A Superb Hobby

[Swamp Thing]

I went out for a ride on my PCX150 yesterday morning. A round trip of 200kms, not particularly scenic, but I'm just testing the idea of road trips at the moment, so don't put a lot of planning into them.

While riding, it occurred to me that I have found a superb hobby. Not only is the bike useful for light shopping trips,etc, with easy parking and being able to go to the front at the lights, it is also useful for trips out of town.

I've done a lot of cycling in the past, which also included excursions, but, well, times passing and this is a hot country...

I could go by car, but it just wouldn't be as much fun. There are risks, of course, but stamp collecting wouldn't interest me.

So I'm glad I bought this bike and look forward to more (adventurous) trips to come.

Does anybody else fell that riding their motorbike is a hobby as well as transport?

Edited December 1, 2014 by Swamp Thing

[revgreen]

Haha - yes I think it's quite safe to say that most of us view our motorbike as a hobby FIRST (at least I do). Glad the bug has bitten you, the PCX is a comfy ride from what I hear. Give it a bit of time and next thing you know you'll be shopping for a big 500+ CC touring bike, ready to tackle Southeast Asia

[ttakata]

Welcome to the party! Yes, I think we are all enthusiasts on this forum.

We chat about bikes we don't even ride or gear we use just for the sake of talking bikes.

[revgreen]

hell I don't even have a bike at the moment and I'm on this forum (and a few others) every day

[guzzi850m2]

It will very difficult for my family to get by without the scooters (pcx 150 + scoopy), at least one of them is used every day.

The truck is next to impossible to park downtown Pattaya but on the scooter you can filter though heavy traffic and park almost anywhere you like.

It's a huge fell of freedom.

Then you have the bigger bikes, well as others mention, when you first gets hooked on them it's very hard to let go again.

I haven't had a big bike for about 4 years now because of family commitments and I miss it too much so I will get a big bike next year for sure.

My big bike will be a hobby/toy/addiction but my wife prefer the bike compared to a Mia Noy tucked away somewhere, he-he.

[papa al]

Yup!

It's amazing the fun you can have on 150cc.

Everyday for me: town & country.

[revgreen]

Yup!

It's amazing the fun you can have on 150cc.

Everyday for me: town & country.

More often than not I'd prefer a 250 over a 600+. More fun to flick around, plus you can run the pants off of it. And they're much cheaper if you happen to dump it

[DualSportBiker]

Riding is only a hobby for me; I almost never ride where I live or head downtown on my bike. Then again, I don't own a scooter, so... I might run errands on a scooter if I had one...

[ll2]

It starts as a hobby mostly and turns to a life style fast:)

For me it was a neccesity at the beginning and turn to a hobby and then a life style in a short amount of time.

Edited December 2, 2014 by ll2

[WitawatWatawit]

After a considerable hiatus (my last bike until then was a Suzuki T500, two stroke), I found myself in Bkk and a bike seemed the logical thing to get around. So my "second childhood" () began out of necessity with a Kwaka step-through, but then I graduated to the magnificent Yamaha Virago. I rode that for a dozen years, and regrettably sold it for personal reasons. God, how I miss that bike! So my third childhood has now begun with a Honda Scoopyi, and it's great fun for both jaunting around Pattaya, and doing short runs into the countryside. If certain health issues are resolved over the next few months, I will be considering another cruiser for long trips into the country. Might see you on the road sometime.

[mikebell]

I rode my first motor bike shortly after turning 70. I love it and seize any opportunity to ride it. I do lots of local errands/shopping simply for the joy of riding.

[ttakata]

I am in Laos right now on a rented Click going over dirt roads.

It's not as good as a Nouvo (haha II2) but still a blast to ride.

Actually II2, I can see why you love Clicks.

It's such a fun flickable ride, it's almost like riding a bicycle.

[ll2]

I am in Laos right now on a rented Click going over dirt roads.

It's not as good as a Nouvo (haha II2) but still a blast to ride.

Actually II2, I can see why you love Clicks.

It's such a fun flickable ride, it's almost like riding a bicycle.

Yes. Nice click is a nice scooter.

Hope it is the 125 cc one.

[transam]

I met up with Mad Dog M/C club Saturday up in the boonies..................Good meet, nice chat.............

Took me back a few years.........

[cornishcarlos]

It's even fun touring in warm rain

[cornishcarlos]

It's even fun touring in warm rain

My wife is not a hunchback, she is wearing a ruck sack

[DILLIGAD]

Been riding on and off for 40 years. Never been an A to B / commuter type of rider. It's a great hobby whatever you are riding and can meet some good guys to talk/drink with at most of the Thai bike events.

Certainly beats cold rainy London!

[dave_boo]

It's even better when you have someone with you...either pillion or another bike. You can get out and see sights that neither have seen before, find new roads that can be used later, and enjoy the companionship at stops where you can talk about where you were and where you're going.

If you post up the general area you live the board members will be glad to give pointers about roads to try out.

[Swamp Thing]

All good responses. I'm happy to read them.

As I've mentioned, I was a cyclist for years. On-road, off-road, distance and local. It was a hobby to me and made me feel content. I miss that.

