properperson

For me I would strongly consider the CB300f. It will do 160km/hr on the highway if you really want to. I don't think the 500f is much of an upgrade because it is such a de-tuned twin (low reving and set up for max fuel economy). A new 300f with a few minor accessories will cost you less than a good/clean used 500f and you will have a very similar bike for most real world situations. Also you can get service done at your local Honda shop and wont need to go to a big wing. If you could scratch the money together to get a CB650f, different story.

that is what I was looking at at first, I don't know much about the engines and all that.. someone was talking to me about single and twin, etc. but I'd have to look into that myself I guess.

I would only use my bike for semi long trips, not for going to the market or 7eleven. we're talking going from Cha-am to Mueang Phetchaburi which is ±55 kms 2-3 times a week. and otherwise, anywhere in Thailand

most likely my girlfriend would accompany me on 90% of those non Mueang Phetchaburi trips.

I did long trips like that last year headed to Mae Hong Son (Pai) on my Honda Wave and. it was slow obviously, I felt like I was totally nailing the Wave even if averaging 80 km/h most of the trip but not really any passing power if needed, tough on steep hills, even if I'm lightweight myself had to go in first gear on some of those. the seat was mostly the problem.. if you get my drift haha.

top speeds i couldn't care less, i might push it to try but I would be surprised if I went over 120 at all unless passing

just me and my girlfriend is 115kg (68 + 47) and then a pack or two I figured that maybe the a clean used 500F might be a better choice?

they are building up at Big Wing in Hua Hin which should be completed rather soonish (prob a month or two) so the maintenance thing would hopefully not be an issue. but once on a trip it might become one

I am split!

Have sent you a PM.....

Went for an IXIL LX3 on my Honda CB500X

Cost 8,800 B from K Speed in BKK...

With the DB killers in - not too loud to get nicked by the Police and a nice throaty sound..

DB Killers out - sounds great, but i reccon you'd get nicked by the Police if they pulled you.

For the money, i reccon (imho) it's a great looking pipe...

.....

For sale - Honda CRF 250M – March 2014 – 6,XXX km

Extras:

Wife called them they are trying to open 1st November but not later than the 10th of November, they are NOT in CHA Am its 2-3 km past the airport on the right hand side if you are heading out of Hua Hin towards Cha Am. by FN FACTORY OUTLET ( left hand side of road and SHERATON resort Right hand side of road...........actually i think ive seen their showroom being built its got sloping upper walls and a lot of glass on two floors

Drove past there today......

Late November might be pushing it:

I think they follow a similar style - this is the one in Pattaya:

..The province it is registered or the main regional office of another province.....

I found the 500X uncomfortable and went for the F. Had to sell it though as there are too many retards on the roads up here. Good bike though and it's telepathic around corners.

I am 191cm and read the same before too about the 500X

still debating if getting a 500F is a better idea than going at an older 650 like the ER6Ns which look a LOT like CBFs or if they are mechanically radically different. (for better or worse)

Whatever bike you go for - because of the state of the roads - you need "dirt bike DNA" - ignore this at your peril...

The Honda 250M had been suggested, so has the 500X - if you have deeper pockets there is the Ducati Scrambler.

Give whatever you fancy a good ride round some of the pot holed / bumpy side roads before making a decission...

Some good news for Honda Big Bike owners in Hua Hin...

Honda "Bigwing" Hua Hin will be opening in the next 2-3 weeks.

By the look of the map on their Facebook Page - it is very near to Cha Am Station......

https://www.facebook.com/HONDA-Bigwing-Huahin-by-Pornnuphap-1646161352329416/info?tab=overview

If the fork seals were blown you would know because there would be oil on the forks, unless of course there is no oil - but that tends to lead to clucking when the forks bang on the stops.

He may of changed the seals but not replaced the oil or possibly used the wrong grade of oil.

Fork oil comes in different grades so you can change the dampening by using a thinner or thicker oil.

However to do that you need to know what the grade of the current oil is.

Wize words as usual Carol - keep up the good work.

.. the roads over here aren't that great - i'd be inclined to go for the CB500X rather than the CB500F...

