These new bikes cost less than RM16,000*
With Covid-19 still very much a threat to the economy, more and more Malaysians are now reevaluating the idea of affordable mobility. Despite the on-going SST tax break, we're also certain that even the most affordable new car on sale now may still be just out of reach for some.
Fortunately, we Malaysians are still blessed with a thriving motorcycling sector. This week, two new offerings have entered the market space, both endowed with lots of style, features and, above all, very affordable base price tags, ready to woo avid B2 license holders.
We'll start with perhaps the smallest and arguably the most stylish offering here, by which we mean the Yamaha MT-15. Seasoned readers may remember this particular bike being previewed alongside its bigger sibling the MT-25 not too long ago, which Yamaha touts as the successor to its venerable FZ150i street bike that preceded it.
Essentially, this is a 'stripped' version of the popular and sporty Yamaha YZF-R15, sharing the same 155cc VVA single-cylinder powertrain that offers a respectable 19bhp and 14.7Nm. Notably, it packs a pair of gold-finished inverted front forks, a digital LCD dash display, all-round disc brakes, assist and slipper clutch module, as well as full-LED lighting.
Despite packing the kind of style and features usually seen in bigger and more expensive machines, Yamaha vanguards Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) have set the MT-15's base price at a very affordable figure of just RM11,988 (excluding insurance and on-road costs).
In other words, for just a few grand more, you'll get to dodge trapping yourself in the Y15ZR (aka 'Y-Suku') cult, and you'll get a lot more style plus street-cred in the process too.
Yamaha MT-15 - RM11,988 (base price)
Want something that's a little more practical and perhaps endowed with a twist-and-go magic? Then perhaps you should be giving attention to national motorcycle manufacturer Modenas who've just updated their Elegan 250 maxi-scooter offering this week too.
Essentially, this is Modenas's existing Elegan 250 model that's been updated with a brand new dual-channel ABS suite sourced from Bosch. Yes folks, this locally-produced quarter-litre maxi-scooter has been made much safer to ride than before, and it is set to give rivals double (sometimes triple!) its price like the Yamaha X-Max 250 something to sweat about.
Apart from that, little else has changed, which isn't bad news entirely. It still boasts a fuel-injected 249cc single-cylinder heart that outputs respectable figures of 22.1hp and 22.4Nm, a sizeable under-seat storage bin that's able to house two helmets, a digital multi-info display in its instrument panel, not forgetting a nifty USB charging socket present in the glovebox.
As is, the updated and now ABS-equipped Modenas Elegan 250 holds a very strong value-for-money proposition in the growing quarter-litre scooter segment.
Adding further to that is its highly affordable RM15,315 base price tag (excluding insurance and on-road costs). This affordable maxi-scooter is poised to hit dealer floors starting this month.
So which of these sub-RM16,000 two-wheeled commuters is tempting you into taking your B2 license then?
Modenas Elegan 250 - RM15,315 (base price)
