Kawasaki Ninja + Some Q's

[TomTom55]

Hello all, hope your weekend kicks off to be a good one. I have some questions here for you guys if you may be able to help?

Brief background info, I have been living in Thailand now for 3 and a bit years, I am in my mid 20s, a male and have been with a Thai girl for 2 years (she's 37 though). Yea I know, I could have technically gone with the vast majority of Thai women considering the way things are here plus my age, but I wanted something real and not a business deal. She's a great girl.

Anyway direct back to OT. At present I have a 4 speed motorbike, no clutch of course but I raced motoX when I was young, from the age of maybe 6-10. I want to get a Kawasaki Ninja, the 300cc ABS model. I am not sure if I should get the 2013 model or an older one and I want to buy it out right. What do you personally think would be the best way to go about this here in Thailand?

Second question, I have been riding bikes for most of my life like I said, I ride my bike with a helmet around my town and I do ride pretty 'insane' if I am on my own, but I have a good instinct and reactions and have had no serious incidents over the years. However, I have no Thai license. How much does it cost to get a bike license here and what type of bike do they test you on when you take the test? What is the test like? Whenever I have been pulled here I can speak Thai so I normally get away with saying I lost my wallet or my wallet was stolen in Thai and they just let me go on my way.

Last question, petrol, gasoline, whatever you want to call it. I have never owned a bike of this CC, the highest was a 125 motoX bike and you have to mix the fuel yourself. What would I need to for kind of bike. I assume 91 or 95 isn't going to do the trick? Any feedback is well appreciated, thanks in advance,
-Tom

[stevenl]

You're probably better of in the bikes forum, here.

[metisdead]

Moved to the BIkes in Thailand forum.

[TomTom55]

Moved to the BIkes in Thailand forum.

Cheers, didn't see this forum, thanks for the notice after moving the thread.

[mania]

1st Question, as to buying the 2013 or older it is up to you & your financing.

If buying new of course you go about it by going to the dealer.

No discounts here unlike other countries but they give you a few free things

As for the 300 Ninja? That is not available in Thailand neither is the ABS version

as far as I know? It may be available on the green version later.. not sure & have

not noticed. I did buy a new 2013 Ninja 250R & like it. This is the first good sized

revision they have done to the bike so I am partial to the 2013 over older models

If you want to buy older you can get a deal perhaps 100-130k for a 1 or 2 year older model.

Best way to go about that is the ad's on places like here on Thaivisa or Baht & Sold, or Mocyc website

The new model was 158,700 baht at December but I believe it is now 162,500 baht

2nd Question, Thai drivers license? Do It period

It is not but a few baht & you need it if your going to insure the bike etc.

Not to mention not having it will bite you one day same as in any other country

Lastly fuel....You do not mix anything as these are not 2 stroke bikes with fuel & oil mixed

they are 4 stoke engines same as a car

I am running 95 Gasohol in my Ninja & have no complaints

Edited March 1, 2013 by mania

[TomTom55]

1st Question, as to buying the 2013 or older it is up to you & your financing.

If buying new of course you go about it by going to the dealer.

No discounts here unlike other countries but they give you a few free things

As for the 300 Ninja? That is not available in Thailand neither is the ABS version

as far as I know? It may be available on the green version later.. not sure & have

not noticed. I did buy a new 2013 Ninja 250R & like it. This is the first good sized

revision they have done to the bike so I am partial to the 2013 over older models

If you want to buy older you can get a deal perhaps 100-130k for a 1 or 2 year older model.

Best way to go about that is the ad's on places like here on Thaivisa or Baht & Sold, or Mocyc website

The new model was 158,700 baht at December but I believe it is now 162,500 baht

2nd Question, Thai drivers license? Do It period

It is not but a few baht & you need it if your going to insure the bike etc.

Not to mention not having it will bite you one day same as in any other country

Lastly fuel....You do not mix anything as these are not 2 stroke bikes with fuel & oil mixed

they are 4 stoke engines same as a car

I am running 95 Gasohol in my Ninja & have no complaints

Thanks a lot for your reply, the 250 may be the way to go then, I am not going to complain about 50cc.. I always use 95 as apposed to 91 even on my bike I have at the moment, seems smoother and better overall.

I want to get the license but what bike do you have to take the test on, your own, manual, semi or auto? Or does it even matter...

[mania]

Thanks a lot for your reply, the 250 may be the way to go then, I am not going to complain about 50cc.. I always use 95 as apposed to 91 even on my bike I have at the moment, seems smoother and better overall.

I want to get the license but what bike do you have to take the test on, your own, manual, semi or auto? Or does it even matter...

Yes we all would have been happy to accept the 300 too

But it is what it is like many things here.

