mikemi

I bought last year and my budget was also 800k.

I drove a borrowed honda jazz the length of the country, initially I loved it, but as I got further from bangkok the less I liked it, as there were some roads that were just too bumpy for small car suspension. I was at first planning to offer to buy it from the family member who owned it, but I changed my mine after a couple of days on the road.

long story short, I got a hilux, and its much better

for 800k you can get a hilux with roughly 20-30k miles on it, or a ranger, or even a navara or dmax, much cheaper if you dont need 4x4.

this year you might be able to get the newer ranger, slightly used for 800k (it was 900k cheapest last year when I was looking)

I am sure SUV like fortuner would also be nice, but they cost more.

I think this all depends on how serious you want to be, and how much money you are going to invest.

More like a hobby, small money, then it doesnt matter. I know a guy in Buriram, his family make a bit of money on the side with cows. Buy 2 or 3 cows, keep them for a month or a few months, then sell them on sightly fatter, for a bit of profit. Its a small operation, and easy life.

If you want to make a big operation, first step I would be getting that land in my wife's name, as well as finding out what kind of title deed they have. Depending on how much money you plan to put, I would want all or part of the land in the wife's name.

If the land is not held in a decent title chanote/nor sor 3, or whatever, then I wouldnt get involved, unless its for a hobby.

You dont want to be in a situation where a problem arises in the future, and you are stuck with no way out, and with a ton of money in land in someone else's name.

You have 3 cows there already, why dont you start with those, fatten them up and sell them for a profit. Then buy more, get 5 cows, then next time 10. something like that. If time is on your side then start small.

I did a couple of test rides today.

Honda CRF250L. Nice bike, more power than I was expecting, I didnt find it really lacking at all, at least up to 60mph, which is plenty for me. Vague front end as expected. Suspension nice and comfy, seat not so comfy. I would not be unhappy to end up with one of these.

Honda X ADV 750. Nice bike. First time I have tried a scooter type thing. This had plenty of power, suspension much stiffer, definitely a road machine. It felt nice to stretch your legs out in front. I am really tempted to look at more scooters just because you have all that space under the seat.

On 6/10/2020 at 1:53 PM, properperson said:

The girl there told me that the new "KTM Thailand" importer is about to launch

Oh I thought KTM had left, if they are coming back I might have a look, but still in phuket I would be 200kms away, up towards surat thani. That might be annoying for getting servicing done. Practicality might force me away from KTM/ducati.

My last bike was a KTM, I do like them, but no fanboy. In the UK I am 20km from a KTM dealer, they would always lend me a bike when I dropped mine off for a service. Will thai dealers do the same?

edit: oh but wont KTM be subject to import taxes? That makes them a no deal for me.

23 hours ago, taninthai said:

What about one of these

I will have a look at it, maybe get a test ride. I have tried a few adv bikes before, 1090, 1290 adv, 990. I didnt like their wallowy nature, but I guess that bouncy suspension makes them comfy.

Everything is a compromise with bikes.

I have a test ride booked next week on the CRF250L anyway ????

20 hours ago, moose7117 said:

I agree, one of the major problems with Ducati motorcycles in Thailand is a dearth of available service agents

yeah could be a deal breaker, I am 200km from ducati in phuket

that is a bit far ...

3 hours ago, CoffeeBeanZ said:

Grime news! I can't wait to leave the UK.   

me too

Im planning/hoping for november, if its much after that, I will be miserable

1 minute ago, Don Mega said:

What about an XSR700 ?

I like the look of those, I wanted one for a while either the xsr700 or the xsr900. I testrode I think it was an xsr700 a few years back when it first came out, and it seemed like a really nice bike, though I couldnt open it up properly because it was too wet - it was really raining hard.

I just think for thailand it would be nice to have basic off road ability? Some roads are pretty bumpy where I am, I think bouncy suspension is going to be a good idea.

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

I always wondered if the Air-cooled was an issue and if a Ducati would get too hot under the seat in and around congested traffic.

Yeah i had the same worry about that, I read some other forum this guy was saying he never had in issue in las vegas summers with his. Anecdotal but something to look into further.

I think im 179cm

I will have a look on facebook marketplace, ive never looked at that before, time I found out how it works, thanks

17 hours ago, PaoloR said:

 

I can't understand why you are comparing slow and relatively cheap bikes with the Duc, have you really thought through what you need as well as what you want?

I guess I want something that can go more or less anywhere I want to, but not too fast, and not too slow.

