Smileygc

Hi There All

Lostinissan & Dilligad - Thanks for the Ubon link to Kawasaki. I might try it for the next service (after 6ks). Only a 520 klm round trip....

Services are every 6k. It seems the services get bigger every 12,000 k with intermittent smaller 6 k ones in between. My bike is now about 46k's.

I have had my Versys for over 3 yrs, its a 2011 Black one. I have the genuine Givi Tracker boxes which I had fitted during a trip to Malaysia.

I used to live in Phuket, so have traveled into Malaysia a number of times and also much of Southern Thailand.

I also had some trips into the North, Mai Sot, Mai Sae, Chiang Mai & Rai, Isaan etc & Laos, before we moved to Isaan just over a year ago.

Was back in Phuket last Oct, Nov & Dec for a couple of tours and also Sepang MotoGP.

I haven't used the bike much in Isaan, mainly due to settling in etc and other things going on with the family. Although did take a trip out with my mate Ron (from Sakhon Nakon) to Loei to meet the Gentleman's Club.

I am located near Nakhon Phanom and happy to ride out to meet new friends and riders. We have some nice roads and sights this way if you come this way.

DepDavid - I tend to get my bike serviced according to the Kawasaki Schedule (i think Kawaski know more about bikes than I do and so follow their advice) - with some oil changes in between if I think the bike needs it or wants some pampering..!!

I love the Versys - I used to rent ER-6n's and Ninja 650's, but liked the more upright touring style of the Versys. Not many to rent, and after the full front fairing came loose on a rental Ninja 650 (i have just previously managed to catch the falling off mirror, I decide that was enough of rental bikes!! I have a bigger screen on my Versys which slows the top speed a bit, but keeps the wind noise down and comfort (no buffering) levels UP!.

I too like the New Versys, but I would want to see the matching panniers, before I gave it any more thought. The engine has been tweaked a little on the new one and the styling is similar to the Versys 1000.

My Versys has been so good I would be reluctant to change.

Any way enough of my post. As I said, happy to meet up for a ride and a chat, whether your way or over this way.

All the best and thank you for the Servicing suggestions.

Hey Anthony5, I have to admit, we found our cause. we tend to recycle and store used cans and bottles in a box near the back door. All cans, bottles, yogurt cups etc, are rinsed before they go into the box... But it seems, a fruit juice bottle, used and still with its plastic and metal ring pull cap was put the the box before being rinsed.

It was full of eggs and flies, but I still don't know how they got in and out with the cap on...

But they are small little blighters...

We have the same kind of windows with built in sliding 'mosquito' nets.

The sliding doors are left open and the sliding 'mosquito' nets are left closed for ventilation.

The flies we get are very small, not sure what sort they are, they may be fruits flies' but they seemed to get through in the hundreds.

You want to get your wife, GF to search the Thai internet as mine did and found a bag of Thai herbs and things that we purchased in the south in a market.

But we have tried looking in Isaan without success.

I think the herbs keeps a few things away, but the flies still came until recently.

Now there are a lot less - Last month they were everywhere - they even slip through the electronic Tennis Bat...

Maybe the herbs worked or maybe they were just seasonal and now the flying termite things are eating them. At least they cant get through the mesh!!

All the best with a resolution.

Many thanks for all the replies.

On the recommendation of my Thai friends in Phuket Kawasaki Club, I am just back from Korat where Kawasaki carried my service 46k. They had a comprehensive list of what was needed to be done.

It would seem, that many things had not been done on the 40k (42k) service last year at Udon Thani. Which is what I thought and mentioned above.

Kaorat, were professional, checked everything they should (infact they repeated the 42K service) and more checking the entire bike.

It rides like new again !!

Hey, they also have bike ramps, so loading on the pickup is a lot easier!!

Thanks

But I don't have True....

Only the TOT IPTV box with Thailand Free To Air Channels and I have the internet...

Just cant find WSBK list in the Program Listing. I am sure it must be showing in Thailand...

My darling has been searching and says CH3 should be showing it, but its not listed in the program guide, so it looks like its pot luck and keep the Tele on.....

I have a TOT IPTV box (which has the thailand free to air channels) and I have been checking various channels and their program listings for the next few days, but I cant find the WSBKs listed. It was mentioned on CH 3 News, but not in their listings.

Does anyone know where it is being shown in Thai TV and even if there is a English Coverage on the internet.

Thanks

G

I used to live in Phuket and was very happy with the work carried out by Phuket Kawasaki on my Versys 650.

I moved to Nakhon Phanom just over a year ago and need to find a reliable Kawasaki service centre.

I will explain why!

About 6 months ago, I had a 39,000 service undertaken in Udon Thani and had some extra lights fitted (due to an incident on the ride over).

