I need a long ride--out of Thailand

[Furioso]

I've got the itch..thousands of km's up north through Myanmar and beyond. At least a 30 day trip, it's gonna take me a year to prepare. 

 

My problem is I don't know what bike to get. One friend even suggest a big SYM 400. Royal Enfield has that new 450 Himalayan out, not sure if that's the right ride. Maybe the 411? 

[eisfeld]

Honda Transalp could be a decent choice. Myanmar would be a bit too risky for my taste.

[novacova]

Honda 500x or Kawasaki Versys 650.

[fondue zoo]

for Myanmar these days

 

[papa al]

Maybe Honda CT125.

 

[chickenslegs]

4 minutes ago, papa al said:

Maybe Honda CT125.

 

Good suggestion.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1211660-honda-ct125-a-testing-ride-around-issan-and-the-north-of-thailand/

https://aseannow.com/topic/1278615-an-entertaining-tour-by-ct125/

 

[richard_smith237]

Which of any bike would be easiest to fix when in the middle of nowhere ?

 

The Himalayan is certainly a viable option....   Perhaps also the CRF.

 

I don't think it needs to be a 'big thing' when not eating up motorway miles, and something lighter which is easier to get on and off boats (across planks or whatever adventures arise)... 

[Lacessit]

On 1/9/2024 at 3:43 PM, Furioso said:

I've got the itch..thousands of km's up north through Myanmar and beyond. At least a 30 day trip, it's gonna take me a year to prepare. 

 

My problem is I don't know what bike to get. One friend even suggest a big SYM 400. Royal Enfield has that new 450 Himalayan out, not sure if that's the right ride. Maybe the 411? 

Given where you are going, a reputation for reliability should be #1 on your list of needs.

[papa al]

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Given where you are going, a reputation for reliability should be #1 on your list of needs.

Honda CB___.

[Rhys]

 The Honda's for the shops... CB ____ as Sir Papa indicated..

 

[novacova]

13 hours ago, papa al said:

Honda CB___.

For long distance riding? Personally an upright position bike is what I’d consider such as a Kawa VX/Honda X and as you previously mentioned CT for long hauls. Though raising the handlebar on a CB***R would get close, still there’s an issue with the position of the foot pegs. 

Edited January 11 by novacova

[novacova]

On 1/9/2024 at 3:43 PM, Furioso said:

I've got the itch..thousands of km's up north through Myanmar and beyond. At least a 30 day trip, it's gonna take me a year to prepare. 

 

My problem is I don't know what bike to get. One friend even suggest a big SYM 400. Royal Enfield has that new 450 Himalayan out, not sure if that's the right ride. Maybe the 411? 

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-man-rides-motorcycle-20000-kilometres-from-thailand-to-france#:~:text=A Thai man went viral,in southern Thailand to France.
 

On a bmw gs 1200

[bunnydrops]

Surely one that someone won't think they need more than you. Sorry for the negativity, I lost a friend in another country for his pedal bike.

Edited January 11 by bunnydrops
addition

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, bunnydrops said:

Surely one that someone won't think they need more than you. Sorry for the negativity, I lost a friend in another country for his pedal bike.

 

Sorry for your loss... But, how is this relevant ?

I lost a friend in a car crash in the UK years ago, which carries an equal degree of irrelevance to this topic. 

 

Careful crossing the road in Thailand... etc etc...  we can't all be scared of 'the worst possible outcome', there would be no adventure left in any of us.

 

I for one admire anyone who wishes to undertake such a trip, I'd love to do so but am constrained by family and work commitments. 

[jvs]

Buy a small bike if you go alone.

A bigger bike will be a lot of trouble on small roads and paths.

in case of a break down any local bike shop can have you on your way in no time.

Bigger bike?Where to get parts?

[bunnydrops]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Sorry for your loss... But, how is this relevant ?

I lost a friend in a car crash in the UK years ago, which carries an equal degree of irrelevance to this topic. 

 

Careful crossing the road in Thailand... etc etc...  we can't all be scared of 'the worst possible outcome', there would be no adventure left in any of us.

 

I for one admire anyone who wishes to undertake such a trip, I'd love to do so but am constrained by family and work commitments. 

Car accidents or crossing roads is not the same as being killed because someone wants what you are riding on. Yes, life is a risk, but it is best not to be walking around a ghetto wearing gold chains unless you have a lot of friends there. Sticking to the main roads, I guess not much trouble. Riding alone on "The roads less traveled" can be risky.

