mic6ard

I'm actually leaning towards the D-tracker due to all the accessorries available after market, and like most said it's cheaper to repair. Eventhough I love the CBR's sporty look more, I'm willing to start slow. Unless there's a 2nd around somewhere at decent prize and good condition .

Just something to think about, when you upgrade to a bigger bike, you also need some riding gear!! Put at least 30 baht extra into the budget for your new bike. If you are any good reading thai, the www.er6thailand.com site have some really nice looking used er6 with a lot of ACCESSORRIES.

Don't worry about gears, gotta plenty of those. Jackets, gloves, helmets.

After much consideration here's the usages

Commute, typically open road, (super highway in CM), some in town.

Typically speed so far is approx 80k -90km on a scooter (don't feel safe going any faster on the little thing)

Definitely stylish (lifestyle requirement )

Gasohol compatible.

Easy to maintain.

ACCESSORRIES, gotta have ACCESSORRIES.

I recently paid a deposit on a CBR 250R ABS which will be my first 'big' bike. I've been riding a Nouvo every day for 3yrs and have ridden quite a few bikes with a clutch before so I'm not a total beginner but all the reviews say it's an ideal beginner bike with a very forgiving clutch and gears but also say it has enough so that you wouldn't outgrow it after a year or two although I'm not sure that'll be the case (versys?).

I'd planned on getting a D-Tracker and hadn't contemplated the CBR until I actually saw it in the flesh as I thought it would be too small but I paid a deposit there and then. They also had a used Ninja which I also tried out for size but the CBR felt more comfortable and seemed like it had more legroom (I am 190cm), the shape of the tank gave my knees more room and slightly more upright handlebars meant less pressure on my wrists.

At 120,000 it's an absolute steal, easily the best value bike available here and with better performance figures (apart from maybe 5kph top end) and more usable torque it is a better buy than the non-abs Ninja.

I hear ya. Have the same problem with the nin250. My knees were pressed against the tank. And the posture on CBR seems more relaxing. Abit cheaper, ABS brakes (don't forget combi).

Are you REALLY gonna go with someones elses opinion for this..?

Just go and try a few.

Money no problem? Gixer 1000 899,000

But take it easy

Nope, just want to see what people thinks. Plus it might give me another options that I didn't think of, such as the Lifans and Tigers!!!!!!. Eventhough they don't really have the 'rep' yet. Blame my scientist mentality, I want the most information I can.

2nd hand is actually preferred. As I would really cry laying down a brand new one. Went to have a look at the CBR 250, looked nice and actually better than nin250. Felt like I wasn't cramped against the tank which is great. All the one that you guys have suggested so far have been really nice, since I did look at the Kaw's from the beginning and fell in love with ER-6. The CBR250 is a new one, and looks great like I mentioned. Still have to look at the Lifans.

Man, tough choices. To be more mature look (cruiser type) or go young (sports).

Soo many choices. For those who may be wondering why I'm skipping the semi-auto, I tried it and not reallly comfy with the gear shifting. Everything was too short and felt really cramped. Plus the lack of any levers on the left hand grip is really weird.

why not go for the ER6-N. Getting a lot for the money, enough power for everything and cheap parts. Used ones you can get from 165000 baht, almost new (2010 with less than 1000 km) from around 200 000 baht. You said it your-self, your a big/high person, and if you whant to feel comfy, you need a big bike.

Dude, a 600 for a 1st "full" bike??? not a bad idea but kinda scarey. I do love the styling.

Honda Phantom. Has to be the best all round Thai bike there is.

It is not the fastest bike there is nor the most powerful but for reliability, ease of maintenance, spares and cost to buy it you can't really go wrong. Any Somchai mechanic can service or repair it no matter where you are in Thailand and the warranty is is second to none. It is comfortable and very easy to ride. New around the 90,000 baht mark or a decent second hand one for around the 50-60,000 mark.

Everyone, I know is saying the same thing too. I heard that Honda are going to bring out Phantom with F-I??? and Kawasaki is also bringing out the Boss with F-I as well!! True??? and then which one would be better. I see a lot of phantom around but hardly any bosses. WHY?

HHEEELLLPPP

Got VW GTI, been advised by the dealers to only use V-Power 95. Which as of now has the same %ethanol as gasohol 95 !!!! There must be something in the V-Power that helps with the corroding effect? I hope anyway. Havn't really dared trying gasohol 95 yet. Might not be worth the cost of fixing the engine .

What I would like to know, is why the heck would Toyota, only now, would sell the prius here? It's been out for ages in other countries, gain a decent reputation for being the 1st good hybrid. But I can't see it catching on here in Thailand. Surely the start/stop/start traffic in bangkok would kill the battery really quick .

