WEIRD, WILD, WTFOT THAILAND MOTORCYCLES

[DrGMIA]

Another weird BMW. First look by the consultant found him saying it was a "nicely tricked out R69S with an aftermarket tank and seats."

A look at the ID plate on the neck showed it to be a far different animal. Instead of being the high compression 600cc R69S (which likely would have not been inexpensive) it was modified with external changed cylinders and valve covers. The 500 had a different stroke than the 69S. It was originally a rare 500cc R50US like the one in the post above. However, some owner had gone even wilder with the modifications and changed the US styled forks to the more common Earles fork model. On the downside was the R69S, with higher compression, needed top octane petrol versus the stock R50US.

Again, thanks to Jeff Dean, BMW vintage guru, for the details needed to sort out this Thai WTFOT BMW.

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[brake034]

Love this thread Dr. G!

 

[DrGMIA]

A bit of a motorhead-ADV-aficionado-cranial-gray-matter-twister was this GPX spotted on the road to Wat Chan from Chiang Mai. It's Thai owner was headed off the pavement and into the mountains for some advanced adventure camping during the high forest fire season.

Our adventure consultant proclaimed, "It can't be in the adventure category because it does not have any expensive German adventure accessories or an adventure sticker."

The reply was "It's manufactured in Thailand, and clearly is being used for a serious adventure, therefore qualifies as wild."

But then came the WTFOT proclamation: "What are those clips doing attached to the cylinder and head?"

At first they were thought to be applying pressure to a leaking head gasket. "Not so," said the owner, a Chiang Mai Thai motorbike mechanic. They were to provide additional cooling surfaces for the air cooled engine.

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

This "big bike" Suzuki GS750GL, was submitted for consideration:

Besides being a unique "import," a couple of possible weird and wild modifications perplexed the induction team.

The first, and most obvious, was the full fairing. The thread to it's origin, and likely best tale, was the fairing had been imported to Thailand, possibly after the motorbike, from Japan, originally having been manufactured for Japanese police or escort model(s).

Weird, but not unwise, was the elevated rear custom seat that would give a small pillion a view over the driver's shoulder and possibly helmet (if the driver wore one).

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Another submission for the Thai Mocy Art category

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[bsacbob]

From Laos a few days ago.

 

[DrGMIA]

Interesting submission of this Thai chopper created a new category possibly only an advanced EASY RIDER aficionado could appreciate: The Thai Style Captain America. When asked about it not having a plate or book, the jovial reply was something like "No book, no plate, no sticker, no worries. Ride free, 'get out on the highway, looking for adventure,' but pick where and when riding on the roads very carefully to avoid the BIB"

Noted was the absence of ABS on the front wheel and loud pipe design for saving lives.

SIDEBAR:

Nice "Captain America" replica found in Nicky's Handlebar, Phuket. The remaining "real" Captain America sold at auction in the USA for $1,000,000 and is now resting in a museum in Seattle, Washington USA

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Being readied for a rumored MAD MAX # 5 film, some of the adventure being shot on location in south Thailand, was this WTFOT Custom Class submission. It was a "straight-line" custom because the turning radius was limited (best turned around while driving in a large parking lot). The Custom Class submitter said, "Gotta love the finer points, like the rear view mirrors on the bar ends."

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

One of our roving consultants brought us this JAWA. Assuming the numbers on the front fender mean it is a 1965 model (and maybe from Estonia?), it has come a long adventurous way from its origins as a motorcycle first produced in Czechoslovakia in 1929 after the company owner bought the motorcycle division from the Wanderer company located in Germany. This JAWA had a Thai sticker on the right rear shock, meaning at one time it was road legal in Thailand.

Below is a 1928 Wonderer (500cc), seen in the Zweirad Museum in Nekcarsulm, Germany in 2017 - a far looking different motorcycle than the later JAWA models. Some say the name Wonderer came from being wandering wonderer of an adventurer nature, or an early "adventurer's" motorcycle.

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Made to go, not just show!

Want adventure? Our H-D consultant said, "Try hanging onto this Thai drag bike."

Being a "bits bike" (bits of this and bits of that) confused the Committee into which category to place it: Old-timer (antique), Custom, or Thai Mocy Art. It clearly qualified as WILD and WTFOT.

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

An interesting find was this H-D flathead "kicker," no button starter for this Thai owner.

