Koon Motors

Best for Honda Phantom owners and anyone running an older Japanese commuter who wants honest diagnosis at a fair price. Not the fit if you ride a modern Euro bike or need same-day turnaround on complex work. Bring your bike before late afternoon so he has time to finish before close, and ring first. If the shutters are down because Koon is out for parts, that is a wasted trip you can avoid.

The lowdown. One-man Honda specialist under Block 61 HDB Lengkok Bahru in Bukit Merah. Koon (Uncle to the regulars) handles servicing, repairs and small overhauls on Japanese bikes. The Phantom is his bread and butter, but Super 4, CB400 and other older Hondas all land on his bench. Call before you ride down. He sometimes shuts the shutters to go fetch parts.

What riders say. The Phantom crowd treats this shop as home base. Riders bring 30-year-old Phantoms here knowing Koon will diagnose, source parts (new or second-hand) and explain the trade-off without pushing a bigger bill. CB400, Super 4 and other small Japanese bikes get the same treatment. Day-to-day work is straightforward: engine oil, spark plug, brake bulb, clutch, wiring, the bits that keep a commuter on the road.

Prices are fair. Koon recommends keeping a part if it still has life, and walks you through the work while you wait. Some customers have been with him since the Depot Road shop days, well over 15 years ago.

"He'll recommend second hand parts if it suits your needs and won't hard push for expensive parts."

• Call ahead. He sometimes steps out to buy spare parts mid-day.
• Honda Phantom is the deep specialty. Super 4, CB400 and small Japanese bikes also welcome.
• One-man operation. Expect a wait if he is mid-job on another bike.
• Resident tortoiseshell cat keeps you company while you wait.

Written from the Google reviews.