Bit Of Research

[MJP]

Laid up in my sick bed over the past month I've done a bit of research for, if I ever get better, my new hobby. I put it together for the poster 'neverdie' and I thought biking newbies might find some of it useful. Just a copy of my PM to this cool chap.

Basically you need to wait for the FTA with Japan to kick in. Import duty drops to 6% from it's current 95% to 200%. You could go to;

http://www.mocyc.com/store/index.php

But they are basically illegal bikes (90% of them). They may have 'Green Books' but the books don't have the right Customs 'import duty paid stamp' in them. Get pulled and they'll seize the bike. Fines and have to pay import duty on whatever original value or equivalent value today they put on it. Not worth it.

These bikes were imported in bits and assembled 'under the counter' in Thailand. Many are stolen. Not worth it as the prices are the same as the UK anyway.

At the moment, the only reasonable biggish, but fun bike is the Kawasaki D-Tracker 250 for (150,000 Baht) or the Ninja 250 (139,000 Baht).

http://www.kawasakibigbike.com/index.html

The original TV thread link,

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Big-Bike-t221679.html

Another good link is;

http://www.ontheroadthailand.com/Bikes.htm

Backs up what I'm saying. I know. It makes for depressing reading. But things will change over the next 12 months or so. Don't ever expect to get a cheap or even normally priced Ducati, BMW or KTM (I really want a 990 Motard). No FTA with Europe.

Big bike prices can be found here;

http://www.motorcycle.in.th/staticpages/in...big+bike+prices

For information about Thai licences;

http://driving.information.in.th/thai-dmv.html

And, importantly about vehicle licence plates;

http://driving.information.in.th/license-plates.html

Legal big bikes are available here (at bonkers money);

http://www.redbaronbkk.com/products/?cat=1...amp;y=8&p=1

Red Baron are the biggest Japanese (as in biggest in Japan!) bike dealer.

Or TP Motorcycle, but they recently had their Phuket dealership raided by Police, fake green books!

http://www.tpmotorcycle.com/

I've researched this over the past few months, so I thought I'd give you all you really need. Sorry to flood you, just go through the info and don't hand any money over without really doing your research.

Oh and just to really do your head in, I love this site (click link). Pure bike porn and really masochistic for the Thai motorbike nut!

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/index.htm

[CroBiker]

And amazingly Red Baron is considered number 1 dealership for used bikes in Thailand....country of 60 million people.

Just look at their site and limited products on sale, like some village shop. In Kuala Lumpur there are at least dozen dealerships 10 times bigger then them that sell jaw-dropping bikes, accessories, parts and apparel. Considering the fact that they are biggest dealers in Japan one would assume they could afford to run top class dealership here.

[MJP]

And amazingly Red Baron is considered number 1 dealership for used bikes in Thailand....country of 60 million people.

Just look at their site and limited products on sale, like some village shop. In Kuala Lumpur there are at least dozen dealerships 10 times bigger then them that sell jaw-dropping bikes, accessories, parts and apparel. Considering the fact that they are biggest dealers in Japan one would assume they could afford to run top class dealership here.

I know, it's pathetic.

But with the forthcoming FTA with Japan, this market could very well open up. Well, if we weren't heading for a global depression that is.

I was surprised at the lack of big bikes available in Thailand. If needs be I'll pass it up and stick with the Honda Click.

[12DrinkMore]

Thanks for the good info, although the price of the Ninja has now increased by a few thousand Baht.

Maybe once the GBP is down to 10 Baht, the price of Triumphs will drop as well? And why aren't they dropping the prices now as the GBP has already dropped to 52 or so from around 70?

But OH SHIT my income comes from my GB pension, so I'll be paying EVEN more in GBP's, if I can even afford to stay on. :D

[BigBikeBKK]

And amazingly Red Baron is considered number 1 dealership for used bikes in Thailand....country of 60 million people.

Just look at their site and limited products on sale, like some village shop. In Kuala Lumpur there are at least dozen dealerships 10 times bigger then them that sell jaw-dropping bikes, accessories, parts and apparel. Considering the fact that they are biggest dealers in Japan one would assume they could afford to run top class dealership here.

Actually, if you get to know Red Baron there's a lot more there than meets the eye. They sell tons of bikes that you will never see on their floor. Whatever you want, they can get it for you. Yes you pay for it, but they're not going to up and disappear with your money like so many other shops have in Thailand. As noted previously, Red Baron is the largest motorcycle franchise in Japan so they have an incredibly deep selection of bikes and the entire Japanese network backing them up.

