Buying a bike in Hat Yai. Are you selling?

[Seastallion]

Have been going through the classifieds but oh so boring as I have to open every ad to see where it is.....NEVER Hat Yai it seems.

So; I'm in the market for a bike. 125cc - 200 cc will do me just fine.

I'm licensed but not an expert, so pointless talking to me about double overhead cam chain spring holder ratchets or heliocentric reverse winding sprocket washers.

Cheers

Mods, this is really more Southern than Motor forums, don't you think, as there's not nearly so many Songkhlarians around as BKKians etc. So please leave it here.

[recom273]

After chasing some bikes on bahtsold over a month or so, then thinking how much it was going to cost me to get to Phuket / Samui / Nakhone + nights accomadation with the possibilty of a dead trail or bum steer, against how much i was going to save - then the thought of what i see everyday, Somchai riding 3-up on his CBR, rusty chain, filling up with that dodgy bottled petrol on the roadside. I just took my cash down the road an bought a new one, all over and done within an hour.

[Seastallion]

After chasing some bikes on bahtsold over a month or so, then thinking how much it was going to cost me to get to Phuket / Samui / Nakhone + nights accomadation with the possibilty of a dead trail or bum steer, against how much i was going to save - then the thought of what i see everyday, Somchai riding 3-up on his CBR, rusty chain, filling up with that dodgy bottled petrol on the roadside. I just took my cash down the road an bought a new one, all over and done within an hour.

Yep, I've pretty much come to the same conclusion, but thought I'd give a go here anyway. You never know, someone may be moving or up-grading.

Thinking of Honda CBR 150. Haven't seen any on display so I hope if it has to be placed on order that it won't take too long.

Saw a brand new 125 cc bike in one shop. 20 000 baht. I asked why is it so cheap and he said because it's last year's model. Trying to think of the make..... something strange I've never heard of (started with S, if I recall), but the model was "Venus".

Another thing people may be able to explain. Went to Yamaha showroom a few weeks ago. Had Wife with me, passport, I didn't look scruffy.....wanted to test drive one model, and they said you have to buy it first. I said, through Mrs SS that I can not buy any model without test driving.....they said sorry, that's how it is, but there is another Yamaha showroom in the city and I can test drive there. Bizarre.

[Rooo]

Rent one to test drive, a better idea of what it's like. As for the cheap bike, they are Chinese I think, they have o display here at Big C on Samui.

From normal scooters to a Honda Phantom knockoff. All at very cheap prices. So perhaps they have a display somewhere close by to where you are.

[A1Str8]

I recommend a PCX 150. Save the hassle buy it new. It's not that expensive very comfortable very smooth keeps its value really well. It doesn't have a heliocentric reverse winding sprocket washer but it's a really good bike that might just fit your needs.

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

Edited June 3, 2014 by A1Str8

[samuijimmy]

I recommend a PCX 150. Save the hassle buy it new. It's not that expensive very comfortable very smooth keeps its value really well. It doesn't have a heliocentric reverse winding sprocket washer but it's a really good bike that might just fit your needs.

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

What the blank blank ..... is a heliocentric reverse winding sprocket washer...? OP did not want to get technical!

But being serious, yes agree PCX is a good bike....

But on my trips south, you don't see as many PCX's .... so maybe hard to find a good second hand one... in your area....

[Seastallion]

I recommend a PCX 150. Save the hassle buy it new. It's not that expensive very comfortable very smooth keeps its value really well. It doesn't have a heliocentric reverse winding sprocket washer but it's a really good bike that might just fit your needs.

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

Thanks A1,...and SamuiJim for your endorsement.

I just went to the Honda shop near the roundabout on Petkasem Rd Hat Yai and had a look at one.

I like it! And with 2 endorsements now, I think it may be the go. circa 84 000 bht including tax and 2 year insurance etc, drive away. A bit more than I wanted to spend but looks like it will be worth it with warranty etc.

Coincidentally, they had no CBRs in the showroom.

Saturday is purchase day!

I have chosen one that is about 1200 bht more than the basic model. It's seat locks, it has a remote, and looks like some sort of digital readout on the speedo...maybe a clock? Nicer faring (if that's what you call it), and from what I can gather, some connection for charging the battery. Pity about the helio washer thingy, I've been told they add so much more driving pleasure.

This model doesn't have a cigarette lighter or ashtray either! Was almost a deal breaker. Every car I have ever owned has had them.

Thanks one and all for your PMs and advice.

Cheers.

Oh, I have heard that red ones are faster (it's true with cars), but I prefer the black one. I don't know what to do. Perhaps purchase the black one and have a speed stripe put on?

[Seizhin]

Saw this thread late. Sold a used but still good quality Yamaha to the people around my area a month earlier...

[rajyindee]

Future info for anyone who's interested ... plenty of bikes available in Hat Yai/Songkhla on Gimyong.com - just need a Thai reader/speaker to help you out - scroll down to the bottom of the page. I've sold a couple of things there - always within 8 hours, or so.