SumetCycle

I have also heard that Kawasaki has a 500 in the works. It's supposed to be an inline 4. Perhaps to compete directly with Honda's offering.

So it looks more likely that we will see a CBR 500.

A lot of guys buy them and then within six months to a year they want to move up to something bigger, that's all.

100% Correct, exactly what I did.

It is a beginners bike after all. I learned to ride on it, built up my confidence, and moved up to something bigger. 250s are like a gateway drug to a more powerful fix. At least half the members of our CBR 250 Nonthaburi group have already moved up to 650s. A couple have gone straight to liter bikes. Also, quite a few got in over their heads and couldn't keep up with the payments. There are also expats who buy them and decide to go back home, so they end up selling them.

A lot of guys buy them and then within six months to a year they want to move up to something bigger, that's all.

We sell DMP S-Spec paddock stands here at Sumet for 1,700 per set. Shipping is available anywhere in Thailand. Send me a PM if interested. Thanks.

Brian

I screwed up this post, guys. Sorry, but the stands are actually 1,700 each.

Yes, reply sent already. Thanks.

Brian

They may have been in the process of transferring ownership, in which case the Land Transportation Department would have the actual green book until this is complete. Also, when a bike is financed, the finance company keeps the green book until the bike is paid off. The person financing only receives a copy while making payments.

...now I just need a bit more power.

a "bit" more power? Your going up nearly 50% in power from what you have now. (120hp to nearly 180hp)

I wouldn't worry about the warranty either. I mean, if it were me, I could not deal with it not being at full power. If anything catastrophic went wrong, I'd just swap the parts back to stock and take it in for warranty.

I really don't know about those power converter/derestrictor thingies. From my experience with Honda, anything less than OEM parts will trigger another problem. I think it might be cheaper than 9,000 baht to get a used ECU. But of course it's your bike...so good luck and happy trails with your toy!

You might be right about the ECM, but I have heard very good things about Magical Racing. They do a lot of high quality performance parts and a lot of guys in Japan derestrict their bikes this way. I'm not sure, but perhaps it is some sort of ECM reflash.

I've also been told I am going to need a Euro spec air manifold to go along with the other mods. I ordered it today and it should arrive in two weeks.

After everything is done, Two Wheels Magazine wants to do a test on a runway at one of the old air force bases. We are going to mount a cam pointing at the speedo to confirm if the derestriction actually worked. Scoop to follow.

I had my Akrapovic exhaust and K&N filter installed at Honda Big Wing today. I also ordered one of these - http://www.moto-work...converters.html . Not actually sure if it will work, but I'm going to give it a try.

sumet, cool man. nice pipe.

go on buddy.

Thanks

Yeah, I know I said I would wait, but now since I have the exhaust, I'm going to complete it. I'm not worried about the warranty, the engine was designed to run at full power. I'm going to try the full spec power converter first. If it doesn't work I'll just get a new full spec ECU and wiring harness.

The exhaust was only 30,000 in Hong Kong. The full spec power converter was about 9,000. I can't remember how much for the K&N filter, but it wasn't much. Assuming it works, the cost of derestriction is going to be much cheaper than I expected. Got the plate and green book already, now I just need a bit more power.

Yes, l will be back in the shop on Saturday and I've got plenty of YSS shocks in stock. See you then.

Brian

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Got the shocks fitted today. Boy, what a difference to the ride and handling. Hardly bottoms out except at fairly high speeds and nasty bumps. Highly recommended if you're heavy like me

Btw Brian, can you remember which model I had fitted? I forgot to ask for a receipt and as you know, I left the box behind.

Sure, they were the G-Euro Offset XLs. Thanks for the business, It was nice meeting you.

I had my Akrapovic exhaust and K&N filter installed at Honda Big Wing today. I also ordered one of these - http://www.moto-work...converters.html . Not actually sure if it will work, but I'm going to give it a try.

