RubberSideDown

^

Very nice review of the 795- well done.

I loaded the map this morning and took a quick run to make sure it would work on 95 gasohol (no problems)- I'm still breaking the bike in so I couldn't really beat the crap out of it, but the difference in mid-range power and response was immediately apparent- I only went to about 3/4 throttle up to 7500rpm through 4th, but it revved quicker and accelerated harder than the stock full-power map by a very noticeable margin.

I'm going to ride on the stock map until I get to 1000km, and then I'll see what it can really do- I have to say that I'm very happy with how easy this was to set up- Woolich also makes ECU tuning kits for the Kawi 10R and 6R, the Busa and Gixxer 600, 750, and 1000 (and a few other Suzooks) and they're developing kits for the R1 and R6- they don't offer actual tuning and only provide the method to do it, but coming up with a map is certainly doable.

I got my plate and green book from Kawasaki about a month after giving them my documentation- there's something wrong going on if it takes more than a year- I'd be angry about that as well.

Finally got my map sorted.

I worked on it for a while and got what would be a decent STP opening sequence, but I wanted to change the ignition map as well (which was a bit beyond my knowledge), and I really didn't want to have anybody local work on it as I wanted someone familiar with my bike model- I found a tuner in Canada who primarily works on ZX-14Rs, and I had him build me a map that takes my mods and environment (i.e. elevation) into account (he also offers lifetime support if I need to change anything later)- his STP opening sequence is also way more aggressive than mine- I have a PC-V so no changes were made to fueling.

I've read several extremely positive reviews for his ECU flashes, and as he's worked on bikes with a similar (in some cases exactly the same) pipe and PC-V map, I wasn't too worried about not having it tuned on a dyno (in fact, there are at least three other tuners flashing 14R ECUs in various states of performance, but none of them give the user the actual map and they lock the ECU so no one else can make changes- I have full access to everything, though I agreed not to share the numbers).

I had him leave the stock full-power setting untouched, and flash my low-power setting, so I can switch back-and-forth (and I could have it set to add as much power as possible without regard to mileage as I won't be using it all the time)- the top-speed limiter is now removed, and little things (like remembering the last traction control setting instead of switching to the default every time the engine is shut down) have been added- I also had the rev limiter bumped 500rpm to 11,500rpm, and the Kawasaki safety mode (which pulls timing if the throttle is whacked open in the first three gears) has been eliminated.

I'll load it into my ECU in a couple of days when I have time to fool around with it.

Getting stuff like this done in LOS can be a real hassle, but at least it's doable.

These guys were probably out on test-rides:

In my experience its different.

Someone stole an ole crap bike i had, a 2 stroke suzuki 110 something, estimated value 5000 baht at most.

Just next to it was an 1100cc cruiser, but the thief wouldnt bother,

my guess is that it is a highly visible item that will draw the attention from police and neighbors alike,

and in fact a police neighbor said he wouldnt investigate as the suzuki was so cheap so there was no money innit for him

The scooter was probably taken by joy-riding kids who popped out the locking cylinder and started it with a screwdriver and dumped it later- a bigger bike requires a few guys and a pickup truck- dismantled, it can easily be flogged for parts on any of dozens of websites and Facebook pages.

It's not like there's a nationwide APB put out on bikes or police equipped with scanners and computers necessary to check VIN numbers- stolen bikes that will continue to be ridden are sent to other provinces (like with my brand-new Wave that was ripped off a few days after I bought it) where cops won't bother investigating riders who are missing paperwork for a couple hundred baht- not to mention that there is plenty of fake documentation available as well that will pass casual scrutiny.

The 'fake' value added by these high taxes and tariffs makes our bikes even bigger targets for thieves as well.

I recently bought a ZX-14R:

Getting ready to buy and build an MSX-125 for around town (possibly one like this):

I just got majorly kicked in the balls by the 'ministry' on my 14R- had it been priced at least in the ballpark of US MSRP I would have purchased it a couple years ago- instead I had to wait until I could really justify spending double what it's really worth (and, truth be told, the wife is still not thrilled, and rightfully so).

At least I have the satisfaction of knowing I helped ease the tax burden caused by those who illegally import their bikes to circumvent the import tariff...

I did some digging and found something about tax on japanese big bikes going down 5% every year until it gets to just 5% in 2017...? True or too good to be true?

