gobs

Sorry for "your mate", Mrsocks... A lot of sad stories like this one about big bikes...

As said before, the bike owner is "the named one" in the Green Book unless there is a true contract between the dealer and the previous owner...

Here in LOS, NEVER-NEVER trust anybody as a seller (and many times as a mechanic) in "the second hand big bikes market" though you may meet very "gentle" people...

IMHO, do your strong and painful homework first, and then, when you feel ready, jump by yourself into the arena!

Every big bike owner in LOS has a personal "sad story" to tell...

I hope the best to "your mate" in this issue.

Cheers,

Gobs

PS: I don't want to be paranoid, but, please, be aware that many lawyers in LOS, though there are very efficient professionals, are more interested by your money than by the well-ended result...

Spacefruit said: "you apply western thinking to a Thai situation."

I tend to agree with that... Same as when you "queue" at the bank or at a food-stall, or as when dealing with workers for your house, mechanics for your car and so on... The "thai-way-of-life"...

I think it is a "thai-way-of-driving" and you have to adapt to it.

I remember the first weeks I drove here (not in BKK but in CNX), handling as I did before in EU where we are all teached the "dynamic driving", and where we (almost) all use it. I think I was "dangerous" for the thai traffic, and it seems I noticed thai drivers didn't "understand" what I was doing.

So now (as for the thai-way-of-life: bank, contractors, mechanics and so on...), I respect (at least most of the time!) the thai-way-of-driving. Sometimes a little difficult, but what, I'm not driving on EU roads or highways!

Priorities are not the priorities we learn in the west. But as soon as we catch them here, not so many problems occur...

IMHO of course!

Regards,

Gobs

A bigger tank is useless... The only way is to fix the problem! Check thermostat, pump, gaskets, hoses and so on...

On an overheating you may break the engine, and then what about the cost?

No offence intended, Lenny, but NEVER, NEVER trust a seller: "minor leak so tank refilled every 2 days" meaning "my bike gets overheating problems but I never cared to fix it"...

As said before, fixing is not expensive: better to do it quickly!

Good luck,

Gobs

Hi LivinLos,

Maybe have a look here:

http://classifieds.thaivisa.com/automotive...land-21952.html

It seems to be a "company" based in BKK that works on import...

Personaly, I'm waiting for a quote for a Honda Transalp "brand new"... In a short e-mail, they told me they are looking for this (not a frequent purchase...) and assure me they give a "120% legit green book" in my name and a warranty on the bike. Their first target is the "customer's satisfaction"...

As it appears, they sell "about 20 big bikes a month in Thailand

I never dealt with them before and know nothing about them...

I heard very good things from Red Baron and... their very good prices too!

Maybe it can help...

Cheers,

Gobs

Hi Lenny

Cruising on the highway at what speed?

Here is an "average use" of the dito bikes... Maybe can help you to get a "clearer" approch to the bikes...

Let's say: engine safety cruising speed on a long ride on highway (estimates, not trully registered, hey!):

SR400 ? 110/120 km/h (top speed ? 140 km/h)

Clubman ? 120/130 km/h (top speed ? 150 km/h)

XJ400 or CB400 ? 140/160 km/h (top speed ? 180+ km/h)

The two first bikes are more adapted for secondary roads (or city and around), with turns, climbs, downhills and slowdowns. They "need" revs changes...

The third ones can do all...

Keep in mind:

- singles don't like high revs on a long time; a lot of torque on low revs...

- fours in line are not bothered by the high revs (they like); no torque on low revs...

- twins... half and half of both above...

These dito bikes are unbreakable if well cared and driven. Beware the "back yard self-fixing".

Your budget seems OK (see Dave's post and mocyc adds...).

Have a check too on thaisecondhand... A lot of adds too...

Thanks to correct, advise or add...

Cheers

Gobs

Hi Lenny,

If you are not a troll (and I hope tou are not!), maybe that can help:

In principal: when you are going for a second hand bike, check and ride the bike for sure, but CHECK the ORIGINAL GREEN book (not a photocopy or whatever!). That's to say: frame and engine numbers and color (same ones on the bike as in its book)... Numbers can be re-stamped and sometimes very well (only X-Ray can show the "work")... If private sell check too the name in the book and the name of the supposed owner in front of you (avoid the "the owner is a friend" or "the bike is in my aunt's name" and the like)...

Then, if all correct, ask the seller to come with you to the Transportation Office to change the book in your name and tell him you will pay when you will get the book with your name in your own hands (you can offer the lunch or coffee or coke or whatever to be smart)... If the seller is not OK to spend 2 or 4 hours there, better to cancel the purchase: maybe he knows his bike is not legal and can't be transfered for whatever reason...

When all done OK, as a rule you know your bike is "legal"... As a rule, you ought not to have problems in the future... I don't enter here in the bike transfering process from a province to another. It can be an other "special" story to be told...

About your choice, maybe define first a budget and the use and needs you expect from this bike.

One SR400 is not one XJ400, one Clubman is not one CB400... They are all nice bikes as well but there specs are so different!..

Please friends correct me if something wrong or add something through your good advices...

Cheers,

Gobs

I was not aware that DL tests where different all over Thailand...

Despite I know visa requirements are somewhat different from here and there...

I got my DLs 3 years ago in Chiang Mai: just eye-sight and reaction tests... and then, "please, sit down here and wait for your DL cards"! No writing, no video, no questionning, no driving! And the same tests were for both car and bike driver licenses...

But I gave in same time original and copy of my thai translated french-DLs (car and bikes)...

As you can imagine, very smart...

So: better to be settled in CNX!

Steve:

Have you already a foreign bike-DL?

Did you already ask to the Samui office how it works in your own case to get a thai bike-DL?

Cheers,

Gobs

Maybe periodic... but have a look at the bikes ads! Inlation of ads everywhere this month of March... Why?

Obviously many guys want to get rid of their piece of iron!..

Are things changing?

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 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