If the CRF/KLX250 feel fast enough I might go for one just because its cheaper. But if they really do feel too slow, I might have to get something bigger/faster.

I want something nice and relaxed, but capable.

I will update when I have done some test rides.

ps I think I saw you on youtube, didnt I? I enjoyed watching that ????

12 minutes ago, Sundown said:

Check the Facebook Pages of each dealer to find offers, few months ago Ducati Phuket was selling the Monster 797 @ 299000THB instead of 399000THB regular price. They had also huge discounts on new Multistrada 950 and Scrambler but I cannot recall the prices of these two.

Yeah I have noticed some heavy discounts on bikes here on the UK at the moment, 20% off etc

This virus is screwing everything up, its a buyers market right now for sure

edit: I checked the ducati phuket facebook page, the desert sled scrambler is advertised as 15% off, other models 25% off

thats making it mighty tempting, it sure is a good time to buy

Thanks for the top tip!!

braver man than me off roading a beast like that.

I had a go once on a multistrada enduro at a bike show, basic offroad course, very tame. I went very slow.

I cannot imagine going fast or jumping a big bike like that

you are a nutter OP ????

2 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Never seen a lorry in Thailand that does nearly 140 kph.

Well, some of those pickups race around at about 60 odd, I would be worried a 250 is getting stretched at highway speeds?

My 125 was out of puff at 50. I hated it on fast roads, it felt dangerous. I am worried a 250 might feel similar.

In my experience, when riding a slow bike, the dangerous things that happened were all the result of cars trying to get passed me, and I was powerless to do anything about it (pun intended).

When riding a fast bike, the dangerous things that happened were all a result of me going too fast, and often trying to get past cars in front of me.

I am hoping there is a middle ground here. Something kinda sedate, that doesnt egg you on to go faster, but at the same time, its got a bit of oomph when you need it.

I gotta go get some test rides. I love test rides. New bikes, its so exciting. One of the best things about riding is getting test rides, isnt it?

Anybody got one in thailand?

Google tells me there are a few dealers, and the price list here https://www.ducati.com/th/th/bikes/2020-pricelist have all prices in baht, so can I assume that all the models are available?

Right down the bottom is the price of the scramblers ranging from 300k to 600k.

I think this desert sled model, pictured below, might be good for thailand, its 480k.

Seems like there is a premium over western prices but its not 100% markup or anything crazy like that, seems to be about 20% markup.

Its more than id like to spend right now, but whats the alternative? CRF250l or a klx250? look like nice bikes but I cant shake the desire to be able to accelerate away from traffic, should I want to.

CRF250l for example, looks like a nice bike, but you get some crazy lorries behind you then arent you a bit stuck for power? Or is it not an issue for some? Just pull off to the side?

When I used to ride a 125 I had that issue with cars getting too close etc. I dont fancy repeating that in thailand.

I think this bike looks like a real swiss army knife, basic offroad ability (like me), comfy on road, no shortage of power. Comfy seat and a luggage rack might be a splendid tourer.

I am in the UK right now, I am going to test ride this desert sled, a suzuki vanvan 200, CRF250L, KLX250. Is there anything I should add to these 4 to try out? And what do you guys think of this desert sled?

4 hours ago, ktm jeff said:

Nobody wanted them for 340,000 with just 25BHP , so i dont think Honda sold any. You certainly wont get any used , even for 250K. Have a look at the Kawasaki KLX 250. Its about the bst dual sport bike you can get in Thailand , for sensible money.

I see thats a shame. Despite its issues I do like the look of that crf450l

But ok, yes that klx250 might be a decent option, its cheaper, and available. Might be just the bike I am looking for.

I am figuring daily run-about, weekend adventures in the mountains/to the sea.

I dont think I want a standard because the roads can be iffy in places, I thought a dual sport might be good, though not that comfy after an hour or so ...

4 hours ago, ktm jeff said:

It went all quiet with the CRF 450L , due to it only having 25 BHP and costing about 340,000 Baht.

So, it is available then? at 340,000?

Its just the 250l looks like a bit of a lemon imo

the 450l is a bit pricey but it looks lovely, might be nice with an ecu flash etc

im thinking second hand 450l for 250,000 might be the one

Im thinking something smaller for thailand, crf250l perhaps? Not my first choice ...

Did the 450L end up being available in thailand or not? does anyone know? I dont see it on honda's website.

On 5/29/2020 at 3:52 PM, DaRoadrunner said:

Aim low

Did you miss the part about the biggest rat farm in isaan?

omg bees

but arent they good for the farm? pollination and stuff

1 hour ago, 2 is 1 said:

Like have said here if don't have Chanote from land your wife relative not own that.

