Tips for Buying a Used Motorbike??

Post by **BigBubba** » June 7, 2012, 9:31 am

A word of caution about auctions. It's where dealers, rental agencies, and insurance companies go to dump their CRAP. Why else would anyone take such a hit when the market is clearly higher elsewhere? There are no refunds, and NO RECOURSE. There is a REASON why those vehicles are being sold below market value. THERE ARE NO FREE LUNCHES! Yes, you could be lucky, but are you prepared to take the risk?

Post by **Philrjones** » June 7, 2012, 10:00 am

That's true Bubba - I'd prefer a new one every time.

Check out prices for new ones at:

http://www.motorcycle.in.th/staticpages ... Price_List

Honda CZ-i (same engine as 110i Wave) for 36500, and Wave 110i start at 34k.

If looked after well, the small bikes will last ages - we have a Wave 100 that's clocked over 40000 kms over 8 years and going well. Friend has a Mio that has done around the same.

I'm tossing up between the Filano for tootling around and the new Honda CRF250. The honda's probably overkill, but she's a 250 single (CBR250R engine), trail bike, great suspension for Udon/Thai roads, new model. Mmmmm, a proper bike that can take me to the supermarket and out on to dirt tracks for exploring!

Cheers
Phil

Post by **fatbob** » June 7, 2012, 10:32 am

We have had our Honda wave for eight years from new, 42,000 baht new, that's 5,250 baht a year so far, there is no reason to change it so we will have for another ten years, that will then be be 2,000 baht per year, that's cheap, think longterm. My choice is always Honda's never been keen on Yamaha's, don't like the honda click, only wave's, dreams and harley's!
Two strokes, no way, if you want performance, speed and handling then buy a real bike not a toy scooter. Scooters are for running down to the corner shop, not a journey.

Post by **Philrjones** » June 7, 2012, 10:46 am

Coxo - and if you estimate how much money it has saved you for those 42,000kms vs using a car at say 35mpg, you'll see that it's more than paid for itself.

Post by **ting_tong** » June 7, 2012, 2:37 pm

coxo wrote:We have had our Honda wave for eight years from new, 42,000 baht new, that's 5,250 baht a year so far, there is no reason to change it so we will have for another ten years, that will then be be 2,000 baht per year, that's cheap, think longterm. My choice is always Honda's never been keen on Yamaha's, don't like the honda click, only wave's, dreams and harley's!
Two strokes, no way, if you want performance, speed and handling then buy a real bike not a toy scooter. Scooters are for running down to the corner shop, not a journey.

so what do you consider a real bike for city use only? and I mean city use only? if you are going to recommend a big slow clumsy bike, then lets see how long you last in the city? I am not interested in journeys or cruising, a nongkhai run is enough for me. I'll suit up body armour and cruise highway speeds from 80 to 140 km/h
Lol, honda wave = slow, no power and its really a toy scooter :-" A hog will get overtaken and pushed to the side of the road by a car or pickup truck driven by a lhao khao drinking country bumpkin, you wont get respect because you are on a big bike in the city or on a highway

there are a couple of wise experienced motorcyclists on UM that choose to leave their big bikes home and come into the city on their small bikes

@ philrjones: Despite what someone has said, don't take the 2-stroke option. Yes, more power, but less fuel economy and you'll always be cleaning the plug and hoping it starts. There's a reason they've nearly died a death. Leave the 2-strokes to the racers and moto-cross.

The OP has knowledge of 2 strokers if he has been on bikes for 40 years.
My bikes are jetted properly by me, and do not foul plugs (I buy a box of 10 at a time and throw away old plugs), I am not worried about gas vs milage. I am worried about getting killed by cars or other bikes in the city on a daily basis. I can easily punch out of a bad situation by rolling on the throttle and out running someone thats riding or driving silly, or I will choose to let them go in front and watch them. I have survived the city of Udon for about 6 years already, I have seen a lot.

disclaimer: nothing personal guys, this is my opinion and dont make fun of my bikes

Post by **chigger** » June 7, 2012, 3:11 pm

wiking wrote:how can some one speaking about secondhand is overprice - sorry new is overprice

go on the auction and you will see the real price

one year fino runing about 5.000 km is going for 23.000 - so how much are you looosing on the new bike the first year

I would think that maybe this particular bike has been submerged for a month in the Bangkok floodings. Some have the knowledge to spot the signs. Anyone else had the feeling that there are many more 2nd hand bikes for sale in Udon lately?

Post by **Philrjones** » June 7, 2012, 3:29 pm

Interesting thought and I wouldn't be surprised!

Ting tong - no, won't make fun of the bikes. If you're a rider, than you're part of the family! I've had strokers before and admit I've an eye on a neighbours beautiful little GTO125 kwak that I'd like to get my hands on. A classic and if ever she sells it, I'll be there! I'll also admit to having bags of fun on these things and racing motor crossers in my younger days.

