ktm jeff

For Bangkok traffic , i would sugest somethng up-right , such as a supermoto - motard .Kawasaki D-tracker 250 may be over budget , but a Honda CRF-M 250 may be found for that price.If you want to buy new , then Keeway do a 200cc model (TMX ?) for about 60,000 Baht brand new.Bikes from companies such as M-BIKE are also worth considering.If these are too tall they can be easily and cheaply lowered.A fully fared bike such as a CBR will be cramped over long periods in traffic.

The DOWNUNDER PUB is a very good bar/sports bar that shows racing/matches etc, and serves good "pub grub".On the right hand side of Loi Kroh road just before the "Iron Bridge"/Ping River. Always a friendly welcome and a good mix of people.Owner = Stewart.

Never NEVER let them touch anything unless you are watching all the time , and know how it should be done. Had similar dangerous experience at Honda main dealer - i also had 62 PSI in the rear tire. Tyre would "ping" if you flicked it !. Find a recommended local mechanic.

Chinese tourist MR Fry (egg) say this no yoke !

Blimey , bubble balancer brings back memories.Next you will be talking about MOT braking pendulams (swing boxs).

I would get A/F and plug changed at next service.Oil every 2,500/3,000 KM is good idea , and cheap.If you ride in dusty areas then A/F may need checking / blowing out every 6 months.Keep an eye on tire pressures.You dont have to take it to Honda , any garage can do this , unless you think Honda will get funny about warranty .They shouldnt , as the law states as long as its done on time using suitable quality parts / oil then ANYONE can do it (including you).

T-Dog , you had a lucky escape. Farangs often carry plenty of money / phones / laptops with them. Once drugged and/or asleep you and / or your luggage are then robed. With Thais on board its more difficult as they are mainly aware of this and can call / talk to police. Happens on cheap rides from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Truth often stranger than fiction !

Blessings to your wife and your-self. Have also found some very good advice here on TV. Thanks to the members who continue to help. Will move over full time (Chiang Mai)next year. Cant wait !

Try to find a VERY good place to check if the forks (legs)are bent - or even just twisted out of line. Simple job to fix. Make sure everything has been fitted back correctly too .

Try Ben Guesthouse , 66-53244103.Always found good value at 200-250 baht/n.

Sheryl , thanks so much for the info. Do you recommend a book on snake ID and their bite treatment , as many of us come across snakes - not their fault if they bite - so would like to know what ones im dealing with.

If you need it road legal and will use same bike "up North" then 250 is water cooled and stronger , built for full size adults.If 150 D-Tracker is cheap and not wrecked then buy that to see how you enjoy off-roading , then buy the KLX 250 later , which is higher as its a "true" off-roader. Honda isnt much heavier but lacks much of the off-road equipment and susspension fitted to the KLX. You will have boots on and soon get used to it - it can also be lowered cheaply! The Renthal sign at the shop may have refered to the handle-bars on the bikes/for sale? .LOL. Get friendly with the people you ride with for maintainance tips as bikes used off-road do suffer far more wear and tear and it will pay you to learn how to do some of it yourself. Many find this adds to the enjoyment.

The CRF may be OK for you,for now , but after a while you will want something better so you may as well buy a Kawasaki KLX 250 to begin with and save loosing money on a Honda. KLX will be pretty handy off road with its adjustable suspension/two radiators and lighter weight. Kawasaki KLX 140 is good off road if you dont need it road legal. The XR,s were imported years ago , many with dodgy paperwork , and are useable , but outclassed even by a CRF. There are many posts on how to modify the KLX but you cant make a full- on motocross bike out of it.Change tires/exhaust/modify ECU(restricted) and away you go!Dont forget ALL the safety gear.

Even on small bikes i would still like disc brakes for a more modern feel and maintainance (just my choice) but ,yes , spoked wheels do have more give on bad roads , as fitted to off-road bikes.Honda wave/dream /cub has to be a design classic ,but Honda are still riding-high on this long-past master-piece. Thaninthai i can see why you thought i was someone else - just found him - JEFFREY Mc COLLOM - its my second name that is JEFFREY , not the first - same rare spelling though!. Bike (one of them)that is specked better than Honds was the Lifan which i said in my above post.Like to know how hes still getting on.

As DEC said the "Motard" version of the CRF will be better than the "off-road" version. There is also the Kawasaki D-Tracker (road version of he superb KLX).

