Small motorbikes and travel in Thailand, with photo's.

[chrissables]

Day 32. I rode North from Nan on road 1080, then turned left on 1082 to visit Doi Wow, and a Wow it was!

At the top I asked the army / ranger guy if I could continue up the track to the summit, he said “no problem”. After about 3.5km the track was so steep with many ups and downs and smooth wet red clay, impossible to continue after two attempts of sliding backwards down the track. So I turned around, but I could not get up the hill I had just come down! In the end I took as long a run up as possible and just made it, but I was totally out of control!

Once back at the start of the track I read the sign, which said “dangerous” and “four wheel drive only”. Now I know why they placed banana trees across the track! 6hrs 185km

[Bruce404]

Here's an interesting, photo-filled blog by a Polish couple traveling and camping throughout Thailand on a Yamaha Nouvo 135cc motorbike, kitted out with racks for camping gear:

http://majtajm.blogspot.com/search/label/Motorcycle%20for%20sale).

They also took it to neighboring Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore:

http://majtajm.blogspot.com/

PS. The bike was sold and is no longer available.

[chrissables]

The slippery road to nowhere! Doi Wow!

[chrissables]

Here's an interesting, photo-filled blog by a Polish couple traveling and camping throughout Thailand on a Yamaha Nouvo 135cc motorbike, kitted out with racks for camping gear:

http://majtajm.blogspot.com/search/label/Motorcycle%20for%20sale).

They also took it to neighboring Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore:

http://majtajm.blogspot.com/

PS. The bike was sold and is no longer available.

Looks good, i will read once i have finished posting my trip.

[chrissables]

Day 33. Laos! Today I left Nan at 7.30am and headed North to the Thai / Laos border crossing at Huay Kon Nam. Road 1080 all the way.

The paperwork Thai side was easy, but Laos immigration gave me the run around a bit, gave me a month visa on arrival, but my bike only two weeks! Sometimes i do wonder about people!

I was day dreaming a little as I rode towards Pakbeng, missed my turn and ended up in a quarry. Eventually I stopped a car full of Chinese workers to showed me the way out.

Then the fun really started! I came to a river, with no bridge! The boat at the rivers edge kept waving in a vague direction, in much the same style as Thai people giving directions!

I found an English speaking Chinese construction worker who called up the small boat they had on contract and arranged for me to cross with him. But the guy want money and I had not yet found a ATM machine to draw some Laos Kip. Eventually he accepted Thai Baht and we were on our way.

I nearly ran out of fuel because of no Laos Kip, but eventually found a machine and arrived at Oudomxay at 5.30pm and enjoyed my first of many Beer Laos!

Nan to the border 141km

Border to Oudomxay 209km

Total 350km and 10hrs.

[samuijimmy]

One of the best posts on TV in a while.... great trip report!!!!

[chrissables]

Day 34. I left Oudomxay and headed North for Phongsali. This road was dismal, with hill tribes living along the roads edge. The weather was freezing, really bitter! And terrible fog in places, real pea soup fog!

I found a room for the night, the regulations were a joke! I then went out to eat at 7.30pm and everything was shut! I managed to buy a mama cup and some beer. Luckily i took a kettle on my trip! I was so cold I slept in my clothes! 245km9hrs 45mins.

[chrissables]

One of the best posts on TV in a while.... great trip report!!!!

Thank you kind sir!

This trip has inspired me so much to do more, and i hope it does for others too.

[NoshowJones]

With all respect to your trip and having been a biker back in Europe, it still makes me thinking why one would choose a bike to travel long distances. Please don't take me wrong, but I lost some really good friends on two wheels. Thailand is not a bikers paradise, some passionate bikers may confirm this. Respect of your journey, I wouldn't go for it.

Fatfather

If you use common sense and watch your speed, and treat every other driver or rider as if they are out to kill you, 99.9% you should be OK.

[chrissables]

Day 35. I woke up to another pea soup foggy day and decided to forget seeing the Chinese border and headed back to Oudomxay.

The road was in terrible condition and really bad fog.

I was stopped by the police, they tried to get me to give them money to eat! I explained to them my money was for my food and refused, eventually they stopped another rider and I just rode off, just to be stopped again 30 minutes later at another check point. But this time no bribe was asked for.

245km 7hrs 20mins.

[NoshowJones]

Great! Only way to go.... You can stop when and where you want....

