canerandagio

OK guys, picture this. The PCX costs 70% more than other worthy bikes such as the FIlano, or the Scoopy. It's a different league yes, but... there are a couple of aspects that leave me headscratching, one of them is the way to lock it.

If I want to park a FIlano or a Scoopy and walk away... I have to: 1 - Turn the key into the lock position, put the key in my pocket and go about my business.

If I want to park a PCX I have to: 1 - Turn the knob into the lock position - 2 - Look into my pocket for the fob - 3 - Visually identify which of the 3 buttons I have to press to lock the bike - 4 - check visually that the lock has been engaged (there is a minuscule led on the fob which goes green for half a second, if you miss it you have to start again), this has to be done visually as there is no audible signal.

Same thing in reverse when I go back to the bike and I want to drive away.

Now my question: the PCX user experience on this matter is awful, time consuming, prone to error (what if I don't lock it properly, I will not know it unless I try), no spare if I lose the fob, needs visual and touch interaction etc.

Is this really possible or am I missing something? I hope someone answers me and tells me that the lock can actually self-engage without me having to engage it manually every time.

And what if I lose the fob? Is there a way to replace it without breaking the bank?

Thanks in advance PCX owners :)

straydog

On 4/10/2017 at 3:52 PM, chrissables said:

You can buy a hook that clamps to you handlebar, metal not plastic. I put up to 5 plastic carrier bags full off shopping and it is no problem.

Also if you have a small rucksack that will fit it the gap between the seat and handlebar gap. Push the loop that comes with the rucksack through the gap under where the handlebars are clamped. Where the loop sticks out push a 3 or 4 inch bit of old waterpipe through it. The weight of the bag keeps it secure, this method also stops bag being snatched as in fact it is attached to the bike.

Thanks, just to let you know that I got myself a hook like yours and it's now secured to the handlebar (on the side). I'll buy a second one to make the think symmetric and still I want to find something which can be stuck in the middle on the plastic (vespa style).

I use the hook for my sunglasses and also to hang the helmet when I don't use the bike, and a plastic bag too, although I am miffed by the fact that such a high quality bike has such obvious limitations (the hook, and the associated plastic bags are actually turning every time I turn the handlebar, hooks should be there and should be secured to something which doesn't move like the handlebar).

Thanks for your advice anyway, the hook was 280 baht and I bought it in a small shop near Sukhumvit soi 44, right on Sukhumvit road Ekhamai.

In theory it can.  Some have done it, apparently without issue.  But see this thread and be prepared for possible trouble:
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7 minutes ago, phuketjock said:

Just to be sure and ,make things crystal clear for you, you cannot extend a visa but you can extend you permission to stay

which you obtained on the strength of the 90 day non O and when that 90 day visa expires you can, as you say, year on year

renew you extension of permission to stay, you no longer have, or need, a visa. Re-entry permits are 1000 Baht for single entry

and 3800 Baht for multi entry and last as long as your extension is valid. I would urge you to obtain at least a single re-entry

permit as soon as you have your extension, as it saves any panic should you find you need to leave the country for some or

other emergency, not absolutely necessary for anything other than peace of mind. 

If for some reason you leave without a re-entry permit your extension is no longer valid if/when you return and you will have 

to start the whole non O/extension process all over again.

Thanks for the clarification, although just to ensure this is truly crystal clear: call it visa or call it 'permission to stay' there is no material difference, right?

As for  your second point, yes, I see the logic of securing a reentry permit, but last time I got one it was dead simple after passport control at Don Muaeng, at it took 10 minutes should I be worried that this may not be possible?

Thanks.

 
there is really no difference.  some feel getting in the home country (OA) is easier than doing it in thailand or a nearby embassy/consulate (O).  that is not how i feel about it but there are others that prefer the home country option.  using money in your home country (for an OA) rather than thailand is best for some.  but once you are on the extensions of these two items, it is really the same thing (both will require money in a thai bank for an extension).
 
when i first heard about the OA, i thought you had to go back to the USA approx every two years to get another one.  i thought 'how does one offer a retirement visa that requires a trip home every two years ??!!'.  but the folks on TV explained the whole 12 month extension part, so i got that figured out.

