Cost of Buying a Used Motorcycle at Thai Prices -- Chiang Mai 

So basically under £500 for a nice little bike. I noticed that when I was having a nosy around the bike shops in Isaan: there is so much bike ownership, and so many people buying bikes on credit and then defaulting, that the shops are awash with nearly new bikes at rock bottom prices.

I have rented many different types of scooter in Thailand . My preferred one is Honda Click 125 . They are easy to ride , have good underseat storage , a hook for shopping , great fuel economy , solid and stable on the road , plenty of power for uphill acceleration with one fat farang on board :-)

I just came back from Thailand and Cambodia .Honda dream everywhere .they do huge trouble free miles .125 cc very stable on road

Wow, this video just sort of popped up while I was just wondering about this very subject. Thanks for the info.

Did you happen to put this up on maps n more? I will probably need to vist this place as soon as I get there. Another fine video, thank you sir!

Here is the gist of my original comment. Some may find it fear based but this is the way I feel. I have heard that riding a motorcycle in cities in Thailand is very dangerous. There are many accidents and I for one do not want to break an arm or leg or hip. It could be curtains as far as living any kind of normal life goes. Not for me.

@fjt108 You need a Thai motorcycle license to drive it. And all vehicles comes with their own plates from the previous owner. Mandatory insurance is purchased at the time of inspection and registration. The total fee for registration, inspection and insurance for my Honda Wave 125 is 500 Baht a year.

@retirecheapjc I will use shank's mare and walk like the bloke with the red star on his hat. I am thankful for any and all information that you provide. Please continue. I send many of your videos to friends and coworkers as some of these folks are approaching retirement age. One lady is a Thai that I work with and it makes her less sad when she can see videos about her country. She loves it when you speak Thai. :)

All new bikes are thank goodness. No more belching smoke at the traffic lights from all the scooters.

old school vibes

As always, thanks for the great informational videos. Will you also do a video on used cars soon?

Yes that would be great if you live in Bangkok. But add the transportation costs to get the bike back to another parts of the country plus your own transportation and lodging costs and you might have been better off buying it locally.

Good informative Video. Thanks for taking the time to make it. :)

As long as you get the green book, which is the equivalent of a title with the purchase they are 100 percent legit and can be registered in your name.

Approx. 31 Baht to the Dollar as of today. So just divide the Baht amount by 31 and it would get you real close to the Dollar amount.

Very interesting and informative video. Cheers 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

Definitely get a scooter transport for sure.

As always, great info JC, thanks

Another great video...Thumbs up!!!

Not that much but the import duty taxes will at least double the cost of the bike.

Insurance comes with the license or you can pick up secondary health and accident insurance cheaply.

go to bangkok auction.. you can buy snatch backs.. one year old fino 19.000 baht

@Kiniyeow No but I will. Good idea!

@happymama26 Was off helping a sick friend but I am back with new videos coming soon!

@InTheSticks0001 Lifan isn't Honda price either!! I have 32,000 miles on my Honda Wave 125 and it's still going strong. They are the work horses of Asia.

@zbuttel Go to mapsnmore com website and type in motorcycle chiang mai in the search and look at the google map in satellite view and zoom in and you will see exactly where it is. You know it is only on the weekends right?

Good video, as a Farang, if they did not have a starting price marked on the bike like that, I would not buy it. I will be in Thailand on a Thai education visa in about a month and I plan to just do most of my shopping at Big C. I actually don't mind paying more for stuff. I just hate it when the Thai's try to price gouge you and they stand there with that little wicked grin.

very helpful, thanks 4 sharing

when I was in south east asia neutral was down where 1 st would be in usa

@retirecheapjc I did not revise mine but did add a comment about the dangers of riding on motorbikes generally speaking. I remember that my comments were added to the discussion and then one person answered me and when I looked to answer him my original comment was gone from the discussion.

@zbuttel No worries. Let me know what you find.

@retirecheapjc No, she speaks of you highly and senses your true love for the Thai culture. Also, your videos make her feel still connected to her land and its many wonders though she is here in the stressed out circus of American life in Las Vegas making her way. She admires your willingness to learn her language.

Why not just take the bus and buy or rent a cheap bike when you get there. It is VERY dangerous driving a small bike long distances on the highways in Thailand.

don't bother trying to import any vehicle, car or bike, into Thailand. there are some websites like Thai Visa that will tell you this.

