Why We Ride

[Ace of Pop]

By the Way. If any Bikers You are up in Nan , check out Tonys Place Website. Bloody good Food and Bikers welcome. My regular Pit Stop.

[guzzi850m2]

Been there, done that but no big bike anymore due to family commitments.

My PCX150 is giving me great pleasure (surprisingly) and I am smiling each time I ride it despite it's low output.

Admittedly the smile was a bit forced when I rode it back home after trying a Ducati Hyperstrada and I was grinning from ear to ear.

I might pull the trigger and buy a big bike again, have the money, but are still thinking about it.

There are big bikes launched all the time in Thailand right now so the choices are getting better all the time.

Been riding bikes on/off for over 30 years and will always be a biker in mind and soul.

Edited April 8, 2014 by guzzi850m2

[Gweiloman]

Been there, done that but no big bike anymore due to family commitments.

My PCX150 is giving me great pleasure (surprisingly) and I am smiling each time I ride it despite it's low output.

I might pull the trigger and buy a big bike again, have the money, but are still thinking about it.

There are big bikes launched all the time in Thailand right now so the choices are getting better all the time.

Been riding bikes on/off for over 30 years and will always be a biker in mind and soul.

I do get pleasure from riding my PCX150 but I can't help but compare how unstable it is compared to my other bigger bikes. It's fine for potting around up to about 80 km/h but the size of the tyres, the brakes etc just means that I daren't push it anymore beyond that.

If I need to go faster (ie longer trips), then I prefer riding something bigger and more stable.

[BSJ]

First of all we have to extract the unwashed masses from the argument. Lets be frank, at least 95% of Thai's ride a scooter or small bike as it is a cheap form of transport. The truth is if these same people could buy a flying broomstick cheaper they would be flying around on that instead of a Fino or Wave!

For the other less than 5%....some will find their way to this forum. They are welcome to contribute. Some of those folk are ex-pats like myself. Some maybe in another country wishing they were here!

For me, I don't care what you ride cos over the last almost 50 years I have ridden and sometimes owned 2nd and 3rd rate bikes as well as some really first class bikes. Big ones and little ones.

All I want is to keep up with the news, new models, good deals and How to fix it threads. It's like a virtual m/c club. Very few of us know other members in real life, but on the forums we remember each other well.

I honestly don't know why some people make a fuss! Lets just get on with it.

[A1Str8]

Anybody knows the price of the new kawasaki ninja zx 6r?

If so tell me please. That's a nice scooter. I should get one.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Gonsalviz]

I ride the dastardly HD Road King Classic. I ride by in a group by myself, usually with female company. Mostly because I have not met anyone to ride with but I also like to go my own way, at the pace that I like.

I have 1 group that I might ride with sometime but they are in the south and I am in Isan. Makes thing difficult. I suppose having a road captain that knows where to go would be nice but I have no regrets on the roads I have found on my own.

Freedom is all I can say. In the mountains and as far away from populated areas as I can get.

[JesseFrank]

I ride coz it's FUUUUUN!!!!!

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I found riding bikes fun in my home country and every other country I rode them

In Thailand I don't consider it fun anymore been chased by a lunatic in a car, having to watch for potholes, cars/bikes/buffaloes coming out of a side soi and drive straight onto the first lane and then stop, 5 cars a truck and a tourist bus jumping each red traffic light and soi dogs coming out of nowhere going for your front wheel, just to name a few.

Riding bike in Thailand is stress.

[Overandout]

I ride coz it's FUUUUUN!!!!!

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I found riding bikes fun in my home country and every other country I rode them

In Thailand I don't consider it fun anymore been chased by a lunatic in a car, having to watch for potholes, cars/bikes/buffaloes coming out of a side soi and drive straight onto the first lane and then stop, 5 cars a truck and a tourist bus jumping each red traffic light and soi dogs coming out of nowhere going for your front wheel, just to name a few.

Riding bike in Thailand is stress.

On some days, I feel exactly like that. But at the end of the day (every day) riding semi-slowly through the traffic and saving at least an hour a day commuting time compared to the idiots in their air con cooled steel boxes is still "fun".

