How practical is an Electric motorbike?

[dj230]

Any opinions on electric motorbikes?

 

Are they easy to charge in condos/apartments? Or will it be more of a hassle than just getting a regular motorbike (gas)

[VocalNeal]

Where is your dedicated outlet at the condo. Who pays the bill for that?

[dj230]

17 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Where is your dedicated outlet at the condo. Who pays the bill for that?

i think it's part of maintenance fees but will ask, I'm new to thailand, not sure if there is readily available electric charges around 

 

 

[VocalNeal]

I think a regular gasoline powered bike would be more practical given the number here and the infrastructure. Electric would be OK for local shopping and riding around town. But venturing further afield is doable as most "resorts" have a power socket available for an extension cord, which you would have to carry.

If you are the sort who worries about carbon footprint I think the effect of you having a convention motorbike would be the square root of sod all. 

[scubascuba3]

Petrol is so cheap no need for electric, last time i looked a similar bike was 3 times the price. As for charging it will probably be a PITA but i recall a video where they were saying you could remove the battery and take it to condo to charge, again a PITA

[dj230]

27 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

I think a regular gasoline powered bike would be more practical given the number here and the infrastructure. Electric would be OK for local shopping and riding around town. But venturing further afield is doable as most "resorts" have a power socket available for an extension cord, which you would have to carry.

If you are the sort who worries about carbon footprint I think the effect of you having a convention motorbike would be the square root of sod all. 

The Niu bikes aren't too expensive, they're brand new too and I figured' saving on gas/maintenance would make up for some of the costs. I most likely would just be travelling locally (in bangkok, down maybe 25km trip max)

 

I was going to just get an electric scooter like a "glion" (the one you stand on) but they're almost the same price as an electric motorbike

 

18 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Petrol is so cheap no need for electric, last time i looked a similar bike was 3 times the price. As for charging it will probably be a PITA but i recall a video where they were saying you could remove the battery and take it to condo to charge, again a PITA

Yea you can take the battery inside, but must be a pain as you mentioned. 

 

Wondering about theft too, are motorbikes stolen often here?

[Crossy]

If you can get a bike with a removable battery then it's just a matter of removing it and charging in your room, get an extra battery and double your range too.

 

A good motorcycle lock would be an essential accessory.

 

[scubascuba3]

9 minutes ago, dj230 said:

The Niu bikes aren't too expensive, they're brand new too and I figured' saving on gas/maintenance would make up for some of the costs. I most likely would just be travelling locally (in bangkok, down maybe 25km trip max)

 

I was going to just get an electric scooter like a "glion" (the one you stand on) but they're almost the same price as an electric motorbike

 

Yea you can take the battery inside, but must be a pain as you mentioned. 

 

Wondering about theft too, are motorbikes stolen often here?

They get stolen but it's rare, often opportunist like leaving keys in. 1st class insurance is cheap, get for first year, about 4000 baht for 55k Click. I had 1st class and a lock now I have neither

[Orinoco]

Get yourself a 100m extension cord and your good to go.

if your on the top floor of condo. !!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

 

Had a guy in my old condo with a mobility scooter.

he used  to  drive it into the lift and charge it out side his

condo door.

 

Get yourself a normal scooter, Honda wave or a scoopy for the ladies or those of the third gender. !!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

 I think  electric is still a bit of a con. 

 

 

[Doctor Tom]

God, how I would hate condo living, its restrictions and rules, all intended to fxxk up your life . I own one, but hardly ever use it, even for short breaks, its like being in an open prison that you have to pay for. 

[Orinoco]

4 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

God, how I would hate condo living, its restrictions and rules, all intended to fxxk up your life . I own one, but hardly ever use it, even for short breaks, its like being in an open prison that you have to pay for. 

Try locking your house up and never returning for a year.

Let us know what's left  when you get back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

condos are good for some people.

[Doctor Tom]

4 minutes ago, Orinoco said:

Try locking your house up and never returning for a year.

Let us know what's left  when you get back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

condos are good for some people.

What an odd comment. How is that relevant?  I live in my house, why would I leave it for a year?   

[dj230]

15 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

God, how I would hate condo living, its restrictions and rules, all intended to fxxk up your life . I own one, but hardly ever use it, even for short breaks, its like being in an open prison that you have to pay for. 

What restrictions? 

The condos I looked at seem pretty laid back, only real restrictions are no smoking in the room/no pets and obvious ones like you can't blast music at 3am

 

I prefer condos because it's a bit safer, has a gym/pool and the ones I've seen are pretty nice for the price, anything breaks and the landlord fixes 

[Orinoco]

Just now, Doctor Tom said:

What an odd comment. How is that relevant?  I live in my house, why would I leave it for a year?   

That went right over your head then.

