Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Phuket By Cbr150 ?

[kash]

A friend of mine has just bought a CBR150 while I am waiting for next years model. now he has this insane idea of riding down to bangkok and then down to phuket, I think this is pure madness with such a small bike - considering the crazy drivers and massive traffic on the road. and is it possible to find the way on your own without a gps is the second question? I am trying to get him to forget this stupid idea, but he won't listen, so maybe when I show him your answers he will think otherwise, or am I the stupid one?

[Macx]

Not at all. It'd be a blast and lots of people would envy you the fun. Several forum members have done it. Do a search. There are a couple of write-ups on their rides too.

One of my Thai friends done the CM to Hat Yai several times to see his teerak on a Honda Dream!

Oh, buy a map and learn a few basic Thai words to get direction.

Go! Have fun!

[JimsKnight]

It's not insane at all!

Show some spirit man and give your friend all the encouragement he needs

True adventure is to be had on a bike in Thailand. Cars, buses and planes are a lame and boring option.

I had a blast of a time traveling from Phitsanoluk to Hua Hin a few years ago, this included two overnight stays in Ayuthya and Bangkok. It went without a hitch. In fact traveling alongside were a few Thais on Honda Waves making a trip to Bangkok!

This was on a Honda Sonic 125cc! So a Honda CBR 150 will be ok for what you're friend is planning.

You can tour almost anywhere in Thailand on a scooter. Obviously the bigger the big the better though

[sierra01]

I did BKK-Korat a few times on a JRD 125, a steady 80-85 kph no problem.

[chavy]

Totally agree with what "Macx" says. Search the forum & you will find members that have done it. After that got to gt-rider.com & you'll find several members that have done the trips similar to that & some on CBR150's.

Wait to you get yours & team up with your mate & have a good trip, you wont regret it.

[HDRIDER]

HI

Tell him to go for it, have done it from Phuket to CM and back again, well it was on a big bike but you really got to see the real Thailand.

My friend and his wife (50 years old) did a Phuket -Hua Hin- Phuket on an Yamaha Nouvo, ok she had a little jeeb dut but they just bought her a pillow.

[HDRIDER]

I am trying to get him to forget this stupid idea, but he won't listen, so maybe when I show him your answers he will think otherwise, or am I the stupid one?

He he who is the stupid one now.

[Gary A]

Things have progressed a LOT over the years. That little CBR 150 has more grunt than I would have thought possible. He will have no problems keeping up with traffic. I would view that trip safer than death wish tourists flying around Pattaya.

[madjbs]

For maximum enjoyment remember to tell him to take the provincial roads through the countryside instead of the big highways.

[thaitot]

I am in Chaing Mai untill February I would consider tagging along. I have a new Cbr 150

I would need to ride 2 up.

Have done the Mai Sai doi Tung and back to chaing Rai plus some other sights 300k in one day with little problem. You came to Thailand for adventure live it.

Ps mine is in the shop for another week so not today

[Chris78]

Sounds like a great way to see the country. No worries with bus/plane/train timetables...throw them all away and go your own way. That said, I'd definitely do some map research on the best route to take.

I agree with 'madjbs' the backroads will give you a much more enjoyable ride. Take a camera and record all the cool places you see. Tell us how it goes. I'd love to do that same ride at some point.

Make sure the bike is in great condition when you leave but remember there are bike mechanics everywhere in Thailand and the CBR is fairly easy to get repairs for.

[PeaceBlondie]

Like any trip, get a map (but make no motel reservations past the first night), and go. Top speed one-up on a CBR150 is 140 kph, but that's too fast on unfamiliar roads. 500 km in one day should be a breeze on fast roads, maybe even 750 km, but it's more fun to slow down and take the back roads.

I think we're assuming this applies to veteran riders who know how to ride in Thailand.

[T_Dog]

I've owned my CBR150 for almost a month now and have put 2000 KM on the clock. It is a GREAT bike for the highway, and it can haul with the majority of the traffic. The light weight makes it agile and it slows down quick too. I would tell your friend to go for it and enjoy it! The highways in Thailand are excellent and well-marked! As some of the posters have shown, many ride to BKK and back from here.

Here is a quote that I rather like......

“What if the spell of a place falls upon a youthful heart, and the bright horizon calls! Many a thing will keep till the world's work is done, and youth is only a memory. When the old enchanter came to my door, laden with dreams, I reached out with both hands. For I know that he would not be lured with the gold that I might offer later, when age had come upon me."

-- Viking's Wake, Richard J. MacCullaugh

[kash]

Uhm, everybody against me? I guess he will smile when I show him this, better not maybe ;-) Anyway - I was most concerned about the saftey issues, driving a small bike with crazy drivers everywhere, I doub't he will do 80 kph all the way - even I get scared to death sometimes driving my wave on the highway and suddenly a pothole the size of my bike just happen to be in front of me ... tried to search but couldn't find any threads - anyone have a link?