It's just not the same fun as dragging your footpeg round a nicely surfaced roundabout or feeling the back tyre struggle for grip as you crack open the throttle after a low geared corner.

As you say, Thailand isn't a good country for fast riding, but having a bike will always be more fun than not having one.

[Gonsalviz]

I ride coz it's FUUUUUN!!!!!

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I found riding bikes fun in my home country and every other country I rode them

In Thailand I don't consider it fun anymore been chased by a lunatic in a car, having to watch for potholes, cars/bikes/buffaloes coming out of a side soi and drive straight onto the first lane and then stop, 5 cars a truck and a tourist bus jumping each red traffic light and soi dogs coming out of nowhere going for your front wheel, just to name a few.

Riding bike in Thailand is stress.

Me thinks you are a bit paranoid or just crazy. I have been driving and riding in many countries in Asia and while it takes some getting used to, it is quite satisfying for me to ride here or anywhere exept in my home country of the USA.

[JesseFrank]

I ride coz it's FUUUUUN!!!!!

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I found riding bikes fun in my home country and every other country I rode them

In Thailand I don't consider it fun anymore been chased by a lunatic in a car, having to watch for potholes, cars/bikes/buffaloes coming out of a side soi and drive straight onto the first lane and then stop, 5 cars a truck and a tourist bus jumping each red traffic light and soi dogs coming out of nowhere going for your front wheel, just to name a few.

Riding bike in Thailand is stress.

Me thinks you are a bit paranoid or just crazy. I have been driving and riding in many countries in Asia and while it takes some getting used to, it is quite satisfying for me to ride here or anywhere exept in my home country of the USA.

I notice you're in Isaan, did the whole of Isaan a few times by bike, and it is a different ride from my area. I live in Pattaya and wouldn't even think about taking the bike for a ride here.

Whenever I ride I go way out of Pattaya, and even when I come back from a 2 -3000 km relaxed trip, a soon as I come with 26 km of Pattaya the sweat will be in my hands.

I have a thread here somewhere about my latest experience taking the bike out to Chonburi, I have had several similar before and since.

[Gonsalviz]

I ride coz it's FUUUUUN!!!!!

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I found riding bikes fun in my home country and every other country I rode them

In Thailand I don't consider it fun anymore been chased by a lunatic in a car, having to watch for potholes, cars/bikes/buffaloes coming out of a side soi and drive straight onto the first lane and then stop, 5 cars a truck and a tourist bus jumping each red traffic light and soi dogs coming out of nowhere going for your front wheel, just to name a few.

Riding bike in Thailand is stress.

On some days, I feel exactly like that. But at the end of the day (every day) riding semi-slowly through the traffic and saving at least an hour a day commuting time compared to the idiots in their air con cooled steel boxes is still "fun".

It's just not the same fun as dragging your footpeg round a nicely surfaced roundabout or feeling the back tyre struggle for grip as you crack open the throttle after a low geared corner.

As you say, Thailand isn't a good country for fast riding, but having a bike will always be more fun than not having one.

You are quite right about the fast riding but I figured that out long ago. Dirt, sand, rocks, dogs, chickens and people seem to abound. Killed a couple of chickens in my slow riding. lol I figure the locals will have chicken for supper.

Never had anything but fun. And in my 112,000+ km of riding, 1 minor accident that was my own fault. Got up, straightened things a bit and rode on. HINT: Don't ride with a vengeance.

[Gonsalviz]

I ride coz it's FUUUUUN!!!!!

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I found riding bikes fun in my home country and every other country I rode them

In Thailand I don't consider it fun anymore been chased by a lunatic in a car, having to watch for potholes, cars/bikes/buffaloes coming out of a side soi and drive straight onto the first lane and then stop, 5 cars a truck and a tourist bus jumping each red traffic light and soi dogs coming out of nowhere going for your front wheel, just to name a few.

Riding bike in Thailand is stress.

Me thinks you are a bit paranoid or just crazy. I have been driving and riding in many countries in Asia and while it takes some getting used to, it is quite satisfying for me to ride here or anywhere exept in my home country of the USA.