[Doctor Tom]

Just now, dj230 said:

What restrictions? 

The condos I looked at seem pretty laid back, only real restrictions are no smoking in the room/no pets and obvious ones like you can't blast music at 3am

Well there's three that you have listed?   How about no gas cooking, only one parking permit in many, pools/gyms closed due to covid ( mine is open 24/7), no parties, paying a service charge for things you never use, and we haven't touched on the fact that most of them are no bigger than just one of my 3 bedrooms.  

[Orinoco]

Just now, Doctor Tom said:

Well there's three that you have listed?   How about no gas cooking, only one parking permit in many, pools/gyms closed due to covid ( mine is open 24/7), no parties, paying a service charge for things you never use, and we haven't touched on the fact that most of them are no bigger than just one of my 3 bedrooms.  

Maybe a few of us have a bit more money than you then , !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

[dj230]

6 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

Well there's three that you have listed?   How about no gas cooking, only one parking permit in many, pools/gyms closed due to covid ( mine is open 24/7), no parties, paying a service charge for things you never use, and we haven't touched on the fact that most of them are no bigger than just one of my 3 bedrooms.  

Yea, the covid closures are the reason I'm waiting on moving into a condo, that was one of the main benefits I saw, was having a gym an elevator away.

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Electric bikes use lithium batteries and those batteries burn like hell. And once they start burning it is extreme difficult to extinguish the flames. It is a very bad idea to take a bike to your apartment and charge it there - and maybe there are even rules against that.

 

Have a look at this video from a well known electronic specialist.

 

[JonnyF]

I think something like a Honda Super Cub is much more practical. The amount of fuel they use is really negligible and they have many benefits such as range, ease of refueling, speed and I'd imagine ease of selling/better resale value. Electric motorbikes also look a bit <deleted> IMO.

 

I have an electric bicycle which I occasionally use to get to the MRT/BTS when traffic is particularly bad and/or taxis are scarce. Or sometimes I use it for a bit of early morning exercise when I get bored of the treadmill (by not using the motor and simply riding somewhere until I've had enough and then turning it on and cruising home) but it doesn't get used that much. I keep it in a spare bedroom in my condo and charge it there. 

[dj230]

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I think something like a Honda Super Cub is much more practical. The amount of fuel they use is really negligible and they have many benefits such as range, ease of refueling, speed and I'd imagine ease of selling/better resale value. Electric motorbikes also look a bit <deleted> IMO.

 

I have an electric bicycle which I occasionally use to get to the MRT/BTS when traffic is particularly bad and/or taxis are scarce. Or sometimes I use it for a bit of early morning exercise when I get bored of the treadmill (by not using the motor and simply riding somewhere until I've had enough and then turning it on and cruising home) but it doesn't get used that much. I keep it in a spare bedroom in my condo and charge it there. 

Yea I never liked the look of motorbikes but they're more practical than a sports bike in Thailand. I had a motorcycle in Canada and it wouldn't do very well in going down the road or a few blocks away to pick up some groceries or bringing a package to the post office, etc. and they'd probably cost an arm and leg here, plus maintenance would probably be a headache for a noob in Thailand like me. Foreigner prices/getting scammed, etc. if the bike breaks, would be a headache to tow/get to a shop, just want something cheap that can get me around, be cheap enough and last long enough so I can just sell/junk it with little to no maintenance.

 

I think my main concern is charging, not too sure of the infrastructure in Thailand, I wonder does anyone here own an electric motorbike like a Niu ?

[richard_smith237]

58 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

1 hour ago, Orinoco said:

Try locking your house up and never returning for a year.

Let us know what's left  when you get back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

condos are good for some people.

What an odd comment. How is that relevant?  I live in my house, why would I leave it for a year?   

He was highlighting the propensity for opportunistic theft over here. 

 

If someone is leaving their motorcycle outside their house or in Condo parking etc for any length of time, there is an elevated possibility of it ‘disappearing’  - Mileage obviously varies. 

 

My in Laws had a holiday home on the river in Kanchanaburi - had a maid living in it full time, all was fine. Then the maid quit, in laws went there after 6 months, the house had been stripped, all AC’s removed, TV’s fridge, even the electrical wiring had been stripped - total carnage. 

 

 

Many foreigners are often away from their property for months at a time when visiting their home countries annually etc....  Thus, considering security of parked vehicles and how readily they can be ‘lifted’ is definitely a factor in the decision making process. 

 

 

[Orinoco]

29 minutes ago, dj230 said:

Yea I never liked the look of motorbikes but they're more practical than a sports bike in Thailand. I had a motorcycle in Canada and it wouldn't do very well in going down the road or a few blocks away to pick up some groceries or bringing a package to the post office, etc. and they'd probably cost an arm and leg here, plus maintenance would probably be a headache for a noob in Thailand like me. Foreigner prices/getting scammed, etc. if the bike breaks, would be a headache to tow/get to a shop, just want something cheap that can get me around, be cheap enough and last long enough so I can just sell/junk it with little to no maintenance.