[MJP]

Thanks for the good info, although the price of the Ninja has now increased by a few thousand Baht.

Maybe once the GBP is down to 10 Baht, the price of Triumphs will drop as well? And why aren't they dropping the prices now as the GBP has already dropped to 52 or so from around 70?

But OH SHIT my income comes from my GB pension, so I'll be paying EVEN more in GBP's, if I can even afford to stay on.

Tell me about it.

But I think GBP has bottomed on THB. Range 50 - 55 for a long while mind, then USD to go bang after the liquidation of USD denominated assets, technical strength at the moment.

Won't see 70 again for years mind.

[gobs]

Hi MJP,

Thanks for the "newbies" links...

About the market here:

For sure, no place for a network of Big Bikes brand dealers in the western style in LOS. Something like 70% or 75% of the thai people earn at the max 100 KB/year! Do you imagine? How many brand new big bikes sold per year? Even speaking of a Kawy D-Tracker for 150 or 160 KB: it is 1,5 year of earning!..

Then very few wealthy Thais "love" the big bikes... It's not yet in the "culture".

And what about Farangs? Only a bunch of them are ready to put the money on a brand new big bike. It is a micro-market...

For example, the Yamaha market is based on the selling of step-troughs, their big bikes are "butter in the spinachs" not more. BMW bikes are sold through the BMW cars network...

IMHO, as for Kawasaki, things will only change when the japanese brands will build their models in LOS. But never you will find all the "western models", here...

About the FTA:

By pure chance, I recently met Khun Kasempong from Thai Yamaha Motor Co. He is General Manager (Acting) Commercial Planning. He was accompanied by a very kind japan Yamaha official whom I forget name and status (sorry). So we gently spoke together about 20 minutes about the bikes market in Thailand and so on...

Amongst many interesting things, he said that FTA will not drop the prices of the Yamaha bikes next year. Furthermore, according the change with the Yen, they may increase (he spoke of a certain quick 10 KB up...). Same affair for the other japanase brands bikes not built in LOS...

Then he told me, in accordance with the japanese official and a contrario someone wrongly said on this thread, that the Yamaha Big Bikes are truly MADE IN JAPAN, and not at all made in India. I can witness that the bike containers I saw arriving here in CNX by truck are stamped PRODUCT OF JAPAN...

So, this from THE official source. Not rumours from here or there...

At the end, he gave me his business card, arguing that he should be VERY interested in some feed-back from farang bikers... no matter the brand or model. The feed-back of their "feeling", their "perception"...

I guess "they" are interested by this "farang" market, different in its approach that the "thai" one.

Let's see what happens next year and in the next few years...

Cheers,

Gobs

[MJP]

Hi MJP,

Thanks for the "newbies" links...

About the market here:

For sure, no place for a network of Big Bikes brand dealers in the western style in LOS. Something like 70% or 75% of the thai people earn at the max 100 KB/year! Do you imagine? How many brand new big bikes sold per year? Even speaking of a Kawy D-Tracker for 150 or 160 KB: it is 1,5 year of earning!..

Then very few wealthy Thais "love" the big bikes... It's not yet in the "culture".

And what about Farangs? Only a bunch of them are ready to put the money on a brand new big bike. It is a micro-market...

For example, the Yamaha market is based on the selling of step-troughs, their big bikes are "butter in the spinachs" not more. BMW bikes are sold through the BMW cars network...

IMHO, as for Kawasaki, things will only change when the japanese brands will build their models in LOS. But never you will find all the "western models", here...

About the FTA:

By pure chance, I recently met Khun Kasempong from Thai Yamaha Motor Co. He is General Manager (Acting) Commercial Planning. He was accompanied by a very kind japan Yamaha official whom I forget name and status (sorry). So we gently spoke together about 20 minutes about the bikes market in Thailand and so on...

Amongst many interesting things, he said that FTA will not drop the prices of the Yamaha bikes next year. Furthermore, according the change with the Yen, they may increase (he spoke of a certain quick 10 KB up...). Same affair for the other japanase brands bikes not built in LOS...

Then he told me, in accordance with the japanese official and a contrario someone wrongly said on this thread, that the Yamaha Big Bikes are truly MADE IN JAPAN, and not at all made in India. I can witness that the bike containers I saw arriving here in CNX by truck are stamped PRODUCT OF JAPAN...

