New Phantom Owner With Questions

[SHDWFX]

I bought a new '07 Phantom two months ago and I absolutely love it. I have been riding the 110s and 125s for years in Thailand and I can hardly believe the difference. With the big tires and weight the Phantom is a real pleasure to ride and is much, much safer than the smaller bikes. For larger farangs the Phantom is a better choice than the Kawa Boss. The Honda sits slightly higher and has a better "feel" to it, I think. At 200cc of course I know it's not a top read machine and I would not want to go on a 600km trip with it, but for getting around in the Hua Hin area (where I live) it is perfect. I have a question about how noisy it is though. The chain drive and gearbox makes a constant whirring sound that seems a bit much. Other Phantoms seem to have the same sound. Is this typical? What is it? Should I be taking any precautions such as frequent oiling of the chain? Are there any other things I should be on the lookout for?

BTW, instead of the saddle-bags I had the black moto-box mounted. This was a great move. Some people may think it looks a bit dorky but I dont care about that and the thing is so convenient (much better than the cheap saddle-bags) that it really is handy. Also, if you consider the Phantom, be sure to get the black one. The model with red flames looks cheesy.

[SM7WGP]

I bought a new '07 Phantom two months ago and I absolutely love it. I have been riding the 110s and 125s for years in Thailand and I can hardly believe the difference. With the big tires and weight the Phantom is a real pleasure to ride and is much, much safer than the smaller bikes. For larger farangs the Phantom is a better choice than the Kawa Boss. The Honda sits slightly higher and has a better "feel" to it, I think. At 200cc of course I know it's not a top read machine and I would not want to go on a 600km trip with it, but for getting around in the Hua Hin area (where I live) it is perfect. I have a question about how noisy it is though. The chain drive and gearbox makes a constant whirring sound that seems a bit much. Other Phantoms seem to have the same sound. Is this typical? What is it? Should I be taking any precautions such as frequent oiling of the chain? Are there any other things I should be on the lookout for?

BTW, instead of the saddle-bags I had the black moto-box mounted. This was a great move. Some people may think it looks a bit dorky but I dont care about that and the thing is so convenient (much better than the cheap saddle-bags) that it really is handy. Also, if you consider the Phantom, be sure to get the black one. The model with red flames looks cheesy.

Change the engine oil to 100% Synthetic instead and the engine runs more quiet and gear box more smoother you get what you pay for and you can drive more Km before next change about 8000 Km.

Why not drive long trips on the Phantom if you have 200cc or 1000 cc between your leggs when normal speeds only allows 90 km per hour on thai roads and mostly thats to fast on Thai roads.

Maybee you seen my post about Chiangmai - Phuket and back will do that on my phantom its a relaxed machine.

[Wolfie]

Also watch out for it in the wet, i always had trouble keeping mine upright in the wet, the back end slipped around loads on it.

And keep an eye on the back tyre, it might pay you to replace the factory one with a good quality one (to help keep it stuck to the road)

Just my 2baht

[xbusman]

The rear shocks are junk, changing them completely changes the ride. OEM tires, brakes, and batteries are always junk, the quicker they wear out the better. I have a long time mechanic for Honda that now has his own race shop, recently during service he asked if I have any wobble in high speed corners which has always been bad on my bike. Smiling, he adjusted the front forks on the last service and the ride is now excellent, told me that honda sets them way too loose for ease of handling. I dont know if all that is true, I do know my bike handles better than when it was new.

Change your oil for the first time around 500KM, its just a good idea on a new engine in principle.

I take mine on 600 km trips, the only major downside to it is the numbness in the hands. I might go ahead and build a rubber suspension for the handle bars sometime.

[ray23]

That bike will handle all that Thailand has to offer. Long trips your rear end is going to hurt no matter what size bike it is.

Chain noise is normal to some extent, keeping it adjusted and well oiled will help. But I think your going to hear it no matter what you do. If that is where it's coming from that's not that unusual.

I took a phantom 150 on a 3K Klm trip and had no problems with two people up and carrying our goodies. The bike will do it if you will.

I enjoyed your thoughts about having more wieght on the ground, it really adds to comfort having had both a 150 and a 200. I can tell you this I now have a Dragstar 400 and the 150 is faster. The 200 is comparable on speed. But in comfort I will take the big guy. Go enjoy the bike in whatever way you wish you don't have to worry about it on a long trip, it will do it.

This a photo of the 150 I had the bike for over four years and put over 30K on it. I completly rebuild it and them sold it. lost my butt on it but it was was fun. That bike always ran when nothing esle would. The guy I sold it to left the area so it's on the market again.

A freind of mine had a 200 set up the same way 600 Klms on a weekend was a short trip to him.