Thumchok

Thinking about this one

Arriving in Bkk tomorrow .

What's the weather doing in the area ?

Any support vehicles going ? ( Wife may want to drive )

Might peel off on the way back to Kanchanaburi , spend a few days there then head down to Chumphon for the bike week .

Probably have a mate on an R1 interested too .

Very interesting I have read about this in other forums, I ran my bike in as per the manufacturers recommendations, perhaps thats not the way to go, don't know if there are any dyno's available in Thailand.

Anyone got any info on this ?

Thanks

HH

Porsche Dealer in Bangkok apparently does them on bikes . Fuel Mapping For Power Commanders too apparently .

Been riding down Pattaya all last week , and haven't been stopped . A friend of mine was pulled up for blipping the throttle at a set of lights on central Pattaya and second rd. , given a fine and sent on his way . Went to the police station in Pattaya and paid it and picked up his license the following day .

Word from a local hire place is that it was the Chon Buri police that were doing the sting .

Looks like most of the hire places have there big bikes out for hire again .

All mine and my friends bikes have plates and road tax paid and displayed on them .

Could still be just luck though .

From what I have heard it's small bikes only , probably a shipload of Vespas . Since I have allready made arrangements , we are going from Pattaya up through Kao Yai , then strait on to Pimai . Either stay there the night , or back to Korat . See what can be found out about the event , then if it's a flop , we'll probably start heading back to Pattaya on Sunday PM .

Looking at leaving Pattaya sometime before 12.00 on Saturday .

Could meet up with you in Kao Yai if you are still keen on going .

Maybe see what time the SSR guys are riding back and tag along with them .

Obviously the first bloke just wanted to write a ticket.....how on earth can that be your fault. I actually had the same thing the first time I was pulled up on that exact matter and there was a fairly intensive talk underway, during which time I retrieved my drivers licence....as opposed to having it handed back & I told the fellow I would be back tommorrow, same time to discuss it further with him (a cooling off period if you so like) & sure as <deleted> the next day I went back past there and he was all smiles and waved me on.....often use to see him after that & always got the same response....NO WAY in hel_l was I taking a ticket under those circumstances (it was day time & only about 10 days after I got the bike).

I always thought I must have been the acception with the slow arriving plate, but you have confirmed otherwise. How much was that fine for?

The book & plate for my R1 took about 10 months to arrive , Red Baron quoted 3 months on a new bike for the book and plate .

I would consider yourselves extremely lucky .

I had mine changed on the R1 about 2 months ago to BT-021s . Price for front and rear was 12,400 baht fitted . Most of the dealers in Pattaya go through the same dealer as he is the direct importer . PM BBBKK for the number and adress , or at least you have a price to compare with . Cheers , Jim .

Thanks.. How are you finding those BT-021's ?? right now thats the prime choice as can be sized have some mid durability and arent silly prices.

I mailed red baron and Paddock yesterday but Thai companies and email.. Makes you wonder why they have them !!

I am quite happy with them at present , I have only clocked about 1500 on the ZZR ones and there is no sign of flat spot yet .

I got off my backside and found the card for this dealer , it's all in Thai , but the numbers are 02-2223789 , 2238214 , 2214726 , 6232042 , Fax 02-2263806 .

The guy does speak english and is a pleasure to do business with .

Cheers ,

Jim .

I had mine changed on the R1 about 2 months ago to BT-021s . Price for front and rear was 12,400 baht fitted . Most of the dealers in Pattaya go through the same dealer as he is the direct importer . PM BBBKK for the number and adress , or at least you have a price to compare with . Cheers , Jim .

31'000 is very expencive... i am in the process of buying a house in east pattaya, Soi CC...it is a new village... very good grounds..good roads within the village.. good play grounds and club house , pool.... only 15'000 per year, and only pay 1 year in advance...

Gerhard

Bridgestone BT 02 ??..

I run the Bridgestone BT021 on my bikes now sport/touring tyres which are supposed to be good in the wet .I feel comfortable on them and they corner good enough for my abilty .

LivinLos , Is that a CBR 900 that your talking about ? Second gear tyre spin shouldn't be out of the norm for it . Some bitumen here just has no grip at all , especially around Bangkok were it's covered in crud .

