Clueless moto buyer

[Jkcliche]

Hey expat experts,

been bumming around in TukTuks for too long, and want to sort a moto for my wife (she's eyeing a scoopy unless you say they're shit). If she's into it, then i'll get myself something a bit more garish after. Realised i know nothing, so hoped you could help:

- What age/mileage starts to be a red flag?
- Am I better off just going cheap/old, trashing it, and then rinse and repeat, or should I chuck a bit more cash and go new/nearly new for reliability?
- Better to buy via Khmer24 or go to one of those dealers by the Olympic Stadium?
- I assume haggling’s expected, what % is normal to shave off the asking price?
- What paperwork/admin vortex do I need to do (or avoid)?

Any other salient scooter buying knowledge gems you want to chuck my way are gratefully received.

Thaaaaaaanks.

[Bluenose]

The only advice I can give (as I know very little) is to find out which of your Khmer friends know about motos and take one of them with you, they can also help on the haggling. The two I bought for the other half came from dealers by Olympic, both Dreams.

[Jkcliche]

The only advice I can give (as I know very little) is to find out which of your Khmer friends know about motos and take one of them with you, they can also help on the haggling. The two I bought for the other half came from dealers by Olympic, both Dreams.

Good shout, thanks! Although, my best Khmer mate is so militantly gay, I dunno if his lack of filter would score me a bargain, or backfire and cost a fortune!

[hanno]

No expert on motorbikes, but I have owned quite a few here in SE Asia. In the beginning, a lot of 2nd hand as I wanted larger bikes. One of the best bikes, if not the best, was my last bike in Vietnam, a Honda Airblade 160 special edition. Easy handling, indestructible, and that little extra power compared to a 125cc. Bought it for $1,800 (in Vietnam) and sold it for $1,500 after 2 years.

[mi1]

@SINUS (sinus-u15618.html) used to offer a service to help buy motorcycles. He could do a full inspection. I haven't used his service myself, but the guy is a living legend and a good moto expert.

I had similar situation 9 years ago, took my Khmer colleague to dealers by the Olympic Stadium. He helped me to choose new Honda Wave. Drive it every day until now, no issues.

[SINUS]

Yes, of course, I can provide comprehensive support and help in choosing a motorcycle.
I often help people choose and test motorcycles when buying.
I’d like to inform you that I offer such a service.
Actually, two services.

1. First Service:
You find the motorcycle yourself, negotiate with the seller, and I come to the location where the bike is parked. I test it and do everything described in the second point, except for the search and negotiations with the seller.
Cost: $10 for inspecting one motorcycle + my transportation expenses.

2. Second Service:
Within a few days, I can:
* Find and select the motorcycle you described (model, brand, year, specifications, color, price).
* Test-ride it and inspect its technical condition (engine, brakes, suspension, etc.).
* Check the documents and verify them against the motorcycle being offered.
* Assess potential repair costs and check if the motorcycle is stolen.
* Negotiate with the seller to significantly lower the price.
* Help properly process the paperwork in your name and witness the transaction.
* Require the seller to fix any issues or defects I find in the motorcycle's technical condition and obtain a one-month FREE repair warranty from them.
Cost: $50 per motorcycle + my transportation expenses.
If needed, I can also pack and ship the purchased motorcycle via VIRАК to any city in Cambodia.
Let me know if you’re interested!
I'm waiting for your messages in private, on FB or on Telegram (+85510733970)

[Jkcliche]

Wow! Thanks for the awesome info, guys, and thanks @mi1 and @SINUS, that's amazing, I'll be in touch

[Raksmeg]

Yes, of course, I can provide comprehensive support and help in choosing a motorcycle.
I often help people choose and test motorcycles when buying.
I’d like to inform you that I offer such a service.
Actually, two services.

1. First Service:
You find the motorcycle yourself, negotiate with the seller, and I come to the location where the bike is parked. I test it and do everything described in the second point, except for the search and negotiations with the seller.
Cost: $10 for inspecting one motorcycle + my transportation expenses.

2. Second Service:
Within a few days, I can:
* Find and select the motorcycle you described (model, brand, year, specifications, color, price).
* Test-ride it and inspect its technical condition (engine, brakes, suspension, etc.).
* Check the documents and verify them against the motorcycle being offered.
* Assess potential repair costs and check if the motorcycle is stolen.
* Negotiate with the seller to significantly lower the price.
* Help properly process the paperwork in your name and witness the transaction.
* Require the seller to fix any issues or defects I find in the motorcycle's technical condition and obtain a one-month FREE repair warranty from them.
Cost: $50 per motorcycle + my transportation expenses.
If needed, I can also pack and ship the purchased motorcycle via VIRАК to any city in Cambodia.
Let me know if you’re interested!
I'm waiting for your messages in private, on FB or on Telegram (+85510733970)

Good to know.

Kieran O'Brien did something similar for me, but he was since killed in a hit-and-run. RIP. Not sure if they ever caught the cunt who did it.

[Doc67]

Yes, of course, I can provide comprehensive support and help in choosing a motorcycle.
I often help people choose and test motorcycles when buying.
I’d like to inform you that I offer such a service.
Actually, two services.

1. First Service:
You find the motorcycle yourself, negotiate with the seller, and I come to the location where the bike is parked. I test it and do everything described in the second point, except for the search and negotiations with the seller.
Cost: $10 for inspecting one motorcycle + my transportation expenses.

2. Second Service:
Within a few days, I can:
* Find and select the motorcycle you described (model, brand, year, specifications, color, price).
* Test-ride it and inspect its technical condition (engine, brakes, suspension, etc.).
* Check the documents and verify them against the motorcycle being offered.
* Assess potential repair costs and check if the motorcycle is stolen.
* Negotiate with the seller to significantly lower the price.
* Help properly process the paperwork in your name and witness the transaction.
* Require the seller to fix any issues or defects I find in the motorcycle's technical condition and obtain a one-month FREE repair warranty from them.
Cost: $50 per motorcycle + my transportation expenses.
If needed, I can also pack and ship the purchased motorcycle via VIRАК to any city in Cambodia.
Let me know if you’re interested!
I'm waiting for your messages in private, on FB or on Telegram (+85510733970)

Is it possible to have a second hand moto registered in a foreigner's name? I thought it was a Khmer name only?

[Spigzy]

2nd hand is Khmer name only.

My advice would be to simply give her a budget $1,500-$2k best guess for a decent scooter, and then let her choose her own/own assistance etc. Then anything to do with the bike is also her problem to fix. Not very chivalrous to western eyes I know, but on some things "Khmer style" is the simplest way to go, and this is one of those instances.

If you're looking for a bigger bike for yourself, then of course there are expats & others that know more about those bikes than the local Samnang; but again local knowledge is actually very good and they do help each other a lot. But for scooter, Honda/Suzuki, every Cambodian and his dog can fix, or "know a guy", your significant other will be no different.

Only if she is exceptionally "lngoong" (Khmer stupid), would I suggest you start putting these decisions on yourself - i.e. you think she'll buy a $200 pile of crap and pocket the $1300+ for something else, like mum's cow. And that isn't to say "lngoong" girls are bad, some of them have other tremendous assets that balance things out.

As mentioned by Hanno, one good thing re: Hondas/Suzukis is that they hold value very well for years, so even if you spend for a new one at the dealer for complete peace of mind (and can register in your name if you prefer), if she hates it, you'll probably lose a few hundred bucks tops if she decides to swap it for something else.