gobs

Hi Scudman,

Isuzu is said gas savy, but IMHO cheap plastics and fabrics built inside... I saw some young D-Max in very bad condition inside... There are a lot of designed/engineered details (seats, dash-board, center armrest/box...) that don't fit me in the Isuzu. But it's a good value in LOS.

And ,oh yes, I do like the "sound" of the engine: very metallic!

Toyota has a more "modern/personal-car" engine-technology with a better plastics and fabrics quality... Young Vigo not so damaged inside... Better designed/engineered inside although the dash-board is too fat... Good value in LOS.

But I don't like the Vigo (although I'm a Toyota trucks fan): fat, "flush-shaped body", tall and small windows. Through my eyes it looks like a buffalo...

The engine sounds like a truck one: good...

In fact, 2 months ago I was going to buy a brand new truck 4WD/4D. And as you, my choice was Toyota or Isuzu... I checked all the brands by myself to make my own idea about the market...

At the end, you know what? I bought a very, very nice and cared 6 y.o. / 56000 km Toyota Tiger 4WD/4D, the previous Toyota model.

And I saved (in the next years/kilometers, I hope not to be desapointed!) a lot of money...

IMHO: too many cheap plastics and fabrics in the new trucks and too much electronic gadgets...

Pre-2004 Toyota models have strong plastic parts, comfortable velvet-type fabrics on seats and doors, clear interior, a not-so-inflated dash-board and, for me, the body is more smartly designed: not needlessly fat and with some pretty stretch and firm lines slowly falling down onto the bulby front side...

In my eyes, the Vigo is too much... over...

Well, I'm Gobs and you are Scudman...

There are pros and cons for everything!

Good luck in your choice and happy driving!

Gobs

Wise advice from you Kartman... IMHO...

At least it is what I should do.

Not only Savvy but... check here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Proton-t173887.html

Pros and cons, as usual!

I live in Sankamphaeng, near Bosang, and have a dial-up connection (TT&T lines and CSLoxinfo as a provider)... Not so bad, even if very, very low speeds at some very few inexpected moments.

Many complaints around here with ADSL: doesn't work fine. Don't know why...

The common reason I was told is "big flow in small tubes"...

I heard too that connections are better inside the city due to optic cables here and there...

But I never had a true explaination from a true expert!

Sure I would like too to understand why cuts, slow speeds and bad ADSL service...

Regards,

Gobs

Just thinking...

HamSabai, try to post a topic in the Pattaya forum section...

Many Guys there know the bikes shop, even they don't check and scroll the TV Bikes forum...

Just my 2 satangs...

Cheers,

Hi HamSabai,

GT Riders are essentialy devoted to the North (Golden Triangle Riders). So unless many riders from LOS are visiting, the most of us are settled in the North and so far know better what "happens" in the north area...

Further, I don't want to be inquisitive, but as I was to purchase a "nice-said" Africa Twin in a shop in Pat' 2/3 months ago and didn't "feel good" with the things there (so didn't buy it), may I ask you were you bought it (what shop...), in what condition and at what price?

I don't know any shop in Pat', so sorry...

I don't know where you are settled, but if I were living in BKK for example, I should prefer to send my A-T there by truck, and then search a "good" mechanic. A lot of good shops there and IMHO more trusty/friendly...

Good luck,

Gobs

Wow Tony!

You've got it! Nice (and STRONG) work! Enjoy...

My wife too WANT a backrest! And I can understand that on a ride of 200 kms non-stop as a passenger, one can find it "comfy"...

Maybe you are right saying that for this price these cases are from the previous "collection".

At least, in France, you can't get them by now... Only the 2008 collection at full price!

Good job,

Cheers,

Gobs

Thanks Cro,

Good link... 61 pages of 25 items each one! Wow!..

And many, many bags...

I have to check further.

Cheers

Hi INTJ,

IMHO speed up the rev step by step waiting the 2000 kms to play full would be the good way... But in the same time give some short high revs from time to time without heavy loads... And never stay in high revs on long runs for the moment...

Be patient... and you will be rewarded!

Well, it's my 2 satangs advice (and at least it's what I think good to do on new bikes)...

Cheers,

Gobs

Hi BBB,

I agree+++, Tony: very nice set these Givi cases (top-case V46 and side-cases V 35)! This set was the one I "expected" to purchase for my FZ6... But heem!: 50000 bahts! "Wow, the price of a nice new Fino with some accessories!.." said my wife.

Well...

Nice the orange one... Accessories better designed!

And very uggly "fixing" of the Givi screen IMHO. Shame on Givi for this!..

Aren't there accessories (on the orange ER6) from the brand Bagster?.. I think I recognize the seat at least.

Bagster is very known for its seats (with gel as option): more comfortable and well "bum-designed" for long rides both for the pilot and the passenger... Have a look at the stock one, and compare with the Bagster's... As stock, the passenger and the pilot tend to "slip" frontward... Same on the FZ6: my wife always "stick" to my back. Not that I dislike, for sure , but for long rides it's not so comfortable for both...

