I've read the expathuahin website regarding the legal process for buying both new and second hand motorbikes but am in two minds which option to go for?
Given my lack of mechanical knowledge, I'm leaning more towards a new bike to avoid buying the proverbial pig in a poke, with presumably the cushion of some sort of warranty.
Any advice please (including make and model) and any suggestions as to the best place to buy either new or used motorbikes? 125cc will do. I know there's both a Honda garage and a Yahama dealership but don't know any others.
Thanks in advance for any pointers.
Buying a Motorbike - any advice?
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dtaai-maai
- Hero
- Posts: 14337
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:00 pm
- Location: UK, Robin Hood country
I'm not sure anyone can really help you, as there are so many personal considerations.
How much do you want to spend? (You can a possible decent 2nd hand bike for 10-15k, but you'll be payin 40-50k for a new one)
Do you want an automatic gear-change? How much experience do you have riding bikes?
How often will you use it? How long will your journeys be?
Will you be mostly alone, or 2-up?
125cc will do? I don't think there's much available above that apart from Phantoms, etc.
Personally, unless money was really an issue, I'd buy new. Otherwise, you're on your own, kiddo!
How much do you want to spend? (You can a possible decent 2nd hand bike for 10-15k, but you'll be payin 40-50k for a new one)
Do you want an automatic gear-change? How much experience do you have riding bikes?
How often will you use it? How long will your journeys be?
Will you be mostly alone, or 2-up?
125cc will do? I don't think there's much available above that apart from Phantoms, etc.
Personally, unless money was really an issue, I'd buy new. Otherwise, you're on your own, kiddo!
This is the way
Thanks dtaai-maai. I appreciate personal circumstances may dictate the purchase. To elaborate a bit more.
I don't mind forking out for a new bike and this is probably the way I'll go. Automatic would be my preference as although I've plenty experience riding both automatic and geared, my girlfriend is used to automatic. The bike would be used daily for short journeys around town, so mileage would be relatively low. These could be solo rides or with passenger. A mix of both I guess.
So based on the above, can anyone recommend their particular make and model? I see plenty Honda Waves and Honda Clicks around Hua Hin but have no idea as to whether these are the best or the just the cheapest.
I don't mind forking out for a new bike and this is probably the way I'll go. Automatic would be my preference as although I've plenty experience riding both automatic and geared, my girlfriend is used to automatic. The bike would be used daily for short journeys around town, so mileage would be relatively low. These could be solo rides or with passenger. A mix of both I guess.
So based on the above, can anyone recommend their particular make and model? I see plenty Honda Waves and Honda Clicks around Hua Hin but have no idea as to whether these are the best or the just the cheapest.
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Marky_Mark
- Member
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:00 pm
- Location: Perth
I've ridden the Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki, i found the Yamaha mio the best to ride...it just feels more solid then the other...
My misses has the Mio and has had no problems the dealership are really good too speak perfect english (just south of market village, same side of the road)
Personally i would like the Yamaha Fino but this is only because i will be one up due to the misses having her own bike...but for 2up i would suggest the Mio... from memory it was about 48k...
Cheers
Mark
My misses has the Mio and has had no problems the dealership are really good too speak perfect english (just south of market village, same side of the road)
Personally i would like the Yamaha Fino but this is only because i will be one up due to the misses having her own bike...but for 2up i would suggest the Mio... from memory it was about 48k...
Cheers
Mark
My advice on buying (and riding) a motor bike here is:
1) Don't!
2) If you must, for God's sake, wear a helmet and decent shoes when riding
3) Don't drink and ride
4) Get a good health insurance policy and if you have a family a good life insurance policy.
You know what they say, "There are only two kinds of motorbike riders, those who have been on the ground, and those who are going to be on the ground."
...and that is even more likely here... be careful!
I'm sure I'll get a lot of
from dedicated bike riders for this post, but riding is a scary thing here, and should be given serious thought and be done with serious precautions. 
1) Don't!
2) If you must, for God's sake, wear a helmet and decent shoes when riding
3) Don't drink and ride
4) Get a good health insurance policy and if you have a family a good life insurance policy.
You know what they say, "There are only two kinds of motorbike riders, those who have been on the ground, and those who are going to be on the ground."
...and that is even more likely here... be careful!
I'm sure I'll get a lot of
from dedicated bike riders for this post, but riding is a scary thing here, and should be given serious thought and be done with serious precautions. My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
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Randy Cornhole
- Rock Star
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- Location: London
- Contact:
I can't fault my Honda wave. It is solidly built and apart from the odd puncture has never gone wrong.