So, this from THE official source. Not rumours from here or there...

At the end, he gave me his business card, arguing that he should be VERY interested in some feed-back from farang bikers... no matter the brand or model. The feed-back of their "feeling", their "perception"...

I guess "they" are interested by this "farang" market, different in its approach that the "thai" one.

Let's see what happens next year and in the next few years...

Cheers,

Gobs

Good info Gobs,

If the Yen carries on strengthening Japan's got a big problem.

If you could contact the Yamaha guy and see if they'll send me a 2009 V-Max as a sample, I'd be interested!

The distribution of wealth in Thailand is terrible. My wife takes all my wealth and distributes it!

[neverdie]

Well MJP,

I was bouncing around the place before trying to work out what I would get, above my current ride, to get a bit of touring done in thailand.......of course now you've got me scratching my head trying to work out what i might be able to afford without cutting off both of my 'boys' to do so????

The info you have provided me with has kept me busy for hours & makes me wonder if I should hold off for now, hoping for some development in relation to taxes here in thailand. Those guys on their Ninja 250ies seem to be having alot of fun, actually a couple of them seem to be even bigger bike FREAKS than me......didnt think it was possible. Its been years since I owned a 250 (excluding dirt bikes) and I can't help but think I don't want to go back to those 'boy racer days' where you feel every conrner must be taken at maxium revs & maxium lean angles.....just because the bike begs to be ridden that way. Don't get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with pumping up and having a go, I just know through my experience theres nothing like getting half way around some pot holl ridden bend and you find a 'somchai' coming the other way in his fourbie & hes also hugging the racing line....only problem is its the same racing line you're on. Naturally you may be having a go on the bigger bike too, but I just know how much those little 250ies like to rev & how much I like doing it too them. LOL. NB: For all those Ninja riders......I don't need to hear how great your rides are....I've already read ur posts & think they're great looking machines, a good buy, a good ride....all of the above.

Anyway MJP I was actually hoping to get something a little more upright, with a bit more torque, something that will just idle along on the open road & something that soaks up the bumps a little better. As far as Naked type looking machines that Kawasaki ER6N, looks sweet, & would be a good bike for someone your size.....& whilst I can see they are priced reasonably in other countries, I'm not too certain they will be under the 300k, IF they are released for sale here in thailand. Naturally, there are heaps of great bikes in this world, I just thought there might be some advantage of owning a thai made bike, as opposed to having something imported & naturally paying extra for this.

Anyway, back to reality......its 150cc for me for now

Edited December 7, 2008 by neverdie

[svenivan]

At the moment, the only reasonable biggish, but fun bike is the Kawasaki D-Tracker 250 for (150,000 Baht) or the Ninja 250 (139,000 Baht).

http://www.kawasakibigbike.com/index.html

I checked the link to Kawasaki. The prices you say, are that included with plates and the book?

And do you know the price for the KLX250 that are in Kawasaki-site?

And do they sell the Vulcan 900 here to and if so, what is the price for that one?

Sorry for all questions but I cannot read Thai, just look at the pics!

[MJP]

Well MJP,

I was bouncing around the place before trying to work out what I would get, above my current ride, to get a bit of touring done in thailand.......of course now you've got me scratching my head trying to work out what i might be able to afford without cutting off both of my 'boys' to do so????

The info you have provided me with has kept me busy for hours & makes me wonder if I should hold off for now, hoping for some development in relation to taxes here in thailand. Those guys on their Ninja 250ies seem to be having alot of fun, actually a couple of them seem to be even bigger bike FREAKS than me......didnt think it was possible. Its been years since I owned a 250 (excluding dirt bikes) and I can't help but think I don't want to go back to those 'boy racer days' where you feel every conrner must be taken at maxium revs & maxium lean angles.....just because the bike begs to be ridden that way. Don't get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with pumping up and having a go, I just know through my experience theres nothing like getting half way around some pot holl ridden bend and you find a 'somchai' coming the other way in his fourbie & hes also hugging the racing line....only problem is its the same racing line you're on. Naturally you may be having a go on the bigger bike too, but I just know how much those little 250ies like to rev & how much I like doing it too them. LOL. NB: For all those Ninja riders......I don't need to hear how great your rides are....I've already read ur posts & think they're great looking machines, a good buy, a good ride....all of the above.