The service was mediocre as basic stuff like stand and handlebar lever lubrication were forgotten. They also wired the new lights incorrectly so that my upgraded horns (very essential) only functioned when the additional lights were on. Also one of the new lights (halogen) blew in the first few hours (i believe due to the huge thumb print on it). The work was done on a Friday and Saturday and the problems we detected after I picked up the bike, Hence, I had to stay an additional Sat & Sunday night to return the bike for fixing on the Monday.

Conclusion - not much confidence in Kawasaki Udon Thani's technical ability.

Nakhon Phanon - They now sell ER-6n's, but it is still a scooter service and so are not equipped or trained for anything other than initial services.

Sakhon Nakhon - They sell the Versys, but again seem only equipped & trained for basic service.

I require, a 45,000 k service along with new chain & sprockets, new tyres, Scorpion Trials.

So does anyone have good experience of service and can recommend a service centre within the Isaan area. I am happy to travel (Udon Thani is about 300 k from my home),

I will travel to Korat if need be.

Thanks in advance.......

I used to live in Phuket and was very happy with the work carried out by Phuket Kawasaki on my Versys 650.

I moved to Nakhon Phanom just over a year ago and need to find a reliable Kawasaki service centre.

I will explain why!

About 6 months ago, I had a 39,000 service undertaken in Udon Thani and had some extra lights fitted (due to an incident on the ride over).

The service was mediocre as basic stuff like stand and handlebar lever lubrication were forgotten. They also wired the new lights incorrectly so that my upgraded horns (very essential) only functioned when the additional lights were on. Also one of the new lights (halogen) blew in the first few hours (i believe due to the huge thumb print on it). The work was done on a Friday and Saturday and the problems we detected after I picked up the bike, Hence, I had to stay an additional Sat & Sunday night to return the bike for fixing on the Monday.

Conclusion - not much confidence in Kawasaki Udon Thani's technical ability.

Nakhon Phanon - They now sell ER-6n's, but it is still a scooter service and so are not equipped or trained for anything other than initial services.

Sakhon Nakhon - They sell the Versys, but again seem only equipped & trained for basic service.

I require, a 45,000 k service along with new chain & sprockets, new tyres, Scorpion Trials.

So does anyone have good experience of service and can recommend a service centre within the Isaan area. I am happy to travel (Udon Thani is about 300 k from my home),

I will travel to Korat if need be.

Thanks in advance.......

I used to live in Phuket and was very happy with the work carried out by Phuket Kawasaki on my Versys 650.

I moved to Nakhon Phanom just over a year ago and need to find a reliable Kawasaki service centre.

I will explain why!

About 6 months ago, I had a 39,000 service undertaken in Udon Thani and had some extra lights fitted (due to an incident on the ride over).

The service was mediocre as basic stuff like stand and handlebar lever lubrication were forgotten. They also wired the new lights incorrectly so that my upgraded horns (very essential) only functioned when the additional lights were on. Also one of the new lights (halogen) blew in the first few hours (i believe due to the huge thumb print on it). The work was done on a Friday and Saturday and the problems we detected after I picked up the bike, Hence, I had to stay an additional Sat & Sunday night to return the bike for fixing on the Monday.

Conclusion - not much confidence in Kawasaki Udon Thani's technical ability.

Nakhon Phanon - They now sell ER-6n's, but it is still a scooter service and so are not equipped or trained for anything other than initial services.

Sakhon Nakhon - They sell the Versys, but again seem only equipped & trained for basic service.

I require, a 45,000 k service along with new chain & sprockets, new tyres, Scorpion Trials.

So does anyone have good experience of service and can recommend a service centre within the Isaan area. I am happy to travel (Udon Thani is about 300 k from my home),

I will travel to Korat if need be.

Thanks in advance.......

Hee hee, so that is why people jump off balconies in Pattaya... Why don't they just save the mess and jump on a plane...

Retire.. Red touch... Light... Paper... And.... 55555's

Hi There, just my opinion, but I brought the Samsung 51in about 1yr ago for under B20k in Super Cheap.

I used it as a PC monitor for movies etc.

I have just sold it for B12,400, but only as I didnt want to move to the near home in the north.

I did see it in Nakhon Phanom Makro a couple of months ago for about B16,900. Hence my cheap selling price in Phuket.

It was a great TV, no problems. Just brought a Samsung 48 in LED in Tesco for B18,000. Rather bright in comparison to the plasma, but that can be adjusted.

Moral of the story, check around for prices, especially near month end deadlines...... I like to get a bargain!!!

It is the 28th......

Well, well, thanks for the advice, the leaches, the Leptospirosis, the snakes and crocodiles, but many thanks for the warning and identification of Thailand's Most Dangerous Parasites. I wouldn't one of those chomping on me. 55555.

