 Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: May 2007
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Learned Hand
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Last edited by Conwy; 01/15/2012 8:12 AM.
Blue/White 2007 TBA, Thruxton needles, Unifilter, AI removed, Polaris Bellmouth, Bubs, Nology Coils/wires, Lightbar, Ricor Intiminators, Hagon Nitros, Tall Sissy Bar w/luggage rack, Dart flyscreen & Lowers. 130 Mains, TrueGel Battery MG12-BS.
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
"But at least the model was cute." Were there Triumphs in those photos? Lucky man, lucky man.... 
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Jan 2012
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
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Quote:
Emporium Mall?
Not sure, we took the MRT to get there. I think it's called Central Plaza Prand Rama 9. I was just surprised to see all the Triumphs on display. Granted, their list prices were much higher than what we pay in US. As I understand it, Thailand has a luxury tax on motorcycles with engines > 500 cc. I'd love to be able to ride an America over here, assuming I could tolerate wearing all the gear in the heat and humidity. And tolerate the crazy drivers and some questionable roads.
Blue/White 2007 TBA, Thruxton needles, Unifilter, AI removed, Polaris Bellmouth, Bubs, Nology Coils/wires, Lightbar, Ricor Intiminators, Hagon Nitros, Tall Sissy Bar w/luggage rack, Dart flyscreen & Lowers. 130 Mains, TrueGel Battery MG12-BS.
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,202 Likes: 11
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Yep, Asia is a bit crazy with taxes on "luxury" items... I live just north of where you took the pictures (Taiwan) and a Triumph is double what you guys pay in US, CAN or UK (don't know about Australia!). That's why I avoided these taxes and bought a second-hand bike (with just 2500 miles, you could say that is is pretty much new!). But on the the other hand, the most important things and food that people need are dirt cheap (and 6% income tax!). So, I guess there's a balance somewhere. There are a lot of places where I wouldn't feel comfortable riding a Triumph around in the Philippines (from travelling outside of the usual tourist spots). But if one day you guys feel like it, there's amazing sceneries, coastal and mountains roads in East Taiwan!  Enjoy it over there! (from an expat also married to a wonderful, and not typical, asian girl).
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
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Sounds more like around the Siam Square area then.
Anything with an engine over there is taxed per size of the engine. I saw a BMW Mini for $60K US there.
Years ago I knew Swedes down in Phuket would "Johnny Cash" Harley's into the country by mail, one piece at a time.
There are quite a few large motorcycles in Thailand and you can rent them at the tourist spots (mostly Japanese bikes). Outside of a helmet and light jacket - safety goes out the window when you are cooking. I sunburned myself in mild weather up in Chang Mai riding daily.
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
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Quote:
Sounds more like around the Siam Square area then.
Anything with an engine over there is taxed per size of the engine. I saw a BMW Mini for $60K US there.
Years ago I knew Swedes down in Phuket would "Johnny Cash" Harley's into the country by mail, one piece at a time.
There are quite a few large motorcycles in Thailand and you can rent them at the tourist spots (mostly Japanese bikes). Outside of a helmet and light jacket - safety goes out the window when you are cooking. I sunburned myself in mild weather up in Chang Mai riding daily.
Nope it was not the Siam Square area, which is being rebuilt anyway, thaks to the protestors fires last year. We had to take the MRT to get there. It was 2 stops from the Sukhumvit Station.
Yes, I know you can rent the big bikes, but I won't risk riding around here without all my usual gear. That stuff saved my hide 4 years ago. I cringe when I see some idiot on a crotch rocket, with girlfriend hanging on. They will be wearing some cheap lids, t-shirts, flip-flops and weaving through traffic.
They don't have too many real ambulances either, if you get hit. And that's in Bangkok, where they disregard sirens anyway. Forget about an ambulance outside of the big city. If you get hurt there, you wait for someone in a small pick-up with bench seats (song teaw) to pass by. They then put you in the back and take you to the local hospital.
In all my time here, I've never been to Chiang Mai. I know the missus wants to go there one day. For now, we are going to Pattaya for the long Chinese New Year weekend.
BTW, the Rocket was list price for 1.3 million Thai baht or almost US$41,000. The America was around 850,000 Thai baht or about US$27,000. I forget how much for the Bonneville, Tiger and other bikes they ahd spread around. I just was so surprised to see them all there.
Last edited by Conwy; 01/16/2012 7:49 PM.
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
They've gone up! When I priced an America there a couple of years ago it was about 600,000 Bht [$20,000 Australian] New here they're about Aust.$15,000. It's painful because they're mostly are made in Thailand these days. I rode a 600 VLX Honda around over there for 6 years.It's the most dangerous place I've ever ridden.I've heard China is even worse. They have two or three Triumph dealers in Thailand.Bangkok,Phuket and I think they've opened in Chang Mai.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354 |
Quote:
It's painful because they're mostly are made in Thailand these days.
Yep, I've driven by their factories, here in Thailand, numerous times. I even happened to come across a local recruitment drive, at a mall in Srinakarin, when they did the factory expansion. I posted some pics on here from that enounter about 3-4 years ago.
Thailand is known as the "Detroit of the East". I wouldn't worry about the build quality here.
Blue/White 2007 TBA, Thruxton needles, Unifilter, AI removed, Polaris Bellmouth, Bubs, Nology Coils/wires, Lightbar, Ricor Intiminators, Hagon Nitros, Tall Sissy Bar w/luggage rack, Dart flyscreen & Lowers. 130 Mains, TrueGel Battery MG12-BS.
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
Thailand is known as the "Detroit of the East". I wouldn't worry about the build quality here.
so it's unemployed, poor and crime ridden?
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
The build quality is no problem.
What's "painful" is the prices they charge for something made in Thailand! The "Luxury tax" and other B.S.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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 Re: Triumphs on display in Bangkok, Thailand
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
so it's unemployed, poor and crime ridden?
Yep.There's all that.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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