submaniac

Fast, reliable, cheap. Choose any TWO.

Actually Jack, did you ever check out the Mazdaspeed Miata with the FACTORY turbo? I never did drive one, but was always curious at how that thing would go. I mean the Miata is so light, and I LOVE turbos, especially when they are factory. When you get into aftermarket FI, you will get some 'reliability issues'.

Anyways, back to the original post, it is supposed that the 250 heads will fit on the CBR 150, but I do not know, and do not know anyone that has ever done it. But my thoughts are that it probably would work, and it's not like parts for a CBR 150 are expensive or anything. Also, I wouldn't worry about the bottom end not withstanding the power of a 250cc. 1) Manufacturers generally make the bottom end stronger than it needs to be to avoid having to fix bikes under warranty 2) Honda is known for building super tough engines 3) a 100cc difference is unlikely to put that much additional stress to the bottom end and 4) supposedly the 150cc is the same engine as the 250cc but with a smaller cylinder head.

Actually what I have been thinking for a while is why doesn't any one talk about engine swaps in this country. In the states, it is standard fare with lil' Asian boys swapping an Acura engine into a civic. Everyone is always talking about getting larger displacement bikes in this country, so I don't know why people haven't done it.

The 150 sportbikes, be it Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, etc., seem to be based upon the 1 cylinder dirtbike engines. (The proviso is I am NOT a mechanic, but looking at the engines makes me think they are the dirtbike engines.) If you are talking the CBR, it seems to me that the engine from the CRF would work, and I think the idea of a CBR with a 450 cc thumper engine producing 55 hp seems very intriguing: http://www.powersportstv.com/2007/Honda/CR...torcycle/23190/

I also *think* the CBR 150 engine is the same as the CRF 150 engine (once again I am NOT a mechanic, so get more information before spending $$--AND I do not own a Honda so haven't looked into it very much), and there are tons of big bore kits for the CRF 150: http://www.xr100.com/crf150.htm

Does anyone know really what engine is in the CBR 150? Like the engine model? I am 99% certain it has a clone in a dirtbike model, and since modding dirtbikes is a well established practice, I think that you could find and use the parts made for the dirtbikes.

Bit of a sweeping statement. What happens if you live in the arse end of Esaan and fancy a pint of Guiness in Udon, a 440km round trip from my house. I can't drive a car and a big bike bike is my only option, unless as you suggest I buy a Honda Wave? At least a 2 day trip.

There is not a pint of Guiness available in Esaan? My response: "Why are you living in a place where you cannot get a pint of Guiness?" Suggested alternatives: get used to Singha or move out of the sticks!

Actually didn't say "get a wave" cuz I consider Waves and Finos to be 'wussy bikes'. Said get a 150cc sportbike. Top speed on an NSR, KRR, or TZM is about 150 kph stock, purportedly 200 kph modified. But the reality is you will not be living a long full life if you go that fast on a 150cc bike or a 'big' bike either. So either way, you are equally screwed because you can only ride as fast as the road conditions.

Difference is that the 150 will not cost you as much as a big bike (and for the cost of many of the big bikes you could probably buy a car anyways).

I was just thinking about definitions of 'big bike,' before I nearly ran over the FNU of a fellow poster.

Can we say that bikes of 149 to 201 or even 300 cc are mid-sized in Thailand? And that the BMW650 is a large bike, and everything else up to 3000 cc is a big bike?

Hmmmm...I guess my first question is in regards to the "everything else up to 3000 cc is a big bike". Ummm...they got 3000cc bikes?!?!? Cool.

Actually my opinion is that anything larger than 250 cc is a big bike IN THAILAND. I say that the 100-250 cc bikes are the standard bike here as they constitute the vast majority of bikes on the road. Anything really over 250 had to be 'specially imported'. So anything over 250 cc in my book would constitute a big bike IN THAILAND.

In the states of course 250 is considered a small, beginner's bike. Over here, I would classify it as a 'big bike'. But that's me.

Hey Skyline,

Thanks for the words of encouragement from a fellow TZM lover. "Good example"? Ha! For 12,000 baht, it didn't look to pretty. But I do plan on fixing her up so that she is nice and beautiful. I know people say "buy the nicest example you can find", but I did that with an Acura NSX that I bought from the original owner, a 60 year old doctor, that only put 5000 miles on it per year. A year later the engine blew. So now I would rather buy the cheapest I can buy, and then put the money into fixing it so that I know everything is done right. ANd it's not like I can go buy a new one of these things either.

