What Motorbike?

**Jesus Jones** · 23-10-2010, 08:53 PM

Hypothetical question.

If you had between 200 - 600K to waste on a motorbike. What would you buy that's available here in Thailand, and why?

**jandajoy** · 23-10-2010, 08:57 PM

What's it for?

**Chairman Mao** · 24-10-2010, 12:02 AM

For a simple all rounder the Ninja 650 is exceptional value at only 260,000 odd baht.

Not going to win any competitions but for fully legal with full dealership service there's nothing to match it.

Otherwise up your budget a few 100k and get a duccy 848.

What do you plan on using it for?

And where?

**Airportwo** · 24-10-2010, 06:32 AM

I always wanted one of these, can I put your 600k towards one?

**Udonite** · 24-10-2010, 07:58 AM

I'd buy a good second hand Honda Shadow.

Great for short trips to the cake shop, and longer trips in comfort without putting your back out.

A big chopper always impresses the ladies.

**Mr Earl** · 24-10-2010, 08:09 AM

^^Yea right! The NR750 is made from unobtatium.

For a classic utility bike there a nice R80 gs available in Pattaya,

For something newer and modern the Kawasaki ER6N is a great machine.

It depends on what kind of riding your figuring on.

The R80 gs is cool for long distance touring and makes a great conversation piece wherever you go.

**Jesus Jones** · 24-10-2010, 08:42 AM

I'm thinking of buying a bike but the only thing that has put me off is the safety issue; drivers and road condition.

I travel just over 100k a day to work through Bangkok to the Mini Buri area which isn't a problem in the morning as there is little traffic between 5.30 and 6 am, but in the evening it's a pain in the car.

On top of that i make short trips to play footy and stuff and reversing the Pajero out of the street - as it's so narrow between our house and the neighbors, is a pain in the as at times.

I don't want a Nouvo type thing as i'd get pissed of with it traveling the distance i do, and neither do I want a Super Bike as i don't trust myself to drive it safely. I had a R1 in the UK, and to be truthful, i didn't really have, or acquire much experience while owning it as shortly after buying it i moved here.

I was thinking along the lines of a Enduro bike. BMW 650 MotoX but the thing is too damn expensive here. I checked out the Kawasaki D-Tracker but i think it's to small for me. 6ft 89kg.

**Mr Earl** · 24-10-2010, 08:59 AM

For Bangkok commuting just get a CBR150R(65k baht new) perfect for BKK traffic.
If that seems too small go for the little Ninja 250 (145k baht new) which is a really great small bike. For BKK commuting you don't really want anything bigger.
I ride my big BMW around BKK only because that's what I got, but it's size and weight make it a big PITA.

As far as safety goes, you need to learn to pace yourself. Don't hurry and don't exceed your skills.
Riding the traffic here is a skill and takes some time to develop.
Safety is largely a function of attitude and awareness.

Road conditions generally are very good in Thailand, but you do have to watch out and not take anything for granted.

**good2bhappy** · 24-10-2010, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

I travel just over 100k a day to work through Bangkok to the Mini Buri area which isn't a problem in the morning as there is little traffic between 5.30 and 6 am, but in the evening it's a pain in the car.

have you thought of moving?

**Chairman Mao** · 24-10-2010, 09:58 AM

Bangkok traffic isn't fun on a big, wide bike that's for sure.

ninja 250 is fun. Looks like a Honda CBR 250 is on the way soon, the new little 150 is out next month, and is said to be followed by the 250, pics and specs already released by Honda.

Would probably want a bit more grunt though, give the ninja650 some serious thought as a sports/tourer.

**Jesus Jones** · 24-10-2010, 11:05 AM

^^

Have thought of it, yes. But the parents are elderly and having family next door on either side helps as both my wife and I work.

Mr Earl, Which BMW do you have? R1200?

**Marmite the Dog** · 24-10-2010, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

the new little 150 is out next month, and is said to be followed by the 250, pics and specs already released by Honda.

I heard that the 250 will be made here but not sold here.

Anyway, I'd like one of these. Honda VFR800. None of this crappy 2 cylinder bollocks.

**peterpan** · 24-10-2010, 12:34 PM

I had a VFR 800, cracking engine but crap suspenders, overall I liked it for touring, one of the best for that task

**Marmite the Dog** · 24-10-2010, 01:06 PM

Even better, but not sure what sort of paperwork it's got.