Close to our mountain rubber (wife) farm coverment take much of land from farmers away. Build new road and tourist actraction. Don't know your case but make huge investment if coverment land is not most sensible solution. And if don't have farming experience it sound stupid also to watch what other people have get money from Durian! Is in that land even that kind soil what is good for durian tree! Not most easy to grow! Not many farmer in LOS make good money from farming. Not in the way you think!

Basicly they live from hand to mouth! And really hard work. Dont have UK machinery to help, most things doing only whit man power. You woke up every mornig 4:30 am and come home when dark! Think really carefully things here before make any desition!

 wow the government took your land? sounds awful

I love farming, its my dream for 15 years to have a farm, since long before i met my wife or went to thailand

I worked on farms on the islands in the south of japan when i was younger, it was subtropical about 25-30 degrees. Hot, but not as hot as thailand

My life long dream is to be a watermelon farmer

If I won the lottery I would buy a farm

You wouldnt believe it. Years and years after I started going out with my wife I found out her family has a farm. I never brought it up with her before. When you are working in the UK ... plugging away at your business or whatever, you dont have many realistic opportunities to be a watermelon farmer, so you dont bring it up very often. Silly isnt it? I never knew she had a farm, and she never knew I wanted to be a farmer.

So anyway, when I found out her family had this farm, I was like omg are you serious get on the plane right now woman!!

I dont know what will happen long term, I hope the trees survive OK, obviously we are worried sometimes, but we remain positive. My wife basically believes that if you put the work in, we will make money. Whether its durian or whatever we grow.

So far the trees are OK, 90%. 10% need replacing and they will be getting swapped this rainy season.

If anyone is really interested I will post in the farming forum about it all.

All I know for sure is that my life long dream of being a watermelon farmer is going to come true!!!!!!

ok sorry if I have rubbed anyone up the wrong way

Hi mr milk, sorry I havent read through the whole thread, but I read halfway

Look, either you want to be with the GF long term, or you dont. So choose.

I am growing durian with my wife, so I can tell you they arent cheap, they do cost more than most crops.

First of all, you need quality land to grow durian. If you have 300 trees I would estimate you have about 20 rai. That land is worth likely 10-15 million baht, so if your GF's family gifted that to you as a couple, thats a wonderful gift. Once the land is loaded with durian it will be worth more.

5000 baht a month for vitamins and sprays for 300 durian is bang on, thats exactly what I would expect. And yes there are other costs on top of that, but its worth it in the long run.

I know someone who has 20 rai of durian, he did not grow the durian himself he bought the farm last year, the trees are about 10 years old. He paid 20 million baht for it. The trees werent the best maintained out there, but his first harvest he got 4 million baht, less costs. Well maintained trees generate more.

So, really, if you want to be with your GF and marry her, then this is a decent long term investment. Anything you put into the land, your money is still in there as the value of the land goes up under your feet by putting the crops.

As many on here will tell you, there are ownership issues for foreigners in thailand so any money you do contribute may never come back to you.

If you do stay with your GF, a few thousand baht a month is nothing compared to the value of that land, or the income that the durian will bring you.

I dont know about diesel generator costs, but I would estimate the costs of running 300 trees should be roughly 20,000 baht a month. Probably even more because there are always things that crop up that werent budgeted for.

Sounds to me like you might be on to a winner, but if I were you before putting money in you need to get married and ensure that you stake your claim in some way.

Or, if you dont want marriage, or you dont want long term, then leave her.

8 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

Admin, Time to close this topic? He is either a fool or this post is a wind up, a Troll

I agree close the topic.

I did get some decent advice, but unfortunately some bad eggs showed up too.

I have been called all sorts

• a fool, a troll, stupid, silly
• I have been called hamburger instead of steak
• My wife's intentions have been drawn into question
• My ego has been commented on? weird I know, but it was ..
• I have been called a reverse women gold digger ...
• My wife's family "no doubt love money"
• I have been warned about being killed, twice
• Been told my wife is allowed to steal from me
• Been told my wife's family is pressuring her to extort money from me
• Been told I am not worthy of help
• Been told I am sensitive, that I should keep my head in the sand
• That I have no fortitude and couldnt be a real farmer

It is a shame that good advice has to get mixed in with all this nonsense. Anyone searching google for information on this subject will find this thread and have to read through all that garbage to get the decent information out.

Nevermind, at least the good information is there, and reading through all that trash is a small price to pay to get the goodies ????