Thai scooter tales - add yours

[Korat Kiwi]

1 hour ago, SingAPorn said:

What about the Piaggio Mp3 scooters with 3 wheels ? Far safer in the ruthless Thai roads.

 

Pity the Piaggio network with reliable maintenance service is poor in many smaller but popular towns.

I find those 3 wheelers strange/awkward to ride. And I've even riden the yamaha Niken.  That's a 900cc bike.  Actually it's got 4 wheels in the front. 

 

It's ugly as sin but on the open road it's not bad.  Very smooth engine however around town it's way to heavy. 

 

The Mp3 is still a scooter but I don't really see the need for that set up on such a small cc bike. 

 

Can Am also do a trike style bike, never ridden one but for some reason I don't consider them a scooter or a bike. 2 wheels is what it's about for me. 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, Korat Kiwi said:

1 hour ago, SingAPorn said:

What about the Piaggio Mp3 scooters with 3 wheels ? Far safer in the ruthless Thai roads.

 

Pity the Piaggio network with reliable maintenance service is poor in many smaller but popular towns.

I find those 3 wheelers strange/awkward to ride. And I've even riden the yamaha Niken.  That's a 900cc bike.  Actually it's got 4 wheels in the front. 

 

It's ugly as sin but on the open road it's not bad.  Very smooth engine however around town it's way to heavy. 

 

The Mp3 is still a scooter but I don't really see the need for that set up on such a small cc bike. 

 

Can Am also do a trike style bike, never ridden one but for some reason I don't consider them a scooter or a bike. 2 wheels is what it's about for me. 

 

I've always wanted to give the Niken a go - looks like great fun, but I agree, that front end looks way too heavy. 

 

I did have a Yamama TriCity a number of years back - I really liked it - front end grip and brakes were better than any other scooter I've ridden.... 

And yes, it handled Bangkok roads brilliantly, one wheel hits a pot hole, and floats through it, while the other takes the weight.... 

Of course, two wheels doubles the chances of hitting a pothole, but its safer than hitting one with one wheel. 

 

 

And... As for CanAm....  I've been wanting one of those for years - but only if I were living in the UK or Europe...  it could be great summer fun...

 

CanAm now make electric motorcycles - they look good.

 

 

[papa al]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

why wouldn't you use a more comfortable bike?

Scooters are plenty comfortable.

Have you used the mesh/venting seat cover.

Very comfy.

Helps damper the stiff Duke ride a bit.

Those things are hot as heck in city traffic.

Yuck.

 

[NoshowJones]

On 4/24/2024 at 9:49 AM, gomangosteen said:

Saw this thread Just my 10c's worth and I'll make a start on my scooter tales here

 

Until 2008 when living in Phuket I had long-term rentals, then got told of this Yamaha Fino 115cc being sold, Swedish man had bought it for his daughter while she holidayed here, and had been used only 4 months, 3800km, then stored. New battery, and removed a big screen and extra driving lights he'd added.

 

Bought it for 30,000 baht. 2009 had it shipped to Sa Kaeo with Thai Post, lived there a year, many dirt and gravel roads, longest ride was 380km in a day (with pillion!). Moved 200km south to Chanthaburi, sold it in 2013 at 54,000km to a friend who still had it at 94,000km before selling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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August 2013 bought another Fino, new 45,000 baht.

Now 96,800km and as per picture, well looked after, has had every scheduled oil change and maintenance at Yamaha dealer, no accidents.

At that age and mileage has no resale we'll keep it until it stops, daughter now uses it six days a week to/from work until starting uni in June.

Biggest single repair expense has been a new fuel pump 2500 baht in November.

 

December 2023 bought the Honda Click 160 ABS. 69,900 baht and so far 3200km.

Three weeks ago we did a 180km highway ride, all ok.

Considered an ADV 160 but my wife and daughter found it too big to manage.

 

Scooter life is great. Before moving here I'd always had bigger bikes, all the Japanese brands, two Harleys, a Cagiva and two new Triumphs.  Now an auto scooter! Such is life...

