Desperately Need Help From Riders

[Cromarty]

I've avidly read all the (long!) threads on three possible bikes and I want some advice from riders of these bikes.

Basically, I had a CBR1000 back home but felt it was a bit big - like a rocket powered sofa! I was going to go down to a 600 but ended up in Bangkok. I am 6 ft / 1.8m and 12st/79kg.

Not driven a bike for the 4 years I have been in LOS.

The 3 bikes I am thinking of are

1.KSR110

2. Ninja

3. Er6

Most of the driving will be through the small soi's round where I live plus trips to a Central on main roads. Possibly also a small amount of touring, Rayong/Pattaya but not often.

I'm thinking of the KSR, but I might look a bit silly on a little bike. Next I thought the Ninja, but is it too revvy for small sois? So I thought I could rumble through on a ER6, fab price and with the f on it's way is tempting. But if I don't tour often is a Ninja better? If I spend half my time tootling in the soi's is a KSR better?

Any real users got any comments?

Also, is there any farang friendly places where I could get a KSR or Ninja second hand?

cheers!

[Zzinged]

If you're talking about the Ninja 250 then I think it's the bike that'll best suit all your needs. Check the TV classified section for anything. You might also want to check bahtsold.com

New Ninja 250s retail for around 149,000 baht.

Edited May 5, 2009 by Zzinged

[wrathfultalon]

I vote the KSR as it will fit in your pocket once you reach your destination!

Seriously though, you are talking a huge leap in price for each one. If money is not an issue than it would be the ER6.

[mbox]

I've avidly read all the (long!) threads on three possible bikes and I want some advice from riders of these bikes.

Basically, I had a CBR1000 back home but felt it was a bit big - like a rocket powered sofa! I was going to go down to a 600 but ended up in Bangkok. I am 6 ft / 1.8m and 12st/79kg.

Not driven a bike for the 4 years I have been in LOS.

The 3 bikes I am thinking of are

1.KSR110

2. Ninja

3. Er6

Most of the driving will be through the small soi's round where I live plus trips to a Central on main roads. Possibly also a small amount of touring, Rayong/Pattaya but not often.

I'm thinking of the KSR, but I might look a bit silly on a little bike. Next I thought the Ninja, but is it too revvy for small sois? So I thought I could rumble through on a ER6, fab price and with the f on it's way is tempting. But if I don't tour often is a Ninja better? If I spend half my time tootling in the soi's is a KSR better?

Any real users got any comments?

Also, is there any farang friendly places where I could get a KSR or Ninja second hand?

cheers!

Hi just an suggestion. The Tiger Boxer 250 RS may also fit your needs.Its slim , great for downtown slaloms, and powers enough for little touring too.At 72000 THB new it is also very affordable.if a higher cc is needed...i'd choose the ER6 ..but i have tested it and for downtown driving its easier with the Tiger Boxer...but once out of town the ER6 is great fun.

hope that helps

mbox

[Richard-BKK]

He Cromarty,

If it is mainly Bangkok traffic what you do, I would like to introduce a 4th option as in the Kawasaki D-tracker 250. I rode it in Bangkok traffic and it is really a extension on freedom, the little spaces and corners you can do on this bike are perfect.

On the open road, the Ninja 250R is probably the better 250cc... and if you think budget Tiger has a single 250cc naked road bike and Sachs X-Road comes as I belief soon with a 250cc below 100,000 Baht.

[gobs]

1,80 m on a KSR?

As Richard said, Kawasaki D-Tracker could be a 4th option... Slim, awesome and fun in city...

Maybe already some on the second hand market... Around 100/110 KB?..

[LivinLOS]

Your (like me) too big for the KSR.. I have seen a modified KSR with a lift kit and wide bars that might fit you.. If you can fit the KSR a hotted up KSR would be a great bangkok bike, in and out of traffic, small to park, cheap and easy, etc..

Otherwise I would also say have a look at a d-Tracker for downtown with some modest distance stuff.

Really you need to think about how much downtown v longer distance is really involved.

[Macx]

I just saw someone posted a "Rare Honda Hornet" 250 on the classified here. I'd love to add that to my little stable, but I've just bought another toy so boo hoo.

I do like smaller bikes for small sois. It's just easier getting around and parking is so much easier.

[LivinLOS]

Ohh nice find.. Great bangkok machine, and able to do some longer rides, great engineering and comfort..

Bit high priced for a 250 perhaps but then it looks clean and low KMs..

The OP would be well advised to have a look into that !!

[Kf6vci]

Well, never underestimate ergonomics. I would add the Tiger 250 to the list. Pay for some upgrades like the paint of your choice and top notch tires.

Maybe 80,000 Baht buys a solid comfortable bike. Top speed is not important around here.

The KSR will make you feel cramped. why not get a D-Tracker instead?

A relaxed riding position is truly important!

Q: what about protective clothing? Would you be riding in a t-shirt with flip flops?