Link: http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/showthread.php/37032-The-Wheel-Deal-Bike-Production-and-Taxes

This was posted 11 months ago. Check the link to the story in Bangkok Post as well.

According to the third poster in the thread, the declining import tax is the result of the Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and Japan.

Yes the import tax goes down but they have another tax. I think its a excicse tax or something. I cant find the article but taxes went up sharpely on big bikes between 2012&2013

Yup- there's another bump in the tax rate coming before the end of this year, I believe.

New sportbike prices for bikes 600cc and up that aren't locally manufactured are roughly double US MSRP.

My wife is getting me one for my birthday in October- please keep us advised of your progress- I'm very interested.

Yes, at Panda Rider- I bought their kit that includes a small compressor.

http://www.pandarider.com/Panda/Product_Slime.htm

I'm not trying to justify the price of anything, and I don't care what bike you buy- I shared my experience getting a similar (and more widely available) bike worked on here in Thailand.

Red Baron recently did some work on my ZX-14R- they had some issues getting my aftermarket exhaust properly installed (though they managed to do it after three tries)- this is a bike that's sold by Kawi Thailand and there are a few of them around- sourcing parts and knowledge for a 12R could be a bit problematic.

Like Y99 said, if it's grey-market, it won't be easy to find a good mechanic unless it's something more common like an R1 or CBR-1000RR.

^

I mentioned your story in post #6.

RubberSideDown: Did you ever sell a bike with this method ?

Yes- more than one- all were fast bikes at least 1000cc where I couldn't be sure the people interested in buying them were capable of handling them- I allowed a test-ride with the cash-in-hand with the full expectation that the riders were not unlikely to crash the bike through getting in over their heads/ability with a bike that demanded some skill and experience to ride properly- I'm referring to strangers who I couldn't properly vet beforehand.

I tend to try to set up situations where I'm less likely to be screwed in the event of a disaster (as much as that's possible;)).

^

Then you're not getting a test-ride on my bike.

I should give you (a total stranger) my expensive bike with nothing in return? No chance. What's wrong with an exchange of equal value? A seller who would assume 100% of the risk is a fool. There isn't much difference between that and handing the guy XXX baht to walk off with.

Who had the story about letting someone test-ride his bike without leaving cash or documentation and then watching the guy ride off with it, never to be seen again- was it TM?

Let's say I'm selling my 14R and somebody who's never ridden anything but a Click (though he won't let me know that) shows up wanting to test-ride it- I need some security.

I think you will have a hard time selling your bike when the time comes.

You got full insurance coverage right? Ask the interested buyer to see his Thai MC license and take a photo of it with your mobile phone and perhaps keep his ID card (if Thai) and passport if expat.

If this buyer rides off in the sunset without coming back you call the police and insurance and give both a copy of the Thai license and ID card or passport.

Then you wait

Great- that will only cost me 20% of the bike's replacement value and a crap-load of hassle with my insurance company...

What will you do when the test-rider crashes your bike and says, 'Sorry about that- lucky you have insurance' and then takes off? Even if you have his card there's not much you could do, and you'd be pretty screwed.

^

Then you're not getting a test-ride on my bike.

I should give you (a total stranger) my expensive bike with nothing in return? No chance. What's wrong with an exchange of equal value? A seller who would assume 100% of the risk is a fool. There isn't much difference between that and handing the guy XXX baht to walk off with.

Who had the story about letting someone test-ride his bike without leaving cash or documentation and then watching the guy ride off with it, never to be seen again- was it TM?

Let's say I'm selling my 14R and somebody who's never ridden anything but a Click (though he won't let me know that) shows up wanting to test-ride it- I need some security.

I haven't seen Nolan, but many others are sold at The Paddock and Panda Rider (both are in BKK but will do mail order).

http://www.paddock.co.th/2013/en/online-store.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=1

http://www.pandarider.com/Panda/Product_Helmets.htm

Not the best in the world, but not bad for 1/2" drive- the listing has ended but there are others if you do a search- less than 1K with shipping to LOS, and no import taxes- http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Adjustable-torque-wrench-Tension-Calibrated-Tool-in-Newton-Mets-1-2-40-210nm-/111049277431?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:3160- I've also got a 3/8ths version.

I've got a higher-end torque wrench from 0-600 in/lb (a lot of stuff on the bike needs surprisingly little torque).

It probably won't help much as far as availability, but the quality of my Spiegler lines is top-notch in case you can find them.