Marina's Bloggariffic

The brother seems to be feeling the urge to ride and has actually bought for himself a Bajaj Pulsar.

The Bajaj Pulsar

He initially contemplated on getting a Vespa LX 150, but finally had his heart set on the Bajaj after realising that the petrol consumption mileage was better and the tank capacity was higher.

We went to one motorcycle shop on evening. And while he was talking to the salesman, I went off to admire this cutie.

The Yamaha Fino

Isnt it adorable? This is the Yamaha Fino. I like the shape and the look of this scooter. It looks so retro. And it is mini enough for any woman to ride comfortably. What’s cute about it is that there is a side pocket in the front to put items like water bottles.

This particular green and white limited edition which we saw at Universal Motors is going for about $5k on the road.

But as adorable as it is, the one thing that didnt make it perfect was that the Fino had very little storage. I cant even stuff my handbag in there, much less with things like laptops or the SLR Camera bag.

My Vespa GT200 is still the best. Hehehe!

I think I need a new picture of baby and me

Anyways, the brother will be getting his Bajaj this evening and he’s letting me be the subrider. Coolness! I cant wait to try riding on that.

And speaking of Vespas, the Vespa Club is having a 1 Day Trip to Malacca, Malaysia this Sunday. If you have a Vespa and is free this sunday, do join us. It’ll be fun! :)

The Vespa Club members at the Big Bike Fest

Update : Oh yeah, forgot to mention that I finally saw the sunflower biker along the AYE expressway on my way to night class. Wanted to wave hello to him but he rode away so fast.

Super cool right? :D

I am really not fond of doing memes.

I got tagged by Sha, and then Eastcoastlife and most recently, Clappingtree to do a meme. But I guess I’ll do this just one more time, just cause I think they are all cool people.

Finish this sentence :

I love
my scooter

I feel
happy when I am on my scooter.

I need
my scooter

Idiosyncracies about me :

1. Before I start my journey, I pat my scooter and ask if it is ready.

1. During my journeys, I sing on my scooter

2. After every trip, I’d say goodnight to my scooter

Goals before I die:

1. Persuade cartcart to learn to ride a scooter

2. Have my future kids to learn to ride a scooter

3. Have everyone else to learn to ride a scooter

And I tag

1. No one
2. Mei yo de ren
3. Tiada sesiapa orang
4. Nessuna persona
5. Karappam Pochi

There I’ve done a meme, happy? :P

Its been some months since I’ve been riding my vespa and I think that I’m getting better at riding. Everyday is an adventure, just exploring, travelling and feeling of the wind in my face. I love it!

Recently, I’ve received a notification from the Land Transport Authority to renew my road tax. This task wasnt as difficult as I thought it would be – after consulting with the Vespa Club forum, I had a better idea of how to do it.

1. Send your vehicle for a full check up

I sent my scooter in to Tong Aik after being recommended by a colleague. I like Tong Aik as they specialised in Vespas and they know what they are doing. After going to a mechanic that actually damaged my baby, I became extremely wary.

But Tong Aik was professional, friendly and the prices are quite reasonable. I definitely recommend them for Vespa owners.

2. Head for your nearest Vehicle Inspection Center

Because I live in the west, I chose to go to Vicom Bukit Batok for my vehicle inspection. It was just a couple of minutes away from my workplace.

You’ll need to position your motorcyle along a line. There will be a person examining the alignment, the tyres, breaks, lights among other things. The entire check doesnt take more than 10 minutes. Once the inspection is passed, he’ll hand you a certificate. This will be used in conjunction for the road tax.

3. Renew vehicle insurance

It is a legal requirement to have insurance when owning a vehicle. I renewed both my insurance and road tax at Asphoon, where I purchased my scooter. I handed my road tax disc as well as the certificate from the vehicle inspection.

A couple of days later, you’ll get your new insurance as well as a stamped road tax disc to attach in your vehicle.