There is a Thai bike mechanic up in Nongkhai , forget his name but the mrs has his number . We went to the Nongkhai for the bike week a couple of years ago , and a mate went to ride off the next morning but his clutch wasn't working . His wife called the mechanic who turned up about 30 mins later , push started the bike and took off down the road on it leaving us bewildered and wondering if he would return .

He turned back up on it about 20 mins later with the problem solved . ( just some air in the clutch master cylinder )

From memory he rides a CBR 929 .

Cheers ,

Jim .

Hi Chris.

I bought a CB600f in Pattaya about 4 yrs ago and once I had all the paperwork in place (you have to have a letter from the seller explaining the sale etc) I took the bike, green book etc to the registration office and had it registered in my name.

I did not have a Thai driving licence, only a UK/EU full car licence.

I only had 30 day tourist visa. At the time I was staying in hotels and doing monthly visa runs to Cambodia.

It took most of the day but once they had given the bike the onceover and checked the paperwork out, they checked my passport and by the close of the day I was the legal owner.

I dont know if things have changed lately but there are a couple of other things you should consider: -

1. Does it have to be in your name. As a farang, if you are the owner of a vehicle and it is involved in an accident (even if it is parked offroad with no engine) you will be at fault: If farang not have vehicle the accident not happen (Thai logic!).
   
2. A big problem is spares, especially with the older models. If you are near Bangkok or Pattaya it shouldnt be too much of an issue as you will be able to find a reasonable mechanic but if you are out in the sticks as I am now (Nong Khai) its a bloody nightmare. I have a 200km ride to Udon which is the nearest place I have found where there is someone who can actually work on big bikes and even so, he is still 'dodgy', they will quite happily replace parts with unsuitable replacements because they fit and all they say is "It OK, this Thailand". I am sure you are aware, you do not compromise when you are working on a performance bike, just because it fits does not mean it will perform. I have had some muppet put a rear moped tyre on the front wheel, a drive chain and sprockets for a CB400, poor quality engine oil etc. Just make sure they know what they are doing!
   

Basicly, I dont think you will have much of a problem if you want to put your name in the green book but you have to make sure you can trust your mechanic especially if its a performance bike. Good Luck and enjoy the ride but dont forget, the Thais see a headlight and think its a moped, they dont understand how performance bikes opperate.

Hi Jim.

I would be very grateful if you could find his number and perhaps 'PM' me with it, cheers. The bike has been off the road now for almost a year, I had some problems with it last year (rust in fuel tank) and I also wanted to put a new cam chain in it so I took it to Pattaya coz I new a Thai guy who was mechanic for a 7 years for a friend of mine on the international race circuit, I thought he would be reliable but...... I asked him to clean the fuel system, fit a new cam chain, put new fork seals on and get me a new flywheel. All he done was got me a flywheel and gaveexcuses for the rest. I got the bike back to Nong Khai (Bung kan-120km east of city) and visited a mate, when I was ready to leave the bike wasn't- We later found out that rust had prevented the float chamber making a seal and fuel had flowed in to the cylinders and prevented the engine turning over, I was too busy building a house to bother with it and left it, some weeks later I took a look and the previously full fuel tank was empty and the sump was full to the brim. To add to my problems, because the tank sat there empty for so long its full of rust now . I really could do with a reliable local mechanic, I was going to wait until the house was done and do it myself but explaining what parts I need and actually getting them is probably too much to ask over here.

Thanks mate.

No problem , I will try and get the number over the next couple of days and pm you .

Cheers ,

Jim .

I got contact info on the sport Bike Group here in Udon. Straight up these guys are serious riders, if you don't have the proper equipment and your skill level is not top notch don't get involved in this. I dont have his name but owns Tech21 Super Bikes 089-572-5656

As far as I know he only speaks Thai

Is this the guy that used to have the shop around the corner from the Irish clock ?

If it's the same guy , he speaks fair english . Enough to work out that I wanted a service anyway .

Can-Am Spyder , About 28k Aud back home .

Nice photos Tony...I was looking for those ER6n's - too many bikes! Here's a few more...

a collection of reprobates: (i'll give up my own face - thats me on the left - the rest can chime in on their own)

dotcom and rustic awaiting the start of the ride around - it was a long wait!

my eyes,,,they're burning.....thank god the guy doesnt own a Ducati..flames on a sport bike

Harley Davidson tent (powerstation) was rockin all day and night

Yamaha had a nice display.....

spotted this on the beach..made in canada..no one was around to claim it or talk about it --- ??????

