Mae Hon Song Loop

[AllanB]

Anyone know of a good start point for the MHSL, we plan on trucking the bike down, parking in the hotel we stay at, 4 days to do the bizz and the a second night prior to driving back to Khon Kaen.

 

Haven't decided whether to use the Lifan or the new Filano, so any news about current road surface conditions would be useful. I am sure MrsB would prefer the scooter 2 up, but of the roads are bad the dirtbike would be better. 

 

Any news would be helpful thanks....

[taninthai]

I'm sure you started the same thread up last year most of your answers probably there,it's a loop so don't matter where you start ,obviously I would start where Idecided to sleep the night before.

[DLang]

2 hours ago, AllanB said:

Haven't decided whether to use the Lifan or the new Filano,

 

Rent out a bike in CM to do it.

 

No trucking the bike, and you're not doing it on a Lifan or Filano. 

 

 

Win.

 

Win Win.

Edited December 2, 2016 by DLang

[papa al]

6 minutes ago, DLang said:

 

Rent out a bike in CM to do it.

 

No trucking the bike, and you're not doing it on a Lifan or Filano. 

 

 

Win.

 

Win Win.

Well, Mr & Mrs AllanB have toured Viet Nam and Laos on a Wave, so....

[AllanB]

Ed March goes around the world on a 12 year old C90, another guy I know personally did 6,000 km around Europe on a 50cc moped. ...and we can't do 600km with an odd bend on a 200cc bike?

 

Try to keep up Dlang old chap.

 

Rental bikes are a pig in a poke...and cost money.

 

I know it's a loop the clue was in the title, I was looking for suggestions around CM, hotels, etc. for a start/finish point.

Edited December 2, 2016 by AllanB

[recom273]

I would finish where you started otherwise you wouldn't be near your truck.

[AllanB]

Last year they were digging part of it up, just wondered what it is like now....

[AllanB]

Just did a short trip on the new Filano scooter on moderately shitty roads, don't wanna do the iffy MHSL on that. So that leaves the Lifan which after a complete going over and a service is now running sweet. I am now a little more familiar with the layout, which is very simple and have a spare CDI as suggested. I have also made a pannier bag/bracket set and a couple of side tank bags.

 

However, the tyres are not good at all with splits all over the shop. Now I know this has been discussed before but can't find it, so does anyone know if there are upsizes to 2.75 - 21 and 4.10 - 18. Off-road or All Terrains ? Also what are the costs?

[papa al]

Dual sport:

Michelin Anakee III, 90/90-21; B4000.

Some Dunlop rear. B2200.

Hope you upgraded brakes.

[AllanB]

2 hours ago, papa al said:

Dual sport:

Michelin Anakee III, 90/90-21; B4000.

Some Dunlop rear. B2200.

Hope you upgraded brakes.

Why zat?

[papa al]

Stock brakes are poor.

My mechanics looked at them and laughed.

Okay for dirt riding, one-up,

maybe.

Two-up on demanding mountain roads.?

papa would not risk it, sure.

 

 

[naboo]

Hi Alan, you may remember me, did the Tiger Boxer tour of Goat Mountain with you in 2012.

 

Living in Lamphun now, a few hotels here with parking. Alternatively, somewhere around the base of Doi Inthanon or Hot would work. For Hot, turn up the 106 at Thoen (excellent road, on a bike), then left to Doi Tao about 40km up and onto Hot. Forget Chiang Mai this time of year. Its hell with Bangkok on tour. Lamphun stays quiet though, Royal Princess Hotel is popular, has parking, or the Thaen Thong also has parking at gets a thumbs up from friends I have had stay there.

 

Last time I did the loop, May I think, all the road upgrades between Chiang Mai and Pai were done, though they were surfacing a short stretch just after Pai.

[NormanW]

Don't forget to post some pics as you go.

