Pattaya to Korat by bike

[MadMuhammad]

3 hours ago, CGW said:

25 years ago I did many miles around Thailand on a big bike, the roads were a lot worse back then, but there was a lot less traffic. Now I prefer to sit in a safe AC car, many here are saying enjoy the journey? while i agree there is some great scenery in Thailand, I find little pleasure in driving or riding, the roads and drivers are nothing short of Manic! I for one get no pleasure out of driving it always a joy to arrive at your destination in one piece so would question if this would be a enjoyable ride or one of survival!

I’m probably going to get shouted down here but I find Thai roads and driving more enjoyable and predictable than the roads back home in Metro Melbourne. 

Sure you have to be more switched on and your spatial awareness a bit more in tune but in the thousands of km’s I’ve done in a car and on a bike I haven’t had anywhere near the same issues ie:road rage or near misses as I do back home. Go figure 

[scubascuba3]

I’m probably going to get shouted down here but I find Thai roads and driving more enjoyable and predictable than the roads back home in Metro Melbourne. 
Sure you have to be more switched on and your spatial awareness a bit more in tune but in the thousands of km’s I’ve done in a car and on a bike I haven’t had anywhere near the same issues ie:road rage or near misses as I do back home. Go figure 

True. Scaremongers won't like that

[chrissables]

3 hours ago, MadMuhammad said:

I’m guessing you’ve done the trip on a big bike? I’m planning on doing Pattaya to Korat reasonably regularly soon myself. 

 

I’ve been inspecting the 2018 Triumph Speed Triple, tidy little bit of kit. 

 

If you have done the trip on a big bike what was ou approximate time Pattaya-Korat? I’ll be heading about 30mins north of Nakhon Ratchasima mostly 

 

*edit* just read your post above, sounds like 2-3hrs 

Hi, i have rode my PCX and a bigger bike.

 

Check the service charges on the Triumph, they are very high.

 

PCX Pattaya to Nong Khai 10 + hrs Versys 650cc  about 8 1/2 hours. I don't really time myself between cities, just start to finish. I don't race, but for me there are no interesting stops so i keep riding.

[siamcrut]

Last month omw to CNX, I stoped at a red light next to a falang on a scooter with Malay license plate

(before Tak on highway # 1)

let the window down and asked him where r u heading?

He: Chiang Mai.

 

 

[siamcrut]

[Denim]

8 hours ago, thaiguzzi said:

Exactly!

The guy has been pretty much round the world on a clapped out Cub.

All this nonsense about 90 kmh cruising speeds, top notch, serviced, condition on a newish bike. What a load of claptrap.

Just get on yer bike and do it. And enjoy it.

Me personally, on a Wave, i'd be trying for a 60 kmph cruising speed with plenty of enjoyable stops on the way. Make a day of it. Dusk till dawn...

I've owned and ridden big bikes all my adult life, one of the best and funniest trips I've had was hiring clapped out Kolao (Korean copy Waves) from Vientienne and riding to Vang Vieng and back over a w/end - hilarious. All of us were experienced big bike owners, and the Wave copy was probably one of the best vehicles for that journey...

I've just spent the evening watching that couples adventures up to leaving Newfoundland. Well worth watching.

Very interesting and very entertaining. Completely blows out of the water the myth that long distance riding requires a big bike or that to make a decent documentary you need the state of the art camera. 

[khounteen]

On 28/03/2018 at 10:00 PM, siamcrut said:

Do wear a full face helmet, or you will eat a lot of dust and bugs.

You may save some time then as you would not need to stop for food.

[Top Chef]

Bad Idea

[bandito]

In short, it's a stupid idea.

These light motorcycles are used by Thais to go to the market and bring and get their brood to school.

For short trips only.

For such a long trip you will experience multiple breakdowns.

Good luck!

[Denim]

4 minutes ago, bandito said:

In short, it's a stupid idea.

These light motorcycles are used by Thais to go to the market and bring and get their brood to school.

For short trips only.

For such a long trip you will experience multiple breakdowns.

Good luck!

Why do you think there will be multiple breakdowns ? There is no evidence that smaller bikes are more prone to accidents than big ones.

[uffe123]

I say go ahead if you want to commit suicide. 

[bandito]

27 minutes ago, Denim said:

Why do you think there will be multiple breakdowns ? There is no evidence that smaller bikes are more prone to accidents than big ones.

 

Experience!

My son worked 3 months last year as a pizza driver and clocked on his Honda Wave 100 to 150 km daily.

Spend thousands of baht on tyres and repairs like new pistons, broken exhaust pipe (3x), new shocks etc.etc.

2x hit and run by pickup and passenger fan, landed both times on his (expensive) mc helmet.

Had to go get him 2x because he stood on the side of the road with a broken down motorcycle.

Does that answer your question?

Again I wish you good luck!

[Denim]

28 minutes ago, bandito said:

 

Experience!

My son worked 3 months last year as a pizza driver and clocked on his Honda Wave 100 to 150 km daily.

Spend thousands of baht on tyres and repairs like new pistons, broken exhaust pipe (3x), new shocks etc.etc.

2x hit and run by pickup and passenger fan, landed both times on his (expensive) mc helmet.

Had to go get him 2x because he stood on the side of the road with a broken down motorcycle.

Does that answer your question?

Again I wish you good luck!

Must have been unlucky or the owners didn't maintain it properly.

 

My experience after years of ownership is that if you maintain them well and keep your cruising speed reasonable , around 65 for the 100 wave or 80 for the 125 , they will go on forever.

 

Check out the video posted earlier of people using secondhand ones to ride from Alaska to Argentina.

 

If I were riding to Korat myself on a wave I would be worrying about other road users more than the wave.

Even on a larger bike a rural pick up driver can take you out through bad driving. Not to mention speeding lorries.

[thaiguzzi]

7 hours ago, Top Chef said:

Bad Idea

 

2 hours ago, bandito said:

In short, it's a stupid idea.

These light motorcycles are used by Thais to go to the market and bring and get their brood to school.

For short trips only.

For such a long trip you will experience multiple breakdowns.

Good luck!

 

1 hour ago, uffe123 said:

I say go ahead if you want to commit suicide. 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttttttsss Thai Visa in all it's glory!!!!!!!!!!!!

To the Op - go for it, turn it into a little day's adventure and enjoy it.

[scubascuba3]

When i used to commute between cities in the UK i used to like using a back pack, more protection for my back if i came off, better than armour