Dirt bike DNA and all that..

i though you were buying a 250M ??

.. Bloke down our way bin riding for over 30 years and never worn a "lid" and appart from losing an ear and getting a gash on his face has never had a problem....

2016 model:

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/2016-honda-cb500x-first-look/28338.html

Why did the rider not slow down? He had plenty of time.

I assume he thought he could make the gap but did not work out the trajectory of the trailer?

But there is no attempt to avoid the hazard.

Very rare to see a bike go up in flames like that as well.

Wise words as ever Carol - keep up the good work.....

IXIL exhaust:

The Pirellis in Thailand for the CBR250 are Sport Dragons, not Sport Demons as mentioned earlier - at least that's all I am aware of, and are what I fitted on mine. I am very happy with them; much stickier than the stock rubbish! I paid 3,900 for mine in Chiang Mai at Piston Shop, including fitting and balancing.

I've got Sport Dragons on my CRF 250M - an amazing transformation from the original IRC tyres and a snip at 3,900b for the pair including fitting....

I've lived in Jomtien for 5 years but it gets noisier and busier and more like Pattaya all the time, so maybe time to move on.

I dont need bars or gogos or hookers of any type, nor do I want to be able to swim in the sea though I do like walking near it. I dont mind the occasional pub quiz or meal out with a friend but apart from that I dont need anyone's company. I certainly dont want to hear karaokes or discos or any outdoor music at any time.

All I really want is a decent choice of assorted Farang and Thai restaurants at reasonable prices (no shortage at all of these in Pattaya/Jomtien) and some decent grocery shops like BigC in Pattaya, and Makro in Pattaya.

Combine that with a bright open-plan condo (no interest at all in houses or modern small-roomed condos) with an uncluttered view (a distant sea view is fine but it must be uncluttered) and a car park and that's about it.

Is Hua Hin right for that? Or Cha-Am? For my taste Chiang Mai is too wet and smoky, and Phuket is too crowded and overpriced and wet.

yep....

i moved from Pattaya to Hua Hin 9 months ago - its a much much nicer, "normal" and more relaxed place to live.

it was the 3 C's that finally pushed me into moving here - Construction, Conjection, Crunts n ass%oles..

think they have to check the valves.....

How much did they charge you for the service ?

1,700 b

Just had my Honda CB500X serviced at Big Wing Bangkok..

1,200 km on the clock...

They reccomended Honda fuly synthetic oil, which i went for..

Wow what a diference ! - the bike feels much smoother and the gearbox has lost a lot of it's "clunkyness".

Money well spent in my book...

...i'd be more inclined to buy him a click, with the provisio that if he keeps his nose clean and rides

it sensibly for 12 months, then he can have a 250 CBR....

Anyone know any shops that have CRF250Ms in stock? Preferably newest model? Now and then I've seen old (maybe 2013) ones in shops, but still with an 'as new' price.

I'm not really interested in handing over money to order one and not knowing how long I'm going to wait...

[ pic ]

That looks just like one I saw for sale in Hua Hin about a year ago, very nice.

Have sent you a PM - darkian......

Anyone know any shops that have CRF250Ms in stock? Preferably newest model? Now and then I've seen old (maybe 2013) ones in shops, but still with an 'as new' price.

I'm not really interested in handing over money to order one and not knowing how long I'm going to wait...

......... In the sub 150cc scooter world - The PCX is king ....

I perceive the Benelli quality to be fine for this level of bike , and its intended use . It may be over simplifying things to say "up to you" , but more and more people are buying bikes that arent Honda . Price is a reason for some , true . If people , after looking at all the information , specifications , ride reports and , yes , price , still buy a Honda , then that may well be the right bike for their needs and budget . End of the day - enjoy whatever your riding . Sums up biking really .

but Jeff,

you've skipped one very important issue - resale value....

so you've got 2 guys, one buys a CB300F and the other buys a Benelli TNT 300 - both similar bikes in every way, including price....

2 years down the line with say 20,000km on the clock....

Which will be easier to sell and which one will have held it's value the best....

Its bound to be the Honda.....