"Whoops," said our researcher, "no license plate on the back."

Thai ingenuity came into play when the researcher saw how the Thai owner dealt with needing to show a license plate when driving, having affixed it to his back pack!

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Kawasaki submissions from Bangkok: Same same, but different?

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

"How est zee German?" asked the contributor.

Answered curator: "Harley-Davidson, mit foot clutch, hand shift und, und, und....an authentic oil leaker. Nice."

Contributor smiled and said, "Wannabe cop bike."

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Nice to see some of these older Hondas being used as daily runners. Some have been lovingly restored to mint condition. Can anybody guess the year of this one? Our Honda guy says 1960s, a 65 cc single, but was not sure.

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

High, dry and prepped for the next "100 year flood" (which happened the year before), this nicely modified/blinged/farkled Honda Africa Twin was a short distance from the Ping River in Chiang Mai where the floods floated several other motorbikes stored in the same "Bat Cave." It took four Thai "lifters" and a supervisor to get it up and balanced.

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[bsacbob]

View attachment 79802
High, dry and prepped for the next "100 year flood" (which happened the year before), this nicely modified/blinged/farkled Honda Africa Twin was a short distance from the Ping River in Chiang Mai where the floods floated several other motorbikes stored in the same "Bat Cave." It took four Thai "lifters" and a supervisor to get it up and balanced.

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

Looks like new, a bike ahead of it's time.

 

[Xrider]

Hi, Nice picture of an Africa Twin

 

[DrGMIA]

Spotted was this cup holder on a blinged and farkled adventure motorbike - suggested as a "WTFOT" accessory for The Starbucks Adventure Riders :-)

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

One of our roving consultants found this Suzuki upcountry. He said the shop owner said it was ready for a loving restoration.

When asked what specifically was meant by a "loving restoration," the Thai whom had lived in Los Angeles for a while, laughed and said, "You get more sanookie with a Suzuki."

Our consultant opined of the owner, "A Thai man with a WILD and WTFOT make-up living in Isaan with an Americanized-English sense of humor mixed with some Yank idioms," and submitted the above image for consideration.

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

In 2002 Honda introduced the CBR150 globally. A few filtered into Thailand, where it was considered a "big bike." This one was spotted two years ago on the road around Uttaradit, loaded with travel luggage, doing a road trip, holding about 110 kph-120 kph. Again spotted recently by one of our roaming consultants in north Thailand. Like a Timex watch, it just keeps on ticking.


Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Nice treatment of a Yamaha SR 400 in the Custom category. WTFOT was the conversion to a belt drive.


Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

From our Bangkok consultant, a submission for the Custom Category, a Benelli TNT 300

It started as a stock TNT 300, as seen below:

Assembled in Thailand, the stock Benelli TNT 300 was radically modified with Thai ingenuity, qualifying as WTFOT.


Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

WTFOT Custom?

One roving consultant submitted this Suzuki (?) for the Custom category. His "suggestion" for the inclusion of the bear on wheels was it was to be towed behind. Weird, if so, and a slow go given the wheel size :-)

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Fool us once, your fault. Fool use twice, our fault...BMW fake, fake, fake:

An "anonymous" contributor submitted the above as a test or prototype "BMW designed specifically for the Thailand market."

Our museum consultant from ThaiBMWland near Rayong said, "Nope, ehhh nice try Knun Anonymous. She's made in Thailand, but not under license from BMW Motorrad here or elsewhere. With BMW outsourcing and manufacturing BMW motorcycles in countries far from Germany, it's possible, close to probable, but not this one, yet."

Dr G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine and Adventure Motorcycle University
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Our roving Museum Project Consultant brought us another WTFOT Thai Mocy Art submission:

'Dr. G'
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author and script consultant
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Not too many of these classic Yamahas are still on the road. This one is a daily commuter!

No starter "button" on this 80 cc two stroker, but the owner said "Not need, one kick!"

Our roving consultant said, "Loved the accessorized rear pillion foot holder, but the best was original license plate."

'Dr. G'
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author and script consultant
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[bsacbob]

Saw this little beauty in Hoi An, Vietnam.