For the license if you already have a motorcycle license from your country you need not take any test.

Just a reaction & color test.

If not you can take the drivers test on any bike you want. Take a scooter & make it easy

I am not sure but guess you may need a written test too?

Perhaps someone will chime in with the actual procedures.

I already had car & bike licenses so it was a simple deal to get Thai licenses for both bikes & cars/trucks

[GooEng]

I think I'm right in saying that to get a Thai license you need EITHER a certificate of residence OR a non-immigrant type visa.

I'm also told that an international drivers permit is sufficient to validate insurance.

[mania]

I think I'm right in saying that to get a Thai license you need EITHER a certificate of residence OR a non-immigrant type visa. I'm also told that an international drivers permit is sufficient to validate insurance.

Yes I did need a cert of residence which I picked up at the US Consulate for $50

But you can also get one at immigration for 500 baht

You also need this certificate to buy a bike or car in your name.

I do not know about needing a Non Imm O Visa but that is what I have.

Also need a doctors paper which costs 100 baht at any doctor

Edited March 1, 2013 by mania

[TomTom55]

Been here 3years and currently on a n ED visa... I lost my British License which is a shame, but I can turn up on any bike I want right?

[Ticketmaster]

I think I'm right in saying that to get a Thai license you need EITHER a certificate of residence OR a non-immigrant type visa. I'm also told that an international drivers permit is sufficient to validate insurance.

Yes I did need a cert of residence which I picked up at the US Consulate for $50

But you can also get one at immigration for 500 baht

You also need this certificate to buy a bike or car in your name.

I do not know about needing a Non Imm O Visa but that is what I have.

Also need a doctors paper which costs 100 baht at any doctor

I just went a head and got a Yellow Book. One fix for all time instead of chasing down certificates.

Any bike is okay for the driving test. Take the one you have.

[mania]

I just went a head and got a Yellow Book. One fix for all time instead of chasing down certificates.

Any bike is okay for the driving test. Take the one you have.

I really need to get that Yellow Book.

At first I figured I would then thought ah just get this truck.

Then I needed one for license, then I needed one for Ninja, Then I needed one for scooter

so I put scooter in wifes name

It does add up when your buying them at the consulate like me.

Also you need one each time you sell a vehicle in your name too

Thanks for the reminder!

I am going to get back to work on that yellow book.

[GooEng]

Do I read this right - you need a NEW certificate each time you carry out a transaction requiring one (vehicle reg, license application etc)??

Can't a single certificate be re-used?

[mania]

Do I read this right - you need a NEW certificate each time you carry out a transaction requiring one (vehicle reg, license application etc)?? Can't a single certificate be re-used?

Yes new each time as they need to keep the original

[TomTom55]

Do I read this right - you need a NEW certificate each time you carry out a transaction requiring one (vehicle reg, license application etc)?? Can't a single certificate be re-used?

Yes new each time as they need to keep the original

lol that is why my bike is in my partners name, but I am second guessing if I should get the ninja in my name or not, maybe more hassle but then again anything could happen between us down the line..

So how easy is the bike test for the license? That one never really got answered. What kind of things do you have to do and how much will everything cost as an estimate, license insurance etc?

[mania]

lol that is why my bike is in my partners name, but I am second guessing if I should get the ninja in my name or not, maybe more hassle but then again anything could happen between us down the line..

So how easy is the bike test for the license? That one never really got answered. What kind of things do you have to do and how much will everything cost as an estimate, license insurance etc?

yes nice to have some things in your own name eh?

As for the test as I said I never took it so will leave that for others to answer.

Full Coverage 1st class Insurance for me on the 2013 Ninja was 9777 Baht

The license for Car & Bike was 360 Baht I think it is 180 each ( car/Bike )

Plus the doctors paper was 100 Baht & the cert of residence was $50 (1500 Baht )at US Consulate in my case

but you can pay 500 baht at Immigration if you like. Costs less but you deal with the crowds.

Some places are not as bad as Chiang Mai though

Edited March 2, 2013 by mania

[Nebula]

It s not answered yet ab the test so i can say what i remember. They put u ( in bkk) to watch video about the test, what u have to do out there. then u go and using ur bike or rent ( some of the employees') and then just drive through some narrow path, stop at the sign.... someone is watching u if u do it all correctly. nothing difficult, then the last one is a straight line of concrete few cm taller, where u have to drive without getting off it. and that s it, less than 3 min may be. I took the car test the same day too. The first test started in the room where had to chose the write answer,some questions were badly translated in english I remember. The funny thing is that outside the room were 2 machines where u can practice the same tests then get in and take them. There were also videos to watch while waiting for this test, mostly about crashes.