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Dutchbike
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Posts posted by Dutchbike
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I echo the great trip report crowd, very cool man, sometimes I wish I was single again, he-he.
It seems like small off-road bikes are the way to go up there.
OP just out of curiosity, do you think you can do a trip like that on say a PCX?
You don't have to be single to go on such a trip, I'm married but still "allowed" to go on such a trip every now and then :-)
As it was my first trip into Laos, I planned it on paved roads and i would say the route we took would be possible on a PCX.
But road conditions vary and with the rainseason on it's way some could easliy wash away ( landslides)
As i wrote before i will return to Laos and head more to the North, It's a wunderful country.
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Outstanding, Pieter!!!
...got your money's worth out of those new Pirelli Scorpion tires. Much smoother than the off-road tires, yes? Those mountains look beautiful, as do those Beer Lao empties!! I'm surprised also that it was so easy for you to get over the border. On my last run, I parked at the border and took the bus across. Next time I'm bringing the bike!
How was it keeping to the right side of the road? I've been on the left for so long now, it seemed strange to you on the other side!
Good thing you kept the KLX! ...perfect bike for a ride like that!
Thanks Ryan,
It sort of surprised me, but driving on the right side just came back as natural ( just as it was before i moved to Thailand)and changing back again to the left after Laos as well.
Those Pirelli's performed great, we mostly stayed on paved roads, but also encountered a fair bit of gravel roads and some mud.
but indeed for those long tarmac strechtes in Thailand much smoother and stable at "higher" speeds (but high speed is relative on a KLX :-)
Cheers
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Great report, thanks. I did not realise that the Thai authorities will now let you ride bikes across the friendship bridges.
That's what i heard before but it seems that it's not always the case , for entry into Laos the bridge at Nong Khai seems to be the best bet,going back into Thailand is at most bridges allowed, although i've red that in some cases you will need ( pay)for an escort over the bridge, there is a lot of useful info on another forum, GTR riders.
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Since it was a while ago I did a longer bike trip and it was time to do my annual visa run, this year I decided to make it a combined business/pleasure trip and do a few days riding in Laos.
A good friend was happy to join me for the ride and the plan was made.
I always getting my visa in Savannakhet and we decided to enter at Vientianne do some mountain roads and end up in Savannakhet for my visa.
The bikes: me on my faithful Kawasaki KLX 250 and my friend on his Lifan cross 200 ( yes a Chinese bike) but before the Chinese bike critics jump in, it made the trip without any problems, but just in case we did pack some extra tools :-)
Day 1 Buriram province to Vientianne 459 km
We left a 6 AM and it was a pretty easy ride: Khon Kean Udon Thani and finally Nong Khai where the first friendship bridge is located. Those small displacement off road bikes are not the best for those long straight roads but with a steady speed of around 90km/h we made it to the bridge at 3 PM where we decided to give it go (and win some time the next day) and cross the border.
All together I took about 2,5 hours for the formalities ( and that included an entry stamp transferred from my old passport to my brand new one) Although at both sides of the border its not very clear where to go it all went fine.
Basically all you need is the bikes green book ( in your name) filling in some forms ( temporary ex/import) pay some small fees ( around 300 thb) and you good to go in ( of course you will need a Lao visa on arrival ( 1500 thb for Dutch nationality) I have to say the immigration officers in Laos where more friendly and helpful then there Thai colleagues.
Dont forget to buy insurance for Laos its just 150 thb and it will save a lot of trouble in case of an accident, you have to do it after you crossed the border and nobody is checking if you have one.
After that a short ride to the center of Vientianne where its not difficult to find a Guesthouse and a good meal.
Day 2 Vientianne (road nr 13) to Phou Khoun (intersection with the road nr 7) 267 km.
Again an early start (left around 7:00 AM from Vientianne) the first 30 kms where a bit busy and roads in bad condition, many potholes and unpaved parts. After around 70 kms the mountains came in sight and the nice views and scenery begun, Lunch at what seems to be backpackers paradise Vang Vieng. After that a lot of climbing and descending through a beautiful scenery we called it a day at Phou Khoun a small village at the intersection 13 ( the road north to Luang Prabang) and the 7 ( to Phonsavan) found a simple but nice guesthouse and a nice terrace for some beer Lao in the evening.
Day 3 Phou Khoun ( intersection 13-7 roads) to the small village of Ban Chom Thong ( on the 1D road) 375 km.
When we woke up it was nice cool and misty ( what actually where clouds Phou Khoun is about 1100 mtrs high)
A long day ahead since we were not sure in which state the 1 D road (south from Phonsavan) would be in (paved or not paved) Starting with some serious mountain roads. After about 100kms we were down in the valley leading to the city of Phonsvan were we had lunch. After that we had a bit of trouble finding the 1D road which turned out to be a fantastic road with stunning scenery, nice villages and friendly people, Those villages do not have many guesthouses and we were lucky, we found one in the small village of ChonThong just before dark.