I also agree with you that the TZM is one hel_l of a fast bike. 150 cc in a regular bike is nothing, but in a 2 stroke the thing flies! I dare say it can run with the Harley I got in the states. And also thanks for clearing up the TZR issue for me. I thought that they all were 250cc's, and was kicking myself for not getting one if they were.

Do you know where to find the specs on the TZM, like weight, horsepower, etc.? The only things I could find are from Malaysia and Singapore, and I can't read it.

Thanks!!!!

Just an "informal poll". Just curious what people's opinions are on the wussiest motorcycle in the Kingdom is.

My vote is for the Yamaha Fino! Uses same mechanicals as the Mio with the retro-body work. It also seems to be the motorcycle of choice for Katoeys, ladyboys, or boys who like other boys. (But nothing wrong with that).

I would also say that I do think it looks cool, and I wouldn't mind buying one, and riding it. However, even under those circumstances, I would have to say to myself, "Self, that is a really wussy bike, you got there."

Any other contenders out there? I sensing votes for the honda wave.

Did you try "stretching" first, or afterwards? I am 33 and do not think I am approaching geezerhood--err I mean "advance middle age" but when I have not ridden for a while, I also will be a little sore after riding again. The fino and the wave have riding positions comparable to sitting in a chair. It is different than the seating positions on a 'man bike'.

Before chalking it up to old age, I would chalk it up to "I didn't stretch first and limber myself up". Riding a 'man bike' is a 'physical activity'. Certainly more 'exercise' than driving a car. Let's put it this way, when you were a younger man and played football, basketball, rugby, or whatever did you just go out on the field and start having at it, or did the coach make you stretch out before you did it. It has been a while, but I remember that when I didn't stretch out and prepare, I was alot more sore than when I did. Before writing off the idea of getting back on a bike, try just limbering yourself up before and after you ride.

I am tempted to say "I don't get why people are fascinated by big bikes in Thailand", but I do know why. It's called 'unobtanium'. It's like why women are only attracted to me when I am in a relationship. Big bikes are rare here, and consequently expensive. The only 'real' advantage I see is for bragging rights over the guy next to you on the 110cc Honda Wave, or the 150 cc CBR.

I have a harley in the states, and over there I want a bike to be big because it is more stable on the freeway (less susceptible to wind, absorbs the bumps), and I need the bigger cc's because my only real defense against cars turning into me is to be able to outrun them and outmanuever them. But I do not see why I would need a large cc bike here. Over here, I would not dare do a long distance/touring ride, just because driver's are crazy and the roads are too crappy (holes, gravel, debris all over the place) and I have yet to find a decent stretch of Thai road that I would want to get any amount of speed on here.

I mean if you are good, you can manuever a large bike around. The ultimate test of how good a rider you are is not how fast you can ride, but how good you can manuever a large bike at slow speed. I mean in the states I see guys moving Electraglides and Roadkings like they are unicycles. But I just don't see the point of having all this extra power from a larger displacement bike when you will never use it in Thailand. And then you have all this extra weight to try and deal with, and more mass to squeeze in between cars.

If you just want something more stable over bumps, or if you are larger size, try the 150cc sportbikes over the 'scooters' like the Yamaha Nuova or Honda Wave. Try the Honda CBR, NSR, and Yamaha TZM. If you compare them against the scooters you will see they are significantly larger, and more comfortable to those accustomed to riding real "motorcycles" as opposed to scooters. And if you want more power, go for the 2 stroke bikes like the NSR (or TZM). They put out nearly 40 hp, and are definately not slow.

If you want a big bike expect to pay $$$$ for it. Both for the purchase price of the bike, and for the cost of maintenance. The small bikes have parts made in Thailand, and are in stock at any place in the country. If you want parts for a Ducati, BMW, Harley, or even large cc Honda Shadow, it's gonna be pricey. In the end, I just don't think it is worth the headache unless you have lots of money on your hands.

I don't know if you found a place, but there is one near my house on the local soi. It is not a very big shop, basically a family affair run out of the house, but they do good work (you can see examples of their restored Vespas at their shop). It is not in Pattaya, but in Bangkok near Tang Hua Seng. I am PM'ing you their number, but THEY DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH. I do think they would do it on the cheap side.

I am really not that concerned about the availability of fuel. My feelings are the same as when they replaced leaded gas with unleaded gas in the states...the leaded vehicles still worked on unleaded.

As for the gasohol, 1) the purchase price of the bike is not worth me even worrying about it (oh well, I lose $300) 2) I do not actually believe gasohol and 2 strokes are incompatibility--see Thanh's post which is how I understood it to work as well 3) I think if there is a demand for Petrol it will still be available--albeit more expensively, but for a motorbike the cost of fuel/amount used is negligible compared to a car 4) if there is a problem with Gasohol, I would think some major company would introduce 2 stroke oil which will not be affected by gasohol.

I don't see the point of worrying about the gasohol issue so early. I mean, if you are worried why buy any vehicle based upon petroleum or gasohol as we will eventually switch to hydrogen, electric, and solar powered vehicles? I would worry about it at a later time. Right now I am just satisfied that I have a bike in Thailand that actually has some power. From what I am reading on the specs, the TZM and NSR's are making high 30's in terms of h.p. Even though the TZM is only 150cc, I absolutely do NOT think it is slow.

&

...I died.

Yes. I died. Cut me some slack here on the incomplete post...you know how <deleted>' hard it is to post when you're dead?!?!?!?!

Actually when I tried to post I got some sort of error message the first time. So I did it again, without realizing that either the first post was up, or that the second post was incomplete. There is no "delete" button that I could see so I just left it.

So I am coming back from visiting my cousin on her birthday, and am over in Thonburi, trying to figure out how to find my way back home. I am in the far right lane out of three lanes in the same direction. Another motorcyclist pulls ahead of me from behind and on my left, and we are splitting the lane. My front tire is about at his rear tire, and I am to the right of him.

I ride in Thailand the same way I ride in the states: as if everyone else is trying to kill me, because they are. A black Mercedes 600SEL is ahead and on the curb, like he's parked. But I see that the brake lights are on, and it looks like the car is moving, albeit slowly.

Ride like everyone is trying to kill me. I figured that he may just pull out suddenly into the lanes, so I cut the speed and move into the far left lane until I see what he does. The guy I am splitting the lane with goes on his merry way at about 40 mph. About 2 seconds later the mercedes does what I feared he would do and pulls from the curb to do a U-Turn (obviously without looking if anyone is coming his way), and the guy I was riding with hits the mercedes at a perfect "T" at the driver's side front fender.

The guy flies over the hood of the mercedes, and is lying in the street. I seriously think he is dead. I pull off to the left and stop the bike to go see if he is alive. When I am stopped I see movement from the motorcyclist, and he gets himself the hel_l out of the middle of the busy road as fast as his injured body could manage it.

A few minutes later 4 motorcycle cops and an ambulance shows up. I see the driver of the mercedes yelling as if it was the motorcyclist's fault.

As I am riding home I am thinking that if I had not noticed the brake lights of the mercedes, I would have hit it too. I also start thinking that I am amazed that these thin plastic and styrofoam Thai helmet was good enough that this guy actually lived.

The kicker? This was the first day I actually rode my new (old but new to me) bike in the streets of Bangkok. I just got the registration taken care of yesterday, and was keeping myself to the local soi's until I could legally ride without risking it getting it impounded. Really scary start.

So I am coming back from visiting my cousin on her birthday, and am over in Thonburi, trying to figure out how to find my way back home. I am in the far right lane out of three lanes in the same direction. Another motorcyclist pulls ahead of me from behind and on my left, and we are splitting the lane. My front tire is about at his rear tire, and I am to the right of me.&

thankyou to all that replied,they sure dont do you any favour in Thaialnd.

I read that you have to own the vechicle prior to import for 18 months and charge 80% import tax on value made,then you can't sell for 3 years etc

I know exactly what regs you are talking about as I was going to import a Hummer H2 for my uncle. I don't think it will work for you. There is an exception to the Thai import regs that you have found, but that is only available to Thai nationals living abroad. Thai nationals are allowed one, and only one (in a lifetime) import of the vehicle they owned abroad as their personal vehicle at the reduced rate you mentioned. Up to about 5 years ago, Thai nationals could import with no import tax whatsoever, but they changed that.

Hi folks,

I picked up a 2004 Yamaha TZM 150 cc 2-strokes last week for 12,000 baht from a dealer. My parent's have a house in Bangkok/Thonburi, and I just wanted a CHEAP bike to tool around with until we can get the car situation taken care of. Besides, even with a car, I wanted a motorcycle just to avoid sitting in traffic.Well for 12k baht, the bike was not in real good shape, but put another 2k baht to have everything fixed, and it runs great now.

