Chiang Mai mini HU meet

[Osama Radzi]

Hello everyone

Im planning a trip to the HU mini meet in Chiang Mai from Kuala Lumpur and back! & Also a 2-3 days stop in Bangkok. The problem is I only have 7-10 days of leave!! ( I've done it before on a slower pace)

Is this possible?:confused1: Im comfortable of doing 110-130kmh with cargo....
but since the bike is still in the running in process, looks like I have to stick to 80kmh untill I clocked 1000kms which is just before reaching BKK, maybe somewhere Hua Hin, (still havent done my homework yet)

Maybe I should just ride all the way to Hat Yai, then take train to BKK, stay there for 2days, then take the train again to Chiang Mai. Only ride the bike on my way back home.....

Comments/Suggestions



Ride safe/save

[JoeSheffer]

There are two schools of thought on engine break in. I'm of the opinion that ragging the bike for the first 1000km is a better idea than taking it easy. Read up on it on google.

[brettsyoung]

There's no doubt it's possible, but it might be a bit dangerous to push it all that way. The south especially can be dangerous - mostly the mad bus and truck drivers - so the train sounds like a good idea. The road from KL to the border is fine, and you can cruise at any speed. I guess the paperwork will be simpler to get on the train at Hat Yai, rather than get on at Georgetown and deal with crossing the border on the train. I can't remember the name of the town for the southern border crossing (train and car) but it's a piece of cake. I've done the BKK-Chiang Mai ride a few times in a day and it's relatively straightforward. But it's a bloody long way. The train for at least one leg sounds like a good idea. Sounds like your plan is a good one.

That said, if the mini-meet means maxi beverage consumption you might appreciate the train home rather than ride home.

cheers, Brett

[Osama Radzi]

Thanks Joe for the info's I will google soon. I actually am looking for a short-cut if theres any!

And Brett, thanks also for the advice, like you said I prefer entering Thailand then board the the train its less hassle/paperwork & Thai train are a lot cheaper!! The town for train border crossing is Padang Besar direct translate will mean Big Field.

Cheers


Ride Safe/Save

[Osama Radzi]

Hi,

Brett you mentioned that you've done BKK-Chiang Mai in 1 day, right? But Its very far.... How far is far? I still couldnt find my old map. From KL-BKK its 1500km, Frm BKK- Chiang Mai? If Im not mistaken its something like 500-700kms right?:confused1:

I remember taking train frm BKK around 15.00hrs & reached CMai around 07.30hrs. On the way back I took a 4WD all the way to Malaysia but we did a lot of stops, Nakhon Sawan, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Hat Yai, Penang, Ipoh, etc, cant remember how long it took! Dont have to worry coz a theres always some else driving when youre sleepy/tired. Done a lot of KL-BKK-KL, but mostly on 4WD. Never on a bike, & I really want to ride especially on the Isthmus of Kra "the sexiest part of Asia continet!"

I was working in a school at that time, & it was spring break, so dont have to worry about leave, theres always lots of holiday! but the pay was peanuts! Now its difficult, but the pay is good!

Which south part is it that I have to be carefull with mad drivers?


Ride Safe/Save/Sober

p.s
I dont drink, so I wont be hammered after the meet

[brettsyoung]

BKK-CM is only 700 or 800 kms but it used to take me about 12 hours with rest breaks. The main hwy in the south is better now it is dual carriageway but the doped up bus and truck drivers are truly scary. There is a lot of racing and swerving, and most accidents I've seen are single-vehicle crashes into the culvert or tail-enders. There is very little peripheral-watchfulness (for want of a better term) and the high-speed swerving in and out of the slow lane can be bloody terrifying. Don't forget bikes are assumed to be off the road and riding along the shoulder in the countryside, and there is absolutely no notice taken of you or right of way given to you. But it's still hell fun!

cheers
Brett