Thread: Harley Davidsons in Thailand ~ Frankie takes a Ride, or four?

This thread is going to take me a few days to hammer out between work and being kinda under the weather. I've got a few thousand photos to wade through and maybe forty or fifty prepared. Bare with me

From Mid Feb though last Sunday (may 24) I've spent fourteen days (or so) on the road in Northern Thailand on a few different Harley Davidsons. Although we only covered about 2500 miles (4000 kilometers) we spent most of that time on twisted mountain roads, Steep switch back descents and narrow village back roads. I have over 3300 photographs from these rides to go through and I've gone through them twice for different reasons. Don't worry, I'll not post them all.

All our rides started off at Richy's shop, RichCo Motorsports at about 9:00 AM. Anyone that knows me will tell you this is not anywhere near my normal wakgn hours. I do make exceptions for special occasions. I usually get there early for the coffee and rolls. Richy has started up a Harley Davidson Rentals business and provides tours on Harley Davidsons in Thailand with late model Fatboys and Dyna Glides. I was elected as photographer and scribe. I also got to test out the fleet and find a ride I wouldn't mind owning as soon as I can get the house done.

Our first ride started out with four riders one passenger and a chase truck. Four Americans, one Canadian and an Ozzie. The route was From Chiang Mai up 107 to Chiang Dao, this is short run perfect for getting in sync with folks you've never rode with. We end up at the cave there, I've been a few times and Cave bore me. The ladies selling herbs are fun to banter with while others go into the caves.

For the first ride I got this bike:


The ride up to the ChiangDao turn off is typical Thai highway, through Mae Rim, Mae Tang; four lanes, wide, sweeping curves and plenty of civilization; not too busy but certainly not empty. Eventually we get into some good two lane mountain road, fresh air, a river beside you with good surface, a short bit of construction, before long more civilization and the road straightens up a bit. Before we hit Chiang Dao Town we cut off left for the cave.

I like the look on this ladies face as four scooters disturb her otherwise quiet morning:


Did I mention THe Candaian had a BMW on this trip? Consider it mentioned. We gave a bit of shit for have such and ugly bike, He got even in the switchbacks later in ther day. The BMW is up for sale he's got his Dyna back together and has lost interest in the German machine. Dunno what he wants for the Bimmer but I can find out. Nice bike, kind tall, might get nose bleeds think it's 1200 somethign or other.

A shot of the Lagoon:


We loafed around I mentioned I had shots of the inside of trhe cave no one went in, We sat inthe shade and talk over the the next leg of the route. This was bit more arduous and longer. We were headed up to the Doi Ang Khang Project, and we were taking back roads.

This road impressed me with it's scenic beauty, the photos I took did not. Needed rain. I'd get it in the coming weeks....


We hung a left, heading north on highway 1178 where we'd veer off to the right along the Burmese border towards Doi Ang Khang. The road quickly gained elevation, and we were in Pine needle littered switch back country, the air was cool, crisp at times and I had not perfected my "shoot from the saddle" technique, in later rides I got better at it.

There was a breif moment when I had a few too many KPH, a somewhat too thick layer of pine needles under me and a little pucker factor. Happy to say, the bike and I came out unscathed, can;t say the same for my shorts though.

Theres a couple photos of the gardens at Doi Ang Khang and a view, or two, along the way.