Agusts

I got a cheap local RR something for 900b from the shop, it worked very well for over a year till I sold the bike..., the Japanese Yuasa runs over 3500b+, but I don't think any of these last long in hot humid weather, buy cheap change more often...!

If you are worried about the police and being fined for not having compulsory insurance, then I think the shop will give a contract of sale that probably is enough to say your waiting for them to finish the paperwork..., most cops should let you go..., some maybe more picky...! If you worry about having insurance that pays up if have an accident, I think need to leave the bike at home for a month until the paperwork arrive ...

I have come across this before, in most cases the reason is they don't have the green book, either was bought in auction, or was repossesed by bank, and green book is on the way... Ask to see the green book, if they have it, then it maybe other docs needed from the above to arrive for transfer... If all docs are there they usually do it quickly and can give it to you to do as well, but as usual Thais don't tell the real reason for what they do..., they think farang don't understand and we think they are the same ...!!! lol

I think I read somewhere after 3 years of not paying tax the green book and number plate is void, need to re-register the bike at DLT, pain in the neck...! I'm surprised you ignored it and not paid tax, it's very simple... I'm not saying that's the case here, but those who don't pay tax usually is because don't want to go for inspection because they have a dodgy exhaust or changed paint or something like that which fails inspection - one of my friends included (!) ..., they usually say forgot, but there's more to it..., if that's not you, then just go and do it, takes 5 min for inspection ..., + 15 min queue to pay tax at DLT...! P. S. I also think insurance company may not pay up when it comes to claims with no tax...!

I wear prescription glasses, and hate full face helmets, so I buy modular flip up now, the last one I could put on and take off while wearing my glasses once flipped up. But it was noisy as hell, MT Atom, sold it and got LS2 Advent X, flip all the way back 180 degree, much better and quiteter, but can only take off while wearing glasses. Need to put glasses after putting them on, a bit of pain, but not too bad... I also have prescription sun glasses, but never use it with helmets, any half descent helmets these days has flipped down sun visor, very convenient..., even protect the face from sun burn a bit..., sun glasses won't.

I'm surprised with your shoulder you can carry so much stuff, never even seen Thais carry so much... 😜 👍🏻 Forget doing any upgrade to Filano, even an easy lighter rollers change won't make it much better. Nmax surely gives more power, I have seen Aerox on same 155cc engine race me on Forza...! Although at lower speeds... Xmax is the answer to all your issues, can carry a lot more load on that too, and up the hills with ease..., but to make sure the shoulder can cope rent one for a few days and try. A used 2 or 3 years old with 10-15k km mileage will be cheaper than new and still under warranty, rides like new ..., I think Yamaha gives 5 years warranty unlike stingy Honda...!?

Yes, I have had that with Honda in other places, if not bought from them they don't do service or warranty easily and say we are busy, don't have parts, must go to where bike was bought etc. etc. ...!

Power of attorney needed without the seller, I used just one copy of docs, it was enough. Farang sellers in Phuket don't need certificate of residence, only buyers. I once transfered a bike to my name from a farang friend who left the country a week before, they noticed his visa expired a few days before I was in DLT Phuket, they picked on that, called the manger, he came and said where is he, I said left already, he said it's okay because it's only a few days....! Not sure if it was a month or more if it was a problem or not..., different offices different rules though...

Let's get to the bottom of it, did they or you carried out a Covid test, using many of the usual test kits...? I doubt they do a Covid blood test, but did they say we found Covid in your blood test...? Simple really...., I'm afraid you can't feel Covid or diagnose it from symptoms... You did say you got Covid, but how do you know, please elaborate by saying you carried out a Covid test..., that's not hard to say...!

Zontes even now has an ADV model, with on paper spec superior to Forza and ADV 350, but we need a lot more reports and feedbacks to see if it's as good in real life. Chinese bikes are actually survive the first year or two with no major issues, it's after that they might fail and cause problem. Although might lose a nut or bolt here or there, but nothing major early on... If there are dealers around to bring their spare parts, it will probably be cheap to maintain and repair, but I don't see many dealers...! Yet.

I am sorry but I just re-read @xylophone post twice again and in no sentence he mentions that the hospital or doctor said he had Covid...!? Just that they took blood test and chest x-ray...! And he had very bad flu symptoms and condition. Please read again and copy/paste the section here for me to see where I missed it... No conspiracy it's just that Covid diagnosis needs a particular test to confirm it, that's all.

@xylophone did you do a Covid test to be sure...? Because otherwise this could be any seasonal flu or chest infection...!

I heard a neighbour had one, it was making a racket when starting and at normal operation, best to test drive properly before buying, and spare parts should be a concern unless near a dealer who can get them... A lot for sale after 1 or 2 years, and a lot lower price than new, not a good sign for a bike model...!

This is a very common problem on Aerox 155 LCD dash, Yamaha usually replaces it under warranty for free, they know they had a bad one on that scooter....! Always try them first even if out of warranty... My friend changed his on 3 years old bike, no charge, his last service showed 27k km, but he had like 33k km at the time, however they could not see it as LCD was dead. After replacing he went back to zero km..!!!? He now has 70k km on it, +33k before, it's passed 100k km, it looks like new, it's amazing...! He no longer uses it as has a new ADV 350, but does not sell the old Aerox for some reason, too much love... lol I think LCD if not under warranty is 4k baht all included at Yamaha...

