Honda Phantom : How Long Can It Last ?

[kaizoku]

The question is easy how many KM do you think can it go ?

What will be too much for a second hand ?

I see a lot of model in between 40/50k km and people ask often more than 50k baht do you think this is overpriced ?

I know it depend a lot of the owner and how much he cared of it, but admiting the average case what would be too much km for a second hand for you.

Bonus question : except the Boss, is there an alternative to the Honda Phantom (new/second hand) in the same category?

[ThailandBert]

For me the perfect bike for Thailand is the Phantom. Not the fastest or most powerful bike in Thailand but it is bullet proof. Parts are readily available throughout Thailand. Aftermarket parts also the same. Every Somchai mechanic can fix it if it ever goes wrong and as long as you change the fluids regularly it will run forever. It is also a comfortable bike for a large guy and eats up the km,s with ease. There is talk of a 250 Phantom twin but nothing solid as yet. A good secondhand one can be had for 30,000 Baht.

[JSixpack]

50,000 is too much for a bike w/ 40-50km. 30,000 more like it. Phantoms have an issue w/ the cam tensioner around 30k. Need to check that it's been replaced.

Heard of somebody around here who rode a Phantom for 130,000km. Perhaps somebody will reply who knows more about that.

Alternatives: Lifan 250B (good bike) or Keeway 200.

[billd766]

50,000 is too much for a bike w/ 40-50km. 30,000 more like it. Phantoms have an issue w/ the cam tensioner around 30k. Need to check that it's been replaced.

Heard of somebody around here who rode a Phantom for 130,000km. Perhaps somebody will reply who knows more about that.

Alternatives: Lifan 250B (good bike) or Keeway 200.

My 2005 Phantom has nearly 42,000 on the clock and just keeps plugging along.

In the 3+ years I have had it apart from routine services I have replaced the battery at 5 years old, new chain, front and rear sprockets and cam chain plus tensioner at 23,730 km, IRC tyres at 15,xxx km, new Dunlop tyres at 32109 km (didn't like IRC), new chain slider at 41,xxx km and as I said it just keeps plugging along.

The guy with 130,000 km has a nickname I think of Captain Haddock and I think can be found on the GT Riders website from Chiang Mai but my memory is blanking bits out.

The Phantom is a good solid reliable bike but a rocketship it ain't especially with a fat bugger like me on it.

One day I will buy a computer that spells what I WANT and not what it wants.

Edited October 10, 2012 by billd766

[wantan]

>I see a lot of model in between 40/50k km and people ask often more than 50k baht do you think this is overpriced ?

Yes, imo much overpriced, even in good condition. But its a Honda and TiT

>I know it depend a lot of the owner and how much he cared of it, but admiting the average case what would be too much km for a second hand for you.

As you said, it depends on the previous owner. If the bike has 50,000 km on the clock, you can never be sure its not 100,000 km. All you can do is to check the bike carefully and look if the seller is trustworthy. If the bike is well maintained i may would buy an old Phantom, but i wouldn't want to pay much for it. Some sellers think they are gold and want to sell it for same price as new.

>Bonus question : except the Boss, is there an alternative to the Honda Phantom (new/second hand) in the same category?

As JSixpack said: Lifan 250B or Keeway Superlight 200 or Keeway Dorado 250.

Edited October 10, 2012 by wantan

[kaizoku]

Thank you for your answers.

To summarize :

Phantom is a robust bike if to care about it and change the wear parts (cam tensioner, tires, rear sprockets ...)

Could run up to 130k km and more.

Good price for second hand around 40 000 km would be 30 000 Baht.

Here are the prices I found on internet for this month and Pattaya area :

on bathsold :

Phantom 2006 - 41 000 km : 75 000 baht !!!

Phantom 2003 - 48 000 km : 49 000 baht

coconut ads :

Phantom 2005 - 39 000 km : 60 000 baht ...

Phantom 2005 - 40 000 km : 70 000 baht ...

Thaï visa (not Pattaya area) :

Phantom 2006 - 50 000 km : 52 000 baht

Phantom ???? - 37 500 km : 59 000 baht

I stop the list here .

Maybe I'm not looking at the right spot, also I checked in a lot of shop on the road side but I never find the 40k (not talking about the 30k).

Now considering the alternatives

Kawasaki Boss

Lifan 250B

Keeway superlight 200.

Keeway dorado 200.

Lifan and keeway are chiness brand isn't it ? I hear this is not really reliable.

Are they still produce the kawasaki boss ?

I hear about a 2012 or 2013 new phantom model is it true or only rumors ?

[aitch52]

As a Phantom owner, had mine 5 years from new, 45,000 kms on the clock. Still looking good and this week changed brake pads front and rear, front and rear sprockets and chain and front Wheel bearings. I do an oil change at every 2K and replace the air filter every 4k. The bike is used daily and tomorrow I am riding to Muhkdahan from Phitsanulok, 537 kms. Yes it is a strong reliable bike and as previous posters have said if you take care then it will run and run. Good luck with your search and yes 50K Baht is too much for a bike with 40+Kms on the clock.

