Vespa or Hypermotard in Bangkok

[ebwhitaker]

I am going to be moving to Bangkok soon and was thinking about getting either a new Vespa or a Ducati hypermotard. For anyone that owns/rides a bike regularly in Bkk, what's your opinion of traffic, parking, safety, and theft?

Would appreciate your views. Thanks!

[Big Guns]

Very odd choice either a Vespa or a Hypermotard. I used to own a Vespa 300 GTS Supersport and sold it when I bought a Ducati Monster. The Vespa is great around town with it being auto and 300cc. The storage space was handy. It only drinks 95 octane petrol but you have the same issue with the Ducati. If you can afford it buy both. If I had to choose I would question how much city riding or long trips I was doing. If you do get a Vespa you''ll never have any problem selling it as Thais are crazy about them, not cheap though at 325,000 THB.

[ATF]

Very odd choice either a Vespa or a Hypermotard. I used to own a Vespa 300 GTS Supersport and sold it when I bought a Ducati Monster. The Vespa is great around town with it being auto and 300cc. The storage space was handy. It only drinks 95 octane petrol but you have the same issue with the Ducati. If you can afford it buy both. If I had to choose I would question how much city riding or long trips I was doing. If you do get a Vespa you''ll never have any problem selling it as Thais are crazy about them, not cheap though at 325,000 THB.

Good advice. If you intend to ride solo and get out of town now and then 100% Monster. If it's your primary form of transport and you want to take passengers take the Vespa. The Monster is a great bike and the amount of mods you can do are almost endless. But get the 796 not the 795. The 795 is in no way comparable to the 796. The Thai version is called the Ducati Monster Corse. It nips in and out of traffic like a banshee and will stop on a dime. ABS recommended.

[ll2]

hypermotard all the way!

[speedtripler]

i dont even know how you can compare the two bikes in question .........they could hardly be more differnt

[speedtripler]

i dont even know how you can compare the two bikes in question .........they could hardly be more differnt

[Kiri]

I have a Hyperstrada which is great for getting out of the city, and good up to moderate traffic. Once traffic gets really heavy, the wide handle bars become a liability for lane splitting, and I get passed by scooters shooting through gaps too narrow for the Duc to get through. In true stop-and-go traffic the heavy clutch gets old quickly and engine heat starts to roast my legs. The spin-on oil filter hanging directly under the engine is also a liability when hopping curbs. For these reasons I reach for a lighter bike when traffic is heavy.

[ebwhitaker]

Is motorcycle theft common in bkk?? Is it easy to find parking along Sukhumvit?

[ATF]

Is motorcycle theft common in bkk?? Is it easy to find parking along Sukhumvit?

If parking is a concern the guards will always look after a bike like a Monster for you. Just drop them 20-40 Baht and They'll guard it with their life together with your lid and gloves. They'll usually try to find a special place for you to park. Away from the plebs who like to sit on it and masturbate while you're working or shopping.

[namdocmai]

If you buy the Vespa then take one with big wheels. If you buy the Duc then buy a good helmet, gloves, shoes, sunglasses and lock.

[mania]

I am in the same boat but in CM

Cannot decide between a Honda Scoopy & a Panigale 1199 R

Just kidding

[ll2]

I am in the same boat but in CM

Cannot decide between a Honda Scoopy & a Panigale 1199 R

Just kidding

panigale 1199 all the way!

[Wong!]

Depends if you want to look like you bat for the 'other team' or like you have more money than sense.

Up to you...

[ZigZagMan]

I am in the same boat but in CM

Cannot decide between a Honda Scoopy & a Panigale 1199 R

Just kidding

Go with the Scoopy. You can get it in and out of the boat much easier.

[Lucky33]

I love Ducatis and I"m a Ducati owner but I would definitely go for the Vespa, Ducatis no matter the model aren't made for stop and go rush hour city traffic.

[indothai]

My heart says Ducati, my mind says Vespa. I just bought a Scoopy I as a daily transport for in the city.

I've always wondered how the Ducati can handle rush hour traffic.... The scooter laughs at rush hour traffic.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[ll2]

My heart says Ducati, my mind says Vespa. I just bought a Scoopy I as a daily transport for in the city.

I've always wondered how the Ducati can handle rush hour traffic.... The scooter laughs at rush hour traffic.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

hypermotard handles well if you change the stock handlebar with a narrower one.

and i hope you like boiled eggs

[nikster]

My heart says Ducati, my mind says Vespa. I just bought a Scoopy I as a daily transport for in the city.

I've always wondered how the Ducati can handle rush hour traffic.... The scooter laughs at rush hour traffic.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

hypermotard handles well if you change the stock handlebar with a narrower one.

and i hope you like boiled eggs

The hyper gets less hot than my ER-6 and Versys. So yes it does get a bit hot, and definitely more than your average scooter, but much less than the Panigale and the likes.

So I have both. I recommend... both, I guess. BKK doesn't allow bikes on the highway which is super annoying - that's where the big bike would be worlds better. In tight city streets, the hyper is good if you're a good rider. Jumping sidewalks and other obstacles is no problem. Vespa is good no matter what kind of rider you are.

In a traffic jam, the Vespa's better but not by as much as you'd think. The Hyper has pretty reasonable ability to squeeze through traffic and the higher position allows for a better view. I am not sure whether a big bike gets more respect from other drivers in BKK - certainly true in Chiang Mai, and worth something. Hypermotard does not like stand-still and very slow speeds. Not made for that.

Thais love Vespas but they love a Ducati even more, you might as well roll up on a Ferrari. I underestimated that. Recently got hit on by three different bank employee girls in a day; one wanted my number; the other one told me how much she loves Ducatis. As a friend quipped "bank girls run the numbers quicker than most".... anyway all that BS aside, it's an awesome bike. Get it. You can easily put a windscreen on it too, to turn it into a tourer.

FWIW having a choice in Chiang Mai, I ride the Hypermotard every day. Vespa only for trips around the corner and inside the moo baan.

Edited March 27, 2014 by nikster