Waiting your pics,

Cheers,

Gobs

Hi mates,

We often speak here about "big bikes"...

And in another thread on GTRiders, Tony said the market is very tiny, that that's for sure, so I was asking myself: "how many big bikes could be actually running in LOS?".

Over 250cc... Legit or not, no problem... Not the TRUE number, but an estimate...

Someone has a good "network" to know this? Or a good crystal ball...

No idea at all by myself... Can't give a number...

Cheers,

Gobs

Great and wise advices from BBB!

Nowadays NEVER "play" with green books if you want to get your way clear!

And many, many legit bikes for sale here in LOS. No problem to find a legit one in your "tastes"...

Good luck,

Gobs

Hi friends,

Thanks to you, many replies!

Yes Nakedair, "great" price the Givi cases! In LOS or France, same prices! But they are the top notch...

I like your side-bags CroBike. Good stuff and easy to take "on/off"... A good alternative for the long rides. And when off, the bike goes back to its original design. Do you know some web site where to order in US?

Good links BigBikeBKK. Great stuff in dr.bike and gtautobike! Do you think it is original/true Givi cases? They are only priced 30 or 50% of the real import cases! IMHO (but don't know!) these are (chinese) copies... But no problem for me as far as they are clean and useful!

From gtautobike web site:

- Import Givi 46 liters top-case: ? 15000 Bahts, (appears in the 2008 Givi catalogue)

- gtautobike "Givi" 45 liters top-case: ? 4800 Bahts, (doesn't appear in the 2008 Givi catalogue!)

Further, in dr.bike, they have SCOYCO mesh jackets for 3000/4000 Bahts! Compared to the 8 to 12 KB for a Alpinestars (or whatever brand) one, wow! Scoyco is a chinese brand, OK: not same finish and quality, not same "signature", but well...

Here in Chiang Mai, nothing about all this stuff! It worse a trip to BKK...

I wait a pic of your bike with the Givi top-case, BigBikeBKK...

Cheers,

Gobs

Hi, Randomchase,

Try a visit to the immigration office with all your previous documents, previous bills, bank books and so on, and explain your case. Unless the law is the law, if any problem the officers are ready to listen to you and can help or give some way to go... I heard already that it happenend, here in CNX.

IMHO: be well dressed, polite, courteous and explain what happens. If necessary, give with discretion some feed back on your situation here (previous visas, 90 days reports, your living...)...

Maybe they can sort you from the path for this time...

Maybe it will be a big NO-NO, but it worse a try... before going in expected hassles by oneself.

Good luck,

Gobs

VIBE said:

"I am also looking for this, but my main question is:

What entails a great suit? How do I know these places will do a good job?"

Same you VIBE: I don't have a clue about this... So never had one suit done here, unless I had "visited" some shops...

So, by the way, before making a try at Neramit, what to check or watch about the work?..

Cheers,

Gobs

Being a big bike rider myself, I do agree with jdinasia...

Statistics never "speak by themselves"!

And I think threelegcowboy gives the best advice to have a happy honeymoon both...

Have good times,

Gobs

Truth or rumours abourt Honda Big Bikes?

I just heard Honda coming this year, and "maybe next month"

Nothing clear about this...

I've traveled with Qatar last december to have a short go and back to Paris. It was the first time (not very much choice in the hurry) with Qatar.

I can say good service, good staff, good eating/drinking/entertainment... for the price!

Just the short stop in Doha was not so appreciated: the bus transfers on the tarmac is a little "old schoool style" and long, and the "hub" is crowdy, loudy and not spacy... Sardines in a can there: yes...

And for sure around 5 hours more than a direct flight.

But one more time, for the price, no complain. All in all good company...

Gobs

And one happy Farang more!

Congrats PB! Have a happy life there...

And yes, it can be done. Some months ago, I met a thai contractor and he explained to me how to grossly quote a average house project on a 100 square meters basis:

1) For a good qualiy built house the quote is about 8000/8500 bahts by sqm "keys in hands",

2) For a very good quality built house the quote is 10000 Bahts/sqm "keys in hands".

No matter one floor or two storeys...

Below 100 sqm, quote increases a little and above 100 sqm, quote decreases a little...

I found it was very useful for quoting a personnal house project. But OK, no golden bath tube or marble walls, hey!..

Cheers to all!

Gobs

Hi friends!

My wife and I want to tour with my FZ6F, and are looking for luggages. So today I asked a quote for the "rigid" Givi cases:

- Top-case model V 46 with the mounting rack: 18000 Bahts!

- Side cases model V35 with the mounting racks: 30000 bahts!

Argh! OK that's top quality, but that's "big money" too for 2 or 3 weeks/year of touring IMHO!

Further the bike should become a little bit uggly on the rear end and not so easy to handle in the daily commutes...

As I don't want to go with tank bag or back pack, some advices or experiences about an "alternative" (saddle bag or else...) that can be found here in LOS would be appreciated...

