Buying A Motorbike Blog

[Lancelot]

I went down to Immigration the next day and picked up my "Residence Certificate" and raided the ATM for a couple of days to raise some cash (I'm limited to $500 USD daily withdrawls.)

On Sep 23 I went down to the Mityon Honda dealer on 3rd Rd, not too far from Excite Disco. I had a Thai lady with me and we were waited in immediately. I told the salws lady that I was inteerested in a Honda Wave 100 the also the new CZi. Checked both bikes out and she quoted us B34,500 for the wave, including a front basket, step through cargo tie down wire mesh (for lack of a better name) , two helmets and two jackets. She quoted the CZI at 36,000 including two helmets and two jackets. Prices for both bikes included 3rd party insurance, B400, and registration, B600.

I decided on the CZi and asked for the test drivebut "mai dai." I was ready to walk, but asked to see a black CZi before I left (only red and blue in stock at this branch.

"Dai ka" and in 15 minutes there was a new back CZi parked in the service bay. Again I asked for a test drive and this time she said ok. I only went 500 feet and turned around. The bike was nible, responsive and I was sold.

I wanted this bike

Back in side I gave them the nod, we did the paperwork, I paid up, collected my goodies and I was on my way.

I was told I could pick up the Insurance policy in one week; the green book and tag in 2 months.

I filled up with 91 gasohol. The fuel gage was below empty but it would only take 2.9 liters. The book says the tank capacity is 3.7 liters. Cost me B80 to fill up

Until then

Lance

[dave_boo]

I went down to Immigration the next day and picked up my "Residence Certificate" and raided the ATM for a couple of days to raise some cash (I'm limited to $500 USD daily withdrawls.)

On Sep 23 I went down to the Mityon Honda dealer on 3rd Rd, not too far from Excite Disco. I had a Thai lady with me and we were waited in immediately. I told the salws lady that I was inteerested in a Honda Wave 100 the also the new CZi. Checked both bikes out and she quoted us B34,500 for the wave, including a front basket, step through cargo tie down wire mesh (for lack of a better name) , two helmets and two jackets. She quoted the CZI at 36,000 including two helmets and two jackets. Prices for both bikes included 3rd party insurance, B400, and registration, B600.

I decided on the CZi and asked for the test drivebut "mai dai." I was ready to walk, but asked to see a black CZi before I left (only red and blue in stock at this branch.

"Dai ka" and in 15 minutes there was a new back CZi parked in the service bay. Again I asked for a test drive and this time she said ok. I only went 500 feet and turned around. The bike was nible, responsive and I was sold.

I wanted this bike

Back in side I gave them the nod, we did the paperwork, I paid up, collected my goodies and I was on my way.

I was told I could pick up the Insurance policy in one week; the green book and tag in 2 months.

I filled up with 91 gasohol. The fuel gage was below empty but it would only take 2.9 liters. The book says the tank capacity is 3.7 liters. Cost me B80 to fill up

Until then

Lance

Any way I could convince you to track your 'milage'? I'm a little concerned about the amount of fuel that the mother-in-law's Airblade is consuming and wonder if it's a bit high.

[Richard-BKK]

It is not a secrete that the full automatic Honda Airblade is using about twice as much fuel as a Honda Wave and now with the latest Honda CZ-i the Honda Airblade would probably use 3 times more fuel...

It is said that the Honda CZ-i is currently the most fuel efficient motorcycle around, with a claims of around plus 50 km/l fuel....

[dave_boo]

It is not a secrete that the full automatic Honda Airblade is using about twice as much fuel as a Honda Wave and now with the latest Honda CZ-i the Honda Airblade would probably use 3 times more fuel...

It is said that the Honda CZ-i is currently the most fuel efficient motorcycle around, with a claims of around plus 50 km/l fuel....

Thanks for the heads up. It's a bit alarming none the less. Its consumption is much higher than even my CBR 150's, and extremely higher than the family's old Wave-i. I would have thought it should be coming close, only being (as I remember right now) 115 cc versus the 150 and 125, but a lot of efficiency is lost in the transmission, right?

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice enough bike, although the foot area is too small for my honking big feet-48 Euro if you're concerned!

[Lancelot]

Anyway I could convince you to track your 'milage'? I'm a little concerned about the amount of fuel that the mother-in-law's Airblade is consuming and wonder if it's a bit high.

