Getting a cruiser in Thailand

[JimmyTobacco]

I'd love to get a Honda Magna VF750 from the 80s but those are hard to come by in Thailand, especially if you want them with a green book and license plate. The same goes for similar bikes like the Yamaha Virago.

 

So I'm thinking to go for models more readily available in Thailand like Kawasaki Boss, Honda Phantom or Honda Steed. I see the Steed is available in 400cc (not so sure about those others) and even 600 cc.

 

I'd love to get people's opinions on these bikes and the best cruiser you can get for Thailand.

[cjinchiangrai]

It depends on where you live and where you ride. The farther out, the bigger the bike.

[JimmyTobacco]

1 minute ago, cjinchiangrai said:

It depends on where you live and where you ride. The farther out, the bigger the bike.

 

Chiang Mai

But I'd mostly take the bike for rides outside the city. I have a CBR150 which I use around town. Maybe I'd go for a little cruise on the cruiser with my gf to the old town once in a while ...

[Agusts]

I recommend Honda Rebel 300 or 500, it's hard to beat that in Thailand for a cruiser.

 

There is also more expensive Kawasaki Vulcan 650, but the rake on that think is really large, sit on it in the showroom to see if it suits...

 

The ones you mentioned are really old, Boss or Phantom, over 15 or 20 years now, pretty under powered for Chiang Mai mountains too, hard to find a really clean one, probably need a good overhaul after buying, take that into accounts..

[JimmyTobacco]

3 minutes ago, Agusts said:

I recommend Honda Rebel 300 or 500, it's hard to beat that in Thailand for a cruiser.

 

There is also more expensive Kawasaki Vulcan 650, but the rake on that think is really large, sit on it in the showroom to see if it suits...

 

The ones you mentioned are really old, Boss or Phantom, over 15 or 20 years now, pretty under powered for Chiang Mai mountains too, hard to find a really clean one, probably need a good overhaul after buying, take that into accounts..

How about a good Steed 400? One that's in good condition?

 

Kawasaki Vulcan is also not easy to find.

 

I like some Honda Rebels but some of them look a little weird to me. I like the ones with the classic look the most, the Magna or Shadow look.

[cjinchiangrai]

1 hour ago, JimmyTobacco said:

 

Chiang Mai

But I'd mostly take the bike for rides outside the city. I have a CBR150 which I use around town. Maybe I'd go for a little cruise on the cruiser with my gf to the old town once in a while ...

Good plan. Inside 11 I would have a click. Outside, there are a lot of nice fairly open roads. The traffic in Chiang Mai is getting worse, as is the parking.

[Hummin]

No Doubt Vulcan 650 is the best cruiser available in Thailand at those sizes for riding experience and comfort. 

 

When that is said, cruiser is the last type of bike I would buy, and you will find a CB500X Honda gives you a much better riding experience and also bang for the buck in the segment around 400cc to 650cc. 

 

NC 750 is the next 

 

 

[JimmyTobacco]

8 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Good plan. Inside 11 I would have a click. Outside, there a lot of nice fairly open roads. The traffic in Chiang Mai is getting worse, as is the parking.

so far the CBR150 is serving me quite well in the city and it's much more fun to drive than the Click, which we also have at home. sometimes the Click is much more useful when carrying stuff ... or people of course. I usually drive the CBR just cause it's a lot more fun.

[JimmyTobacco]

19 minutes ago, Hummin said:

No Doubt Vulcan 650 is the best cruiser available in Thailand at those sizes for riding experience and comfort. 

 

When that is said, cruiser is the last type of bike I would buy, and you will find a CB500X Honda gives you a much better riding experience and also bang for the buck in the segment around 400cc to 650cc. 

 

NC 750 is the next 

 

 

Yeah I was considering CBR300 or CB500X or something like that. can put some decent boxes on those as well and travel around a bit. and not expensive at all.

 

why would you not buy a cruiser?

[Hummin]

30 minutes ago, JimmyTobacco said:

Yeah I was considering CBR300 or CB500X or something like that. can put some decent boxes on those as well and travel around a bit. and not expensive at all.

 

why would you not buy a cruiser?

I like to have the option going on the dirt roads, and I had a few adventure bikes and also dual sports bikes, so it comes down to experience and preferences. 

 

I looked at the Royal Enfield 650 super Meteor, and those bikes looks good, but for reliability I would go for Honda or Kawasaki. Honda do have more service places tho

[JimmyTobacco]

12 hours ago, Hummin said:

I like to have the option going on the dirt roads, and I had a few adventure bikes and also dual sports bikes, so it comes down to experience and preferences. 