[martindavies]

Kaizoku, If your looking to find a good price stop trolling the 'falang' websites and look at the Thai classified ads. I just found pages of them going from 20,000 up to 70,000.

http://www.mocyc.com/market_all.html?query=phantom&product_status=&classified_type=&category=&sub_category=™=0&bPrice=&ePrice=&province=0&x=0&y=0

[kaizoku]

Thank martindavies, there is much better price event if it hard to understand, I send few email, I'm wainting for answer.

I spend the day in differents shop today and I couldn't find under 50k baht and the one in good condition were all above 60k.

Is someone know what was the price of a new honda phantom in shop , and when and why did they stop the production ?

[martindavies]

Thank martindavies, there is much better price event if it hard to understand, I send few email, I'm wainting for answer.

I spend the day in differents shop today and I couldn't find under 50k baht and the one in good condition were all above 60k.

Is someone know what was the price of a new honda phantom in shop , and when and why did they stop the production ?

Production of the TA200 was stopped in Thailand on 3 March 2010

If you can't speak Thai maybe it's best to get a Thai friend to call for you. I rarely get replies from emails I send on that site. I just get my partner to call them for me. Much easier.

That site is defiantly the best place to search online if you want a good price.

Good luck with finding one

Edited October 11, 2012 by martindavies

[billd766]

Thank martindavies, there is much better price event if it hard to understand, I send few email, I'm wainting for answer.

I spend the day in differents shop today and I couldn't find under 50k baht and the one in good condition were all above 60k.

Is someone know what was the price of a new honda phantom in shop , and when and why did they stop the production ?

Production of the TA200 was stopped in Thailand on 3 March 2010

If you can't speak Thai maybe it's best to get a Thai friend to call for you. I rarely get replies from emails I send on that site. I just get my partner to call them for me. Much easier.

That site is defiantly the best place to search online if you want a good price.

Good luck with finding one

As far as I remember they were about 88,000 baht new on the shop floor.

[Fishenough]

Captain Haddock, it's Capt Slash, had 2 Phantoms and could cover 40k km's in his 5 months of riding in Thailand.

I talked with the buyer of the his last Phantom, a local shop owner, who admitted that his workers will strip the bike, put it together looking like a new bike, and resell it. And his last Phantom was sold with 130K for 55,000 Baht. And the Phantom's odometer turns over at 99,999 k, voila a low mileage bike. Be cautious when buying a used Phantom from a shop.

[JSixpack]

Captain Haddock, it's Capt Slash, had 2 Phantoms and could cover 40k km's in his 5 months of riding in Thailand.

Incredible. Now, one thing I like about a Phantom is the relatively comfortable seat. It's not THAT comfortable though! I'd need some extra padding or something for such long rides as Capt Slash took.

Thanks for the link. Should answer all objections to the Phantom's build quality and maintainability at least.

[billd766]

Captain Haddock, it's Capt Slash, had 2 Phantoms and could cover 40k km's in his 5 months of riding in Thailand.

I talked with the buyer of the his last Phantom, a local shop owner, who admitted that his workers will strip the bike, put it together looking like a new bike, and resell it. And his last Phantom was sold with 130K for 55,000 Baht. And the Phantom's odometer turns over at 99,999 k, voila a low mileage bike. Be cautious when buying a used Phantom from a shop.

My apologies. I was racking my brain for ages and I just couldn't remember Capt Slash name.

I read some of his rides and I was very impressed.

[Fishenough]

My apologies. I was racking my brain for ages and I just couldn't remember Capt Slash name.

I read some of his rides and I was very impressed.

No worries, I too suffer early onset alzheimers and was a fan of Tintin in my youth.

Good example of a Phantoms capabilities; here is a great trip report of off road exploration to the Salween River recently on 'dirt bikes', but here is the report of this trail being ridden first on a Phantom.

[billd766]

My apologies. I was racking my brain for ages and I just couldn't remember Capt Slash name.

I read some of his rides and I was very impressed.

No worries, I too suffer early onset alzheimers and was a fan of Tintin in my youth.

Good example of a Phantoms capabilities; here is a great trip report of off road exploration to the Salween River recently on 'dirt bikes', but here is the report of this trail being ridden first on a Phantom.

I read the trip report and all I can say is that he is a braver man than me to try that trip on a road bike and on his own.

I am also impressed with the Phantom too.

[Dap]

Kaizoku, If your looking to find a good price stop trolling the 'falang' websites and look at the Thai classified ads. I just found pages of them going from 20,000 up to 70,000.

http://www.mocyc.com...vince=0&x=0&y=0

I thank ya' kindly for this great turn-on.

[dave_boo]

My apologies. I was racking my brain for ages and I just couldn't remember Capt Slash name.

I read some of his rides and I was very impressed.

No worries, I too suffer early onset alzheimers and was a fan of Tintin in my youth.

Good example of a Phantoms capabilities; here is a great trip report of off road exploration to the Salween River recently on 'dirt bikes', but here is the report of this trail being ridden first on a Phantom.

I read the trip report and all I can say is that he is a braver man than me to try that trip on a road bike and on his own.

I am also impressed with the Phantom too.

He probably wasn't worried about getting his feet wet