Now if you find a Harley, grab it. :)

i think i've watched so many of jc's videos i'm starting to learn certain thai phrases lol

@chronicreader Actually there are some real cool, very small vans here. Would that do?

Yes and if you buy and sell multiple numbers of bikes you are working and that is illegal. Sell 5 bikes and you might look into a Thai company and a work permit so you don't get arrested. Switched on???

@Virtuacon Sure, I can do that.

JC your thai is quite nice. I may run into you there at some point in the near future. can a foreigner buy vehicles, or are there steps to take first. I know learning thai is a must. just because. that way you've some idea whats going on now the lifan bikes are pretty decent. spare parts here stateside are hard to find. but as you mentioned, theyre pretty much Honda clones. so you can always find Honda parts and get them to fit. ( within reason) anyways JC keep up the good work.

JC, i looked through the comments here and can't find the answer to my question. Is there a minimum CC requirement for driving a motorcycle on the 4 lane freeways in Thailand?

The calls of don't buy a Chinese bike, don't buy a Chinese bike. Many years ago we heard the same about the Japanese bikes. Chinese bikes are improving and improving fast. What about buying Thai bikes? Did you know Triumph are made in Thailand. KTM's in India etc. I have two Chinese bikes (I live in Malaysia) I will accept they are not as good as Japanese bikes but they are between 50 and 70% cheaper. I have a CG125 copy which cost £800 new - two years old with 6000km on the clock. I have a DR200 copy which cost £1800 new. 1 yr old with just over 7000km on the clock. They are slower than their Japanese equivalents, but so far, with regular cheap maintenance. No major problems. In Thailand you will see - GPX and also Stallion both really popular and both Chinese manufactured but Thai branded.. Like all things some Chinese bikes are shite but some of the factories are making good quality machinery. Shinray being one of the biggest. They are badged all around the world. Now, of course we are seeing Scomadi's all over Asia and into Europe, these look like old style Vespas and are marketed as British, but again made in China. So, through off the blinkers. You get what you pay for, but if you look after it properly, there is not reason why you should not have fairly trouble fee motoring. Before my two chinese bikes I had Japanese bikes and theyw ere fine, but they lack personality, the Chinese bikes have that, it's an adventure.. Especially with such cheap servicing in many parts of Asia. Later this year I will be riding from Johor (southern Malaysia) through to Phuket on the 200 (MLE XTR-M). I did want to try for Chiang Mai, but It would be a hard 7 day ride (5 hrs minimum a day) and then turn around and head straight back. Maybe when I have more time.

@MrShelbyal Anybody can drive in Thailand temporarily on an International drivers license until they get a Thai drivers license

dude, thx, so helpful

I wish to know English well to express my feeling for you Thank you very much

@lancer89032 I see somebody else's comment was deleted. They said, "Hi JC. Sorry. Revised the comment and it disappeared. LOL " Did you revise yours? I would like to know why the comments disappear.

@chronicreader Good memory. But I had comments saying she was giving me Farang prices!

@lancer89032 Is that possible? Can people delete other people's comments?

good stuff JC

@MrShelbyal no, the same license as everybody else.

I agree.

@lancer89032 Well then option here if you are in a city is to ride a taxi or drive a car. Either way you would be sitting in traffic for long periods of time. Driving a motorcycle is dangerous anywhere. Most people in the accidents are people driving crazy and I see them everyday and just shake my head. Weaving in and out of traffic and not wearing a helmet. If people pay attention and wear a helmet and know how to ride a motorcycle they will be fine. But it's not for everybody.

If I buy from this market what kind of documents they give to customers, if I like to import in my country this documents is enough...

Nice video JC, currently hiring a bike from Bikki at 3,000 B a month, not bad, but I am always a bit worried about damaging the bike, so owning one that wouldn't be such a problem - Could you tell me where that bike market is again? I can then look it up on google maps - Thanks a lot !

how much weight can they carry? I weigh in at 250lbs.

Have you made a video on how to bring your own motorcycle over from America? When I retire and move to Thailand I really want to bring my bike with me.

Do you ever see anybody riding a big Harley, in your city,

@retirecheapjc Hi JC, can you say something about what licence you need and the recommended type and cost of insurance...thanks

@akllera Got to go to the big bike store for those!

