andrewrooney

Seems this thread is turning quite, shall we say, "Socratic..."

What is a "big bike"?

What is a "scooter"? Is a Wave a "scooter" or something else?

What is "dangerous"?

What is "skill"?

I feel like I'm pondering the meaning of life here

in ko tao murder, he said the victim exposed themselves indecently, but here in those fat women, it is ok ?

wow, saw the video, a taxi driver speaks as good english as him ...

it's good to take the power, no don't have to prove anything about your worthiness

After the Koh Tao murder he said that women can't be safe in bikinis, unless they are unattractive. So fatties in bikinis is ok

In fact, isn't 'only fat chicks should wear bikinis' one of the twelve virtues? I have a hard time remembering them all....

In the us I wear a size 10. Not really sure what that translates to in sizes here, as they don't seem to be especially consistent.

Anyway I've got a CBR300 and haven't had any problems.

Just offer one of the other testers 50-100 baht and they will borrow you their bike for the test.

Technically it should be possible to take the test on the tricity since it's road legal.

Can the tricity cross the "bridge" on 1 front wheel only?

Some states in the U.S. have motorcycle categories that include 2-wheel or 3-wheel. I assume that if you test on a 3-wheel, you are restricted to a 3-wheel.

Thailand will have to see a whole lot more Tricity or other 3-wheel motorbikes, I guess, before they go that route.

I would guess at this point there isn't even a policy on how to handle a customer who shows up for the motorcycle practical test with a Tricity. That suggest the folks on the ground doing the testing would make the call, and like so much in Thailand the call could be one way here, another there; one way this day, another the next.

Thailand has a three wheel license- for tuk-tuks! Maybe if you show up with a Tri-City you can ask to take the tuk-tuk test!

In all seriousness though I don't think you'd be able to do the test on it, simply because of the "balance beam" part of the practical test... they'd probably require you to do the test on one of the bikes they have there.

Worth a try though, might be worth it just to see the looks on their faces.

Bigger, better tires, better grip, better suspension, better brakes... plus drivers are more likely to see you and give you more respect (i.e. not merge into you without warning).

Can't really think of any advantage to scooters/smaller bikes safety-wise. Not saying they're not good for getting around town, mind you, I still love my Wave 125.

I won't be in Bangkok during Songkran, I'll be staying with my wife's family. I plan to leave the CBR parked and covered, I don't need baby powder and god knows what else scratching the shit out of it. If I absolutely need to go somewhere I'll hop on the Wave and take it pretty slow as I'll be on local streets and people will be throwing water etc. Good following distance in case I need to stop suddenly, and be ready to stay straight on even with water being thrown at me... no riding one handed, doing drive-bys with squirt guns for me

In all probability though I'll be spending most of the holiday in backs of pickup trucks.

You said it hasn't been serviced yet. Maybe your clutch cable just needs tightening?

I like Ja Phanom, but he must not have a very big role if he's not even on the poster.

Hilarious! Another classy design brought to you by the team behind the Vultus.

I am not sure what this bike wants to accomplish. It looks sturdy but without ground clearance and small but fat tires it's kinda a combination of things that dont go well together.

And what's up with the frame around the head lights? It's not a basket and doesnt protect the lights, looks like some people will put a seat for their little children there - a very safe place to be.

But at least the storage compartments on the side of the high tank are an interesting concept that on its own might work.

I also like the storage compartments, that's kind of a cool idea. I think the rack on top of the headlights is supposed to be for extra storage... obviously you can't just set something up there but if you had some bungee cables you could put some bags on there. Same for the small rack on the tail.

So in all, lots of storage so it would be a good bike to take a trip on, but you're not going to do any off-roading with that clearance. And if no off-roading, then why the knobby tires? Just for looks? Plus "400cc DOHC 2 cylinder engine" makes me suspicious this is a sleeved down CB500 engine (so people in Japan with the lower tiered driver's license can use it) which means it will have the price and weight of the CB500 but with less power.

So I guess the target market is "People in Japan without big bike licenses who want to look like rugged outdoorsmen but really just want to do the sort of camping where you ride paved roads to a campsite, park, and pitch a tent."

In Bangkok, I've never had a police officer ask for or even look at the tax sticker.

It's up to date but I keep it under the seat as it's ugly/I'm worried it will get stolen.

I'll have to keep this in mind if I ever go to Pattaya.

Is the engine a sleeved-down version of the 500 series engine? If so, is it safe to assume this thing is intended to be Japan-only?

It seems lately whenever Honda tries to do something unique or different the results wind up pretty ugly (I'm looking at you, Vultus).

Lot pipe options in Praram2bikes. Picked up mine today.

Looks nice. I've been looking at maybe getting the same one, or something similar.

Have you noticed any difference in power? I don't really expect any big gains, honestly, as long as I don't lose any power I'll be happy.

There are quite a few of these around where I live. There's a dealership fairly close to me on Ramkamhaeng. I agree that they look nice. Cheap price too. I think they definitely fill a gap in the market; lots of Thai people are after a cheap bike with classic styling, and there aren't really any other bikes like this available.

