still very new to the motorcycle scene, yah!) And it wasn’t only until about three weeks back that I even knew that Givi stores are called Givi Point’s – until I visited the Givi Point in Penang.

I had a pretty good experience with the folks in Givi Point Penang. They were professional, seem to know their stuff, and very helpful. I eventually ended up getting a set of E36N side boxes from them – even though I was pretty certain that I could possibly get it for cheaper somewhere in Singapore if I looked hard enough. But I’m also the sort of person who’s willing to pay a little bit more for good service and expertise.

So, back to Givi Point Singapore. As I was saying Continue reading “Not too pleased with Givi Point Singapore”

RIP Mr S R Nathan – Singapore’s sixth and longest running president

Deeply saddened by the passing of Mr S R Nathan, our sixth and longest running president, last evening. He passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital on 22 Aug 2016, surrounded by family and loved ones, three weeks after suffering a 2nd stroke in two years.

Thank you for dedicating your life to the betterment of Singapore.

(Picture source: fas.nus.edu.sg)

Pirelli Angel CiTy tire review

My set of Michelin Pilot Streets have done some 17,000km’s, including the horrible roads during my SE Asia tour. The ultra uneven Asian road surfaces that I’ve travelled on has taken it’s toll on these excellent tires. In fact, when I was in Penang, a fellow biker pointed out to me the unusual wear on the rear wheel (I was in a Givi store then and showing him my Pulsar 200NS). While on the centre stand and as the rear wheel spins, the outer circumference of the tire actually “shimmies”. (I later learnt that it’s probably “scalloping” or “cupping” – perfectly normal tire wear pattern.)

My (ab)used Michelin Pilot Street tires that's taken me through the various roads of rural Asia.
My (ab)used Michelin Pilot Street tires that’s taken me through the various roads of rural Asia.

Anyway, it was time for  Continue reading “Pirelli Angel CiTy tire review”

Road Trip to KL and the 2 Nearby Highlands

Yes! I’m on the road again! And yes! It’s with the Pulsar 200NS!

I had some business to perform in Kuala Lumpur and since I’d be travelling alone, I decided to take the bike instead of the car. And after the eventful low battery situation, getting stranded by stalling my engine and the good samaritan who saved my day, I’m on the Malaysian North-South Highway (NSHW), again.

And I’m glad I did. Because, at approximately 230km from KL, there was a really bad accident. A container truck from the opposite direction had lodged itself onto the middle divider and turned on its side. The cabin looked quite smashed up. And traffic from the opposite direction were directed onto this side of the road – I suspect to facilitate emergency vehicles to access the accident site quicker. But all these mean one thing – massive jam. I suspect that it’ll take at least an hour or two to clear the jam. And thankfully, the bike was nimble enough to squeeze through the traffic, and I still managed to travel at somewhat freeway speeds on the shoulder.

Lunch at A&W, Ayer Keroh.
Lunch at A&W, Ayer Keroh.

Continue reading “Road Trip to KL and the 2 Nearby Highlands”

THANK YOU fellow biker FD8352!!

Oh silly me.

As I was preparing to leave home this morning, my bike refused to start. Turns out that I left my key in the ignition and inadvertently left it in the ON position. It didn’t occur to me that the bike was powered as I had the engine kill switch in the OFF position.
I whipped out my multimeter and measured the battery voltage – 4.67V??!? Wow! My 5V-USB-powered onboard bike cam must have zapped all its juice, and finally died when the battery went below 5V.

Oh great! 🙁 Just when I was about to start riding. I tried to connect my (old) spare motorcycle battery – which was reading 11.5V – parallel to it. Cranked… No joy.

Next, I pushed my bike to where my car was parked and connected a set of jumper cables (I always carry jumper cables in my car). Cranked… Still no joy.

Then, I tried a Continue reading “THANK YOU fellow biker FD8352!!”

sgBikerBoy 2016 SE Asia Tour post-trip maintenance

The last 11,000km brought me through various kinds of roads – good roads, bad roads, dirt roads, potholes, gravel, off road, bumpy roads, grass, and almost every other variety of bad Asian road. Also together with the fall in northern Laos, there are several stuff I had planned to replace when I’m back in Singapore.

Yesterday, being a national holiday, most shops weren’t opened. So I took the opportunity today to get some bike parts replaced: Continue reading “sgBikerBoy 2016 SE Asia Tour post-trip maintenance”

Happy 51st Birthday Singapore!

Happy Birthday Singapore! It’s been 51 great years, and I wish every Singaporean a fantastic and happy National Day!

After travelling for the last 2 months or so, it feels so good to be home. Fantastically smooth road surfaces, orderly traffic, and amazingly clean surroundings. It means so much to me to be back in time for your birthday.

Singapore. Home. This is where I belong.