Possible Problem Areas?

[mac.wheeler]

In the 4th I will be leaving Koh Phangan to start a rather long bike tour of Thailand, this tour will take me up the west coast into northern Thailand, then around the northern border and down to Surin for Songkran, then after Songkran, heading back to Koh Phangan via Bangkok.

This is all going to be done on a Honda wave 100S with one of those stee framed sidecars the Thai's love to fit to haul things (Saungklaw?). My girlfriend and our 4 month old Son will also be coming along.

So you can imagine, this isn't the fastest vehicle in the world, I did suggest she ride the wave and I take my CBR but that idea was met with a blank look.

The little machine is ok, but it doesn't handle steep hills very well, in fact it doesn't handle them at all! So I'm looking for some advice on areas to avoid that have very steep hills. Average hills I can manage, although slowly in 1st gear, steep mountain trails are well out of the question.

Thanks in advance.

Edited March 2, 2008 by mac.wheeler

[sbk]

Christ mac! Hope you've got lots of extra padding on your bottom there!

Sorry, can't give any advice but you and your GF are certainly braver souls than I. Good luck and enjoy.

[mac.wheeler]

Thanks for the good wishes sbk,

We pretty much decided that right now the baby is easy to take care of, if we don't do this before we get to the "Are we there yet?" stage of development it's never going to happen, so off we go!

[Pikey]

Lawks-a-lordy!

I admire your grit in attempting such a trip and wish the 3 of you all the best. If you are passing through Chiang Mai, PM me as I'd love to meet up and hear how you are going. You might also consider putting a trip report up on www.GT-Rider.com as I'm sure it would generate a lot of interest. Another guy did a big tour a couple of years ago on a Wave and posted his experiences - there might be some tips in there for you.

For practical things, most of the main roads here up north climb over mountains so you might want to consider taking along a smaller front sprocket which can be easily changed once the hills start to get steep (the alternative is for your missus to get out and push - probably not conducive to long term relationship happiness ). Also, main roads = more traffic but less steep gradients, whereas minor roads are quieter but often steeper with hairpin bends.

Cheers & good luck,

Pikey.

[HDRIDER]

mac.wheeler

You are a brave man, i would never do it with side car.

Please let us know how it goes. Have a safe trip.

[goldfish]

Lawks-a-lordy!

For practical things, most of the main roads here up north climb over mountains so you might want to consider taking along a smaller front sprocket which can be easily changed once the hills start to get steep

I didn't think of this, a very good idea. I don't know how strong your finances are, but I hope they are good enough that when your backside hurts too much and you threaten to kill the next motorist who hoots at you you can afford to walk away and get a train. Good luck

[mac.wheeler]

Cheers guys, I know it's not going to be an easy ride, but we have plenty of time, if the going gets to steep I'm quite happy to turn around and find an alternate route. I'm also not adverse to jumping off now and then and adding a little muscle to get the poor machine up the steeper hills. I'm only looking at putting around 150km behind us each day so really shouldn't be more than 4 hours on the bike a day max.

The nice thing about the wave is it's dirt cheap to repair, so if things start falling off I'm not too worried.

The missus has agreed that if I take her this time, then next time I can clear off alone with my CBR. That's going to make quite an interesting comparison.

Edited March 2, 2008 by mac.wheeler

[PeaceBlondie]

Well, it could be worse. You could gain ten kilos, wait until the nipper weighs 35 kilos, downsize the engine to an old Honda 60, and pack enough sacks of rice to sustain eastern Burma for another year. I say, take the CBR, let the wife drive the sidecar....still, your CBR would be going one third of its top speed. You plan how many months to make this trip?

[mac.wheeler]

I'm thinking 2 months, maybe a little more, it depends how many times I have to take a day off riding to catch up with work. I think it's gonna be around 3500km or there abouts. The route is extremely flexible so I really can't be sure. I just have some maps and a GPS

Edited March 2, 2008 by mac.wheeler

[MickeyHolland]

Hi Mac,

I wish you a good bike trip !

I guess buying the internet device from you will not be possible anymore then ?

Please let me know something...

Greetz !

[nolifer]

Good luck dude, i´ve been thinkin about making some trips on my small bike but never gotten to it, you gave me some inspiration

Was thinking about 1 stupid farang that can read thai at the same level as a 3year old(me), 1 yamaha Spark135 and a small backpack up in isaan/north thailand - maybe it´s a good idea.