Thanks in advance,

Gobs

Hi friends,

To Crobiker: I recently red somewhere that in EU the first bike in term of sale is the... ER6 (n/f)! That means customers feel OK with this bike. IMHO it's not a "reduced bike" but a trully decent one. Customers' comment: "Very efficient and easy to commute all the week long and a lot of fun on road trips during the week-end"... What an average biker (most of us on this thread I suppose) does ask more?

And the 6'2" tall and 82 kilos "mickey mouse" I am, confesses that for my eases the ER6 is a little bit small (no offence here!). I don't feel "correct" on the ride...

In this way, on the FZ6 I do feel at my ease...

Furthermore, I've NEVER been a speed freak (as said BigBikeBKK) on the roads. If I were, I bought a R6, R1 or whatever in an other brand... I'm rather a "quite" biker looking for some fun from time to time.

So, just for the record:

In the city, the FZ6 can be handled at 2000 rpm in the 3rd and 4th gear, following the traffic if needed, without knocking or suffering, and just by "opening" softly, the engine gently speeds up and allow you to take over smoothly... If you need more power in the moment, just fall down in the 2nd gear and give a lot: then the bike "jump quietly" to take over or exit a "suspicious" jamming...

On the open road, let talk the engine revs if you want, and have some great fun, or gently ride by changing gear at only 4000/6000 rpm if you are going the "nose in the clouds"... At only 6000 rpm in the 6th gear you are riding at 120 km/h (solo or with passenger, no matter), the body correctly protected by the half fairing. Oh, I suppose you "see" what is the speed at 12000 rpm...

That's part of why I like the FZ6: you CHOOSE your style of ride in the moment. Agressive or peaceful, the FZ6 gives it to you...

IMHO, I think the ER6 is more a bike to corner as well to "bullet". The FZ6 is longer, higher, heavier and smoother on its shock and fork, not so at ease for cornering or leaping (it's not a R6!)...

So, Kawy ER6 or Yam FZ6? Definitively, they are not the same bikes, as said Bard. They don't play in the same yard, better not to compare their specs, perfs or rides... They are, IMHO, two very good middle range bikes. Up to each one to make its own choice through its own feelings and needs: try them both before any purchase (if possible), and then, yes, you will be able to decide!

Well, that's my opinion (though many others share it already here and there)...

And I can understand many others don't share it too!

In any case, enjoy YOUR bike, and have a lot of fun!

Cheers to all,

Gobs

PS: the rear-view mirrors on the FZ6F are exceptionnaly clear, free of tremble at any speed and widely spreaded with a wide view on the two "rear sides" of the bike. Furthermore they are located in your "front vision field" because not fixed to the handlebar but high on the fairing. A very useful point for city riding...

For sure nowadays, many Kawys riding here and there in CNX with the KLX and the D-Tracker!

Great value for money (150 KB)...

And even a lot more I suppose: the Kawasaki ER6N is coming in the next days this month...

A 600 cc brand new bike for... 225 KB!

Great, great, great value on the "big bike" thai market!

Wave to all

Gobs

Congrats BigBikeBKK! And have a lot of fun!..

225 KB for the new Kawy, great value, but as Bard, I felt in love with the FZ6F! More money, but may pen ray, it's the sound of my heart! And I enjoy it every minutes I ride it or look at it since 6 weeks I got it...

About the power, in Thailand the specs of the FZ6F are 98 HP.

For example, in France (specific legislation) you can purchase 3 different FZ6 (at least last year!): the FZ6 S2 98 HP or the FZ6 78 HP (the late model and lower cost insurance) or the FZ6 34 HP for the first year licenced drivers (after the first year, you can ride what you want within the 106 HP: upper than that it's not street legal in France!).

More than that, the price of the 78 HP one was 1000 Euros lower at the beginning of the last year... It's a political choice from Mister Yamaha to spread the FZ6 market there...

But no matter the bike... Just enjoy the rides!

Cheers,

Gobs

Hi jeztennis,

No offence, but I'm in doubt with your quotations...

40/50 KB with "good engine and floorpan", IMHO forget it! Meaning forget "good"

A "good" Beetle for 100 KB in BKK! Wow, nice! I own a pretty '67 VW Beetle here in Chiang Mai, and know a liitle the "beetle things" here: a "not so bad one" you have to consider 150 KB... A "really good" one it's rather 200 KB and more...

Ok maybe it depends what you are meaning with "good one"...

Try a search on thaisecondhand.com, many beetles for sale...

However good luck for your search,

Gobs

Thanks for the link Vagabond...

Though I'm married, I feel same you: never got a health problem through 56 years of life, but I feel it's time (or age...) to look for something offering a good and "right" cover...

Though I have a good amount of savings (through my point of view, hey!) back home, I'm not ready to use them as a health care provider...

Uhuh's post (? 26) gives interesting quotations if his inputs are right. In this case, maybe a 2 MB yearly cover would be OK for each one of us, my wife and I. And let's say something like 15 or 20 MB lifetime...

Mmmmmmmmh, not easy to make a "right or good" choice...

Cheers,

Gobs