SumetCycle

Do you have the helmets up on a website so that I can see the stock.

I live about 400 km north of BKK.

Cheers

Sure, here is a link to Bilmola's website: http://www.bilmola.com/ This one is for LS2: http://www.ls2helmets.es/index.php

If you see anything you like, let me know. Thanks.

Brian

Out of curiosity, are any of those brands (Bilmola, LS2, and Rider) DOT, Snell, or ECE certified?

The LS2 models we sell all have ECE certification. Most of the Bilmola models also have ECE certification. A couple of them also have DOT certification. The Rider helmets only have TIS certification though. I'd probably only use the Rider for short trips on my scooter, but would be comfortable using either the Bilmola or LS2 on my CBR 1000 RR.

Where is the shop located?

Here is a link to Google Maps with our location:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=13.855331,100.544472&ll=13.858351,100.5387&spn=0.017812,0.033023&num=1&t=m&z=16

Sorry, we don't sell those at the moment. Perhaps in the future. I look into it and let you know. Thanks.

Here are some photos:

Brands available include Bilmola, LS2, and Rider.

We now have a large selection of new helmets here at Sumet. Most sizes are available and prices range from 1,000 baht to 7,500 baht. Feel free to come by the shop and check them out. If you have a particular size and model in mind, we can also provide shipping. Thanks.

Brian

I've got a nice pair of Style Martin light-weight riding boots. I've been riding with them for over a year and they still look good as new. I just give them a quick rub down with a wet rag after every ride. They have held up very well. I got them at Paddock. Best of Luck.

Brian

I would go a with Tsukigi exhaust. With the built in silencer, they give a nice sound, but not too loud. If you would like more details, send me a PM. Best of Luck.

Brian

Brian,

Whenever i would get into traffic on the Blade i would just pull the mirrors back out of the way and it would weave through the traffic with ease.

Nice one Brian! Looking forward to see your reports on it after clocking up some KMs.

Thanks, I was nervous as hell riding it back home. Not to mention it was the hottest day of the year. I'm starting to get my confidence on it now. I'm actually surprised at how easy it is to drive. Changing gears and handling it are a breeze. I also love the extra power and being able to pass just about anything in my way. It's okay through the traffic if it's moving, but it gets a bit difficult when things are completely gridlocked. I'm taking it on a short trip to Ayutthaya tomorrow with some friends. Trip report to follow.

That's the problem with the 2012 model. The mirrors are fixed and shoot out at a 90 degree angle. They also seem to be right at the level of most cars mirrors.

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

Nice one Brian! Looking forward to see your reports on it after clocking up some KMs.

Thanks, I was nervous as hell riding it back home. Not to mention it was the hottest day of the year. I'm starting to get my confidence on it now. I'm actually surprised at how easy it is to drive. Changing gears and handling it are a breeze. I also love the extra power and being able to pass just about anything in my way. It's okay through the traffic if it's moving, but it gets a bit difficult when things are completely gridlocked. I'm taking it on a short trip to Ayutthaya tomorrow with some friends. Trip report to follow.

Thanks for the pics, Tony. Too bad I didn't get a chance to meet you last night. Here are some pics from earlier in the day when I picked up my bike.

Not sure about the labor, but I guess you are right about the parts. Hopefully this will change when Honda starts selling locally made big bikes next year. By the way, how do prices for locally made parts compare price wise to imported ones? Thanks.

Brian

If you want to see how the prices compare, why don't you price a component on a locally made CB'r' 250 with an equivalent component on your new imported CBR1000RR. Pick something simple like a throttle grip or rear turn signal assembly. If Honda pricing is anything like that of Kawasaki you'll see that the domestically produced part will usually cost less than half the price of the imported part.

As far as labor, I believe Kawasaki, Thailand charges 180-200 baht/hour (seems to vary between dealers but 200 is the most I've ever been charged). Compare that to most of the import dealers that charge anywhere from 700-1000 baht/hour. Any idea what the labor rate will be at the new Honda Big Wing dealership?

Ride On!

Tony

I'm not sure, but I'll check when I go to the grand opening on Thursday. I couldn't care less about the labor fees and part prices though. I just want to ride my new bike. Thanks for the info.

Brian

You'll only be able to get Honda's big bikes service at the Big Wing Center, not existing Honda dealerships. AP Honda will operate the first one and have dealers open up others in the future, similar to what Kawasaki did. The mechanics at the first Big Wing Center which opens this Thursday are trained and ready to go. Service will be on par with what Kawasaki provides for its big bikes.