Hi Dave,

Your timming is great, I just filled up yesterday, 182 kms and I could only squeeze in 2.8 liters of Gasohol 91 (the fuel guage was a hair below red EMPTY)

182 km / 2.8 = 65 km / liter Half of that was with a passenger too. Mostly stop and go driving around Pattaya.

Lance

[Pattaya46]

It is not a secrete that the full automatic Honda Airblade is using about twice as much fuel as a Honda Wave and now with the latest Honda CZ-i the Honda Airblade would probably use 3 times more fuel...

Hi,

Where did you get your informations ?

From what I see around me,

you can expect 45 km/l with a Wave

and "only" 35 km/l with an AirBlade.

So where do you take your "twice as much fuel" or, worth, your "3 times more fuel" ?

[dave_boo]

Anyway I could convince you to track your 'milage'? I'm a little concerned about the amount of fuel that the mother-in-law's Airblade is consuming and wonder if it's a bit high.

Hi Dave,

Your timming is great, I just filled up yesterday, 182 kms and I could only squeeze in 2.8 liters of Gasohol 91 (the fuel guage was a hair below red EMPTY)

182 km / 2.8 = 65 km / liter Half of that was with a passenger too. Mostly stop and go driving around Pattaya.

Lance

Holy crap; I thought that my CBR 150R was the bee's knees at 40 km/litre! Really impressive.

[imaneggspurt]

I went down to Immigration the next day and picked up my "Residence Certificate" and raided the ATM for a couple of days to raise some cash (I'm limited to $500 USD daily withdrawls.)

On Sep 23 I went down to the Mityon Honda dealer on 3rd Rd, not too far from Excite Disco. I had a Thai lady with me and we were waited in immediately. I told the salws lady that I was inteerested in a Honda Wave 100 the also the new CZi. Checked both bikes out and she quoted us B34,500 for the wave, including a front basket, step through cargo tie down wire mesh (for lack of a better name) , two helmets and two jackets. She quoted the CZI at 36,000 including two helmets and two jackets. Prices for both bikes included 3rd party insurance, B400, and registration, B600.

I decided on the CZi and asked for the test drivebut "mai dai." I was ready to walk, but asked to see a black CZi before I left (only red and blue in stock at this branch.

"Dai ka" and in 15 minutes there was a new back CZi parked in the service bay. Again I asked for a test drive and this time she said ok. I only went 500 feet and turned around. The bike was nible, responsive and I was sold.

I wanted this bike

Back in side I gave them the nod, we did the paperwork, I paid up, collected my goodies and I was on my way.

I was told I could pick up the Insurance policy in one week; the green book and tag in 2 months.

I filled up with 91 gasohol. The fuel gage was below empty but it would only take 2.9 liters. The book says the tank capacity is 3.7 liters. Cost me B80 to fill up

Until then

Lance

Any way I could convince you to track your 'milage'? I'm a little concerned about the amount of fuel that the mother-in-law's Airblade is consuming and wonder if it's a bit high.

If ever i have to worry about the price of fuel in one these pathetic scooters like a thai peasant ill be on the first plane out of Thailand ! ...Sorry but how anyone can get excited over one of these is beyond me,

[Lancelot]

If ever i have to worry about the price of fuel in one these pathetic scooters like a thai peasant ill be on the first plane out of Thailand ! ...Sorry but how anyone can get excited over one of these is beyond me,

Thai peasants are OK by me. At least they know whats important in life

[Richard-BKK]

Sorry fuel consumption is not an exact science, especially, if we not take a strict track to ride and emulate the same road and weather conditions for every run.

But if you say that a Honda Airblade does 35km/l, I belief you. Only I cannot understand why Honda introduced the Honda Click-i with PGM-FI, which is also suppose to do a millage of around 35 to 40km/l. Still the millage of the new Honda CZ-i 110cc is impressive.

[imaneggspurt]

If ever i have to worry about the price of fuel in one these pathetic scooters like a thai peasant ill be on the first plane out of Thailand ! ...Sorry but how anyone can get excited over one of these is beyond me,

Thai peasants are OK by me. At least they know whats important in life

And that is ? som tum and whisky !

