Lovers of two wheels come forward

[dr dave soul monsta]

Any one out there who has a love of two wheels who thinks they could give regular input from the motor cycle world in and out side Thialnd
give me a shout
I have aproached HHAD admin with the request for a page just purely for the two wheeled lovers ,not just your big super bikes and hog's but any two wheeled machinery out there
from a handa C50 plastic bucket to a Harley hard tail
my own passion as many will know are classic italian scooters ,but there is more to life than this , I Know having owned BIG bikes as well,Two wheels is the passion and appreciation of fine engineering wether from stock or from imagination and personal design
Its the buzz of riding with people who have same passion and enjoy the freedom and dangers of the open road ,not sitting around in traffic jams and just "doin what comes naturaly"
maybe there is one of the headstone chaps who would be willing to contribute to a page on a regular basis
with events ,ride out info ,and the odd slanging match about bikes in general,

[mack]

Hi Dave

Is it pretty easy to buy a bike in HH or even Thailand, looking at something along the lines of a crusier, Honda shadow sprint 750 or something like that.

I've seen some articals about import tax being 100% on big bikes so was hopeing to pick one up there when i eventually move there after house in finished.

thanks

Mark

[dr dave soul monsta]

Hi Mark
Ok
Bikes of all sizes and shapes are easily available over here, obviously from Thai owners the price will usually go up when they see the colour of your skin,
You may be lucky enough to buy from another farrang the price will still be high due to the price they paid in the first instance,check the papers even more !
Don’t think there are any real bargains any where here.
Be prepared to pay more than the bikes value !
Things you need to be very careful about.
The bike has an up to date green book and insurance.
You will also need a minimum of a 1 year None B ,or O visa or work permit to register in your own name, Be Careful who’s name you put the bike in it could end in tears!!!!

If the book isn’t upto date you will be responsible for any back payments due on insurance and road tax
you need to make sure the book is genuine and all the numbers on the bike match up Frame Number, engine number and they are in the correct place (manufacturers have specific places for serial numbers )
I have come across a few bikes and scooters that have had numbers welded over and re stamped it isn’t difficult to spot and is quite common

You certainly need to have some mechanical experience about the bike you are buying or have someone who knows about bikes with you to inspect the bike
You certainly don’t want to buy anything that sounds like there is a tin tray full of nuts, bolts and washers in the sump
A Long test drive is essential !! not just around the block take the bike out and play this is the only way to find out about how it rides ,stops, turns and hear the tell tale noises which could be expensive in the short or long term
Spares and good servicing here are to say the least sparse for large capacity engines, there are some reputable bike dealers around check out some of the bike forums you will be able to judge who is and who isn’t ( even good place will get a slating of some one some times )

Many large engine capacity bikes here are shipped in as spares and assembled in back st garages with no regard for the 10 or so nuts, bolts and washers that are missing or left over or a few split pins here and there ( I am aware that bikes also come over in two halves and are welded back together be very careful )
At the end of the day your life is at stake,
You don’t want your time here spent in hospital or worse


This is a start for you

http://www.geocities.com/bkkriders/clas ... index.html

good luck be carefull

[mack]

Dave

Thanks for the info and advice.

Sounds a bit of a minefield!!

Cheers

Mark

[dr dave soul monsta]

yes mack it can be this is the land of smiles
the case may be they are smiling becuase they are genuinly being straight forward and nice or they know they are shafting you its so hard to tell some times
i have to comment that 90% of the bikers and scooterists i have dealt with are genuine and will do almost anything to help you out
as for import tax i have from a good source the amount is as much as the customs can get out of you or you leave the machine at the dock for them or send it back !!

[olmate]

Just discovered this page Dr Dave, but from what i have gathered from this forum in the short time i have been a member, the 2 wheels dont seem to get much love.

[dr dave soul monsta]

One thinks that they are just a little shy to come forwards

Nb should have a confirmed date for HH Bike week / end soon
last years was fine but to much talking on stage not enough loud music.
i will be uploading some images from last years week soon

[Limey711]

You have posted some good information there Dave, thank you..

[Perente]

Dave, Good Topic. As a (Junior) member of the Ulysses Club, and new parent of a Phantom, I'd be interested in any ride info.

[usual suspect]

good idea Dave...we can take it in turns to paint that scooter of yours!...
...cos I don't believe you have more than one...you just swap panels...
..diff day...diff colour...ha,haa!!

Was there not a bit of a 'club' some years back?..
...Hua Hin Steppy-club...or was that just someone wanting to wear
an original T-shirt?

Any way all the best fella,

ps You know anyone who does compact ladders?...so 'our-lass' can
get onto my 'Sonic'

[igor1]

Hello Dr.

There is as far as I know only one reasonable "big bike" dealer in Hua Hin. You can go to him an ask him to fix you a bike, he will then order it for you. - Naturally there will be quite an increase in price between the first owner and you.

You can also go into this homepage http://www.mocyc.com/store/alltopic.php

I think this is the largest online market for motorbikes in thailand.. Here you are not so likely to get ripped off pricewise as most prices are set on the homepage.

I strongly recommend against anything with small wheels - such as a scooter.. Roads here are shit and if you run into a piehole with a 20 cm high wheel you will come to an abrupt stop.

Also consider brands with easily accessible spare parts - such as hondas or yamahas

[dr dave soul monsta]

Hey less of the small wheels i have 10 ",, wheels as well, real scooters are fine if you have the skill and abillity to drive a real scooter you can drive any bike, stay clear of the plastic buckets
by the by the avtar to the left is a water cooled 250 lambretta and i am the accrobat

[NicFrenchy]

Funny, Last week I was in HH and having Mexican Dinner... et the end, I saw in front of the Restaurant a Classic Italian Scooter all Painted Red with the HHAD on it. Couldn't help but Chuckle... Was too shy to ask out loud who's bike it was.. maybe next time

[dr dave soul monsta]

Would that have been this 69 vespa in red with HHAD Blazed accross the panel work

Don't be shy !!

[dr dave soul monsta]

usual suspect youve sussed me out , as for the ladders buy a normal set and crush them
I believe you found the drag strip will you be entering the sonic against the plastic rockets ??