Day 4 Ban ChonThong (1D road) Thakhek (next to the Mekong river) 288km
Another great day with fantastic scenery and mountain roads After reaching the end of the 1D road (intersection Lak Ha road nr 8) and plenty of time left we decided to make a left to Lak Xao ( 32 kms from the Vietnam border) and there take the 1E road through the Nam Theun Dam area which was a good decision because that 1E road was nice a quite a bit of an adventure with many kms unpaved and leading through jungle.
That Theun Dam area is very nice, there is a huge lake which seems to be created by the Nam Theun PowerStation on some maps there is no sight of the lake but its there! After reaching the 12 road ( which also leads to Vietnam) we reached Thakhek (with Nakhon Phanom) on the other side we checked in a room with a ( Mekong) view at the Mekong Hotel. An evening of Mekong view Beer Laos.
Day 5 Thakhek to Savannakhet 150 km.
A business day after waking up with a bit of a headache (mayby a Beer Lao to many) it was an easy ride to Savannakhet ( wheres the Thai consulate is located) we arrived at 10 AM and my visa application was a piece of cake. For the rest of the day we didnt do much since it was blistering hot: 40+ Celsius and after 4 days of intensive riding some parts of my body needed some rest.
Day 6 Savannakhet to Yasothon ( Thailand) 132km.
Again an easy day, since they hand out the passports at 2 PM a day with not much riding, after collecting my passport with a fresh visa, a quick ride to the friendship bridge 2 were departing was an easy process, on both sides handing the temporary ex/import forms back paying a fee of 200thb on the Thai side on back in Thailand, it all took about 10 minutes!! After that a short stint to the very quiet city of Yasothon were we spend the last night on the road before heading back home.
Day 7 Yasothon Buriram province 229km.
An easy ride back home where we arrived around 11 AM full with good memories, 1900kms of great riding
To end this this report I just want to tell how surprised I was about riding in Laos, and I wished i did it before, what a nice country, friendly people, and stunning scenery. Its not busy on the roads and I even felt saver on a bike then I sometimes feel in Thailand. We kept a slow speed, the roads are sometimes full of surprises (potholes, lots of loose gravel in the corners, stones dropped down from the mountain, no guard rails) I you miss a corner its a looong way down so be careful.
The bikes did fine and both needed only a chain adjustment down the road, For my KLX I could wish for a bit more comfortable seat, but hey you cant have it all, its a perfect bike for such a trip. I for sure will return to Laos and head more to the North ( Luang Prabang and beyond)
Thanks for reading and I hope this report makes more people decide to make a trip to Laos.
Dutchbike.
Here are some pics:
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Another one of "those"vids.
A bit like Mad Max the road warrior but in real live ( i think it's in Brazil)
The Audi driver has got quite a temper, but in the end calms down.
Not sure it's a ZX10 it looks more like a 600.
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Nice Ride, nice story and pics
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Time for another update:
As some members ( who visited the Big Bike Party on february the 8th) seen with there own eyes BRIC's organisation can throw a nice party, around 3500 big bikes attended the party.
The work on the track is progressing at a steady pass, it looks like they are speeding up. mr Newin promised the track would be completed at the end of August, then it has to be tested and approved by F.I.M and F.I.A.
First races are 4/5 oktober ( Japanese Super GT class) and first Bike races are announced i believe somewhere in November ( Asean 600cc roadracing Championship)
Í'm having a look around the track nearly every week, and it does look good!!
Can't wait having "my own track" at just a half hour ride from my home.
Greetings from Thailand's future motorsport mekka
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OP: sended you a PM
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I suspect this thread will be short lived as it looks to break a few Thai Visa rules.
Even though copied software is readily available in Thailand, it's still illegal!
Discussion of cracks, hacks, and pirated software usage is illegal.
Best recomendation - Use at your own risk! Some hacks and cracks have embeded malware.
One reason an OS doesn't come preinstalled is to lower the cost.
Indeed it does BB1950, I'll leave it open for now, but please bare in mind the forum rules on discussing illegal activities.
First of all it was not my intention to discuss illegal activities,appologies if i have (or almost) broken some TV rules.
Thanks everyone for theire explanations and usefull tips.
It's the first time i'll be buying a computer in Thailand and i was just surprised that the majority of laptops for sale are without OS.
I can understand much of the reasons, and the main reason in Thailand would be the price.
I can't imagine the average Thai who purchasing a laptop with their hard earned cash will have doubts about a 500 baht OS offer and in this way piracy is only encouraged even by major shops.
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At the local Big-C i have seen a nice entry level laptop for sale ( a Lenovo 15.6" G500 @ 10.990) which seems to furfill my simple computer needs, As the topictitle says it comes without an OS.
The salesguy at the Big-C tolded me for 500 THB extra i can get Windows 7 on it ( which is the OS i want) and of course this is not an official version.
I was kind of surprised they offered this, but hen again TIT where 98% of the software are copies so why not offer it at a big department store.
It's not a matter of money, a legitimate Windows 7 64bit Home costs around 3500 Baht, and i've installed OS's before,doing it the offical way i'm sure i will get all the updates etc
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Reason for starting this topic is more to hear some other opinions and or experiences with laptops sold without OS. ( which is not common in most other European countries) and copied sofware in general.. .