There is my next mia noi , If I ever get rid of the other two

Shame they didn't bring over the 2008 special edition ZX14.

Looking at pics of 2009 ZZR 1400 and drooling.....

At Hayabusa forums everyone saying it is ugliest bike they ever seen. How come? They don't like those so called "George Foreman Grills". I think they are cool, gives even more sporty look.

As a Busa and ZZR 1400 owner I can't understand why they flaming the looks of latest edition.

See for yourself:

As long as it doesn't interfere with my golf , ( I need all the practice I can get ) I will try and make it . Will PM you closer to the date .

Cheers ,

Jim .

Sorry... let me clarify (thanks for the PM's), I will go to Bira the 11th and 12th of March (at least). One of those days if nobody joins I will do training session with Graham plus change the tires on my bike since he is there every day. They open at 08:00 and normally if more than one meet up we'll all be there by 09:00 Hope to see you there, Travelmate you could have fun on yer new Tiger let her roar, and JimsKnight you could have a blast on your CBR. Tony might be up as well so we could all see how the ER6n does on the track??? Only Trent has to go to that byebye see you next time where's my gift party for his employee as far as I know.

Cheers Bard

There is a Thai bike mechanic up in Nongkhai , forget his name but the mrs has his number . We went to the Nongkhai for the bike week a couple of years ago , and a mate went to ride off the next morning but his clutch wasn't working . His wife called the mechanic who turned up about 30 mins later , push started the bike and took off down the road on it leaving us bewildered and wondering if he would return .

He turned back up on it about 20 mins later with the problem solved . ( just some air in the clutch master cylinder )

From memory he rides a CBR 929 .

Cheers ,

Jim .

Hi Chris.

I bought a CB600f in Pattaya about 4 yrs ago and once I had all the paperwork in place (you have to have a letter from the seller explaining the sale etc) I took the bike, green book etc to the registration office and had it registered in my name.

I did not have a Thai driving licence, only a UK/EU full car licence.

I only had 30 day tourist visa. At the time I was staying in hotels and doing monthly visa runs to Cambodia.

It took most of the day but once they had given the bike the onceover and checked the paperwork out, they checked my passport and by the close of the day I was the legal owner.

I dont know if things have changed lately but there are a couple of other things you should consider: -

1. Does it have to be in your name. As a farang, if you are the owner of a vehicle and it is involved in an accident (even if it is parked offroad with no engine) you will be at fault: If farang not have vehicle the accident not happen (Thai logic!).
   
2. A big problem is spares, especially with the older models. If you are near Bangkok or Pattaya it shouldnt be too much of an issue as you will be able to find a reasonable mechanic but if you are out in the sticks as I am now (Nong Khai) its a bloody nightmare. I have a 200km ride to Udon which is the nearest place I have found where there is someone who can actually work on big bikes and even so, he is still 'dodgy', they will quite happily replace parts with unsuitable replacements because they fit and all they say is "It OK, this Thailand". I am sure you are aware, you do not compromise when you are working on a performance bike, just because it fits does not mean it will perform. I have had some muppet put a rear moped tyre on the front wheel, a drive chain and sprockets for a CB400, poor quality engine oil etc. Just make sure they know what they are doing!
   

Basicly, I dont think you will have much of a problem if you want to put your name in the green book but you have to make sure you can trust your mechanic especially if its a performance bike. Good Luck and enjoy the ride but dont forget, the Thais see a headlight and think its a moped, they dont understand how performance bikes opperate.

Korat is anything but small , the Mrs is going to call one of the organisers for Roi Et bike week and see if he knows anything . Be nice to know exactly where it is so we can organise handy accomodation .

If it is only Sunday , I will leave Pattaya early AM and meet up with the mate from BKK and head up through Kao Yai again , then up #2 to Korat .

Hopefully we'll meet up with you's there .

Cheers ,

Jim .

Ok so far I have 2 bikes going from Pattaya , and 1 from bangkok . 1, ZZR1400 & 2, 2005 R1's , a mate from work is riding up on my R1 which is currently for sale .

Surely somebody has some more info on the bike week as it's only 3 weeks away .

Cheers ,

Jim .

