Chris78

I don't know how any rider can stay below 90km/h for 1000km. For me, this would mean 2 full months of frustration at not being able to properly test out my new machine. This would be very frustrating. I only lasted 200km before I took my CBR 150 up to 130km/hr.

CBR Every time for me!

Agree with Das, I am a CBR owner so of course theres bias but I think unless you're an absolute speed junky out then the CBRs speed and acceleration is more than enough, I nearly 'back flipped' mine by accident at the lights once trying to pull away! . For me top end speed is where it counts.

It's also a capable long distance machine (4 Stroke always wins out on economy) and is comfortable too.

I disagree that the CBR is dull, it certainly impresses most of the thais (even other NSR owners) when I'm out drinking.

As a fellow CBR owner, I have to also agree. The NSR has too many downsides. However, if it is accelaration and top speed that are most important then or course, you have to go with the NSR.

For me, if I want a quicker bike in the future, I would get a bigger bike (250cc or more). Unless you're on a tight budget I don't see why you'd get such a small bike if your primary concern is speed/accelaration.

Kawasaki Specialized Shop on Rama 9 Rd.... Kawasaki Vulcan and KLR300R on stock, Ninja's on request probably one month delivery. All with full factory warranty and legal paperwork.

Awesome, thanks very much. I guess I live in wrong part of the country for big bikes. The only 'big bike' shop stocks Platinum bikes

Does anyone know if it's possible to purchase a Kawasaki Ninja 250® in Thailand? I heard that they're now made in Thailand but they don't seem readily available. Are they strictly for export or are they also sold within Thailand? If you can buy them here, what do they cost and how can you get a hold of one?

It would be great to have another option with regard to small sports bikes. Th CBR 150 is a great little bike but I'm sure the Ninja 250 would be significantly quicker. I think these bikes can hit 150-60 fairly easily.

Also, why is it that 250cc (and other bigger bikes) are so rare in Los? I see people riding big bikes very occasionally but I've never seen any bike bigger than 200cc in any shop in my city. If bigger bikes are illegal then how are people getting them and why are they illegal in the first place?

Wow...there hasn't been a lot happening on this thread. I guess all the CBR riders are busy reboring their engines up to 180cc or poking holes in their airfilters.

I'm thinking about upgrading my exhaust...I just don't think I'm disturbing the neighbours enough with the stock exhaust. Does anyone have any reccomendations? Also, what do people think the likelihood is of having police problems with an obviously modified exhaust system?

I think this topic can be laid to rest now. Hopefully we won't have a similar occurence of this type anytime in the near future.

You don't have to wobble your way home as they have accomodation up there. There's a few rooms owned by the bar itself as well as a nearby resort on Nai Plao beach.

Sounds good. I've been dreading the crowds and the ludicrous NY prices. Not to mention the fact that most nice places get booked out months in advance. Phuket was fun last year but I'm not sure if it was 10 000 baht worth of fun. Can we expect a slightly less exorbitant price for an NST New Year's Eve?

So if you want to overtake the vehicle in front of you, use the right lane. If you want to cruise at lower speeds then stay left and let others pass you. This should be true for both cars and motorcycles....Right? Somebody tell me if I'm oversimplifying things here.

I agree that motorcycles should not be in the right lane if they're cruising at 60 km/h or less. However, if they're travelling at a significantly higher speed than the car in front of them, then they should be allowed to overtake using the right lane.

Also, drivers of cars should be aware that they are usually outnumbered by motorcycles on Thai roads and drive accordingly. This means always trying to leave a space where motorcycles can pass you if they need to.

Motorcycle riders should also be aware that cars can travel very quickly on larger, more open roads, so the right lane should be left free (unless you like to cruise at 180km/h or more).

Sounds like a top plan Tatler. If I don't have anything else lined up come the 25th I shall use that as a fall-back plan.

"Whats involved in the test - or are there 'ways'".

I'm also interested in what people know about tests and licences in Thailand. What is the deal? I guess this issue belongs on a different thread but I'll ask anyway. I'm guessing there's one licence for both scooters and bigger manual bikes...what do people know about this?

"Please do not sugar coat this town, its like buying a bangkok whore and find out that it's not a she, it's a he... "

A lovely quote, I must say. However, I don't think anyone's trying to sugar coat anything. We all know there are more entertaining places one could be in the world. The more you dwell on this, though, the more depressing things become. I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to highlight the parts of Nakhon that we enjoy. If there's nothing at all worth highlighting then perhaps it is, indeed, time to move on to greener pastures.

Wow...there's some good replies there. Most of the places I would have thought of have been mentioned. Evening adventures at: Rock, Morgan, Venice, Fusion, Nang Talung... Anyone else seen Hee Haa bar accross the road from Suwali and Je resturant...seems to be a small, cheap bar...perhaps worth checking out.