Anyway MJP I was actually hoping to get something a little more upright, with a bit more torque, something that will just idle along on the open road & something that soaks up the bumps a little better. As far as Naked type looking machines that Kawasaki ER6N, looks sweet, & would be a good bike for someone your size.....& whilst I can see they are priced reasonably in other countries, I'm not too certain they will be under the 300k, IF they are released for sale here in thailand. Naturally, there are heaps of great bikes in this world, I just thought there might be some advantage of owning a thai made bike, as opposed to having something imported & naturally paying extra for this.

Anyway, back to reality......its 150cc for me for now

You need to PM 'Gobs', freakin' great guy!

He just bought an ER6n.

280,000 I think.

Wait a while. Nothing around the world including carrots is selling at the moment and the FTA's coming.

Reckon a saving could be made.

[MJP]

At the moment, the only reasonable biggish, but fun bike is the Kawasaki D-Tracker 250 for (150,000 Baht) or the Ninja 250 (139,000 Baht).

http://www.kawasakibigbike.com/index.html

I checked the link to Kawasaki. The prices you say, are that included with plates and the book?

And do you know the price for the KLX250 that are in Kawasaki-site?

And do they sell the Vulcan 900 here to and if so, what is the price for that one?

Sorry for all questions but I cannot read Thai, just look at the pics!

Look for the D-Tracker thread here.

I think around 155,000 OTR.

[Richard-BKK]

That the average Somchai doesn't make enough money to buy a "bigger" motorcycle didn't stop Thailand of being one of the leading countries in BMW and Mercedes-Benz. With one of this German car brands, Thailand beats even the USA in sales (maybe currently with the problems in the automotive industry it beats the USA for both brands).

If you look at studies done be some car manufacturers, you will see that Thailand has not that much less purchase power than a average European country. And with Thailand on the number 2 or 3 list of best selling countries in the world for BMW and Mercedes-Benz I have to full confident that bigger motorcycles will do pretty good.

Especially if next year the government changes the drivers license for bigger engine displacement, making it possible to legally ride in the left lain with your big bike, or take a flyover ..etc...

[LivinLOS]

Well MJP,

I was bouncing around the place before trying to work out what I would get, above my current ride, to get a bit of touring done in thailand.......of course now you've got me scratching my head trying to work out what i might be able to afford without cutting off both of my 'boys' to do so????

The info you have provided me with has kept me busy for hours & makes me wonder if I should hold off for now, hoping for some development in relation to taxes here in thailand. Those guys on their Ninja 250ies seem to be having alot of fun, actually a couple of them seem to be even bigger bike FREAKS than me......didnt think it was possible. Its been years since I owned a 250 (excluding dirt bikes) and I can't help but think I don't want to go back to those 'boy racer days' where you feel every conrner must be taken at maxium revs & maxium lean angles.....just because the bike begs to be ridden that way. Don't get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with pumping up and having a go, I just know through my experience theres nothing like getting half way around some pot holl ridden bend and you find a 'somchai' coming the other way in his fourbie & hes also hugging the racing line....only problem is its the same racing line you're on. Naturally you may be having a go on the bigger bike too, but I just know how much those little 250ies like to rev & how much I like doing it too them. LOL. NB: For all those Ninja riders......I don't need to hear how great your rides are....I've already read ur posts & think they're great looking machines, a good buy, a good ride....all of the above.

Anyway MJP I was actually hoping to get something a little more upright, with a bit more torque, something that will just idle along on the open road & something that soaks up the bumps a little better. As far as Naked type looking machines that Kawasaki ER6N, looks sweet, & would be a good bike for someone your size.....& whilst I can see they are priced reasonably in other countries, I'm not too certain they will be under the 300k, IF they are released for sale here in thailand. Naturally, there are heaps of great bikes in this world, I just thought there might be some advantage of owning a thai made bike, as opposed to having something imported & naturally paying extra for this.

Anyway, back to reality......its 150cc for me for now

You need to PM 'Gobs', freakin' great guy!

He just bought an ER6n.

280,000 I think.

Wait a while. Nothing around the world including carrots is selling at the moment and the FTA's coming.

Reckon a saving could be made.

Is that a set in stone price now ?? Meaning he had bought and paid and either now has, or expects delivery within a short time frame ??

My local kwaker shop said Dec / Christmas 'hopefully' and 'New year sure' for the ER6N (which he confusingly called the ER6 Ninja) and thought the price would be 270k. so far I have heard everything from 270 at the low end to 300 at the high.

