Best Bike For Thailand

[jubby]

I'm just thinking aloud here as I know imported bikes prices are crazy.

I have very little Biking experience but have been enjoying touring around Chiang Rai area on a phantom.

It seems fine to me but having been a 4x4 enthusiast in a past life I often wish it wasn't so 'on-road' biased.

quite a few times I've encountered a shortcut Dirt track which wouldn't suit the phantom.

I've seen a lot of 250 ish. Dirt bikes around here but wonder how safe the tyres are on Tarmac.

I'm thinking a smallish engined road biased Bike with a bit of off-road ability would be ideal.

Is there such a Bike ?

I'm not talking about a Honda 125 with mud tyres - I have one of those.

[gragra]

I'm just thinking aloud here as I know imported bikes prices are crazy.

I have very little Biking experience but have been enjoying touring around Chiang Rai area on a phantom.

It seems fine to me but having been a 4x4 enthusiast in a past life I often wish it wasn't so 'on-road' biased.

quite a few times I've encountered a shortcut Dirt track which wouldn't suit the phantom.

I've seen a lot of 250 ish. Dirt bikes around here but wonder how safe the tyres are on Tarmac.

I'm thinking a smallish engined road biased Bike with a bit of off-road ability would be ideal.

Is there such a Bike ?

I'm not talking about a Honda 125 with mud tyres - I have one of those.

Iit's called a Kawasaki D-Tracker. Based on what you're saying, it would be ideal.

[Richard-BKK]

Personally I would go for a Kawasaki KLX250, or if you not want to spent to much money you can go for a Tiger CX135.

[jubby]

Thanks Guys,

I'll do a Web search on both bikes. There's quite a few second hand dirt bikes type shops in Chiang rai, I'll have to take a look around them.

I've always had this problem with bikes, far too many different models to choose from, KLX, CX etc.. etc.. Never a problem with a Land Rover

[skybluestu]

Thanks Guys,

I'll do a Web search on both bikes. There's quite a few second hand dirt bikes type shops in Chiang rai, I'll have to take a look around them.

I've always had this problem with bikes, far too many different models to choose from, KLX, CX etc.. etc.. Never a problem with a Land Rover

I put a deposit on a D-Tracker at the Chiang Mai Kawasaki dealer last year, think the OTR price was around 150k. The 2nd hand bikes I'd seen around CR were all a similar price or more so I felt the best option was to buy new from a dealer so you get the warranty, green book etc. I didn't end up buying it though as I bought a new pick-up instead so I can't give you my opinion on it but I've read very good reports on both the D-Tracker & KLX.

[Richard-BKK]

The first big difference between a Kawasaki KLX250 and a Tiger CX is the price, with the Kawasaki being 100,000 Baht more expensive. Second the Tiger CX135 is a based on a reinforced underbone frame, while the Kawasaki KLX frame is a direct descent of a motocross frame.

For motorcycle currently on the secondhand market, I would be seriously careful buying one, most if not all are illegal motorcycles without license or the right paper work te get a license plate. And maybe not this month, maybe not even in 4 months, but for sure your motorcycle will be confiscated by the authorities. I have friends who live in Chonburi, near Pattaya, and they always laughed at me demanding bikes with the right paper work, now two of them lost very valuable motorcycles to the authorities and they have little change to get them back.

My advice is buy legal and try not to zig-zag...

Thanks Guys,

I'll do a Web search on both bikes. There's quite a few second hand dirt bikes type shops in Chiang rai, I'll have to take a look around them.

I've always had this problem with bikes, far too many different models to choose from, KLX, CX etc.. etc.. Never a problem with a Land Rover

[jubby]

The kawasaki doesn't seem too bad on price I suppose. Is the Tiger much cheaper ?

It does resemble my Dream 125 on steriods !?

[Richard-BKK]

Rough prices

Kawasaki KLX250 = 150,000 Baht

Tiger CX135E = 40,000 Baht

(there is also a Tiger CX135SE which costs 44,000 Baht)

Kawasaki also has the Kawasaki KLX140L = 74,000 Baht (no green book)

Edited March 3, 2009 by Richard-BKK

[jubby]

That Tigers cheap. I'll have to check it out and see if it is indeed any different to my Honda dream with mud tyres

[PeaceBlondie]

I have seen a Platinum 125 that looked kind of motocrosser/off-road. Not sure how many Tiger or Platinum dealers exist in the north.

[jubby]

I have seen a Platinum 125 that looked kind of motocrosser/off-road. Not sure how many Tiger or Platinum dealers exist in the north.

Never heard of Platinum or Tiger before but I'll be keeping my eyes peeled.

[Richard-BKK]

There are two Tiger dealers in Chiang Mai

[HDRIDER]

How can anybody recommend Tiger or Platinum??? I thought it was only people there did not know anything about bikes, and i know someone here that know a lot about bikes..

I have a friend there rent bikes out and he has both, he say never again it’s not worth all the problems even if they are so cheap

[Richard-BKK]

Hmm HDRIDER,

Which Tiger models does your friends rent out?

[Richard-BKK]

The Platinum PX175 (175cc) is indeed an alternative, but it not has the service as you can expect from a Japanese bike or even from Tiger. Still with a price tag of only 47,000 Baht, you get a "real" off-road motorcycle.

Downside, you probably need to be a bit more technical then the average rider and need to check the bolts and nuts regular, as vibration can shake them lose...

