The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

engrin

Hi everyone, my first post...

I've been in Thailand for 2 years and I want to spend more time traveling, seeing the country etc.

I have a Mio which is good for in the city bobbing and weaving but not long distances. I worry that it will explode if I go too fast or too far with it.

I do cruise fast. I stay at the head of traffic, but I am not reckless. I am confident and am aware of what's going on all the time when riding.

Anyways, I'm a small guy. About 58 kilos and my partner is around 40kg (actually she's under that).

I want a bike thats got power and is easy to control and most importantly it has to be safe. The bike should be comfortable for both me and my partner.

I'm not sure what cruise speed I will do because I haven't had the opportunity to go that fast here in Thailand. My top speed on the Mio is 90km/hour any faster and I feel like it will damage the motor or something...


My partner's brother is a mechanic and recommended a Honda Airblade. I've also heard of the CBR which I imagine is a lot faster?

I know very little about motorcycles so I am looking for recommendations.

I know nothing about prices either so I'd be very interested in your opinions for 1st hand and 2nd hand bikes.

Thanks for your help, enjoy

kingwilly

I think a dirty big Harley is what you need.

AntRobertson

I have to be honest here, I'd be hesitant to recommend anything to you. Absolutely no offence intended but I always am for someone who - as you yourself indicate - has little experience with bikes (especially here in Thailand). What with that factored into the road conditions and sheer insanity of other dirvers at times it makes me uneasy.

That being said, and from what you've said, I'd say a CBR400 would be your best bet to fit all the criteria you have given. They're big enough to comfortably ride distances, but not so big that you'd have a lot of trouble handling it. Also they're relatively common so parts/servicing wouldn't be an issue. You could probably pick up a good one for around the 60k mark fully registered, 40-50k for unregistered.

Just make sure you spend a goodly amount of time getting used to and comfortable with it before you take any trips. I apologise in advance if any of this sounds patronising but I've riden bikes my whole life and even I'm not so keen on it here anymore.

Here's a pic in case you were wondering:

__________________
'The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist. And like that... he is gone'

Spin

^ second all that.

Loy Toy

^^ Third for what it is worth.
98 kgs between them, wow.
Save on fuel I am sure!

engrin

Thanks for the advice AR and others for backing it up..

I spent 4 years in Taiwan driving cars and riding scooters. The traffic is pretty crazy too, crazier than here in my opinion.

I will definitely have to practice before I go for a long trip on the bike above. It's very different than a scooter/motorbike.

2 questions...

How does the rider carry his day bag/belongings with that bike?

Could you explain more about registered/unregistered?

BugginOut

Except that is not a CBR400. It's a CB400. I highly recommend this bike. Perfect for your size and skill level.

AntRobertson

engrin,

Good stuff, you're obviously aware of how bad traffic can be so that's a good start. You've got me on the first of those questions to be honest. I guess you could use back-packs or there may be after-market brackets that you can buy to strap bags etc onto the bike. Not sure on that though sorry.

By registered I simply mean that the bike has the correct documents and license plates. Basically the bike is 100% legit and legal. Unregistered means it will have no plates and basically your ownership is proven by possession of a sales receipt. Because of this unregistered bikes are invariably cheaper to buy. I've owned both registered and unregistered bikes and never had a problem either way. I've never heard of anyone having issues with the Police etc over unregistered bikes either. Of course that being said if you want full peace of mind registered's the way to go.

Yes that's true, typo sorry. I meant CB not CBR.

melvbot

CB400's agood choice for a step up from smaller bikes. Something that stuck with me was when my instructor told me I'd passed my bike test.

"Doesnt matter if you have a 250,600,750 or 1000cc bike now you've passed, it only goes as fast at you want it to. Bikes are safe its the riders who make them seem dangerous."

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AntRobertson

Agree with that 100%. But he should have also added:

"... It's also riders of those pissy little Honda Dreams etc that make it dangerous. The little fockers will pull right out in front of you assuming that your bike - weighing 3x as much and 5x as powerful - can stop and maneuver like theirs!" *






*Angry face mine, added for emphasis.

Travelmate

^^^^^^^Good tip from that fella AntRobertson.

friscofrankie

Bungees aren't just for jumping you know...

Khun Custard

Hi Engrin... welcome

I'd say go with CBR 400 for the power to weight ratio BUT make sure the missus is comfortable with the pillion seating position. No point in buying a bike with sports touring in mind only to find the passenger wants out after 80km because it's too uncomfortable.

Some of these smaller "cafe racers" pillion seat positions must have been designed with gynecological examinations in mind!

ray23

Sounds good you can handle traffic, that won't be the problem outside the city. It will be water buffalos, tractors pulling in front of you without looking. Pot holes in what looks like a good road that will swallow the bike. Drivers at night coming at you with no lights. Pickups, trucks, busses taking your lane simply because they are bigger. Road that just end with no warning. Bike lanes that stop at bridges with no warning. I really recommend not riding country roads a night unless you know where all the holes are.

I prefer my dragstar with all the bags ect on it, but not as fast as that CB400, just more comfortable. No matter what you buy, this is a wonderful experience exploring out here. Just take your time till you learn how to judge whats going on around you. Don't ride beyond your skills and will have a wonderful time

Happyman

Did 5 years there myself !! Traffic is a lot more dense but there is an element of dicipline there!
Unlike here !
Tapei or Kaohsuing in the rush hour is a sight to behold !!

I had a Kymco 150 Zing ( very similar to the Honda Phantom ) and found that was a bloody good compromise - saddlebags took all I wanted to carry .
Have a look at them

Got an Airblade here and so far so good - could do with a bit more carriyng space - but they don't make side panniers for then yet !
Don't like top boxes!
Just completed moulds for a pannier set ( with the help of an ex- Audi car prototype modeler ) and all being well - will start to sell them ( Unashamed absolutely blatant plug for future business )

engrin

HM, my brother in law tells me that the Honda Airblade can go 1-2 hours without stopping, something about liquid cooling? Must be a lot easier to control than the CB400.

What do you think about that Airblade? For long journeys I mean? 200-300 kms or more?

edit: And your chop is in the shape of Taiwan...What does it meeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaan?

Mr Pot

Welcome engrin,

Plenty of bikes down Soi Cowboy my friend; some more riden than others but you can always take 'em for a test drive.

CB400 is a good start and always reccomended, just watch all the other nutters

Happyman

Have done 150 kn in one go on it and it was ok ?
Only mod I have done is had the seat altered so the ridge between the driver and passenger areas is further back 'cos I'm a bit bigger than a Thai ! ( OK ! OK ! I'm FAT ! LOL)

Chop reads from top to bottom and is a phonetic archaic Mandarin interpretation of my English name.
It is engraved on a soapstone pebble and was used daily when I was working there.
Its about half full size in my AV

engrin

^ Used daily? You weren't a teacher that's for sure?

MP, Soi Cowboy is in Bangkok, I think. Where in Pattaya would be a good place to test drive? I don't live in Pattaya.

Mr Pot

Probably Walking Street...