[Bard]

If ever i have to worry about the price of fuel in one these pathetic scooters like a thai peasant ill be on the first plane out of Thailand ! ...Sorry but how anyone can get excited over one of these is beyond me,

Thai peasants are OK by me. At least they know whats important in life

You really made me curious here now, please share what they know is important in life.

[dave_boo]

If ever i have to worry about the price of fuel in one these pathetic scooters like a thai (sic) peasant ill be on the first plane out of Thailand ! ...Sorry but how anyone can get excited over one of these is beyond me,

I'm glad you have a superiority complex. Perhaps if you weren't so narcissistic, you would know that mileage, or lack thereof, can indicate the health of the engine.

But then again, perchance you're one of those banana millionaires who had a dysfunctional life back in your home country, so we should try and understand that you have issues.

You really made me curious here now, please share what they know is important in life.

Family, health, and inter-personal relationships. Since the person you were replying to was replying to someone who obviously equates material possesions with importance, not understanding that it is transient, I'm going to go out on the limb and suggest that the 'glue' that holds rural Thailand together is what's important.

I'd love to see all those possesions that the person who replied to me attend his funeral or remember him. Having invested in others, the Thai "paesant" won't have that problem.....

[Bard]

If ever i have to worry about the price of fuel in one these pathetic scooters like a thai (sic) peasant ill be on the first plane out of Thailand ! ...Sorry but how anyone can get excited over one of these is beyond me,

I'm glad you have a superiority complex. Perhaps if you weren't so narcissistic, you would know that mileage, or lack thereof, can indicate the health of the engine.

But then again, perchance you're one of those banana millionaires who had a dysfunctional life back in your home country, so we should try and understand that you have issues.

You really made me curious here now, please share what they know is important in life.

Family, health, and inter-personal relationships. Since the person you were replying to was replying to someone who obviously equates material possesions with importance, not understanding that it is transient, I'm going to go out on the limb and suggest that the 'glue' that holds rural Thailand together is what's important.

I'd love to see all those possesions that the person who replied to me attend his funeral or remember him. Having invested in others, the Thai "paesant" won't have that problem.....

Thanks for the answer Dave, I am unsure from my time here in LOS if I see what you state but the idea is good and I would like that it is the case.

[dave_boo]

Thanks for the answer Dave, I am unsure from my time here in LOS if I see what you state but the idea is good and I would like that it is the case.

You see, I'm not such a bad person after all!

Granted my experience in Thailand isn't as vast as other T.V. members, but in the nearly 4 years I've been going/living there (a total of 13 months), that's what I've witnessed. Granted, it's mostly with the in-laws and others in the village, thus representing a statistically insignificant portion of the population, and I'm hopelessly infatuated with the idea that everyone wants to be good. So my point of view may be skewed. I.E., value it for what you payed for it...

[Lancelot]

You really made me curious here now, please share what they know is important in life.

He was just pulling my chain so I returned the favor

But I prefer the company of non materialistic folks as opposed to the "look what I have crowd..."

Thai "peasants" seem to value family, harmony and having fun (laughter.) They seem to sleep like babies as well, LOL. So I am happy with my "pathetic" little Honda Wave and content to be one of the "peasant" crowd as well

[PeaceBlondie]

Back to mileage numbers. We had a CZi for a few weeks, not long enough to check mileage. Now we have an automatic Click which I suspect will not be economical. Riding style matters - dave boo gets nearly 40 on the same bike I get 32.

But there is an algebra problem here, called the inverse. Miles per gallon, and km per liter, are deceptive. How much fuel do you use in 1,000 km of driving?

Two examples - a CBR150 with average consumption of 36 km per liter. In 1000 km, uses = 27.8 liters.

A CZi with consumption of 64 km per liter (it probably never gets more) = 15.6 liters.

A variance about as wide as you can expect, and only 12.2 liters difference in 1,000 km. Most bikes go maybe 5000 km in a year. Most such comparisons will be less than 50 liters per year in typical use. If you must save the planet, fine. But 1,500 baht per year makes very little difference for most of us, and 800 baht is a nice meal for two.

[harrry]

Back to mileage numbers. We had a CZi for a few weeks, not long enough to check mileage. Now we have an automatic Click which I suspect will not be economical. Riding style matters - dave boo gets nearly 40 on the same bike I get 32.

