Chiang Mai to Khon Kaen.
A guy I had emailed a couple of times, John, who lives in Khon Kaen was happy for me to accompany him for a 5 day ride...
First stop, Chiang Mai to his home in Khon Kaen, because he had some commitments the next day...
I had swapped the ER6N for an ER6F (Ninja650 in Thailand)...
I don't know if it was just psychological, if the tyres are much better, or if the faring help with a bit of downforce, but I think this bike was much better to ride than the ER6N, even though they are apparently mechanically identical... it is also likely that the roads we rode along are all in much better condition that the MHS Loop, and it was the rough corners that I felt really challenged me on the ER^N previously...
Because the bike only had 4km on it when I took it I did start off treating it pretty nicely... the Thai owners have to outlay a heap of money for these bikes, and it isn't fair the treat them badly...
The run in is supposed to be 5,000 rpm for 1000km, I did mostly keep it under 6,000... but for a long time at the start of the ride, it was sitting on 6K, because that was the 130 cruising speed for the long ride along the number 11 till... the other side of Utaradit...
for the whole ride, the bike performed faultlessly, the only other comment I would make is that it seems the ABS kicks in pretty easily... I would often feel the ABS pulse on a downshift when I am pretty sure the wasn't going to be a lock up...
This was a great ride for the trip, willing engine that could punch you to 140 in no time, and it saw 183 at one stage :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: lots of the guys here regularly ride at those sort of speeds and much higher, but that was about the limit of what I would want to do anyway...
By the end of the trip, I was pretty much able to keep up with anyone through the twisties, and with my limited skills, I think that is a testament to the bike... the only limitations is my lack of commitment (where have I heard that before
)
Leaving CM - My green Ninja, John's GS1200 - Very popular bike here in Thailand,
Fuel and Drink stop
On a small road we used to link the 1214and 1246 near Uttaradit
You see these little trucks everywhere - Powered by a little belt drive motor that looks like about 5HP.
We stopped at Doi Eng resort in Chatrakan on a recommendation by DavidFL, but after waiting for 1 1/2 hours for them to get a cook in from the rice field, and cook Chicken Fried Rice and Pad See Ew, I don't think John will be stopping in again... very nice staff, but could have just told us kitchen was closed and we would have just kept motoring,
About 50km from KK and I was really fatigued, so we stopped for a coke, this guy owned the shop, and is also a cop... he was a really nice guy and spoke really good english... lusted after a BMW, and knew exactly the price of tyhe bike and all the accessories...
In Khon Kaen,
I stayed in Khon Kaen Orchind - 500THB - $Au16 and completely wonderful.
Day 1 - 660km
Cheers,
Daewoo
A guy I had emailed a couple of times, John, who lives in Khon Kaen was happy for me to accompany him for a 5 day ride...
First stop, Chiang Mai to his home in Khon Kaen, because he had some commitments the next day...
I had swapped the ER6N for an ER6F (Ninja650 in Thailand)...
I don't know if it was just psychological, if the tyres are much better, or if the faring help with a bit of downforce, but I think this bike was much better to ride than the ER6N, even though they are apparently mechanically identical... it is also likely that the roads we rode along are all in much better condition that the MHS Loop, and it was the rough corners that I felt really challenged me on the ER^N previously...
Because the bike only had 4km on it when I took it I did start off treating it pretty nicely... the Thai owners have to outlay a heap of money for these bikes, and it isn't fair the treat them badly...
The run in is supposed to be 5,000 rpm for 1000km, I did mostly keep it under 6,000... but for a long time at the start of the ride, it was sitting on 6K, because that was the 130 cruising speed for the long ride along the number 11 till... the other side of Utaradit...
for the whole ride, the bike performed faultlessly, the only other comment I would make is that it seems the ABS kicks in pretty easily... I would often feel the ABS pulse on a downshift when I am pretty sure the wasn't going to be a lock up...
This was a great ride for the trip, willing engine that could punch you to 140 in no time, and it saw 183 at one stage :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: lots of the guys here regularly ride at those sort of speeds and much higher, but that was about the limit of what I would want to do anyway...
By the end of the trip, I was pretty much able to keep up with anyone through the twisties, and with my limited skills, I think that is a testament to the bike... the only limitations is my lack of commitment (where have I heard that before
)Leaving CM - My green Ninja, John's GS1200 - Very popular bike here in Thailand,
Fuel and Drink stop
On a small road we used to link the 1214and 1246 near Uttaradit
You see these little trucks everywhere - Powered by a little belt drive motor that looks like about 5HP.
We stopped at Doi Eng resort in Chatrakan on a recommendation by DavidFL, but after waiting for 1 1/2 hours for them to get a cook in from the rice field, and cook Chicken Fried Rice and Pad See Ew, I don't think John will be stopping in again... very nice staff, but could have just told us kitchen was closed and we would have just kept motoring,
About 50km from KK and I was really fatigued, so we stopped for a coke, this guy owned the shop, and is also a cop... he was a really nice guy and spoke really good english... lusted after a BMW, and knew exactly the price of tyhe bike and all the accessories...
In Khon Kaen,
I stayed in Khon Kaen Orchind - 500THB - $Au16 and completely wonderful.
Day 1 - 660km
Cheers,
Daewoo