 

As well as Honda and Yamaha dealers there's also Lambretta and Vespa dealers in the city, Vespas are very popular with the better-off uni students and I see the dealer organises monthly group rides around the province for 150 and 300cc owners.

 

Happy riding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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August 2013 bought another Fino, new 45,000 baht.

Now 96,800km and as per picture, well looked after, has had every scheduled oil change and maintenance at Yamaha dealer, no accidents.

At that age and mileage has no resale we'll keep it until it stops, daughter now uses it six days a week to/from work until starting uni in June.

Biggest single repair expense has been a new fuel pump 2500 baht in November.

 

December 2023 bought the Honda Click 160 ABS. 69,900 baht and so far 3200km.

Three weeks ago we did a 180km highway ride, all ok.

Considered an ADV 160 but my wife and daughter found it too big to manage.

 

Scooter life is great. Before moving here I'd always had bigger bikes, all the Japanese brands, two Harleys, a Cagiva and two new Triumphs.  Now an auto scooter! Such is life...

 

As well as Honda and Yamaha dealers there's also Lambretta and Vespa dealers in the city, Vespas are very popular with the better-off uni students and I see the dealer organises monthly group rides around the province for 150 and 300cc owners.

 

Happy riding.

Great bikes but very heavy on fuel, I'll just stick to Honda, although some of their agents are dodgy.

[rhodie]

7 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I think you are getting a bit defensive there.... 

 

 

A Gold Wing on a 750km ride is going to be 100% more comfortable than Scoopy !!!...     

 

Of course we each have our preferences, but a lot of opinion is limited to backing the choices we made rather than being truly honest with ourselves. 

 

In the same context, a Gold Wing is going to be useless around Bangkok, but then for a similar reason but to a lesser degree so are the Maxi-scooters with bathtub design. 

 

 

IMO - Larger bikes, i.e. real motorcycles, are more comfortable, have better brakes and better suspension - I don't think there is much doubt about that at all... anyone suggesting otherwise is perhaps bias for other reasons.

 

Scooters of course, are simply bucket loads more convenient and thats why most of us who ride, have one. 

 

Those who have larger bikes will nearly always also have a scooter as a run around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not at all defensive. What is fun to me may not be to you. That is what I am trying to imply, not defend. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

As one member said earlier, it is too hot for riding.

I've got a couple of beauties waiting to ride when this extreme heat goes. 

 

I'm a member of a few Ducati Facebook groups, some of the guys live in US, Canada and Europe, they have a few months of the year they can't ride because of the weather (snow etc).

We have the opposite in Thailand.........too hot 

 

[CHdiver]

On 4/24/2024 at 11:42 AM, Furioso said:

Another guy I know swears the Xmax puts the Forza 350 to shame. I'm looking to upgrade next year. 

I would advice you to rent each one for some days. Forza 350, ADV 350 and the xmax 300. Forza is great for longer rides and has good weather protection, electric windscreen. I had one back home and thought suspension was <deleted>e with the back suspension way to hard. Xmax much more fun to ride, better suspension but not much weather protection, wind screen only adjustable  using tools. ADV 350 good suspension, easy adjustable wind screen. 

 

Power wise, they are, more or less, on the same level. Connectivity to your smart phone. Yamaha way better as the Honda System is useless. Yamaha will show you routing, so you can keep your phone in a pocket, beside of many other informations. Honda will guide only verbal from your phone to your earphone, something you can do directly. So, as I said, completely useless.

 

You can improve suspension on all 3 bikes with after market stuff. However the basic set up with xmax and ADV is better. Improvements with the Forza is more limited imho.

 

 

[Stevemercer]

I have a Honda Cub (110 cc) that I use around town. It is handy for the shopping because it has plenty of storage/hooks. You can ride it around casually without donning full protective gear. The wife and visitors can use it becasue it is light and easy. 

 

I've also got a Stallions 400 cc that I use in longer trips to bigger cities (typically 50 - 100 km). It is heavier and stable at highway speeds. I usually don protective gear including a full face helmet, boots and jacket.