[Cromarty]

What really made me think about the KSR was the video that was posted from the BRC at the weekend - the big guy on the KSR looked really silly!!!

Thanks everyone, that has really given me some food for thought. I will forget about the cheap, good looking, but ultimately tiny KSR.

I don't fancy a tiger as they seem a bit old fashioned (ducks to avoid flack from the Tiger riders!)

Er6 - I don't think I do enough out of town riding to justify this.

So, I reckon I am down to a Ninja 250, or the d-tracker - this I never thought of and could be a go-er.

The Hornet looks interesting, but would I struggle for parts? I'm also a bit afraid of the green book issue. I presume it is an import so may have a dodgy one? Does anyone know the guy or now his username on Thaivisa?

I might pop down to Kawasaki and have a sit on the d-tracker and ninja. Do they generally have them in stock?

Protective clothing wise, I have all the usual biking gear, including a great jacket. I would absolutely cook in it here though!

[Ithailian]

FYI - I'll be selling my Green 2008 Ninja 250R in the near future (next 60-90 days) cause I'm going to get a bigger bike for long-distance touring.

The bike comes equipped with an aftermarket 2 Brothers Exhaust and upgraded Pirelli Sport Demon rubber. PM me if you are interested.

[Cromarty]

message sent!

[Zzinged]

Cracked under the pressure eh Jim? You getting an ER6 or something then?

[HTWoodson]

I love my ER6n, but I wouldn't recommend it for an around town bike. Even though it's touted as a commuter bike, I think it's just a little to big to comfortably get around on in Thai traffic, and parking in all the motorcycle corrals is a serious pain. Plus the fan blows the air off the radiator right onto my knees and it gets uncomfortable sitting at the traffic lights. About 3 weeks after buying it I bought a used Honda Dream for a town bike. You also can't carry anything on the ER6. Unless you make something custom, there isn't any luggage that will fit on the bike (for the moment, available in Thailand). So forget going shopping for anything more than you can fit in a backpack.

If you are going to use it more for pleasure riding or touring, then I think it's a fine choice. Great bike, but maybe not a town bike.

[Ithailian]

Cracked under the pressure eh Jim? You getting an ER6 or something then?

Yep... to keep up with you lot, I need something that will hold a consistent 200 kph. I'll plan a debut for the new wheels at the right time!

[BigBikeBKK]

Cracked under the pressure eh Jim? You getting an ER6 or something then?

Yep... to keep up with you lot, I need something that will hold a consistent 200 kph. I'll plan a debut for the new wheels at the right time!

Oy Jim! When are we gonna go check out those Ducatis?

[Cromarty]

Taken from Motorcyclenews.com review of the Ninja 250

The gear linkage looks budget but is no worse than other manufacturer budget-line specials. The clocks are olde worlde analogue and there’s even a front wheel driven speedometer cable, which is novel. But the styling and dramatic black or corporate green paintwork is choice and the wave-style brake discs are ultra-cool… on a what is essentially a learner bike.

I'm not quite so excited about this anymore!!!

[INTJ]

Head down to Pattaya and hire one of each for a couple of days at a time.

The Ninja is painfully slow and hard work to ride compared to the ER6N.

[Cromarty]

Well I took myself down to Rama 9 today and had a look at the bikes. Didn't expect to get a test drive just turning up, but the guy offered me one. OK it wasn't a huge area, just down the little road and round the car park, but it was enough. I definately didn't like the ninja, it felt a bit cramped - to think I even considered a KSR, what a muppet! The angle also hurt my wrist which I broke a year ago.

I then had a go on a KLX for a laugh and loved it! Then looked at the tyres and calmed myself down with thoughts of wet tarmac and concrete. Then tried the d-tracker, and we had a winner! I did prefer the slightly higher ride of the KLX but it was still good. Many thanks to those guys who suggested it, it wasn't even on my radar.

I deliberately did not test the ER6, I knew I would have fallen in love with it!

Do they offer discount at the dealership? I will ask a fuller question in a new thread methinks.

cheers guys, you have been invaluable

Edited May 7, 2009 by Cromarty

[Zzinged]

The angle also hurt my wrist which I broke a year ago.

Shoulda mentioned that in your first post

[LivinLOS]

I love it when a plan comes together...

Enjoy your ride.. Once you get it I imagine you may be paying attention to reports of modded ECU's and I too am curious how that goes..

Can never get enough new ride pics either.. Have fun stay safe.

[Cromarty]

Shoulda mentioned that in your first post

nah, didn't mention it as it doesn't affect me at all, including playing football, mountain biking and running triathlons. It must be the particular angle of the setup. I didn't feel comfortable, well more that I didn't feel relaxed on it. As I said in my original post, I'm used to my CBR chesterfield!!

Livinlos, I noticed in another thread about restricted ecu's. I'm going to spend the day doing lots of research I think!