I kinda preferred the look of the original exhaust. What differences will the new one give?

The stock exhaust is where the catalytic converter is located. At this point it mostly improves sound, as the bike is still restricted. Another benifit is that it is much lighter than stock exhaust. I gained a bit more hp and torque. From the dyno chart I saw it seems to help out mostly between 3 and 4 thousnd rpms and the top end with a slight increase along the hp and torque range. It did seem to pull even harder and accelerate even faster coming back after the installation. Although, that could be psychosomatic. The only way I can describe the acceleration is to say it's like your bike is hooked up to a thick cable being rapidly retracted towards one of those crash test dummy walls.

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We were just having a bit of fun that day with the Carabao plate holder. It looked ridiculous. They do look nice on modified PCXs though.

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I had my Akrapovic exhaust and K&N filter installed at Honda Big Wing today. I also ordered one of these - http://www.moto-works.jp/products/power_converters.html . Not actually sure if it will work, but I'm going to give it a try.

I've got some here at Sumet. What bike is it for? I could ship one if you would like. Thanks.

Brian

Good advice anyway, thanks.

Yes, l will be back in the shop on Saturday and I've got plenty of YSS shocks in stock. See you then.

Brian

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I'm off to Hong Kong again and won't be in the shop for the next few days. However, I can be reached via Thai Visa PM or at [email protected] . Thanks.

Brian

Thanks for the advice guys. I took it easy, but still had a wonderful time. I'm looking forward to next one.

I'm going on a tour to Kao Yai Sponsored by Honda Big Wing this coming weekend. One of the planned events is a track day at Bonanza. Other than training, this will be my first time riding on a track. I was wondering if more experienced riders could give me some advice. Specifically about the conditions there, what to do, and what not to do. Thanks in advance for your help.

Brian

There is a saying, what goes like this “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”. And if you want to go to Laos and Cambodia on a budget motorcycle do what they do, ride a Chinese motorcycle...

Lifan is the ONLY motorcycle brand that has sells the same motorcycles in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia!!!

In Cambodia the names of some Honda motorcycles seem compatible, but trust me, they aren't not one Cambodia Honda mechanic knows anything technical about a PGM-FI (fuel injection), now-a-day all Honda motorcycles are what we can call 'digital', while in Cambodia and Laos everything is still very much 'analog' with carburator fueled bikes and electronics at a minimum (nothing fancy like combi-brakes, ABS, etc...) Even if you get into trouble and you would need something like a spar part you like to find that the most compatible part comes from a Chinese build motorcycle as even in Cambodia the brake pad of the Honda Dream is not the same as in Thailand... also non of the engine parts will fit.

How much 150 to 250cc motorcycles did Honda Laos and Cambodia sold? How many 150 to 250cc motorcycles did Kawasaki sold in Laos or Cambodia...Oops Kawasaki not even has dealers in Cambodia or Laos...

Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Third world quality bikes for riding in a third world countries. It appears that Lifan's marketing budget is a bit third world too, if trolling motorcycle forums is the only way they can get the word out about their crappy bikes. By the way, I'm on my fourth fuel injected Honda bike and have never had any problems with the FI system. Quality build and engineering equals minimal mechanical problems. Poor build and engineering equals a lifetime of problems. Also, Honda offers a five year 50,000km warranty on their engines. How about Lifan?

I have DMP S-Spec service stands here at the shop. They have adjustable plates, so they will fit most bikes. They are sturdy and really well built. Send me a PM if interested.

I've had a lot of customers install after market horns on their motorcycles. The problem with them in my opinion is that they sound like car horns. I think it could cause confusion, as when you beep the horn people will be looking for another car, not a motorcycle.

Have you tried Muc-Off? They have a great chain cleaner as well. Just spray on and watch the dirt and dust come off. You don't even need to use a brush.

2012 CBR 1000 RR, because it's fast, powerful, light, agile, and it is one of the easiest liter bikes to ride.