If you have ruled out the Chinese bikes - which would offer you the best value by far as you get into the off-road fun - then the Kawasaki KLX 250 is the way to go. Honda XR made years ago and outdated a bit (same as some Chinese bikes - carb and air cooled). Honda CRF a poor copy of the KLX and not really too good off road - non adjustable suspension , heavy ,and Hondas build quality (and resale values)the past few years has fallen , according to many.Lots of professional companies use the KLX. Have fun !

taninthai , i think you missread my post.It was the Honda (HONDA)that is not up to "off-roading" due to their quality ,and issues of only one radiator/non folding levers / heavy weight.Not the KLX ,which i will be buying soon!( and spending about 40,000 baht on making it more suitable to my requirements).If you do your math(s)correctly you will find you can buy between 30 and 40 Chinese bikes for the price of 10 KLX,s.The reason a "pro " outfit buy KLX,s(and not Hondas or Chinese)is for "proper" and regular off road use they will last longer, overall , and require less maintainance.Just had a quick look at 1 year old Honda CRF,s and their values are dropping 30/40,000 baht after just about 1 year!.So thats more than a "free" Chinese bike per year.My factual point is valid.PS ,im not a troll - do i need to have lots of posts for that? Its now 9 PM on a Friday night so please go out and have some fun/beer and dont get hung up on what bike you bought/own.If its got 2 wheels , your a biker. Im a biker.Have a beer on me.

AllanB i think you would be better off buying a M-bike / Sym / keeway / Platinum for your needs , or a Shineray for 30,000 baht.As taninthai has admitted ,he made the mistake of buying a Honda CRF (a bike that is not in any way a "off-road bike" either in terms of performance or quality).He lost nearly as much on the Honda come trade in time (at least 25,000), after just 1 year , (when i hope he bought a quality/value bike) as the cost of buying a Chinese bike outright in the first place!.Your not a worried of falling off a cheaper bike and for fun riding this can result in you having more FUN . which is why your buying a "off-roader type bike in the first place!.

Some people have their head in the sand with anything concerning Honda. Yes AllanB , Hondas quality has dropped over the years , although i believe it has dropped far more than you know .Honda was the "only " bike some years ago but now all the other companies have caught up (and many have overtaken them) in terms of quality and value.Honda is still banging out bikes with old drum brakes and spoked wheels , when many of their cheaper competition are using modern/safer disc brakes and alloy wheels (that loose less air)look better and give better handling/braking response due to their light weight.If Honda is going to increase production , then their already suspect quality/value will surly fall even further .Honda have very cleaver engineers but the "bean counting" accountants are cutting things too far back to the bone.They have been for about six years now.They are in real danger of being overtaken ,in quality terms, by some of the Chinese companies , and some of them cost less than half!.Honda Wave- great basic bike , but did you read the story of the guy who ,after comparing all the specs , bought a Lifan Aires 110 and found it much better/safer ,as on a previous Honda he had to change the tires and wheels and the suspension just to make it safe/rideable. No problems with the cheaper Lifan.I cant remember this guys name ,SORRY if he reads this ,but he was doing something like 100,000 KMS per year on a variety of bikes.

Most suitable for tracks would be a M-BIKE or KEEWAY dual sport type bikes , or a SHINERAY (from 30,000 baht), if you dont need a "green book".

Im in tears! They are so true. Thanks. How many motorbikes do you need - you can only ride one at a time [How many shoes do you need , you can only wear one pair at a time].This does not cut it !

Informative safety post , hope many others contribute with issues and advice.

Yes , it seems for lighter use the Honda is giving many people great fun - and that , after all , is what this motorcycling lark is all about - yes ?.Some easy modifications make it much better for some people for their specific needs.Many fit an end can - with a re-programmed ECU ,better tires / bars etc. The weight can be reduced (although not as light as the KLX) by changing the exhaust system and the battery (that many people forget about).Even fully modded this bike , and the KLX , .will still be half the price of a KTM. That does not mean the KTM is over priced - just a VERY well built specialised machine (and too much power / maintainance / money for most people - for their intended use.Hope to move full time to Chiang Mai next year - so look forward so meeting you on some rides , will be over for another holiday in April.Enjoy your riding. Im in England , and everything is now so reistrictive the Husaberg FE 450 isnt getting much green-laning use - which is one of my reasons why i have decided to leave England.

Taninthai Hello. I have owned several Hondas (last on was an XR 650 L - liquid cooled). Im wary of them now as the build quality and service in my opinion has continued to fall over the last 5 or 6 years.650 is too big for Thai trails , 450 KTM can sometimes be too quick.CRF 300/400 would be perfect-Kawasaki KLX 300/400 even better but these 250,s are duel purpose bikes built to a budget and a bit too tame for my use.Honda seems too have cut too many corners in quality and equipment in order to price undercut the proven KLX design.If KTM stuck their 390 engine or a milder 350/450 into a EXC chassis im sure it would sell very well but the price would be about 500,000 Baht. KTM Freeride 350 on crosser tires could be perfect but could be priced close to 450,000 Baht and fun/play riders wont pay that much.This is who the CRF is mainly selling to and light use may be OK but i think the CRF is more of an off-road "style" bike ,no disrespect my opinion.If it is the right bike for the use your giving it then that bike is perfect for you - but for the harder use i give my bikes , its not up to the job due to many reasons not only of quality / one radiator / non folding levers / non adjustable suspension and excessive weight.