From this list of holidays. Holidays For 2017.pdf
6 April (Thursday) Chakri Day
13 April (Thursday) Songkran
14 April (Friday) Songkran
15 April (Saturday) Songkran

 
Does the DLT`s in Bangkok accept a certificate of residence from the embassies? 

1 minute ago, chrissables said:

You can buy a hook that clamps to you handlebar, metal not plastic. I put up to 5 plastic carrier bags full off shopping and it is no problem.

Also if you have a small rucksack that will fit it the gap between the seat and handlebar gap. Push the loop that comes with the rucksack through the gap under where the handlebars are clamped. Where the loop sticks out push a 3 or 4 inch bit of old waterpipe through it. The weight of the bag keeps it secure, this method also stops bag being snatched as in fact it is attached to the bike.

Thanks, that's reassuring. If you get a chance could you post a picture of how you set up the hook?

Cheers,

straydog

Thanks, yes I agree it doesn't sound very good, hopefully I'll hear more from others.

Even 300,000 per person for 3rd party... doesn't sound sufficient if something serious happens.

Your point about health insurance, I will be looking into that, but are you confident that medical expenses deriving from a bike accident would be covered?

Hi guys,

Simple answer for simple question: I need a non-pricey motor insurance to cover all medical for myself, pillion and damage to third parties.

No need for theft coverage or damage to the bike.

Surely all scooter owners out there already have got something in place. If you could share with me it would be great, so I can just benefit from your previous research (surely extensive :))

By the way, if there are any deals to combine motorbike insurance with medical insurance I'd be interested.

Thanks as usual,

straydog

On 3/23/2017 at 11:38 PM, eisfeld said:

 

You need a certificate of residence from immigration, work permit not needed. Get one and get the bike and insurance into your name, you'll be thankful for that later. I assume they didn't register the bike yet as they are waiting for delivery. So there should be still time to make them register it directly in your name.

 

Are you 100% certain that insurance covers third party riders or was it just something they claimed? What kind of insurance did they sell you?

 

Also curious as to what helmet you got there as I've never seen any decent helmets at small Honda dealers here.

 

Anyways, enjoy your ride!

A quick update and sorry for the belated reply.

So... my PCX has finally arrived (picture enclosed). I was unable to register it on my name as I am on tourist visa and Chaeng Wattana told me they only issue the certificate of residence if I provide a 90-day police report, which I don't have.

So the bike is not on my name at present but I will get my non-O visa this week, hopefully get the residency certificate and do the ownership transfer.

As for the insurance, I am not 100% sure yet. I did some research and the compulsory insurance that came with the bike covers the driver, the pillion passenger and third parties. It doesn't explicitly say whether the driver can be anyone or only the policy holder (my friend). In any way, coverage is so limited that I will need a proper insurance as soon as I have got the bike registration sorted.

So, here comes my review of the bike for the benefit of those who had the same doubts on which bike to go for.

It has to be said that I stay mostly in Bangkok but I want to use a bike for mid and long haul as well.

It also has to be said that prior to receiving the PCX I had been driving a Scoopy for a week or so, and after that a Grand Filano, rented.

In short, the first day on the PCX I had some doubts... the switch from the Scoopy then FIlano then PCX was taking its tall and I wasn't impressed by its lack of agility.

However, the fact that I had a pillion passenger and it was very hot were having an impact on the enjoyment of the ride.

Now, three days on I am very very pleased with the bike. It's like riding a sofa, as someone said. It's powerful enough, very comfy and agile enough to negotiate BKK traffic.

What I am still coming to terms with is storage space (under the seat it's great, a 39liter box at the rear is very good too), but there are no hooks anywhere and there is no room to hang a helmet at the back and most importantly no room between my feet. (see separate thread for this).