But since getting the PCX, I've had a feeling that I have found another hobby which brings me a similar feelings of pleasure. I'm getting older and pushing pedals in a country that never gets cool is something I may not relish as much as I did. But on my Sunday trip, I relaxed, enjoyed the motion and the feeling of not travelling in a box, and felt I'd found a hobby that I could do and continue to do.

To once again study maps, work out (preferably) circular routes and head off to places, not with the intention of getting from A to B quickly, but with the feeling of enjoying the trip from the moment of firing up the engine. To even enjoy a short trip to the shops.

I've been looking for something like this and I've found it.

Edited December 2, 2014 by Swamp Thing

[Swamp Thing]

It's even better when you have someone with you...either pillion or another bike. You can get out and see sights that neither have seen before, find new roads that can be used later, and enjoy the companionship at stops where you can talk about where you were and where you're going.

If you post up the general area you live the board members will be glad to give pointers about roads to try out.

Indeed. This could also be a good socialiser.

I live just outside Pattaya.

[dave_boo]

It's even better when you have someone with you...either pillion or another bike. You can get out and see sights that neither have seen before, find new roads that can be used later, and enjoy the companionship at stops where you can talk about where you were and where you're going.

If you post up the general area you live the board members will be glad to give pointers about roads to try out.

Indeed. This could also be a good socialiser.

I live just outside Pattaya.

Sorry, I don't know that area...however I am sure that others will chime in with suggestions.

[WitawatWatawit]

I've just got back from a 3 hour ride. Had intended just to go to Buddha Mountain and Silver Lake winery and then return. It's a pleasant trip once you get off Sukhumvit. But once I got to the winery, I was feeling quite relaxed and the Scoopyi was cruising nicely and I didn't feel like returning to Pattaya immediately, so I just kept going. There were darkening clouds when I hit highway 331, but what the helll. Got a puncture, but luckily a quad bike for hire place was a couple of ks ahead, so no problem. Eventually turned into the Phoenix Golf club road and headed back to Sukhumvit, then diverged to Jomtien 2nd road tonthe German bakery for some bread, then home. Pleasant trip for those who like lots of countryside and farms.

[guzzi850m2]

I rode my first motor bike shortly after turning 70. I love it and seize any opportunity to ride it. I do lots of local errands/shopping simply for the joy of riding.

Very cool man, yes having a bike is giving you the freedom to go when and where you want, just fire up the bike and go.

Just be carefull eh, know your bikes and your own limits and always keep an eye on the mirrors so you know what is going on behind you.

I seen lane splitting in downtown Pattaya causing a lot of acidents on small scooters, many tourists there don't have a clue how to ride a bike and then some of them rent very powerfull 1000cc sports bikes so be aware. Then after dark you have the drunk riders/drivers which is even worse.

[WitawatWatawit]

^^^ And let's not forget the survival instincts and optical abilities of a fly :) .

Enjoy the riding, Mike. Head inland from Pattaya and you'll find some very relaxed places to go and generally very safe riding.

[Swamp Thing]

I went out for a ride at 7:30 this morning.

Up road 36, turned left on to road 3240. Lovely, smooth, twisty rural road and the exceptional thing was, a cool breeze blowing. No trucks blowing big fart-noises in my ear. Very enjoyable.

Down to Lake Maprachan, where there was some sort of cycling event going on, which I was very happy to see. On to the Sukhumvit and down to Jomtien Beach for a cold bottle of water. Then home for breakfast.

A great way to spend a few hours on a Sunday morning.

A superb hobby.

Edited December 14, 2014 by Swamp Thing

[BKKBike09]

^ at 7.30 this morning I was blatting along Bangna-Trat en route to Chonburi to enjoy my other hobby - flying. Beautiful morning for both. Flew from Bang Phra down to a friend's dirt strip in Pattaya for my US$ 100 cup of coffee ...

It's kind of off topic but spot the runway.

Back on topic, the road that runs round Bang Phra reservoir and then on to Sriracha has some good twisties.

[WitawatWatawit]

I'm kinda liking this thread. Nice to prattle on about no big deal in particular and with no worries about who you are or where you're going. It's nice to just live in a moment. I'll be off for another ride in a couple of days - no idea where to, but the bike will take care of that ... and my nose.

[papa al]

Yes, for me, transport & an excellent inexpensive hobby.

Keeps one focused.

When heading north or south, to avoid Sukumvit racetrack, try Pattaya Bypass (parallel to railroad).

Methinks much more mellower, mon.

[BSJ]

I don't know any other life style than being a motorcyclist! My dad had motorcycling oozing out of the pores of his skin so it was only natural some of his offspring would feel the same. My older brother Stu and my little sister never took an interest long term but my 3 younger brothers and myself have been been riding for a total of 170+ years. I've just clocked 50 years of riding!

Longest trip: Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast and return x 4 times.

Worst trip: Swan Hill to Geelong in the middle of winter and it rained most of the way!

I luv riding 2 wheelers, big or small.

[Swamp Thing]

On re-reading my last post, I meant road 36, left onto the 331, then left to the 3240.

I'll be trying the Bang Phra reservoir route soon. Thanks, BKKB.

Papa Al, I went on the Bypass as part of my ride yesterday, en route to Jomtien. It's a useful road, amazingly empty at many times of the day, in comparison to the S racetrack, as you correctly call it.

Edited December 15, 2014 by Swamp Thing