 

Cheers 

[AllanB]

Changing brakes is a major task, so heavy use of the low gears will be the plan and slowly slowly catchy monkey. We do pack light too, perhaps a crash diet too. The Honda Wave brakes in Laos were not that great either, or VN come to think of it and the Lifan does have discs all round, so less fade than drums. Thanks for the tip though, will take care.

 

Lamphun looks like a good start point.....checked it on Google maps and it said Lamphun to Mae Hon Song is 6 hrs 6 mins for 341km ha ha!!!!!! Last time I drove from CM to Pi by truck it took me longer than that. The right side for arriving from Khon Kaen, won't have to truck into CM and a few hotels to choose from by the sounds, cheers.

 

What do you think about Lampung to Pai on day one, is that reasonable? I always try to make day one comfortable as I am quite unfit and need to ease the old bones into action.

 

Never been to Goat Mountain, so wasn't me mate...sounds interesting, where is that? Is this the one in the Rockies, sounds good? 

[naboo]

Maybe another Allan, thought it was you.

 

Don't confuse Lamphun and Lampang. Lamphun to Pai in a day is no problem. Or go the other way, Lamphun to Mae Sariang.

[moe666]

there are plenty of hotels in chiang mai you can stay at in different parts of the city. I would skip the southern section and turn off at Kumyum spelling and go across to Doi Inthanon it takes 100 k off the trip. the road is just fine with some construction between Pai and MHS. agoda is your friend

[AllanB]

7 hours ago, moe666 said:

there are plenty of hotels in chiang mai you can stay at in different parts of the city. I would skip the southern section and turn off at Kumyum spelling and go across to Doi Inthanon it takes 100 k off the trip. the road is just fine with some construction between Pai and MHS. agoda is your friend

 

I may chicken out of taking the dirtbike and take the more comfortable Filano scooter instead, cluck, cluck.

 

Tried to get new tyres for the Lifan yesterday and although I found a Chinese front tyre, couldn't get hold of a rear at all. Did think of trying to get one in CM, but it will add to the days away and if I cant find one I am pretty stuffed for the trip. Was offered a new rim and CRF tyre but a lot of money, not worth it on a cheap bike.

 

If the roads are mainly good the scooter will be okay, the bad bits just take slowly, then prepare the Lifan for the next Laos road-trip. I repaired some old guys broken invalid buggy last trip and need to check it is still working, also we said we would bring the 80 year old a blanket and small radio, so need a return trip early January. I want to try that 30km rough dirt road section, north of Paksan out too, see how long it takes me, probably a very long time, 2 up. In the truck it was very dusty with lots of traffic and bumpy as hell, a real challenge.

 

So thanks for the route tip will get my map marked up, get the first service done before we leave too. A day to truck to CM 4 days MHSL and a day back to KK and back in time for the pub-quiz..

[papa al]

papa could do the  MHS loop for you if you like.

[AllanB]

4 hours ago, papa al said:

papa could do the  MHS loop for you if you like.

 

For me or with me?...I wouldn't want you to do it for me, you might mess it up, make me look bad!!! You might get carried away chasing skirt, end up in Bangladesh make me look foolish for trusting you...........

 

You could do the pub quiz, we need a Yank for all the NFL, Nascar, Baseball.....and heavy metal music questions. 

[moe666]

4 hours ago, AllanB said:

 

I may chicken out of taking the dirtbike and take the more comfortable Filano scooter instead, cluck, cluck.

 

Tried to get new tyres for the Lifan yesterday and although I found a Chinese front tyre, couldn't get hold of a rear at all. Did think of trying to get one in CM, but it will add to the days away and if I cant find one I am pretty stuffed for the trip. Was offered a new rim and CRF tyre but a lot of money, not worth it on a cheap bike.

 

If the roads are mainly good the scooter will be okay, the bad bits just take slowly, then prepare the Lifan for the next Laos road-trip. I repaired some old guys broken invalid buggy last trip and need to check it is still working, also we said we would bring the 80 year old a blanket and small radio, so need a return trip early January. I want to try that 30km rough dirt road section, north of Paksan out too, see how long it takes me, probably a very long time, 2 up. In the truck it was very dusty with lots of traffic and bumpy as hell, a real challenge.