The Honda dealer is helpful and servicing is cheap.
The question to ask yourself is what is the most popular bike and go with the masses. They are usually right.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Honda...
The Honda dealer is helpful and servicing is cheap.
The question to ask yourself is what is the most popular bike and go with the masses. They are usually right.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Honda...
www.35mmview.com
I bought a Mio a couple of years ago and wished I hadn't. With only a single shock absorber on the rear it is very uncomfortable riding pillion. Fitting an adjustable gas shock didn't help much either. The footrests on the back are poorly placed too, making even a journey round town on typical thai roads a bit of a backbreaker. I would echo Randy's suggestion and go for a Wave. Economical and comfortable for driver and passenger.
I got my partner a new Honda Wave 125i last year and it's really very good as Thai scooters go.
With fuel injection it starts easily, runs smoothly and is very frugal on fuel.
There is a website that gives you the list price of every bike available in Thailand and I'll try to find it later when I get to a computer, (I'm posting from a mobile phone at the moment).
With fuel injection it starts easily, runs smoothly and is very frugal on fuel.
There is a website that gives you the list price of every bike available in Thailand and I'll try to find it later when I get to a computer, (I'm posting from a mobile phone at the moment).
Most of the little bikes or scooters are fine if you buy new and for 40k baht you might as well do so if you are staying long term or got a house and will be a regular visitor, not to mention bike riders are just cannon fodder for the cops making money on the side. Make sure you get a decent helmet as these small bikes easily go over 100kmh. They have relaxed the laws regarding bigger bikes now and you can buy new 250cc upwards bikes if so desired. You won't have any real problems apart from safety on the roads, don't under-estimate the amount of hazards there are here or how many die on bikes needlessly.
Beware the soi dogs! They will often try to pull you off the bike.
Beware the soi dogs! They will often try to pull you off the bike.
Noz -
We just helped a new friend purchase a used Thai brand bike in Cha Am.....he was lucky and found one at the Honda dealer by Bangkok Bank for 10K.....as HH says, it's a dangerous business so if you've never ridden one you might go used first instead of smashing a new one. Most of the used ones we saw still sold for upwards of 15K so you would have to shop around but they are available.
What I really write this for is I was looking around while our friend was filling out his paperwork and saw an absolutely beautiful new Honda Dream....all black with nice chrome trim.....were I to buy a new bike I would have to have this one !!
It's at the Honda Dealer in Cha Am as I mentioned near the Bangkok Bank....not the new dealership as you come in from the north.
I asked them how much it was and they told me 42K.....didn't bother to investigate any more about it, just loved the look of it.
Good luck and get a good helmet!
We just helped a new friend purchase a used Thai brand bike in Cha Am.....he was lucky and found one at the Honda dealer by Bangkok Bank for 10K.....as HH says, it's a dangerous business so if you've never ridden one you might go used first instead of smashing a new one. Most of the used ones we saw still sold for upwards of 15K so you would have to shop around but they are available.
What I really write this for is I was looking around while our friend was filling out his paperwork and saw an absolutely beautiful new Honda Dream....all black with nice chrome trim.....were I to buy a new bike I would have to have this one !!
It's at the Honda Dealer in Cha Am as I mentioned near the Bangkok Bank....not the new dealership as you come in from the north.
I asked them how much it was and they told me 42K.....didn't bother to investigate any more about it, just loved the look of it.
Good luck and get a good helmet!
I have a Honda Air blade - automatic, solid performer, wider wheels and more traction. Good accel and stopping.
Tends to be a little stiff on the posterior, small fuel tank so limited range and a little cantankerous to start (electrical and mechanical) if not used regularly.
Honda reliability and has not missed a beat.
As HHF says get a proper helmet - not a plastic toy and be aware, fu-kin aware of drongo locals driving utes with blackened out windows who WILL cut you of at any chance that infects their singular cell minds. Bad enough putting up with pot holes, dogs/kids, spilled oil and soil on roads.
Safe riding!
Tends to be a little stiff on the posterior, small fuel tank so limited range and a little cantankerous to start (electrical and mechanical) if not used regularly.
Honda reliability and has not missed a beat.
As HHF says get a proper helmet - not a plastic toy and be aware, fu-kin aware of drongo locals driving utes with blackened out windows who WILL cut you of at any chance that infects their singular cell minds. Bad enough putting up with pot holes, dogs/kids, spilled oil and soil on roads.
Safe riding!
