The Return Of The Daewoo - Daewoo And Son.

[daewoo]

I'm a bit out of touch with GT-Rider. It's hard to keep myself monitoring the threads when I'm not really planning any trips, just stick at work and dreaming of riding in Asia.

After a flying visit to Chiang Mai this time last year, and then a week riding from Hanoi to the China Border on 100cc bikes, I've been in a bad spot at home. I was out of work for a while, and consequently quiet on the trip planning front while I focused on keeping the family fed and a roof over our heads.

While riding in Vietnam along the China border, in the poorest part of Vietnam, I started thing how good it would be for my sons to see that kind of thing, rather than resort holidays that they were more likely to see.

This year my oldest boy finishes Public School and will enter High School. I thought that was a great opportunity for him to spend some time with Dad, having a bit of an adventure, and also growing a bit. A sort of coming of age trip.

I expect that we'll be in Chiang Mai early January, and I hope to see some of my old friends, and new ones.

Cheers,
Daewoo.

 

[DavidFL]

Sounds great bringing your son over for a trip & experiencing something real.
Make sure you hook up this time round.
BTW how was that week riding the China border from Hanoi - sounds like a bit of an adventure too. Who did you get your bikes from?

 

[daewoo]

It wasn't much to write about - which is why I didn't.

I was in Vietnam for 2 weeks, training the Lifeguards in Vung Tao. Na Trang and Da Nang. At the end of the training part of the trip, we flew to Hanoi and rented bikes.

It was organised by the mate who was living in Vietnam running out the Life Saving program for AusAid/Surf Lifesaving Australia. I since found out he is famous for not organising things.

The day before we flew to Hanoi he got a recommendation of a shop to use, and that's where we went. We rented those 110cc Honda Wings. I tested 4 before I found one I was willing to settle for, but they were all dangerous pieces of crap.

One didn't last the first day before the engine completely blew and was unrepairable. Every day started with 2 hours at the mechanic getting the bikes repaired.

I don't mind doing it a bit tough, which kinda adds to the adventure, but it was really frustrating to lose days of travelling when you only have 6 or 7 days to start with.

If only the organiser had asked me about where to go, I could have steered him to Flamingo Travel, or made some inquiries and had good recommendations.

I originally intended to take my son to Vietnam, but wouldn't do it on those bikes again. An XR250 would be perfect. I just think it would be more fun (but less adventure) to come back to Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand.

 

[daewoo]

 

[DavidFL]

Thanks for the brief update. Sorry to hear the bikes under performed, but not really a surprise with their reputation.

 

[daewoo]

It was still a good adventure - One day we did 250km and ended up 50km from the start point and 200km from the destination at 8pm at night. Of course 5/7 bikes had hopeless headlights.

The final day was 400km, including riding into Hanoi in peak hour - on my Birthday.

Maybe doing it on better bikes wouldn't have been as much of an adventure, maybe I'm just getting soft.

The Samoeng Loop on an XR250 from Mr Mechanic was definitely an adventure, 15 years ago, when it was the first time I'd riden a bike with gears .

 

[Ian Bungy]

See You here I hope and time permitting I will join with You and Your Son on a Ride!

 

[daewoo]

Thanks Bungy - loved reading about your latest adventures.

You really are pushing the envelope a bit these days.

Hope you are fulfilling your Ambassadorial Responsibilities and promoting the good reputation of Kiwiland across the globe.

 

[daewoo]

Just checking back in again to double confirm.

Angus and I arrive in CNX Jan 15th. Obviously going to do a 2 day MHS Loop ride, to visit the GT-Rider Chedi and pay my respects to friends passed.

Hope to get out for a few multi-day rides to Nan and probably Mae Sai area too.

Will be looking for riding partners to make it more social, so start banking your ride credits.

See you all in 48days, 19hours, 40minutes, 19seconds.

 

[DavidFL]

Just checking back in again to double confirm.

Angus and I arrive in CNX Jan 15th. Obviously going to do a 2 day MHS Loop ride, to visit the GT-Rider Chedi and pay my respects to friends passed.

Hope to get out for a few multi-day rides to Nan and probably Mae Sai area too.

Will be looking for riding partners to make it more social, so start banking your ride credits.

See you all in 48days, 19hours, 40minutes, 19seconds.

Catch you for a ride somewhere.

 

[daewoo]

Bit of an update.

Angus and I arrive Jan 15th. Would be good to have a bit of a meet up that evening.

Jan 16th/17th is MHS Loop. I’ve already booked a room at Piya GH for the night of the 16th.

Would be great to have some other riders along for the trip.

18th will be in and around Chiang Mai.

19th-23rd will be heading out towards Nan and Mae Sai.

Merry Christmas, bah humbug.

 

[DavidFL]

Bit of an update.

Angus and I arrive Jan 15th. Would be good to have a bit of a meet up that evening.

Jan 16th/17th is MHS Loop. I’ve already booked a room at Piya GH for the night of the 16th.

Would be great to have some other riders along for the trip.

18th will be in and around Chiang Mai.

19th-23rd will be heading out towards Nan and Mae Sai.

Merry Christmas, bah humbug.

If I'm around we can hook up.
You could also pop out the X-Centre some time.

 

[Moto-Rex]

Hey Daewoo, what type of bike will you guys be riding?

If your doing the Mae Hong Son loop don't forget to check out the 4009.
Why We Must Ride The 4009!

Moto-Rex

 

[daewoo]

All of Pikey’s bikes are on a tour for part of the time I am there.

I know C&P maintain their bikes well, so aside from Pikey I prefer to deal with them.

Their V-Stroms and Versys were all taken, so I settled for a CB650F. I’ve ridden a CB500X which was their other choice before, and found myself wanting a little more.

Plus I needed to consider the need for a relatively comfortable pillion seat. That said, Angus has only ever been on the back of my FZ1, which isn’t really optimized for pillions.

I will bring my soft panniers, and tank bag.

Hmmm. The 4009. I’ll keep that in mind.

 

[Ian Bungy]

I wouldn't Choose a CB650 for Pillion Comfort? Try getting a V-Strom or Versys from POP? Or a CB750X?

 

[Oddvar]

CB650 is not good for a pillion. Elevated, hard and tiny.

 

[DavidFL]

Mr mechanic has a Vstrom

 

[johngooding]

I don't think the 650F pillion seat is any worse than the FZ1, so if Angus is used to that it may work out, but the Versys or VStrom as others have commented would be kinder to him

 

[daewoo]

I have paid the deposit on the Honda, so there isn’t much to do now.

I didn’t really have much to go on, only photos and it seemed OK from that. Not a bike that you see on the roads here.

The aim of the trip is to toughen the process up a bit so it sounds like it will.

Anyone in for the MHS Loop?

See you all on Monday. Where’s dinner?

 

[Ian Bungy]

Hi Mate, No plans at this stage so keep Me posted?

 

[DavidFL]

MotoRex arrives soon & Ben will be in town from Mae Sarieng.
Is it convenient for people to hook up at the Kafe on the Thursday night 18th January, from 5PM on?

 

[daewoo]

We will be in Chiang Mai, so that works for us.

 

[DavidFL]

I just remembered the Kafe is closed on Thursdays now, it should be another venue.

Somewhere convenient on / near the moat.
UN Irish
Euro Diner
Bier Stube.
Miguels on Chaiyaphoom

anymore suggestions?

 

[GTR-Admin]

Miguel's would get my vote... food is excellent and their setup makes it easy to pull a couple of tables together if a few more guys turn up than expected.

 

[daewoo]

Name the place and we will be there (as long as 13yo Angus is ok).