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A ER-6 but different.
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Here is a scan from the back of that brochure,which had high print quality product sheets inside from the Yamaha line up : super tenere,FJR,R1,FZ8,FZ1 and the T-max.but no Bolt.
A friend of mine was interesed in the Bolt, they tolded something that it was one of the firts Bolts they got.(in Thailand?)
Those Yamaha Rider Club are a sort of subdealers???
That friend was already dreaming away on that Bolt
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SORRY double post.....
During the so called Buriram Motor show @ the Buriram United Football Stadium a few months ago, there was a Bolt ( in army green) present @ the Yamaha stand.
I got some brochures and there is a Yamaha Riders Club in Korat;
Sibsima Motor Co, LTD
883/2 Mitra-pap road Tambol Nai Muang
Muang district - Nakhon Ratchasima
tel: 044- 263-191
Although i'm not a "chopper" kind of guy, i kinda liked the "bobber" style.
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During the so called Buriram Motor show @ the Buriram United Football Stadium a few months ago, there was a Bolt ( in army green) present @ the Yamaha stand.
I got some brochures and there is a Yamaha Riders Club in Korat;
Sibsima Motor Co, LTD
883/2 Mitra-pap road Tambol Nai Muang
Muang district - Nakhon Ratchasima
tel: 044- 263-191
Although i'm not a "chopper" kind of guy, i kinda liked the "bobber" style.
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Here some fresh pics most stolen from BRIC's facebookpage:
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For some reason i sort of enjoy reading CQ's threads ( true or not true, troll or not troll)
Thanks to a tip from CQ, 2 years ago on TV i got hold of a brand new ( old stock ) TZM150. mayby that's got something to do with it.
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Good to see and hear people had a good time, i was there as well and was really surprised about the amount of bikes ( indeed they announced around 3500!!)
I saw 6 BMW's S1000RR parked next to each other
.Panigale's R1's Busa's etc all in large quantatiesA big turn up just for some music and free food ( which was good)
No stuntshow, vendors or any other activities.
Newin did what he is good at, making publicity and winning hearts.
The 500cc and up rule was not applied very strongly ( i got in on my KLX250) and i saw some more 250 bikes. there were a lot of securityguys watching the parked bikes and no people without BRIC nametag ( which you got when you drove in) were allowed in the free food/concert erea.making it a sort of "elite" event.
Newin talked on stage and promised the track will be completed at the end of August, i really hope so!!! As i live nearby i quite often check out the progress and as i wrote before: they still have a long way to go.
Newin also promised that a similair "Big Bike Party" will be organised every year, and i hope new editions will have more things to do, but wandering on the parkingplace i was feeling like a kid in a toystore and had a great evening.
cheers;
Dutchbike
The near future will tell.
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That Dragon bike is awesome !!!
Posted this pic in another thread before , but it still fascinates me ,
Look at route of the chain, you guys think this vespa really drives or is it just set up for a picture??
Also I'm missing a gear lever.
Thanks!! so it really rides.
Crazy project, Scary thing.
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Mayby this helps in finding a hotel: http://www.bric.co.th/home/buriram.aspx
I life half an hour away from Buriram ( and the track) and today i saw already some groups of bikers passing on there way to Buriram.
Looking forward for 2morrow and things to come in the future.
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yep the battery sits just behind the head light on the click sounds like you have burnt some of your wiring down to bare copper.
The battery sits under the seat.
On the newer ( FI) models it's under the seat.
But on older models it's indeed located behind the headlight,
I once had to replace a battery for somebody and found it out the "hard" Were the *^#!">/ is that battery?! LOL.
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Is That the Click you described a while ago (which had run without engine oil)??
It's sounds indeed like a short circuit, i hope the wire harnnes is not toatsted.
Partly agree with you on the older 2 strokes, they can take some abuse and need little maintenance.
But if you drive them on the limit,they do break down ( seize) if not well maintained/adjusted ( 2T oil, jetting, sparkplug)
The way most ( older) Thai ride them they seem to last forever.
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That's good news!!!!
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Don't bother and have a shop do it for you, i was struggling to replace a lightbulb on my wifes Click, and gave up, my hands are just to big, even the Thai are struggeling in that tiny place.
I like working on bikes but hate working on a scooter,like a Click. The only way is to remove a lot of plastic which for some strange reason seem impossible to but back without breaking something.
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Just mentioned the visa validity to be sure you understood that it would remain valid.
It seems you have it all worked out.
Thanks again, Joe, like the A-team "i love it when a plan comes together"
so that's the way i will do it,
Cheers;
Dutchbike.
Yamaha MT125 2014
in Motorcycles in Thailand
Posted
Not a bad looking bike, the red one reminds me a bit of the v-max.
But it does look a bit bulky and heavy for a 125. how many horse power? 15/20 if you're lucky i guess, this means the average souped up scooter will outaccelerate you at the trafficlight.Please yam/hon/kawa/suz bring back the 2 stroke engines for small displacement bikes!!! but i expect that will never happen :-(