AllanB

Went down to the Benelli dealers to see what all the fuss is about, as their new bikes getting rave reviews in the press....

TNT 600i (4cyl) is 295,000 B on the road, incl free 1st class insurance.

TNT 300 (2cy) is 139,000 B on the road, inlc free 1st class insurance.

They are also offering a free Benelli back pack on all bikes registered in Aug / Sept.

The pictures don't do the bikes justice - they are spot on in the flesh and look very well put together, with nice touches like twin Brembo front brakes, exposed trellice frame with adjustable Sachs rear shock and Marzocchi USD forks - No other bikes can match this spec for the price.

Sat on them both and can report a nice comfortable riding position, well positioned foot pegs and nicely padded seats with contrasting stitching.

I was impressed.....

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Where is this dealership and when you said it was comfortable riding position, how tall are you and what build?

This is all about tax, KTM don't really have to prove themselves here, they win races and build good bikes, that is why Boarman and McGreggor wanted them until the KTM marketing men blew them out. The 2 wallies were then forced to ride lumbering BMWs instead, who knew there would be a big backup crew when these celebrities fell off.

In the UK there is also a price differential, Benelli £3700, KTM £4500, so there are tax penalties there too, nothing to do with the manufacturers, all about "smoke filled rooms".

Both these bikes are designed in the west and built in 3rd world countries, so the taxman decides...somehow.

The beemers have been selling like crazy , especially since obi wan rode one around the world. KTM made a big mistake not giving the bikes to them.

They should have realised that celebrity matters more than ability when it comes to TV, just look at all the talentless young people on the TV.

This is all about tax, KTM don't really have to prove themselves here, they win races and build good bikes, that is why Boarman and McGreggor wanted them until the KTM marketing men blew them out. The 2 wallies were then forced to ride lumbering BMWs instead, who knew there would be a big backup crew when these celebrities fell off.

In the UK there is also a price differential, Benelli £3700, KTM £4500, so there are tax penalties there too, nothing to do with the manufacturers, all about "smoke filled rooms".

Both these bikes are designed in the west and built in 3rd world countries, so the taxman decides...somehow.

People are on about reliability, Chinese built etc etc. nonsense.

See the CBR300 thread for the guy's CB300 (CB286) who's engine disintegrated at 15k km and needed a whole new bottom end.

I absolutely agree, for years the character-free Japs have only ever had reliability, without it they would normally be gone, trouble is the propaganda keeps people loyal. I have read a lot of threads on the Lifan 200 and have yet to hear anything bad from owners...and the damn thing is 1/3rd the price of it's competitors.

If you read my previous posting you will notice I have changed my mind about the Benelli and some of that U turn has to do with stories like I have read here and other forums.

This Italian bike does have some character, whereas the Jap machines don't and since biking is about fun, looks and sound are important.

At 34,000 baht I still believe in the Honda Wave, but bigger bikes, no.

Road test between Benelli TNT300 - 139,000B and KTM Duke 390 - 239,000 B.

In India, where the video is shot, the KTM is cheaper than the Benelli, but in Thailand - its a whopping 100,000 B more.

The Benneli wins by a short head:

It's worse than that, the KTM is only around 105k Baht in India, so at 239k here it's a rip off. If the KTM was 105k I would buy one tomorrow. Powerful bike.

I don't have much to offer in terms of answers, been to the biggest 4 Islands and only liked Kho Chaing of those, but I am interested in going to the others.

How about adding biking/road conditions on the islands you have visited, no point in crossing with my bike if the roads are sand and I need an off road bike.

People are on about reliability, Chinese built etc etc. nonsense.

See the CBR300 thread for the guy's CB300 (CB286) who's engine disintegrated at 15k km and needed a whole new bottom end.

I absolutely agree, for years the character-free Japs have only ever had reliability, without it they would normally be gone, trouble is the propaganda keeps people loyal. I have read a lot of threads on the Lifan 200 and have yet to hear anything bad from owners...and the damn thing is 1/3rd the price of it's competitors.

If you read my previous posting you will notice I have changed my mind about the Benelli and some of that U turn has to do with stories like I have read here and other forums.

This Italian bike does have some character, whereas the Jap machines don't and since biking is about fun, looks and sound are important.

At 34,000 baht I still believe in the Honda Wave, but bigger bikes, no.

The exhaust is to the rear, it's been fitted with 6 reverse gears.

