Comments on: Bangkok Motorbike Festival 2010

By: Max

Max — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:29:35 +0000

Hi, I just calculated that I rode around 100000 km over the last 4 years in Thailand and (knock on wood) except for my training year .. I have not had an accident or even single scratch on the bike. I have toured the east, west and north of Thailand many times and can say it is perfect bike country if you like adventure biking. Even speeding is possible from time to time but that raises the stakes.. I ride a Honda VFR 800 from 2004 which is a sports tourer and works well for me. But it seems any type of bike works in Thailand. The roads are generally acceptable and the traffic is light outside bigger cities. So you can ride big tourers, fast sports bikes, choppers whatever you want. For me the super sportlers are fun but the fun comes from riding fast and this works against you statistically (you can only be lucky for some time..). I feel that choppers (which I personally do not fancy) and sports tourers are the right bikes for Thailand (yes yes there is the BMW GS series too). With a big sports tourer like a Kawasaki ZZR1400 the riding fun comes from presence (controlling the mass, sound) rather than speed and somehow this fits into the landscape. It’s a bit like an elephant walking undisturbed between the smaller stuff.
Enjoy riding in Thailand!!
Max

By: SiamRick

SiamRick — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:48 +0000

Gee, I leave just in time to miss the Thailand motorcycle event of the year. I am a two-wheeler but the thought of literally putting your life on the line every time you ride in Thailand is a scary one. No matter how vigilant you are, you will never see the one that knocks you off the road in that country. I feel it's just too risky if you want to live a long and active life in LOS. .-= SiamRick´s last blog ..If the hotel towels stink, move on =-.

By: Harry

Harry — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:08:36 +0000

A bike show and beer garden. Sounds like Thailand.

The problem for us, ex-pats, is where can you buy a bigger bike and get a bike serviced not mangled?

At least Kowasaki with the 650s have opened a door, but where are Honda and Yamaha apart from red faced at the show.

By: Talen

Talen — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:20:43 +0000

Jez, The Triumphs made in Thailand are exported to the Asian market but the Triumph factory in Chonburi, Thailand does manufacturer engines that they send to the U.K. for assembly at the Hinckley pant.

Apparently some of the bikes make it to The U.S. too, To find out where a Triumph is made look for the 11th character of the vin “J” = Jacknell road Hinckley England or “T” = Chonburi Thailand.

By: Jez

Jez — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:12:28 +0000

Wow I just read your comment about Thailand exporting Triumph bikes, I had not idea they started making these in Thailand!

When did that happen? Triumph are made not far from where I live in the UK.

By: Talen

Talen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:24:13 +0000

Martyn, if you think about it the accident rate is high but considering most Thai households have at least one motorcycle the accident rate / ownership rate has to bring the numbers slightly more in line.

And while I would love to tour Thailand by bike I wouldn’t be worried about my riding but the Thai’s around me. Pookie got into a bike accident with another bike on a deserted main highway in Mukdahan…neither she nor the other rider ever saw each other!

By: Talen

Talen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:21:19 +0000

Cat, There are an increasing amount of great events happening around Thailand…just made another post about the upcoming world reggae festival.

By: Talen

Talen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:20:20 +0000

‘mid wife crisis’

That made my day Lloyd

Ducati’s are sweet bikes. A friend has one and he swears he will never ride anything else.

I wouldn’t ride a big wheel in Thailand much less a bike…especially knowing my girl is on the road on a bike .

By: Martyn

Martyn — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:16:20 +0000

Talen for any serious biker a tour of Thailand must be an exciting thought and with its temperatures you could travel day or night. A fair point by Mike about the accident rate but not riding under the influence of alcohol would severely reduce your chances of getting hurt. A tour of Thailand, what a fantastic thought.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:12:19 +0000

Talen, you find the greatest Thai news!

I won’t attend the festival, but I’m glad to hear that it’s here.
.-= Catherine´s last blog ..My 30 Day Thai Language Trial: Week Three =-.