The local kwaker shop also said 149,999 for all of the D-Tracker KLX and Ninja.. I didnt want to get into the haggle on the Ninja price so perhaps he was giving himself a discount cusion but oddly it was the D-Tracker I was showing the most interest in.

[CroBiker]

That the average Somchai doesn't make enough money to buy a "bigger" motorcycle didn't stop Thailand of being one of the leading countries in BMW and Mercedes-Benz. With one of this German car brands, Thailand beats even the USA in sales (maybe currently with the problems in the automotive industry it beats the USA for both brands).

If you look at studies done be some car manufacturers, you will see that Thailand has not that much less purchase power than a average European country. And with Thailand on the number 2 or 3 list of best selling countries in the world for BMW and Mercedes-Benz I have to full confident that bigger motorcycles will do pretty good.

Especially if next year the government changes the drivers license for bigger engine displacement, making it possible to legally ride in the left lain with your big bike, or take a flyover ..etc...

Hey Richard,

not disputing what you just said about number of high quality German cars owned by Thais, just wondering where and how did you obtain these statistics? 10 years ago there weren't so many beemers and benz's around but these days they popping all over the place.

[Richard-BKK]

A company I work for does this sort of marketing analyzes before they introduce a product on the market. And I bet that BMW and Mercedes-Benz does hire the same companies to do this research.

@LivinginLOS

Sorry to say that you need to wait a bit longer for your 2009 Kawasaki ER-6n, current production is all already planned until March and nothing with a Thai sticker on it. Maybe the planning boys find another way to increase production...otherwise you need to wait until March....

[BSJ]

Hi MJP, keeping yourself busy, ay! So it would be fair to say any bike for sale on Mocyc is dodgy?

[MJP]

Hi MJP, keeping yourself busy, ay! So it would be fair to say any bike for sale on Mocyc is dodgy?

Apparently. I'm new to the Thailand bike thing and have been warned off mocyc.com by other posters.

Even if it has a number plate and a 'green book' (registration document), which could very well be dodgy, there is this common administration error if the book has been anywhere near the vehicle reg dept, they forget to transfer the import duty stamp. I think I got this right?

I'd still have a look but seems like shark infested waters to me. At a time when money has been placed on the endangered species list, who needs the grief?

[LivinLOS]

That the average Somchai doesn't make enough money to buy a "bigger" motorcycle didn't stop Thailand of being one of the leading countries in BMW and Mercedes-Benz. With one of this German car brands, Thailand beats even the USA in sales (maybe currently with the problems in the automotive industry it beats the USA for both brands).

If you look at studies done be some car manufacturers, you will see that Thailand has not that much less purchase power than a average European country. And with Thailand on the number 2 or 3 list of best selling countries in the world for BMW and Mercedes-Benz I have to full confident that bigger motorcycles will do pretty good.

Especially if next year the government changes the drivers license for bigger engine displacement, making it possible to legally ride in the left lain with your big bike, or take a flyover ..etc...

Hey Richard,

not disputing what you just said about number of high quality German cars owned by Thais, just wondering where and how did you obtain these statistics? 10 years ago there weren't so many beemers and benz's around but these days they popping all over the place.

I too find "Thailand beats even the USA in sales" very hard to believe.. Merc were (pre crunch) selling 150k plus per annum stateside, a figure I dont see them selling in Thailand by any stretch..

[Pikey]

I think MJP needs to check his facts a bit before publishing his "newbie guide" and potentially confusing people even more that they probably are if they have dipped their toe in the murky water iof Thai biking. No offence MJP but a few corrections:

The FTA with Japan reduces the import tax by 6% per year rather than instantly down to a flat rate of 6%.

Mocyc.com is riddled with bikes with "recycled books" as are most shops - reputable or not. I sold a 1997 XJR1200 on there and it was fully legit. A recycled book is in the computer system and it is possible to cross borders with a bike registered in such a way. Who knows if this will change?

The police (currently) will not seize your bike if it has a hooky plate & book. How can they tell from a roadside check? They cannot. What could possibly happen is that when you go to tax the bike then if it's older than 5 years (or let's say the green book is over 5 years old), an inspection is necessary and it's possible that the frame number could show something not quite right.

Police are definitely clamping down on bigger bikes with no plates and this can lead to roadside seizure with corresponding release fees in the range of 3000 - 10000 baht (here in CNX at least). Sometimes it can be a spot fine of 500/1000 baht. If you are in this situation, do not get off the bike as they will immediately have the keys off you and the bike will be impounded.

