Scooter Recommendations

[Entrep]

Hi there

I am going to be purchasing a brand new scooter in the coming weeks and am just looking for recommendation on brands models as I don't have a clue really. Think I'll get either a Suzuki or Honda and am looking for something clutchless but not automatic gears.

Something "powerful" or tuned (i.e. sports model) would be good too and some space under the seat for a helmet or whatever would be good. I have also heard it's best to avoid fuel injection because it can get blocked or whatever in the rain?

Anyone got any recommendations on whether I should Honda or Suzuki or specific models?

Thanks

[Nicke]

I would recommend Honda, the best scooter around here.

Honda Dream or Honda Wave should suit you fine. Around 43-45,000 baht.

The new Honda Airblade is automatic and very nice with lots of features, cost maybe 50-55,000 baht, but I dont like automatics myself.

[Denver]

.............Whatever you buy, don't forget to turn it on before going for that wheelie out of the pub carpark!

[ATMwalking]

Big Honda fan myself. It's been through floods and still runs fine. Getting a little old but runs great. You can stick a lock box on the back for more storage. A little more expensive than Suzuki, but you'll be glad you spent the money after 6-12 months and still don't have problems.

If you are going over the hills then get a 125 for sure.

[MajorTom]

Honda. The numbers speak for themselves. You can feel the difference immediately by driving a Honda, its better quality.
I have a suzuki at the moment: More noise, less power, maybe a bit cheaper. Cant compare.

[LivinLOS]

Honda wave.. Solid engine, cheap parts, crashbox setup.. The wave injection is a fave of mine for scooters..

Honda airblade, the new all singing all dancing auto with lots of good design features (dual brakes, stand cut out, etc).. Nice bikes but autos are a taste thing.. I find you feel less in control, it may or may not be important for you.

Yamaha Nuovo MX.. Nice auto, was the best auto until the airblade, lots of storage.

Clicks, Mio's, and all the other little autos.. Not really for guys..

Have a look about and test ride some.. I 'might' have a handle on some discounts on almost new bikes to order.. Go and ride whatever you test out of town too.. AirBlades are geared so they pull nice and fast but top out at 90 kph a wave S will pull all the way to 120 - 130 if its strong, may not sound much but if you intend to ride around the island rather than just around town, the crashboxes are a better design as sitting flat out revving is not so nice. if you just want a 7-11 runabout then the storage and ease of use of an airblade is perhaps better.

[Entrep]

Thanks everyone... so definitely a Honda then.

I am not a fan of the automatics either so it looks like a Dream or Wave. I will be going over the hills so after pretty much after as powerful as I can get, which I presume is 125cc (Wave S?). Depending on the width of the standard rear tire, I might see if they can fit something fatter too.

[Lightemup]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

but autos are a taste thing.. I find you feel less in control, it may or may not be important for you.
----
Clicks, Mio's, and all the other little autos.. Not really for guys..

Hehehe....Actually I feel being more in charge, and able to concentrate on the actual driving part and looking out in traffic when I drive with automatic's.
(In cars the automatic transmission makes "dead driver drills" so much easier for the passenger to take over driving when youre running at 100Kph plus, but I guess that argument doenst really count for a scooter )

And I always rent a Mio....Guess I'm a metrosexual then after all ROFL

[MajorTom]

Originally Posted by Lightemup

And I always rent a Mio....Guess I'm a metrosexual then after all ROFL

You can get Mio's in "Hello Kitty" version now

[Dodger]

Sort of thread related question, why over here do you get so many punctures? Thought it was because the tyres are thin and poor quality but after the first puncture you then fit inner tubes but you still get regular punctures and we only drive on tarmac or concrete road so no noticeable stuff on the road surface.

Anyone know why?

My two penny worth personally I like the yammy nuovo and can agree with Lightemup, with automatic you can concentrate on the road more but would recommend to Entrep to get the Honda Wave semi auto as he said he will be travelling over hill a lot and the gears do assist when going up the hills and put less strain on the engine.

[Nicke]

Both Dream and Wave have various models ranging from 100-125cc, the prices I mentioned above was for 125cc. 100 or 110cc is cheaper. If you dont want electric start the price drop down more (~5000 baht).

Originally Posted by Entrep

Thanks everyone... so definitely a Honda then.

I am not a fan of the automatics either so it looks like a Dream or Wave. I will be going over the hills so after pretty much after as powerful as I can get, which I presume is 125cc (Wave S?). Depending on the width of the standard rear tire, I might see if they can fit something fatter too.

