floridaguy

I looked at a Boss at a shop on the corner of Petchburi and I believe Ekkamai or Pridi, not sure it was a few months back. It looked good, already modified to be a chopper. Quite nice looking, but it was about 9 or 10 years old, and this was to be my first bike. I passed on it, for 1 reason only. Phantoms are so common here in Thailand, that almost anyone can work on them if you need repairs, and accessories are available here and also there is a great site in Singapore, since it is the best selling "big" bike in Singapore. If you are on the fence, go with the Phantom.

That being said, I did like the way the bike handled and rode, decent acceleration for a small bike. If you really like it, get it, but I would suggest either becoming familiar with repairing the bike, or ask the shop for some mechanics that can work on it. A must would be a manual. You don't want to have to be stuck on the side of the road with a simple repair, and not be able to do it yourself in 10 minutes.

Happy riding.

And if we were in the US or UK or Oz, would we think that it was weird if a Thai there called themselves by name? Yes, so you would politely tell them the proper way. But we aren't there, we are in Thailand where the proper way is you use your own name. So do it like the Thais do, because you are in Thailand, and when you are somewhere else, use the proper speech there. Why do some people think that it is ok to come to a foreign land and culture and try to force their own customs on others? If you speak Thai, speak it properly. If you speak English, speak it properly. I am with cm das on this one.

My aunt just catches any taxi willing to take her. 1500 baht to Tha Maka, which is about 50 km this side of Muang Kanchanaburi. You can book one from a travel agent in advance, or book from the airport or hotel. The latter 2 will overcharge.

The new passports have a chip in them that transmits information about you. Your name, nationality, DOB, etc. When it initially came out, it was priced a little lower, with the intention of raising the price by steps over several years. I paid $110 3 years ago for a chipped passport. According to Yahoo Finance, that would be 3323 baht today. I believe the price is still the same.

Just a quick funny story. I was on Sukhumvit in BKK heading towards On Nut, just where the motorway entrance and exit is between Witthayu and Nana. You know, the bus lane only, right? Well, I figure I would zip through on my bike, but I got caught behind a big bus that I couldn't get around, and I was about 2 meters from the friendly BIB. He eyed me for 2 minutes before he came over and told me I was in the bus lane, in English. So I told him I was just following the other cars in front of me, in English. He asks me for my license, to which I held up my hand in his face and asked him why he didn't stop the cars. He says "they are embassy vehicles." I laughed so hard. So I switched to Thai and asked him how 2 taxis and a Fortuner and a Mazda could be Embassy vehicles, with no Embassy plates or flags or markings. He looked horrified that I was speaking to him in Thai, and asked for my license again, this time in very proper Thai. So I told him no again, in proper Thai, and that I was part of the Embassy delegation. All this sitting on a loud ass chopper with jeans and a t-shirt on. He laughed and waived me through. So I go 3 meters until the next cop stops me. I just smiled and told him that I was with the other Embassy cars and just drove around him. The look on his face was priceless! Just thought you might get a laugh. You too can be part of an Embassy entourage on your motorcycle too! Safe riding!

You know, I brought mine from the US, but I have never tried to use it. It is still sitting in the pocket of my suitcase that I brought it in almost 2 years ago. I have never seen them sold here. I have never seen anyone using one either. There is really only a couple of places in Bangkok that have radar guns and laser powered speed cameras. So I never used it because I became familiar with where the speed traps are. Maybe I will hook it up the next time I am driving past a known trap and see if it works. I don't know if they use the same radar and laser bands that the detector is looking at.

I will keep you posted if I do.

Perhaps it's been done but, I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket in the mail, and certainly no one that I've heard of has paid one.

Maybe I'm mistaken ?

We had one mailed to our office. Showed a photo of one of our company truck's license plate and a note saying it was photo'd doing 150 on the motorway in Bangkok. Pay (I can't remember how much, it was a year and a half ago) by mail. I refused to pay, sent a letter stating that many people drive the truck, and as there was no photo of the driver, we would not admit to any wrong doing and not pay the ticket. We never heard back about it.

I would think it has to be the age of the machines. I have a Phantom and a Steed. The Phantom is easier to have serviced. It shares some parts with the Wave's, so alot of mechanics will work on them. Much harder with the Steed. Only places to work on them are Harley shops really. I also notice alot of Phantoms around everywhere. They are the penny pincher chopper. Similar to the Camaro or Firebird or Mustang in the US, a cheap hot rod. I run around daily on my Steed, and I might see 1 other big chopper, like a Steed, Harley or Dragstar a week, and many weeks I don't see anyone else. I get alot of looks and comments on my Steed, but no one knows what my bike is, they all think it is a Harley. As far as driving it in traffic, I may have 1 incident a day where I just can't squeeze through and am stuck waiting for a car to move or the light to change. I have wide handlebars, with very wide handlebar grips, so I don't worry at all about getting caught in the traffic.

It is a shame about the Steed, it is a great bike. Now in a few years, the Honda Fury will be seen more and more, but at 800,000 baht, they will still be a very rare sight.

I believe they are also location specific, not sure though

You need proof of Thai birth, such as mom's Thai ID and baby's birth certificate. Also, you need the house registry (tabien baan) showing your baby's address here in Thailand. Take proof of Thai birthright and copy of tabien baan to get the Thai passport. Costs 1000 baht for the passport, 30 baht if you want it mailed to you, or you pick it up in 3 days.

you can also contact any travel company, they do these types of arrangements every day

No your right not possible. It seems i was wrong. look here http://www.cwc.co.th/.

