nikster

I had a 17" MBP with an added SSD, worked great.

I'd recommend going with a big name SSD make. You don't want any problems. SSDs used to have a lot of variation in speed so make sure to get a good one. OS X supports SSDs but you need a 3rd party tool to turn on full support for non-Apple SSDs. I did this with an Intel SSD and it was perfect. It basically enables TRIM support on all SSDs. You want this or the SSD speed will deteriorate dramatically over time.

You need the HDD caddy - there's one for sale on the Amazon link you posted for $10, which is kinda crazy.

I would swap out the CD for the HDD caddy + HDD, and put the SSD where your old HDD was. Do some research on whether the HDD caddy and the HDD slot in the MBP support 12mm high 2.5" drives. 2.5" come in 9mm and 12mm - 9mm will always fit, 12mm won't fit in most laptops. These days I'd expect the majority of drives to be 9mm anyway so not an issue unless you get the largest capacity 2.5" HDD available. Big ones tend to have one more platter and are then higher.

All this info is at least 2 years old so things may have changed - just what my experience was. Good luck!

Back then I had a 80GB SSD - too small. But big enough for the operating system and all apps. I had all the big files and folders, e.g. movies, media, and assorted large files on the HDD. The overall effect was SSD speed, and HDD capacity. My brother has the laptop now, it's still really fast. Most definitely the highest impact upgrade money can buy.

FWIW I'd get a Samsung over a Transcend http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-EVO-Series-2-5-Inch-MZ-7TE500BW/dp/B00E3W19MO/ref=pd_cp_pc_1

You don't need the "upgrade kit" - all you need is a CD caddy (which the upgrade kit does not include) and the SSD.

Read up on the latests SSD shootouts on AnandTech or another good review site of your choice. Get the fastest one from a big brand.

PS: I have a retina MBP now - different story, the built-in flash memory isn't SSD, it's a proprietary format, basically just the flash chips on a board. You have to go with Apple, or use a OWC upgrade kit if you want to upgrade later. This memory can be faster than SSD because there's no overhead for supporting the legacy HDD interface (SATA or whatever). Whether or not it actually is faster depends. But ... it's fast.

What's the street price at MBK now? Anyone know?

Chances are the grey import prices will very soon reach a healthy (HK price) + 3,000 Baht equilibrium, until Apple starts official sales here.

I am sorry for a bit off topic but if you have a chance to speak to BMW Thailand, I'd be happy to know if they consider manufacturing the S1000R or R nineT locally which would bring them to reasonable prices.

Regarding the F 800 GS: are the prices on this list up2date? http://www.bmw.co.th/th/en/newvehicles/motorrad/motorrad_dept/2005/retail_price.html

I hope not since it would mean that even locally assembled, it is nearly double the price than in europe.

I'd guess the R nine T will be on the shortlist, given classic bikes popularity in Thailand. Drooling over it already.

The F1200GS is going to be assembled in Thailand next. Friend of a friend already pre-ordered for delivery beginning of 2015, price around 850k - 900k baht. Easy to see why as that's BMWs far and away leading seller world wide...

To add to that the BMW F1200GS is coming. Will be 800k - 900k assembled in Thailand.

Just go and look at a Note 3, it's basically a rip off of that.

Not a rip off but it's the same size as a Note 3, which is to say it's humongous. Checked the Note 3 out in the mall one more time, and yeah, no thanks. Getting the 4.7

Getting the phone from another country:

- You need to have US credit card, or a credit card from the country you're ordering in (SG, HK, etc)

- Need to have a local delivery address for that country

- Need to get it sent to Thailand from there

- No local warranty as warranty on iPhone isn't world-wide

I am still getting it, at least I pre-ordered one from the USA, but that's mainly because I broke my iPhone 5. If I hadn't I'd probably wait until the Thai release.

Seems like the 6+ is the one that is supply constrained right now - good for me as I want the 6. The 6+ is bigger than a Samsung Note 3, it's way too big for a phone IMO.

and any comments about heat issue?

Does it have classic Ducati caprice towards hot weather?

If you guys report a good long term report and if Ducati decreases the price a bit - at least dont charge for Termignoni - i might think more about this bike.

Envy the owners now

How long can this envy last, when you have 750k burning a hole in your pocket?!

Hahaha

Random guess at heat issue is that heat is fine for the bike but the rider will get a little cooked at times. You are riding a 190kg bike that makes 150 hp - something's got to give!

It's really easy, just watch any old Thai person ride their motorbike. They've clearly survived 40 or 50 years of riding using their style.

Mostly, they go really slow. They also don't make assumptions.

