First motorcycle: Demak D7 Classic

This post is a throw back to the first day I bought my very first motorcycle:

On 12 May 2015 I got my first motorcycle; ~14 years after getting my license. This was how the first experience on a manual bike went.

In Malaysia there are a few classes of motorcycle license. The most common is B2: limited to 250cc, B1: limited to below 500cc and B or also known as B Full: above 500cc. There was an option when I first took my B2 license to add an additional MYR 100 to go for the B Full license. Saves time and money in the future but a shame that I was not allowed to do it at that time (was only 17 at the time and wasn't paying for the license).

I was introduced to the bike scene when I was very young. I got my bike license in 2001 (if memory serves me correctly) and I just started college at that time and needed a transport. Since I did not have a car license yet, my mum reluctantly agreed to let me ride to class.

The next day I was off and of course my mum is worried about me (as every mother would be). I promised I would go slow and call her when I have reached my destination safely after every ride. Those were one of the best times in my life. I went everywhere on the bike. Meeting friends, going to cyber-cafe, going out for drinks (non-alcoholic). The only thing I didn't manage to do was to explore the small lanes around the island before I got my car license. After that I was barred from motorcycle.

I understood my mum's concern about how dangerous it is riding on the motorcycle nowadays but there is a different feeling between riding a bike and driving a car.

Fast forward 12 years, I took my B full license with the encouragement of my then gf. She suggested to take the license first and then save for the bike. 2 years later I finally got a bike (not the one I had in mind) but one which was quite affordable and within the budget.

The bike is the Demak D7 Classic. It is a 125cc manual bike. The bike comes in 4 colors: White, Black, Red and Blue. Got the bike in blue and it comes with 8 free gifts.

Newly delivered bike

 

Now back to the main story. A few weeks before the bike arrived, I went to the nearest motorcycle shop, Harley-Davidson, to get riding jackets and gloves. The weather was hot and humid and I was sweating profusely by just wearing the jacket. Safety first as you won't know when you will get into an accident and needed just that extra protection to save your life.

It was hard the first time I rode it being new to a manual bike. The bike was parked at the front porch. The garden and driveway at my house is flat but the problem is going out to the road. My house is situated on a hill so I did what I had to do: Take the bike out to the road and start. The engine died on me a few times when putting the bike in gear. I stalled about 3 times before I manage to get the bike going. After that, it stalled again a few more times. It was getting frustrating.

After riding up and down the road a few times, I decided to do a short trip around the housing area. I decided to avoid the main road and took the back roads instead as there were less traffic and less chances to hold up traffic if the bike stalls. During the journey, the bike stalled twice. Once was when I was slowing down to a stop, I think I forgot to pull in the clutch while slowing. The second was when I was going uphill. The bike was not fast enough in the current gear and it was spluttering before it died. Somehow at that time it seems like there are sooo many things to do on the bike. You need to look out for traffic, use the appropriate gear, braking. Felt a bit too overwhelming.

There is a back road nearby where I can take the bike to for some practice. People usually goes there to exercise, walk their dogs, learn how to drive a car and ride a bike plus the road is also a slope. When you reach the end of the road, you will have to make a u-turn so I took every opportunity I had going up the slope, changing gears, doing u-turns and moving from a standstill. The engine stalled once when I was making a U-turn at the top of the hill.

After about 4 rounds, I was feeling more confident and felt that it was getting late so I decided to make the trip back. For the trip back, I used the main road instead and stalled twice. Once was at the traffic light after the light turned green. Didn't give it enough gas before letting go of the clutch. The other was on the hill back to the house.

Got this paragraph from totalmotorcycle: "The one thing about riding a bike again for the first time is that you are on your own, there isn't anyone in your "passenger seat" to inspire any confidence in you, or telling you that you're doing something wrong like I was, Re: Stalling a dozen times". What the author mentioned is so true.

Lesson of the day: Don't get frustrated with the bike on the road. Take it easy and relax. Doesn't matter what other drivers think of you. If you think to you are holding up traffic, move aside, wave them along, give them a nice big smile and wave.

Total distance travelled: 15.4km

Remember to ride safe, be vigilant and keep the rubber side down