A word of warning, if you buy a top box as part of the bike be aware that you'll get a small (30l?) Givi box, which isn't very capable and has a clunky closing mechanism. I decided not to take it (and forfeited 2500baht deposit) and bought a 39l Shed box from Thai Motor Box which is smart looking, capable and also closes in a much smarter way.

Last point: helmets. The dealer had initially told me that included in the price of the bike were two helmets and one Honda jacket. When I collected the bike the story had changed and only one helmet and the jacket were included (this may have been a misunderstanding in translation through my thai friend).

Since I didn't want to buy their good quality but small helmet, nor I wanted the Honda jacket I got a 500+100 rebate on the price of the bike deal and I bought myself a Yamaha Blue Core for 450 baht (good quality and fits a European head :).

Thanks to all those who contributed for their advice which really led my decision after all.

straydog

Please see my other thread on how I will be customising the bike.

All,

This should be an easy one...

Is there, or is there not, a USB charger on my brand new PCX?

I think not, but perhaps I am wrong. All I can see is a power outlet. Would I need to by an adapter?

If yes, any lead for me please?

Thanks as usual,

straydog

Hi,

I have seen a couple of brackets tor GPS holding purposes for my PCX but they are huge and clunky (difficult to snap a phone in and out and also rather invasive).

Seems to me that a simple plate to be placed on the steel handlebar, in the middle would do the trick, anyone knows one or can suggest a solution?

Thanks a lot,

straydog

All,

Playing around with my new PCX and just find it difficult to accept that if I go and by a coke at 7-11 with it, when I come out of the shop I have to either drink it all or store it under the seat where it gets warm, or in the rear topbox where it gets bumped around so much that I won't be able to open it without it fizzling out of the bottle.

Just a practical example to put forward my problem... why didn't Honda add a hook below the handlebar where one can just hang a plastic bag?

Actually I have a bigger problem... and it's to do with everything which is between my leg (ha ha, no not what you think, that still works well), I mean storage: hooks missing and no storage space between my feet.

So I am thinking of solving the problem myself... and overdoing it a bit why not :) Can I ask for a sanity check here.

Two things I want to be able to do:

1 - Have one-two-three hooks for plastic bags and the like.

2 - A way to fit a bag between my legs and secure it a little.

I am thinking of solving the first point by sticking three hooks to the chassis, one in the center and two to its sides. Since I have no idea about this stuff, I am thinking of plastic kitchen hooks with superglue (limited weight support I know, but I'd have more than one). 

To secure a bag I'd add one more, stronger, hook to the lowest point of the steel handlebar, right in the middle. This could also serve to hang plastic bags.

Am I on the right track? :), better more elegant suggestions appreciated.

Thanks in advance, always valuable input from here.

straydog

On 4/9/2017 at 7:44 AM, DILLIGAD said:

That orange is hideous. Did they run out of black paint?
What were they (Honda) thinking or smoking???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is no paint involved, it's a rather soft plastic, easily bent, I think Polypropylene, and rather coarse... 

All,

Some significant advances on my project in the past couple of days, which justify an update.

Firstly, my brand new PCX 150 arrived and I collected it yesterday. It's quite soulless at present, I attach photos.

Secondly, I bought a new top box (SH39) from Thai Motor Box in BKK (they have a comprehensive website in English, speak good English and are near BTS). It was a good transaction and I am much pleased with the Shed brand, which beats the Givi by a mile in terms of look, and of mounting and closing technology.

Thirdly I visited the airbrush artist Tom in his shop in Thonburi (see above) and have agreed to proceed with the work subject to mock ups which will arrive in the coming days... and which I will obviously publish.

By the way, the orange plastic is as bad as one can think (the cheapest kind you could think of). I can't understand how such a poor quality could be presented on the same bike which has such a gorgeous front and comfortable ride...

Just a quick update to say that: my brand new PCX has arrived and is being registered, will post photo tomorrow when I get it.

Secondly, I followed Dilligad's lead on aqua-graphics, which looks amazing but perhaps too ambitious for Bangkok (?) and ended up looking for airbrush work, which I think is what I had in mind in the first place, but don't know if it's possible on plastic or wrapped plastic (does anyone know?)