Yep, I know a strange title, but... I was thinking in terms of water sports which result in falling in the water and parasites.

I live near Nakon Phanom and there are a few small lakes nearby the village, big enough for a strong wind reach on a windsurfer.

As I travel towards and into Sakon Nakhon, there are even bigger lakes and so dingy or catamaran sailing could be fun.

I just don't know what nasty things, whether microscopic or bigger are swimming around looking for a nice Farang host...

No doubt, this post will attract a number of tongue in cheeky remarks, but if there are any knowledgeable aquatic folk out there in cyber land, I would appreciate their views....

We were driving around Bueng Khan Province and took a quick look at the Kongkhamkoon Hotel about 30 kms along the 22 from BK towards Nong Khai. We were surprised to find quite a few foreigners around the pool. Does anyone who stayed there or living in the area know what the attraction is for foreigners apart from the draft beer by the pool/Mekong and the cheap rooms? Does anything happen in the little town at night?

The place looked a little tired but it may be worth a pit-stop with the guys on a future motorcycle run.

I would agree with pieran369, this is not a hotel to take your darling to stay. Which is a huge shame as it has an amazing view over the Mekong from some rooms, the swimming pool and bar area.

It was more than tired, it looked like a very badly maintained UK pub inside and outside the decking, which I think was made of fibre cement fencing would not take my meagre 75 kilo without complaining, many planks were cracked and broken.

With a decent refurbishment and imagination this could be a pearl.....

But, only my opinion!

Black fox

How is the new pickup?

G

PBob, I do like your humor......

My BIL who is a motoring expert (so the family says) does not recommend the Toyota because the brakes are too good. His friend was driving a Toyota and was forced to brake hard, someone ran into the back of him and broke his neck.

Mind you in the past two years he has run out of gas three times when I have been with him, been involved in two fatal accidents in the same week (the second was a cow) and happily drove with a cooling fan that had shed a blade.

Took his advice and bought an Isuzu and cannot fault it.

Just back from a great meal with friends we are visiting in Trang, red wine was fine. Nothing drunk 'V8 Rules' when I last posted. But happy to get a least a pint should we meet!

Just feeling good as my darling wife was all suay and sitting next to me waiting to leave for the restaurant. I just wanted to finish the TV post before we left. Surprised you can't say "Syhte" though !

Have fun, got to go.

Why was "don't give me syhte if you don't agree" deleted... It not abusive nor swearing... W'll not in Newcastle anyway.....

All the fives.....

I forgot to mention, the 3.2 Ford apparently has similar economy to the 2.2 but with lots more power - see Fords spec list.

And according the many road test I read the big Isuzu and big Ford have similar economy.

These are facts from the internet...

As I said in my last post, don't give me <deleted> if you have a different opinion...

Over to you! Let me know what you buy in the end....

If you can afford the extra for the 3.2 Wildtrack it is very worth it.. Thailand has a good price compared to UK or Oz, but Thailand spec doesn't have GPS - I use my Nokia phone with Here GPS maps and free updates....

Now just my opinion......

Pickup of choice in Thailand was either Toyota or Isuzu for many years.

Now the new ford has hit the streets many are seen on the roads. All the thai's I stoke to love them.

I road tested all the makes and liked the interior of the Toyota, the accelation of the Isuzu, but they where pickups with pickup handling. Our business already had an old v.old Mitsubishi which runs fine and a year or so old Isuzu 2 door big bed. Which throws itself into dance routines when we are on bad roads.

I LOVED the Ford, it really drives like a car, if you have a few hundred kilos in the bed it becomes even more stable and it will carry 1.25 Tonnes and pull about 2-3 Tonnes.

The 2.2 seemed sluggish compared to the Toyota and Isuzu, but I was buying a big family car for safety, so teh car like ride won me over, with the ABS and Stability control complete with trailer control if needed.

We went for the 3.2 Wildtrak which is 300k over you budget - sorry....

The 3.2 is getting better and better fuel consumption as the engine breaks in and the interior with reversing sensors and camera is very very useful with such a big vehicle, although three mirrors, sensors and camera, 5 reversing aids can sometimes be over welming.... 55555.

If my budget was 800k, I would probably still go for the Ford, but check out the perfect English website for specs...

Hope this helps a bit.

All the best

And as I said only my opinion so don't give me <deleted> if you don't agree !!!

555555

Hi Dutchbike

Great report and lovely photos. I have recently moved from Phuket to Nakhon Phanom, but did a similiar trip from Phuket into Laos last July. I agree lovely people, stunning scenery and a wonderful trip.

Happy to ride out and meet up if it's convenient.

G