Motorcycles

Overview

I started riding in 2019 in New Zealand and have continued since in Singapore and in the US. This project page documents the adventures, modifications, and fixes I have made and plan to make for my motorcycle(s).

New Zealand - 2016 Suzuki GN125H

My journey started when a few friends in Auckland, who were riders and worked at the same institute, recommended that I learn how to ride motorcycles. I took the basic handling course, got the learner’s license, and bought the Suzuki GN125H. I took the “Ride Forever Bronze” course at Riderskills, which was a 5-hour class on more rural roads. It helped me develop the skills I needed to attain the Restricted license. My plan was to receive the Full license in 2021 and convert it to a full license in Singapore, but the test was postponed due to the pandemic. In November 2021, I sold my bike and gear to another friend at the institute. (She picked up riding very naturally and happened to fit well in the gear!)

Singapore - 2009 Yamaha Fazer FZ-15

Without the Full license from NZ, my options were to return back to NZ sometime to take the test or take the classes in Singapore and attain a full license there. I did not know when would be the next chance to return and I did not want to lose the “feeling” of how to ride, so I went for the latter. In March 2022, I began taking the (grueling) “Class 2B” motorcycle course at ComfortDelgro Driving Centre. The course was intense, even for someone who has already ridden on rural roads and highways in NZ. The license test was also very demanding and stressful as we had to go through various stations. For example, the “plank” was a station where we had to cross a small plank but stay on it for at least 6 seconds. If you go off the plank prematurely, it’s considered an immediate failure, and you will have to retake the test. Here is a video of the test course. I failed my first license in August 2022 due to “falling off the plank”. I finally passed the test on 14 September 2022. (It was also the same day I officially received my postdoctoral fellowship!)

The week after, I rented a Yamaha Fazer FZ-15 to hone my skills. The two videos below were shot with the Insta360 ONE X2 camera.

United States - 2013 Triumph Bonneville T100 Black

I moved to the US to start my postdoctoral fellowship at the Media Lab in November 2022. In May 2023, I got the Class M learner’s license and bought a Triumph Bonneville T100 (900cc). It took me a while to learn how to handle a powerful bike that is almost three times my weight, but it is amazing to ride.

Modifications

I installed engine guards (on the front sides of the bike) as a safety precaution and a rear storage rack for runs to Trader Joe’s and future road trips.

To increase the potential storage options for the bike, I also installed the side saddlebag rails (near the tail part of the bike).

Fixes

The taillight lens cap fell off at some point (most likely due to a bump or pothole). I designed a replacement lens cap in Fusion 360 and printed it using the FormLabs SLA 3D printer.