Watch out for the Black Spots

[Lone Rider]

Watch out for the Black Spots

Just back from a three day 1200 km trip and had a bit of a scare on the last day. Was cruising down the 118 just over the highest spot at a speed of 80 km/hour and a Honda Wave with 2 up blasted past me at high speed a bit before the Chaomae Nang Kaeo Shrine (N19.06677 E99.37773).

They dove into the next curve and I saw them starting sliding. Don't know how they did it as I was sure they were going down but somehow they managed to keep the bike on the road. Hit the brakes as I was then right behind them and felt my truck also skidding. Luckily it was dry so I managed to keep it under control.

Stopped at the shrine for a breather and saw this sign put up by the police warning about "Black Spots" which have claimed many cars as well as bikers.

​

So watch out for these black spots as well as many others in particular once the rain starts as these places seem to be notorious for accidents:
Km 53.4, Km 56.3, Km 57.6, Km. 58.7, Km 59.0 and Km. 60.0

 

[bsacbob]

Rode that stretch today and have to agree that section is pretty slick in places extreme care is needed on some of the curves and could easily catch out the unwary rider.

 

[KTMphil]

Looks like they were experienced and not sliders LR

They dove into the next curve and I saw them starting sliding. Don't know how they did it as I was sure they were going down but somehow they managed to keep the bike on the road. Hit the brakes as I was then right behind them and felt my truck also skidding. Luckily it was dry so I managed to keep it under control.

Stopped at the shrine for a breather and saw this sign put up by the police warning about "Black Spots" which have claimed many cars as well as bikers.

 

[KTMphil]

Rode that stretch today and have to agree that section is pretty slick in places extreme care is needed on some of the curves and could easily catch out the unwary rider.

Good job you were attentive Bob.

 

[Lone Rider]

Looks like they were experienced and not sliders LR

Would not judge the level of experience as there are many other factors involved like the type of tyres fitted, the lean angle, the size of the black or oily spot and so on - just happy for them that they managed to keep the bike on the road.

 

[The Bigfella]

I have a wet ride on the 118 on knobbies etched into my brain... it can be diabolical. A certain key individual on a Triumph was fairly sideways at times too.

So, when will they do something about fixing the blackspots?

 

[Lone Rider]

So, when will they do something about fixing the blackspots?

Was thinking the same when I saw the poster put up by the police - would it not be much more effective to remove/repair the black spots instead of putting up posters warning people about them. The gentlemen who crashed there recently has been warning others about these and other spots many times on the other forum and then falls victim to one of these black spot around Km. 60 which coincidentally appears to be one of the spots the police warns about

 

[alexuk]

Hit a black spot on the way from Mae Sot to Tak this week.
It was raining and the windy hilly road was like ice in places. Saw several vehicles crashed or spinning Alan slipped bit and I had slowed down a lot and was trying to be ral careful but the front hit some oil or something and slid a long way, onto the other side of the road, fortunately was able to stay upright, much to my surprise
Maybe someone knows where I mean and can name the place/road

 

[crs]

Diesel spills from overfilled tanks (which they love to do) are a big problem here. You'll see it sloshing out as you follow trucks and pickups coming out of town as they go round bends. The rain does clear it away, but for a while you get them together and you can't see the stuff - even if you did have chance to stop in time. Diesel spills on corners have taken me out twice in Thailand... A pet grieve of mine. Thing is, I bet nearly all the pump attendants travel around on scooters. Missing a sense of self-preservation?

 

[bigntall]

The 118 to me is the most treacherous, and slippery road I've ridden on. Even my old KLX would spin up the rear wheel when on the throttle in places on it. What I have found though is most of the slippery spots are on the Mae Krachan side of the hill, once over the hill top and heading towards CNX it's a lot better. I've forgotten how many times I've drifted out of my lane in a slide on that bloody road. Horrid in places.

 

[KTMphil]

In that area on R 118, Som tells me this says "dangerous corner ahead"

& this one 500 meters back "dangerous corner"

(Too scary for me I put the bike in the truck)

 

[skeedary]

looks much like the spot on the 118 that took me out at 120kmh this time last year. Downhill and LH sweeper, there was so much oil (new) on the road that a drum on a truck must have come loose.