What scooter or bike to buy?

[Startmeup]

Im thinking about buying a scooter/bike to give me more freedom.
The Yamaha Aerox seems quite good. Ive also seen some bigger types of scooters that are around 300cc. 
What recommendations can you give when making a purchase?
It seems second hand prices are almost as high as buying new.
What are the best websites?
Whats the best showroom/garages to go and view different options in Bangkok?

[scubascuba3]

Second hand prices are good, i just sold a 125i Click which meant the 5 years i had it it cost 4,500 baht a year. Great bike that, perfect for around town.

 

I've just bought a 160 Click and it's very good, feels smooth, certainly more power than you'll ever need. Shop around for prices, for example Mityon dealers in Pattaya charge an extra 5k so look out of town if you care

[LS24]

a 125 or 160 Click type unit will be fine. You don't need to go for the top of the line units with auto stop/start. Just more things to go wrong potentially. But in saying that, the bikes are near bulletproof in normal situations.

 

Brand? well stay with one of the leading brands like Yamaha or Honda. They have good support both officially and grey.

 

The 300cc bikes get much wider and therefore much less nimble. They almost take up the same space as a larger capacity motorcycle which means parking may become more arduous. They are a bit more comfortable.

 

For a run around, I would get a Click or the Yamaha competitor without hesitation.

[KhunLA]

If not concerned about driving any distance on a scooter, then I'd highly recommend a E-MB

DECO puts out some nice ones, and qualifies for govt subsidies, bringing the price down to everyone's wallet.  I have the SUSU model, for well over a year, and love it.

 

Have a couple new models, with dual battery capacity ????????

https://decogreenenergy.com/index.php/th/

 

Edited January 23, 2023 by KhunLA

[Hummin]

Where do you live? And how is the roads you are primarily going to ride? Urban or Village? 

 

Urban any type of bike will suite you, but if living in a rural village with dirt roads you want something with bigger wheels. 

 

Purpose Shopping or riding with pillion? 

Edited January 23, 2023 by Hummin

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Startmeup said:

Im thinking about buying a scooter/bike to give me more freedom.
The Yamaha Aerox seems quite good. Ive also seen some bigger types of scooters that are around 300cc. 

Freedom to do what?

Getting out of town?

Ride to the next (super)market or restaurant?

Do you want to transport anything in that bike?

How is the traffic in your area? It makes a big difference if you have a narrow bike, a little ship like the PCX or a big ship.

If you ride only inside town then you don't need the extra power of more than 200cc.

 

I think best rent something and try. And then maybe rent something different and try. And, IMHO, don't buy anyting bigger than you really need. It's more difficult in traffic, more difficult to park, more expensive, etc.

[richard_smith237]

Depends what you want...  

A 150cc will get you pretty much anywhere, although I like a little more grunt on a scooter when on main roads... 

 

Thus: IMO best options are: 

Honda ADV 350 - Good storage, good bike, very practical. 

Vespa GTS (or Sei Giorni) 300cc - if you want something stylish.

 

OR.. if you are happy with a 150cc the Honda ADV 150 which is also very practical. 

 

 

It all depends what you want, what you like, your budget etc...  its a very individual choice.

 

[KhunLA]

32 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think best rent something and try. And then maybe rent something different and try. And, IMHO, don't buy anyting bigger than you really need. It's more difficult in traffic, more difficult to park, more expensive, etc.

????????

[connda]

1 hour ago, Startmeup said:

It seems second hand prices are almost as high as buying new.

Agreed, which in my humble opinion makes buying a new bike the better option.  At least you know it hasn't been dropped.

[VocalNeal]

53 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think best rent something and try. And then maybe rent something different and try. And, IMHO, don't buy anyting bigger than you really need. It's more difficult in traffic, more difficult to park, more expensive, etc.

Bangkok Scooter Rentals

https://goo.gl/maps/Zdk1v5B3cZMJGXYv9

[ThailandRyan]

If you have between 180K Thb and up the 300's can be obtained.  I have a Yamaha X-Max 300, price now is around 190K Thb for a new model.  I paid 165K Thb for mine back in 2020.

[connda]

52 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Freedom to do what?

Getting out of town?

Ride to the next (super)market or restaurant?

Do you want to transport anything in that bike?

How is the traffic in your area? It makes a big difference if you have a narrow bike, a little ship like the PCX or a big ship.

If you ride only inside town then you don't need the extra power of more than 200cc.

 

I think best rent something and try. And then maybe rent something different and try. And, IMHO, don't buy anyting bigger than you really need. It's more difficult in traffic, more difficult to park, more expensive, etc.

I think that an excellent suggestion.  You won't know until you know, so best to rent and try them out before buying.

Honestly, I used a Honda Dream when living in Chiang Mai.  Small enough to easily cut through traffic, powerful and geared well enough to climb Doi Suthep and mountains in general.  The don't make them anymore though.  Still got mine.  14 years old and still looks almost new.  Well made bike.

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, VocalNeal said:

Bangkok Scooter Rentals

https://goo.gl/maps/Zdk1v5B3cZMJGXYv9

BSR can also help one to obtain a Motor Bike license as far as helping to expedite the process at Chatuchak DLT.

