What to rent?

N

NKPBob

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2013
Location
USA
Bikes
CRF 450R
Hey gang… I need some advice.

I am going to rent a bike in Chiang Mai but I’m not sure what to get. There will be two parts to my time in Thailand. I’m going to spend a week or two in and around Chiang Mai and then I am going to make a big loop around Thailand. I think that a CRF250L (or similar) would be great for in and around Chiang Mai. If I want to go off road it will do fine. The price is right too at 800 bht/day.

However, I am concerned about tires on a CRF250 L for the “loop around Thailand” part. The loop is: CNX –>Udon Thani -> Nakhon Phanom -> Ubon Ratchathani -> Korat -> CNX. I think this is all tarmac, but I’m not sure. I was thinking of something like a Honda CB 400cc or Honda Super Four 400cc. (These are shown on the thread for Chiang Mai motorcycle rental shops for about 800 bht/day too.) I think it will probably be 6-8 days for the loop.

All this said, I’m looking to ya’ll for ideas. Some of the listings in the “Chang Mai Motorcycle Rental Shops” are a little dated and price/availability may not be valid. (I can’t ride a crotch rocket bike. A bum knee from jumping off a motocross bike keeps me from tucking in on a crotch rocket.) Obviously cost is a factor, but tell me what you think… will the CRF250L be good for everything?... or ??? and where is the best place to rent these days.

By the way, I’m going to Laos for a couple of weeks too riding mostly off-road, so any rent suggestions for this part are welcome. (Don… Mr. Midnight Mapper… has told me that everything in Vientiane comes from Furtak but I’m open to other ideas in other areas if that makes sense.
 
Hi NKPBob, maybe you could consider renting a newer Honda CB500, the CB400's are quite old, so for some extra money less chance on technical issues (far from the rental shop too!). Since you are doing quite a distance on tarmac in the Isarn I guess you would want a more comfortable bike like a Honda CB or a Kawa Versys.

Cannot comment on a bike rental shop as I live in Chiang Rai but the other guys will surely inform you.

Have fun on your upcoming trip!
 
Thanks for the info.

I don't want to sound too "cheap" but since I'll be renting something for most of my five weeks in the region, I do have pay attention. Ok... maybe I'm cheap. *big grin*

A question for "2Wheels"... would you consider doing the trip on your CRF250 L since you already own it... or would you rent something (CB500x). The total distance for my "loop" is a bit over 2000 km. It seems that the price for me to rent a CRF is quite a bit lower than a CB500x.

Has anyone rented a Kawasaki ER-6n lately? The ER-6n seems to be in the same category as the CB500x. However, for an eight day rental, it looks like the ER6-n would be about 1600 bht less expensive. That's two days rental for a CRF250L.

Or??? I'm open to ideas
 
Hi Bob,

I've done what you are planning on my CRF and it's quite adequate; plus it has the ability to go off road from the main tracks.
Have also ridden Laos on my CRF without any issues.
 
Hi, there are some other factors that need consideration.

Your riding style.

How many times do you want to stop & take a photo, how is the padding on your arse and do you like to get from A to B and not really a pottering type of rider.

Both types of bike would be able to do the trip but how it's done is all about how you are used to riding.

Ally
 
Ally... you make good points. I'm probably schizophrenic in the way I travel. I'll start out on day 1 and stop at every town, village and wide spot in the road to take pics of every thing in sight. Buy the second day I won't be stopping at the wide spots in the road. By the last day I'll be tucked in, throttle screwed on, and only slowing down for fuel or a pee.

I guess that's not much help huh. Oh... and there's not much padding in my bum.

Maybe I should tell you that I will probably ride about 250-275 km each day with a couple of 350 km days. The last day will be a bit over 500 km unless I break the last day into 2 days.)

"2 Wheels"... Thanks for the info. I am leaning toward the CRF250 L since it's much less expensive and I do like the idea that I can go off the main roads if I want.

Any other thoughts from anyone?

Oh... I should add that I will be by myself, so no "two up" riding. And since I'm going to be by myself, I would welcome others to come along. The loop part of the trip will be the last part of Feb & first part of March. (Exact dates TBD as I massage the plan.)
 
