Jul
3
Transportation in the Sticks
July 3, 2007 |
During my last trip I spent a good deal of time looking at motorcycles. I simply cannot afford to buy a car at this time. At least not a new one. And buying a used car in Thailand strikes me as less than wise.
But a motorcycle is affordable, and don’t cost much in terms of upkeep and fuel. Nan has her little 100cc Honda Wave, bright red and working well. But I want my own, as it will be nice to have when she is off somewhere on hers. Also there is the two boys. If we are to go with us anywhere, we can take one each. Instead of putting both on one bike as I suspect she is doing now.
The bike will be used by me to putter around the village, for trips into Phutthaisong to forage at the market, and for fishing trips in the local area. There is not much traffic to worry about up there.
I think I may end up buying a Honda Wave myself, as there is an outlet for these in Phutthaisong, so it will be easy to have it repaired and serviced. Parts for those are cheap as well, since there are millions of them everywhere.
A new Honda Wave will cost me about 32000 baht for the basic model. I don’t need anything more, so thats okay with me. The only thing I would like it to have, is the space under the seat to put your helmet, or some croceries, or even a shift of clothes if you go somewhere to stay over night. But I’ll solve that by installing a luggage box on the rear if I can find one.
Anyway, having my own set of wheels will give a bit of freedom to explore, and get to know the area on my own. And with a two-wheeler I can stop just about everywhere I like. I find that is always the best way to learn your surroundings.
For longer trips? Well I am actually crazy enough to attempt those on a small motorcycle. But there is always the bus. There are air conned buses going to Surin, Khon Kaen, Korat Buriram and Bangkok several times a day from Phutthaisong. And should we require a more leisurely mode of transportation, we can hire a car now and then.
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Comments
9 Comments so far
Sounds like your getting ready to settle in.By the way us Americans call them things MOPEDS hehehehe. Seems like everyone needs a moped in Thailand for sure but a pickup will also be useful. I guess a used one would be ok if you shop right.
I dont think you can go wrong with a Honda, they are one of the best. That would be my choice.
We call them moped when it’s under 50cc. Anything above is a light motorcycle up to 200cc.
The reason is we have 3 different licence classes for motorcycles. And you need to be 16 to drive a moped, 18 for light motorcycle and 20 for a so called heavy motorcycle. (above 200 cc)
If you are more than 20, you can drive a moped on your car licence.
To avoid cunfusion, the above rules is for my home country, Norway
Dont forget I am a little biased, I ride
REAL AMERICAN IRON. :o}~
I had a blast on my last trip to Thailand. Ten of us rode from Pattaya to just south of Bangkok for a party of a local MC. Man we rode right through a flee market full of people…
All on Custom Davidsons, what a blast.
Yeah, those are undoubtedly cool to ride, but in the rest of the world American bikes have a reputation for being notoriously unreliable, just like your cars. So we tend to dream about riding cool looking American bikes, but buy reliable Japanese ones, mostly becouse we like to spend more time riding than fixing.
These aint yer Grandaddies Harley’s anymore.They are Plenty reliable nowa daze.
Oh, somebody forgot to tell us, becouse the reputation is still there.
Had a good luagh when a European journalist asked some Detroit executive when the americans planned to start to produce cars. Mind you this was about sports cars, in which you guys dont have a clue. Unless its some monster meant to be driven only in a straight line.
Last April I bought a Yamaha Fino - a retrostyled bike that looks somewhat like a Vespa. Very nice to cruise along. THB 43′000 including some extras. I also drove the Yamaha Nouvo MX of my wife’s cousin which is a fantastic bike. Both share the same engine of 115ccm, but different automatics. The Nouvo feels speedier, the Fino more cruiser.
You can also lease a Pick-up. Ford offers leasing rates for its Rangers at 0.99 % which is a great deal. However we leased a Mitsubishi Triton Plus Automatic for 4 years (after that it is fully paid) with a 15% downpayment. And who wants to run away with a car not fully paid
Getting a Honda Wave when I go back in two weeks. It will have to be a 125. In Phetchabun we have hills and two up even the 125 struggles up them even more than I do with my disgusting 20-a-day habit.
Yeah the Honda Waves are good bikes. But ended up buying a 110cc Honda Click, and so far I am happy with it. But have to look far and wide to find something that is even remotely like a hill here.