I have only done the southern provinces, and as far south as Malacca in Malaysia, and would love to head to northern Thailand, some day! Also in a PCX!

I had the seat modified, it's the most comfortable bike i have ever ridden!

That's interesting, is it the latest model PCX you have, the 150? If so please tell me where you had it done.

[chrissables]

Day 36. Oudomxay down to the old capital of Laos, Luang Prabang. The road was terrible again for the first 80+km, but mainly due to the massive amount of road works being carried out. This bodes well for the future trips.

The views in the mountains were spectacular, and the hill tribes at the side of the road were forever waving and smiling.

I found a great hotel with a relaxing balcony overlooking the local temple and a few minutes walk from the Mekong river, and had a very enjoyable night drinking ice cold Laos beer!

[chrissables]

Great! Only way to go.... You can stop when and where you want....

I have only done the southern provinces, and as far south as Malacca in Malaysia, and would love to head to northern Thailand, some day! Also in a PCX!

I had the seat modified, it's the most comfortable bike i have ever ridden!

That's interesting, is it the latest model PCX you have, the 150? If so please tell me where you had it done.

No, it's about 18 months old now.

In Pattaya opposite the end of Soi 8 Theprasit road.

I asked them to make it a level seat, then i could slide up and down until i found my ideal seating set up.

[chrissables]

Day 37. I stayed in and around Luang Prabang, but was up early to see the monks doing the alms. A bit too touristy for me, but nice to see one time.

The rest of the day was just sight seeing and relaxing.

[NoshowJones]

Great! Only way to go.... You can stop when and where you want....

I have only done the southern provinces, and as far south as Malacca in Malaysia, and would love to head to northern Thailand, some day! Also in a PCX!

I had the seat modified, it's the most comfortable bike i have ever ridden!

That's interesting, is it the latest model PCX you have, the 150? If so please tell me where you had it done.

No, it's about 18 months old now.

In Pattaya opposite the end of Soi 8 Theprasit road.

I asked them to make it a level seat, then i could slide up and down until i found my ideal seating set up.

Thanks mate, I'll be in Pattaya next week, and will look it up. The new PCX has a different seat. I will PM you about this, enjoy the rest of your trip, and stay safe.

[Sydneycraig]

Pcx is the perfect tourer for me ... Www.justridingaround.com has some of my trip pics... Not added much from Thailand yet ... Good to see others getting out on the Pcx

[chrissables]

Day 38. Today I decided to take a trip to Pak Ou, these are caves on the other side of the Mekong filled with Buddha images. I was there about 13 years ago, but now they are a bit more mercenary, pay to park, pay for the boat trip, pay to enter the caves. A bit crazy really, but stunning scenery!

70km

[chrissables]

Pcx is the perfect tourer for me ... Www.justridingaround.com has some of my trip pics... Not added much from Thailand yet ... Good to see others getting out on the Pcx

Yes, really it is a great bike for here anyway. In Europe or America with better roads a bigger bike may be better. But i very happy with it.

I will check you photo's after i finish my post here!

[chrissables]

Day 39. I left Luang Prabang and headed South to Phou Khoum and then left for Phonsavan of ”Plain of the Jars” fame.

It was a great, if foggy and cold ride.

I found a bar called Craters, a few beers there and a good curry at the local Indian restaurant.

269km, 7hrs 15mins.

[chrissables]

Day 40. I toured the 3 main Plain of Jars sites today. Really cold until the sun burnt the fog away. You still have to be careful where you walk due to un-exploded ordance. It was a good and interesting day and well worth the trip.

80km and 6hrs.

[chrissables]

At the "Plain of Jars"

[uptoyoumyfriend]

another option if you are to tired lazy what ever ,i saw people put their bike in the bottom of the bus,for a fee i am sure, but still.

saw the guy on the bike at the bus stop ,then getting in.what is he just leaving the bike there i thought?

then two guys from the bus put it in and tied it up....

[Rob8891]

That is some trip you were on! I've been out and about on my PCX, based in Chiang Mai, but our wee group has done nothing more extensive than a 1000kms 4-day trip. Some of the photos are in the Photography forum, while the full write-up is on my blog, highland2thailand.blogspot.com and all photos are on Flickr where I use the same user name (Rob8891)

We did CM - Mae Sariang - Mae Sot - Bhumipol Dam - Home during the rainy season, but that is definitely NOT the best time to do it. A whole assortment of other little trips around the CM area followed, and then three weeks ago I went to Fang, and from there up Doi Angkhang to stay overnight in a homestay in Ban Nor Lae, then back to CM next day.