##MOCYC.com##

**FailSafe** · 24-10-2010, 02:01 PM

I saw a scruffy NR750 for sale in Bangkok back in 2001- I believe the guy wanted 300K for it (yes, I am fully aware of how much these bikes are actually worth- I used to go to look at mint-condition models when I lived in Tokyo, where they went for ~$USD75,000 back in the 1990s)- I took it for a quick ride- it was beat-to-shit and limited to a Japan-spec 77hp.

It might have been stolen- he only had the 'invoice' and no book- in any case parts would have been impossible to obtain and I passed on it.

**Jesus Jones** · 24-10-2010, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Bangkok traffic isn't fun on a big, wide bike that's for sure.

ninja 250 is fun. Looks like a Honda CBR 250 is on the way soon, the new little 150 is out next month, and is said to be followed by the 250, pics and specs already released by Honda.

Would probably want a bit more grunt though, give the ninja650 some serious thought as a sports/tourer.

Is the ninja 650 same as the ER6 with the kit on?

**Chairman Mao** · 24-10-2010, 03:04 PM

Yes, identical.

ER-6N (N stands for naked).

In other countries the Ninja is called the Er-6F (F for faired).

A slightly different fairing can also be bought for the er-6n as well though.

**Perota** · 24-10-2010, 03:28 PM

Wrong thread

**Chairman Mao** · 24-10-2010, 04:49 PM

Post 14.

You're confusing this with a 'Post the ugliest bike ever' thread.

**genghis61** · 24-10-2010, 06:39 PM

the ideal bike
for me . .
26km of semi-sealed potholed road to the nearest town with ATM
many a km of dirt roads, plus farm tracks
and some good open roads (once past the potholed ones) for touring

Don't know if they're available here, but a Triumph Tiger would suit me, have had the Speed Triple version in nz, but the extra height/suspension would be ideal for local conditions

**Bangyai** · 24-10-2010, 10:41 PM

No shopping basket on the front but apart from that......velly nice . I think you can get this here as I saw one in a shop in Ekkamai. Hate to think of the price.

**Chairman Mao** · 24-10-2010, 10:58 PM

about 660,000 I believe. They have a red one in the Triumph shop on RCA, and one of the owners has his own gray one as per your picture.

Nice looking machine alright.

**genghis61** · 25-10-2010, 07:53 AM

There are/were two 675s on Phuket. It has won just about every magazine 'bike of the year' awards since its release.

675s finished the World Supersport Champs (support for World Superbikes) in 4th and 6th overall, good considering the opposition are the big Japanese factory teams.

These are not available yet - the 675cc three-cyl engine taken out to 770cc and a smaller version of the 1050cc Tiger

Feast your eyes! Triumph has decided to release official photos of the new Tiger 800 and Tiger 800 XC (pictured at the bottom) in advance of the official unveiling next month. The photos show a narrow and apparently light dual-purpose machine, with the road oriented version featuring a 19 inch front wheel and the off-road oriented version featuring a spoked 21 incher. The beefy frame looks overbuilt (particularly, the welded on subframe) to deal with the rigors of off-road riding, touring, passenger and luggage.

more at: Triumph Releases Official Photos of Tiger 800 and 800 XC

**pangsida** · 25-10-2010, 01:20 PM

Am in two minds about it. The GS800 has it in the looks category still IMHO

**Mr Earl** · 25-10-2010, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Mr Earl, Which BMW do you have? R1200?

A 1995 well broken in R1100GS. Good bike for Thailand, comfy for longs trips easy on maintenance, just too big and heavy for Bangkok. Good thing about is that everyone sees it, it literally stops traffic most people do a serious double take when they see it.

The Ninja 650 and the ER6N share the same engine. Rumor has it Kawasaki will market the Versys 650 here soon also with the same engine. The Versys is a bit taller with a more upright seating position and slightly more suspension travel.

Another bike which is nearly perfect for Bangkok is the Honda Sonic 125. It's peppy enough, very comfortable, and best of all very light and very maneuverable for the traffic. There's good reason so many mototaxi's use them.
They quit making them a couple years ago. But you can still find nearly new ones in the 40-50K range. It's a good value. Then you can pick up something bigger and "too cool for school" like that older R80GS for touring around the country.

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