I understand what you're saying about the power side of things as well - sometimes it's safer to accelerate rather than brake. Mind you, in Udon sometimes coming up to lights, it's bloody dangerous to do either!

Any of the little bikes are ok around town. Going further afield can test you - not the bike as they're fine, it's the other drivers! That's why I'm thinking that CRF250L trailie. I did post a link on here in some other place - here it is again.

http://world.honda.com/CRF250L/

I reckon it's a good mix of light weight, terrific steering control, slim, able to maintain a decent speed on the highway plus take you down the dirt roads.

To come back to the OP question - sure you can get a secondhand bike here. You won't know the history though or if it's been thrashed. Choices are shops and auctions. Shops not recommended - don't know how trustworthy they would be. Auctions - perhaps where flood affected bikes end up and any other crap. I know they have repos there as well. But again, you don't know the history.

New bikes - a zillion shops, 12 month warranties, services and maintenance, bike hasn't been thrashed.

It's the OPs choice - I know what I'd do!

Cheers
Phil

Post by **fatbob** » June 7, 2012, 4:08 pm

Sorry Ting Tong but I don't regard udon as a real big city, five minutes out of the city centre has you on open road, i like big bikes and Udon in the dry season is big bike heaven, so for me its 650cc and up. If I am heading into Udon from home I will ride my big bike as 90% of my ride is on the highway, each to his own, if you like little scooters go for it, makes no difference to me, but I will express MY opinion.

Post by **ting_tong** » June 7, 2012, 4:31 pm

Philrjones, good luck to you on the GTO quest, I know of another guy that eyes my bikes at dangs race parts shop, I think he quit there already, but he loves classics, he said he has 2 restored GTOs and 1 modded GTO, he is a heavy set guy in his early 30s.

I recently bought a 12yo bike thats been sitting on a showroom floor brand new with 20km on the clock. I spoke Thai to the owners and I negotiated 10,000 off the deal, now I have a mint race bike for 33,000 and it will do 150km/h
1st gear 40km/h
2nd gear 80km/h
3rd gear 110km/h
all instantly, I'll put a 1/4 mile on the traffic very easily from a traffic light stop on ringroad

As to lights, night time its a free for all
daytime red means run and or jump the gun before it turns green (turning), yellow means mai pen rai, green means look out for the red light runners and turning bikes and barging cars, most white painted outline of bikes on the road are near intersections

@coxo, you're the handsome man, you ride what you like. I am right in the center of the city where its survival of the fittest, everyone wants to push you or kill you..........ride safe

Post by **robinudon** » July 19, 2012, 10:33 am

I have a new model Honda 125 Wave.
The seat is absolutely the worst seat I have ever sat on, it slopes forward & everytime you brake, you slide forward until your knees hit the actual frame of the bike.
It is also so hard, after 20 minutes you need to rest your arse.
Is there a bike shop or upholstery shop in Udon that can make a new seat.

Rob

Post by **bluejets** » July 19, 2012, 11:19 am

Picked up a new bike for a neighbour here and that was my first impression. (or rather, no impression was made) seat as hard as a rock and sore Ass after a couple of minutes.

New owner hadn't even taken it for a test ride and when I asked why, all I received was a blank stare and "why" reply.

So maybe a test ride should be included as one of the pre-purchase tips.

Post by **maaka** » July 19, 2012, 12:05 pm

I rode pillion on the back of my Isaan mates old Honda 100cc, from Udon to near Phon Prisai for the BungFai festival, and back again in the one day. After we left Nongkhai on the way back, I had to hang one cheek over the side, like some sort a outrigger canoe, or sidecar racer, as I had got a boil on my arse from the friggin hard seat...that was back in 2007..now if I so much as walk past a bike, that boil wants to rear its ugly head.....its a bike trip I will never forget..hahaha

Post by **bluejets** » July 19, 2012, 8:15 pm

Back in Aus, converted dual seat to single to save rego (50%) never used it for pillion anyhow.

Took said converted bike to main roads, girl there said yes, but there is cushion under the covering where the 2nd seat used to be, someone could sit there.

I'd had the run-around from this mob just about as much as I could take at the time,so I said" well darlin', park your ass on there and I'll do a quick trip around the block. If your ass ain't sore by the time we get back, I'll pay the B******* extra".

She declined and gave me the single seat rate.

Post by **hippo** » February 11, 2013, 11:25 am

Anyone knows the location of the dealer who sells the Keeway ??

Thanks in advance

$\:D/$

Post by **Centi** » February 11, 2013, 4:30 pm

You will find Keeway Bikes at Mod Daeng shop on Udon Dutsadi, Grid L4, near Transportation Office.