Daytime weekend fun at: Khanom, Samui, Pangan, Trang, Koh Lanta etc... perhaps it's not so bad after all. I dare say Nakhon has more going for it in terms of day/weekend activities as opposed to the nightlife.

I like Lanta. It has the quiet relaxed beaches along with the party scene but not nearly as crazy and as Pangan. And you can ride your bike/ drive your car from Nakhon and make some stops along the way...

Woah...everyone lives in Nakhon! No wonder I see so many people around...

I recently bought a CBR 150. It is the first new brand new bike I have owned. I have heard varying reports on how you should ride the bike for the first 800-1000km. Is it true that you should not rev the bike too high and that it will damage the engine if you ride it too fast?

How careful should I be with the bike at this early stage?

Also...any other CBR riders in Southern Thailand?

Obviously there's two schools of thought: Ride it like you stole it, and coddle it till you hit y1000 km. I understand the thinking behind the revving the snot out of it since it is ran some at the factory to check it out. However, I also think that with tolerances as tight as they are, I'd make sure I changed the oil after like 200-500 km though. Also those that subscribe to this theory usually cite racing bikes as an example, which I think is a bad reason, since most racing bikes are broken down and rebuilt after each race.

On the other hand, if you baby it, you're gonna be erroring on the side of caution. However, I doubt that you'll be able to make it the 1000 km without going like a bat from hel_l!

Thanks for that...I've been trying not to push it too hard and to vary my speed but, admittedly, I'm not the most patient of riders. On the weekend my girlfriend and I rode up past Sichon and I definitely didn't hold back. I think I hit 130km/hr before realising I was still riding a new bike (still only 360 kms on the odometer). It was good to see how the bike performed at higher speeds but I do hope I haven't done the engine irreparable damage....

around 400 baht per class I guess...not much over 1000 baht/day...

I've been living in Nakhon for nearly 2 years now, so obviously there's something that I find appealing about the place. In the short time I've been here I've seen a number of people come and go. I wonder about the things that make people choose this place as well as the things that make them leave.

A common complaint I hear about Nakhon is that there's nothing to occupy oneself with and as a consequence people either stay home and watch movies (which can become dull after a while), or go out drinking and whinge about how terrible all the bars/clubs are. If you're the kind of person who likes staying home all the time and enjoying your creature comforts then the situation does not appear so bleak. However, if you're partial to a spot of socialising, partying or just straight-up drinking...the scene can become depressing.

The responses I'm looking for with regard to this thread are suggestions for entertaining activities within the province. These could be: favourite restaurants, bars, nightclubs etc... New places that have opened recently, closer destinations to travel to on the weekend (perhaps including details on how to get there), bike rides, waterfalls, puppet shows etc... This way, at least I'll be able to point people in the right direction if they're bored with the town or perhaps have just arrived.

Tell me what you reckon. Maybe we can come up with a comprehensive list at least for restaurants and bars etc...perhaps you know someplace that no one else does...

Intriguing stuff...interested to hear the historical details related to the violence down there..anyone actually been down to narathiwat or yala recently?...interested to know if it is actually as bad as it is reported as being...

Hi all and thanks for interesting thread!

I live in Pattaya and so close to Bira Circuit. I'm interested to know if any of you know how to get involved with racing on a CBR 150? I would like to practice my need for speed on a race track rather than the streets of Pattaya, as many folks seems to do...

Regards, Jay

Jay,

Interseting question. How hard are you trying? How serious are you? Maybe someone already does this an will jump right in. The other possibility is just ride the CBR and buy a KLR? (the Kawa mini motard) and race that. Might be easier to find the group.

In the meantime:

Ride to Bira. Go to the office and ask.

Ride around and visit every motorbike shop you can find until you find one where the guy races and start talking.

go to www.highsidetours.com and take a couple of lessons.

Go down to the Ace Cafe in Jomtien, Dave the owner has a number of the manager of the track, he also knows the people who run highside tours. You can call up and book the track pretty cheap if it is empty.

I was planning to it but i need to get some proper riding gear, leathers and boots, got stuff back in Ireland but won't pass through there till xmas. Anyhow I fell of my 400 last trip i was back in Patts so that took the wind out of sails as i couldn't walk for two weeks.

I was also considering the option of an NSR or CBR as they would be relatively cheap for parts.

What kind of kit /tires are you planning to use ?

PM me if you get going...

I recently bought a CBR 150. It is the first new brand new bike I have owned. I have heard varying reports on how you should ride the bike for the first 800-1000km. Is it true that you should not rev the bike too high and that it will damage the engine if you ride it too fast?

How careful should I be with the bike at this early stage?

Also...any other CBR riders in Southern Thailand?