So... looking for an airbrush artist I was given this link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Toms-Shop-Custom-Paint/1620678034866387

Which I will go and visit very soon...

Till next time

straydog

Thanks both. I see the point made by canthai55, but in some way that richness reflects my personality :), so I will go for it even if not ideal I realise (that's why I am not a graphic designer). I do take Dilligad's point and will aim to put them at the back.

straydog

OK Folks, a little update... for the benefit of those who may have similar plans...

First of all, my bike isn't with me yet, I am now number 11 in the queue (I was 28 two weeks ago), so it may take another couple of weeks.

Secondly... I visited two shops in BKK:

Wrap@car and WrapSociety.

The first one, in Charoen Krung Rd gave me the impression of not being interested, they had big flashy cars coming in and out of their shop and seemed uninterested in doing a bike. The reason they gave me to dismiss me was that the orange textured plastic can't be wrapped showed either lack of problem solving skills or lack of interest. So, I crossed that one out.

By the way, can anyone suggest how and where I can turn textured plastic into a properly wrappable surface in BKK?

The other shop (Wrap Society) in Rama III were a different story. Spoke English (which the first shop didn't), had a graphic designer who came to see me, explained everything and within an hour, without asking, they had produced the mock-up above.

So, I thought I was ready to go with Wrap Society and I sent them some ideas, which I attach.

Here I learned something... to paint those landscapes on the side of the chassis as I was asking the method required is inkjet printing, which the WrapSociety shop cannot do, as they specialise in diecut (I guess it means outlines only).

So they pointed me to yet another shop called Prodecal, also near Rama 3, which I will visit soon.

I'd appreciate some advice on where to place my two landscapes... at the back where the golden silhouette is now, or on the side, as indicated in my scribblings in the picture. Or maybe elsewhere?

Considerations of room, elegance, visibility and the possibly inappropriate positioning of temple images near the feet all matter...

Till next time,

straydog

I visited two shops...one said that the orange parts are not wrappable because they are not gloss pastic (any feedback?)
The other shop produced the attached design within 1 hour.
It involves covering white everything oramge and applying the gold skyline.
I am actually looking for something more colorful....: my idea is sonhkran red-white shirt pattern (see attached) on front mudguard and bottom half of topbox (not in picture) colourful watercolour scenary (different on each side) where the golden skyline is now..
Opinions?

Sent from my SM-N910F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

40 minutes ago, canerandagio said:

Sambotte, please note that Immigration office will be closed on 17th (in CW, and perhaps elsewhere).

Rephrasing the above: please note that I just received a call undoubtedly from immigration office who told me they will be closed on 17 April. It may not be true, but worth checking.

Cheers,

straydog

39 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Who told you that?

The 17th is not a scheduled Thai holiday and I have seen no announcement of it being added  as an additional holiday.

<Phone>Ring Ring

<ME>Hello

<Other Party>Hello Mr. Straydog, this is the immigration office, about your visa application.

[MR Straydog starts to shiver].

Please come to collect your visa on April 12, not on April 17 [the date originally communicated].

<ME>[breathing deeply]Sure, no problem.

<Other Party>OK, see you on 12 (sipsong), because on 17 Immigration Office is closed (I clearly understood her saying that).

<ME>Sure, no problem, kop khun kap.

<Phone>Hangup.

More or less it went like that, and I am sure she said that 'Immigration office is closed'. She may not have meant that, but she said it :)

Phone number calling me: <contact member by PM for the number> , if it is important to confirm (it could not have been a prank).

A remarkable enough event today on my visa conversion application: immigration office phoned me to tell me that my visa conversion from Tourist to Non-Immigrant O will be possible on 12th April, 5 days earlier than initially communicated, and in line with the two weeks which Buick had also experienced.

Sambotte, please note that Immigration office will be closed on 17th (in CW, and perhaps elsewhere).

Cheers,

straydog

I am satisfied with everything I got from this thread, so I will shut shop and enjoy my 90 days. More questions will come rest assured. :)

Thanks all. Will post updates.