Personally I avoid the shoulder like the plague; just too many unknown factors there, whether it's gravel, sand, stray dogs, giant holes in the road, or what have you. Honestly I think a pcx should be fine on the main road; I've ridden my Wave 125 on the highway plenty of times. At the end of the day though if you don't feel safe going at faster speeds that's your decision. Just glad you came out of it ok! Stay safe.

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OK guys, a third question. If I decide to buy the CBR300R (which is looking more likely), where will I most likely get the best deal? Not averse to heading out of CM to other parts of Thailand if there are better deals to be had.

David

When I bought mine it was 133,000 baht, and that seemed to be pretty standard at all Honda dealerships. I heard the price might have gone up some places? but I can't confirm that. If in doubt, check more than one place.

Try the kawa Z250, or any dual cylinder 250 or 300 offering by kawa.

Especially if you are stable financially, the vibrations of the CBR 250-300 are ridiculous in comparison to the kawa 250-300 cc offerings, however fuel consumption is 50% higher.

But the stability, calmness and relaxed riding position are definately worth it. You can find a secondhand kawa for the same price as a new cbr300.

If you are going to be touring on relaxed rides, it will be worth it. If you are fast, i mean like really fast on tight curves go for the CBR 300.

For touring the kawa 250-300 bikes are well worth the refinement in rider experience.

This is coming from someone with 2 previous CBR 250's

I haven't had any issue with vibrations on my CBR300.

Not knocking Kawa at all, they're good bikes too (especially if you're concerned about top speed), but I've been very happy with the CBR.

He's starting to sound like Chalerm...

Dealers make ALL their money on finance, save up for a month and buy 2nd hand, then save for another 5 months and buy new. New Wave is about 34k still, I think. Had mine 5 years still looks and rides brand new.

Agreed. If you can pay cash you end up saving a lot of money, and you can put the book in your name without any hassles.

You see, there is a way.

As an option they could provide eligible bikes with those wireless Easy Pass devices (motorcycle specific, kind of like in Singapore) and dedicate (or build one) gate at every plaza for the bikes only.

Having an easy pass would rule out the possibility of counterfeit stickers, etc. and would speed up the payment process as it's not so easy to fish for change in your pocket while wearing riding gloves.

There always is a way - at least theoretically. But it would be a very long way and many things to do before it could happen imo.

Even if you limit it too new big bikes over 650cc (it would raise a lot of trouble by owners of older and smaller bikes, but OK lets forget this for a moment), how do you want to make sure, that the brakes still work in, lets say, 5 years? Its just a matter of time till there are some unsafe big bikes on tollroads/highways. You know what some thais like to do with their bikes, they modify it till you cannot see what it once was. So you need some kind of reliable regulary checks (e.g. TÜV, or similar) and a reliable control systems (e.g. Police).

If you change laws its better to first think about consequences. Its not just laziness that nothing changes, its the state this country is in that makes any changes so difficult.

Your argument about working brakes/unsafe vehicles would also apply equally to cars, pickup trucks etc. Why single out bikes?

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/03/11/officials-consider-banning-kids-motorbikes

To improve road safety officials are considering making it illegal for children under 6 to ride on a motorcycle.

The move comes as Thailand tries to come to grips with its high mortality from road accidents. More than 10 percent of children involved in road accidents end up dying, and most cases involve them riding on a motorcycle, according to Office of The Consumer Protection Board.

Some children also fall asleep during the ride and fall from the vehicle.

Some are opposed to the idea, pointing out that motorcycles may be the only transportation available to many impoverished families.

The organization is also considering enforcing a warning sticker on new motorcycles sold in shops (just like cigarettes). The message will be “Drivers could die if not wearing a helmet,” Voice TV reported.

Seems like a better approach would be to simply enforce helmets for kids. As mentioned, some places people don't really have any other transportation options.

That last bit about warning stickers is interesting; my CBR300 had a sticker on the tank with a similar message. "You can die or be crippled if you don't wear a helmet," or something along those lines.

Lots of whining and semi-literate rants by red-shirts here - but not a single argument against any of the points made in the article.

If you people had made similar criticisms against the dirty Pheu-Thai cronies and their ego-driven, power crazy master then I might have the slightest shred of respect for your opinion. But you didn't.

This article hits the nail on the head and you find the truth very uncomfortable.

So, according to your logic, anybody who disagrees with military government is automatically a red shirt? That's a pretty ridiculous assumption to make.

To our Prime Minister,

I salute you, sir!

Why are you thanking the Dear Leader for this? These numbers have been in existence for a long time. Are you just glad the government cares enough about you to "launch" something that already exists?

Wouldn't it be a novel idea in Government schools taught properly in the first place.

Fantastic idea!

Not going to happen, of course, but fantastic idea!

Thanks all- (ex) wife veto'd the motorbike (she has more sense than me obviously) so we're flying now........

You divorced her just because she won't go on a motorbike with you?

I ride the Z250 at the moment, awesome bike for the city

i would say appalling for the city - because of the constant clutch slipping and gear changes.......PCX 150 is the king in the city.....

Have ridden the PCX in the city too, the Z is the better bike - more power, safer, better brakes etc. etc.

If the Z250 is a better bike in the city than a PCX 150, then i'm a jam doughnut (with cream on top).......

What flavor jam?