4x adventure bikes camping on Doi Ang Khan

[KTMphil]

Rainy season, camping at 1,700 meters might not be the best idea in the world. Both Steve & I had new tents, forecast was for rain, so we'd get a chance to see how waterproof they were



P1010833_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Just over 170km, its a lovely 3 to 4 hour ride north of Chiang Mai to Doi Ang Khan & Nor Lae

DAK text by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Ah-Hoe from Chengdu, China was free and able to ride along

The other Steve in Chiang Dao joined us in his Suzuki V-Strom, picking him up on the way north


P1010773_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Ah-Hoe's BMW F 800 gs, he say he doesnt like the red frame, looks like a Ducati frame!


P1010771_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Raring to head off north in Chiang Dao


P1010772_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




P1010774_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010775_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Dodged the rain all the way up there to the southern look out on R 1340. Doi Ang Khan


P1010776_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






P1010777_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





1,400 meters right in the clouds now


P1010778_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





3x BMW F 800gs's and a Suzuki V-Strom 650


P1010779_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Looking NNW into the valley (Myanmar over the mountain to the left ) before Ban Luang


P1010781_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Second VP headed north , eastwards (right) looking down on Ban Pong Tham, south of Fang


P1010782_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




P1010785_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010783_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Different luggage configurations on Ah-Hoe & Steve's BMW F 800 gs's


P1010786_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Army lookout post , looking west at the Myanmar natural border


P1010789_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

The main Nor Lae Thai border military base is always a fun visit


P1010811_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





This is a huge border military base


P1010804_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





First time id seen the tunnels there



P1010793_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Steve looking north into Myanmar


P1010803_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Ahead, the Myanmar military lookout on the hill


P1010794_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




P1010797_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Holes in the moisture looking NE towards Fang


P1010798_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



P1010807_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Through the razor wire, the main Myanmar camp more to the west

P1010805_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Many layers of sharpened bamboo fences for defences


P1010800_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010795_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Pretty steamy after the rain all around



P1010809_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Between the Thai razor wire and the Bamboo sharpened fence, there actually is a patrol road, we think its for the Thai military only?


P1010794_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Ah-Hoe and the two Steve's


P1010802_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010810_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





This huge arrow points at the Myanmar base. Some say its to show the wind direction for helicopters landing, others say its for "other" reasons


P1010790_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Unimog at the Thai base


P1010812_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Not much daylight left now, time to click our heels and get organized for the night in Ban Ang Khan. Drinks and food to take to the campsite. Ah-Hoe didnt have a tent , we're hoping he can rent one at the campsite


P1010814_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





South to the Doi Ang Khan campsite (there's actually two), to the one that looks east over the Fang Valley


P1010815_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





...more to come

 

[Captain_Slash]

Between the Thai razor wire and the Bamboo sharpened fence, there actually is a patrol road, we think its for the Thai military only?


P1010794_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

I have walked up there to the Myanmar army camp a few years ago but was quickly told to go back, they don't welcome visitors

 

[KTMphil]

No rain, very overcast, clouds whizzing by and we were in them

P1010816_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010819_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Ah-Hoe's hard cases - great until you want to split traffic


P1010821_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





I prefer soft bags - these Wolfman panniers are not as wide as your legs, so you can do the cats whisker test in gaps quite easily


P1010820_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Lets hope that rain holds off


P1010818_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




The Doi Ang Khan campsite we used is at co-ords:



N19.86307 E99.05105



At over 1,700 meters, it would be very cool in the winter/ dry season. When we left Chiang Mai is was 34c, 4pm at the campsite it was 20c (at 1,700 meters), I would estimate it got down to 14c during the night. In the morning at 8am it was 19c.


P1010822_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Austrlia Steve has done A LOT of camping, he is well set up for this. UK Steve had a brand new Hubba Hubba 2 man tent, I had a new Hillerberg Anjan 2 to test as well, these are 2 of the best 2/3 season tents you can buy, highly rated.


