RubberSideDown

Red Baron is getting rid of their Shoei Multitech helmets (it's the previous version of the Neotech)- no advertised price, but worth a call:

http://www.redbaronbkk.com/products/item.php?id=121202-0000683

Panda Rider is a Schuberth dealer:

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

A high-end backpack is made to evenly distribute weight across your back/body when when it's carried, greatly reducing stress- motorcycle-specific backpacks also take into consideration the body positions of riders/passengers- you have to pay for this feature, but it's worth it.

Buy the right tool for the job.

If you stand hasnt come i can get you one of these very quick and no duty....

http://www.aerostich.com/tools/maintenance-repairs/bikestands/block-stand.html

Great quality and excellent price, but my stand got to Thailand on the 4th and it's currently clearing customs (I ordered it May 24th, and it didn't leave Gemany until June 21st...)

I'll let you know if things change, though.

If you're inbetween helmet sizes, go for the smaller size- it will break in a bit over time- a larger size risks having the helmet twist around in a crash, which isn't a good thing...

I also like the Kriega stuff- it's available at Panda Rider- it's not cheap (in fact, it's fairly expensive, but it will last many years), but it's made to accept a Forcefield CE level-2 back protector (also,sold at Panda)- I've got a couple of their dry-packs and am very happy with the quality.

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

A supermoto with bubblegum tires is a load of fun- I recently sold my XR250 factory SM and I already regret it- that said, it wasn't great in the dirt (though it wasn't terrible either)- it's all about the road surface on which you'll be spending the most time- once you figure that out, it's an easy choice.

17% drivetrain loss is the rule-of-thumb for a car- for a bike it's more like 8% give-or-take.

If you haven't seen the article already, there's a nice write-up on it in the current issue of 'Fast Bikes'.

My cap has some oxidation as they have two different metals touching.

That's a good point- no doubt we have the same stock cap.

There are a lot of options on eBay worth checking out- Vortex makes a nice cap as well- I like their stuff and might have gotten it instead, but it requires two full turns to open, and I preferred the 1/4 turn option (it also requires a little more muscle to push down and turn, which would hopefully make someone who fooled around with it think it was actually locked).

Those stickers are going as well- WD-40 and a hair dryer will make short work of them.

As my bike was delayed yet again (delivery van troubles this time- now it's possibly Monday or 'definitely' Tuesday- at least I know they're telling the truth as I know where it's being repaired, and the bike is safe- I wouldn't bet my life on Tuesday, though- what a PITA this has been, but enough of that...) I decided to do something about the stock gas cap, which I hate.

The silver ring and ugly design just don't work for me- I ordered a Driven D-Axis fuel cap- it's 1/4 turn and keyless (I'm not too worried about it, and I hate fiddling with the key at the gas station), and it's well-vented, unlike some other aftermarket caps- I think it will be a huge improvement over the stocker. I ordered some black bolts as well.

I'll go from this:

To this (I got the dark gray ring so there's a bit of contrast):

I'm trying to replace most of the small silver parts with black- I've also got passenger pegs and CF heel guards on the way, and I'll replace many of the bolts eventually (i.e. the ones around the windscreen).

Here's one for 56K- non-folding and galvanized, but not bad- it's for dirt bikes, but they probably make a bigger version (I believe it's also made by Upbeat):http://www.speedshopthailand.com/dirt-bike-trailer/I don't know the price of this one- I tried called a couple times, but they never answered the phone- I would guess 50K:http://www.carrymoretrailers.com/images/catalogue-750-atv-bike-rev2.jpg

That 2nd one is pretty clean looking build & appears to have fuel-can storage on the side behind the wheel.

When I look at that I wonder where I'm gonna store it- I've got a bit of room, but that will take up an entire parking spot.

Here's one for 56K- non-folding and galvanized, but not bad- it's for dirt bikes, but they probably make a bigger version (I believe it's also made by Upbeat):

http://www.speedshopthailand.com/dirt-bike-trailer/

I don't know the price of this one- I tried calling a couple times, but they never answered the phone- I would guess 50K:

http://www.carrymoretrailers.com/images/catalogue-750-atv-bike-rev2.jpg

The one I built had full sized auto tires off I forget what car/truck

Here's the tire from the Upbeat trailer- it's a Maxxis car tire- 15"' I believe- at least they're safe up to highway speeds:image.jpg

Hard to see but that pic looks like a 13" to me.

Kendon uses a 13" maybe they are learning from the chinese lol (not even a radial guess theyre cutting corners)

I agree with most of your points, but not with your reasoning- if they were making a huge profit, they could lower the price a bit and own the market, or a competitor would offer a similar, less-expensive version- Upbeat is the only one that makes this style, though- stainless-steel of the strength to build a trailer from is pricey.

Here's the full pic for a better comparison for tire scale- maybe they are 13":

I just think you're buying yourself a headache with the trailer in the OP- you'll need to spend closer to 50K to get something you're satisfied with and will be able to plate (and the registration is important- from what I've been reading trailers get a lot of unwanted scrutiny)- I base this on having looked into the manufacturers here.

