mixed

Words cannot describe the type of crappy as $hit bikes you will find for under 9k baht on that website. I went to look at 3 bikes and all of them were junk. Seeing something on the net and seeing it in person is a completely different story, this isn't mentioning the dodgy expired paperwork these bikes comes with also, an extra bonus! You get what you pay for.

Of course you get what you pay for, but we're talking second hand so sometimes it's a bargain and others it's a rip off.

I posted the prices as an example of what could be bought. I'm sure there are NSRs in excellent condition for 25k, but doubt you will find them in a shop or from someone selling proffessionally on the web.

The thing with the old 2Ts is there's so many run down ones cheap that it's worth buying them as a second bike for parts alone. Thais are big on appearances, so prices for these old bikes is very much based on looks.

A friend bought a pair of upside down KDX250 forks back from Japan from me. I'm told they have never been used, which could be true because the 'spring' feels very good.

There are tiny rust spots on the bottom of the chrome part, but it's not flaking. Any suggestions for this without rechroming?

The biggest problem is the corrosion on the top part of the aluminum, it's quite bad and flaking. What is the best way to treat this? There's info on the net but I don't have much time to do it myself.

Any suggestions for Thai shops that would do a half decent job. As you can see in the pic below, the forks look crap, but still work very well.

I used to ride a Bandit 400 and found that on initial take off the lighter 2Ts would be as quick of the mark, but wouldn't keep up after about 60kmh.

IMHO opinion, the fastest bikes in heavy traffic are the 125 Nova Dash, these are only 100kg and can weave in and out of cars. Besides the handling, the gearing is also set up for tight traffic.

The Dash's are also easier to repair than an NSR. They are more common so parts, new or second hand are cheap and easy to find. Apparently some of the parts from the top model NSR are made in Japan, so very difficult to find.

The NSRs are not cheap...in fact going up in price. 150 goes from 10,000 to 40,000 depending on year and condition.

The 250.....I found one for sale a while ago.....80,000 Baht Good it may be, but not worth that for an old bike.

In fact in the USA the 250s go for US$3000 to 7000 Wow.

It's difficult to imagine them being that expensive. The KRs with a green book are 4k up to 16k for a really nice one.

The 2 strokes are comingback into fashion, because anyone with half a brain knows they eat 4Ts for breakfast. If you look around Bkk you'll notice there's more nice looking Kr's Dash/Beats, NSR etc.

A CBR150 has less than 20hp, an old 2T 150 has around 30hp.

A Thai friend of mine has a m/bike shop and seems to always have at least one NSR 150 for sale. (curently 3) He strips and rebuilds them so are mechanicly, and in looks, very tidy with new paint (original colours) new tyres etc where required.

Depending on year and what he needs do they sell for the figures I quoted above and seem to sell quite quickly.

I know of one for sale at 9000B but early model (18' wheels) and in need of restoration going for 9000.

I also know of a shop that asks 40K for a run down Nova Dash converted to a dirt bike, it's been there for years.

Looking on mocyc.com there's no shortage of NSRs for less than 9k. Has your friend been trying to sell you one? The one below is 25k.

My CBR 150 still sees off the 2Ts from a standing start, but sure.... gets overtaken at the top end. But the CBR 4T is considerably more economical, and more reliable over time. Remembering also that even the newest NSR are getting old and getting to be collectors items now.

I'd be interested to know which 2Ts you CBR150 sees off, certainly not anything decent like a Nova Dash 125 or an NSR150, which has twice the power and weighs less.

Sure the CBRs are newer, more economical, more expensive and more reliable. They are decent bikes, but powerwise cannot compete with a 2T of similar size.

The NSRs are not cheap...in fact going up in price. 150 goes from 10,000 to 40,000 depending on year and condition.

The 250.....I found one for sale a while ago.....80,000 Baht Good it may be, but not worth that for an old bike.

In fact in the USA the 250s go for US$3000 to 7000 Wow.

It's difficult to imagine them being that expensive. The KRs with a green book are 4k up to 16k for a really nice one.

