Chiang Mai to Bangkok on scooter

[ttkeric]

Hello all. I think I'm finally going to do it. I'm going to ride my scooter from Chiang Mai all the way down to Bangkok. Reason? Nothing in particular except it's one of the things on my bucket list. I also have a meeting late in the evening. I thought I'll ride off early in the morning, maybe even before sunrise. Stops, rest, refuel and get to Bangkok by late afternoon / early evening, check in, shower and have my meeting. Rest, sleep, have a great buffet breakfast and then hit the road again, possibly reaching Chiang Mai just after nightfall.

 

Has anyone done it lately with something to share? Would my scooter survive? It's a 2 year old Yamaha Filano 125cc. It's going to be 1,400ish kilometres if Google is accurate. 

 

So far, my longest trip in a day was a trip up to Pai from CM. Up in the morning, brunch, lunch, see the sights, dinner and I made my way back in the nighttime. Nothing unpleasant or untoward other than getting caught in a storm that followed me all the way back to CM. At least it was a cool ride. 

[naboo]

Sore backside and an incredibly boring ride. Cars get fast, really fast, after Ayutthaya.

 

It's 8 to 9 hours driving in a car, a scooter will average 20kph less, so 12 to 14 hours. Last section through Bangkok rush hour. And then have a meeting? Enjoy!

[Rc2702]

Finally going to do it. 

You hope.

Lets hope for your sake this is not a final journey for you.

Be very careful.

160 bends is easy compared to 160 cars to avoid every minute of every km.

[sfokevin]

For less than the price of the gas you will have to buy you could take the train and have a much nicer view of the scenery and a much safer and relaxing time...  

 

Read this thread too...

 

Edited June 11, 2018 by sfokevin

[JonnyF]

It's doable but I wouldn't recommend it - it would be much more enjoyable taking 2 days (each way). I did Phuket to Ranong and back again in one day about 10 years ago on a Yamaha Nouvo. That was about 620 kms total, about 100 kms less than Bangkok to Chiang Mai and it was pretty painful for the last 150 kms or so. The seat was really uncomfortable by then, my back was hurting from the seating position (I don't suffer from a bad back normally and have done much longer rides on proper motorbikes). The wind blast was killing my neck with no type of screen - I ended up tucking down like one of those idiotic teenagers you see racing each other just to get out of the wind. My mind was also tired after about 10-11 hours in the saddle dodging the local idiots. 

 

I certainly wouldn't have wanted to do it again the next day. I was lucky with the weather - if it's raining it will be a thoroughly un-enjoyable experience. Also, if you don't know Bangkok then it won't be much fun finding your way to your accommodation after that many hours riding, not knowing which bridges you can take, getting stopped by cops for not being in the left lane etc. Better take an extra day each way - good luck though.

[jimmyyy]

I had thought of Riding from Sarahkam to Pattaya, then i said lets try a smaller trip like to Korat, my butt started hurting half way and i turned around, never again.  i was on a PCX 150 2017 model. 

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, ttkeric said:

It's going to be 1,400ish kilometres if Google is accurate. 

1400 km?

How did you get this number?

The distance for a car ride is less than 700.

You don't mean return?

1400 takes you to Phuket.

Only 700, still you should get a good soothing cream for your butt

 

Edited June 11, 2018 by KhunBENQ

[rhodie]

Your scooter will survive, but not sure your butt will. I reckon even doing it over 4 days there and back will take it out of you if you unless you're 20. 

[sammieuk1]

You should inform your next of kin and prepare a will good luck. 

[Kwasaki]

Stop of half way will be better IMO.

[jackdd]

I did Chiang Mai to Bangkok twice, and Bangkok to Chiang Mai once, but i always made the trip in two days (once i stayed a night in Kamphaeng Phet, and the other two trips in Nakhon Sawan) with my PCX. I wouldn't want to do it in one day, at the end of such a long day you are also very exhausted and the risk to have an accident is probably increased drastically. A friend once did it in one day, but after this he said he wouldn't do it again.

Edited June 11, 2018 by jackdd

[OneMoreFarang]

I think in general it's not a good idea to ride with a small bike on streets with fast cars and big trucks. It's possible but it's no fun and it's a risk because you don't have the power to accelerate fast i.e. from 80 to 120.

 

[thaiguzzi]

Concur with all the above posters.

I don't even enjoy riding 700 kms in a day anymore on my Guzzi in my avatar! And that is a bike built for comfort and distance...

Half that ie 350 kms in a day is about right - no stress - nice and relaxing.

 Christ, i'm getting old.....

[ttkeric]

D'oh! Ha ha, don't remember the last time a topic posted here on TV had every respondent arrive at such an overwhelming consensus. CM to BKK on a bike.... doable but don't do it! 

