Larger Bike Servicing In Isaan

[RealityCheck]

Hi.

I am currently (and for the foreseeable future) living 30km South-West(ish) of Khon Kaen and gearing up to buy a larger bike.

The final choice of make and model is something that I want to avoid making until taking advice from anyone that can help regarding getting larger bikes serviced in this area. But I'm leaning towards Kawasaki.... and something of the ZX10 ilk.... about 4(ish) years old.

I'm no petrol-head.... My mechanical maintenance skills are largely limited to things like changing the oil.

So annual servicing and fixing of problems that require replacement parts are, really, out my league.

In the UK, I'd always take my vehicles to the main dealers (or at least to a competent mechanic).

I get the impression that it would be a mistake to trust a nice bike to the small street mechanics that fix our Mio at the moment, so was wondering what your experiences are of getting larger bikes serviced/fixed. Can the main dealers, for example Yamaha, service and repair the larger engine bikes from their range (even tho' they don't seem to sell them in their showrooms)?

Reliability is essential, as the last thing I want is to be stuck half-way between Khon Kaen and Chang Mai with bit's of engine scattered over the road.

Any and all advice gratefully received.

Cheers.

[Thumchok]

Hi.

I am currently (and for the foreseeable future) living 30km South-West(ish) of Khon Kaen and gearing up to buy a larger bike.

The final choice of make and model is something that I want to avoid making until taking advice from anyone that can help regarding getting larger bikes serviced in this area. But I'm leaning towards Kawasaki.... and something of the ZX10 ilk.... about 4(ish) years old.

I'm no petrol-head.... My mechanical maintenance skills are largely limited to things like changing the oil.

So annual servicing and fixing of problems that require replacement parts are, really, out my league.

In the UK, I'd always take my vehicles to the main dealers (or at least to a competent mechanic).

I get the impression that it would be a mistake to trust a nice bike to the small street mechanics that fix our Mio at the moment, so was wondering what your experiences are of getting larger bikes serviced/fixed. Can the main dealers, for example Yamaha, service and repair the larger engine bikes from their range (even tho' they don't seem to sell them in their showrooms)?

Reliability is essential, as the last thing I want is to be stuck half-way between Khon Kaen and Chang Mai with bit's of engine scattered over the road.

Any and all advice gratefully received.

Cheers.

If you take it to just any bike shop , they will take fright and run away . Even for a tyre repair .

I Live the other side of Kalasin from Khon Kaen , and take mine up to Udon Thani at present when I need a service .

If it breaks down , you will need to call someone with a pickup to take it home or to the nearest big bike shop . Would think there is something in Khon Kaen , But Haven't noticed one yet .

Perhaps the locals can help us out .

Cheers ,

Jim .

[PeaceBlondie]

Indeed, a tire repair means you replace the tube. Imagine their horror after crudely disassembling a tubeless tire and finding no tube!

[Thaicoon]

Get hold of Brett and the boys, he is at non bua lamphu, khoen kaen he has a workshop and does most of the work himself i think he has a mechanic, he is a mate of mine, he is spot on, he has just fitted nitrous to his 1100, amazing.

i will postmark you his e-mail

[RealityCheck]

Thanks for your responses guys - greatly appreciated.

I suppose the other option is to become a DIY Mechanical Guru, but that's really not my scene. I'm much more interested in riding than fixing bikes.

I may pop in in to a few mainline dealers of little bikes (Yamaha, Kawasaki and the like) and enquire if they can help. I suspect the answer will be: "Yes, but you'll have to pay for us to transport it to Bangkok, each time".

Still - it's worth a try.

I'll post back here as I get closer to a solution.

Thanks and Take Care.

[RealityCheck]

I Live the other side of Kalasin from Khon Kaen , and take mine up to Udon Thani at present when I need a service .

Hi Jim,

Where do you take yours to in Udon Thani?

It's not "that" far to there from Khon Kaen, and may be a reasonable solution.

Does the place where you take yours handle all makes of bike?

Many Thanks.

[Thumchok]

I Live the other side of Kalasin from Khon Kaen , and take mine up to Udon Thani at present when I need a service .

Hi Jim,

Where do you take yours to in Udon Thani?

It's not "that" far to there from Khon Kaen, and may be a reasonable solution.

Does the place where you take yours handle all makes of bike?

Many Thanks.

The place across the road & up a bit from "Fuzzy Kens " , Round the corner from the "Irish Clock" , up the road a bit from "Soi Falang" .

Sorry about the directions ,guess you can see where I hang out when I am up there . he has a fair selection of older large bikes there , and he had CBR parts in stock . Would pay to call him before you head up there and see if he has parts first .

Cheers ,

Jim .

Thaicoon ,

Send us the info and I will give him a try .

Cheers ,

jim .

[MaiChai]

Why don't you buy a Kawasaki KRR? These are 150cc 2 stroke local sports bikes, parts are easy to get, and more importantly you should be able to get it fixed in the country? Otherwise stick to your original plan, but will need to 'truck' your bike somewhere to get it maintained if it breaks down. Sometimes you really have to 'localise' your needs to what is available where you live in Thailand.