Start with that.

http://www.pandarider.com/Revit/RevitProductsRainWear.html

I have the 2 piece Rev'It option, Acid H2O pants and Cyclone H2O jacket in yellow. Works perfect. Cut to fit over your riding gear, sturdy enough for going fast, packs very small and lightweight, comes with storage bag, and was really cheap, 1,000 Baht each piece.

Main reason I didn't get the overall was that there is no real advantage to it, but there are disadvantages. Like I can walk in a Cafe with the rain pants on and take off the jacket, etc. It's just more flexible. Also very easy to put on / take off.

The two piece overlaps and keeps you dry even in a tropical downpour. Of course after a period of time moisture will seep in, as it has nowhere to go. But you won't get soaking wet. Should be all dried out after a few minutes in the aircon.

^ yep, the other good thing about having the Termi fitted as stock is it removes any potential issues about warranty and legality.

This bike has really grabbed me by the balls. I was going to wait for the 2015 litre bikes, but the looks of this thing blew me away, the ergonomics fit me perfectly and it's got all the safety features I want (ABS, DTC etc). Plus the quick shifter, Brembo's etc.

All the reviews on YouTube etc say this is a great bike.

I'm off to BangNa after work to place my deposit

Congrats! Welcome to the club

The looks of this bike really are sublime; honestly the best looking bike in the market, along with the 1199 of course. Compared to the 1199, the 899 is a "more sensible" choice, more practical, and it's still got more power than you'll ever need.

If the looks don't sway you, then there's still 150HP at 193 kg wet weight. Crazy!

I'd get one too if I wanted a sports bike. Start an 899 thread when you get it

I've seen the white 899, and sat on it in the showroom and it's absolutely gorgeous in matte-metallic white (arctic white). But the red one looks even better.

You have to compare with European () prices cant compare US Prices. So for example in Germany the 899 is 15,490 euros multiplied by a exchange rate of 44 iam at 681,560 baht. Which means iam paying 67,440 baht / 1,532 euros more in Thailand; which i am ok with. It is about the same as for the monster or hypermotard you pay about 1,000 euros more here. Well with that "sepcial" offer iam getting a termi slip-on worth about 1800 euros so in the end iam actually saving 300 euros

Shows that math can be bent all sorts of ways if there is a will! The termi is $2,200 in the USA.

But who am I to correct your calculations and spoil the fun. Enjoy the ride, man!

2200 usd is 1650 euros according to google today.

Hili stated it was worth 1800 euros. So he's out by about 150 euros or 200 dollars. Not really bending the maths too much, especially once the customs see that 2200 dollar exhaust

Hmm... I just thought the 899 was more expensive than back home, while the Hyper for example is cheaper here. But if you add 1800 EUR (the US price was w/o tax), then it's pretty comparable. So now I'll do the calculations again.

Price in Austria/Europe in THB

899 Panigale EUR 17,600 = THB 750,000

899 Panigale + EUR 1,800 Termi slip-on: 19,400 = THB 825,000

Hypermotard 821 EUR 13,500 = THB 574,000

So now.. I have to agree, the 899 for 750k with termignoni slip on is a pretty good deal. Cheaper than in Europe by 75,000 Baht!

The reason the 899 is "so expensive" here is that it's an expensive bike! US prices don't include VAT and vehicles are always cheapest in the USA so not really something to compare to.

We can hope for Ducati Thailand offering the 899 eventually for around 680k Baht.

Got hold of some info from one of the dealers regarding the new 821. As posted previously - currently 799K baht on pre-order (imported from Italy). And end of winter 2015 should be available locally for around 500K. Pity as I would have probably gone and picked one up in the next 2 weeks if they were local prices.

this was what i was thinking but it is not the case anymore.

Ducati got greedy again as then i would like to ask how come they can sell hypermotard at 12,000 USD - 10,000 GBP bike elsewhere for a reasonable 500 K THB and a 15,000 USD - 12,500 GBP 899 for 750 K THB!

You have to compare with European (€) prices cant compare US Prices. So for example in Germany the 899 is 15,490 euros multiplied by a exchange rate of 44 iam at 681,560 baht. Which means iam paying 67,440 baht / 1,532 euros more in Thailand; which i am ok with. It is about the same as for the monster or hypermotard you pay about 1,000 euros more here. Well with that "sepcial" offer iam getting a termi slip-on worth about 1800 euros so in the end iam actually saving 300 euros

Shows that math can be bent all sorts of ways if there is a will! The termi is $2,200 in the USA.

But who am I to correct your calculations and spoil the fun. Enjoy the ride, man!