On engine power... you can expect the Platinum 175cc (Chinese build) engine to perform like something what you should expect from a 125cc Japanese engine. Still to have some fun in the hills and fields around the house a Platinum PX175 could be loads of fun...

A Tiger engine (Thai build) performs equal to to a comparable Japanese engine... Personally, I would select the Tiger. You could say that I had a reason why I not talked about it before... (But I also know two happy Platinum PX175 riders, it seems a rare thing)

Edited March 3, 2009 by Richard-BKK

[HDRIDER]

Hi

He got the Tiger Smart i think it is with no electric start, he say they have problem with all the el system, people come back with the bike tired of trying to start it, i think he has 4 of them, also i think its Tiger CX, don’t know about them, but he say it’s not worth the money, Platinum well as you say it’s just falls apart, all the time, he use hours on them every day, no need to use time on his Yamaha and Honda he say. You get what you pay for

[scottyd]

Best bike for Thailand is preferably one that fits inside the Tank you are driving.

[jubby]

Best bike for Thailand is preferably one that fits inside the Tank you are driving.

Good point scottyd. I do like something practical that has more than one use. The pickups useful in this regard. tanks I'm not sure but I suspect high import prices like anything else decent

You do get around don't you

[Richard-BKK]

Hi HDRIDER,

Wow, 4 motorcycles, maybe even one extra being a Tiger CX and where did he buy them? They come with 3 years warranty and did he ever try to contact Tiger about his problems?

Are it 125cc Smarts or are it 135cc Smarts?

[PeaceBlondie]

Does Tiger have a real dealership in Chiang Rai, where the OP lives?

[HDRIDER]

Hi

Its 125CC, i know he contacted Tiger,but sometimes there was nothing wrong so they gave up and he gave up, he just want to get rid of that junk as he call them, nobody want to buy them.

[Richard-BKK]

Hi HDRIDER,

It is indeed a mystery, as the Tiger Smart 125 shares a few parts, especially in the ignition department, with the worlds best selling Honda Wave motorcycle. Anyway I will contact Tiger today, and try to find out about the 5 rental motorcycles in Phuket. (Or is it somewhere else?)

[HDRIDER]

HI

He is based in Kao Lak, he got the bikes from another guy there went bust, not sure where he got them from but i know he was living in Hua Hin, he dont want them anyway just that nobody want to buy them, i wonder why

[Richard-BKK]

Where are the bikes now, Hua Hin or Kao Lak?

[HDRIDER]

Hi

They was in Kao Lak he bought them from a guy in Hua Hin, he has sold all but 1, told me he got 50.000 for them, dont know if i believe it, sound too much. He is closing down, no customer

[thaicbr]

So Hdrider we are talking about bikes brought 2nd hand from a source that we are not sure about, with ages of the bikes we are not sure about, and previous work done not sure about. but yet your friend still gets 50,000 baht for 4(or is it 3) bikes. ex-rental bikes at that. I think he got a good deal really.

I can say that having been one of the few to go to the Tiger factory and se the bikes, they are not bad. any bike that is a lot cheaper than a similar one then yes some things must be cheaper. its economics. but the current range are varying from ok to good. but the prices reflect this.

The CX mentioned by Richard would be a good up country bike and if i lived in the villages it would be on my shopping list. Any body interested in a visit to the Tiger factory all you have to do is call Khun Pariya (he speaks very good English). also of interest is the upcoming launch of the Sachs X-trail 250 (its a supermoto style)at the BKK motor show. i'm hoping to see it next week at the factory.

Allan

[Richard-BKK]

I agree with THAICBR, if it was a Tiger Smart 135 it would have been a ignition coil, different to a Honda Wave 125 (Thailand's regarded most reliable motorcycle). I hope you get that Honda doesn't build this ignition coils themselves..., you can find the same manufacturers coils with just slight changes in many bikes from many manufacturers...

Also, Tiger, a company rune like it was a, English speaking German colony (has not record of a complain of 4 motorcycles from one owner for any bike?)

[HDRIDER]

Guys

I don’t really care about the Tiger i will never own one, i just told you guys what problems my friend have with this wannabe bike, and that is what scare me a little if i have to buy a big Thai made bike, there is always a reason why some bikes is a lot cheaper than others, also this " but they have 3 years warranty and they will fix it" there should not be something wrong with a new bike, i have had a few new bikes like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, not a problem with them, we talk small bikes made in Thailand, but let me hear some with the tiger there have been on the road for 3 years with no problem, maybe, maybe not.

Edit: do you think they will tell how many problems they have with the bike, i would not tell you for sure

Edited March 4, 2009 by HDRIDER

[thaicbr]

HD its good that you share info with us. The point i was trying to get over was if you don't have experience of a particular brand yourself you should reserve judgment or maybe just word it a little better. after all a lot of parts for the HD's are now made in China. at least 2 of the big 4 Japanese company's plus Triumph manufacturer big bikes here in Thailand. would you not buy one of these because its made in Thailand.

If you don't like something that is fine. but at least have personal experience of that product. example: I don't like Harley's, but you don't hear me slagging them off.

Have a nice day now and ride safe

[KIFKIF]

I DID NOT RODE SO MANY BIKES OVER HERE BUT

I CONFIRM ...KLX 250 WITH A PAIR OF SPARE TIRES SLICK