 

Oh well, return flights can be had for 1,600 Baht so I'll be nuts to consider any other alternative. 

 

Cheers, mates! 

[nikotin]

Just do it and afterwards you will never do it again.555 The thing is it is a absolutly boring ride!i did it 2 times back in the day and i hated it

[hkt83100]

It surely can be done. Read here more about doing a longer trip on a scooter (after having modified the seat to accommodate long legs of a farang).

Trip report of about 4000 km

[mamypoko]

If it's on the list, you gotta do it.

Good eyewear is a must.

Happy trails!

[simoh1490]

75% of the 25,000 road traffic deaths in Thailand each year are motorcyclists and you're going to do Chiang Mai/Bangkok return on a scooter. As someone who has driven 15k+ miles per year in Thailand, every year for the past 15 years, and who has driven Chiang Mai Bangkok a dozen times or more, I am bound to ask...are you completely mad?

[dotpoom]

Go for it....I enjoy these sort of trekes myself and you enjoy every second of your journey...remembering....."There are only two choices in life, play it safe, or take a chance. Pulling back because of fear will lightly make one feel worse" 

[OmarZaid]

Wrong tool for the job mate . . .

[Lee4Life]

My advice would be take your time and do back roads, I have done NongKhai to ChiangMai in one day on a Honda Wave 100 with two people, have also been from the furthest Southern point in Laos to the Furthest North. I moved up to a Honda Phantom 200 and rode that to ChiangMai from NongKhai last year, the 200 was too slow on the big straight highways for me, but the smaller roads and especially the mountain roads were fun.

  A lot depends on your temperament and what you like.

[cnx355]

15 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

1400 km?

How did you get this number?

The distance for a car ride is less than 700.

You don't mean return?

1400 takes you to Phuket.

Only 700, still you should get a good soothing cream for your butt

 

And do not forget that scooters are not permitted on some tollway and/or  elevated highway around Bangkok.

[thaiguzzi]

8 minutes ago, Lee4Life said:

My advice would be take your time and do back roads, I have done NongKhai to ChiangMai in one day on a Honda Wave 100 with two people, have also been from the furthest Southern point in Laos to the Furthest North. I moved up to a Honda Phantom 200 and rode that to ChiangMai from NongKhai last year, the 200 was too slow on the big straight highways for me, but the smaller roads and especially the mountain roads were fun.

  A lot depends on your temperament and what you like.

Kudos NK - CM on a Wave in a day!

Years ago I rode my Guzzi UT-NK to CM in a day and got as far as Lampang - i'd had enough!

Return journey a few days later, stopped in Uttaradit for the night - more pleasant, relaxed ride.

Concur - try and avoid main highways/motorways for a more enjoyable relaxed ride.

To the OP - if it's on your bucket list - do it. Just take twice as long to get there and back, don't rush it.

Edited June 12, 2018 by thaiguzzi

[BobBKK]

Very dangerous and stupid.  

[Tracyb]

Ya. Good luck with THAT!   Have you ever ridden a motorbike in Bangkok?  I’d have all my affairs in order before leaving CM.  IMHO, Perhaps you should rethink this bucket list item.  

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, cnx355 said:

And do not forget that scooters are not permitted on some tollway and/or  elevated highway around Bangkok.

Not just scooters, even real bikes, ridiculous banning bikes over 250cc.

[SpeakeasyThai]

Sounds like hell. This bucket list is questionable. What else is on your list? - I fear for you.

[chickenrunCM]

how you want to do it in 8 hours? you need at least 20 h one way, a Yamaha Fino, what do you think is your avarage speed? As clearly seen you are not prepared for this trip, so you are a danger for the rest of the traffic. And your Fino will maybe not survive, scooters are not built for driving full power over such a long time and distance. 

[KhunBENQ]

10 minutes ago, chickenrunCM said:

how you want to do it in 8 hours? you need at least 20 h one way, a Yamaha Fino, what do you think is your avarage speed?

Even in a car I am nervous wrack after 600 to 700 km.

On a scooter. Hell no!

[connda]

If you really want to take that ride on a motorcycle, then rent a real motorcycle.  80% of fatalities on the roads are motorcycles.  However, if you're on a 'big bike' then you're at least driving in the flow of traffic as opposed to puttering along on the shoulder and dodging every vehicle that is going to cut you off or pull out in front of you from the left on your way down.  Also consider driving down with others on big bikes.  Relatively more safety in numbers.
So, there are outfits in Chiang Mai where you can rent a decent sized motorcycle on a weekly basis.  And you better be sure of your driving skills. Unlike driving on limited access highway in America, there is no 'relaxing and enjoying the drive' on Thai highways.  I think it ends up being more the thrill of survival than enjoyment of the ride.  Best of luck.