The 2 strokes are comingback into fashion, because anyone with half a brain knows they eat 4Ts for breakfast. If you look around Bkk you'll notice there's more nice looking Kr's Dash/Beats, NSR etc.

A CBR150 has less than 20hp, an old 2T 150 has around 30hp.

I've read about these auctions a bit, apparently the happen on Fri nights.

Is this every Fri? What times does it start finish? Do they sell many dirt bikes there?

Thanks for any help, I'm sure the info has been posted before but can't find it.

From my understanding (this was previously explained to me by our company's accounting manager)

If he sent BAHTNET transfer, then he is sending you THB not GBP...

Meaning that the origin bank switches to THB and then transfers to your bank. For SWIFT his bank would send GBP and then the destination bank would change to THB.

From what I have been told, this method of transfer is normally faster...

I'm afraid your accounting manager is wrong, I have the transfer docs, GBP was received by Standard Chartered in Bkk.

We've receive BAHTNET before, but the amounts have never been great, so I haven't looked into that much.

When my staff have asked Bangkok Bank for info on BAHTNET transfers, they've been told it's impossible to provide such.

When I visited myself today, they had no problem printing the docs with all necessary info. Don't you just love banks.

Thank you for your answer, it's very helpful.

The problem is BAHTNET rate is low, my customer is using CLYDESDALE BANK, who claim to have never heard of SWIFT/FTT.

I'm charging in Baht, but am trying so save money for my customer.

Can you give any recommendations for how he can get his bank to do a SWIFT transfer? He is already paying 38GBP for the transfer, do you think there would be further charges?

I have a problem, a customer sent me GBP, however it was sent by a method called "BAHTNET".

The cash went via the Standard Charted in Bkk and the rate was 51.35

On the same day the Bangkok Bank TT rate was 53.28

At the time I informed the customer and he's been talking to the bank, who say they've never heard of SWIFT/FTT and this (BAHTNET) is the only way they can transfer. My experience is that banks can talk BS if it suits them and some staff are pretty clueless when it comes to foreign transfers.

Can all UK banks do SWIFT transfers?

Unless things have changed recently I've never heard of duty being charged on USED items at SwampyBoom.

In the case of Salween I would think he should be fine as it's personal possessions, which I think are tax free.

I know someone who travels often with several ppl, they all return empty handed. He was considering a side business of 2nd hand bike parts and would prefer to do things properly than try and sneak thru. I think the tax rates on 2nd parts is low.

Anyone know the total rainfall in mm for this year?

Singapore to Bangkok in 4 days sounds very doable- it's 'only' about 1800km. I hear they're really strict on speeding in Malaysia though.

Tony

Actually it was Chiang Mai to Singapore and return in 4 days. Chaing Mai to Har Yai, 1st day, then Had Yai to Sing 2nd day and then back.

Don't want to take anything away from you guys, just that I found it an impressive ride. Could be 5,000kms?

The most I ever did was from Chiang Kham to Chiang Mai, don't know the distance (we made a wrong turn), but it was less than 1,000kms. Took 10 hrs, I'd never do it again.

That's not a bad ride, how long did it take? I remember in CM years ago there was a guy with a Sing registered BMW who would ride from CM - Singapore - CM in 4 days.

Sounds like good advice, do they have any dirt bikes at these auctions?

I'd definitely recommend a repo 2nd hand over a new one. My SIL's BF bought a 3 month old Mio for 28k, I think they were 45k new at the time.

Even if you don't go to the auctions, just check around, there's lots of repos because so many young Thais just don't make the any payments.

The XR was close, and I am sure one could be hotted up to get it there, but I almost favor a lighter and in price terms almost disposable mini thing like a super cup for trail riding.

The new 4 strokes are worlds apart from the XR, apparently. Weightwise the 4 strokes are about the same.

For the converted scooter thing, I'm looking at it also, but even this can get pricy is you want proper suspension. I've started doing it and will post the results.

Define pricey.. Someone posted 3 different ones that all looked above average sorted for 25k and under.. I was over on Samui last weekend and saw 10s of them and tin shacks that seemed to specialize in those nova / dash converted things.