P1010823_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





We managed to rent a tent at the campsite for Ah-Hoe, 400 Bht, seemed a bit expensive


P1010824_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Australian Steve getting barred-up


P1010825_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Footprint to protect the floor of the Hubba Hubba 2


P1010826_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr









P1010827_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Rain still holding off



P1010828_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





The view was changing every 3 sections with the swirling clouds


P1010830_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





My Hilleberg Anjan 2 all rigged up. Its quick to assemble, bullet proof and completely dry. The only disadvantage with the parallel hoop tents like this is that they re not free standing.





P1010835_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





This is really a 1 man tent if you have lots of gear. Two peoples gear and two people wouldnt be fun at all. One person can lay out their stuff in the space next to the sleeping bag and keep organized


P1010845_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




P1010831_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010832_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Steve's MSR Hubba Hubba 2 (right, white tent) going up. This tent is free standing and gets rated as one of the best 2 man tents you can buy




P1010838_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010837_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

All set up and not even dark

A really nice spot with the tall trees




P1010839_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010840_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010841_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Cocktail hour, time to take in the view and relax


P1010849_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




One of the best in Thailand for sure


P1010852_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




P1010857_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Get the bar set up


P1010853_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Quick selfie while there s a gap in the clouds



P1010850_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






P1010855_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Cocktail hour underway

R 1249 eastwards down the mountain towards Fang on the RHS of the photo

P1010854_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Dinner time - Oz Steve had spent a lot of time in Bosnia and other places where self sufficiency was needed, here he's cooking with his Swedish Army alcohol stove and windcheater/ pot stand


Cook some rice - 3x water to rice volume. Wash rice first, then boil in the new water for 10 minutes. Add pre-cooked curry mix to the rice and cook for 5 minutes more, everything cooked in one pot and ready together.

We all had stoves, was easier to just use Steve's

After a bottle of rum, delicous

Before bed a clear night over the Fang valley


P1010858_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[bikerdoc]

G'Day Phil, Steve(s) (x2) & Ah-Hoe.

FWIW I'm jealous/envious of you lot - bloody fantastic riding, conditions and people with cafe, bakery & food options to 'die for' compared with mainland China IMO. Lost count the number of rides I did to Doi Ang Khung the last two consecutive Jan & Feb I spent in northern Thailand. Fang was an almost daily riding destination from CR too for 'other reasons' though I developed a fondness for HWY 108.

Fantastic photos guys, despite the weather. Those 800GS's looking the dogs bollocks, and how about that Wee - also looking not out of place too IMO. How did the Wee go in comparison to the GS's? The Thai made 800GS's ETA into mainland China (BMW Motorrad China) is November with a MSRP of 140,000CNY (770,962THB) which is down from the previous 800GS MSRP of about 160,000 from memory. The F700GS MSRP may also be realigned from the current 127800CNY. At the moment the 700GS is discounted 5% off MSRP. Oh yes I'm bloody envious that you guys get the F800GS for 530,000THB compared with the 770,000CNY here too. My '14 G650GS here in PRC cost almost the equivalent of the F800GS there. Plus look at all those farkles you guys got those bikes loaded with...

BTW there's a tent designed for motorcycles, where the bike can park inside the tent in one section/room undercover from the elements though I forget the brand/model at the minute

Looking forward to my next excursion from the mainland down to northern Thailand again end of this year.

Shiny side up...

 

[KTMphil]

The next morning, an hour and a half later and we're down at the Chiang Dao Nest for a huge brunch


P1010867_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010865_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010866_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010861_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Home made pork burger



P1010862_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010859_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





P1010860_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

The elevation profile of R 1249 up to the Doi Ang Khan campsite


r 1249 profile by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

That V-Strom has plenty of power, great bike apart from the ground clearance. Steve says he has to be careful over speed bumps or it will hit, crazy Suzuki would create a bike thats almost perfect but mess up the ground clearance.

G'Day Phil, Steve(s) (x2) & Ah-Hoe.

FWIW I'm jealous/envious of you lot - bloody fantastic riding, conditions and people with cafe, bakery & food options to 'die for' compared with mainland China IMO. Lost count the number of rides I did to Doi Ang Khung the last two consecutive Jan & Feb I spent in northern Thailand. Fang was an almost daily riding destination from CR too for 'other reasons' though I developed a fondness for HWY 108.