But there is an algebra problem here, called the inverse. Miles per gallon, and km per liter, are deceptive. How much fuel do you use in 1,000 km of driving?

Two examples - a CBR150 with average consumption of 36 km per liter. In 1000 km, uses = 27.8 liters.

A CZi with consumption of 64 km per liter (it probably never gets more) = 15.6 liters.

A variance about as wide as you can expect, and only 12.2 liters difference in 1,000 km. Most bikes go maybe 5000 km in a year. Most such comparisons will be less than 50 liters per year in typical use. If you must save the planet, fine. But 1,500 baht per year makes very little difference for most of us, and 800 baht is a nice meal for two.

Milage does count. The better it is the more miles you can go. I was doing 25000 km a year till I lost my leg on my 50cc moped.

[PeaceBlondie]

harry, sorry to hear that you lost your leg. I rode only bikes, for about 30,000 km per year in the States, for about 8 years. I am only saying that when you get on the high end of the miles/gallon equation, you reach the point of diminishing returns. When I had a 390 Ford V8 station wagon, I got 11 miles per gallon, but my Corvair Turbo got 22 - a huge savings. But now we are comparing extremely economical small bikes to each other, and the difference is usually not ten percent of a very small total.

[Lancelot]

Back to mileage numbers. We had a CZi for a few weeks, not long enough to check mileage. Now we have an automatic Click which I suspect will not be economical. Riding style matters - dave boo gets nearly 40 on the same bike I get 32.

But there is an algebra problem here, called the inverse. Miles per gallon, and km per liter, are deceptive. How much fuel do you use in 1,000 km of driving?

Two examples - a CBR150 with average consumption of 36 km per liter. In 1000 km, uses = 27.8 liters.

A CZi with consumption of 64 km per liter (it probably never gets more) = 15.6 liters.

A variance about as wide as you can expect, and only 12.2 liters difference in 1,000 km. Most bikes go maybe 5000 km in a year. Most such comparisons will be less than 50 liters per year in typical use. If you must save the planet, fine. But 1,500 baht per year makes very little difference for most of us, and 800 baht is a nice meal for two.

I too am wondering if my first calculation of 65km/L was a fluke or not, so I am tracking my mileage and will report said results at 500 and 1,000 km.

PB, why did you trade off the CZi? Just prefer automatics?

[PeaceBlondie]

I too am wondering if my first calculation of 65km/L was a fluke or not, so I am tracking my mileage and will report said results at 500 and 1,000 km.

PB, why did you trade off the CZi? Just prefer automatics?

I did not. We have had a rapid succession of bikes here lately. I thought I had totally wrecked my new CBR150, but I barely scratched it. Meanwhile my partner thought he needed a CZi, which was fine. After I got back my CBR, he traded for an automatic for the first time in his long life. Now he enjoys being lazy. I did not mind riding the 4 speed Yamaha ZR1 or whatever you call that scooter, which is a 135. But an automatic 110 scooter is too girly for this macho man.

[Lancelot]

I did not. We have had a rapid succession of bikes here lately. I thought I had totally wrecked my new CBR150, but I barely scratched it.

But an automatic 110 scooter is too girly for this macho man.

New CBR150? Congrats! A very sporty looking bike.

At least your partner didn't buy a Yamaha Fino

(but they are popular )

[PeaceBlondie]

Since I met him five years ago, he has bought a Tiger Joker 125, a Yamaha Spark 135, a Honda Phantom 200, a Yamaha XR1...but no Fino. I am on my second CBR and love it dearly, even though I now realize it is not such a big deal. The ten liter fuel tanks on the CBR and Phantom are nice, though.

[Martian]

A little clarification please. Since in the near future I will be in the Thailand motorcycle market looking to buy I want to understand the transmission choices. It appears to me that the "automatics" are far more expensive.

1. Does automatic mean it is completely automatic, as in no foot shift lever?

2. Does non-automatic mean you just use a foot shift lever and NO hand clutch?

3. 3rd type would be the fully manual operation utilizing a foot shift lever in combination with the handlebar clutch.

I am more than happy to use a foot shift lever without clutch (#2) if this is the norm for non-auto motorcycles and it saves upward of 10,000 Baht on the purchase price.

Please enlighten me as to the semantics and what they mean.

Thank you!