[Lightemup]

Originally Posted by MajorTom

You can get Mio's in "Hello Kitty" version now

Seriously?
I might actually try hunt down one

That would be soooo cool

[LivinLOS]

I also saw a spiderman 3 ltd edition mio or click.. Sad sad sad..

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by Lightemup

Seriously?
I might actually try hunt down one

That would be soooo cool

I could just imagine you on one........complete with accessories !!!!

[Simbo]

Bear in mind they haven't been letting peeps buy new on tourist visas lately. You may find you have to either get an O or retirement visa or put it in the name of someone ( but not Tilak!) with the right visa. Either that or tuck some 'tea money' in the passport.

[Entrep]

I've got someone to put it in the name of thanks

[MajorTom]

Transfered a bike into my name today, on a tourist visa. Haven't got the book yet but all the paperwork is done. No hassle. Used this company up on Phra Barami rd. They charge 200B for it.

[Robaht]

I just finished a 10-day rental of an Air Blade. I enjoyed driving it - it was fast and had good pick-up when needed. It is a little heavy to drive but that is easy to get used to. Dropping the kickstand kills the motor, likewise can't start it with the kickstand down. Nice dashboard display with big turn indicators left and right, so you don't forget to turn off the signal (except maybe in bright sunlight...). Fuel indicator looked backwards, with Full on the left descending to E on the right, not sure why that bothered me. Good storage underneath the seat, a bit form fitted for the helmet so not as much room as the Nouvo. It has a BIG gas tank, probably can take 180-200 baht but I never ran it down to empty to try that. The gas tank lid is located on the left side, kind of where your left ankle is when driving. This is convenient because you don't have to open the seat to fill it, but it slightly awkward IMO to get the cap off to fill it. This also means, as with the Nouvo there isn't room to set anything between your feet (ie. a backpack) as you can do on the Mio. To open the seat or the fuel door, you put the key in a certain position and then push another button either up or down, kind of like an electric window switch. Nitpicky, but I found it was sometimes tricky to get the key to stop in that position! Finally, I thought the exhaust pipe stuck out kind of far laterally, though that was just asthetics, unless you want a small parking spot.

If I were buying, I would be debating between a Mio and an Air Blade. I think the Mio is an easier scooter to drive and is fast and quick enough for me. I like the flat floorboard too. I miss the storage under the seat (very limited). I think for passengers, the old Mio style is more comfortable for feet position than the new Mio style, which has 2 very small pegs. I like how I can rent a Mio from my favorite scooter place and transport my suitcase between the steering column and seat to my hotel.

I used to like the Nouvo but now prefer the Air Blade. I do not like the Click - I think it feels awkward to drive, like the handlebars are too straight, close, vertical, not wide enough (searching for the words here) and it makes it feel a little unstable on the front end, like the front wheel could turn around on you quickly in a patch of sand or water. I might add that the new Mio had the same feeling. The Air Blade feels more solid.

I prefer to drive automatics. I don't think the Wave or the Dream are nice looking bikes, they have front ends that look plastic-y and cheap. But that's just IMHO....

By the way, low season rental of the Air Blade cost me 150/day

Cheers,
Robaht

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Dodger

Sort of thread related question, why over here do you get so many punctures?

Anyone know why?

That'll be all those nails I scattered around yer house Dodge.

No flats for me being so slim an all.....But did have to push the old Honda up that hill you showed me not to go up! Fcukin' great fun in 80 Degrees! Aye!

Ali down the hill a bit, next to the yellow house and the big corner and the bins says he has sorted me out a bike to look at when I get back. Special price my friend...........Hope it don't tick!!

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Robaht

Dropping the kickstand kills the motor, likewise can't start it with the kickstand down.

Handy...............Very handy!

[MajorTom]

Originally Posted by Lightemup

Seriously?
I might actually try hunt down one

That would be soooo cool

Spotted one in sansabai last night, heres the beauty:

[Dodger]

Originally Posted by Denver

No flats for me being so slim an all.....But did have to push the old Honda up that hill you showed me not to go up! Fcukin' great fun in 80 Degrees! Aye!

Ha Ha!! just remembered that, we drove by you and thought you were taking your bike for a walk in the sunshine and was waving cos you were happy to see us, so just waved and carried on by!!!

So your going to join the local biker gang and get a big ol bike then? you are only doing that to match it up with your new helmet craig gave you!!

[geespot]

Suzuki Raider R150R - thats what i have

the build quality is actually good for a suzi

UPD forks and monoshock - all fully adjustable

4 piston fron caliper disk at the front and dsk at the rear

6 speed box - clutch i'm afraid - proper motor bike

150cc single double overhead cam