That's a hellava skill to develop, reversing at 120kph.

this shop is doing some very "interesting" things with the benellis.... kind of like a cafe/steampunk sort of thing..... personally i kinda like the white one... id ride that.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Custom-BIKE-Design/620436164676260

A forward facing exhaust, okay I give up what's that for? To poison the rider, to blow the smoke back into the engine, perhaps there has been a mod to the gearbox... reverse?

If that is Thai original thought in action, they should stick to copying. Perhaps the guild wheels are a clue to his age?

This is great thanks, good forum this, have a couple of months when I get back to put a "Chase the Twisty Tour" together. First fix the bike, pack the bike, 'er indoors and go. Bought a tank bag for the map and various beauty products, 2 lightweight wetbags from Decathlon for the extra luggage and made up a set of cam-buckle straps. These strapons work very well.

So please continue sharing your secrets and I promise to enjoy myself.

Lot pipe options in Praram2bikes. Picked up mine today.

So I bought the same exhaust from PR2. Wow! Too loud.. As you can see its off now and in a box.

Anyone know how I can quieten it up a bit? Looks good but sounds horrible.

Got picked by the police on the way back. Not for the sound though. I switched it off while showing my license. Took off slow so not to get called back by the police..

Disappointing!

Anyone know where to get a baffle or something?

Edit>>> OK looks like 2 inch baffle will fit..

Where in bangkok can you buy one?

That's weird, i don't find mine loud at all, far from it. Been driving past the cop check points many times with this pipe, haven't got stopped

Mine was offensive loud.. I mean I'm not an old fart like some other whiney ppl on here but this exhaust was taking the piss..

So I did something about it this afternoon

Pipe cut down on the lathe and then punched holes in the side. Fitted inside the exhaust.

Sounds good!

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Sorry for being a bit off topic, but this baffle looks as though it may suit, or at least be a starting point for my old Honda NV400. I bought the bike with almost no baffle and have been experimenting for more than a year to get some smoothness, without losing a growl.

So where did you get it and is there a part number or similar? Also do you some dimensions?

If you want a moderate performance cruiser from the big 4 Jap manufactures forget it, they are all too busy copying each other building identical sports bikes to thrash around on. I know I am just talking about Thailand, but for many these high speed back breaking sports bikes are useless and for the younger and more supple they just encourage speed. High speed riding in Thailand with all the hazards here, is not the best... "There are old bikers and bold bikers, but there are no old bold bikers".

Northern Laos.

Any bike.

Are you referring to north of Nong Khiaw?

Did you ride the big loop in the centre ...Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw, Ban Khong, Muang Kham?

1. Cant fit tubeless tyres to spoked wheels unless you fit a tube too, then you have the best of both worlds.

2. Tubeless tyres are stronger and thicker, less prone to puncture.

3. Spoked wheels look better, but are harder to clean.

4. Spoked wheels make for slightly smother ride due to flexing.

5. Spoked wheel less prone to inrepairable damage, alloys crack, chip and break, then you are stuffed. Spoked wheels can often be straightened reworked to get you home.

6. Alloys tend to keep their looks, neglect chrome spoked wheel and the bike looks like a shed.

Everything else has been covered..My NV has alloys, would love to convert to spokes, NCD.

Your not supposed to use a tube with tubeless tyres...i think they can overheat

Magnesium alloy wheels can be fixed like brand new if they are dented by a skilled repair guy (not many can do it and you might be sent to a dozen different shops but there's one in an alley in near victory monument area we went once and he did a great job when we finally found the guy

I would take the mags and tubeless every time

When you put a tube inside a tubeless tyre there is a tiny amount of heat generated due to the flexing of the soft wall tyre, but this is only an issue when riding and cornering fast. If you ride like that, then go tubeless, which means alloys.

If a mag alloy wheel gets damaged....... throw it straight in the bin...

Magnesium alloy is extremely difficult to weld properly and most Thais have difficulty welding mild steel without having birdshit everywhere, so finding one who can do so in Thailand, I'd say impossible. What metallurgy training did your guy have?

Working magnesium alloy is extremely dangerous as it can work harden, possibly causing hairline cracks. Finish polishing these hairline cracks will just hide these weak points..until you hit a bump..cornering fast under load. Ouch!.

Aluminium alloys fracture at a much faster rate than steel, giving you no warning and knowing it had been repaired, well that would worry me. Steel will generally crack first, that crack will open and eventually break, so there is a little warning time, especially if the load is cushioned by spokes.

Having a front wheel shatter, well I try to rule that out of my life.

In the west you would have a new wheel made..........

PM me with the details, what area are you based?

Hey there, I tried send you a PM but it says that this user can't receive anymore new messages???

Anyways the bike is in BKK Saphan Sung are at my friend's house and he can show it if you want (I live up country).

