[Rhodie]

Just put a deposit down on the first Scrambler to be imported into Bangkok, Thailand. Have been trying to import one privately for over a year - so with Thailand's first dealer opening in March I cannot wait.

I would appreciate riders views on what extras are good for getting the bike going & "breathing freely" etc. What changes are essential/advisable & what are just cosmetic?

At present I ride a BMW R1200GS with a Remus + Y piece.

The roads in Thailand are essentially good but when riding 'round Laos & Cambodia things can get a little lively on Tourances. In the monsoon [rainy] season I switch to Metzeler Karoos - we cannot get any other off-road tyre here easily. Are the Scrambler tyres good in wet sticky mud?

Also how does the engine handle high ambient heat - in Bangkok traffic it can go above 40C?

Your advice & help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[bonnienewbie]

Doesnt Thailand have a law that restricts you to 150cc and under? How do you get around that?

 

[Rhodie]

No, that's Vietnam.
But that may changing soon.

BMW is the only big-bike importer with proper dealerships.
Triumph's new BKK dealer will be a refreshing change to the Teutonic monopoly & arrogance we have had to put up with.
Ducati have a 2nd party dealer presence.
The Jap big 4 only sell bikes & scooters up to 150/ 200cc.
Though in Thailand you can buy most rice rockets thru grey importers. Some are actually sold with legal p/work. Others are "ringed" and you risk losing the bike if the cops discover it.

4 more on biking in SE Asia check-out:
www.gt-rider.com

ATB

 

[RoundSlide]

Rhodie, welcome! Be good to see Triumph representation from your neck of the woods

 

[pigpen955]

I found the most essential things (especially for 'interesting' riding) were variable rate springs up front and a decent set of shocks in the rear. I put the Ikons on and it transformed the bike.

Fred

 

[MattTriumphs]

On 2007-01-24 09:15, Rhodie wrote:
No, that's Vietnam.
But that may changing soon.

BMW is the only big-bike importer with proper dealerships.
Triumph's new BKK dealer will be a refreshing change to the Teutonic monopoly & arrogance we have had to put up with.
Ducati have a 2nd party dealer presence.
The Jap big 4 only sell bikes & scooters up to 150/ 200cc.
Though in Thailand you can buy most rice rockets thru grey importers. Some are actually sold with legal p/work. Others are "ringed" and you risk losing the bike if the cops discover it.

4 more on biking in SE Asia check-out:
www.gt-rider.com

ATB

That's terrible!

 

[FlungPup]

No Harley's? What no lawyers?

 

[Rhodie]

mea culpa - you r absolutely right, HD does have a limited dealership network.
Tho the riders are mostly fairweather and barely feature in our enduro rides round the golden triangle as well as frequent cross-border forays.
I went thru my hog period swiftly b4 getting one of the first trophy 1200s that in turn was px 4 the first black speed triple.
If you are looking for a fun biking holiday you would find Thailand with great roads in the north and with an abundance of differing natural attractions.
Oh and the food &beer is great.
Bike hire is plentiful - even HDs!
Tho to bike 'round laos & Cambodia you would have to fly to the country and ride round b4 flying on. The only way to cross borders is topurchase a legal bike with full papers - an expensive & time consuming/infuriating exercise.
Contact me if you want any help or further info.

 

[Rhodie]

returning to the original request 4 yr experiences.

Thanks 4 the heads-up on the shocks.

1. how do the OE tyres handle the sticky muddy stuff?
2. Does the Scrambler have any issues re o/heating in static traffic.
3. The Thunderbike Sage1 pipe & cam conversion looks good along with the AI plug. Anyone actually done this?
4. Do the Thunderbike pipes make it impossible to carry a passenger?
5. Is there a baggage solution beyond a tank bag when riding 2-up?

ATB

 

[DrEnglish]

I think the bike will be OK in 40 C. You, however, will be very warm from the engine heat.

There are aftermarket luggage racks for Bonnies (Renntec, others I'm sure). They may fit the Scrambler.

The Scrambler is a tarmac-oriented bike with offroad styling. I have no direct experience with this, but I expect there is a tire that is more suitable for mud than the stockers.

Congratulations on your new bike.

 

[Scrambler900]

I have installed many of the Scrambler accessories sold by Triumph (skid plate, number plate, handle bar brace, solo seat with rack, headlight prootective wire screen), but while they may all appear to add to the bike's off-road capabilities, they are really just cosmetic.

 

[FlungPup]

The tach is cool.

 

[bung1]

Good choice of bike, ridden mine in 40c here in Cent. Victoria, no problems, last weekend after 25mm rain rode 70kms through the forests which included mud in certain areas, again, no problems on stock tyres. As for mods suit yourself, most of us have done the AI removal, airbox and pipes, I also have barbrace, pillion grab handle, tach , solid colour flyscreen and bashplate. The bike itself wont dissapoint, they are great! Hope this helps,Rod

[ This message was edited by: bung1 on 2007-01-25 01:19 ]

 

[johnyC]

Rhodie,

I've done a load of stuff to my bike, but asked what's the first thing to do I'd agree with Fred, shocks and fork springs.

The biggest difference made to the way my bike behaved was fitting the Ikons, followed in importance by Hagon fork springs. I gave the Scrambler shocks away and I threw the Triumph fork springs in the bin, there was no way they were going back on even if I sold the bike.

 

[McQueen278]

I replaced the stock break pads for some EBC Double H front and rear.

It took away the brake noise, and made a huge difference in over stopping performance/feel Well worth the money and 30 minutes time to change them.

 

[DrPat]

Hey Rhodie, welcome to the forum - and nice part of the world to live (and ride!) - esp. the triangle; I'd love to look at the old cities in Cambodia and Laos too...
Re Scrambler racks - the Ventura setup has proved great on my Scrambler - Renntec doesn't quite fit (without 'persuasion', anyway...).
I'm finding the stock tyres good for everything, though many others don't like 'em - I chuck the Scrambler round like there's no tomorrows, and the tyres stick to tarmac fine, also great on shingle or rough roads, beaches etc, dunno about the jungle proper, but some Kiwi riders do a fair bit of mild offroad on them with no problems.
Main thing though is to get the motor breathing - saw out some baffling, remove the snorkel and AI, a decent air filter.
Can't help with the heat question - it's cool down here... depends how tall you are, get rid of the AI though, your headers'll get hot with that left in
good luck mate - cheers, Pat

 

[Rhodie]

Thanks guys - appreciate your advice.
With this in mind have since spoken the those clever Kiwis @ Thunderbikes and have ordered their solutions to the points you've raised.
AI, pipes, cam & shocks.
I will post how I get on when the bike is on the road.

Has anyone wired a GPS pto into the loom?

Also - and try not to fall over laughing - is anyone making a larger
fuel tank?

ATB
Rhodie

 

[Kaffa]

John - I'm quite a fan of fuel range, with the larger tank what is your range in normal riding conditions? ie not mountainous non-efficient riding?

Thanks guys - appreciate your advice.
With this in mind have since spoken the those clever Kiwis @ Thunderbikes and have ordered their solutions to the points you've raised.
AI, pipes, cam & shocks.
I will post how I get on when the bike is on the road.

Has anyone wired a GPS pto into the loom?

Also - and try not to fall over laughing - is anyone making a larger
fuel tank?

ATB
Rhodie