 

I guess I treat the scooter as a practical means of transport around home. The motorbike is fun to ride and I get more enjoyment out of it,

[KhunLA]

 

[Flying Saucage]

On 4/24/2024 at 11:23 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Why now a scooter?

If you 70 or older, then I might understand that.

But otherwise, IMHO, just buy a real bike. 

And those big boxes on the rear make the handling a lot worse. 

Street dogs are an issue.

[Korat Kiwi]

A problem some riders have is that they try and swerve out of the way for small animals. 

 

Big mistake a lot of the time.  Unless it's a water buffalo or something that sort of size,  keep a firm grip of the bars, stay in a straight line and run the fakr over. 

 

Cats, dogs, chickens ain't worth losing your life over. 

 

I think last year a tourist swerved for a chicken, fell off his scooter and cracked his head on a kerb. Dead. 

[gomangosteen]

Thai scooter manufacturer Alpha Volantis launched at the Bangkok International Motor Show November 2022, with two models, the Horizon 150 and 300, range has now expanded to have three versions of the 300. 

 

The manufacturing plant is located in Chachoengsao, covering an area of 200 rai.

Their thirteen dealers are all in the greater Bangkok area; limiting the market. 

 

 

 

 

[gomangosteen]

Used to be a teacher in town with one of these Honda scooters - they also came out in Liverpool colours

 

No football schemes in 2024, latest 2024 Honda Giorno features Donald Duck, suggested retail 67,900

[papa al]

5 hours ago, Korat Kiwi said:

A problem some riders have is that they try and swerve out of the way for small animals. 

 

Big mistake a lot of the time.  Unless it's a water buffalo or something that sort of size,  keep a firm grip of the bars, stay in a straight line and run the fakr over. 

 

Cats, dogs, chickens ain't worth losing your life over. 

 

I think last year a tourist swerved for a chicken, fell off his scooter and cracked his head on a kerb. Dead. 

Best do a wheelie and hit the dog with the rear wheel only.

[Korat Kiwi]

48 minutes ago, papa al said:

Best do a wheelie and hit the dog with the rear wheel only.

Yes papa, and if I tried that I'd probably fall off.    

 

As a young un,  I could wheelie bicycles easily enough.  But I've never been keen to try on a motorbike.  Why?  Cause I don't want to damage my bike or myself if I cock it up. 

 

The idea is good in theory tho. 

Edited April 26 by Korat Kiwi

[KhunLA]

Why the sad emoji ... quality time with my best friend ...

 

 

[arick]

On 4/24/2024 at 9:49 AM, gomangosteen said:

Saw this thread Just my 10c's worth and I'll make a start on my scooter tales here

 

Until 2008 when living in Phuket I had long-term rentals, then got told of this Yamaha Fino 115cc being sold, Swedish man had bought it for his daughter while she holidayed here, and had been used only 4 months, 3800km, then stored. New battery, and removed a big screen and extra driving lights he'd added.

 

Bought it for 30,000 baht. 2009 had it shipped to Sa Kaeo with Thai Post, lived there a year, many dirt and gravel roads, longest ride was 380km in a day (with pillion!). Moved 200km south to Chanthaburi, sold it in 2013 at 54,000km to a friend who still had it at 94,000km before selling.

 

August 2013 bought another Fino, new 45,000 baht.

Now 96,800km and as per picture, well looked after, has had every scheduled oil change and maintenance at Yamaha dealer, no accidents.

At that age and mileage has no resale we'll keep it until it stops, daughter now uses it six days a week to/from work until starting uni in June.

Biggest single repair expense has been a new fuel pump 2500 baht in November.

 

December 2023 bought the Honda Click 160 ABS. 69,900 baht and so far 3200km.

Three weeks ago we did a 180km highway ride, all ok.

Considered an ADV 160 but my wife and daughter found it too big to manage.

 

Scooter life is great. Before moving here I'd always had bigger bikes, all the Japanese brands, two Harleys, a Cagiva and two new Triumphs.  Now an auto scooter! Such is life...