Fantastic photos guys, despite the weather. Those 800GS's looking the dogs bollocks, and how about that Wee - also looking not out of place too IMO. How did the Wee go in comparison to the GS's? The Thai made 800GS's ETA into mainland China (BMW Motorrad China) is November with a MSRP of 140,000CNY (770,962THB) which is down from the previous 800GS MSRP of about 160,000 from memory. The F700GS MSRP may also be realigned from the current 127800CNY. At the moment the 700GS is discounted 5% off MSRP. Oh yes I'm bloody envious that you guys get the F800GS for 530,000THB compared with the 770,000CNY here too. My '14 G650GS here in PRC cost almost the equivalent of the F800GS there. Plus look at all those farkles you guys got those bikes loaded with...

BTW there's a tent designed for motorcycles, where the bike can park inside the tent in one section/room undercover from the elements though I forget the brand/model at the minute

Looking forward to my next excursion from the mainland down to northern Thailand again end of this year.

Shiny side up...

 

[KTMphil]

Lots more campsite ideas in the link below:


http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...campsites-accessible-motorcycle-thailand.html

 

[prince666]

Sorry to jump in Doc did the price mention for the F800GS in RMB include the 10% for tax, plate and all the other shit we have to pay in China ???


Phil.... great RR with some great pictures as you always do, will be back soon by car this time left the CRF in CR ? so have a think if some member on RA are looking for stuff on Taobao (eBay China) ,can bring it over for them.


How did Ah-Hoe get on with the food ??? and did he ride over from China , looks like he on a Thail plated F800GS ?

 

[Johnsy]

Hi bikerdoc,
The Wee_Strom is fantastic, except the ground clearance, other than that it's a totally capable bike. After some decent tyres, getting pre-load and damping sorted and the usual protection bars, sump guard, boxes etc it's a fantastic bike for touring and some not so hard core off road riding. There's a few reasons I bought the V-Strom;
1- I have a CRF to do hard core off road.
2- The V-Strom's World wide reputation, durability, comfort, ease of maintenance and price. I bought mine second hand with only 2,000 klm's on the clock and even after accessorizing it I came away 200,000BT cheaper than a stock BMW800GS! That's a lot of spare change for a lot of riding.
3- It has almost twice the fuel range of the 800GS
4- The low down and mid range is awesome for a 650 as is the gears and ratios
4- On sweeping to tight twisty sealed roads the V-Strom will put the fear of god into an 800GS
5- I'm getting too old and have too many injuries to be throwing a big bike around on hard core off road trips and that's really what the 800GS is made for.
6- The Wee is a perfect mid range budget bike for Thailand and touring around SE Asia.
For the riding I do and the budget I have I just couldn't justify an 800GS and the V-Strom fitted my needs perfectly.
Cheers mate.

 

[KTMphil]

Steve, I agree its great value for a touring bike here in Thailand

Hi bikerdoc,
The Wee_Strom is fantastic, except the ground clearance, other than that it's a totally capable bike. After some decent tyres, getting pre-load and damping sorted and the usual protection bars, sump guard, boxes etc it's a fantastic bike for touring and some not so hard core off road riding. There's a few reasons I bought the V-Strom;
1- I have a CRF to do hard core off road.
2- The V-Strom's World wide reputation, durability, comfort, ease of maintenance and price. I bought mine second hand with only 2,000 klm's on the clock and even after accessorizing it I came away 200,000BT cheaper than a stock BMW800GS! That's a lot of spare change for a lot of riding.
3- It has almost twice the fuel range of the 800GS
4- The low down and mid range is awesome for a 650 as is the gears and ratios
4- On sweeping to tight twisty sealed roads the V-Strom will put the fear of god into an 800GS
5- I'm getting too old and have too many injuries to be throwing a big bike around on hard core off road trips and that's really what the 800GS is made for.
6- The Wee is a perfect mid range budget bike for Thailand and touring around SE Asia.
For the riding I do and the budget I have I just couldn't justify an 800GS and the V-Strom fitted my needs perfectly.
Cheers mate.