purchasing bike in Thailand
 

Hi I would like to get some suggestion about buyng bike in Thailand .
I am planning along track and I need a realiable ,and also "simple" for fixing bike .
Thanks for your help.

hello, most bikes in Thailand are japanese models, yamaha, suzuki, honda..and most are under 200cc as government put big tax and registration on bikes over 200cc..but is ok to have bigger bike just make sure have registration, because many police check points, and will cost you money if no have registration, maybe police take bike away..same with helmut..most thai no wear helmuts, but it is the law, and if you are stopped at checkpoint will have to pay police money...thailand very dangerous for riding ok..I just finish 1000km trip on Honda..I have Harley Davidson at home and alway think need big bike for thailand but no, is better have small bike, safe to go slow 90kmph max, because many mad drivers, dogs, and roadworks, also can see everything...I rent the honda so not sure about buy a bike there..maybe ask thai embassy about that ok...but can look internet at thaionlinemarket.com , thaisecondhand.com, thailand-classicfied.com for bike, and price...not many petrol station there in countryside so always keep tank full when have chance, 91 is good fuel..no use petrol out of wine bottle they sell at shops ok. is bad, something is cut with other stuff and not filtered..also have chain and big padlock, and keep bike close at night, many are stolen....many westerner in thailand get drunk and drive and die, so no do that ok..many thais jump red traffic lights so be careful, and sometimes can have traffic come down your side of the motorway in your lane is crazy..so go slow, keep left, keep tank full, have helmut on, sunglassess, chain bike, maybe puncture kit..good luck

Bikes in Thailand
 

Good advice there from Maaka.

We've got a UK 650 Transalp here that we're taking around the world but the traffic is mostly quite slow here, so if you're not overloaded with luggage, a 175 or 200 would be fine, and blend in better. You'd be able to get parts easier too.

The Kawa ER6-N and the 250 Ninja are made in Thailand and sold without the 100% import duty so are an alternative, as is the CB250, but they'll be a bit pricy still.

As Maaka says, the small bikes are prone to being stolen, so buy a big old chain and chain it to something solid.

The traffic's very different to western norms, but once you get used to it, it's predictable and calm. No-one gets stressed and you just need to drive (almost) as they do. Chill and slow down!

Dogs are less of a problem here than other countries, and we've not had any run out on us. We've found that kids running in and out of school (at any time of day) are the main danger. We nearly wiped out 2 in one day.

You WILL get trucks, vans, buses, 4x4's, scooters etc. driving at you on your side of the road, but they normally flash their lights at you to let you know that they're doing something stupid. Most roads have 'scooter lanes' to take refuge in, unless a broken-down bus is having a major engine rebuild in that lane.

The silver toyota minibuses are the ones to really be careful of. They drive as if they're on a mission. Coaches too. Just let them by. We've seen a few at the bottom of ravines.

Have a great trip, it's a wonderful and safe country with loads to discover, especially in the north. Anything we can help with, drop us a line from the blog.

BB

Saga Louts on Tour

Hi Alen

Buying a bike in Thailand is fairly easy, I bought a new cbr150 last year.

I suggest you have a multiple entry "O" visa and you need a permament address ( a letter from the guest house where you are staying worked for me) and a few trips to immigration (I had to pay 500 bt).

If you're going for a small bike I would reccommend a Honda wave or dream 125, about 50,000 bt.
If you want something bigger Kawasaki are selling bikes at roughly the same cost as you will pay in uk.
If you buy used, ensure you have all the paperwork and check the bike is legal.

At the end of my 3 months I sold the cbr to a shop...

Good luck !