Hi there, I'm moving to Thailand in a month or so and would love to own a Minsk without the hassle of bringing it over the border and paying import fees. Have you seen one at the market? retirecheapjc

@akllera No worries. I am about 205 and I can put a Thai at 50 Kg with me on a 125cc. Now climbing mountains with it is another story!

Great video, thanks. Do you know how legit these are? I've read that if you don't have clear title it can be hard to get across borders -- I'm planning to bike from Thailand to Myanmar and India next year. Cheers

@IqaluitNU definitely have to be careful driving here.

And what about Insurance ? In case you have an eccident ?

were all motorbikes have, i not see anythink only moped and childrens scooter lot in shop. not motorbike anythink.

Do you have Honda CB500X used one ?

@retirecheapjc Actually I have a great guy in Chiang Mai to buy used cars from. I have bought two from him in the past and he is looking for my van right now.

@TheChosenNinjaLDH13 Glad you found it informative.

So cheap in Thailand. But in Myanmar , motorcycles are so expensive and bad quality.

im planning to go form Chiang Mai to satun, on a budget is it possible to ket a bike for 10k tbh that can handle that ride ?

DO THEY SELL THREE WHEELERS FOR DISABLED RIDERS AND ABOUT HOW MUCH IN AMERICAN DOLLARS?? THANK YOU 🙏

Hallo, I'll be in thailand in a month for a long while, i wanted to buy a cheap bike, for max 400euro, the ones i've seen here are pretty expensive don't you think? anyway helpful video

jc, do americans need a special license to drive in thailand?

Are 150s allowed on that super highway. If allow is it a crazy thing to consider doing?

How do make sure they aren't stolen?

Are the bikes these days all four stroke?

So all you need to ride a scooter or even a motorcycle (?!) is a visa and proof of address? No license? And you can get a Honda Phantom 200cc or a Lifan 250cc for a month or a month and a half's worth of an English teacher's salary? Sounds good. I'm just a little concerned about 'ageism', as I have seen several "English teacher wanted" ads that specifically say they want teachers between the ages of 20 and 40 (I'm 46) I'm wondering how many other schools have the same requirements, but just don't want to say it publicly. I guess I'll find out once I actually start applying (currently finishing up my TEFL course). Any insight on any of these topics would be appreciated.

would you mind converting baht into american dollar thanks....

Chinese exhaust valves will often self destruct before or just after warranty expires. Go Japanese or even better 2 stroke if you can find them. I have a genuine Scooter 150 from India and a 1979 PX- 200 Vespa that looks just like it. Both 2 stroke and you can hardly kill them unless you forget oil. I want out of Nebraska but only Make $1075 on VA disability pension for crashing my PX-200. Hardly scratched the bike but I will never be the same. Oh well, If I figure out how to get a retirement Visa with no $800,000 and a record for drinking and fighting, and being a slut puppy.. I am a Thai.

By all accounts the people drive like maniacs in Thailand. I would not care to have broken arms, legs, hips etc. to deal with in my sunset years. Something to consider is the downside to this way of locomotion. It has its pluses and it works for you I know but... not for everyone.

JC, r u still alive? Its been 9 days and havent heard a thing?

Can anyone post the address for this market?

Someone deleted my comment?

@maymarkotto Was off helping a sick friend.

@lancer89032 She must laugh hysterically when she hears my bad Thai!!

is there a motorcycle drivers license needed to drive a motorcycle?

@ retirecheap..no.. not at all. you 5 bikes to make it worth while.. i thought you was switched on about thailand

Ok thank you, its cause im an american moving to Thailand and im so confused lol/.-

U could tell how much 53,500 was?

What do i need to buy one? Just cash? How much American money would 50,000baht be? Thank you:)

Does one need to have a licence and any other documents ????

A Honda Dream? OMG

whats this in english sterling lol??

can i ride it on uk licence for 3 weeks

were have all REAL moitorbikes, not want moped, honda phantom=cruiser style but lot lot biggest engine need be, i has before phantom but has horriple travel because engine not power too small engine 250cc less than 500cc have only little girl and childrens bike. big shit. were can buy old traffic accident crashed bike, ??? i want build own ower 500cc chopper,bopper,cruiser.

as a visitor can i buy a motorcycle and ride legally?

Whats the website please?

jago banget bahasa thailand

Buy privately.

need honda shadow,steed,rebell ower 500cc - 1200cc engine not moped 125 have children toy. not men bike. real men not newer drive shit scooter