Martian

[0Mix1up]

i suppose distance traveled on a tank is irrelevant /?/?

though very important to dirt bike riders

still interesting to know on the bike you own, whether it be a p-scoot or super-b

martin semi-auto is gear and clutch on the gear lever, not non-auto.

[Martian]

i suppose distance traveled on a tank is irrelevant /?/?

though very important to dirt bike riders

still interesting to know on the bike you own, whether it be a p-scoot or super-b

martin semi-auto is gear and clutch on the gear lever, not non-auto.

So, auto means there is no foot shift lever at all, the bike shifts automatically???????

Semi-auto means that there is no handlebar clutch and one just merely lets up on the accelerator momentarily and switches the gear with the foot shift lever???

The bikes I have recently driven (Honda Wave) in Thailand have not had a handlebar clutch but did require gear shifting with the foot lever.

Specifically speaking, the Honda CZ-i requires the foot lever shifting (no handlebar clutch) and the Clik-i has fully automatic shifting not requiring rider input??????

What I've been reading the CZ-i is priced about 10,000 Baht lower than the Clik-i and if the above is true, is quite fine with me. I would rather avoid having to use a hand clutch if at all possible...I'm probably behind the times with regard to Thailand motorcycles but I want to be sure what to instruct my wife to buy if she returns to Thailand before me. I want to buy a good reliable and economical bike not necessarily with all the bells and whistles. Even kick-starting is fine with me but I don't want the hand clutch scenario.

Regards,

Steve

[Richard-BKK]

The Honda CZ-i is basically a Honda Wave, with the understanding that for the CZ-i, Honda used more plastic and cheaper materials to construct the bike. Still nothing wrong. But it is clear that that Honda did not wanted give, the Honda Wave indestructible reputation to the CZ-i.

Still nothing wrong the Honda Wave 125-i with PGM-FI cost currently almost 10,000 Baht more then the Honda CZ-i, and still overs less fuel consumption on kilometer per liter. The Honda Wave 125i does 1 liter 40 km, the Honda CZ-i does 50 to 60 km on a liter.....

Both the Honda CZ-i and the Honda Wave share the so famous 4-gear semi-automatic transmission, all the new CZ-i feels more smooth.... this can be a personal touch...

[Martian]

The Honda CZ-i is basically a Honda Wave, with the understanding that for the CZ-i, Honda used more plastic and cheaper materials to construct the bike. Still nothing wrong. But it is clear that that Honda did not wanted give, the Honda Wave indestructible reputation to the CZ-i.

Still nothing wrong the Honda Wave 125-i with PGM-FI cost currently almost 10,000 Baht more then the Honda CZ-i, and still overs less fuel consumption on kilometer per liter. The Honda Wave 125i does 1 liter 40 km, the Honda CZ-i does 50 to 60 km on a liter.....

Both the Honda CZ-i and the Honda Wave share the so famous 4-gear semi-automatic transmission, all the new CZ-i feels more smooth.... this can be a personal touch...

Thank you! exactly what I was looking for.

Regards,

Martian

[Lancelot]

I just clocked 500 kms on the odometer and my total average fuel usage is 63 km/L. The driving was mostly around Pattaya, but I did drive to Bangkok yesterday (man, that Big Mango traffic is intense, LOL!

The bike is small, but it handled ok on the open highway

Lance

Edited October 15, 2008 by Lancelot

[BigBikeBKK]

If ever i have to worry about the price of fuel in one these pathetic scooters like a thai (sic) peasant ill be on the first plane out of Thailand ! ...Sorry but how anyone can get excited over one of these is beyond me,

I'm glad you have a superiority complex. Perhaps if you weren't so narcissistic, you would know that mileage, or lack thereof, can indicate the health of the engine.

But then again, perchance you're one of those banana millionaires who had a dysfunctional life back in your home country, so we should try and understand that you have issues.

You really made me curious here now, please share what they know is important in life.

Family, health, and inter-personal relationships. Since the person you were replying to was replying to someone who obviously equates material possesions with importance, not understanding that it is transient, I'm going to go out on the limb and suggest that the 'glue' that holds rural Thailand together is what's important.

I'd love to see all those possesions that the person who replied to me attend his funeral or remember him. Having invested in others, the Thai "paesant" won't have that problem.....

Well said Dave_Boo, you sound like an aspiring Buddhist- a Lotus for you!