 

So thanks for the route tip will get my map marked up, get the first service done before we leave too. A day to truck to CM 4 days MHSL and a day back to KK and back in time for the pub-quiz..

You will find the road in overall good shape yes some sections in a bit of rough but overall ok. After the rains during the summer there could be extra rough patches but overall ok, your Yamaha will be just fine.

[papa al]

6 hours ago, AllanB said:

you might mess it up, make me look bad!!! You might get carried away chasing skirt, end up in Bangladesh make me look foolish for trusting you...........

 

good point !!

[AllanB]

Just back.

 

Vehicle:- brand new Filano.

Day 1

Lampune - Pai, easy, but very tired due to total lack fitness.

Day 2

Pai -MHS - Easy, getting fitter.

Day 3

MHS - Lampune, using the mountain route, 300km over the highest mountain.

 

May do a trip report, but all roads good, everyone friendly, food terrific.

 

If you haven't done the loop, you really should....on anything with an engine.....cyclists are headcases!!!

 

Lampune is a great start point and I know a great hotel, 500b and free parking for the truck.

[papa al]

Way to go !!

[AllanB]

Spoke too soon about the food, just had crappy breakfast at the "Cafe du Lampune" ponsy frontage but really cheap ingredients, I guess there has to be one. Anyway with a day in hand we are off on the scoot to explore CM, head back to KK tomorrow, get up the crack of Dawn.

 

Should be a few bikey shops in CM, as we have nothing much in Isaan Khon Kaen, but  first MrsB wants her hair done after yesterday's blast through the mountains...That was fun...."we are, we are, we are the Mods".

 

If you are planning on doing the loop, turn left at Khun Yuam, along the 1263 and go through the mountains...unless you ride a GS1200 Beama. If the Honda Shadow (NV400) is running properly may come back and do it on that, but first Nan province, via Loei to avoid the highways.  

 

Just saw something funny, some Thai guy in a Honda Jazz had the word "Jizz" on the back of his car, wanted to tell him, "hey mate do you know you have jizz on you rear window"....

[Still Living]

Did that loop on a Forza. Good times! Next time need gears... 

[NormanW]

3 hours ago, AllanB said:

Spoke too soon about the food, just had crappy breakfast at the "Cafe du Lampune" ponsy frontage but really cheap ingredients, I guess there has to be one. Anyway with a day in hand we are off on the scoot to explore CM, head back to KK tomorrow, get up the crack of Dawn.

 

Should be a few bikey shops in CM, as we have nothing much in Isaan Khon Kaen, but  first MrsB wants her hair done after yesterday's blast through the mountains...That was fun...."we are, we are, we are the Mods".

 

If you are planning on doing the loop, turn left at Khun Yuam, along the 1263 and go through the mountains...unless you ride a GS1200 Beama. If the Honda Shadow (NV400) is running properly may come back and do it on that, but first Nan province, via Loei to avoid the highways.  

 

Just saw something funny, some Thai guy in a Honda Jazz had the word "Jizz" on the back of his car, wanted to tell him, "hey mate do you know you have jizz on you rear window"....

Brill. 

 

If you can get to Pirelli in CM the Thai couple who run it have lots of goodies and speak perfect English as they both used to work in a bank.

 

Enjoy. 

 

Try not to jizz too much ?

Edited December 18, 2016 by NormanW

[AllanB]

6 hours ago, Still Living said:

Did that loop on a Forza. Good times! Next time need gears... 

 

Yes, a different bike should make a different trip, best place in LOS I have found so far.

 

I have a Lifan dirtbike with a 5-down g/box and a Honda Shadow 1-down 3-up, with overdrive, plus the auto scooter. Need to get my head around that lot "old dog, new tricks"..... and wait for the expletive deletives on the hairpins.

[AllanB]

Just submitted a brief road trip for those interested.........