The CRF would do you fine and tick all the boxes for your ride, it would be a idea to consider something like an Airhawk to ease saddle fatigue on the longer stints.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner
 
Oh Bob, I have found that touring at 85-90kph my CRF returns around 36 kms/litre.
So a tank range would be a safe 200kms.
Good point about the seat too; I use an Airhawk which makes the whole experience more pleasant.
 
Thanks guys.

The CRF250 L would sure make things easier because I would just rent that for the whole time I'm in Thailand instead of just for the big loop that I'm doing. I haven't ruled out a "street bike" for the big loop yet, but it's getting close.

I'm also going to Laos for lots of off road stuff so it would be even better if I could take it there too. I've read some of the stuff about border crossings with rented bikes, but I'm not sure it's a good idea. It would seal the deal for a CRF250 L (or maybe an XR... or similar Kawasaki) if I could rent one bike and take it to Laos too. Any thoughts?

bsabob... I'm glad you suggested the Airhawk. I looked them up on the web and it looks like the way to go. What size do you guys think would be best for the CRF?
 
You should have no problem crossing with a rented bike most of the popular rental companies are well used to supplying paperwork for the crossings, i think you will be fine with the CRF even on your "big" loop one of the main reason why my Versys is up for sale is that i get more fun out of a 250 on the twisty roads around here.
 
bsabob... I've searched threads of this forum, but I'm still not sure about all the border crossing problems that can be encountered by a farang that knows little more than a hand full of words. Places you can cross, or can't cross?... rules that seem to change depending the person you encounter and stuff like that.

That said I'm not one to shy away from an adventure. That's why I'm going in the first place.

The other thing that I'm confused about is a bike deposit. I know that for renting normally my passport well be held as a deposit. But, if I want to go to Laos there may be a big... very big deposit and that will be a problem. On Tony's Big Bikes web site it says they want the value of the bike as a deposit if you don't want to leave your passport. Another of the places I wanted to try is "Pop Bike & Car Rental" but their web page is "broken". Mr. Mechanic's web site says nothing about deposits.

So you see my confusion. But... that's why I'm glad I've got rideasia.net and all of ya'll helping me out.
 
Some of the hire shops may be asking for big deposits since the recent spate of thefts by bogus customers in CNX and CEI, I am sure some of the local guy's in CNX can get more info for you.

As far as border crossings there are no black spots at the moment where crossing is a no no, but like many things here it could change, have a good trip.
 
NKP Bob,
This time last year I was touring Laos on my CRF with a friend who rented another CRF from Khun Lan at C&P.
K Lan asked for a 5000 baht deposit, which was very reasonable and there was no hesitation from him in returning the deposit when the undamaged bike was returned to him
about 3 weeks later. I believe he would know the latest re border crossing at Chiang Khong too.
My Airhawk is size 'Cruiser Medium' i.e. 14"X14" (35.5 x 35.5cm).
 
2wheels... that's very good information. That deposit seems very reasonable indeed. I'll try to figure out how to contact C&P. Also, on the Rider's Corner web site says that they do rentals. I suspect (hope) they may know how to set this up without an huge cash deposit to take the bike to Laos. That way I would just rent one bike for about a month. This is shaping up :cool:
 
NKPBob,

I've just now spoken to Khun Lan.

CRF is now 1,000 baht/day and he is asking for a 10,000 baht deposit (which will not become an issue upon safe return of bike).
He said his fleet is in demand because of the local High Season, so recommends you make a booking asap.

His email address is lan.c-p@windowslive.com
 
Wow 1000 a day for a CRF? List price at both C&P and Pop is 800 a day (I went to both places two days ago to rent one, but C&P's were all out.
1000 is what I'm currently paying for a Honda CB500X from Pops..got it for 5 days for 5000, normally they charge 1200 daily.
 
Yep, I was expecting to hear "800 baht/day".
Maybe a deal can be negotiated.
 
I do intend to rent for around 30 days. I was actually hoping to get a "deal" for less than 800 baht/day for that long of a rental. The web site for the place up in Chiang Rai shows 1000 baht/day, but 16000 baht/month. (http://crbigbikerentals.com/crf250.html) But... their web site also says you can't leave Thailand with the bike.

