The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

The Muffinman

Ok, my situation...

I'm looking at buying a second hand motorbike to ride around Bkk.

One bike that I'm looking at is an 1100 Dragstar. Current farang owner rides the bike with a red number plate (local area only). He's got a mate that works at the registration office who can register the bike for 35000 baht. He'll use an old book from a bike that's no longer in use and replace the ID numbers with the ID numbers of the 1100 Dragstar that I'm interested in.
My question is : Is this 100% legal, and if I want to re-sell the bike in the future am I going to come across any hurdles?

Another bike that I'm looking at is a 400 Honda Steed. Farang owner says it comes with invoice and white numberplate(?). Tax is paid but it doesn't come with a green book. It was imported in 2004 and at first had a red plate which was later replaced with the afforementioned white plate. Owner says the bike's been all over Thailand and there's never been any problems with the bike not having a green book, ie it's fully legal. Is this correct???

If anyone on here has any current info or can answer some of my questions I'd appreciate it. I've tried to do some research on the web but can't actually get my head around this registration thing.

Cheers.

thaicbr

Both are illegal. The 1st one is what many older bikes are like in Thailand. Not 100% legal BUT as long as its in the system at the DMV then you are unlikely to have a problem (only buy it when the green book has been done and in your name) they will grind off the frame number (make sure its a frame number relevant to the bike ie dragster not steed) and replace then they will do an engine number change at the DMV. Its this that can highlight a dodgy book. many owners then get a new book the next year ( limited mention of engine change in new book)
Hope this helps
Allan

Spin

Farang owner is a stupid lying bastard. Bike is illegal and will get you into more trouble displaying a number plate that is not backed up by a correct green book on a bike than not displaying one at all.

Travelmate

Walk away from both.
Consider buying from a reputable dealer. Such as Triumph, Ducati & Harley Davidson.

Chairman Mao

the way thailand is going with regards to future crackdowns on such things, save yourself the future possibility of a big headache. Buy legal, then no worries hanging over you.

I was contemplating doing the same a few months back, followed my head instead of my heart and decided to go for the legal option.

2nd night and I'm done at a road block next to Mochit without a licence, long story short, piece of shit cop wanted my bike, after 3 hours of going through everything he could about me and bike he had to settle for only the licence issue, still trying to get me to fuk off and leave the bike without any ticket/documents/reciept, refusing to give so much as his name while confiscating it to the police station to keep it.

Piece of shit.

Go legal.

Davis Knowlton

Agree with all texts above. I've been there with my 1958 Triumph. Forget all these fabricating assholes and go legal to start with - if you don't, you may slide for a bit, but it will eventually come back and bite you in the ass, either when you have an accident, or try to sell it, or get stopped by that overeager cop.

the dogcatcher

I can't believe you are even considering this.

The Muffinman

I'm not considering anything, only looking for info, which is why I'm asking the questions here. I've never owned a vehicle, car or bike, in thailand before and am not aware of the do's and dont's.

Any advise on where to find fully legal choppers in and around Bangkok?

What to look out for when dealing with private sellers who claim their bikes are fully registered?

BobR

Is it really worth risking your freedom and your life for a silly over sized motorcycle? Of course it's illegal and the first time you have an accident or meet the "wrong" cop you can be sitting in a Thai jail while they figure it out at their leisure. An 1100 CC bike in Bangkok would fit your needs about as well as a 200 kilo woman.

Davis Knowlton

While there may be some disagreement, I might add that of all of the places around the world in which I have had bikes, Bangkok is one of the worst to drive in. Hot as hell, LONG traffic lights while you sit there pouring sweat surrounding by little rice rockets spewing exhaust fumes over you, fast and dangerous traffic - and the list goes on. Manila is almost as bad, primarily because the drivers are worse than in Thailand, and the roads SUCK. I'm down in the province here, as I was in Thailand, where the roads are pretty empty and you can actually occasionally enjoy a ride. I guarantee you won't enjoy riding in Bangkok. And, there is always the problem, especially if you have an unusual (to Thais) bike, of where to safely park it once you get where you are going. I would think hard about this. Just an opinion.

Rigger

Gee what a bunch of scared little girls, Did the false number plate thing and the bike hit and put two Thais in Hospital. Coppers didnt give a hoot it wasnt the right number plate.
I also bought a second hand book and just had the number changed in the book, miss placed the book. Then got the missus to apply for a new book
Easy.
You aint going to go to jail, I know of some really serous accident where people have died on un plated bikes and no recourse from the police.
But I would also recomend you bought a bike with a book to start with as its just one less thing to worry about

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Work to ride & ride to work.

Chairman Mao

different cops have different morals here.

i've been both tapped on the shoulder and waved on, and dragged to police station to pay 1000b 'fine' for the same offence.

remember the squads going around after illegal bikes only six months ago, even hit Udon one weekend if I remember correctly. Bikes taken and 'fees' in the tens of thousands to release them.

Just go legal.

the dogcatcher

and a Dragstar just tells everyone that you can't afford a Harley.

Khun Custard

Best advice I have recieved on this subject was from the english guy who works at TP motorcycles - about 1.5km up the Rd from Siam Paragon.
Worth having a talk to him and have a look at what they have up for sale - may not be as cheap but the paper work will be legit.

I tend to agree with BobR and would be seriously considering buying a automatic TMax or a 600cc Burgman /Majesty for an inner city, daily ride. Plenty of power to move away at the lights and a bit more body work between you and the taxi panels.
BUT.....Up Country..... the bigger the better!!!

Marmite the Dog

Not everyone likes pre-war bikes.

The Muffinman

Geez, there's always one isn't there? You some underpaid English teacher by any chance?


Perhaps I just don't feel like bolting my Harley back together after every 100 kms.

the dogcatcher

No, sea captain.

Travelmate

Buy a new bike from one of the dealers. Plenty in Bangkok now.
Kawasaki.
Yamaha.
Suzuki.
Triumph.
Ducati.
Harley Davidson.
Tiger.

Rigger

Yes its the super samie thingy I went to the Khon kaen office and paid mine before getting pulled, its to show your bike is in Thailand legally and you have paid the tax on it, Once you have done it they cant take your bike. So really other than a small fine for no plate the chance of lossing your bike are next to zero. I know hundreds of bike riders in Thailand and do you think any of them have lost a bike and even more amazing is they them selfs dont know anyone that has lost there bike.


Bull shit do you have any experince of riding bikes and accidents in Thailand

Bung

What's this about? First I have heard of it. I'm thinking of moving to Chiang Mai and would need something more than an invoice to ride up there. Do you just pay some tax but still no plate? I should probably just get the book here in Phetchabun as the mrs knows someone in the licensing center here.

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Fahn Cahn's