When I was looking, I wanted a two-stroke bike because of the power they produce, and because they are pretty much verboten in the rest of the world, especially the states. (In California, they are busting down on the 2 strokes that people are using on their OFF ROAD dirtbikes). I was originally looking for the NSR, but then I saw the TZM. I thought it looked really cool (better looking than the NSR or CBR) because it actually looked like a real sportbike rather than a sportbike scooter hybrid. And for the price, well I had to go for it.

Now that I have the TZM I absolutely love it. I grew up on small displacement 2 stroke dirtbikes, and definately appreciate the power those things can put out. But I just can't find much information on the TZM.

Specifically, what is the standard horsepower that it came with from the factory? And what kind of performance mods can be done to it? I have been searching the web and have found numerous owners who have reported tweaking their bikes and being able to go up to 200 kph. I was just wondering what parts I need.

And for the TZR, what is the difference between the models? As I understand it, the TZM is 150cc and the TZR is 250cc. 250cc in a two strokes sounds like a real powerful bike.

Are the TZR's and TZM's even manufactured any more? The dealer I went to appeared to have a whole bunch of those bikes brand new. And in the LOS, what two stroke small displacement bikes are even available anymore? I have heard that the 2 strokes were being banned by the government. If I want to get another 2 stroke (sportbike style), what other options are available?

Thanks for the help.

I thought some of you might be interested, especially you CBR fans (especially considering your 'club' thread is pretty long.)

Actually heading back from Pattaya in a tour bus, I saw what I guess was a police checkpoint, with a tent set up on the side of the road. There was a regular patrol car, and a standard police Tiger Boxer. But there was also what looked to be a brand spankin' new CBR150 in white, still with the "CBR" decal on the front fairing. But it also had the police lights, and the other police bike 'doohickies" on the back.

Maybe we are heading to the good old days like in the states, when both the criminals and the cops were riding the same bike--Harley Davidsons. I really do not know what the specs are on the Tiger Boxer, but on the CBR those of us on NSR's, KRR's, and Yamaha TZ's, should be able to smoke the CBR's if need be.

Hi folks,

Thanks for the replies. Your giving me some real food for thought here. Just as a little background (and why LHD and U.S. cars) it's due to the regulations that I am talking about. For Thai nationals abroad, the regs go that if a car is over 10 years old and you've owned it for 5 years, then you "should" be able to bring it in without taxes. If the car is newer, and you have owned it for less than 5 years, you do get a reduced rate (for one car only). The reason "should" is in quotations marks is...well, when did Thai government officials ever give a ###### what the law says? (Hence "grease".)

The car MUST be registered in the country you reside prior to import, you must demonstrate proof that you owned it, and you must have a license to drive in that country. Hence, I am stuck with U.S. cars. A RHD from Japan or England, would be nice here, BUT I would have to get a license from that country, register it in that country, and then store it for a few years before I can ship w/reduced tax rate. So I'm stuck with U.S. cars. My uncle (BTW the air conditioner that you are using right now, there is a good chance he manufactured ;-) ) was toying with the idea of giving us (actually my mother, his sister) the money for a hummer, and having us drive it around for 3 years for the tax rate to go down before shipping over. Of course I would be more than happy to "keep it warm for him", but then again I doubt I would drive it much 'cuz I would be the one to have to pay for the gas.

I was toying with the idea of bringing in my old Alfa Romeo spider that got me through college, and law school. It's over 10 years old and I've owned it for over 5 years. Then I remembered the reason I am not driving it around is that I got sick of it breaking down in the states. I had a difficult enough time finding a repair shop over there, I don't even want to think about trying to find a mechanic here.

As for the Hummer, uncle states his "purported" reason for wanting the hummer is to tow heavy equipment (he has a couple of orchards in the South). I say "purported" reason is that I know he just likes the car and wants to scream "I am a rich bastard" to his also rich friends. (We all know how Thai society works....)

You Trolling ?

Owns a major air con company , orchids down south , ????

Reckon he could afford the 5/10 mill in the showrroms.