 

[DrGMIA]

Nice looking Honda "Benty" found there in Vietnam, rare. Here's another vintage model (Yamaha) our consultant found parked on the street in Chiang Mai. It was a bit rough, but from the same era as the Honda above. A bit "wild" if the owner was still using it as a commuter - not plated or stickered, so likely best used after the "cop stops" were off duty :-)

'Dr. G'
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author and script consultant
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[bsacbob]

Maybe a little more show than go, in Vietnam

 

[bsacbob]

Another gem on the streets of Da Nang, first glance I thought it was a Ural.

Dnepr (motorcycle) - Wikipedia

 

[DrGMIA]

Interesting Thai set-up, a trailer on the back of a 125 cc Kawasaki, with no ball mount on the mounting system.....

The set-up leaves one asking, "How does it handle in the turns, with no ball, the straight mounting from the swing arm/axle to the trailer not allowing the motorcycle to lean?" Answer? "Wahoooo!!!!!"

Dr G

Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author, script consultant and motorcycle wastrel
Latest book: ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLIST: FRAZIER SHRUGGED (2022-Amazon)
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

A Thai designed Urban Adventure Scooter? This 2023 Honda ADV 350 is on the leading edge of urban adventure riding,, spotted in January, 2023.

Sale price: 432,700 THB.

When I coined the motorcycle phrases "urban adventure riding" and "urban adventure rider" 15 years ago, and wrote about it in my latest book ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLIST: FRAZIER SHRUGGED, I did not envision scooters like this Honda ADV 350 (or earlier 150 and 300 models, and now the 160) within the definition. I was recounting the tale of a Harley-Davidson rider who was a daily urban commuter in one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Looking at this Thai designed Honda ADV 350, I gave a hat tip to their choice of the words "ADVENTURE" and "COMMANDO."

Dr. G

Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author, script consultant and motorcycle wastrel
Latest book: ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLIST: FRAZIER SHRUGGED (2022-Amazon)
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Harley-Davidson's Pan America has been claimed by Harley-Davidson to be the "best selling adventure motorcycle" in the adventure motorcycle niche, a stretched marketing claim unless citing the best as being the month they released their first production run (4,000) or limits the catagory to their 1250cc class. The more recent production run model below was spotted on the street, parked in front of a ganja retail outlet.

An interesting observation in the global research of adventure motorcycles currently being marketed was the first Pan America spotted on the road in the USA, below. It was also spied in front of a marijuana retail outlet.

While no valid correlation can been drawn from a sample size of two, nor has any known data been collected to support a theory or dissertation, the first two sightings could be described as interesting observations by a curious researcher.

Dr. G

Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author, script consultant and motorcycle wastrel
Latest book: ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLIST: FRAZIER SHRUGGED (2022-Amazon)
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Something old, lovingly made new: In Thailand a rare 1987 Kawasaki KMX 200, photo below was "Before"

An "After" photo. In January, 2023, For Sale in Pai.

These KMX 200s were popular in Europe, once having a very active club of serious aficionados. One roving consultant said this is only the second one seen by our team in Thailand in 20 + years.

Dr. G

Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author, script consultant and motorcycle wastrel
Latest book: ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLIST: FRAZIER SHRUGGED (2022-Amazon)
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com

 

[DrGMIA]

Some wax and elbow grease might be able to bring this once lovely PADO scooter seen in North Thailand back to road life, soaring like an eagle over the mountains of The Golden Triangle, or maybe not.

The PADO might have been a forerunner for BMW's electric scooter below? Or maybe not.

Dr. G

Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author, script consultant and motorcycle wastrel
Latest book: ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLIST: FRAZIER SHRUGGED (2022-Amazon)
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com doing recon in SE Asia for 2023 Adventures

 

[DrGMIA]

This Honda didn't escape the flooding waters of the Ping River October 5 and 6 in Chiang Mai, Thailand (muddy water was over the handlebars). Several years ago at The Bangkok Motor Show the sales team for Honda were pasting on a display Africa Twin "mud" looking stickers, even had a can of spray fake mud. Owner of the pictured Honda should get a medal or award for being the "real deal," not fake marketing. It'll likely be a day's work before it can be seen hanging around any yellow coffee trucks, but surprisingly, many motorcycles around Chiang Mai in similar condition have been brought back to life with surprising little work.


Dr. G

Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author, script consultant and general motorcycle wastrel
Latest books: ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLIST: FRAZIER SHRUGGED (2022-Amazon) and MOTORCYCLE SEX (2024-Amazon)
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com doing recon in SE Asia for 2024-2025 Adventures