Prices for all these kind of things in Thailand are based on the buying power of the buyer and that is based on the the fact that people here, ex-pat and Thai spend completely outrageous sums for a particular make of of motorcycle that come from the states.

That's to say a piece of two wheeled crap based on a 50 year old design.

Think I've said enough.

I spent an outrageous sum on a motorcycle that came from Japan- it's cutting-edge and offers a full electronics package- if I'm going to trailer it anywhere, I want to do it on the best equipment possible.

Kendon sells a similar trailer in the States for a similar price- would you really expect it to cost less in LOS?

No but we are not comparing a Kendon are we?

The one I built had full sized auto tires off I forget what car/truck

I see plenty cheaper salaries, insurane, social security, taxes, permits, utilities. Honestly not here or there and no question upbeat makes a nice trailer. A trailer is just that two wheels carrying some steel and less then 1000lbs its nothing. If i was hauling 80,000lbs pulling 40' doubles i would buy differently..

Most of that has nothing to do with the cost of the trailer (insurance and permits are separate).

A bike is just two wheels carrying a rider...

I'm interested to hear your results- if you're just going to be doing short trips to the track you'll be fine- I'm going to be doing some really long hauls- that's a factor as well.

Prices for all these kind of things in Thailand are based on the buying power of the buyer and that is based on the the fact that people here, ex-pat and Thai spend completely outrageous sums for a particular make of of motorcycle that come from the states.

That's to say a piece of two wheeled crap based on a 50 year old design.

Think I've said enough.

Kendon sells a similar trailer in the States for a similar price- would you really expect it to cost less in LOS?

Trailers are for Harley Riders in the states, a 100 mile ride is about it for most guys. Boys ride your bike nothing in Thailand is that far away

I'm 10-12 hours from the areas I plan to ride- I wear full gear when I'm on the road (it gets a bit hot here), and I use my truck as a support system in case I break down or have a minor get- off- you have to rely on yourself in LOS. I did my touring days, and I want to avoid long distance riding at my choice (not that I would never tour, but that's not always going to be my goal).

fyi tires are rated at 437kilos each @ 13" not sure bigger is needed.

Tire size makes a huge difference- I got some excellent advice from friends in the US that have trailers- they all said stay away from small tires as that's a sure sign of a poorly-made trailer as it's the cheap way to go- it greatly affects ride quality, not to mention stopping ability.

You should do some research on a US-based web-board instead of asking here- there's not much actual experience on this thread (and that includes me, though I've studied quite a bit- I'm sure Garry knows what he's talking about, though).

fyi tires are rated at 437kilos each @ 13" not sure bigger is needed.

You should do some research on a US-based web-board instead of asking here- there's not much actual experience on this thread (and that includes me, though I've studied quite a bit- I'm sure Garry knows what he's talking about, though, and Mania owned one).

Upbeat makes the best trailers in Thailand (as you know I've already bought one

I wish I had it today- my bike was supposed to be delivered this afternoon, but the van broke down about four hours from the house

Wow! You really seem to enjoy being royally shafted.

No, I like owning quality stuff if I can afford it.

There's a bit of a difference between a mechanical failure causing something to be late and being 'shafted' (though I realize most of your posts are trolls rather than honest replies so I'm guessing you already know that).

Here's a pic of the double I took at the factory:

The trailer in your link with its tiny tires is really going to limit how fast you can drive and over what type of road surface- look at it- it seems ready to fall apart in the pic (and there's no mention of inertia brakes).

Sorry if that was the pic I posted I meant the trailer style.A-Frame 3 rampsThe one I built had full sized auto tires off I forget what car/truck

On another note, being able to fold it and store it upright is also very handy.

I think the Upbeat is 50% better than it's nearest competitor- it's 50% more expensive- fair enough.

Lovely trailers but I couldn't justify paying that much for one also,a quick check at today's rate shows a conversion of 78k for the single one to be £1675 ridiculous price,can anyone enlighten me as to why they are so expensive.What's the finish ? Powder CoatedHow are they welded ? Flux CoreWhat spec are the wheels etc etc.

Honestly its overpriced no matter what finish, materials or automated welding. The bottom line is this company is making huge profit and i am happy! for them. I just wont support them. Whats involved in making a trailer not a lot. Cut the steel square it, weld it and paint it. Attach you axles, couplers and some wiring. Steel is cheap in thailand so the only thing needs to be imported and exported is the axles and wheel.

They have so much less overhead then a factory in america its rediculuos.

They'll probably make you a galvanized trailer cheaper that will be way better than anything else you can find here- you're not going to get anything that you can register for less than 50K, unless it's used or really poorly made. The trailer in your link with its tiny tires is really going to limit how fast you can drive and over what type of road surface- look at it- it seems ready to fall apart in the pic (and there's no mention of inertia brakes).

Get what you feel comfortable with, but you're giving up ride-ability and safety with most cheap trailers- you've got a mil (or more) worth of bikes- do you really want to chance them on a 25K trailer?