MAZ3

From your avatar I take it your a Scot. depending how often you return to the UK, Nationwide offer an account at a tenner a month with 3% interest on 3K....includes worldwide health insurance, only snag is your flight must be from the UK. and only valid for 30 days abroad at a time Muang Thai offer a reasonable plan that will cover you with varying levels,

Hi

Unfortunately I dont go back very often but thanks for the info.

You can actually extend to cover up to 180 days per trip(possibly more?),I have 90 days per trip at an additional cost of £90 for the whole Year and this is unlimited trips per year.

My friend paid approximately £180 for his 180 days,so pretty good value and I think its 3% interest on the first £2,500.

I brought a metre long cable lock with a 5 digit code from Thaiwasdu for under 500B,plastic coated and thick twisted steel cable.

Someone forgot the code and I had to cut it off,bolt cutters were no good and i had to use a cutting disc,so pretty strong.

I know not a chain,but I wasn't looking for one. They might have what you want.

Sounds like it could have been a lot worse for you and your bike,a lot of numbnuts here.

Speedy recovery

Some tech info,if you can read Thai it helps,But you can understand the basics.

So how long is it? That's the question that's being avoided. For £600 return you can get a direct flight. That's my point when it's being said is a faster route.

Logic tells me it's not as fast as a direct flight.

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As Faz said its 14.50 to MAN,TG is 11.25 LHR-BKK and 13.05 BKK-LHR,when you add in LHR-MAN it will be quicker via HEL.

There are minimum connection times at LHR(depending on which terminal to which terminal),even in the same terminal difficult to beat HEL.

Direct flights will always be quicker than any connection,and i prefer them. But destination and price comes into the equation.

But you need to stop

From LHR - BKK direct is 11.5hr.

You got to fly to Finland, get off, wait, board again & fly.

So, how long total?

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LHR-BKK can be just over 10 hours flying time(not door to door)and BKK-LHR up to 13 hours,depending on route,time of year and enroute weather.

And as above,a very quick transfer is possible. I've not flown that route,but friends have and say its good service etc.

The journey can't be shorter than. Direct flight can it?

How longs the wait in Helsinki?

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Its fast because,I believe they fly the Polar route and not via the Middle East etc.

 

Hi guys. I think i worded my thoughts badly. Lets have another go. If both bikes are the same height ( and it now seems the X-plore is 10mm higher ) then fitting the larger X-cross wheels on to the X-plore , will make it even higher. Maybe 50mm front and 13mm rear. Not ideal for riding off-road. Dropping the forks through the yokes will sort this. If the rear needs altering then pre-load the shock a touch. Cheaper than grinding some off , or replacing with a shorter one. X-plore will be a very good bike around town , sticky tarmac tires , wide bars , good road view and the reason i bought a Platinum instead of a Lifan , a standard pattern gearbox.

 

Personally I like the Lifan's simple technology, for me if I am to go down the Chinese route, low tech is best.

I think the gear pattern is something I could get used to, about 4/5 years ago I rode a mate's Lifan and it didn't take long. That is not to say I wouldn't make an odd mistake, indeed this year on my return from Europe I rode the Wave for a few weeks and when I tried my NV, thought my gearbox had packed up, with only first gear selectable....then after a few moments realised the others were up. Doh!

How is the Platinum?

I asked my local Lifan dealer if it was possible to convert the years to 1 down,4 up. He replied,new engine needed. Might that part number that someone on here,but I believe others have had no luck.

You do get used to it,but when i go back to my bike in the UK,hope I remember the correct sequence

papa like Lifan for under 50,000baht.

Not too heavy, like when stuck in mud.

Having a local dealer is ++.

Platinum is prolly ok too.

Same dealer selling Platinum?

One thing that has not been mentioned(as far as I can see)in this sad incident,is that 2 farang EMT nurse's were on a scooter and stopped to help the casualties. Even travelling with them and assisting at the Hospital,the details are on a local Kanchanaburi FB group page.

Bravo to them.

RIP to the victims

Stopped at a light today papa saw Nmax155 do a sweeping turn across.

Black w silver.

Looked much nicer than PCX.

They've got 2 N-max's at Yamaha Square in Kanchanaburi,a white one and that black/silver combo.

Both look good),plus with twin discs and ABS a very handy safety feature.

Not sure of those 13'' wheels are that bad?,I would prefer larger but not a deal breaker if I wanted a auto scooter.

I did not.

Turns out '250' big bore kit is really only like 218cc.