[RealityCheck]

Why don't you buy a Kawasaki KRR? These are 150cc 2 stroke local sports bikes, parts are easy to get, and more importantly you should be able to get it fixed in the country? Otherwise stick to your original plan, but will need to 'truck' your bike somewhere to get it maintained if it breaks down. Sometimes you really have to 'localise' your needs to what is available where you live in Thailand.

I appreciate your point regarding the 150cc type sports bikes, however I am looking forward to doing longer journeys than small engined, small (physically) sized bikes allow. Doing trips like Khon Kaen to Pattaya or Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai would be very uncomfortable on small framed bikes. Sometimes I get bum-ache just on the 30Km trip from my village into Khon Kaen city whilst riding the mio.

The larger bikes are much more comfortable and much safer for such trips. I'd much prefer to hit an unseen pot-hole with a wide tire than a narrow one. And whilst many would say that you don't "need" the higher power that a 750+cc engine provides, I'd much rather have it available in those instances when I might need to "get out of the way (of trouble)".

Granted, there are disadvantages - availability of easy maintenance being a prime consideration (for me), inconvenience for parking in the typically "tight" inner city bike parks and the initial purchase cost when compared to small thai style bikes, being but three. However, the advantages in comfort, safety and the exhilaration that comes with a larger bike outweigh (for me) those disadvantages.

I've been kindly informed that there are two retailers of larger bikes in Khon Kaen who also might be able to service my bike for me. So I'll go see them and find out exactly what they can do.

[rockyysdt]

Hi.

I am currently (and for the foreseeable future) living 30km South-West(ish) of Khon Kaen and gearing up to buy a larger bike.

The final choice of make and model is something that I want to avoid making until taking advice from anyone that can help regarding getting larger bikes serviced in this area. But I'm leaning towards Kawasaki.... and something of the ZX10 ilk.... about 4(ish) years old.

I'm no petrol-head.... My mechanical maintenance skills are largely limited to things like changing the oil.

So annual servicing and fixing of problems that require replacement parts are, really, out my league.

In the UK, I'd always take my vehicles to the main dealers (or at least to a competent mechanic).

I get the impression that it would be a mistake to trust a nice bike to the small street mechanics that fix our Mio at the moment, so was wondering what your experiences are of getting larger bikes serviced/fixed. Can the main dealers, for example Yamaha, service and repair the larger engine bikes from their range (even tho' they don't seem to sell them in their showrooms)?

Reliability is essential, as the last thing I want is to be stuck half-way between Khon Kaen and Chang Mai with bit's of engine scattered over the road.

Any and all advice gratefully received.

Cheers.

Hi RC

I'm surprised you lean towards Super Sport machines such as the ZX10 for touring duties.

The thin seat and cramped riding position of the ZX10 will have you feeling quite tortured in a very short time.

Worse still, your pillions high perch will be equally uncomfortable and drastically affect handling and ergonomics.

A Sports Tourer might be better suited to your intended role with plenty of horses for occasional fun.

Have you looked at the following machines:

Triumph Tiger 1050

http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?sect...;article_id=180

Yamaha FZ1 Gen 1 or Gen 2:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=41

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page...?ArticleID=3132

Suzuki 1250 Bandit

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/BikeSpecs200...&PostBack=1

Honda CBF1000

http://www.bikepoint.com.au/portal/alias__...topDefault.aspx

These machines are much more comfortable on long trips, will eat up the miles, and can produce kick stomping power to satisfy all but race track junkies.

Having said that, on Thai wages, these beasts will bleed you dry at the pump compared to the fuel consumption of a scooter.

Edited May 19, 2008 by rockyysdt

[MaiChai]

Fair comment about your needs My experience is that I would not want to do long trips on a motorbike in hot Thailand (or am I too soft?). Personally the best way to get around is by tour bus; cheap, airconditioned, and you don't have to drive! Well thats my opinion. When in Rome...

[tvmax]

Reality Check, Send me your contact number and I can show you a good mechanic. He takes care of my bikes and others I personally know of. He also builds nice customs.

[LivinLOS]

Triumph Tiger 1050

http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?sect...;article_id=180

Recently had the chance to have an up close and personal look at one of these... Very impressive machine and one of those bikes that seems better in the flesh.. Would be great for Thai road conditions but dam_n the sticker shock here.

[RealityCheck]

Hi Guys,

Apologies for the delayed response - I've been away for a while.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

rockyysdt - thanks for the links.

The Triumph certainly looks a good choice, but getting one in Thailand might be an issue (I would have thought).

And you're right, I should definitely consider the comfort factor.

I suppose, comfort for the passanger should also be considered ....

...do I want this to be a personal "escape" machine?

mmmm, no, I suppose it would be nice for both of us (me and partner) to hit the open road together, in which case passenger confort is also a priority.

The majority of people that I've talked with now, recommend not leaving the bike in someone elses hands. i.e. "get a manual and fix/maintain it yourself - Trust you're life to no-one but yourself", so I'm seriously considering becoming a DIY fanatic. I guess there's nothing stopping me considering the time I have on my hands these days.

.... so on with the bike search

Thanks again.

[LivinLOS]

Triumph is one of the few big bikes that do have a legit new sales operation here.