buying a motor bike

[Guest aot87]

What would be the cost of a small motor bike such as used by the motor bike taxi guys. ie 100/125cc , and also the cost of insurance, if not new , is it possible to buy a fairly new machine from a good dealer

[Guest]

A good new bike can be had for around 30k baht. That includes the cost of insurance and the registration. If you want a higher up automatic, expect to spend another 7-10k baht. You can also get a good used bike for around 25k or less. Be sure it is in great condition and you have someone other than your dealer check it out. A friend bought a used bike for his Thai BF and I think he paid 25k for it and that was a year ago and it is still like new. Good luck in your hunt.

[Guest tdperhs]

When I wanted to buy my first motorbike 18 months ago, I asked the advice of an expert, a woman whom I had been renting a motorbike from. Her English is excellent and she advertises that she acts with Christian Values. (I quickly learned that that was a misnomer - she is actually a very good person.) I told her what I wanted and she recommended a Honda Wave and sent me to the Honda dealership. They quoted me a price of 52000 baht. I did not want to spend that much (when the exchange rate was 37/$) so I returned to her and asked her for another recommendation. When I told her the quote, she nearly blew her stack, got on the phone, and reminded the sales manager that the price was actually 43000. They adjusted the price to 47000. Being duly influenced by my advisor, I did not recommend where they could park their bike and began to shop around.

At one of the bike dealers on Soi Khao Talo, I found exactly what I was looking for at 23000. It was used but it appeared in excellent condition and had fewer than 4000 km on the odometer - probably a repo. It now has 17000. It is parked outside. Except for a tuneup and three tire changes (try to keep the total passenger weight under 150 kilo) I have had no problems and my bikes get rode hard and put away wet.

If you want the best info on motorbikes, I recommend strongly you talk to the woman at Christian Values, located on the western most line of shops in Jomtien Complex, about four or five shops west of the 7 Eleven.

[Rogie]

When I wanted to buy my first motorbike 18 months ago, I asked the advice of an expert, a woman whom I had been renting a motorbike from.

 

I agree with everything you say about this lady. Nothing is too much trouble for her. I rented a Honda automatic from her (on my bf's behalf) on my recent visit to Pattaya. Within 24 hours he had been involved in an accident. It took 2 and a half days to sort it all out - nightmare paperwork - police - insurance - hospital - but she did it. Without her help I would have been bouncing off just so many brick walls.

[Guest aot87]

where abouts is this lady, im staying at the poseidon ,in jomtiem

[Rogie]

If you want the best info on motorbikes, I recommend strongly you talk to the woman at Christian Values, located on the western most line of shops in Jomtien Complex, about four or five shops west of the 7 Eleven.

 

Hi aot87,

 

directions above from tdperhs

 

plus some other observations of mine

 

if you are coming from the sea front, turn left into Jomtien Complex, pass the 7/11 or Family Mart, not sure which, and it's up there on the left - there is a conspicuous sign at the end of the soi (the Tappraya Road end) and the proper name for the shop is Mai Pang. Opening hours are Mon - Sat 8.30am - 7pm. NB. Closed Sunday.

Tel: 081 000 7943 089 903 1922

(there is also an e-mail address but it wasn't working last time I used it)

[kokopelli]

Another question, Rogie; just what is the nature of the shop? Motorbikes,Christian items, etc? You sure have me guessing.

[Rogie]

Hi kokopelli,

 

The original poster asked about buying either a new or second-hand motorbike.

 

Buying a new bike is easy: you just call into a showroom, choose your bike, pay the money and its yours.

 

Buying a bike second-hand calls for more caution. This is where knowing somebody in the trade could be helpful, which is where the lady tdperhs and I mentioned comes in.

 

Her business is motorcycle rentals. She does not sell bikes, nor does she do car rentals. She does not have any other items for sale in her shop, Christian or otherwise.

 

I haven't asked her directly but I am assuming she is a Christian, hence her use of the term Christian values.

[Guest joseph44]

Mai Pang (Thai for: not expensive) is a chain of motorbike-rent-outs in Pattaya, but that's not the issue regarding the lady who runs the shop. This lady seems to be extra-ordinary.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

With an average of 27 deaths per DAY in Thailand as a result of motorbike accidents I would never drive one.

[Rogie]

And just think how many injuries! Must run into the hundreds. Many of which will be truly horrific.

 

When I went to the police compound to inspect the motorbike my Thai friend had crashed, it didn't look too bad. That pleased me as my share of the accident damage was 50%, based on the insurance policy I'd take out. But then I saw something else: although the rear tyre appeared undamaged, remaining inflated, there was a nasty dent on the inside of the wheel rim. My thoughts swiftly returned to the hapless pillion passenger laid up in hospital with serious fracture injuries to his leg.

[Guest tdperhs]

With an average of 27 deaths per DAY in Thailand as a result of motorbike accidents I would never drive one.

 

What leads you to believe that the people killed in motorbike accidents are the drivers?

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Not necessarily, but they certainly contributed to the deaths.

[Guest shebavon]

A few months ago, I too was looking for a used motorcycle for a friend. I knew about the lady at Mai Pang, having rented from her when I used to come here for short visits. I remember having had an accident on Thappraya, and she went out of her way to be helpful.

 

Anyway, I was eating at Antz, next door to her shop, and noticed she had a few used motorcycles for sale. Having looked at more than a few over the past week, I was less than whelmed with the prices offered to farang. But she sold me one for 10000 baht, which other than being checked out by a mechanic, and having the oil changed, required no repairs. My friend is still using the bike, and if you are lucky enough to be there when she has some for sale, you should consider the offer.

[Rogie]

...and noticed she had a few used motorcycles for sale.

 

I stand corrected when I said earlier she doesn't sell used m/bikes. There weren't any for sale that I could see - goes to show the folly of making assumptions.

[Guest tdperhs]

I bought one from her 18 months go for 8,000. It was a bit of a klunker, but I needed a second bike for my housekeeper to run errands. Tonight I had no problem doing 90 on the old bike. It isn't pretty, but it's been rode hard and put away wet. I use it more than the housekeeper does. Changed the battery once. It was seven years old.

 

As a born-again atheist, I have to put a gun to my head to say nice things about Bible thumpers, but this one has my respect.