 

As well as Honda and Yamaha dealers there's also Lambretta and Vespa dealers in the city, Vespas are very popular with the better-off uni students and I see the dealer organises monthly group rides around the province for 150 and 300cc owners.

 

Happy riding.

Automatic transmissions don't last as long as a manual during rainy season when you go through the cold water with a hot engine the seals break on them.

[Lacessit]

I first tried a scooter on a holiday in Vanuatu in my mid-forties, and enjoyed it.

 

Fast forward to my retirement in Thailand. I started by hiring scooters. Then I bought a secondhand Yamaha TTX from a Brit. 23,000 baht, 9300 km. It now has about 29,000 km on the odometer. Has never let me down.

 

Now in my eighties, friends and relatives want me to stop riding and only use 4 wheelers.

 

I am dual licensed, here and in Australia. The Australian license was far more onerous to obtain. Thai competency testing was a joke.

 

AS long as I can still drive with my GF riding pillion, I am not giving it up. I enjoy the freedom and mobility too much.

Edited April 29 by Lacessit

[VocalNeal]

39 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

friends and relatives want me to stop riding

 

You will know when it is time. 👍

 

Stirling Moss sold his Vespa when he was 82

Edited April 29 by VocalNeal
added moss reference

[Korat Kiwi]

Scooters are good. 

 

 

[Korat Kiwi]

Some like it hot... 

 

 

[Korat Kiwi]

Even in the snow... 

 

 

 

[XB12X]

I have a Yamaha SCR950, a KTM 390 Duke and a Yamaha Aerox. I am older than I was, but I have no problem with the weight of the SCR or difficulty changing gears. If the new BMW CE 02 electric motorcycle wasn't so expensive - although I could afford it - I would replace the 390 and Aerox with one. 0-50 KPH is 3 seconds. Decent range. Good suspension, unlike the Aerox. Light. I have worked out how much petrol I use on the KTM and Aerox and projected it over five years. If the batteries went on the CE 04 soon after - they are warranted for five years - the savings on petrol would be swallowed up by the cost of a new batteries. In England,where I am from,  the cheaper intial purchase price and bigger saving on petrol - twice as much as Thailand - makes the CE 02 begin to make sense over long-term. Assuming it's reliable.

Edited April 29 by XB12X

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, VocalNeal said:

 

You will know when it is time. 👍

 

Stirling Moss sold his Vespa when he was 82

I will know it's time when I can't stay balanced.

 

I am not Stirling Moss, I drive very carefully with constant threat assessment.

[Dcheech]

It's Friday .

Get your scooter running 

head out on the highway 

 

 

Edited May 3 by Dcheech

[newbee2022]

The most catching and interesting stories can't be told because the drivers died already in a fatal accident. 😇

[gomangosteen]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

The most catching and interesting stories can't be told because the drivers died already in a fatal accident. 😇

Really?

Our two now have a combined 101,000km on their odometers. 54,000km on one before that.

Off to Rayong province at 4am tomorrow to compete in a running event starting 6am, return in the evening. I'm reasonably familiar with the route as I cycle it most months (but that's another story)

[newbee2022]

2 minutes ago, gomangosteen said:

Really?

Our two now have a combined 101,000km on their odometers. 54,000km on one before that.

Off to Rayong province at 4am tomorrow to compete in a running event starting 6am, return in the evening. I'm reasonably familiar with the route as I cycle it most months (but that's another story)

I wish you a long life.🙏 However I told this to 2 friends already, both experienced drivers even in EU.

I joined their cremation ceremonies.

Good luck🙏

[gomangosteen]

Another Thai scooter manufacturer, SOLAR, launched April 2022 at the Thailand International Motor Expo.

All SOLAR models are powered by a 125cc 1-cylinder, SOHC, 2-valve, air-cooled 4-stroke engine

 

 

The SOLAR Groove Urban model

 

[papa al]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

I wish you a long life.🙏 However I told this to 2 friends already, both experienced drivers even in EU.

I joined their cremation ceremonies.

Good luck🙏

Died of heart disease or cancer.