I mean the kind of real bikes we are talking here must run in the 200 - 400 range (booked late model etc) and I am just thinking a little bush basher.. I have a lead on a 250 2 stroke crosser I am thinking of which would be far more capable but a converted dash would have a plate, the crosser never will, while I wouldnt ride it distance it would be handy to be able to scoot the island finding new trails without fear of losing the bike at every corner.

Sorry for the OT in the thread.. I realize theres a world of difference from these thai built chop jobs to the stuff being discussed but just figuring fun per baht in my head.

Those bikes for 20 - 25k are 125 Novas with modified 150cc suspension - probably fine for what your talking about but not real MX or enduro stuff.

They look nice, but this is mainly due to the plastic conversion kits. They are registered, but not street legal, but you won't have it confiscated.

What a lot of Thais are doing is buying old MX bikes for around 20k, then buying old 2 strokes for around 5k and putting the two together. Then there is the conversion kits for about 4k, then the cost of the work to strengthen/adapt the frame and rebuild the engine. A reputable mechanic will have plenty of work and charge accordingly.

So your looking at 40k easily. There are XRs with plates around for 55k.

I've had an XR and would like a two stroke, I've seen very good KR150 conversions and these have a bit more go than a Dash, but not many mechanics can do them.

A lot of it has to do with what's available to you, how well you know the person selling/fixing up the bike.

The advantage with an XR is it's a real dirt bike, the advantage with modified bike is it can be fixed easily and parts are cheap.

Got someone to look at it, they say it's leaking gas and will be B1,400 to fix today.

Thanks for the help.

Can't find the details in Thai, I'll make some phone calls and post the results.

The XR was close, and I am sure one could be hotted up to get it there, but I almost favor a lighter and in price terms almost disposable mini thing like a super cup for trail riding.

The new 4 strokes are worlds apart from the XR, apparently. Weightwise the 4 strokes are about the same.

For the converted scooter thing, I'm looking at it also, but even this can get pricy is you want proper suspension. I've started doing it and will post the results.

I have never ridden a 450 class 4 stroke crosser.. So I am kinda wondering, how do they stack up against a (much cheaper) 250 2 stroke ?? I would have thought the 2 stroke would have weight on its side and be not far off in power terms ??

Course reliability etc might play into thinking but its a crosser, its not to do lots of long haul and my uses wouldnt include baja / long rallying more just some hooning about.

Been thinking more and more about a small dirt bike, even a well sorted Thai modded up supercup thing, just enough to play on the jungle trails.

Four strokes enduros use very modern technology, a CFR450 would weigh about the same with similar power to a CR250. Reliability is better on the 4 strokes, but the are more complex engines, so when something need to it's more involved.

An older 2 stroke is not really an option if you want registration. A lot of CRM250 didn't have the proper reg and have been confiscated.

Is it frost free, is it cold only in the freezer? You don't give many details.

Sorry, short on details because I don't know much about freezers. It's frost free, making noise but not working in either freezer or fridge. It's a Samsung and this is the second time it's broken, plus all the plastic shelves are very brittle.

Any recommendations on a good brand?

Is anyone aware of motocross events tomorrow, either in Saraburi or Suphanburi? I'd like to attend but can't find details in English?

Our fridge/freezer has stopped working, it still makes the normal noises, but isn't cold. I'm wondering if it's just something simple like regassing that can be done at home or whether it'll need top taken to the shop.

It's only about 4 yrs old, is a Samsung and is <deleted>. I don't mind getting another one, and would appreciate recomendations.

Have you considered a YZF, I know someone who can import them.

I think the op wants an enduro bike, ie lights/elec start, the yzf is a moto x bike,and has none,.,the yamaha equivalant is the wr450, can your friend import that model ? .....

You are correct, I'm not sure, the OP should message me if he's interested.

Have you considered a YZF, I know someone who can import them.

there's a shop called Dirt Shop in On Nut, you could ask there. Maybe Red Baron could import one? Apparently the Thais in the MX scene are very friendly, maybe go to a race and ask around.