[papa al]

10 hours ago, novacova said:

For long distance riding? Personally an upright position bike is what I’d consider such as a Kawa VX/Honda X and as you previously mentioned CT for long hauls. Though raising the handlebar on a CB***R would get close, still there’s an issue with the position of the foot pegs. 

CB500

or CRF

[papa al]

On 1/9/2024 at 3:43 PM, Furioso said:

I've got the itch..

Itchyboots gots CRF.

Anything bigger ....

I need a long ride--out of Thailand

yes. papa book flights BKK/ Danang Feb 1-29

Will rent Honda Winner 150

[richard_smith237]

5 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Sorry for your loss... But, how is this relevant ?

I lost a friend in a car crash in the UK years ago, which carries an equal degree of irrelevance to this topic. 

 

Careful crossing the road in Thailand... etc etc...  we can't all be scared of 'the worst possible outcome', there would be no adventure left in any of us.

 

I for one admire anyone who wishes to undertake such a trip, I'd love to do so but am constrained by family and work commitments. 

Expand  

Car accidents or crossing roads is not the same as being killed because someone wants what you are riding on. Yes, life is a risk, but it is best not to be walking around a ghetto wearing gold chains unless you have a lot of friends there. Sticking to the main roads, I guess not much trouble. Riding alone on "The roads less traveled" can be risky.

 

Ah, I get your meaning now...  you meant, a bike that is not flashy enough to get mugged for because your friend was mugged and killed for a bicycle. 

 

 

[bunnydrops]

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Ah, I get your meaning now...  you meant, a bike that is not flashy enough to get mugged for because your friend was mugged and killed for a bicycle. 

 

 

Found shot dead on the mountain road between Oaxaca and the coast. Still had his wallet and the money in it. The only thing missing was his expensive touring bike.

[Celsius]

RIP

[OneMoreFarang]

On 1/9/2024 at 3:43 PM, Furioso said:

My problem is I don't know what bike to get.

An old-fashioned bike with carburetor which you can service yourself - or at least you know it well enough to know what's wrong if something is wrong.

 

 

[fondue zoo]

it's not on topic, but this looks amazing. I envy you guys.

 

https://www.nomadicknights.com/adventures/

[gargamon]

Almost 20 years ago we started in Cambodia, went through Laos, then the full length of Thailand and then down to Singapore where we put the bikes on a ferry to Malaysian Borneo. Biked across that to Sandakan where we got a ferry to Zamboanga and then to Cebu and another to Ormoc from which we went to Angeles City. Sold my bike there for about $1000 more than I bought it in Cambodia.

 

We used Suzuki DR-650s for this. Simple, easy to maintain. 

Edited January 12 by gargamon

[ChaiyaTH]

Some people in myanmar know they gonna get a free bike next year lol.

 

Anf preparing a year? Seems you are just bored. What is there even to prepare, just ride.

Edited January 12 by ChaiyaTH

[gargamon]

7 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Some people in myanmar know they gonna get a free bike next year lol

Couldn't take bikes into Myanmar when we checked. IIRC, Vietnam was cc restricted then too.

 

Myanmar wouldn't even let locals drive motorbikes back then. Only police and military. Don't know if it's changed or not. Probably not with the deterioration of the country since. 

Edited January 12 by gargamon

[Furioso]

4 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Found shot dead on the mountain road between Oaxaca and the coast. Still had his wallet and the money in it. The only thing missing was his expensive touring bike.

Damn, that's sad I'll never go to Mexico unless it changes for the better. 

[Furioso]

4 hours ago, gargamon said:

Couldn't take bikes into Myanmar when we checked. IIRC, Vietnam was cc restricted then too.

 

Myanmar wouldn't even let locals drive motorbikes back then. Only police and military. Don't know if it's changed or not. Probably not with the deterioration of the country since. 

I think you can get through but notify them in advance and they'll arrange an escort. I believe some people go around through Laos but then you have to go through China. 

[Furioso]

4 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Some people in myanmar know they gonna get a free bike next year lol.

 

Anf preparing a year? Seems you are just bored. What is there even to prepare, just ride.

You're right my one year prep will be to take short then increasingly longer trips around Thailand. Next year will be one or more months out of the country. 

[kickstart]

On 1/12/2024 at 12:53 PM, Furioso said:

I think you can get through but notify them in advance and they'll arrange an escort. I believe some people go around through Laos but then you have to go through China. 

Check, but I think you cannot ride in China without an escort, and I would say that would not be free.

How about Yamaha SR400, simple bike been around a long time, they are available new.