Support & Service

Here are some people and places to help you information or service while on the road. All of the people and places are personally recommended by me or people whose opinion I trust.

People

If you're planning a trip to the north and you want a guide or some great information, there is no better source than my friend David Unkovich. David has lived in the North for some 20+ years and has traveled and documented every road and sorta-road there is. He has written three books on touring the north, with very specific information on conditions, sights, places to stay, etc. His books are laid-out showing the routes in a clear, precise form (pretty damm good for an Aussie:) that makes it easy to follow. David has also just published the only guide map for motorcycling in Laos. If you're going to go to the north, this is one book that you can't do without. Check out David's webpage for more complete information and pictures than you'll find here. It's located at http://www.gt-rider.com. Check his Rider Board at http://www.gt-rider.com/message/ David has also blazed the trail from Thailand through Laos and into China. This is THE adventure to go on if you really want to go for it. David will personally guide you, taking care of acquiring all the necessary permits,bikes, etc. Contact him for details at Fax: + 66 53 219 211 or by email at davidfl@loxinfo.co.th

How 'bout down South? Even into Malaysia?. Peter Wirth has spent lots of time leading tours and he knows Southern Thailand and Malaysia as well as anyone. He can help you with locating a bike, guiding your tour, or helping you with service or parts information. Peter is a fun guy and will certainly make your trip fun! Peter also has a website, located at www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/1099/ or contact Peter by email at peterw@t-rex.hatyai.inet.co.th

Rentals & Service

There are lots of places that rent or service bikes, but few that speak English or have reputations for good, reliable service. If you're going to rent a bike, it's better to rent in Chiang Mai for the North, or on Phuket or Samui Island if you're travelling around the south. Renting a bike in Bangkok is possible, but not suggested. The traffic is terrible and the riding is not very relaxing until you get way out of Bangkok. If you're going to Pattaya, there are lots of rental places, but I have no personal recommendations as to where is good. Here is a list of some of the other places my friends and I have had good luck with honest people and fair prices:

Rentals

In Chiang Mai

For renting bikes of all sizes, both cruisers and dirt bikes, I highly suggest you check out these places:

CS Motorcycle Hire 127/2 Moon Muang Road, Chiang Mai. Tel: 053 - 219 160 Honda dreams and dirt bikes. Fair prices and no gouging on damages.

Goodwill Motorcycle Hire 26/1 Soi 2 Chang Moi road, Chiang Mai. Phone / Fax: 053 - 251 186 Run by Joe and Tom. Well maintained dirt bikes and dreams, cruisers sometimes available. They also do work on bikes at fair prices and they can give you good information about where to go.

Jaguar Motorcycle Hire 131 Moon Muang Road, Chiang Mai. Tel: 053 - 214 694. Honda MTX 125 and Honda 250 Baja. No rip-offs and generally reliable.

In the South,

Big Jim's at Patong Beach, Phuket has a good selection of cruisers and dirt bikes at fair prices. Quality sometimes varies, so examine carefully before you commit. He also does service work and can sometimes locate hard to find parts, like for my bike (1977 CB750).

Koh Samui has lots of places that rent bikes of all sizes. Problems with shops are rare, but check out the bike carefully for good brakes, lights and horn before renting. Driving on Samui is one of the most dangerous areas in Thailand, due to narrow roads, bad shoulders and bad drivers. Watch out especially for other foreigners- they're the worst of the lot, in my opinion.

Service

As said earlier, service is available for smaller bikes throughout the country at very cheap prices. If you are driving a big bike and have a breakdown any more serious than a simple flat tire, it will probably mean you will have to find a way to transport you and your bike to a major city. Transport costs are strictly negotiable, so use your best attitude to be treated fairly. It is quite possible that people will offer to take you and your bike for free, and if this happens, great, but do try to offer something for the hospitality, i.e., dinner, drinks, etc. Good Karma sometimes pays off. so show your appreciation when it does. I promise you will be long remembered for it.

Okay, lets say you're stuck with a flat that can't be repaired and the small town (or big town) you're in doesn't have your type of tire. There is a shop in Bangkok that speaks English, has basically any tire you could need and will send it to you wherever you are. You just have to deposit the money in their account at a local bank and everything will be taken care of. The name of the shop is called Puang. Their phone number in Bangkok is (02) 222-3789 or 223-8214. Good service and honest owner.

Busted a cable and can't find a replacement? Most cables can be replaced on the road with a temporary cable threaded in, but if the casing is damaged or if your ends are unusual, you might be stuck. Even getting it to Chiang Mai or another big city outside of Bangkok probably won't help. Bangkok may be your only alternative. Rakhangthong in Bangkok will make a replacement for you, sometimes better than the original, at less than 200 baht for anything, though most prices run around 100 baht. Call first if your outside of Bangkok for the price, then send the money and your cable to them by EMS. You'll be on the road in 2 days. here's their address:

Rakhangthong
27 Trak Sida Thanon Luang
Pompab, Bangkok 10100
(02) 225-4144

South

In Hat Yai are a couple of good shops that do work. Siri Racing is a big shop with a good parts supply and reliable service. They work on big bikes or small bikes and their prices are reasonable. They might even have a bike for rent, but only on a case by case basis. Their phone number is (074) 233 484

The other shop is called Southern Big Bike. My friend Peter has had some problems with these guys, but I have had good luck with them. I have found them to be the best resource for hard to find parts and they also do well in gerry-rigging as a last alternative. The guys are pretty wild, all ride choppers and love Bob Marley, but then so do I...maybe that's why we get along. They have never overcharged me and in fact, because they know I'm a poor university teacher, have actually under-charged me most of the time. I happen to like them, but they may not be your cup of tea. Their phone number is (handphone) 01-608-5758, and they're located at 2 Rajuthit Rd. in Hat Yai. They don't speak English at all.

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