They never check the visa page as far as I could tell, but the certificate of residence is needed (for them that's proof of you are here legally and residing) , but some immigration offices may not accept tourist visa for that, some do.... Not sure about 2 years or 5 years though, but with CoR for sure can renew..., as always depend on the office and day of the week, it's Thailand after all...

I'm amazed how people get so excited about this, including my close friends. Firstly it's not worldwide income, it's foreign income that's brought into Thailand... (they have zero chance of finding total foreign income) , secondly implementing this will be a hell of a job, imagine banks having to report to tax office and vice a versa, then somebody has to go after them..., there are so many laws in Thailand but hardly any of it is implemented, think of red traffic light, or helmets or buying houses and land under company name or etc. etc. ....! This law was specifically brought in for some rich Thais/Fireigners who are tax registered, and have huge businesses abroad in shady countries that avoid paying millions in tax altogether...., the usual run of the mil retiry living in Thailand brining a few thousand a month for living expenses are not the target... Finally most retirees from western countries already paying tax in their home country with double taxation treaty with Thailand, pay a lot more tax there in fact, so it's totally deductale and they know that too... But it still amazes me that people are so worried about this, and keep brining it up to create drama, it will be decades before they can even get their act together on this... Finally with Wise transfer it's possible to choose a money transfer that looks like coming from a local bank, not abroad...! Let's see how Thai banks can detect that as money coming from abroad... Nothing to worry about this at all, unless for some people with dodgy dealings...!

I, and my friends as well, change air filter at 10k km in Phuket, with relatively clean air here, no idea why but it gets totally clogged and blackened in a fairly short time...! Ignore what's recommended in the manual...

Only need money to buy a bike, but if want to register it to your name, then need a certificate of residence, or any other document for proof of address ... Also the shop checks the visa expiry (any kind is okay) for new bike registration and see if it's valid by the time they go to the office. As they are lazy and don't want to pay taxes and do the paperwork quickly, if it expires early they might ask you to renew it...!

Is this really a V-twin two cylinders 125 cc...? (just checked the website, it is...??? 62.5cc each cylinder!) I have rented Keeway cruiser 200cc (1 cylinder) many years ago, very similar shape and bike, and driven it from Phuket to Krabi and back, it was very underpowered and heavy bike, but ride was comfortable and relaxed, however, the gear was like a tractor shifting , had to really kick it hard to get it changed... If you like the cruiser style, check out Honda Rebel 300 (or if budget stretch 500), far better option in Thailand, with service and parts, a used one should be similar price...

Perhaps good place to ask this question, I have seen bikes in shops for sale, brand new, but 5 or even 10 years old since manufacture, but looks like just out of factory....!?!? Now buy a bike and use it for a month, then store it in a room for one year, come back and it's rusted away completely...! I'm guessing once the bike is exposed to elements, that's when humidity can get to it..., otherwise it can last a very long time..., or can it.. ? Maybe it's rusted underneath but we can't see..., would you buy such a bike, 5 or 10 years sitting in shop, never used..?

I have been meaning to ask you for a while, aren't there any police checks between Patong and Kamala late at night...? I used to go to Kamala and even Rawai from Patong, the opposite of your direction, just once or twice a week for something different. But not for the past couple of years, as I heard there are usually many police checks nowadays, looking for you know what...!

Don't assume just because you're going straight on the main road, nobody is going to pull out in front of you from other small side roads. Cars even other bikes just come out expecting you to slow down or change lane, because on a bike it's no trouble for you...!?! And even worse with U turns..., they usually estimate a bike speed at 60kph, anything faster and it's your problem...!

Good info about big wing, I used to have old model 300 Forza and they would not accept me there. Now I have 350 Forza, I will try to see if they work on this one..., I think I heard 300cc+ is they threshold... Yes, official stores on Lazada are all good, I have bought many items from Samsung, Motowolf and Philips official stores amongst others and they were all genuine with full guarantee etc.

Best is to check if seller is LazMall seller, they are usually okay. Or see how many of the item they have sold already, and their reviews. Be honest for a one off thing, that are critical, I resigned to go to Honda. Although rumours around, some of the small Honda shops could knowingly or unknowingly stock grade A or B copies...!!! Big Wings I think are much better run and manged, with fairly well trained mechanics though... Buy plug from Honda, I think it's 400 or 450 and include putting it on the bike... I doubt Honda shop let you bring your own fluid, any fluid, but specially Dot 4 brake fluid. They make most of their money on these stuff. Also safer to just go with theirs for the sake of a few hundred baht. Coolant fluid is cheap even at Honda shop. I was going to buy Brembo Dot 4 from Lazada too, and get corner shop to change it. But a friend said Brembo brand is the most copied spare part in all Asia...!? I said do they copy and make fake brake fluid too..., he said who knows, do you want to risk it for 10 dollars saving... 🙄

I was in Rock Bar recently, and noticed it was empty of all patrons, jokingly told the new lady manger she needs to get some pretty girls to get the punters in. But she said we don't want to be that kind of bar, just the sports bar...! It is also the low season now, so perhaps regulars will return later in the year. And of course I was there for my fix of the "Rock Burger", and happy to say she said they have the same chef and it was excellent as usual, by far the best burger in town for value for money and everything properly cooked and very tasty. I highly recommend giving it a try... As for Soi Banzan, I noticed they finally brought down that half constructed old building after some 20 years that I remember..., which was narrowing the street in the middle. I wondered when they are going to widen this bottkeneck which causes terrible traffic jams at times - because only one car can go through there at a time...!