Except the price of parts (and labor?) will be double... (And this is NOT a dig at Honda- it's what one should expect for imported bikes of any brand)

You'll only be able to get Honda's big bikes service at the Big Wing Center, not existing Honda dealerships. AP Honda will operate the first one and have dealers open up others in the future, similar to what Kawasaki did. The mechanics at the first Big Wing Center which opens this Thursday are trained and ready to go. Service will be on par with what Kawasaki provides for its big bikes.

Except the price of parts (and labor?) will be double... (And this is NOT a dig at Honda- it's what one should expect for imported bikes of any brand)

Not sure about the labor, but I guess you are right about the parts. Hopefully this will change when Honda starts selling locally made big bikes next year. By the way, how do prices for locally made parts compare price wise to imported ones? Thanks.

Brian

Well done, it looks like a brand new bike.

You'll only be able to get Honda's big bikes service at the Big Wing Center, not existing Honda dealerships. AP Honda will operate the first one and have dealers open up others in the future, similar to what Kawasaki did. The mechanics at the first Big Wing Center which opens this Thursday are trained and ready to go. Service will be on par with what Kawasaki provides for its big bikes.

I'm actually not too sure of the warranty tbh. Last time I took the service book out I think it said 30,000km on it. Never had a need to inquire.

God, I hope it doesn't melt now, you've got me worried.

Sorry, double post.

I'm actually not too sure of the warranty tbh. Last time I took the service book out I think it said 30,000km on it. Never had a need to inquire.

God, I hope it doesn't melt now, you've got me worried.

Actually the Honda warranty is 5 years or 50,000 km for the engine and 3 years or 30,000 km for frame and body. I love how a few owners out of thousands report problems on a forum and all of a sudden it's a fragile bike. I've got over 10,000 trouble free kms on my CBR and I am very happy with it. The CBR has been out for over a year and I haven't had to put in a single warranty claim for a customer. It is a very well built, durable, and reliable bike.

Sounds good. How easy are they to install? Can the original ones be removed and the diamond shaped ones be put on with just a screwdriver? I haven't looked how they are fastened to the bike? Also, of I decide later I want the original ones to be out back on is that possible, meaning the new ones won't change the mounts I assume? Lastly, I imagine they don't stick out nearly as much as the original ones. So probably much easier to weave through traffic?

It only takes a couple of wrenches and a hex key to install them. The mounts will be original, so you can easily put the stock mirrors back. Some of my customers use the small mirrors in the city and switch back to stock for tours. They make weaving through traffic a breeze.

Yeah, with after market mirrors, you usually get what you pay for. The cheaper ones seem to shake more and come looser more easily than the expensive ones. I've seen mirrors as cheap as 300 and as expensive as 4,000. We do have some nice diamond shaped mirrors here for only 700 baht. They are well made and very stable, but they have to be adjusted just right to be able to see anything.

I prefer YSS, but I had Gazis on my old Airblade and was very happy with them.

We will be taking a bunch of customers up to the show from our shop on Sat. the 31st. If you've got a Honda and would like to join us send me a PM. Free T-shirt, petrol (100 baht), lunch, admission, and VIP parking will be provided. We will meet at the shop at 1 o'clock and head up to the show at about 2 o'clock. So far we have over 60 bikes going. We hope to see you all there. Thanks.

Brian

That’s better than my story.

My dealer insisted red plates are not required on new bikes in Bangkok (funny how my mio125 was issued red plates last year) anyway..

I asked them if they had a red plate kicking around but they honestly didn't have any. 3 weeks later while waiting for my official plate to arrive i was stopped and asked to pay 500baht for what was in my opinion Kawasaki's mistake. On returning to my dealer i got very little sympathy (not that i was expecting any) and they insisted that the police officer was wrong...........

I believe the cops who requested the 500 knew the law. Perhaps when they saw an unplated big bike with a falang on it, they thought they could get some easy tea money.

I bought a bike from a local Honda dealer who advised that it wasn't necessary to have the red plates - just a copy of the bike invoice was sufficient. Is this right?

In Bangkok, red plates aren't issued. By law, you have 30 days to get the real plates on the bike. If the cops pull you over before you have the plates you only need to show the invoice and 3rd person insurance paperwork. However, I believe the red plate system is used in most other provinces.

Thanks for the info. Btw, sorry that I bought my bike from another dealer but I understand that your bikes are flying out the door faster than you can get them in and this dealer just up my road was able to let me walk out with one immediately. Personally, I would have preferred to purchase from an English speaking dealer but my gf did all the paperwork etc, all I did was hand over the dosh

No worries, I'm glad you were able to get your new bike. I wouldn't have waited either. Let me know if you ever need anything. Best of luck.

Brian