Ah,sneakily. Not worth it then,the off Road version that the dealer uses is a standard engine but with a larger bore handmade exhaust pipe and a loud silencer. It's seems to rev easier,he thinks mine may have had something added into my silencer to make it quieter.

When riding to shop for yellow spray job, noticed brake dragging.

Told manager to deal with it (rear).

Not sure what exactly rear caliper n master cylinder are from.

Decent spec units such as K, H, Y, S use prolly.

tg, Cool. That is the look/effect papa was shooting for.

All mods so far <$200...pffft.

;-)

Cheap as chips,did you for a big bore kit or is the power enough for you?.

papa change color n brakes on Cross-dresser:

Bought new red front fender and tail piece. 700

Spray tank yellow. 500

Apply many small reflective sticker pieces; fingernail paint. 200

Crazy.

New double pot brake calipers front n rear,

new brake fluid res and master cylinder rear. 4000

Red brush guards. 700

Vented mesh seat cover. 250

image.jpgimage.jpg

Angry Bird.

I knew you changed the front caliper from a KLX,but you've upgraded the rear and master cylinders,all from a KLX?.

Looking snazzy Papa.

Cheers

Two guys who live near me in Hua Hin both told me last night that they have been contacted by the cable supplier in Hua Hin who told them that CTH will no longer be broadcasting from next month.

I got an AJ GMMz Satellite box last week,it includes a months full package subscription. Watching all the football etc on Stadium,but come next month shall I pay for a months CTH package?.

I'll be keeping an eye on developments

Stopped at a light today papa saw Nmax155 do a sweeping turn across.

Black w silver.

Looked much nicer than PCX.

They've got 2 N-max's at Yamaha Square in Kanchanaburi,a white one and that black/silver combo.

Both look good),plus with twin discs and ABS a very handy safety feature.

Not sure of those 13'' wheels are that bad?,I would prefer larger but not a deal breaker if I wanted a auto scooter.

Here in Kanchanaburi about 2 weeks ago,Immigration Police were stopping farangs walking down the main tourist street and asking for ID etc. They also filmed themselves doing so,I carry a laminated copy of my passport photo page and visa stamp on the back.

Tires have manufacture codes in the side wall with week and year of manufacture.

For example, 2815 is July 2015.

This can be a clue for age of new old stock.

You could also enter the frame number into a www search.

Maybe get you a mfg date.

Try for a new one.

Ubon, Udon, Koran, Buriram, whatever.

If you like the Lifan 200, the mortard version might be better.

X-plore.

Good aftermarket tire selection on 17" rims.

You would have to add a rack,

but has better muffler; international shift pattern, maybe.

Maybe OHC.

I did ask my missus to make her an offer of 39k, but she said it would likely upset the woman, so I will leave it until the oil runs out, or the snow arrives here.

Is this a self service bike, as if I buy one in Udon, this woman may not want to service the bike, with her crock still unsold?

No, I like the big wheels and the pushrod engine and will get used to the shift pattern, no hurry. The ride height (seat) is perfect for me, (pegs too) if anything the CRF and KLX(250) is a tad too high and I have long legs, god knows how the Thais ride them. Elton John's Tommy shoes, no doubt.

The dealer here(Kanchanaburi) has a nice new Black one and wants 47,000(I thought the list price was 46,000?),it seems to vary!.

It looked clean etc,but I didn't check the date on tyres etcetera. I did think too myself maybe should have just brought a new one?. But I was testing out the waters with the missus with a secondhand bike first [emoji51].

Just looking at the pictures you posted and the silly price...and the former owner (important), you did the right thing. It looks a damn sight newer than the new one here. Buying old stock is never a good thing, things like rubber seals can deteriorate if they are not used for years.

This Lifan would fit in quite well with my old NV400 which is absolutely only an on-road bike, well with me (and her indoors) riding. A mate of mine who has a Shineray 200 and uses it around town all the time. The NV is not that great in the city and being revvy I am tempted to ride it too fast, whereas the little 200 with chug around the side streets all day long. The missus would have the Wave to herself too.

And with a pair of wellies, we can do a bit of dirt roading, nothing too dramatic just a bit of fun, hopefully dodging the snakes and country dogs.

What does she think as a pillion passenger?

Oh and as for the cross dressing, I draw the line at rubber boots.....you guys all live in Pattaya right?....a long way from me phew?

She finally got on the back last night and found it quite ok,it was only a short test ride. One thing she did say was that she could smell the exhaust,but I was gaoing slowish.

It pulled 160Kgs down the road fine,didn't Labour or struggle.

The Lifan dealer recommended to leave the sprockets as standard for the road,not sure if can get a larger front sprocket anyway.