I'd wait for an official price announcement. If you can spot a Monster 821 somewhere around the world, check the "made in ..." label - that would answer the question whether it's made in Thailand.

I don't think the Duc factory Thailand is only for Asia - why would it be, and were does that info come from? Doesn't make much sense on paper. All the other factories, Honda, Kawa, BMW, produce for the world market.

There is currently a weird promotion for the 899 Panigale + Termi slip on (50k value) at 749,000. That's quite a bit less than the fully imported price of 999,000, as it was before. But it's still more than I would have expected for the Thai made model.

Hypermotard in the USA costs $2,000 more than the Monster 821 so the Monster should cost less than the Hyper if made here. I don't see the 799k on the official pages & will hold off on judgement until then. The Monster 795/796 is Ducati's best seller in Thailand. It's going to be replaced by the 821. To then make it cost 360k more would not make sense. Maybe they'll have the 796 and imported 821 in parallel until they ramp up local production; the 799k is then basically for all those people who have the money and just want it, similar to the 899 Panigale for 999k.

I think for the money (375,000) the z800 is a better value and these 2 bikes are nearly the same weight somehow??? The Honda 650 series got a lot more ballz than the nc750. Honda 650 and 500 are the best value bikes in Thailand, nc750 isn't there.

The Z800 is a much better value than the NC750. I wouldn't get one because it doesn't have a wing on the tank (and the fact it's a naked). There's something wrong about the Honda 750 series being about the same performance as the 500 series and costing so much more.

Totally different bikes. The NC750X costs so much more because it's imported from Japan vs the locally built 500s and 650s. For an import I think it's a pretty good price, lower than others[1].

Maybe the FTA with Japan? I don't know. Other than that the NX750 series is well reviewed and generally everybody who rode one says they're great. Maybe not for the speed demons but I am guessing it would serve a certain segment really well. Cruising and touring.

Vs. the Z800 the NC750 has more electronics, ABS and Dual Clutch. Z800 is otherwise also a great bike but really not competing for the same market as the 750. It's a naked hooligan bike basically.

[1] I am glad I have no interest in Triumph bikes or I'd be joining the collective groaning here. What is wrong with that company?? Hahaha.

BTW I don't think the original intent of this post was to list only bikes < 400,000. More like list bikes that can be bought for prices similar to overseas. Where over 50% of the price does not go directly to the government.

How much can a seller expect to get back the for accessories? Don't most buyers prefer a stock bike?

Whatever people are willing to pay for it.

The rule of thumb is, nothing. I'd prefer a new bike, and chances that the mods somebody made are the exact mods I would want to make are very small.

It's like buying a house, painting all the walls pink, then asking the next buyer to pay more because the walls are pink.

Just want to add - 530k Baht is a pretty good value vs. Hypermotard at 500k - in the USA the F800 is $1,500 more so you're saving some money there. Hyperstrada in the USA costs the same as the F800, over here it's BHT 20k more.

I'd say there is very little price gauging going on by BMW - the bikes are priced fairly, and the same as in other markets. The higher price vs. the USA is a direct result of CKD taxes (I believe 30%) + Big bike taxes (10% for 800cc?!) + VAT of 7%. Ballpark anyway.

CKD is the "completely knocked down" kit tax which means parts are imported but the bike is assembled here.

^ the price is your answer. 530,000 THB

For Austrians - the Austrian embassy will issue a proof of income only if your income is derived from the government - e.g. a government pension.

If you have other income, they don't care. They told me they have no way of verifying and so they won't do it.

For Americans (USA), it couldn't be simpler. You fill out a form at the US embassy saying you make a certain amount per month. You sign it. They give you the official confirmation. They don't check - they take your word for it.

I read some info that the one at Suvannabhumi is open from 06:00 to 24:00 (and not 24 hours).

I guess this here is the most recent information, e.g. they are actually open 24hrs? My flight is at 2:00 am. I'll be there before midnight anyway just in case.

PS: 200 baht fee for filling in the forms, making copies, and taking a pic? Why don't they do that with all applications?

^ Honda's got so many models now that I actually lost count - I forgot about those! Pretty attractive prices, the NX750 is getting close to the Versys in terms of price.

Ducati Hypermotard 500,000 should be in there - it costs the equivalent of 570,000 in my home country in Europe. In the USA it's less than 400k but then most vehicles are cheapest over there. To put it another way, compare to my previous bike the Versys. In the USA the Versys is $8,000 and the Hypermotard $12,000 - so the Hyper is 50% more expensive. In Thailand, Versys price is 313k - adding 50% that would be ~470,000. So the Hyper isn't quite as good a deal here as the Versys - but pretty close!

