After few months of delaying, today I have no choice but to change my motorbike tire. The tire are too worn off due to daily use. I was supposed to changed it last month, but I was having a financial constraints thus I need to use the tire as long as I can, until it is not safe to be use anymore.
I would suggest not to follow my footsteps. It is dangerous to use a worn off tire. But sometimes, life demands you to prioritise your financial to other places. Sometimes you have no other choice, and has to compromise.
Malaysia is well known as the exporter of natural rubber. In fact, Malaysia use to be the largest exporter of natural rubber in Asean. But in 2019, Thailand has overtake Malaysia to be the largest exporter of natural rubber.
There are tires that are manufactured in Malaysia such Toyo Tires and Silverstone. But the price are too high for a local made tire. Even the quality are not as good as the imported tires. I think within this year, Silverstone are closing its operation in Malaysia.
The tires are imported from other countries such as Germany, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. I used to buy Germany made tire for my motorbike. However, the price for Germany made tire is too expensive. One rear tire can cost me around USD200 to USD300 depending on the type of tire.
It was at this workshop, where I am introduced with tire from Indonesia. The tire brand are Zeneos. What interest me is, the price tag of the tire. Price for a medium compound type of rear tire is around USD80. As for the quality, it is good enough and even better compared to Malaysian made tire.
This is the 3rd time I am using tire from Zeneos brand. For daily ride usage, I would recommend this tire.
(Picture) My usual motorbike workshop in Subang Perdana
This is the workshop that I always go to for monthly service or replacing spare parts. Out of all workshop that I have go to in Subang and Shah Alam area, this workshop is the cheapest and nearest to my house.
The workshop business hours start at 8.30am and ended at 7pm.
(Picture) My motorbike new tire
I do not have enough budget to replace both front and rear tire. So I changed only the rear tire. The rear one are most critical and need to be replaced as soon as i can. At first, i was thinking to replace the tire end of this month.
But, I decided to change the tire first thing in the morning. After I almost fall down from my bike yesterday. It was raining heavily when I was on my way home, and I almost fell from my motorbike because it was skidding when I push the break.
Since the workshop open today, I decided to go and replace. I've told the workshop owner that I will be making the payment half using cash, and another half will be using my credit card. He is ok and have no issue with it.
After replacing the tire, I asked the workshop owner to check on my engine oil. He then instructed one of his mechanics to check. The mechanic told me that the engine oil need to be replaced. It has became too thick and has a lot of carbon buildup.
I took a seat and was thinking how I can pay to replace the engine oil. This is when the workshop owner approached me and asked me how much do I have now. I told him I only have USD10 left my pocket.
He told me just pay him USD10, and he will give me the engine oil and oil filter that I always use, and he will throw in a new break pad. The current break pad is almost finished.
While waiting for the engine oil to be changed, the workshop owner told me that he noticed that I stop coming to his workshop this few months. If not, I will be coming to service my motorbike every months without fail. I said to him that I will pay the balance by end of this month. He told me that I do not need to pay him. It is on the house. I was speechless and can only thank him.
Yeah, I have been going to his workshop for the past 3 years since I moved to Subang Perdana, and yeah, I am really particular about servicing my motorbike. Because that motorbike is my work horse.
I do have a plan to buy a new motorbike with lower cc and a much lower maintenance cost to be my new work horse. But for time being, I need to put that thought on hold. I'm really hoping the year 2022 will be a good year for me and my family..