Motorbike to street motor cycle

[Sandibeach]

I don't think your link worked for the photos.

I think it's great that Thailand has all these small bikes. I think more people would ride here if given options like that. In Canada they came out this year with the Honda CBR 125cc (looks very similiar to the 150cc you refer too - see my avatar). I bought it and love it. It's selling like hot cakes here and I think other manufacturers might follow suit (if they are smart).

I have no urge for a bigger bike, and I believe there are many more others like me who feel the same. And with a pricetag of $3500 CDN new, it's very reasonable. (ok not as cheap as Thailand, but pretty good).

[jonnythan]

People in the US aren't interested in owning any motor vehicle that is useful only for in-town commuting. Smart cars, scooters, small-displacement motorcycles, electric vehicles, whatever. Doesn't matter what it is.

People in the US don't want them because people in the US spend so much time on the highway and traveling outside of town.

[tropicalhotdog]

People in the US aren't interested in owning any motor vehicle that is useful only for in-town commuting. Smart cars, scooters, small-displacement motorcycles, electric vehicles, whatever. Doesn't matter what it is.

People in the US don't want them because people in the US spend so much time on the highway and traveling outside of town.

That's not necessarily true in all places though. Here in NYC, it's insane how many people are starting to ride scooters. I use a 150cc Vespa for all my local communting between boroughs, to and from work, etc. There are 5 other scooters parked every night within 40 feet of my front door in Brooklyn, and the street where I work in midtown Manhattan, there are now 4 scooters and one Virago that park next to each other (illegally but left undisturbed) every day. For big cities, scoots and small bikes really seem to be growing in popularity because they're such a good answer to problems of traffic, parking, high gas prices, and marital malaise. Well, maybe I'm projecting with the last one.

[Scott58]

People in the US aren't interested in owning any motor vehicle that is useful only for in-town commuting. Smart cars, scooters, small-displacement motorcycles, electric vehicles, whatever. Doesn't matter what it is.

People in the US don't want them because people in the US spend so much time on the highway and traveling outside of town.

That's pretty general. There are alot of people in the US who are interested. My Honda Rebel and Toyota Tercel for that matter attest to that and I've been on many over 2000 mile trips with both. I absolutely will not buy any vehicle that gets less then 40mpg on the highway car or motorcycle. My choices should not be as limited as they are. The 125 to 450cc range needs to be opened up. These bikes are already available else where. There should at least be the option of having one shipped in. What's a few more bikes added to thousands that are being shipped already?

[Grendel_Sprite]

Those Aprilla's sure do look nice and expensive.

Yes, they are. I totally agree that they cost too much. If price is an issue, maybe a Ninja 250 sounds appealing? A dealership around here was advertising them for $2599 recently... so it probably is cheaper to go with a motorcycle in the US, at least from an initial investment standpoint. Not sure once you factor in gas and insurance.

Im sure I would get alot of laughs rding one of those in the states. If I had one of those babies here, it would be like having a Escalade with 24" gold plated wheels!

I haven't noticed anyone laughing at me yet. Not that I give a rat's "o-ring". I think most folks here don't care what you ride, just that you do.

Also im not sure about those little tires on the highway at 75mph.

True, but some have full size 16" wheels. Mine has 'em and I haven't noticed any lack of stability on the freeway @ 70-80mph. My wife has the small tires (10") and she does notice some twitchiness at high speeds.

THere are really interesting bikes here that you dont see in the US.

Too true. Same for cars.

[dchi]

The CBR 150 they sell here is exaclty like your 125 except for engine size. I've ridin them and they are fun and super easy to start with. They sell here new for 63,000 baht or $1800 US. When the dollar was better you could get one for $1600. Honda also makes/sells a Phantom here. Its a full size cruiser but the engine is only 200 cc. The cover it up with crome and plastic. Kinda cheesey but they Thais like them because its the closest thing they can get to a full size bike.