I notice you're in Isaan, did the whole of Isaan a few times by bike, and it is a different ride from my area. I live in Pattaya and wouldn't even think about taking the bike for a ride here.

Whenever I ride I go way out of Pattaya, and even when I come back from a 2 -3000 km relaxed trip, a soon as I come with 26 km of Pattaya the sweat will be in my hands.

I have a thread here somewhere about my latest experience taking the bike out to Chonburi, I have had several similar before and since.

I have ridden in BKK, Pattaya and many other populated areas. I absolutely hate driving a car in BKK but on the bike I don't mind it so much except at a lot of stop lights. HD's get really hot.

I used to live in Malaysia. I absolutely hated it there. I used to drive up to Thailand al lot. At the border I got more relaxed. At Phattalung, I was finally relaxed. I'll leave it up to you to figure out why. It is all a frame of mind.

I don't know what bike you ride but I ride a HD Road King. Not a really maneuverable bike in the city but I don't have a problem. All about the frame of mind.

[HooHaa]

Same same for the scooter category. The PCX contingent really has some attitude. No?

What do we call them? Soi puppies?

bitches. we call them bitches.

[ll2]

op advice for you:

if you are that scared from soi dogs, better quit riding your honda wave.

or if you dont like some people here then quit writing here too. you were mentioning another forum, maybe you go write there.

i really dont understand people like you maybe that is why i am riding just to be away from guys like you.

so stop bitc.ing and moaning and decide what you will do.

Edited April 10, 2014 by ll2

[HeavyDrinker]

I have a works car and driver so really don't care

[AllanB]

op advice for you:

if you are that scared from soi dogs, better quit riding your honda wave.

or if you dont like some people here then quit writing here too. you were mentioning another forum, maybe you go write there.

i really dont understand people like you maybe that is why i am riding just to be away from guys like you.

so stop bitc.ing and moaning and decide what you will do.

I don't think he said he was scared of Soi dogs, more irritated by their continual and pointless yapping.

[mania]

Speaking of why we ride.......

I will say that I am visiting family & friends here in a beautiful US state for a couple weeks now.

Land of great deals? Yes! ! 100% yes......new R-6 less than 11k USD or roughly 350k baht

Same for Honda 600rr, Kawasaki 636 etc. Saw the new 2014 gsxr 600 yesterday nice

But I tell you what.......I can hardly wait to get back to Chiang Mai

They have neutered everyone here. They all drive below 55mph always....never lane split or go up the shoulders.

I am not kidding I see no point to a sportbike in the usa anymore if this is all you can do for fear of high priced fines & insurance.

These guys should sell thier liter show bikes as they Never open them afaik

I know Thailand is a bit lawless but with care you can still clean out the carbon from Time to time.

maybe .....some of my old twisties here may still be ok or not? Maybe they can ride a bit there but

all roads I have seen so far are in a police state type setting.Cruisers everywhere

They even have taken to parking confiscated drug vans etc. Equipped with radar & hidden blue lights to nail bikes &

cars who dare exceed 55 or way less in some mountain areas

Can hardly wait to exit this place next week & get back to my fav hills of CM

[Cylon]

Will the Soi Dog MC gang be at Bike week Phuket this year ?,I havnt seen their patch before .

[cornishcarlos]

Phuket to Suratthani

290km door to door

5.5hrs journey, 4hrs riding

Average 80kmp, fuel con 55kpl

Near misses 2

Snakes spotted 3

John Wayne impression 8/10

Wishing I had a bigger bike 10/10

But, its all about the Wave

[ll2]

op advice for you:

if you are that scared from soi dogs, better quit riding your honda wave.

or if you dont like some people here then quit writing here too. you were mentioning another forum, maybe you go write there.

i really dont understand people like you maybe that is why i am riding just to be away from guys like you.

so stop bitc.ing and moaning and decide what you will do.

I don't think he said he was scared of Soi dogs, more irritated by their continual and pointless yapping.

i think he was and allan, are you the advocate of the OP?

Let him answer. it is like him sh.tting around and never turning back again to clean and you like to clean it?

