Travelmate

Agree with NormanW, definitely one of the best bike in the world!

If you got a cracking deal on one, buy without hesitation!

KTM 690 SMC R is the perfectly urban brawler!

It's fast, light, economical, super easy to maneuver, easy to park, long service intervals (10,000km) and it's actually comfy.

Have toured 4,000kms in northen Thailand!

Heavy traffic becomes fun! Instant acceleration. Decent top end 190kmh. 160kmh on the highways easy.

The KTM is a cracker! Give it a try.

What bike you're riding for track?

When the new Mercedes CLA arriving in Thailand?

Conti Attack on the front, Rosso II on the rear.

And I still back it in the corners.

Just saying for street application, i doubt you'll be able to go beyond the limits of any tyre.

It's rubber & you ride a ER6N. Doubt you'll have any problems.

Your bmw is from gray market or directly from bmw thailand? Reason i am asking is because of the BSI. My 520 is from bmw thailand and i did buy original M5 rims shipped from usa, when i went to millennium for bsi they asked me to put back the original rims with tires back and only then i can get my bsi resumed.

My car is not gray import.

I asked about the wheels at the BMW dealer in Phuket and they have brohcures over wheels - as can be found on BMW web sites.

Nobody said anything about BSI.

Are BMW (in your case) saying you can't change to other original BMW wheels built for your model ?

In that case you would wonder why they offer so many other types of wheels for sale ?

Do you think you would get the same story from all dealers ? Could it be another story at another dealer ?

Thank you for the warning, I will make sure to ask before buying.

What is a BSI?

BMW

I have transported a lot of bikes 200- 650cc in the back of short bed trucks with the back wheel on the tailgate. Yes it's safe. And get the special handlebar strap pictured below if you can find it. Keep the bike mid-line, straight up, not diagonal on the side stand like the Thai's do it. Tighten ropes/straps, both front and rear, so the bikes shocks are compressed a good bit, but release them as soon as you get to your destination as this can be bad for them over time. You can tie to the rear foot pegs. For longer trips I also tie the wheels so they stay in the center of the bed and can not scoot left or right which can lead to the bike falling over.

Also, in Thailand by law you must cover any load with a tarp, including bikes. I know people that have been ticketed for this.

Should also advise NOT to compress the suspension too much!!! Or you will pop the fork seals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Idea is to tighten it enough that the bike stands straight and stable. Still allowing the bike suspension some movement.

If your style of riding is on the spirited side, then I would say it will never ever be enough.

However if you have all the time in the world, then it's could possibly be just enough............

Congrats on the ride. Looks real nice.

You could hire a driver and his pickup to take your bike to track.

Rub some hog fat on it.

Spamming a ride report is such bad sport.

Note to self, not to buy t-shirt.,

Good touring tyre, moderately good in the wet. Angels create a very slow tyre for change of direction. Unstable at spirited cornering speeds. Moved on to Diablos there after and it transformed the way the bike feels and handle.

Had two sets of Angels will never buy them again.

. You missed a great ride!

apologies for missing out on the 4 day trip. Hopefully I have better luck next time.

Good touring tyre, moderately good in the wet. Angels create a very slow tyre for change of direction. Unstable at spirited cornering speeds. Moved on to Diablos there after and it transformed the way the bike feels and handle.

Had two sets of Angels will never buy them again.

Is there a requirement for a race license?

I presume any insurance company will not insure, unless said motorcycle is fully legit. ie issued with a green book.

For most motorcycles that are specified you can get your standard stock parts in Thailand without much delay. For a Suzuki GSX-R1000 before 2008 you can only get parts that are the same on the 2008 model. Of course Suzuki has all parts from 2008 up to the 2012 model. The same as with Yamaha which has no parts of the YZF-R1 before the 2007 model, but anything between 2007 up to 2012 is easy to get. Honda has all parts available for the 2012 CBR1000RR.

Wrong, Suzuki Thailand only stocks parts for the 2010-2011 G

hi guys

just to update the thread ,i id picked up a very nice cbr1000rr (Not restricted)

nearly bought a cheap hayabusa but i thought maybe thats overkill because id never use the top speed of it on thai roadz !

i know many people says dont get one a grey import one but i did (it was about 150k-200k cheaper than similar bikes with books )

it has an original invoice and the excise duty paid so the option is there to make a green book if necessary (i can live with a few 500 thb fines

with the amount saved on purchase price providing it dont get confiscated )

anyways ,back to the bike

its so easy to ride ,i heard horror stories about bikes with this much power but its really easy to make it do what you want

it can weave in and out ,you can lean it nearly all the way over even at low speeds

it goes like shit off a shovel and agile as a cat ! ,i never had a bike this responsive or quick before ,and the brakes are fantastic

(much better than my previous bikes )

i still keep the versys nd my scooter for

a daily runner and use this for fun and weekends and so far so good

Happy dayz!

Congrats on your new bike. Invoice only? Good luck with that!

What about insurance?

Still covered without a green book?

....or how about a MINI COOPER S JCW GP....like I have! Not outright sport, but with its supercharger and light weight and only 2 seats comes pretty close. You can get one 2nd hand for around 2m and a little for a good low mileage model (mine has only 15000 miles on it) and have plenty of money to spare...to buy a big limo or so! It is exclusive, eye catching, goes plenty fast, sounds gorgeous with its exhaust pops....and girls luv it!

Not quite the same is it, when you're down the pub having a few beers with your mates. When someone will ask, "wot you drivin mate?" and you reply "mini" imagine barrels of laughter!!!

Triumph Tiger 1050 - Touring bike

Yamaha R1 - Soon to be track bike

KTM 690 SMC R - Super Motard

Best first track mod? You, yes take a look in the mirror. Improve that first.

Why must it be a Vigo?

Mundane colours for a mundane car.

No surprises there.

The choices of cars here are pretty awful. Choosing the colour would be the least of my worries.