cm das

Really? That's impressive, don't remember when I looked at it but it was sometime within the last month and there were some basic things missing... like walls... true they could open when it's not 100% ready yet.

You know I think they are going to make it.

Was there this morning about 10:30

Cameras set up

Tables being set up outside

Inside looked like they were serving coffee etc.

Outside looked like some new 500's under cover as I could

see at least one or two were twins

Inside CBR1000rr near window.

Will go back later today & have a look.

I went to check at 12:30. They are scrambling to get ready for a 4:00pm opening today. Unfortunately I can't make it then. The listed opening hours are as follows:

Monday-Saturday 8:00-17:00

Sunday 15:00-22:00

I probably won't have a chance to go til Christmas morning, which could be a very appropriate time for a visit.

Well here in Chiang Mai we can relax in the knowledge that the Big Wing building itself isn't going to be finished for another few months.

This poster said Big Wing told him 22nd of December

http://www.thaivisa....75#entry5938739

Personally have not been by to see the progress.

Is it suppose to be near Thapae Gate?

I saw that Dec. 22 date mentioned too & so went to have a look at the site yesterday (Dec. 20). It looks surprisingly close to being ready given the state of things on my last visit at the beginning of the month but I think it would take a small miracle for the showroom to be finished by tomorrow. Still I imagine they could hold some kind of opening even if work isn't 100% done. I plan on swinging by again on the 22nd just in case, and yes the location is on Ratchdamnoen, about 50m or so inside Thapae Gate.

The Samoeng loop is a nice half day ride (including stops) on a scooter or motorcycle. It's an even nicer full day trip on a bicycle.

Niyom Panich is the one between the southwest corner of the moat and Airport Plaza. They are a big Honda dealer with a large selcetion & I never had anything but good service there but they do also sell Suzuki and Vespa scooters.

Also check this out: http://www.chiangmai...ews.php?id=1030

Where to Watch the US Elections Live

Bear in mind though that Chiang Mai is twelve hours behind US Eastern time.

No, Chiang Mai is 12 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time.

Honda the big teasers.

Check this out:

http://powersports.honda.com/

9 days 2 hours to go.

There are six bikes in that picture.

That's a US website. Who knows how many new big bikes Honda will release in Thailand in the coming months.

I've found that Thais use the word "autistic" for a whole range of developmental disorders, most of which have nothing to do with autism as we in the west know it.

Gusto Rumba... now there was one ugly bike. And those were dark days, when the Gusto Rumba was on the short list of inexpensive bikes over 150cc available in Thailand. I think the looks of the new CBX are ok, except for the big red "X". I also want a better look at the naked version.

Will make a good town bike or maybe some light touring, but if that top speed is correct then you'll be wringing it's neck just to keep up with traffic on the long open roads which I wouldn't really expect from a 500.

I admit it's not an impressive top speed but surely for Thai roads & traffic 105 mph (not kph) is plenty fast enough for most of us.

Terrible. It's for tourists who don't know better.

I disagree. Yes, it's geared towards tourists & it's not among my favorite places but the food and the atmosphere are ok. My Thai wife agrees. We've been there several times, especially but not exclusively when entertaining tourists.

Rimping Meechok has been carrying Dr. Pepper for a while, but at 56 Baht per can (or something like that) I have to pass.

pm sent

And then for Miguels, the downtown location is kind of sucky in that it's cramped, no airconditioning and no service to speak of. (Need to queue up and order, like a cheapo fastfood place).

They no longer have the order at the counter system. Now you order from the table. Actually I kind of preferred it the old way.

I've only seen Sam Adams once in Chiang Mai - at a party in the US Consulate's housing compound south of town. If you don't work at the consulate (or know someone who does) I think you're out of luck. I'd say Rimping & Tops are your best options. You might try different branches as the selection isn't always the same at each.

Road Star vs. Fat Boy Comparo

"If we had to spend our own cash, for $10,699 we'll take the Yamaha, thank you. It's a torque monster that makes for a great all-day cruiser as well as a bit of a hooligan bike with the appropriate lose nut sitting in the saddle."

http://www.motorcycl...paro-15646.html

This isolated quote is a bit misleading. The writer does say that if cost were no issue he'd choose the Harley over the Yamaha. And then there's the fact that the dateline is May 17, 2000, so I don't know how relevant this is to today's bikes. But anyway, all that matters is that you're happy with your new ride.

Are people really that shallow they need to have something nobody else has?

Quite a jump from "I don't think I'd buy this bike" to "everyone buying it is shallow"....

Might not be for me but who's to say it's not a good deal for some. I've heard they've been selling well enough, at least the NC700X.

Can you provide another rational explanation for purchasing one of these bikes?

Process of elimination: The riding position of the Er6's doesn't work for me (knee pain from an old injury). The Versys is just too ugly for my tastes. And just like that I've run out of options for "affordable" new big bikes. The Ducati 795 is a possibility but to be honest I'm afraid it'll encourage me to ride faster than I should. I'd love to have a Triumph Bonneville but at over 600k the price is just too high. So for new bikes bought from a dealer, my choices are the Kawasaki Vulcan or the NC700X. I like the look of the Honda & from the reviews I've read it seems like it'd be a good choice for me. It's just the price that's holding me back. Well, that & the fact that there's no Honda Big Wing in Chiang Mai yet. I'm holding out hope for Honda's new line of bikes to be built here in Thailand but I'm not going to wait forever. It's conceivable I'll end up buying a NC700X and it has nothing at all to do with what others have or don't have.

I think it is a prostate massage which is really good for men this was a serious question i don't know why it got shut down so quick .

Kar Sai massage involves the testicles, not the prostate. It is a legitimate, traditional, health related modality. Given the anatomy involved though, discussion of Kar Sai massage often degenerates & gets shut down. I think that's unfortunate but not surprising.

Piak Bowie is an excellent recommendation. You could also check the road along the north side of the moat (on the outside). There are a few shops that carry army surplus type stuff & at least one of them has some good quality blades - Cold Steel & the like.

My wife and I got ours (simple white gold bands) at Pennie Jewelry, 2nd or 3rd floor of Kad Suan Kaew.

Thanks, kpmsprtd, for posting your impressions. It's nice to hear from someone who's actually ridden the bike. Any comments as to handling & seat/riding position?

This is potentially great news, with the emphasis on "potentially". Let's try not to get too excited though. Remember who we're dealing with. I can almost imagine that the first new big bike will be a 400cc Wave... with cool new stickers.

Still no W800 for the Thai market

That's my dream Kawa bike.

Yep, I'm with you on that. With no W800 available (at least not from dealers) I'm thinking seriously about a new Vulcan. I'd love to know what the 2013 colors will be. The orange on the 2012 Vulcan Custom just doesn't do it for me.

Ford, glad to hear you were able to get the Sunn Hemp seeds. After spending a lot of time calling variuos govt depts, we were finally told that we would have seeds around the end of the month - that was in March. Since then we've been given variuos excuses and always told they would call in a few weeks when the seeds come in. I've now given up.

What I've been told by lots of Thais is don't bother with the seed (and other organic) schemes, as most stuff goes to people in the know rather than poor farmers. Considering innoculants aren't available, you really have to question how seriuos the govt is.

Last year the Land Development Office in Chiang Mai gave us free black beans and threw in innoculants as well. They wanted to give me more innoculants but I wasn't sure what type I needed. The regular people working in the office all seemed knowledgeable & helpful. I can't speak to their big bosses.