And who decides the continual/pointless yapping, you? So it is like you dont like or agree on what someone says and it is pointless and continual yapping for you? c'mon! dont be funny guys.

classification of people as dogs are good for you Allan? Is it a good point for you?

in other words, sorry state of human being!

Edited April 11, 2014 by ll2

[wantan]

I agree with the OP but i don't really like the term "soi dog" in relation to forum members. Imo we should stick to the term trolling. Everybody knows what trolling means. Calling others dogs is just another offense without adding anything more descriptive. "Acting like a pack of trolls" imo thats what it is, sometimes.

[ll2]

I agree with the OP but i don't really like the term "soi dog" in relation to forum members. Imo we should stick to the term trolling. Everybody knows what trolling means. Calling others dogs is just another offense without adding anything more descriptive. "Acting like a pack of trolls" imo thats what it is, sometimes.

some common sense. thanks for understanding wantan.

also some comment might sounds like trolling for you but for others might not.

We have to differentiate the clash of ideas with trolling.

[seedy]

Will the Soi Dog MC gang be at Bike week Phuket this year ?,I havnt seen their patch before .

I am waiting too. Maybe a suggestion ...

A puckered brown ring, surrounded by hair. with the top rocker saying Bow and the bottom rocker Wow

[ll2]

Will the Soi Dog MC gang be at Bike week Phuket this year ?,I havnt seen their patch before .

I am waiting too. Maybe a suggestion ...

A puckered brown ring, surrounded by hair. with the top rocker saying Bow and the bottom rocker Wow

you can setup Soi Dog MC club and be the first puppy dog president of it.

what are you waiting for?

Edited April 11, 2014 by ll2

[ZigZagMan]

Squids. I thought they were called squids?

[RubberSideDown]

^

Some squid qualifications- I'm guilty of a couple:

You ride wearing cut-offs, sandals, and a mesh tank top.

You saw the SQUID movie "Biker Boyz." Twice.

You have any "NO FEAR" decals on your motorcycle.

You think that a wheelie is the mark of a skilled rider.

You ride around with your $500 SHOEI bungie netted to your rear seat.

You drag your brand new $300 AGV boots in order to simulate years of hard cornering use just so you can brag about your 'years' of hard cornering use.

Your idea of head protection is a do-rag bandanna and a pair of Oakley Blades.

You think that burnouts impress the chicks.

If you ever high sided a passenger.

You're only riding your CBR600F2 until you get your Harley put back together.

You never get your bike out of second gear in the city.

Your rear brake pads aren't even scuffed.

You ever installed a fender eliminator kit.

You thought about putting a sidecar on your GSX-R.

You ride a Suzuki Katana (any size, the bigger the SQUIDer)

You've ever low sided a dealer demo unit that was parked inside a showroom.

Your friends won't ride with you anymore.

You brag about your many wrecks.

You don't know what a SQUID is.

Everytime you get a new scratch on your fairing, you get a new decal to cover it up.

YOU think that you're cool.

You ever fell off while doing a wheelie.

You had your nickname painted, taped, or etched anywhere on your helmet, leathers, or bike.

Only you know what your personalized tag means.

Your insurance agent refuses to return your phone calls.

You stand up on your pegs while riding.

You ever bought any dress-up items for your bike from J.C. Whitney & Co.

You tailgate ANYONE!

Your chain ever rusted to the point of having to be replaced.

You ever raced a scooter with your sportbike ... and LOST!

You wear a cheap helmet.

You drilled holes in your fairing to try to reduce weight or increase handling.

You polished your frame.

Your bike has braided hoses and brake lines.

Your street bike is safety wired.

You've got a K&N decal, but not the filter.

You ever tried to make your bike backfire.

You ever snapped off a foot peg by standing on it.

You run stop signs out of habit.

You have colored bar end weights, hand grips, or engine case bolts.

You believe EVERYTHING that you read in motorcycle magazines.

You wheelie between lights in traffic to impress car and truck drivers.

You've ever knocked your bike over by leaning up against it when it was parked.

You swear that your factory stock Seca II will do 160mph on the top end.