 

I think my main concern is charging, not too sure of the infrastructure in Thailand, I wonder does anyone here own an electric motorbike like a Niu ?

Just get a used Honda wave, for around 12,000 baht,

very low cost maintenance.  low cost tax,  insurance, petrol.     will always work if you put petrol in it.

easy to sell latter.

and you won't look a Wally on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

10 minutes ago, dj230 said:

Yea I never liked the look of motorbikes but they're more practical than a sports bike in Thailand. I had a motorcycle in Canada and it wouldn't do very well in going down the road or a few blocks away to pick up some groceries or bringing a package to the post office, etc. and they'd probably cost an arm and leg here, plus maintenance would probably be a headache for a noob in Thailand like me. Foreigner prices/getting scammed, etc. if the bike breaks, would be a headache to tow/get to a shop, just want something cheap that can get me around, be cheap enough and last long enough so I can just sell/junk it with little to no maintenance.

 

I think my main concern is charging, not too sure of the infrastructure in Thailand, I wonder does anyone here own an electric motorbike like a Niu ?

Sounds more and more like you need something like a Super Cub or a Honda Wave/Click. Cheap to buy (even a noob wouldn't get ripped off as recommended retail prices are easily available), extremely cheap to maintain - and if you don't maintain it then it will probably last ages anyway as they are bullet proof. Easy to sell (or cheap enough to give away without worrying after using it for a few years).

 

I think buying electric would create headaches, not solve them. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Kwasaki]

Buy secondhand wave for 3k or 4k job done no hassle. 

[dj230]

1 hour ago, Orinoco said:

Just get a used Honda wave, for around 12,000 baht,

very low cost maintenance.  low cost tax,  insurance, petrol.     will always work if you put petrol in it.

easy to sell latter.

and you won't look a Wally on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Sounds more and more like you need something like a Super Cub or a Honda Wave/Click. Cheap to buy (even a noob wouldn't get ripped off as recommended retail prices are easily available), extremely cheap to maintain - and if you don't maintain it then it will probably last ages anyway as they are bullet proof. Easy to sell (or cheap enough to give away without worrying after using it for a few years).

 

I think buying electric would create headaches, not solve them. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

54 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Buy secondhand wave for 3k or 4k job done no hassle. 

are honda waves popular here?

sounds like the perfect bike, 4-12k is a lot cheaper than the e-bike

 

How's the maintenance though oil change/air filter/tires/brakes, etc.? Was kind of worried as maintenance costs in Canada are quite expensive. Is there a "honda" dealership or big chain shop for maintenance or is it all mainly small shops?

[canthai55]

The Voxan Wattman was always intended to be a record-breaker. The blistering electric motorcycle was developed with the sole purpose of setting a new land speed record, and it’s well-exceeded expectations. The 362 hp rocket just claimed no less than 11 new FIM records with six-time motorcycle racing world champion Max Biaggi in the saddle.

[Kwasaki]

37 minutes ago, dj230 said:

 

 

are honda waves popular here?

sounds like the perfect bike, 4-12k is a lot cheaper than the e-bike

 

How's the maintenance though oil change/air filter/tires/brakes, etc.? Was kind of worried as maintenance costs in Canada are quite expensive. Is there a "honda" dealership or big chain shop for maintenance or is it all mainly small shops?

A Honda wave is bullet proof at any age to fix if anything is wrong it's an easy fix, if you prefer something simple a twist and go scoot is OK but I recommend your go with a Honda Click no matter how old it is. 

[Orinoco]

1 hour ago, dj230 said:

 

 

are honda waves popular here?

sounds like the perfect bike, 4-12k is a lot cheaper than the e-bike

 

How's the maintenance though oil change/air filter/tires/brakes, etc.? Was kind of worried as maintenance costs in Canada are quite expensive. Is there a "honda" dealership or big chain shop for maintenance or is it all mainly small shops?

Your bar bill for one night in Thailand , would pay for 2 years maintenance on a Honda wave or click !!!!!!!!! LOL.

I'm not joking. you can't go wrong,

[VocalNeal]

^ or you have saggy pockets in a taxi?

[papa al]

1 hour ago, dj230 said:

 

How's the maintenance though oil change/air filter/tires/brakes, etc.? Was kind of worried as maintenance costs in Canada are quite expensive. Is there a "honda" dealership or big chain shop for maintenance or is it all mainly small shops?

Edited 1 hour ago by dj230

All really cheap here.