There is a road not far out of the village I stay up north that has about 5 klm dirt heading into Kalasin, usually corrugated as hel_l , but it saves around 10 kms off the trip , so I take that road . Also the roads just near the village have potholes worse than the road we took that day . Hardly feel them if you power over them at around 90 . But then you get the local scooters weaving all over the rd trying to dodge the potholes , so most of the time your stuck behind them .

At least they'd finished building that bridge . The next two were still under construction .

LOL Thumchok!

So, had you ever taken your ZZR1400 off road like that before?

Looking back it's pretty funny, though I'm not in a hurry to repeat!

Happy Trails!

Tony

You wanna talk about getting LOST with GPS?!

Oh man- a couple of weeks ago, somebody with a GPS who shall remain anonymous told us he knew a good shortcut back to Bangers. What shoulda taken us an hour ended up closer to 3!

Look at the bright side- I got to find out how the ER-6n handles on dirt

Climbed up on this bridge in the middle of NOWHERE to see what I could see- man did we get turned around!

At least they'd finished building that bridge . The next two were still under construction .

Yep you Let me know wehn your back probably haev some good lies by then.

The speeds I was referring to Kenny, I know you can run at idle with us

I think I have found out who the guy the bike was. So I will continue on and see if I can help

Cheers Ray ,

Will do .

All the best for the guy that went down . Hopefully he'll recover quickly .

Jim & Mon .

Hi Bard ,

I only get home on the 5th at midnight , so cutting it pretty fine to even make it to Korat .

I looked at your ride when you posted it , and its a little too far too quickly for my taste , ( and my backside )

We'll meet up soon enough for sure . Might even come along to Bira for a look .

Take care and enjoy your trip .

Stay upright ,

Jim & Mon .

Hi Jim,

We might not go there, but will be around Udon Thani and / or Khon Kaen with still some touring to go so you could meet up with us when we're there and follow back. I will end the trip in Rayong so we could buddy ride back to the area close by you before we split.

details here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Ssr-Epic-Ride-t241023.html

Planning a new trip again the 13th over the weekend, still debating were to ride though... If you got ideas they're welcome, need to maximize the touring before rainy season starts...

Cheers Bard

Hi Ray ,

I am assuming that you mean me ??? My apologies if I got it wrong .

I am presently at work , so have limited time on the net .

Plan is this time to spend most of my time off around Pattaya .

Will be back up in Roi Et around the beginning of May .

Will make an effort to get up your way sometime after that , possibly even on to Chang Mai and districts .

Not to worried about riding with speed demons , as I enjoy having the missus in toe . Every ride is a good ride slow or fast , and it's the people that you meet along the way that makes it even more enjoyable .

Congratulate Dill and Mai (?spelling) on the baby and let them know we will catch up soon .

Cheers ,

Jim & Mon .

Quote : Ray 23 (Sorry Jim just now saw to a call the guy old age I guess I will do it tomorrow and tell him about the ride list.

Sorry I took this off topic. It was a great weekend and met some wonderful people this weekend.

Khon Kean is next for me.

Jim Contacted Kenny today he is a sports bike rider, I will contact John in Khan kean since he takes care of that list and get him on the ride notification list. I'm afraid he would be bored with us Old Gits on the Udon list.

Although some of the guys move right along I will leave it up to him, if wants to try a ride with the Udon guys.

There is sports bike club here, I have a contact with them. But they are really picky about who they ride with. If it doesn' work out I will give it a try for him. But no guarantees. Primarily Thai riders a few farrangs. But were tlakinmg 200 plus with thse guys is a norm. Not my thing

My contact with them has always been positive. not saying anything bad about them. Good guys as far as I know.)

Hi Jim!

Bard, Trent, Peter and I might hit the Korat Bike Week as part of our SSR trip, but we'll be coming from Udon or Khon Kaen.

Sorry- I don't know any details about the bike week other than the dates. Hopefully someone else can track down some info.

Hope to see you there!

Happy Trails,

Tony

Mon and I will be there for sure , might meet up with a mate from bangkok . Will be good to catch up with you all again .

Send us an SMS when you arrive in Korat and we'll meet up somewhere .

Cheers ,

Jim .

Looks like I will be home just in time for Korat bike week on the 7/8 March .

Does anyone have any more info ie. Venue , accommodation close by , parade time etc .

Will be heading from Pattaya just straight up 331 & onto 304 . Anyone else going or want to go .

Cheers ,

Jim .

Red Baron have quite a shedfull of second hand parts out the back of the shop .

Or order it in from outside .