 

I looked at the Royal Enfield 650 super Meteor, and those bikes looks good, but for reliability I would go for Honda or Kawasaki. Honda do have more service places tho

This is why I always tend to prefer Honda

when I bought my CBR150 I had to do quite a bit of maintenance on it and all parts were cheap and easy to find

[Hummin]

20 minutes ago, JimmyTobacco said:

This is why I always tend to prefer Honda

when I bought my CBR150 I had to do quite a bit of maintenance on it and all parts were cheap and easy to find

You cant beat Honda in Thailand when it comes to parts and service, but still annoying you have to go to a backyard mechanic to get parts, because Big Wing do not have stock of the most critical and common parts, and usually have long delivery time. 

 

I even offered them extra money to get the parts sent overnight with express post service a few places when touring, but nope, not possible. 

 

That’s why CB bikes in the range up to 650 is the best choice in Thailand, you will find parts everywhere you go at any backyard bike shop. 

[JimmyTobacco]

Just now, Hummin said:

You cant beat Honda in Thailand when it comes to parts and service, but still annoying you have to go to a backyard mechanic to get parts, because Big Wing do not have stock of the most critical and common parts, and usually have long delivery time. 

 

I even offered them extra money to get the parts sent overnight with express post service a few places when touring, but nope, not possible. 

 

That’s why CB bikes in the range up to 650 is the best coice in Thailand, you will find parts everywhere you go at any backyard bike shop. 

Yeah to be honest I never even considered going to an official Honda dealer for my CBR repairs. They usually don't have great ratings for repairs and can overcharge by quite a bit.

[fredwiggy]

15 hours ago, JimmyTobacco said:

I'd love to get a Honda Magna VF750 from the 80s but those are hard to come by in Thailand, especially if you want them with a green book and license plate. The same goes for similar bikes like the Yamaha Virago.

 

So I'm thinking to go for models more readily available in Thailand like Kawasaki Boss, Honda Phantom or Honda Steed. I see the Steed is available in 400cc (not so sure about those others) and even 600 cc.

 

I'd love to get people's opinions on these bikes and the best cruiser you can get for Thailand.

Used to have a Honda V65 Magna. Loved that rocket, but sold it for a down payment on my house. Might have saved my life as I had it up to 135 once or twice. After I move back home, I'll look for another bike. Always wanted a Harley. I see quite a few of those you listed here.

[JAG]

They got an aircraft carrier but it doesn't work.

They have been trying to get a submarine for years.

Now they want a cruiser?

 

Ah, oops, motorbikes, I see, silly me!😏

[fredwiggy]

Deleted

[VocalNeal]

Take the CBR to Phayao. Quite a nice ride. https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/july-30th-2025-gtr-dinner-in-phayao.16528/#post-108877

 

Numbers are down a bit in low season but guys turn up on all kinds of bikes.

[Hummin]

14 minutes ago, JimmyTobacco said:

Yeah to be honest I never even considered going to an official Honda dealer for my CBR repairs. They usually don't have great ratings for repairs and can overcharge by quite a bit.

Still back to the topic, If I didn’t think about anything else than what cruiser type  I would bought if cruisers was the only option, Vulcan, but a bit bigger than 650. I haven’t looked at the Vulcan market in Thailand, and do not know which models available but I could ride a larger Vulcan sometime later in life. They look good, clean classic lines, and great engines, still not my type tho

[Hummin]

Mike Freerider is a good ambassador for NC750

 

Take a look at his channel. 

 

 

He got so many videos and lately riding more on his dual sport bikes. He have been continuously riding his bikes all over Thailand and quite a few other Asian countries. Well worth to dive in to his channel. I would say he is the most experienced rider I came by in Thailand so far. He have green going long and hard for a decade now. 

 

 

 

[Kinnock]

If buying used, I'd recommend the Kawasaki Vulcan S 650.  Reliable, lots on the market and fast enough for Thailand.  The Phantoms on the market are just too old, and it's a bit under powered for touring.

 

The Honda 300 is the modern replacement for the Phantom, and a much better bike too.

 

If buying new .... look at the Kawasaki Eliminator or Honda 300 and 500 cruisers and 'scrambler'.

 

Royal Enfield also worth a look.

[Hummin]

20 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Used to have a Honda V65 Magna. Loved that rocket, but sold it for a down payment on my house. Might have saved my life as I had it up to 135 once or twice. After I move back home, I'll look for another bike. Always wanted a Harley. I see quite a few of those you listed here.

Harley, Ducati, KTM and such bikes, is just a headache to keep and maintain in Thailand. Triumph starts to get a decent brand in Thailand, so after Honda, that could be a good choice as well, and quite a step up when it comes to performance stock straight out from shop. Honda is known for their poor suspension, but for most normal riders, not a big concern. 

[fredwiggy]

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Harley, Ducati, KTM and such bikes, is just a headache to keep and maintain in Thailand. Triumph starts to get a decent brand in Thailand, so after Honda, that could be a good choice as well, and quite a step up when it comes to performance stock straight out from shop. Honda is known for their poor suspension, but for most normal riders, not a big concern. 

