ktm jeff

Edit. The price of a new Lifan 110cc is 29,000 baht.Even better value.

Seems even i have over-valued the Honda! Still prefer the Lifan - IMO.

Got to love the build/engineering quality of these modern Hondas! More re-calls than a boomerang.

Unless the 110 is priced right(under 40,000 baht)then buy a far more capable bike for less strain on longer runs or up-hills.Even better would be to buy a far better built bike such as a Lifan 110cc (less than 40,000 baht brand new)or better still , a Yamaha Nouvo.

No idea what they will produce (animal/vegetable/fruit )but they look nice. Leave them growing - see what you get, if there drugs - about 5 years LOL!

Hope she is found soon and well , keep us informed.

I'll put you down as not interested ! Just wet myself laughing.

I would take my custom - and money, elsewhere , on principal.

I think it is always best (and "more" legal) to have the bike in your name.

Annoying - but a line of revenue.50/50.

RE : the wife/boss wont know you have a new/another bike , if you buy the next one the same colour/color as the ZX 1400, HA HA.Now i have more of an idea what you will be using the bike for , how about a naked bike - proper wheelie machines and great fun at lower speeds (and girls love wheelies - real knicker melters)!(Joke , i know your married).If this appeals , i would also look at Triumph and Ducati (and now im thinking Benelli - buts thats just me , and theres no hope). Would sit well next to the ZX.

RSD - bike so much better than your skills! I think that may apply to most people with a bike over 600cc LOL. Heres an idea - if you fancy track riding (and with good instruction/guidance) theres no better way to improve your skills - not that their lacking - why not get a track bike (a 600 will be fine depending on the track - Buriam?), just for racing , not road legal , and spend a year or two pushing the/your limits in relative safety (you will be amazed what you can do on a track)- no traffic/potholes/u-turning trucks etc , then the bikes your interested in will have proved themselves and there will be more people familiar with DDC suspension and with a better stock of spares. You wont hold back as much on a track bike as they are meant to be raced/crashed and are not your pride and joy road bike.May be a far safer option than pushing too much on the road seeing the driving standards of others. PS - disclaimer : dont blame me if you become hooked on track riding. It can get expensive. VERY.

I dont think there will be any reliability issues with the BMW , but you need to be confident there is a 100% suitable mechanic available for any work you cant do yourself(without invalidating the warranty).I didnt know the ZX 10 wasnt officially available yet - are Kawasaki planning on bringing it over?.

RSD i think the HP4 will be reliable , and a terrific machine. Dont understand why it faired so badly in the reliability /satisfaction report!.Havent heard of any significant problems. Personally , i take these reports with a large pinch of salt , other-wise id have never bought my first Italian bike!.If you think the DDC suspension may give problems on track and you prefer Japanese , then have a look at the new Kawasaki ZX 10 R super bike.By all accounts an absolute stunning machine(proberly the best 1000cc superbike out there)with ,184 BHP but a very advanced traction/anti-wheelie control system that is very tune-able and does not mess with the riding experience that some systems do.As your already a big K fan , its worth a look/test-ride , yes?.

Yes RSD the Panigale 899 (IMO) would be an even better choice than a Benelli TNT.You make a valid point about reliability , noises or even recall issues , but ive found my Italian bikes to be just as good as my Japanese ones , although im well on top of the servicing. Some people still perceive Italian as problematic (just as some dislike "Chinese" products -without factoring in the price).I can only give my experience of my bikes , and the reasons i bought them.I do accept some finer details on my "almost hand-built , race bikes for the road" needs improving. Some people think all Japanese bikes are reliable , which they arent (RE: Honda). BTW when i said your Kawasaki was more common than any Benelli , i meant common , as in more sold/popular - not common , as in cheap/common!. I assume/hope no offence was taken.

Will boost power by 30-40% and be used on mid size bikes (650-800 cc)giving good fuel consumption when off boost and added pep when wound up.Thought to be brought in as manufacturers must make more numbers of fuel efficient bikes.