Bike is on TV classifieds: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851146-for-sale-2005-yamaha-dragstar-400-classic-with-green-book/

I know two people who have Dragstars, one a 400 in Thailand, another a 1100 in the UK and both say they are reliable and the 400 is fast enough, I prefer the standard bike as opposed to the Classic, personal choice that's all.

I won't be back for 3 weeks so will see if it is still available when I get back, but it looks like a very nice bike, in my price range too.

Martin, is that your bike? If so what is it, I like these old bikes built for 2.

It's a 1964 Ducati 250 Daytona. It used to be my bike but I sold it, with so many regrets, before coming to Thailand. How I wish I still had it here!!!!

Built it from a wreck & then built it again following an arson attack.

What we need is a "stealth" container ship, fill it up with these great bikes and land them in a Thai Cornish smuggler's cove. Then find a master forger for the green book.

...Did I say that all out loud?

Allan, if you're still in UK, take a look at http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/.

I seem to remember you saying you hang out in Norfolk sometimes - the Hood factory is in Attleborough - I'm sure you could visit if pre-arranged.

I used their denims for years & years in UK and now use the cargo pants here around KK and they're good - hot but not as hot as denims.

Martin, is that your bike? If so what is it, I like these old bikes built for 2.

I am off to Manchester this week for these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorbike-Motorcycle-Armours-Cargo-Trousers-Jeans-Reinforced-With-Aramid-Fibres-/121251967838?var=&hash=item1c3b2e335e

On another matter..I have never ridden a sporstbike on twisties, I assume the a low centre of gravity cruiser is better on the tighter bends, especially with 2.

Your ad has expired so can't open it, can you copy and send to me?

Thanks Allan

Northern Laos.

Any bike.

Tell me more, tell me more did you get very far?

How about a rourte

1. Cant fit tubeless tyres to spoked wheels unless you fit a tube too, then you have the best of both worlds.

2. Tubeless tyres are stronger and thicker, less prone to puncture.

3. Spoked wheels look better, but are harder to clean.

4. Spoked wheels make for slightly smother ride due to flexing.

5. Spoked wheel less prone to inrepairable damage, alloys crack, chip and break, then you are stuffed. Spoked wheels can often be straightened reworked to get you home.

6. Alloys tend to keep their looks, neglect chrome spoked wheel and the bike looks like a shed.

Everything else has been covered..My NV has alloys, would love to convert to spokes, NCD.

I am normally a bit put off a the thought of riding with a group, I see guys riding a lot faster than me on much faster sports bikes, even old farts like me. I am not knocking it just not for me and I always take the missus along too. The option of just meeting up at the end of the day is good, provided the day is not too long. 300km a day on really good roads is easily enough for me, much less on shitty ones and the idea of lots of different bikes is good.

See who we get and then decide where to go....Wild Hogs?...maybe a new thread.

Thanks, looking forward to a busy winter...real early starts...get up the crack of Dawn.

I am only 7 or 8 years behind you, hoping things hold together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tPxEf3ylnQ...what happened to this style of bike?

Well if I hold together I am sure the Phantom will.

Where do you live?

I live next to the Mae Wong national park in Khampaeng Phet province.

Perhaps some of us oldies could have a meet in the drier season (I hate getting wet on the bike) and poodle off on our Phantoms, Zimmer frames etc.

Yes, I will be up for that, I don't ride in the rain either, too dangerous for me. In the UK I use a bicycle instead of a zimmerframe. We live in Khon Kaen 500km away, so probably put the NV on the back of my pickup, either that or a two day ride each way.

Given the distance maybe a 2 or 3 day ride with overnight hotels, interested in that?

I am only 7 or 8 years behind you, hoping things hold together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tPxEf3ylnQ...what happened to this style of bike?

Ha.

Email me...you can get the one in my avatar cheap...perhaps cheaper than you think

Chiang Mai

Cant seem to blow up your avatar do you have a better/bigger picture?

Interesting comments about MHS, my legs are a bit suspect, so perhaps solo would be sensible. Could leave the girls in a CM hotel with the truck to go shopping. Do the suggested 1339 to Nan or the AH12 from Mae Sot to Tak / Phitsanulok and the 323 from K'buri to Sangklaburi first or later.

Done the CM to Pai leg in a truck and the NV is quite torquey and a semi cruiser stance, but still.

I am in the UK at present looking at trousers for my low speed riding and saw these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hip-and-Knee-Protectors-Set-for-Newfacelook-Jeans-/111131904603 anyone have an opinion using cargo pants...being in mind I am Captain Slow?