I gave up all notion of ever again using any form of motorised two wheel machine 45 years ago, aged 17, after smashing myself up on an old Lambretta, but last year I bought a PCX, and just love it...except the bump in the seat, which I am going to doctor shortly.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience...makes mine seem quite tame (go see for yourselves...highland2thailand.blogspot.com) and I'd echo Samuijimmy's suggestion that you post your photos over in the Photography forum.....if you haven't been there, it's the friendly corner of Thaivisa, and you'll get to see (and share) some cracking photos.

[chrissables]

Day 41. Today I rode from Phonsavan to Vang Vieng. This is a bit of a back packers paradise, but I quite liked it here. It was a far better day, cold but no fog and more spectacular mountain scenery. 242km, 6hrs 30mins.

Day 42. I took some photos around Vang Vieng and headed South with the idea of seeing and getting into the restricted zone of Longcheng. This is the old American CIA air base that is not there, or something like that! It appears I should have tried from the Plain of Jars area, because although sign posted it seemed an impossible task, or maybe I need to do better research.

But the view at the Blue lake were great and it was a worthwhile trip. Also the highest peak in Laos was visible, Phu Bia.

152km.

[chrissables]

That is some trip you were on! I've been out and about on my PCX, based in Chiang Mai, but our wee group has done nothing more extensive than a 1000kms 4-day trip. Some of the photos are in the Photography forum, while the full write-up is on my blog, highland2thailand.blogspot.com and all photos are on Flickr where I use the same user name (Rob8891)

We did CM - Mae Sariang - Mae Sot - Bhumipol Dam - Home during the rainy season, but that is definitely NOT the best time to do it. A whole assortment of other little trips around the CM area followed, and then three weeks ago I went to Fang, and from there up Doi Angkhang to stay overnight in a homestay in Ban Nor Lae, then back to CM next day.

I gave up all notion of ever again using any form of motorised two wheel machine 45 years ago, aged 17, after smashing myself up on an old Lambretta, but last year I bought a PCX, and just love it...except the bump in the seat, which I am going to doctor shortly.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience...makes mine seem quite tame (go see for yourselves...highland2thailand.blogspot.com) and I'd echo Samuijimmy's suggestion that you post your photos over in the Photography forum.....if you haven't been there, it's the friendly corner of Thaivisa, and you'll get to see (and share) some cracking photos.

Hi, thanks and any tripis fun, just because i lost my way in a wonderful way it does not make my trip better than any other persons!

I will check out you trips soon.

[chrissables]

another option if you are to tired lazy what ever ,i saw people put their bike in the bottom of the bus,for a fee i am sure, but still.

saw the guy on the bike at the bus stop ,then getting in.what is he just leaving the bike there i thought?

then two guys from the bus put it in and tied it up....

Hi, but it does sort of take the fun of a bike ride away!

[chrissables]

Day 43. I decided to ride South to the capital of Laos, Vientiane. Originally my plan was to cross back into Nan, but due to the two week bike “visa” I was running out of time. It’s an easy ride and I was on the Mekong river in time for lunch, found a nice hotel not far from the river, and went to watch the sunset. Such a great place to see that!

4 hrs, I forgot to record my millage!

[Nebula]

Really admire this kind of people. I cant do it alone. I need a buddy with me. About the pcx, I have the new one. It was feeling great,I thought I wont ride my CBR anymore. Then I got the Forza too it was even greater. Now the pcx doesnt feel as great as it did before I try the Forza. Anyway I still enjoy them all.

[chrissables]

Really admire this kind of people. I cant do it alone. I need a buddy with me. About the pcx, I have the new one. It was feeling great,I thought I wont ride my CBR anymore. Then I got the Forza too it was even greater. Now the pcx doesnt feel as great as it did before I try the Forza. Anyway I still enjoy them all.

Hi, i understand, but if i had a bigger bike i could not of gone where i did

[chrissables]

Really admire this kind of people. I cant do it alone. I need a buddy with me. About the pcx, I have the new one. It was feeling great,I thought I wont ride my CBR anymore. Then I got the Forza too it was even greater. Now the pcx doesnt feel as great as it did before I try the Forza. Anyway I still enjoy them all.

Hi, it was a bit strange doing the trip alone to start with. But in the end i actually enjoyed it so much!