Only problem is that it might get very boring alone

[TokyoT]

Not really trying to take the piss – but are sure this type of trip is really in the best interest of a 4 month old baby?

Exposing oneself to the riggers of such a trip is one thing but to do it to an infant is quite another – especially considering that Thai roads are not the model of safety.

[moneyshot]

Not really trying to take the piss – but are sure this type of trip is really in the best interest of a 4 month old baby?

Exposing oneself to the riggers of such a trip is one thing but to do it to an infant is quite another – especially considering that Thai roads are not the model of safety.

Agreed 100 percent!

Driving in Thailand is extremely dangerous, incredibly stupid maneuvers' at high speeds are the norm. Driving in a car is dangerous enough, but on a Honda wave with a shoddily built side car attached, has zero protection. Some may say its a brave journey to undertake, I would say its crazy, but to be taking a 4 month old baby along, is just careless and irresponsible. Im sure you are a skilled and safe rider but you need to think of all those other idiots out there.

If you do set out upon this trip, I wish you very best of luck and may God, Buddha or whoever else look over you!

[dave_boo]

You may want to stay away from Ban Rai. Roads are pretty hilly in that area.

As a matter of fact, I just spent 500 km in the saddle yesterday exploring that area. Since I was on my CBR 150R, I was able to maintain a 83km/h rate, and that includes smoke breaks. However, don't forget that Thai roads aren't exactly the safest place to be.

None the less, good luck with your trip.

[bangkokeddy]

I notice you are taking along an extra airbag for extra protection for your wife in the side car, but do you also have medical insurance? I'm serious about the medical insurance.

Edited March 6, 2008 by bangkokeddy

[Beardog]

I notice you are taking along an extra airbag for extra protection for your wife in the side car, but do you also have medical insurance? I'm serious about the medical insurance.

Very good idea!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys got more crust than I do. My 1000 Kawasaki ltd in a cross country in the U.S. was way to small for my ass & back. last trip 3 states a V6 Goldwing much more comfortable. I might do bang Sare to Trat with my girl on a Kawasaki Boss only cause getting a taxi to get to the bus station is such a hassle. Bus so much more convenient & a lot safer than an open wheel sidecar of death on a nit naui 100 cc bike. I have done trips on small bikes but the pleasure I got out of it was only in the storytelling after the trip was over . I can only imagine the little woman baking you endlessly your going to fast slow down----"BITE"

[withnail]

Not really trying to take the piss – but are sure this type of trip is really in the best interest of a 4 month old baby?

Exposing oneself to the riggers of such a trip is one thing but to do it to an infant is quite another – especially considering that Thai roads are not the model of safety.

Agreed 100 percent!

Driving in Thailand is extremely dangerous, incredibly stupid maneuvers' at high speeds are the norm. Driving in a car is dangerous enough, but on a Honda wave with a shoddily built side car attached, has zero protection. Some may say its a brave journey to undertake, I would say its crazy, but to be taking a 4 month old baby along, is just careless and irresponsible. Im sure you are a skilled and safe rider but you need to think of all those other idiots out there.

If you do set out upon this trip, I wish you very best of luck and may God, Buddha or whoever else look over you!

I agree with both comments here. Likewise I am not trying to criticise, you are a grown man and capable of making your own decisions but you must be aware that wherever it is you come from you would be arrested for doing this journey within 5 minutes of setting off. I once witnessed first hand an accident involving one of these side cars and a small child and the child went flying. Also in Bangkok more recently I saw a driver of another side carted bike minus a head where a bus had driven over him. I'd feel out of order forcing my dog to ride in one of them.

Is it really that essential that you force this idea of yours on your wife and child? Could you not go alone or wait until the baby is old enough to be left with a relative who doesn't put it in a metal cage next to a container of flammable liquid and race it around at high speeds near oncoming traffic.

Edit: I realise now that you have already left and so sincerely wish all of you a safe journey.

Edited March 12, 2008 by withnail

[peterd1961]

Hi Mac,

In my opinion iff you make a trip like this with a four month old baby you are a very unresponsible guy!!!!!!! And I wish somebody can talk this out of your mind.

regards Peter