ThunderDuck

48 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

Want good fuel economy - get a bicycle.

This is the motorcycle forum - maybe place in the pinching my pennies forum

I do own a bicycle ... and as previously mentioned fuel economy and touring range go hand in hand.

I would not consider purchasing any bike with endurance much less 300klms,  so imho the discussion

of economy and range are particularly relevant.

However, what concerns me most is the attempts to shut other peoples opinions down by bullying, bluster

and insults. 

7 hours ago, thaiguzzi said:

Jesus wept.

Get a life! And the rest of you economy freaks!

What started as a half interesting topic has degenerated into a fuel consumption fest!

I've ridden motorcycles all my adult life, that's 41 years of owning and riding, and i can't ever remember having fuel consumption conversations with any of my mates about bikes we were riding. It's just not on the agenda.

You wanna fuel consumption conversation, move it to the housewive's hatchback car forum.

Jeez.

Perhaps you have been fortunate enough never having to worry about money.

I consider fuel economy one of the many great reasons to ride a motor cycle.

Your post is really quite offensive. 

Your negativity adds nothing to the discussion.

10 hours ago, 1sickpuppy said:

piece of <deleted> better off on a moped at least you can carry a few bags of rice in comfort & probably about same power

Plenty of room for saddlebags.  I'd own one in a heartbeat.

I just figured out that Stallions also makes a 250cc American style chopper... http://www.motorcycle.in.th/article.php/Stallions-Iron-One_Classic-250-Hardtail

Really like the simplicity of that little bike ... 120kg / easy to service / fix if something should go wrong.

A 400cc version might just sway me.

Its doable ... but I wouldnt tell the hire people your plans as most dont like their bikes leaving the province.

Back in 2006 I completed a 38 day 7600 km circumnavigation of Thailand on a 125cc Honda Dream scooter.

It ran flawlessly … from 40 plus degrees and wide open throttle on the highway to climbing mountain switchbacks in pouring rain.

Avg distance / day ~ 380 kms
Longest ” / ” ~ 640 kms (ouch)
Rest days ~ about nine
Avg speed ~ 85 -90 km / hr
Avg economy ~ 90 mpg
Maintenance ~ Replaced chain and sprockets @ 11,500 klms
Punctures ~ nil

Good luck and safe riding.

For an experienced rider, I don't consider Thai roads to be significantly more dangerous than

most other places in the world. There are of course some local driving habits that may

shock you at first, but with due caution and patience in your first few weeks on the road

you will soon adjust to local conditions.

Take care and enjoy some of the best roads in S.E Asia.

Hmmn ... you seem to have taken my comments as some kind of personal insult.

Unfortunately, although you have cobbled together a number of cherrypicked

quotes, you fail to address the premise that FF helmets may increase the risk of

neck injury as opposed to the risk of a rider wearing an OF (open face) helmet.

Specifically, I am concerned by the leverage exerted by the chinguard of a FF helmet in

a "faceplant" type of impact. As you say "A helmet is protecting your head, not your neck."

In cold and wet weather I would pick up the FF every time, but in terms of safety, for me at least

the jury is still out.

If you take the time to Google "full face helmet neck injury" you will find there is a substantial amount of evidence linking the two.

I really haven't given it much thought, but I might be tempted to take a quick pain free death vs living out my days with paraplegia.

I prefer an open face helmet mainly due to the heat and humidity that builds up in a FF.

Yeah no denying the Continental GT looks the part. Had an aquaintenance who was an adventure touring, enfienld riding,

resident of Injah ... last contact as of about 6 years ago the mechanical side of things just couldnt be trusted. Guess time

will tell for the latest offerings.

Hmmn ... yes also got excited for a minute or two. Would love a 400cc version of the tu250x, but the side view looks decidedly russian.

Back in '78 my riding buddy had an sr500 ... It could be a real ankle breaking bitch to start at times. I think an electric leg on the sr400

would be a good option.

Hmmn ... just like a restaurant, they can dish it out but never like it being returned.

Interesting to see both side and centre stands on the accessories brochure.

I wonder if there is a fork lock switch for parking purposes that no one has found yet ...

I had a good look around the bike and didn't see anything like that. Also begs the question if it had that ability why were the Yahama staff not using it?

It just can't do it. Wheels are really close together at the front, so it would have trouble even if they made it with this feature I think.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

I didn't really think that it had been overlooked ... suspension lock forks are fairly standard on mountain bikes from about $400 upwards which got me thinking why not here. I guess just not practical / possible with such a narrow wheelbase as you point out.

I wonder how well this design would work well on steep and slippery trails ...