First off, do you know what 'trolling' is? That's when you make a post or comment just to incite people. Which is not what I did in my OP, but what you are doing now. This particular forum is not exactly such a 'hotbed' of activity that anyone who would really want to troll, would want to come here. Secondly, it never crossed your mind that there was quite a bit of background information here, including information on the Thai regulations in question which were confirmed as existing by other posters. Finally, your comments are just plain stupid. Yes, he could easily afford the '5/10 million' in showrooms. But, this post must be fake because no one in their right mind would want to save $200,000 when they don't need to. Yes, who would be stupid enough to try and save money, when they don't have to and can easily afford it. Like when I bought my Rolex, I decided against going to the dealer who offered to give me a 10% discount, 'because I could afford it'.

N47HAN, you are quite obnoxious. It is exactly the type of arrogant Farang like you which really irritates me and why alot of Thai people wouldn't mind seeing guys like you go back to wherever you came from. Obviously this post must be fake because there is no Thai that could possibly afford such an expensive vehicle, unlike the wealthy farang that you are. All Thai people are poor and stupid. It is not possible that any Thai could be wealthier than yourself. Air conditioning manufacturing. No. That would mean a stupid Thai has more money than you. Orchards in the South (Pattani)? Nope. Once again, that would mean some Thai has more assets than you. Yes, yes, I have read your posts about how you have such a fabulous company making 50 million baht a year just by yourself. A guy like you just has to tell the world how fabulously wealthy you are. I have seen you come and go so many times. A guy washed up in his own country. Couldn't make it in business, couldn't find a woman to spit on him. Come to Thailand, and you think you are the King. You probably rent a room and are scraping enough money to buy a used Honda wave so you can impress the whore you picked up at Nana Plaza. And everywhere you go you have to tell people what a big success you are.

Hi folks,

Thanks for the replies. Your giving me some real food for thought here. Just as a little background (and why LHD and U.S. cars) it's due to the regulations that I am talking about. For Thai nationals abroad, the regs go that if a car is over 10 years old and you've owned it for 5 years, then you "should" be able to bring it in without taxes. If the car is newer, and you have owned it for less than 5 years, you do get a reduced rate (for one car only). The reason "should" is in quotations marks is...well, when did Thai government officials ever give a ###### what the law says? (Hence "grease".)

The car MUST be registered in the country you reside prior to import, you must demonstrate proof that you owned it, and you must have a license to drive in that country. Hence, I am stuck with U.S. cars. A RHD from Japan or England, would be nice here, BUT I would have to get a license from that country, register it in that country, and then store it for a few years before I can ship w/reduced tax rate. So I'm stuck with U.S. cars. My uncle (BTW the air conditioner that you are using right now, there is a good chance he manufactured ;-) ) was toying with the idea of giving us (actually my mother, his sister) the money for a hummer, and having us drive it around for 3 years for the tax rate to go down before shipping over. Of course I would be more than happy to "keep it warm for him", but then again I doubt I would drive it much 'cuz I would be the one to have to pay for the gas.

I was toying with the idea of bringing in my old Alfa Romeo spider that got me through college, and law school. It's over 10 years old and I've owned it for over 5 years. Then I remembered the reason I am not driving it around is that I got sick of it breaking down in the states. I had a difficult enough time finding a repair shop over there, I don't even want to think about trying to find a mechanic here.

As for the Hummer, uncle states his "purported" reason for wanting the hummer is to tow heavy equipment (he has a couple of orchards in the South). I say "purported" reason is that I know he just likes the car and wants to scream "I am a rich bastard" to his also rich friends. (We all know how Thai society works....)

Yes I know, I have read these boards and whenever anyone asks "how do I bring in my...such and such" the chorus replies in unison "don't...it's not worth it." I am a Thai national living in the states and my uncle wanted me to buy and bring in an H2 hummer to him in Thailand. Apparently he has found some loophole for Thai citizens who live abroad, and who have owned a car for a certain number of years to import ONE personal car only, either without tax and duties, or significantly reduced rates. Also being a business man with sufficient "means" to be thinking about importing a Hummer, he also has "sufficient contacts" to "grease the necessary wheels" to make things happen. Ummm..."the Thai way". Anyways without getting into the legalities of it all (and please do not ask because I am really not at liberty to discuss whom to talk to and how to do it because I simply do not want to burn my connections by having a bunch of random people asking)...what other cars would be good to bring in? I guess in terms of both "profitability" and simply being a "cool car" to have in this country. Give me some ideas of what else I could potentially bring in. My uncle wants a hummer, and my mom is probably going to get it in for him. I just don't know what Iwould want. Thanks.