And the only rubber boots were on the front forks!

Tires have manufacture codes in the side wall with week and year of manufacture.

For example, 2815 is July 2015.

This can be a clue for age of new old stock.

You could also enter the frame number into a www search.

Maybe get you a mfg date.

Try for a new one.

Ubon, Udon, Koran, Buriram, whatever.

If you like the Lifan 200, the mortard version might be better.

X-plore.

Good aftermarket tire selection on 17" rims.

You would have to add a rack,

but has better muffler; international shift pattern, maybe.

Maybe OHC.

I did ask my missus to make her an offer of 39k, but she said it would likely upset the woman, so I will leave it until the oil runs out, or the snow arrives here.

Is this a self service bike, as if I buy one in Udon, this woman may not want to service the bike, with her crock still unsold?

No, I like the big wheels and the pushrod engine and will get used to the shift pattern, no hurry. The ride height (seat) is perfect for me, (pegs too) if anything the CRF and KLX(250) is a tad too high and I have long legs, god knows how the Thais ride them. Elton John's Tommy shoes, no doubt.

The X-cross dresser in Kanchanaburi has been sold to the local Forestry department,picked LINE up yesterday.

Fork Gaiters 300B

Carb strip and clean 150B

Cleaned air filter FOC

Rear brake lever bush/bleed 150

Front brake lever 150B

Exhaust welded/painted 500B

(found the middle bracket was broken off),so had it totally repainted evolves was off. The down pipe was nearly white.

All including any parts and Labour,I could have done myself but he does seem a decent mechanic etc and why bother at that price in this heat.

I test rode it and everything was fine.

Thanks Gents.

Please stop this nonsense about being disrespectful to the Jap designers, copying is all they have ever done since WW2. For more than half a century, they have spent 99% of their development budget improving production and unashamedly ripped off the Brits and Yanks for their designs.

I think a little research may well be in order.

Just off the top of my head -

CB750 -1969

VF750 - 1983

Show me a Brit or Yank inline or V4

This is just Honda, and only two models from one manufacturer.

Ripoff - please.

Belgian arms manufacturer FN Herstal, which had been making motorcycles since 1901, began producing motorcycles with inline-fours in 1905. The FN Four had its engine mounted upright with the crankshaft longitudinal. Other manufacturers that used this layout included Pierce, Henderson, Ace, Cleveland, and Indian in the United States, Nimbus in Denmark, Windhoff in Germany, and Wilkinson in the United Kingdom

MAZ3, on 21 Oct 2015 - 19:56, said:

The only question left is if I wanted to take her back in the summer of 2016 for 3 months,when does the 6 month maximum per year start from?. A Calendar year or a rolling year?,we won't fall foul of this rule,just curious.

It's a rolling six months in any twelve, so if she's been in the UK for six weeks this summer and for a couple of weeks over the Christmas/New Year period, she should be fine next summer.

There is a slight caveat to her proposed application next summer though, each application is considered on its own merit, so whilst her previous travel history should go in her favour if she intends to apply for a holiday of a three month duration she will need to satisfy the ECO that it's a genuine holiday and she's not using a visit visa to circumnavigate the settlement route, if she has employment she will need to prove that an employer will grant a three month holiday.

Whilst I agree with 7by7's point about mentioning the second trip in any future application, explaining changes of travel plans are more relevant when a person indicates in their initial application that they want to visit the UK for a couple of weeks and then stay for a few months, that can cause an ECO to doubt the credibility of any stated reasons to return.

My partner has a longer term visa, she applied for this on the grounds that she would be visiting the UK regularly over an extended period, though she only gave details of the initial trip covered by that application.

That may be the way to go,this is her 2nd tourist visa and a longer term visa would be more suited to our plans.

2/3 months in our summer and Christmas/New Year,without exceeding the 6 month rule.

Any difficulty with obtaining a longer term visa over a normal tourist visa?,apart from the employment issue(she,works with her parents,so no problem there).

Cheers

RIP

The UK Thai Embassy and Consulates issue a Double tourist visa with 6 months validity and I believe some others do as well,hope they keep the Double after METV.

Thank you Gents,and your sensible advice.

I plan then to take her back for Christmas and return by the New Year and explain why in the next application(which will be our 3rd tourist visa),we've been together 4 years.

The only question left is if I wanted to take her back in the summer of 2016 for 3 months,when does the 6 month maximum per year start from?. A Calendar year or a rolling year?,we won't fall foul of this rule,just curious.

Again many thanks

Regards

Paul