Blog / Motorcycle Insurance
Older motorcycles in Singapore: Are they worth the trouble?
Regulations in Singapore are stacked against older vehicles, and motorcycles in particular. Not only do owners face higher road tax bills after their vehicle reaches 10 years old, but also motorcycles registered before July 1, 2003, will be banned from being used on Singapore roads from July 1, 2028 unless riders convert to the limited-use Classic Motorcycle Scheme, which limits use to 28 days per year.
A rebate offered by the National Environment Authority (NEA) to encourage owners of older motorcycles to de-register them seems to have had an effect, with the motorcycle population over 20 years old increasing slightly in the years before the scheme was offered (to a peak in the last 10 years of 9,081 machines in 2016) to average annual declines of around 15% in the five years from 2018. In 2022 there were only 3,929 registered motorcycles in Singapore over 20 years old.
While the overall percentage of motorcycles over 10 years old has declined (from 31.7% in 2012 to 25.3% in 2022), the fall is not as drastic as the NEA scheme and much higher COE Premiums – from a low of $1,490 in 2012 to a high of $13,189 in 2022 – would suggest.
Why are Singapore motorcyclists hanging-on to their older motorcycles?
Dollars and Sense
Running older vehicles in Singapore is expensive by design. In road tax fees alone, vehicles over 10 years old face a road tax surcharge, starting at 10% extra, and increasing to 50% extra at 15 years and older.
But because motorcycles have a relatively low engine capacity compared to cars, the costs are not quite so prohibitive. Even with the full surcharge it is unlikely you’ll pay more than $500 in annual road tax for an older motorcycle.
Emissions permissions
Of more concern for owners of older motorcycles is the tightening of in-use emissions for motorbikes, introduced on 6 April 2023. With this scheme, motorcycles older than 10 years will be required to pass tightened emissions standards.
In the short term, most well-maintained motorcycles should be able to pass the emissions standards requirements. Owners of smoky two-stroke machines may have cause for concern, and others may have to spend a bit more on maintenance.
Why Persist?
In the face of such obstacles to ownership, owners would have to be attached to their machines if they want to keep them on the roads. And there are plenty of good reasons to do so.
- On Trend
Older motorcycles are fashionable. Along with a nostalgia for perceived simpler times, simpler older motorcycles are trendy. Most manufacturers have at least one retro-style machine in their line-up, and some, such as Harley-Davidson and Royal Enfield, rely on old-school design and styling as a business model. Interestingly, this business model is almost non-existent in the car world.
- Modern Classics
Some models changed the motorcycling world. From the humble Vespa, which gave post-WWII Europe affordable – and stylish – private transportation, to models like the Honda CB750 Four that popularized and defined the essence of the modern superbike from 1969, some motorcycles have become icons. In both these cases – and other cases too – these icons have endured and evolved over the years. One of Honda’s current best-sellers, the CB400, is a direct descendant of that original CB750, for example.
- Nostalgia
Many motorcyclists in Singapore were introduced to motorcycles by their parents’ generation. Many went on to purchase motorcycles that reminded them of those days, and others have been gifted or willed these machines. That emotional attachment in these cases can be strong.
- Habit
It may be that you’ve found a motorcycle that suits your needs, that you’re comfortable with, and that is working perfectly well. Why change?
Pros and Cons of Owning an Older Motorbike
As technology progresses so too do motorbikes. What advances in motorcycling are you missing, and do they matter?
- Brakes
Cons: Motorcycle brakes have come a long way in recent times. Many motorcycles can be pulled to a standstill very effectively with as little pressure on the brake lever as a single finger can apply. And many new bikes offer anti-lock braking (ABS) systems to prevent dangerous lock ups.
Pros: Older motorcycles are more likely to require firmer pressures on the lever before the maximum braking force is achieved. That maximum force happens to be just before the brakes lock, but because of the extra lever pressure required, you’re less likely to lock the brakes in an emergency. There are two other things working in your favour: you’re less likely to be travelling as fast on an older bike; and grip levels are determined by tyres.
- Tyres
Cons: New motorcycle tyres offer vastly more grip than older ones.
Pros: You can fit new tyres and have exactly as much grip as a modern motorcycle. Just be sure to buy quality tyres. Don’t be fooled by the generally narrower profiles of tyres for your older bike – your narrower tyres may offer more grip than the wide ones in certain circumstances.
- Perfomance
Cons: Newer motorcycles make vastly more power than older ones of a similar capacity.
Pros: If you’re not racing it barely matters. Most older motorcycles have more than enough power to keep up with traffic and reach or exceed our national speed limits.
- Chassis
Cons: Most new bikes have super-stiff frames and adjustable suspension systems.
Pros: A stiff frame is likely to be more noticeable on a racetrack, and you really need to be an expert to change suspension settings for better results. An older bike may not handle quite as well as a new machine, but that’s a good reason to take it steady and enjoy the ride.
- Maintenance
Cons: Modern motorcycles require less frequent regular maintenance.
Pros: For many classic motorcycle owners, maintenance is part of the experience. Also, older bikes tend to be simpler, so many of those maintenance tasks don’t need to be carried out by specialists. You could save money, and learn more about your motorcycle, by doing it yourself.
Ultimately, the costs of owning older motorcycles need to be weighed by their owners. Some may stick with their older machines because the costs of upgrading are too prohibitive. While for others their well-maintained and much-loved old motorcycles give them more joy than a new bike ever could. Whether it is worth the extra cost is up to individual owners, but for the moment, at least, about a quarter of motorcycle owners are willing to pay the price.
By motorcycling correspondent Tony Tan