I wouldn't want a bike here, seeing how dangerous driving one is. I don't even like using the scooter. Back home it's much safer, especially in the country, so when I get established back there it'll be done. After the Bass boat that is. 

[novacova]

16 hours ago, JimmyTobacco said:

I'd love to get people's opinions on these bikes and the best cruiser you can get for Thailand.

The best opinion is your own. You need to ride a few different bikes and figure out what best suits you, what one thinks is best, probably isn’t suitable for another. Personally when looking for a bike, want something most comfortable as possible in sitting, mobility and responsiveness.

[Hummin]

22 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I wouldn't want a bike here, seeing how dangerous driving one is. I don't even like using the scooter. Back home it's much safer, especially in the country, so when I get established back there it'll be done. After the Bass boat that is. 

You got a stalker I see 😄 

 

its bad when you are not allowed to express your opinions on here without a negative response. 

 

I give you right about the lunatic traffic in Thailand, and you got kids, so respect to you for even considering the risks, and also why it is not worth it. Im a active rider, meaning, I ride fast and effective, and I had my share of near accidents, still manageable to avoid, but only thanks to skills and da bucket full of luck. I also decided to get rid of my fastest bikes, and slow down and only ride stretches that gives more sceneries and where you cant ride fast, and no other can interrupt with you to much. Of course things can happens everywhere, but rural mountains and valleys with dirt roads is quite different from local district roads and high ways. 

[fredwiggy]

16 minutes ago, Hummin said:

You got a stalker I see 😄 

 

its bad when you are not allowed to express your opinions on here without a negative response. 

 

I give you right about the lunatic traffic in Thailand, and you got kids, so respect to you for even considering the risks, and also why it is not worth it. Im a active rider, meaning, I ride fast and effective, and I had my share of near accidents, still manageable to avoid, but only thanks to skills and da bucket full of luck. I also decided to get rid of my fastest bikes, and slow down and only ride stretches that gives more sceneries and where you cant ride fast, and no other can interrupt with you to much. Of course things can happens everywhere, but rural mountains and valleys with dirt roads is quite different from local district roads and high ways. 

Had my first motorbike accident here last month. Driving a scooter with my daughter going to a Lotus not too far away. A couple of locals were stopped on the side of the road, my side, one with a sidecart. Right as i got to where they were, he decides to cross the road in front of me, intending to enter a road on the right side, without looking first I had nowhere to go but braked and hit him in the side. I went over the scooter with my daughter on my back. The first thing I did was get up, looking at my daughter. She was already stood up, looking at me. No damage to them, but mine needs some work, 8000 baht, and I'm trying to get them to cough up something, although I know it's probably a lost cause.

 

I drove hundreds of thousands of miles on many motorcycles back home and it happens here. Oh well. I can't count all the close calls I've had here both in the car and on scooters. Yeah, I could say the sun rose this morning and I'd get a  thumbs down or two from those kinds.

[novacova]

14 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I also decided to get rid of my fastest bikes

The wife used her veto power to do that for me, after she had seen a pretty bad accident she said “no more big bike” and printed out the documents made me sign them and posted my kawa 300 & bn600 on fb a few months ago.

[Furioso]

There's a ton of great cruisers for sale in Thailand. Are you looking to buy new, between 230K-300k baht? 

[Hummin]

10 minutes ago, novacova said:

The wife used her veto power to do that for me, after she had seen a pretty bad accident she said “no more big bike” and printed out the documents made me sign them and posted my kawa 300 & bn600 on fb a few months ago.

Have to respect that, and my wife and her family wished I did, and finely I did myself, and they where all relieved when so. But we both did ride quite a lot big bikes together, while I made 3 times around Thailand, she did 2 times with me. And many shorter and longer trips together, but after she had a near accidents, I parked her bike for good, while it took me a bit longer to find enough was enough. I do not need that in my life anymore, but if I felt this was part of me, and a bigger thing in my life, I wouldn’t have given that part up for sure. Im satisfied with what I have done and experienced, and now more focused on a good healthy quality boring life instead of chasing old dreams. 

[novacova]

18 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Have to respect that, and my wife and her family wished I did, and finely I did myself, and they where all relieved when so. But we both did ride quite a lot big bikes together, while I made 3 times around Thailand, she did 2 times with me. And many shorter and longer trips together, but after she had a near accidents, I parked her bike for good, while it took me a bit longer to find enough was enough. I do not need that in my life anymore, but if I felt this was part of me, and a bigger thing in my life, I wouldn’t have given that part up for sure. Im satisfied with what I have done and experienced, and now more focused on a good healthy quality boring life instead of chasing old dreams. 

The inertia of youth doesn’t seem to want to slow down, suppose that can be a risky attribute for someone my age. Have to keep reminding myself that I’m not as physically agile as I mentally feel, on the wave and in the car.