Wong!

jonny, most developing/emerging countries do that.

you cannot expect these kind of policies from developed countries.

Price story of Triumph is sad of course but i believe most of that add up is dealer profit.

I presume you're saying that the US isn't developed?

Depends if you want to look like you bat for the 'other team' or like you have more money than sense.

Up to you...

Beware of buying a Yamaha bike, they seem to lose their value very very quickly.

???

This thread is not about selling Finos in the village.

Nothing wrong with Yamaha - highest quality of the Jap big 4 IMHO.

Honda is the best at making 'dirt cheap' - and there is a big market for that in this country (hence your resale discoveries).

Hoping to see this new R25/R4 sometime soon!

Have you read my post Yamaha bikes no good?

Not sure your local village idiot is qualified to comment on Yamaha's big bikes.

Wong 120..Seen the Price of a Focus. Jeez , 1 Mill, I said it looked like a Budget Eco Almira ,bit of a putdown when folks mix em up like many do. Yank Barges.?. <deleted> you smoking.

You had better tell Ford to update their website as they are still advertising them from 759,000B.

And just because your brain is fuddled doesn't mean others mix them up - even my wife can tell the difference. I guess she's a bit wiser than some when it comes to cars. She also says "Red ones are nice".

It looks more or less like a Ford Focus to me. No bad reports from folks I know with them.Driven one and if you don't overload it I goes O.K. Good Value imo.

Have you actually seen a Ford Focus? The difference in design quality from Ford when compared to all the other locally made vehicles is huge. Of course, if you think Yank barges have 'design' then you won't be able to appreciate it.

honda wave. most reiable vehicle on the planet.

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

i'm 6'2"

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

i am tall and the swift felt better for me as the seats adjust to give pleanty of room. i'd happily do an 8 hour drive in it, but have the truck for long runs. these cars are chicks cars for poodling around town in, so the swift or picanto are still far, far better than the almera.

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

We've been given an Almeria to use for a week or so and quite frankly, it's not very nice. The build quality reminds me of a 1980s Skoda, it's tinny and the plastics are very cheap. The engine takes you back even further when all cars in the UK struggled to get out of their own way. The upsides are it is easier to park than the truck when the wife goes shopping and it has rear seat belts.

It doesnt come close to the Swift or Picanto.

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

I would go for the Kia, but I understand your reluctance for servicing issues.

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

Nice report. I remember much of your route from my own travels.

Although very tempted by the 650, I'm very much enjoying the daily commute on my 500D

Very much appreciate the reviews.

ll2 please post more reviews, specially compared to the CB500.

I've got 3 months on my CB500 and only 3000 KM, i'm already starting to get pissed of these annoying gears.

Nowt wrong with the gears if adjusted properly, unless you can't ride very well.

I think he means a beginners big bike such as a Honda CBR500 or a Kawasaki ER6n

Here on planet Thailand, 500cc is not what most people would call a 'beginners' bike... In fact, I can't think of any countries that would even allow a provisional bike license holder to even ride a 500cc bike?

I can just imagine seeing 10yo kids riding CBR500's around the village though, not.

Apart from all of Europe and Australia, of course.

The Honda 500s are designed specifically as a beginner's bike.

Then again, i believe those mercs thought your ranger was not worth their fuel.

He was just a piss-poor Thai driver who couldn't read the traffic or predict the road ahead - quite normal here.

I always prefer naked bikes, but I like the CBR version better for some reason. I also think the gold wheels look crap - more like tacky Americana than classy.

No Ducatis would be a 'wise' buy in Thailand, the Honda 500 or 650 would be a wiser choice, as would one of the Kawas.

I think he means a beginners big bike such as a Honda CBR500 or a Kawasaki ER6n

Yes, I never mentioned scooters.

Then again, I beat one of those sporty Mercs in a drag race a year or so ago in my Ford Ranger. Those SLRs are not very good negotiating level crossings...

Any update ?

I took delivery of a new 320i yesterday, got a free iphone with it too.

Thanks to Europa motor...

Was gonna get one but now i am leaning more towards the upcoming 2014-2015 w205 c class with 210 plus HP and 0-100 km/h in 6.6 sec faster than the 3 series

My beginner's motobike is quicker than that...

^ I did. Very happy with the 500F.

Thanks for the link Wong. See what happens when you are away and don't read your Thai Visa religiously? Fortunately, my bike is from an earlier batch, but I am curious about how it went wrong at the factory.

Used pla ra instead of Loctite on the cam follower bolt threads I reckon.

I think most new engine designs have some issues - so the Ninja 300 and CB500 recalls are to be expected.

For the Honda - the CB500R forum seems to have the best info - and the main issues are the recalls in US, Australia and now UK for the rocker arm bolt problems and there's also some reports of leaking oil seal at the front drive sprocket. The oil loss seems to be just 2 or 3 bikes - but the 'victims' are very active posters and bloggers so the same bikes appear in several forums.

There's also some reports about bolt quality and sticky gear change .... and an interesting discussion about wind noise on the CB500X.

Reviewers don't seem to comment on the gear change or wind noise and it looks like the noise issue is only from the US - perhaps the riders are used to full bagger Harleys with barn door windscreens?

In comparison the Kawasaki 650 motor seems to have very few issues - especially considering the higher number of bikes out there.

I'm going to look again at the Versys - but it's heavier and taller than the CB500X which is not good for the Sukhumvit meat grinder - and it's range on one tank is less - but once out of the city I bet it's a nice ride. (But no centre stand and it still looks like an office photocopier from the left side!).

Yes, there are some problems stated by 500 series owners at cbr500 riders forum but 4 or 5 people only among thousands.

there is not such a thing as sticky gear but owners who do not know how to shift properly at international 500 riders forum. never heard of wind noise problem there which i am a moderator on 500 riders forum but never owned a bike without wind noise in my life!

kawa versys will be hard to ride around Bangkok especially Sukhumvit but on the open roads of course it is a better bike and that is why it is 100 k thb - 30 percent - expensive.

again, cb500x is the nest choice for your needs from what i feel.

I agree.

Most problems people have with the 500 is through their not being able to ride a bike properly. The main reason I don't post any more is because of all the new riders asking the same questions over and over again - usually Americans who don't know what a clutch is or how to use one.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705539-honda-cbr500-2013-recall/

It's always nice when you get a new car. Enjoy.

I'd put the ones off the PK Wildtrak on it. They're much nicer than the current WT wheels.