RJ Performance

Best fit for Aprilia, Piaggio and other Italian-bike owners who have been burned by guesswork elsewhere. Japanese superbike owners after a careful second opinion will also be at home here. Not the place for a quick oil change or if you need the bike back by the weekend. Get the scope and timeline written down at drop-off, and be patient. The diagnosis is the value.

The lowdown. Specialist motorcycle workshop tucked into the Kaki Bukit Synergy industrial cluster in Bedok. Run by Joe, a one-man diagnostic outfit known for Italian bikes, Aprilia V4s especially, with Piaggio and Yamaha work also on the bench. Expect proper diagnosis, valve clearance jobs, electronics troubleshooting and engine work. Appointment only. Candy Motor sits a couple of floors below for parts runs.

What riders say. Joe is the whole shop. Owners bring bikes in for problems other workshops, and even agents, could not pin down. The work is methodical: photos of your bike during the job, every bolt torqued to spec, fairing bolts checked for over-tensioning from previous shops. He is fluent in the new electronics suite on current superbikes and willing to talk you through what he is doing.

Pricing is not cheap, but it is for the diagnostic skill and the meticulous workmanship, not padding. The trade-off is time. Appointments are hard to lock in. Once your bike is on the bench it can sit there longer than promised while parts are ordered or further issues surface.

"It's not easy to get an appointment with him but his work will be worth every penny you pay."

If you want a fast in-and-out service, this is the wrong shop. If you want the fault actually solved, this is the one.

• Appointment only. Plan ahead, do not just turn up.
• Strong on Aprilia, Piaggio and high-spec Italian bikes. Also handles Japanese inline-fours.
• Turnaround can be long. Ask for a realistic timeline before leaving the bike.
• Engine work and installations come with warranty. Keep your invoice.
• Candy Motor downstairs for any parts or consumables you need on the day.

Written from the Google reviews.