You ever wrecked while trying to impress chicks.

You consider rolling stops to be perfectly legal.

Your street bike has a steering dampener.

You never broke in your new bike's engine properly.

You ride a sportbike and wear a half helmet with flight goggles.

Your new colored windscreen matches your Oakely Blades perfectly.

You've ever high-sided in your own driveway.

You ever tried to do something on the street that you saw in a TV action series.

You ever let someone patch your performance radial tire with a plug.

Your rear tire is bald in the center but still has lots of tread on each side.

Your street bike has a wheelie bar.

You let anyone who doesn't have a motorcycle of their own ride yours.

More than half of your bike's original plastic has been replaced by carbon fiber parts.

You own a carbon fiber keyfob.

Your knee pucks have comical faces.

You're riding a sportbike but only until you get your Harley out of the shop.

You high rev your cold engine after cranking.

You ride without insurance or a license endorsement.

You only race against smaller displacement bikes.

You've ever bought cheap tires.

You rev your engine to impress others.

You ever split lanes with traffic where it wasn't legal to do so.

You think carbon fiber is IT!

You've never oil your chain.

You're still using the factory pre-set suspension settings.

Your bike alarm makes annoying sounds when activated.

You constantly open and close your throttle at a stop light just to see the tach needle jump.

You paid someone $400 to airbrush your $175 helmet.

Your bike alarm talks.

You like to demonstrate your annoying bike alarm every chance you get.

You ever took off so quick that your passenger rolled off the back!

You NEVER look over your shoulder when you change lanes.

You've ever left your bike running while you went into a convenience store and it was gone when you came back out.

You think neon is cool.

You don't know HOW to adjust your adjustable suspension.

You carry a color matched wheel or disc lock but never use it!

You use cheap gas ( 90 octane or weaker).

You replace your clutch once a year.

Your sportbike has a cruise control.

You don't use turn signals in traffic.

You pin-striped your sportbike.

You Armor-All your tires before riding.

Your bike has more than two mirrors.

You've ever drained your battery due to Neon overload.

You buy cheap tires in order to have enough money to buy a new Shoei helmet.

You sent your wheels off to get chromed.

You rode fast in a hard rain.

You removed your mirrors to lower drag and try to increase top speed.

You have a little air foil spoiler on the rear of your bike.

You cover your bike in aftermarket parts decals but don't own any of the parts!

You put additional reflectors on your bike.

You ever mounted auxiliary driving lights on your front fork.

You use cheap oil.

You ever had an accident because you were checking your image in the side view mirrors.

You don't acknowledge other riders when they wave or nod.

You use fuel additives or octane boosters in your street bike.

You ever woke up in the hospital after doing something that you thought would impress people.

You've ever had to have emergency surgery to remove a aftermarket accessory that you installed on your sportbike.

Chicks won't ride with you.

You thread traffic to impress people!

You run at highway speeds on city streets.

You admire yourself in shop windows when you ride by on the street.

You ever had an accident because your bungie net load shifted on you.

Your tag has a bracket with a humorous message engraved on it.

You ride around with screwdrivers or other sharp objects in your back pockets.

Your bike is plastered with aftermarket decal conversion kits. (Troy Lee Designs).

You walk around the mall in full race leathers.

When you ride with others, YOU always have to be in front.

Any of your personal bike experiences are merely products of your imagination.

You ever repainted your bike an annoying color.

You really want other riders to like you and your bike.

_________________________________________________________________________________

[seedy]

^

Some squid qualifications- I'm guilty of a couple:

Your street bike is safety wired.

You ever split lanes with traffic where it wasn't legal to do so.

You ever took off so quick that your passenger rolled off the back!

You rode fast in a hard rain.

You use fuel additives or octane boosters in your street bike.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Guilty !!

[Naam]

It is Not How You Ride, When You Ride, Where You Ride, or What You Ride

i'd say "it is important whom you ride... or let ride."

[BSJ]

'Some squid qualifications' Don't you think you going a bit overboard with the squid thing?

[ZigZagMan]

Why fob they call them squids? Turkey was already taken?