And now enjoy riding till the next year! Beep beep! :)

After about two weeks after the accident, I got a call from the mechanic telling me that it was ready for collection. I headed to the workshop. The man who knocked me down was there too.

I was civil, but I didnt talk much to him. I wasnt being rude. But I was ready to close the chapter and put it behind me.

After an examination on the scooter, I sat on my scooter and waved goodbye to him, thinking to myself, hoping that I’ll never have another accident again.

But as I rode back home, I can sense that something is not quite right with the scooter. Rather than that inviting feeling I get when riding my scooter, it just felt cold and lifeless.

The next morning, there was a very strong smell of petrol coming from the inside of the scooter. I was most concerned. Something is just not right.

Mr Singh, a colleague at the school that I was attached to noticed it too and adviced me to send it for servicing.

Me : Funny thing is, I just went to the mechanic recently. But I want to send it to someone who specialises in Vespa. I tried to call Piaggio service center, but they only work on weekdays.

Mr Singh : Why dont you bring it to Tong Aik? They work on weekends too. I brought my scooter there for 20 years now. I really recommend it.

Me : But yours is a manual, Mr Singh. Mine is an automatic

Mr Singh : Not a problem. As long as its a Vespa, they can do it for you. Let me get you their contact.

I went there early in the morning to avoid the long waiting time. It was quite easy to get there. It was near Sim Lim Square, my favourite computer shop :P

It was such a curious place. I rode all the way to the fifth floor where their workshop was. I knew I was at the right place when I saw all sorts of scooters there. Vintage and new Vespas in all shapes and colours. As I admired the procession of scooters a man in blue overalls popped out of nowhere.

man : Hi! How can I help you?

me : Hi, I’m looking for Mr Wee? My colleague, Mr Singh recommended me here for a servicing.

man : Thats me. Mr Singh? Oh yes, he worked for the police previously didnt he? What kind of service would you like for your scooter?

me: I’d like to have a full service on it please. Also, there is a strong petrol smell coming from inside. Can you check it for me?

man : No problem! Rest assured that I’ll personally check your scooter and repair what is needed.

After about 2 hours, I went back in the workshop area.

man : The belt and rollers need to be changed, they are worn out already. May I know where you did your servicing previously?

me: Whats wrong?

man : The mechanics there did not handle the tap properly and now its damaged. The oil was supposed to flow in 15 mins, but here, it took an hour.

me : Oh.

man : And you’ve got a good sense of smell there. Let me show you why you smelt the petrol smell.

Mr Wee opens up the cover and we both look at the engine. He revs up the throttle and to my horror, I saw petrol leaking out each time he revs it.

me : OH! MY! GOD!

man : The pipes are weak. It could have exploded but good thing that it didnt.

me : OH! MY! GOD!

man : You are a very very lucky woman.

me : *eyes boggles*

man : I need to examine your scooter some more. So sorry to keep you waiting. But I dont think I can finish it now. Can you pick it up on monday afternoon instead?

me : Yes, sounds good. Thanks for checking, and bye!

I think I’ll bring my baby to Tong Aik for servicing the next time, all the time.

Tong Aik Motors Supply Co
89 Short Street
#01-02
Tel : 63379912

Bah of bahness.

I was riding to work as normal this morning. I saw a woman waving for a cab. The next thing I knew, a car suddenly cut directly in my way. No time to react. Breaking would be useless.

I fell down. Then I tried to push my scooter up, unsucessfully. I think I was in a daze and shock.

I heard someone chiding the driver. “Why did you do that!” “Sorry, blind spot” “You cannot say blind spot! Miss are you okay?”

I mumbled a “I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine“

“How can you say you are fine? Here is my contact. I saw the whole thing. I will be a witness“

Anyway, to put a long story short, I’m not going to make a police report and charge him in court. But I’m definitely going to make him pay for my medical and full repairs to my scooter.

Broken exhaust cover, Deep scratches of body and box. The m in the granturismo is gone. The crome line near the footrest damaged.

Bah. Two weeks without my ride. This is agony.