Alright, I've been riding for a while now on a scooter. Time for something with more umph. Am looking for full size bike, i.e. clutch and all. What is the best one to look for. Am about 180 and even sitting on the ninja 250 feels small. Is it something I can get used to? Price is not an issue . Rather the ease of use, maintenance.

If anyone know a place in Chiang Mai for those type of bike, let me know.

nice to hear that you are ok. Sucks about the bike though. And what's worse is that the idiot just left you lying there.

The menu is still Pratties, the fish is great, crispy. The fries were decent. But my only problem is the small portion size.

Any other places for great fish and chips??? with large (UKsize) portions.

I know Rimping super market have some. At least in the "Ruamchoak" site.

KUBOTA will do. I believe that's our equivalent to the JD.

I like to remind you, that you can t run any legal claims against them. You know the country, the rules and how bike import proceedings "normally" work. You were trying to obtain a green book by obvious illegal means, and it failed. Don t blame anyone but yourself.

I do not see any thing illegal using an agent to do the work. especially in a country were you do not speak the language and pretty much every LTD have different rules to follow. Sure he got scammed BUT if the paperwork was in order then nothing illegal..

Also i actually do not know many people who know the rules of big bike importing thats why many use agents (including some shops)

Do you know how to do it??

It's not illegal, heck the guy was trying to 'legalized' his bike by getting a green book (that's my understanding), his problem is that he trusted the wrong guy. Not to smack TV listing, but I would rather talk to friends and people I know to make connections. That way, there are some responsibility to the people involve. Friends don't cheat friends (too much ) or at least they won't run off with the money.

The guy is pretty much SOL in this one I believe.

Real sorry to hear about this.

Lets hope so. Last year totally s@#$$.

thanks for the head up. How come I didn't get the email!!!!!!!!!!!

Boong asked me to post it before she sent out the email.

ahh, that explains it. Thx

Best way to avoid a fine is to speak a language other than English or Thai, I recommend a mix of Arabic or German followed by a little PNG pigeon. Stopped for helmet 3 times no fines in Chiang Mai, and it also works on Thai Army check point guards in the north.I cant guarantee results but it has worked me in the past lol.

dude you might be able to pull a Mr.Bean, but I'm sure that most won't fall for that.

I wish that there are some here. Saw a prog on History channel on Chinese take aways. Make me want some. Really miss those paper boxes and fortune cookies!!!!! Finally found a place that has crab rangoon (you know those wontons with cream cheese and crab stick fiillings?), but it's a japanese place!!! So still searching...

Saw something typically thai the other day, 3 girls on a bike no helmet, at a red traf.light. 5 bib at the junction. one pointed to them and the rest turn their back and continue chatting . My friends and I were just steaming at the mess.

>>On that note, does anyone have a clue of the differences between v-power 95 and gasohol 95?

http://www.shell.co....wer_gasohol_95/

IIRC, shell v power was 6% ethanol a few months ago when I looked at above website, but now it's 10%. I'm guessing the difference is the "A unique formulation that contains components selected for their ability to help deliver more power, improved acceleration and enhanced responsiveness." blurb, although shell itself doesn't really say.

I know that's why I'm wonder if it's a scam by shell to get us to pay more for the 'premium' stuff. Cos in my understanding, gasohol are petrol with 10% ethanol anyway, right?

It's illegal to sell alcoholic drinks between 14:00 and 17:00 anyway. As for covering the signs, it's an on and off thing. The city will be strict once in a while. However in CM, there's a large sigh advertising Chang beer on top of a building. So I wonder what's up with that.!!!

No different from other evolutions. Old stuff will be fixed as long as feasible and then, as suggested above, scrapped. A happy goodbye to older two-cycle planet poisoners.

In the aggregate, "cleaner" bikes (except for those castrated by mods, usually against the laws of nations and always for their personal selfish satisfaction) will help keep down the speed of global warming.

CMX.. our bikes are NOT 2-cycle planet poisoners. And WHY should they be scrapped due to MISGUIDED rules and regulations from Governments with vested interests (How many Thai MP's families own Ethanol plants/ crop storage facilities).

Because lets face it that's WHAT this is about.

There are very few Governments around the world who are trying to cause hardship and excessive expense for their people by banning regular Gasoline especially in a 2nd world/ developing country.

Generally bikes are cleaner than other vehicle engines anyway. Even your hated 2t's are more environmentally friendly than a Jet aircraft.

Dudes, have you seen them busses on BKK or any of the city street spewing out black smokes. Forget bikes, those guys are worse.