Introduction. New to biking, 32 years old.

Moonly · L Plate Warrior Joined: 24 Jul 2022 Karma :

Hello BCF community!

So my story is a bit crazy, but to be brief, I'm 32 years old and just bought my first bike. This month I moved from the USA to Greece, I've never done anything like this before. I wanted to get a car, but because I'm a foreigner I could not register a car in my name. In desperation for some form of transport, I was advised that a small 50cc bike would probably allow me to stay under the radar and avoid getting into trouble while I wait for my citizenship papers (about 6 months).

Being a desperate, stubborn rebel, I stretched this advice and got a 100cc bike that looks like it's 50cc. It's a Honda Astrea Grand, which is very popular in Southeast Asia. Has anybody heard of this bike? I would love some info/tips on it. Today I rode it for several miles, it is very fun and comfortable.

Finally, it seems that this forum is focused on the UK, so I apologize if me being in Greece is problematic. But I registered here because it seemed like a good community for me.

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Welcome

Being in Greece no bother. Most posters here are UK based but there's a few further afield.

Never heard of that particular model but have been a hardcore scooterist across Greek territories on a couple of occasions. There's some lovely roads and great weather of course.

What made you move from US to Greece??

A100man · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :

The 'Astrea Grand' looks a bite like the Honda Wave we get. Stinkwheel has one i think and may well have some hints and tips.

A handful of Yanks frequent this site and mostly make welcome contributions... Cheers.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

Moonly, Welcome to the Asylum.
Like you, I am an expatriate. Unlike you, I have not applied for citizenship in my adopted country. Morocco, like Greece, prohibits non citizens from automobile ownership. However, legal residents (green-card holders) may own automobiles and motorcycles. I got my carte sejour (green card) in 2017, and have been motoring around on a Yamaha YBR 125 since 2019. I think that once your legal formalities have been sorted, a whole new world will open up for you. Hope that you will be able and willing to share some of your experiences motoring around Greece with your BCF friends.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

Moonly · L Plate Warrior Joined: 24 Jul 2022 Karma :

struan80 · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Karma :

Welcome.

Zen Dog · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Karma :

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

Name aside, I reckon its basically a circa or early 2000's C100 with the leg shields removed.
I hope it has an air filter ( cant see one but it may be out of view)
and what's that cable dangling under the engine?
It should be a simple reliable runabout if the basic servicing is followed.

Mind you, if it's good enough for Marlon Brando
who are we to argue?
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bikers smell of wee

Moonly · L Plate Warrior Joined: 24 Jul 2022 Karma :

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

"I'd love any tips on what "basic servicing" entails on this kind of machine!"

If it were 'new to me'
I'd change the oil and spark plug plus air filter
as matter of course
Check and if needed, adjust the valve clearances
An inline fuel filter wouldn't hurt at all
Check and adjust chain and sprockets plus apply a bit of grease an them
Check the steering and swinging arm bearings
Check brake pads and shoes adjusting the rear brake accordingly
( after chain adjustment)
Check tyres for wear and pressure
Check lights and electrical system

All pretty easy and quick jobs
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bikers smell of wee

Prawny · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 22 Jun 2019 Karma :

Having just come back from a week on corfu and seen how well motorcycle helmet laws are enforced (not sure of the mainland are more hot on this but a quick google suggests not) I find it hard to believe the local police will give you more than half a glance.

The barman at the hotel we were staying at was telling me he’d had to respray his Ninja 1000 3 times because his 15 year old son keeps crashing it when he borrows it.
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

Welcome - lots of banter and expect dry sarcasm at every corner, but on the whole a well meaning bunch. Thumbs Up

Your bike does indeed look like some variation on a Wave; probably a 3 or 4sp semi-auto. Agree looks a bit like the air filter is missing; if that's the case, I'd get one ASAP. Inexpensive. Change the oil too - if like my C90, it'll take a tiny amount (about 600ml in the case of my C90) and should be changed regularly. Other than that, keep the chain clean and lubed and you'll be good to go. They're very light bikes so the relative lack of power is slightly compensated for, plus they're very agile and will happily clamber over mild off-road stuff as well as the roads.
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TG.