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, Startmeup said:

It seems second hand prices are almost as high as buying new.

I never tried buying a 2nd hand scooter and I don't know the prices.

But I know that lots of guys finance their bikes, and I am pretty sure lots of them are not able to pay for those bikes for years. And then the bikes are repossessed. And then? Who sells those repossessed bikes and for what kind of prices? I guess the prices have to be considerably lower than new, otherwise people won't buy them.

[OneMoreFarang]

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

If you have between 180K Thb and up the 300's can be obtained.  I have a Yamaha X-Max 300, price now is around 190K Thb for a new model.  I paid 165K Thb for mine back in 2020.

And if you have more money, then you can buy something bigger and/or more powerful. But why?

 

I was a long time in the situation that I didn't have much money, but I wanted a (fun) bike. So I bought what I could afford. The biggest bike I had was a 400cc with about 60HP.

How I have almost 400cc with about 40HP. It's fun and I like it.

Now I could afford something powerful like a 600cc or even 1000cc. Over 100HP, wow! But for what? At least for me a bigger engine wouldn't speed up my trips inside Bangkok. And that is where I ride 90% of the time. Sure, I could dream about how much faster the bigger bike would be if I would ride on a decent and free road. But how often will that realistically happen?

 

Bigger bikes are in many ways not better than smaller bikes and there is no good reason to spend more money for a bigger bike even if you can afford it if you never use the extra power/comfort/whatever. 

[KhunLA]

15 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Bigger bikes are in many ways not better than smaller bikes and there is no good reason to spend more money for a bigger bike even if you can afford it if you never use the extra power/comfort/whatever. 

Agree, and only reason here to buy larger bike, is if planning doing some highway kms on it.

 

Again, if distance and top end speed isn't a concern, seriously think about electric.  Torque and performance wise, noticeably different, along with comfort & ease of driving.

[richard_smith237]

16 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Agree, and only reason here to buy larger bike, is if planning doing some highway kms on it.

 

Again, if distance and top end speed isn't a concern, seriously think about electric.  Torque and performance wise, noticeably different, along with comfort & ease of driving.

Interesting... Ignoring top end speed... what electric bike would be a match for something such as a Honda ADV 350 ??? (storage, size, comfort etc)

[scubascuba3]

I think a new shape Honda Click 125i will be coming out soon, i would wait for that, good value at around 52k

[JoseThailand]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Second hand prices are good, i just sold a 125i Click which meant the 5 years i had it it cost 4,500 baht a year.

Normally they don't sell that cheap. A 10 year old Click would still be 20-30k baht, which means only 2,000 baht per year depreciation.

[ThailandRyan]

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I think a new shape Honda Click 125i will be coming out soon, i would wait for that, good value at around 52k

Yes sir the prices have gone up.  I paid 29k Thb for my Honda Click in 2010, so in 12 years the price seems to have doubled.  Of course when I sold it 5 years later I sold it for 25K to another American Expat there in Phuket who still has it today.  Still running strong he says.  

[dddave]

1 hour ago, connda said:

Agreed, which in my humble opinion makes buying a new bike the better option.  At least you know it hasn't been dropped.

Not to mention many flood bikes on the market.  An acquaintance buys used bikes at auctions for rentals and he said that flood bikes are very common and difficult to spot.  Electrical issues the biggest problem.

[scubascuba3]

34 minutes ago, JoseThailand said:

Normally they don't sell that cheap. A 10 year old Click would still be 20-30k baht, which means only 2,000 baht per year depreciation.

So a 2017 Click would sell for 42k, you're dreaming, see Facebook marketplace

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

seriously think about electric

electric = fire risk

I don't know how often it happens, but if lithium batteries are on fire they burn and are basically impossible to extinguish. 

And they can catch fire when there is a problem with the charging, when they are physically damaged and, it seems, it might just happen.

If you have anything electric with a big battery, then at least make sure not to keep it anywhere where a fire would be a problem.

 

 

 

 

[transam]

5 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

electric = fire risk

I don't know how often it happens, but if lithium batteries are on fire they burn and are basically impossible to extinguish. 

And they can catch fire when there is a problem with the charging, when they are physically damaged and, it seems, it might just happen.

If you have anything electric with a big battery, then at least make sure not to keep it anywhere where a fire would be a problem.

 

 

 

 

Not for me...

[KhunLA]

32 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

electric = fire risk

I don't know how often it happens, but if lithium batteries are on fire they burn and are basically impossible to extinguish. 

And they can catch fire when there is a problem with the charging, when they are physically damaged and, it seems, it might just happen.

If you have anything electric with a big battery, then at least make sure not to keep it anywhere where a fire would be a problem.

That vid is about e-bike, and not an E-motorbike.  Yes, I agree with the vid, e-bike batteries can be a bit suspect, and very deceptive with their marketing specs.

 

I have 2 e-bike batteries, for my DIY E-bike, and 1 is krap, still works, but not as marketed.  with false specs, so very suspect.   The other, complete opposite, and quality, as describes.