Thw ER6N is not available here yet. As others have said, it's coming but not until early next year.

The D-Tracker (and the KLX) are fun bikes, well priced and handle well - shame about the gutless engines ;-)

Like I said, not ragging you but facts are facts. Useful links though....

Cheers,

Pikey.

Edited December 8, 2008 by Pikey

[LivinLOS]

Hi MJP, keeping yourself busy, ay! So it would be fair to say any bike for sale on Mocyc is dodgy?

Apparently. I'm new to the Thailand bike thing and have been warned off mocyc.com by other posters.

Even if it has a number plate and a 'green book' (registration document), which could very well be dodgy, there is this common administration error if the book has been anywhere near the vehicle reg dept, they forget to transfer the import duty stamp. I think I got this right?

I'd still have a look but seems like shark infested waters to me. At a time when money has been placed on the endangered species list, who needs the grief?

It is a market to be wary of.. But I would say its far less than 90% are bad and also theres ways to protect yourself.

I have yet to hear of any person, with a book that 100% matches thier bike, in age, model, make, spec, and all numbers.. who went to the DMV and did the transfer himself.. Lose it..

Currently phukets customs are basically a law unto themselves but thats kinda a different topic and represents legit as well as less than perfect books and bikes..

[LivinLOS]

@LivinginLOS

Sorry to say that you need to wait a bit longer for your 2009 Kawasaki ER-6n, current production is all already planned until March and nothing with a Thai sticker on it. Maybe the planning boys find another way to increase production...otherwise you need to wait until March....

Will need to wait even longer than that for me to get a better offer on that spare kidney too !!

The local kwaker guy seemed so sure too..

[MJP]

Hi MJP, keeping yourself busy, ay! So it would be fair to say any bike for sale on Mocyc is dodgy?

Apparently. I'm new to the Thailand bike thing and have been warned off mocyc.com by other posters.

Even if it has a number plate and a 'green book' (registration document), which could very well be dodgy, there is this common administration error if the book has been anywhere near the vehicle reg dept, they forget to transfer the import duty stamp. I think I got this right?

I'd still have a look but seems like shark infested waters to me. At a time when money has been placed on the endangered species list, who needs the grief?

It is a market to be wary of.. But I would say its far less than 90% are bad and also theres ways to protect yourself.

I have yet to hear of any person, with a book that 100% matches thier bike, in age, model, make, spec, and all numbers.. who went to the DMV and did the transfer himself.. Lose it..

Currently phukets customs are basically a law unto themselves but thats kinda a different topic and represents legit as well as less than perfect books and bikes..

I guess Phuket and Pattaya, places like that, would attract the eyes of the law. But up in Roi-Et/Kalasin area, who knows?

The problem comes when you can get a good XJR1300 for around 100,000 Baht, it's hard to resist. Lot's of CBR600's for sale too.

I'm leaving it well into 2009 anyway as I've got too much else to do. Probably won't happen anyway because of remonstrations from the ball and chain.

[MJP]

I think MJP needs to check his facts a bit before publishing his "newbie guide" and potentially confusing people even more that they probably are if they have dipped their toe in the murky water iof Thai biking. No offence MJP but a few corrections:

The FTA with Japan reduces the import tax by 6% per year rather than instantly down to a flat rate of 6%.

Mocyc.com is riddled with bikes with "recycled books" as are most shops - reputable or not. I sold a 1997 XJR1200 on there and it was fully legit. A recycled book is in the computer system and it is possible to cross borders with a bike registered in such a way. Who knows if this will change?

The police (currently) will not seize your bike if it has a hooky plate & book. How can they tell from a roadside check? They cannot. What could possibly happen is that when you go to tax the bike then if it's older than 5 years (or let's say the green book is over 5 years old), an inspection is necessary and it's possible that the frame number could show something not quite right.

Police are definitely clamping down on bigger bikes with no plates and this can lead to roadside seizure with corresponding release fees in the range of 3000 - 10000 baht (here in CNX at least). Sometimes it can be a spot fine of 500/1000 baht. If you are in this situation, do not get off the bike as they will immediately have the keys off you and the bike will be impounded.

Thw ER6N is not available here yet. As others have said, it's coming but not until early next year.

The D-Tracker (and the KLX) are fun bikes, well priced and handle well - shame about the gutless engines ;-)

Like I said, not ragging you but facts are facts. Useful links though....

