To Buy A New Bike

[BikeCrazy]

Dear All, I am new to Bangkok and amazed to see the variety of bikes available. I am keen to buy a 600 to 1000cc circuit bike here in Bangkok. Do you know any good dealers who can offer me good second hand bikes and what are the key facts that I have to keep in mind while buying the bike -

a)Bike Documments

b)Bike Condition (Who can double check this for me)

c)Bike Genuinity (How do I check if this vehicle has no Police records)

d)Bike Cost Factor - What would be the ideal cost for a Yamaha R1, either 2000 to 2006 model

e)Shipping Cost back to India

These are few quetions that creep up in the mind especially when people scare you about stolen bikes and stuff like that. I would be keen to purchase a Yamaha R1 if it is in good mint condition and the price is favorable. Please do let me know in regards to this query. Also is it true that most of the R1 and larger 4 stroke bikes here have added a extra fan to cool the engine, spoke to couple of mates they say it is necessary to add an extra fan due to temperature issues and frequent traffic snarls.

cheers mates

[BigBikeBKK]

Hi there,

You can learn a lot about the ins and outs of buying and registering a motorcyle in Thailand by reading previous threads here. I suggest you do your homework BEFORE you part with your money as there are many potential pitfalls that can part you from your cash.

RED BARON has this stunning R1 for sale right now for 420,000฿

Not cheap, but then Red Baron never is. The benefit of buying from a reputable shop like Red Baron is that your bike will have legal registration, a warranty and you'll have access to Red Baron's skilled mechanics.

You can find similar bikes for a lot less money, but generally they will not have registration or registration will be done on a recycled book. Caveat emptor- many people ride these types of bikes, but you should know the risks before you do.

Yamaha has an extensive dealer network in Thailand and sells new sport bikes like the R1. Perhaps a Yamamha dealer can help you find a used one as well. Try the Yamaha Big Bike shop behind the Esplanade Mall on Ratchadapisek- very nice dealership and friendly staff.

As far as exporting the bike, I have very little knowledge about this, but if you do a search you can find some Thai companies that offer this service.

Good luck and happy trails!

[H2oDunc]

I notice one of the questions was the cost of shipping back to India. If the bike is going to India why go to the added expense of a bike with a book ?. Buy a grey import without a book and simply ship it to India using the import reciepts. Make sure you get them!!!!!! You only need a book if you intend to keep the bike here in LOS An R1 without a book around the 100,000 mark so the saving will pay for the shipping. Just a thought

[Richard-BKK]

One small detail, all official Yamaha bigger bikes on the Thai market are Indian build... So shipping back a Indian build motorcycle would not be that difficult. Also as soon the full free-trade between Thai and India becomes into effect.

If you would stay in Thailand for a short time, say 6 months to a few months longer, it would be more interested to import a Indian (with Indian plates) motorcycle into Thailand. Which is currently possible, still you need a local (Thai) insurance which can be arrange for about +/- 680 Baht.

Sending back a Indian bike back to India would safe you so much money.... Mainly that the Yamaha bikes in India are cheaper, and you not have to pay extensive import duty on a plated bike you going to ride during your stay in Thailand.

Matter of fact it is so cheap to buy and send back a Indian plated motorycle, that I know several motorcycle dealers in the outer Bangrak area who buy do this to get cheap motorcycle parts. They friend from India comes with a bike and leaves with a motorcycle which is full not functional but still has all parts....

Edited October 6, 2008 by Richard-BKK

[BikeCrazy]

Hi there,

You can learn a lot about the ins and outs of buying and registering a motorcyle in Thailand by reading previous threads here. I suggest you do your homework BEFORE you part with your money as there are many potential pitfalls that can part you from your cash.

RED BARON has this stunning R1 for sale right now for 420,000฿

Not cheap, but then Red Baron never is. The benefit of buying from a reputable shop like Red Baron is that your bike will have legal registration, a warranty and you'll have access to Red Baron's skilled mechanics.

You can find similar bikes for a lot less money, but generally they will not have registration or registration will be done on a recycled book. Caveat emptor- many people ride these types of bikes, but you should know the risks before you do.

Yamaha has an extensive dealer network in Thailand and sells new sport bikes like the R1. Perhaps a Yamamha dealer can help you find a used one as well. Try the Yamaha Big Bike shop behind the Esplanade Mall on Ratchadapisek- very nice dealership and friendly staff.

As far as exporting the bike, I have very little knowledge about this, but if you do a search you can find some Thai companies that offer this service.

Good luck and happy trails!

Hi mate, wow the bike looks great, its amazing. Even though yellow is not my color, I still like the looks of it. Hey thanks for the updates I really need to do some home work, what is the green book about. I heard a lot about Red Baron and his team of skilled mechanics, cool will give him a serious thought. My first concern would be to buy the bike here and use it here for some time, maybe 6 months down the lane I will think of shipping it back to India. Yes, I would love to have the papers in order and would not like to deal with all the hassels of illegal paper etc. But do tell me this do the big bikes like Yamaha R1 made in India, I dont think so, because the only once yamaha make in India are the 125 and 150cc R15 series. I dont think they make R1's and I am sure about that, If they were made in India then they would be cheaper of the shelf there rather than in BKK. But i think I will look for a bit mature bike in terms of years behind it as adviced by couple of friends. They told me to look for something cheaper in the begining like 2000 or 2001 models till I get used to BKK roads and traffic systems. I am sure the price tag should fall drastically, lets say between 100k to 200K, what do u say?

[dotcom]

This would cost about 260,000. Legit book.

[dotcom]

He has lowered the price to 230,000.

[Richard-BKK]

Yep all official Yamaha 'big' bikes in Thailand are manufactured in India....