 

Really don't think that would be an issue with DECO motorcycles, as been around for awhile with good track record.  Definitely fall under stricter guidelines, and quality, with certifications for approval on Thai roads.

 

If an couple E-MB batteries had caught fire in TH, it would be all over the news, and this forum, by the Anti EV / E-anything folks.  

 

Aside from a krap, defective, low quality battery or charger for electric 'toys', it's usually user error.  Been playing with lipos for near 10 yrs now, and never on issue.  Does take a wee bit of common sense, but easy enough.  I've had a few bad batteries & chargers.    A low quality battery or charger will give you warnings, something isn't right.

 

Batteries in that instances, just die prematurely, or if goes pop, overcharged, and again, usually user error.  I've never had one ignite.  If price too good to be true, something is wrong.  Buy $100 drone battery for $10, and you get what you paid for, buyer beware. 

 

I wouldn't recommend DECO, if I didn't do my research prior to buying, or wasn't confident, they put out a quality, safe product.

Edited January 23, 2023 by KhunLA

[transam]

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

That vid is about e-bike, and not an E-motorbike.  Yes, I agree with the vid, e-bike batteries can be a bit suspect, and very deceptive with their marketing specs.

 

I have 2 e-bike batteries, for my DIY E-bike, and 1 is krap, still works, but not as marketed.  with false specs, so very suspect.   The other, complete opposite, and quality, as describes.

 

Really don't think that would be an issue with DECO motorcycles, as been around for awhile with good track record.  Definitely fall under stricter guidelines, and quality, with certifications for approval on Thai roads.

 

If an couple E-MB batteries had caught fire in TH, it would be all over the news, and this forum, by the Anti EV / E-anything folks.  

 

Aside from a krap, defective, low quality battery or charger for electric 'toys', it's usually user error.  Been playing with lipos for near 10 yrs now, and never on issue.  Does take a wee bit of common sense, but easy enough.  I've had a few bad batteries & chargers.    A low quality battery or charger will give you warnings, something isn't right.

 

Batteries in that instances, just die prematurely, or if goes pop, overcharged, and again, usually user error.  I've never had one ignite.  If price too good to be true, something is wrong.  Buy $100 drone battery for $10, and you get what you paid for, buyer beware. 

 

I wouldn't recommend DECO, if I didn't do my research prior to buying, or wasn't confident, they put out a quality, safe product.

 

[Eddie45]

If you want to buy a brand new  bike from a dealership in Pattaya. What are they like when its comes to doing test rides, do they have bikes available for test rides or would it be best to go to a company that rents scooters and rent each model you are interested for 1 day and make you decision that way?

[transam]

Mrs.T has a Yamaha 125 Grand Filano 'Hybrid' which has ABS. 

It is very quiet, very comfortable (tyre size), and quick off the mark.

Way more comfortable than the Honda PCX it replaced...

[OneMoreFarang]

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

That vid is about e-bike, and not an E-motorbike.  Yes, I agree with the vid, e-bike batteries can be a bit suspect, and very deceptive with their marketing specs.

 

I have 2 e-bike batteries, for my DIY E-bike, and 1 is krap, still works, but not as marketed.  with false specs, so very suspect.   The other, complete opposite, and quality, as describes.

 

Really don't think that would be an issue with DECO motorcycles, as been around for awhile with good track record.  Definitely fall under stricter guidelines, and quality, with certifications for approval on Thai roads.

 

If an couple E-MB batteries had caught fire in TH, it would be all over the news, and this forum, by the Anti EV / E-anything folks.  

 

Aside from a krap, defective, low quality battery or charger for electric 'toys', it's usually user error.  Been playing with lipos for near 10 yrs now, and never on issue.  Does take a wee bit of common sense, but easy enough.  I've had a few bad batteries & chargers.    A low quality battery or charger will give you warnings, something isn't right.

 

Batteries in that instances, just die prematurely, or if goes pop, overcharged, and again, usually user error.  I've never had one ignite.  If price too good to be true, something is wrong.  Buy $100 drone battery for $10, and you get what you paid for, buyer beware. 

 

I wouldn't recommend DECO, if I didn't do my research prior to buying, or wasn't confident, they put out a quality, safe product.

I was aware that the video was about an eBike battery. The principle is the same.

The guy who made the video, Louis Rossmann, is a well-known electronic specialist. If he didn't see any problem coming, then I guess the chance that anybody else will foresee it is almost zero. 

And about quality in Thailand: I think we all know that often we just don't know where some parts come from. And if Brand X is printed on it doesn't mean Brand X is inside.

I am not against electric vehicles. But people should be aware of the risks.

[Startmeup]

4 hours ago, Hummin said:

Where do you live? And how is the roads you are primarily going to ride? Urban or Village? 

 

Urban any type of bike will suite you, but if living in a rural village with dirt roads you want something with bigger wheels. 

 

Purpose Shopping or riding with pillion? 

Bangkok for the time being so just urban.
For getting around, doing groceries etc with passenger from time to time.

I like the look of having one of those boxes for storage on the back.

Edited January 23, 2023 by Startmeup