Cheers,

Pikey.

TBH, I think I'm going to give up with it. Seems fraught with pitfalls and unknowns and at the moment I don't really want to spend a dime on discretionary spending.

Think I'll just wind the windows down in the D-Max.

[CroBiker]

I have yet to hear of any person, with a book that 100% matches thier bike, in age, model, make, spec, and all numbers.. who went to the DMV and did the transfer himself.. Lose it..

Currently phukets customs are basically a law unto themselves but thats kinda a different topic and represents legit as well as less than perfect books and bikes..

My does now. Wife arranged and validated all documents with Phuket DMV. There is elderly gentleman there (originally from Pattani, can't remember his name) who understands the problems associated with imported big bikes. All perfectly legit, documents, stamps and receipts of import duty fees being settled. Whole process was completed in less then 2 hours. All it takes is to go there, explain your position in calm and respectful manner and he will help. Thank God there are some honest people left in this dept.

Phuket customs is another matter - most corrupted branch in entire country!

[Pikey]

Yeah but a D-Max is crap in the corners!

So many things can affect the biking situation - exchange rates, FTA, market demand e.t.c. And it could be that if the political situation gets any crazier, none of us will want to stay here anyway! ;-) Laos is nice this time of the year......

Cheers,

Pikey.

[MJP]

Yeah but a D-Max is crap in the corners!

So many things can affect the biking situation - exchange rates, FTA, market demand e.t.c. And it could be that if the political situation gets any crazier, none of us will want to stay here anyway! ;-) Laos is nice this time of the year......

Cheers,

Pikey.

Is it really bad now?

The bikes available and at the prices, could be taken because of illegality, they're way more then the UK.

The price of pick-ups I can reconcile myself with, but anything else . . . .

[Pikey]

Take a look at the general news section on TV for an update on the current political situation - f'ing mess!

I've pretty much given up on looking at UK bike mags e.t.c coz I just get all sad and envious that I can't just walk into a dealer here and say "I'll have one of those, in so and so colour, oh and by the way, stick x,y,z accessories on it". Sure things will change but by the time that happens I'll probably be too old to swing a leg over anything other than a lowrider or a blody step-thru!!!

I was looking at a BMW X-challenge(the super moto one?) yesterday and new it's something like 650K THB - that's nearly 13 grand in old money and totally unjustifiable. This is why so many bikes get bought in as parts then re-assembled and go the recycled book route. BTW, although some imports are undoubtably nicked, the majority are either bought at auction or from dealers in Japan.

Pickups are a deal because they are made locally so don't attract the massive, crippling import tax. This is why Kawa can sell the D-Trackers e.t.c coz they are manufactured in Thai.

Cheers,

Pikey.

[MJP]

Take a look at the general news section on TV for an update on the current political situation - f'ing mess!

I've pretty much given up on looking at UK bike mags e.t.c coz I just get all sad and envious that I can't just walk into a dealer here and say "I'll have one of those, in so and so colour, oh and by the way, stick x,y,z accessories on it". Sure things will change but by the time that happens I'll probably be too old to swing a leg over anything other than a lowrider or a blody step-thru!!!

I was looking at a BMW X-challenge(the super moto one?) yesterday and new it's something like 650K THB - that's nearly 13 grand in old money and totally unjustifiable. This is why so many bikes get bought in as parts then re-assembled and go the recycled book route. BTW, although some imports are undoubtably nicked, the majority are either bought at auction or from dealers in Japan.

Pickups are a deal because they are made locally so don't attract the massive, crippling import tax. This is why Kawa can sell the D-Trackers e.t.c coz they are manufactured in Thai.

Cheers,

Pikey.

So protectionist is Thailand. That may have washed in good times but can't see the West putting up with it any more. They need to be careful here, they could get cut-off. In doubt Obama will renew the FTA with the US come 2010.

I'd love a KTM 990 Motard. You can get them for £6.5k new in the UK, probably less now if you go in with cash. The same thing would be £13k, like you say in LOS.

I clocked the Jap import thing, lot's of the adds have Japanese signs on the bike, auction style. Bet they pick them up for next to nothing in Japan, isn't there a maximum vehicle age limit there?

I'll tell you though, it might be bad in LOS, but the UK is looking positively dire right now.

[MJP]

Surely this ones legal

http://www.mocyc.com/store/view.php?idclassified=64987

Could be an earner too, think of all the cars you could pull over and get 100 baht from!