[thaitot]

On the wave you are sittting in a different position than a cbr The cbr in my opinion takes potholes far better even 2 up The CBR if you take your hands off the bars you still feel more safer than a tight grip on wave. 80k feels safe 100k good comfortable travel speed 130 k to much noise and to many RPM,s for me 110K 2up workable.

[apetley]

Things have progressed a LOT over the years. That little CBR 150 has more grunt than I would have thought possible. He will have no problems keeping up with traffic. I would view that trip safer than death wish tourists flying around Pattaya.

I would say more zip than grunt.

To get grunt needs at least 750 cc's and not having to kick it down the gears.

Zip comes with revs.

Just as much fun in any case.

[JimsKnight]

The CBR is a good project bike though, if you get a decent exhaust, sprockets and a bore out (say 175-185cc) there will be tons more grunt and performance. It's a pricy mod package though...

[T_Dog]

Kash,

We certainly are not against you..... but probably are WITH your friend. This is a PRO-motorcycling, PRO CBR150 forum group, so posters will be positive about what he wants to do. The CBR150 is a good choice for the highway because you can flow with the traffic rather than being a target on the shoulder. Once you get your bike, we hope to see YOU on the road on some longer trips. If you are in Chiang Mai, send me a PM and we'll get together for a short loop so you can get things sorted out. I try to drive moderately aggressive, but certainly not crazy. Getting 20 KM beyond Chiang Mai certainly helps thin the traffic out where you can have some real fun and enjoy the bike. Tomorrow I am headed to Mae Kam Pong, 60 KM EAST of CM. Once across the Ping River, it is a great ride. Last time I hit the highlands there I only saw two moving cars on the road in 2 hours of exploring.

One thing your friend can do if he does go to BKK is to time his arrival when traffic is light. I used to motorcycle through Chicago on a regular basis, and the time of day could mean the difference between a 1 hour relaxed cruise or a white-knuckle/traffic jam for 3 hours.

[BlackArtemis]

Considering I talked to someone who crossed the entire US on a 50cc Honda Chaly? no, i don't think you are insane.

[Elvikingo]

Survived Chiang Mai - Ubon Ratchatani in 1 day on a 400cc bike. Did another roundtrip Chiang Mai - Bangkok last week. Roads are fine just don't go crazy. Have fun!

Raoul

[Offroadlanna]

Uhm, everybody against me? I guess he will smile when I show him this, better not maybe ;-) Anyway - I was most concerned about the saftey issues, driving a small bike with crazy drivers everywhere, I doub't he will do 80 kph all the way - even I get scared to death sometimes driving my wave on the highway and suddenly a pothole the size of my bike just happen to be in front of me ... tried to search but couldn't find any threads - anyone have a link?

Have a look at http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycl...nmar-t3341.html for a trip report from 5 Malaysian guys who rode to the North of Thailand on bikes ranging from 110-150 cc.

[thaitot]

What a great story I feel like a "woosie" even thinking this can not be done on aCBR.

[Crow Boy]

Two days after buying my CB150 I did a visa run Chiang Mai to Mai Sai. Took the bike to the dealer for the first service and then headed off to Lamphun - ended up at Penang (Malaysia)!! I didn't even have my plate or green book when I went across the border. Picked them up when I got back. The CB150 is an excellent bike. About half of the trip was two up with baggage and the bike sat happily on the road at 110-120 kpm. Did some back roads stuff, a bit of down the highway, a few side trips and a nightmare entry into Bangkok at peakhour with no idea of where we were or how to get to where we wanted. Tell your friend to ride carefully, have fun and take lots of photos

CB

[ged]

Uhm, everybody against me? I guess he will smile when I show him this, better not maybe ;-) Anyway - I was most concerned about the saftey issues, driving a small bike with crazy drivers everywhere, I doub't he will do 80 kph all the way - even I get scared to death sometimes driving my wave on the highway and suddenly a pothole the size of my bike just happen to be in front of me ... tried to search but couldn't find any threads - anyone have a link?

Not whinging about your Wave are you ! good bike for shopping!

[ged]

Uhm, everybody against me? I guess he will smile when I show him this, better not maybe ;-) Anyway - I was most concerned about the saftey issues, driving a small bike with crazy drivers everywhere, I doub't he will do 80 kph all the way - even I get scared to death sometimes driving my wave on the highway and suddenly a pothole the size of my bike just happen to be in front of me ... tried to search but couldn't find any threads - anyone have a link?

Good bike your Wave -for shopping !

Stop whinging get yourself a proper bike and get out there with your friend!