RSD , i wouldnt have thought they were pre-production units - but even so - you point out problems that shouldnt be there on a bike of this price. Benelli needs to make better first impressions. Their engineering is great but final inspection leaves something to be desired.It can , and does , put some people off.Lets blame Italian passion.I dont have a TNT but a very limited version of their Tornado 900 TRE RS (in "flip/pearl" yellow)- rare standard colour , thats on display in my living room at a home in England! The earlier version of this bike wasnt without some small issues - addressed on the later models. Ducati Panigale is a superb bike - i looked at one in Pattaya at 1,650,000 baht - but i didnt buy. Have had 999,s (good) and 749,s (even better) but now ride Aprilia RSV Factory. This is my touring bike! - up to 10,000 KM per year , no problems ,although your 1400 would be more "suitable" HA HA.Yes , your bike isnt mainstream ,but even though there are (may be)more "suitable" bikes you could have boughr - you went with a bike that EXCITES you. That is the right decision! Im inclined to work around the problem of comfort and luggage ,or lack of!

RSD , given the choice i would go for the Italian style - and refit the panels LOL. The Kawasaki may sell more because people perceive it as better in some way , but the Benelli looks so good , and they wont become common - i also like things a little different !.Owning rare Italian exotica does bring with it some issues that you either accept and deal with, or buy something main- stream. Im passionate with some bikes so can buy with my heart. Good choice with your Kawasaki 1400 BTW - super sport tourer.

Benelli has radial brakes , fancy swing arm Italian style that NO-ONE does better etc etc , Kawasaki has standard brakes and a swing arm that looks like a piece of scrap angle iron .If you cant afford the extra £2,000 , then buy the Z 800 (im sure its an adequate bike) but it wouldnt be my choice.

Dont worry , the impending oil leak from the engine , when the camshaft bolt falls out , will quieten the squeaks !. You could check the drive chain alignment/lubrication and brakes/wheel bearings , by spinning the rear wheel when the bike is supported on the center/side stand.

The reason Yamaha , Honda bikes ,and bike parts, made in China are dearer than Lifan/Keeway/M-bike etc , that are also made in China and other countries , is that Yamaha/Honda ask for a higher build quality , and oversee this - adding to the cost. BUT , as AllanB said , the Chinese have independent engineers and their quality is now higher than many people seem willing to accept. The accountants have caused Honda / BMW etc to fall from grace (im a massive Mercedes fan but they are not what they once were ).If we ask for cheap cars/bikes , then somewhere , the quality has to reduce , and its getting close to the point where some "Chinese" factories will catch-up , even overtake , the Japanese. Only a select few of the very top makes will continue to build (almost by hand)top quality products (in any field) - but at a top price - selling only to the few that are willing to pay top money.

Honda - behind both Yamaha and Kawasaki in terms of quality and complaints for percentage sold ! No surprise at all. Hondas quality has been falling for years (experts from within the engineering field have agreed Yamaha has had the best build quality/service for several years)and if Honda dont get their act together soon (they have very capable engineers - its the "bean counting" accountants that keep insisting on the cheapest parts quality possible )they may soon be overtaken by companies such as Keeway , and yes , im serious !.People prepared to look at other makes , other than Honda , are finding they can offer far better value , and in some cases , quality. People will soon question the value of Honda , and many will buy from the many other manufacturers , now offering similar products , but at a far lower price.

Nobody "needs" a big bike , but many buy them because we "want" them for the speed/comfort/safety /looks etc. CBR is a good bike if it is big enough , otherwise a more up-right RKV or M-BIKE may be better in traffic.

Paangjang , Yes , down Loi Kroh Road , over Changklan Road then continue down Loi Kroh Road going between Burger King (there is a fantastic noodle joint at the front of it !) and between Mc Donalds. Downunder Pub is just before Charon Prathet Road and the "River restaurant".See Ping River and youve gone too far !.

Sorry PAZ , i didnt add up the money available correctly !.I thought 20K + 40/45K. DOH !.Wont get many new motard style bikes for that price - apart from Lifan , as you said. CBR may be cramped in traffic ?.Suzuki Raider / Yamaha Spark are good scooter type bikes also.Depends on style of bike and size of rider.