I also noted on the thread for Chiang Mai bike rentals shows all the shops rent CRF205 L (or similar) bikes for 800 bath/day. While a couple hundred more for one day doesn't seem like a huge amount, that's 6000 over 30 days.

One other thought... if it's the Laos part of the trip that's driving the price up, I would just go with the original plan to rent a different bike in Laos.
 
I am pretty sure that CR Big Bike Rentals will allow to take the CRF into Laos, PM me for the owner's details if you like.
 
Well, it looks like I'm back to something like the original plan. Rent one bike for my time in Thailand... go to Vientiane and rent a different bike for my time in Laos. It seems that if I want to rent in Thailand that I can also take to Laos, either the daily price is increased along with a semi-reasonable deposit... or a very reasonable price with a 50,000 baht deposit.

With the help of the folks here, I think I have determined that a CRF250 L or similar Kawasaki will be fine for all my travels.

Any one have more suggestions?
 
Just spoken to the owner of Chiang Rai big bike rentals he can do a CRF for 18K for the month, BUT he said he would want around 70K deposit if you go to Laos, sounds high but when you think about it should you have god forbid a fatal accident while there the chances of him getting what remains if the bike back are slim so hence the high returnable deposit.

Guess other companies will sing the same tune , let me know.

I notice his site already quotes 16K, so i guess he's good with that, he was a little preoccupied when i called :ride:
 
Thanks bsabob... I guess it does make sense that the folks have to protect themselves against any eventuality. I was hoping that there was some kind of theft or loss insurance... or something like that. At any rate, I'm looking at renting in Thailand for 15 days (maybe a few more) and not taking that bike to Laos. Then I'll go to Laos and rent there for another 14 days.

One of the things that approach saves me is any of the border crossing worries. With my almost nonexistent Thai and Laotian language skills, it will solve that problem.

All that said, I'm still looking for the best way to go for the rental in Thailand. (I think I've already figured out the Laos rental.)
 
CRF 250L

I am really glad that people are singing the praises of the CRF 250L as that is what I have booked for 1000 baht a day with a 20,000 baht deposit, and I have got it for 5 weeks
 
If you are not going off-road you should also consider renting a sccoter. Many of the newer ones are more comfortable than a CRF250. Have a look at Honda Click for example. Have a big seat and you can rent one for 1000 baht per week. You can get a flat fixed just about anywhere. A scooter is also better around town than any other bike. A scooter also attracts less attention from the corrupt "police". The scooter cruise nice at 70-80 km/h all day long, no road in Thailand is reasonable safe over 90 km/h. Is it worth paying 5-10 times the rent for that extra speed?
 
I own a CRF-M, the motard version. Based 1/2 way between BKK and CM on #11, it's 375k either way. Rode to/from CM many times. If travelling at 80 hahaha could get by with 1 fuel stop but at 100 and + kph requires 3 x 1.5 hour legs and expect fuel as low as 26kpl at these speeds.
It's poky enough for the mad shit that will happen around you - steers nice and quick too.
Rented the Honda for 2 up and did Mae Hon Son loop on it. Once you get it rolling it's OK but I was dissapointed. It's big but doesn't have enough get up and go, IMO. It ran 22-25kpl. More comfortable seating over CRF.
Summary -
There are places I'd take the CRF I wouldn't take the 500.
Same Honda Wave over CRF. Depends how fast you want to go. Did a 526k day on the from Wave Mae Sariang home - sat on mostly and only up to 80kph.
Make sure you get a rack and grab the CRF, if the seat height isn't an impediment.
 
I intend on doing a bit of both (on road and off road) during my travels of Thailand and Laos
 
Wayne - I hope that you have permission from the rental shop to take the bike out of Thailand AND that they will prepare the form that you will have to posess to exit at the border.
 
BobS said:
Wayne - I hope that you have permission from the rental shop to take the bike out of Thailand AND that they will prepare the form that you will have to posess to exit at the border.
Click to expand...

BobS
Yeah they have said they can do me the paperwork, thats what I have booked for, so all being well....

Wayne
 
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