CB300 should be in there too - looks a pretty nice bike, just saw it today. Don't know how much.

We're also missing all the 250s, D-Tracker, CRF, KLX

Also

BMW F800R 440,000

BMW F800GS 530,000 (? not sure)

Also assembled here are Ducati Multistrada and Ducati Diavel. Unfortunately with the new 20% tax on bikes over 1,000cc they're still really expensive. There's also a 30% tax on CKD bikes, e.g. bikes where most or all of the parts come from overseas but they're assembled here. All the Ducatis fall in that category. That explains the price difference to USA. Not that it matters much, just to point out it's not simply price gauging.

^ The main reason for ABS is to prevent the wheel from locking up. Good job in not crashing BKKBike09!

If you brake as hard as you can *without* locking up the brakes, ABS won't kick in at all. So you can still do your best braking even if you have ABS.

On those checkpoints if you spend enough time arguing, or pull out some excerpts of the law I think there's a good chance they will let you go, so as long as you don't offend them. After all, they could be making money pulling other "offenders" over rather than arguing with you.

I was stopped in Chiang Mai once because I had made a turn on red. However, I hadn't - I was just the first to make this turn when the light turned green, and I'd been fined at the exact same place for the same offense the week before so I'd made sure I didn't turn on red. I got pissed off, and made my point and to my surprise was waved on even though the police officer wasn't convinced. I later realized it was probably because I looked like I was going to waste a lot of his time there, valuable time in which he could stop 3, 4, 5 or 6 others and make some easy money off them.... rational decision, cut your losses and move on....

Because you mention second hand, I've seen two or three Hypermotards sold second hand in Chiang Mai, save about 40-50k THB on new if you get one of these, they're only a few months old. Thai people buying them, finding it's not for them for whatever reason, and selling them again. I assume they're either new to biking and find the Hyper too much to handle, or they're just following some fashion idea and switch to the next fashion bike, KTM, Triumph, Harley, whatever.

Monster 821 hopefully coming soon, back on topic.

What Japanese competitor is there the the f800gs?

Small adventure tourers?

Kawasaki Versys 650

Suzuki V-Strom 650

Soon, hopefully, a re-released Honda Africa Twin (rumored for 2015 but of course who knows)

Not sure Yamaha has anything - they sure used to in the past.

Ducati Hyperstrada, though that's not Japanese of course. I realize it's quite a different bike but its intended use is the same, on-road touring.

F800GS just became available as an option, for 530k a really good deal. Sorry I just think the FZ-09 is grossly overpriced - it's a fun, budget bike, except in Thailand it's not budget so it sort of defeats the purpose.

I'm still madly in love with my Hypermotard; best bike I've had, everything else feels lame now. Tested a Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak recently - awesome bike but felt kind of sluggish coming off the Hyper hahaha.

Out of interest what expected LOS pricing do you have in mind to label the FZ-09 as "grossly overpriced"? I'm not trying to pick a fight here - I'm genuinely curious as to what you think. Personally I do think it is somewhat overpriced even by LOS standards, but not by much - I'd say around 400K would be 'reasonable' for LOS (400K would be UK pricing) for a CBU Jap import.

Shouldn't be more than 350k. In the USA this bike costs the same as a Versys with ABS.

I understand it's overpriced because it's an import. But that doesn't change the fact?!

Thanks. At 350,000 it would certainly be a great deal - way cheaper than RRP in UK and many other countries. Strikes me that the US price is just incredibly low and it's a little unfair to expect LOS pricing to be anywhere near that. I believe the FZ09 is also cheaper in US than a CB650F.

As an aside I met a Thai guy today at the Ratchada Yamaha dealer: turns out he has a new Hypermotard with the Testastretta engine, but said after riding the 09 he thought the 09 was much more powerful

I'm not saying it should be priced as US prices. I am only comparing relatives here.

Versys and FZ-09 are both $8000 or 260,000 THB in the USA. In Thailand thanks to various taxes and whatnot the Versys is 315,000. And the FZ-09 450,000. Hypermotard costs $12,000 in the USA, or 50% more than the FZ-09. In Thailand, the Hyper is 11% more. This is not difficult math.

It's the reason I think the FZ-09 is overpriced. Because relatively speaking, it's way more expensive than comparable value bikes, and almost as expensive as more-value bikes.

Doesn't mean you can't enjoy it! Or have fantasies of power 555

Imported BMW, Ducati, KTM and whatnot are worse value still at US price x 2 and more, and people enjoy those too