My bike sticks out onto the tailgate when i take it on the truck (4 door Ford Ranger) but its not a problem if you tie a red cloth to the back. I also bought a ramp and now its a piece of piss to get it in the back by myself. just need a bit of a run up. My bike ain't a chopper so maybe not as long as yours (2 280 mm (89.8 in)) but she's 245 kg wet so a fairly heavy old girl.

my Vigo 4 doors bed is only 150cm, but no problem with a huge cruiser, VTX 1800cc at almost 400 kg.

or 2 Ninja 650R

a red cloth in daytime

extra rear and brake light required in the night time

I used to have a Vigo 4 door also, and the bed is too short. I am thinking of getting a 2 door Chevy or Toyota Supercab with the longer bed just to be able to haul this bike. I don't have the exact length, but it is a raked out chopper, quite long. It just won't fit. I will measure it tonight to see just how long. Here it is. I am 167 cm tall just to see the scale.

Also, be sure to check, not all laptops allow for simultaneous dispays to work at once. Some older graphics cards will make you choose between the screen or the monitor.

A very roundabout way would be to use the video out on your laptop, if so equipped, to a video in on a desktop pc. From there you have more options for graphic cards and could install one that can display on multiple monitors. Depending on your needs, you can use a new Radeon HD to display upto 6 monitor simultaneously. This is the setup I use, an ATI Radeon HD 5750.

I did alot of research and the Flip was on my short list, but I chose the Kodak Zi8 for more features and better video quality. Kodak has a weather proof version of it as well, the Playsport that I would like to get. Full 1080p, image stabilization 5mp photos at $150 USD. It looks like a great camera.

Boatguy, I have started a very similar thread in the Bikes section today. I have a large chopper that doesn't fit in a regular pickup truck bed. I needed to have it towed a couple of weeks ago and couldn't find a flatbed similar to your photos to pick it up. I have never seen one here in Thailand, although just today I saw a very small tow truck with a small cherry picker on the back. It would not be able to lift a heavy truck, say a Fortuner or Vigo. I will be interested in your success in finding one.

Where do you want it to go. where and from?

Well, I have it home now, but it was a bit of a problem a couple of weeks ago. It is heavy enough that it takes about 4 guys to lift it without a ramp, and it is so long that it would hang out of the back of a standard pickup truck, even set at an angle.

I was hoping for a resource if this were to happen again in the future. A number to call. I am used to 24 hour a day availability for tow trucks and flat beds nationwide with one phone call. I don't think that is possible here.

Khun Boy at Chicane will pick up a bike for service or repairs- in Bangkok area he generally charges 1000 Baht for the service, one way. Red Baron picks up members bikes. I've known mates (well, one in particular ) who simply flags down an empty pick-up every time his bike breaks and waves a bit of money to get his bike bike to the nearest shop. I'm always surprised at how well this works. There are also a number of guys with pick-ups in Bangkok who regularly ferry race bikes to the tracks- usually 2000 baht round trip. I'm sure they could be hired for shorter trips as well. Sorry I don't have any phone numbers on hand but can get them for you if you like.

Ride On!

Tony

Thanks Tony. I saw one of your posts awhile back about Khun Boy at Chicane, but I have searched and googled and can't find anything about them. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, John

I have searched and not found the answer to this question.

Are there any towing services that will pick up a large motorcycle in and around Bangkok, or Thailand? I had a breakdown a couple of weeks ago and couldn't find a tow service to pick the bike up. Also, the repair shops were closed. I know Dr. Bike on Chok Chai in BKK doesn't pick up, but someone has to right? D Big Bike in Nakon Pathom also wouldn't pick up, but he is a little far away anyway. There are many that will pick up a scooter, but I couldn't find anything for a big bike.

Safe riding.

"I can't find a character on my keyboard to demonstrate what the old girders looked like, the ones used to construct New York city in the 30's for example, but in cross-section imagine a T with a line at the bottom of the T, like a rotated H on its side."

You mean an I? They are called I beams.

Ignore the above posts. There is a recognised transcription system where a letter of the Thai alphabet matches up with a letter or a number in the roman alphabet. They don't necessarily get translated to a similar sound in the roman alphabet, if at all.

here is a thread I wrote a few years back on my trip.

http://www.thaivisa...._1#entry1940345

here is another thread I dug up.

http://www.thaivisa....by-the-finance/

Remember, if you take the car over the border and you don't fully own it, you'll need the owners permission.

Yeah, ignore all the posts, because we all gave the correct answer to the question.

someone MUST have advice based on personal experience regarding shipment of a phone...

no personal experience sorry. but i hear the older and more beat up it is the easier it is to get through customs without paying anything.

While I was watching, the Thai friend girl came over to see the video. She loved the somlar and the German guys house. "OOOOOHHHH!!! I want a house like that in Chiang Mai!" Never said a word about anything else. Goes to show, when you don't have money, it becomes the most important thing to you. When you do have it, you don't really think about it. The Thai girl at the end got it right. When you are in love it is best. Not that I would know anything about that.....

I drink Chang, the way I figure, if I am gonna drink, I should drink. I do get more of a rock head the next day. But to really get drunk, go for the Chang.

Why must you translate it? I would think that Malaysia, being a bordering country wouldn't require translation, nor would they want you to.

ฎ is normally translated to D, but I have seen others. It is called chada

ฉ is normally Ch. It is called ching

I would ask before you translate it, I would bet that you aren't required to.

Ah, it's just moving ITEMS from the house to another location. Here I had visons of the whole house being put on top of a pickup truck. Having seen some strange sights in Thailand it wouldn't surprise me.

Ha, I thought the same thing. That is what brought me here in the first place.