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Honda CBR 400 update
Hi guys,
I think that a sufficient amount of time has now passed to give you all an update on my progress.
First, a big thanks to Livin LOS. I did end up buying his bike and I haven't looked back since. To those of you who haven't met him, this is one sound guy. How many people would say to you 'just take my bike for a test drive for a couple of days and tell me what you think.'? That alone inspired me with huge confidence in the bike and the owner.
I now ride this bike everyday, mainly heading to and from school in Thalang - although fairly regularly to Patong, Karon, Kata and Nai harn, too! Admittingly, I was ultra-cautious at first. Lets face it, we all know that we're taking a big risk riding on the roads out here, especially on an unfamiliar bike first thing in the morning when no one's really awake yet and nearly all those on the road are trying to get over a hang-over from the night before. However, 'Akira' (as I've now named the bike) has taken it all in her stride, usually covering up my inadquacies as a rider - thank god.
I've had some (very) minor mechanical stuff done to Akira since buying her, like getting the carbs cleaned and balanced, new fuel filters fitted and the front fork seals and oil replaced. This stuff was all expected as LivinLOS had already told me that the bike had been sitting around for about five months, but I certainly hadn't expected such outstanding results. The difference is simply breath-taking. The CBR 400 is not known for low-end smoothness but that's exactly what I've got now. Mid-range punch is particularly good as well and very useful for those moments when you really need to get out of the way of some p***k with a death-wish. Those BM's who've ridden bikes on the Thepkrasatri road (the main road heading to the airport of Phuket) will know exactly what I mean.
And for fun? Well, there's this nice little country-like road from my place leading out to the Thepkrasatri road which, for the most part doesn't have much traffic on it. Up until the other day, the sight-lines were fantastic running into a beautiful set of fast S's and then on to a lovely, long 1 kilometre straight with greenery all around. This was my Morning Glory!
Sadly, someone in their great wisedom has decided to place a large advertising bill-board sign right on top of the first right-hander of the Ss. Clear line of sight now gone. Thanks mate, I owe you one.
Never mind, I'm now planning to do some long trips out to places like Nakom si tamarat in the new year to make up for the loss.
As I've already pointed out (not that I needed to), the road sense out here is pretty much non-exsistent and no matter how good one is on a bike, shit happens. So, when I got the opportunity to head up to Bangkok with my bro last week (see the Fish's post in BM's on Tour section), I went up to RCA and got directions for a sports bike kit shop. Just my luck, this shop was having a 20% discount on all protection gear so out came the credit card (Oh christ, I'm not looking forward to seeing that bill come in). I've managed to find a great 'air-flow' technology padded and plated jacket that actually works. You still melt if you're stationary for more than five minutes, but once you get going again things do cool down.
Well, that's about it from me for the moment but I do have one question for BM's who are interested in bikes. I've been thinking about setting up a new posting (don't know where on the forum yet - perhaps the moderators will let me know where is appropriate) that covers all aspects of biking here in Thailand - mainly things like great places to ride, where to get good safety kit, problems experienced riders have had that might save new riders from great expense (or more inportantly, pain), etc, etc.
Do you guys think this is a good idea? Please let me know and I, with the moderators permission of course, will start to develop something.
Cheers for reading
Sooner or later the thirst always wins!
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