I

Interesting to see both side and centre stands on the accessories brochure.

I wonder if there is a fork lock switch for parking purposes that no one has found yet ...

Not sure when they changed the bus but it is not the old orange one anymore. It is a larger, newer white one with large luggage racks, and seats only in the back half of the bus.

Bus had changed to the less comfortable "white cargo" version two months ago.

I was also asked to show an onward flight for the first time.

Hand written was accepted ...

I have been approached at least twenty times by the Philipino scammers in Phnom Phen ...

They mostly work in pairs. The procedure goes like this ...

1) " I like your hat /shirt / shoes. " (initiates conversation)

2) " How long have you been staying here" (they target tourists and new arrivals and are likely to depart if you are not)

3) " Where are you from ... My daughter is going to your city to study nursing." ( Oh my goodness what a coincidence!)

4) " My daughter is nervous about living in your city ... Please come to our house for lunch to meet her and help ease her concerns." (where card scam takes place)

I have played along a couple of times, even had them showing off their fake ID's ... but now I just ask them if they believe in Karma.

The Benelli 600 and Keeway range now also available in Phnom Phen.

Didn't catch the pricing ...

Do I have to go to Mai Sai for immigration and the Department of Transport,that big building near the airport,where the vehicle testing is done.Is that where I go for the drivers license test and the change of ownership.

Also has anybody done the test there,is the written part done on a computer.

And I'm still looking for a website to practice on.

Thanks

Get your res cert from the once a month immigration visit at Central.

Office near airport for test which is computerised ... iirc there are a couple of practise

computers in the waiting area.

Spending a huge amount of money on protective gear will not keep your children alive.

Invest in a good quality helmet and gloves ... everything else will be left in the closet.

A mentor that will spend some road time with your kids and pass on their knowledge

and experience would be ideal but perhaps difficult to arrange.

Linking them up with some local riders for a weekend away from Bkk could be a good start.

I had hoped the same, great little bike, looks like a slightly smaller SR400

Indeed ...

Very disappointing to lose the classic styling and light weight simplicity of the tu250 and instead are

offered the cookie cutter yamakawahonzuki styled chinese built heavyweight water cooled

overly complex "baby king".

ThunderDuck said "Who thinks up these names? Gladius? ...... ?"

Years ago, Suzuki had a series of bikes called "Katana" which is a Japanese sword. A "Gladius" was a Roman sword from which we get the word Gladiator. Maybe they're continuing with the "sword" theme from time to time.

I cut my teeth in the Katana era. radical styling for the time ... and I concede your point sword vs sword ... however i just cant get over the conflicting psychological imagery of gladiators and gladioli (flower) ... and I just can't see myself taking the "gladdy" for a spin.

Instrument pod also reminds me of that alien camera head thing from the War of the Worlds movie.

Otherwise I imagine its a pretty bloody good bike.

Who cares about scooters, we want motorcycles here.

Indeed ...

Who thinks up these names? Gladius? Innazuma? Van Van?

And where the hell is the nice little 100mpg retro TU250 thats been promised for a couple of years?

Apart from the DL650 I'm rather disappointed with this offering.

ThunderDuck

Iam going to Bangkok next month will pick up lots of tools there. Still official shop should do a decent job also when you ask them to, not simply ignore it. When I asked when do I need to change pads he said not yet without even looking at it or testing.

Another problem Iam facing in CR, you cant get any parts here at all, 3 new shops opened and f... all there apart from clothes. Nobody can even order anything. Trying to find a shop that can get me fresh pirellis but no luck so far one shop has them but they are flipping old covered in spiders web like nobody touched them for years.

Sounds lke a good start.

With the right tools and a workshop manual, you may be surprised how at how much you can achieve.

As for parts, my only suggestion would be perhaps to order online from Bkk shops. Postage only ever seems

to be a couple of dollars.

Having just returned from 3 months in CR, there seems to be a particularly friendly biking community

whom I expect would lend some advice if necessary.

My breaks sucked I had to fully press level for it to start working as hard as I could till the lever touches the handle bar.

That is seriously dangerous.

Bleeding your brakes / changing the pads is not rocket science and, from reading your previous posts,

I suggest that you buy some decent quality tools and start taking responsibility for the

maintenance of your motorcycle.

There is a video on youtube for just about every maintenance task you will have to perform.

It is time time to stop complaining and pick up a spanner.

Powdered bums and silk boxers ... hmmn.

In my experience if youve got a really long days ride get as many k's done in the morning

and then take a panadol and ibuprofen for pain relief and muscle relaxation after lunch.

Repeat at 4.00 pm if necessary.