Captions for the photos above have been added.
Now this really continues on from
a-striker-run-in-trip-t8743.html
& a visa run.
As the old At was out of action with an electrical short it was time to test out an ER6 from Mr Mechanic.
True to form I was away late (don't you just love living with a singer who comes home from work at 3Am plus most nights.)
It was a bit of thrash straight down the main highway R118 Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai, with one solitary stop at Charin Resort for some fattening cheesecake & a cappu.
In CEI I rendezvouz-ed with the Kiwi Cruiser who was delayed & having trouble with a certain ATM machine that happily gobbled up his money deposit & did not issue a receipt. :shock:
Doi Tung it was then to catch some later afternoon light & again the ER6n was wound up nicely.
The bike really zips along but above 125-130 without a fairing your chest fills up with air diverting upwards into your helmet & the faster I went the more I felt my head being taken off. At 150KPH it did not feel great. So a comfy cruising speed would have to be 120-125 IMHO.
Jurgen's laughing Buddha at Wat Phra That Doi Tung
just to confirm it's location after his first visit many many years ago, but he forgot where the temple was.
For us mature grey haired old hands who remember, the Buddha used to be in another location in front of the "wishing well" hole in the ground, but it was moved 3 or 4 years ago, for what reason I don't know.
Back down the road is Wat Doi Tung
which at the end of the day & at the right time has some nice light shining on it.
This temple guardian looks like he had a heavy night, the night before.
but the air was perfectly clear at the army viewpoint overlooking Burma on the back road for the sundown run into Mae Sai.
The Kiwi Cruiser
The army guys playing takraw after a hard day at the office.
and what a refreshing view & mountain air they get to endure everyday.
THE NEXT MORNING
Breakfast - getting a decent western breakfast in Mae Sai has always been a bit of a challenge.
Where
but the Top North Hotel seems to be able to deliver, with good fresh coffee / cappuccino.
Check them out, & if anyone else has any western breakfast suggestions for Mae Sai please tip us off.
The Top North is also convenient towards the end of the main road, not far from the bridge.
The Ruak River & The Thai - Burma border, looking upstream.
Mae Sai city
and a panorama of Tachilkek - Mae Sai from Wat Doi Wao
Mae Sai - Doi Tung via the Burma border road
Heading for the hills
and it's a big hill
Riding the border ridge line lined up for the Big Dipper
The big dipper
Onward & upward
Back on the ridge line
Cresting the next ridge line
Route 1338 Mae Fa Luang - R1130 Doi Mae Salong
3.30Pm & lunch at Sweet Mae Salong :thumbup:
A Panini, washed down with 2 cappus, assisted by a Tiramisu.
I'm still amazed at the high standard of food & drink Ton & Mee are turning out at Sweet Mae Salong. Make sure you DON'T MISS them whenever you pass through Doi MAe Salong. :clap:
Mrs Mee "The Angel of Sweet Mae Salong" in her kitchen. :angel:
It was 4PM when I left Doi Mae Salong & I was in a rush to get home before dark. So no time for too many piccies
R1234
R1089
Arrival time in Cnx was 6.50Pm after a lengthy fuel & drink stop in Fang, to insert the liner into my Alpinestars mesh jacket.
IMPRESSIONS RIDING AN ER6N
I certainly enjoyed riding the ER6. It packs a nice good punch - more than the AT. It is very quick & nimble in the mountain twisties. It has fantastic brakes. Better than at AT.
But the suspension is not perfect & you can catch yourself out if you're not paying close enough attention to the road surface. The bike can & does wallow on bumpy uneven surfaces in the bends. However many other bikes would bounce around a bit too in those trying conditions.
I did however enjoy the ride from Mae Sai - Doi Tung - Doi Mae Salong - Fang - Chiang Dao twisties & gave the bike the berries (Fred Gassit.) You can have great fun riding an ER6 in the mountains.
The lack of a fairing can be a nuisance once you get above 125, but if you're new & just touring around at a leisurely pace this won't bother you. The AT is a big winner in the fairing department.
It's also economical on fuel & I reckon my Africa Twin fuel bill would be close to double an ER6!
The bike is a lot smaller than my AT & the seating / riding position is a lot different, not that it seemed to bother me at the time pushing & riding the hard in the mountains. But it's not a touring bike for me.......now a new Kawasaki Versys has definitely got my interest!
The only downside is 48 hrs later I've now got my left arm in a sling - damaged tissue around my wonky humerus. Doctor Sudhee's request / order - stay off the bike & rest it for at least a week.
So it looks like I had too much fun on the ER6. :lol:
Enjoy & keep riding guys. I will be about riding on the Honda Wave, despite the good Doctor's request.
:lol-sign: