The Golden Triangle Rider

[Captain_Slash]

Has anybody had any experience with or owned both of these bikes? I would appreciate hearing the pros and cons of both of them
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

UK 19 Gold Medals, Whinging Aussies 14

[pikey]

I know I'm not answering the question directly Col but in my opinion Honda is the better quality bike and is easier to find someone to work on it in the (unlikely) event that it breaks down in the arse-end of nowhere - I.E the places you like to go!

Look at the rental shops - 100% Phantoms to my knowledge and our 5 very very rarely give us problems and we've never had to go out and recover one. 'Nuff said...


Cheers,

Pikey.
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"Belligerent, honest, sarcastic and rides like an arse? Hmmm, that'll be me then! "

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[Captain_Slash]

Cheers Jeff, I had a Honda Phantom six years ago and probably will buy another for for this holiday but someone suggested that the Kawasaki Boss was a lighter quicker machine. Like you say though the Honda could be fixed anywhere. Until we know the full range of available new bikes from every manufacturer that is going to open bike shops here I dont want to make an expensive purchase only to wish that I had waited as something better then came along
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

UK 19 Gold Medals, Whinging Aussies 14

[katana]

Boss is a nice bike and ultra reliable. Would be nicer with a 250cc and 6 speed though.

Mark
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58/60 Ratchamankha Road
Chiang Mai 50200
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[danwhite]

They are both much of a muchness. The phantom is heavier and slower but Honda dealerships are everywhere. They are both underpowrered in any case. The Boss is super reliable and seems less tacky in the chrome department. The newer phantoms also have horrible pseudo American paintwork which is all Harley-imitation-type-fiery-dick-waving stuff. Doesn't wash on a 200cc bike and is fairly vulgar on a proper American machine.

The Boss sticks on 90-100kph quite happily depending on wind direction and is very comfortable. Its seems to hold its torque well for a little engine. Mine has been up to Chiang Mai and the loop and all that as well as all around Cambodia. Over to Ubon and Surin as well. Sanglaburi a few times as well. All over really. No complaints. The only problems have been because of my own bad judgement. Burned out clutch plates.

Both machines can be fixed anywhere and parts are plentiful and cheap. For about a thousand quid brand new they are both excellent value....... Both would also be better if they were a 350......

The Kawasaki people on Rama IX are very good as well in terms of repars and so on.

Anyway..... There isn't much in it really.
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www.danwhite.org

[KenYam]

Phantom is reliable, good resale value, easy to service & repair, seat is shyte, power low therefore needs 6 gears which is alot better than the Kawa. I am happy with mine but I agree a 300 to 350cc would be better for beer guzzling farangs at least.
Sorry Slash I thought the national identity was whinging Pom and bronzed Aussie who gives a shyte about medals! Break it down to medals per country population and Aussie will always win & when the useless Aussie politians start paying bucks to athletes as the Poms do the playing field will be very compeditive, which is bloody guarrenteed ha ha, all the best .
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Enjoy Life and Bikes

[danwhite]

Actually the dealership thing is important. I live about ten minutes from the Kawa shop in BKK....... But elsewhere it's very patchy. There are places in Surin and Chiajg mai for instance..... But not in Chiang rai where I wanted to get a service done..... If I was upcountry I think I would have probably got a honda..... although I would have done something about the paintjob. Everywhere has a honda shop...... Even Thong Pha Pum..... And thats saying something.
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www.danwhite.org

[KZ]

Of course a 350 is a better bike, obviously.
I've had both, the Boss and the Phantom, but not for long, maybe a year and I put about 2-3K km on each of them. All in all I never thought small bikes like these could be that satisfying. Naturally you'd have to compare them to a Honda wave, and they're quite a step up.
The Honda is definitely the better bike, but it's als more expensive. It has six gears and a disc brake in the rear, and 25cc more do make a difference. Talking about the engine, the Kawa has a street bike engine, the more you rev it, the more it goes; the Honda has a longer stroke, more midrange and it even vibrates a little, like a small chopper should. If you ride them back-toback you'll realize that they may look similar, but are two completely different bikes. The Boss has this big chrome thing on the tank which reflected the sun right into my face, REALLY annoying! Good things on the Kawa: footpegs are more forward and give you a roomier seating position, and the headlight is super strong at night. The Honda has a better sound and feel, plus more power. You can ride up a slight incline in 6th gear at only 60km/h and the little engine pulls fine. No surprise there are more Phantoms than Boss on the road! - The rear tire on the Phantom lasts 25K km and a new one is cheap. Top speed one-up is about 135km/h - not bad!

[Peter Hooper]

Colin, some specs;
Weight-Ph140, B132. Wbase-Ph 1505, B1460. Seat Height-Ph 699, B 685. Tyres same size for both-front 17in 90/90, rear 15in130/90. Ph has tubeless. Gears-Ph 6, B 5. CC-Ph 196.5, B174. Wheels-Ph alloy fr 3 spokes, rear dish, B steel spoked or 3 spoke alloy. Brakes-Ph fr & rear disc, B fr disc, rear drum. Tank- Ph 11.2ltr, B 14ltr.

These 2 bikes look very much alike with their pleasing cruiser styling. The Phantom is heavier all around including suspension, frame, chain(Oring) and sprockets. I have 2 Phantoms one here and one in Australia with about 30K on each. I have not had a single maintenance issue with either apart from a few bulbs and 2 tyres. Some of the earlier ones I understand had some timing chain problems but this was modified. As KZ has said 135 would be tops but this is not an issue with you.
I have not owned a Boss but those I have spoken to with them like them and say they are reliable. They also have a trip meter which the Phantom annoyingly does not have. I will have to check out the 14ltr tank, it seems large.
Cheers,
Peter
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"The Journey is the Destination"

[Captain_Slash]

Thank you all for your replies, it sounds as though another Phantom is probably the next bike then
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

UK 19 Gold Medals, Whinging Aussies 14

[KZ]

Way to go. Looks, sound and resale value are also important, and the Honda scores here, too.

[Ian Bungy]

Come On Captain, You can do better than That Really from a New BMW F650 to a Honda Phantom Why don't you try one of these First

Get some Soft Bags for Luggage and You are away!!! Should be Easy to Sell when you are Finished as Well, and Only 150.000 Baht for a New Fuel Injected Bike with a Plate, More Power, Suspension and Handling? Has to be better than a Phantom I am Sure?
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Cheers Ian
www.chiangmai-xcentre.com

[KZ]

Twice the price but thrice as nice!

[Captain_Slash]

10,000 km in a month is what I usually ride, the seat on the D-Tracker doesnt look very comfortable for this sort of mileage. I agree it looks great and is a good price but what about servicing and spares availibility out of the main cities?
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

UK 19 Gold Medals, Whinging Aussies 14

[KZ]

Make sure the seating position agrees with you - personally I couldn't go long distance on a chopper, even though it seems that they're made for it. You're sitting straight up, legs forward, which puts all the strain on your lower back, no matter how soft the seat. Every bump compresses your spine. Then your arms are straight forward, if you go faster than 90km/h you get buffered by the wind, after a couple of hours I feel like my arms stretched an inch. Even a fairing doesn't do much good since you're too far back, you'd need a Gold Wing size shield to be effective. Also I don't really feel in control when my legs are forward, I need he bike between my legs, knees on the tank. A big bump at high speed leaves you hanging onto the handlebar, butt in the air, the heavy rear end out of control. No way I'd do 300km a day on a chopper! Well, actually I did 550km on a Phantom, but I changed position often, put my feet on the rear pegs and leaned way forward - I must have looked like an idiot on that little chopper, but I'm sure I'm not the only one!
I'd recommend the bike for short trips to the beach, around town, it's very comfortable for two, doing a bit of cruising the backroads. Nothing better out there. But for doing 10K km a month I'd recommend the CBR150R - if we're talking value for money. I did 700km on one day, from Bang Saphan to Trat, through BKK, on my way to Sihanoukville, it's possible, but I won't do it again. Or what about a Ninja 250? Goes like stink and is legal, and if you need tires, brake pads or a chain you'll have to plan a bit in advance. But you'd get two CBRs for that money, maybe that's a point to consider if you ride that much...

[Captain_Slash]

KZ
I find sports bikes the most uncomfortable things ever made, no thanks. I bought a Phantom in Bangkok in 2002 and rode it up to CNX then all over Thailand down as far as Krabi, I did a second similar trip the next year on it. These trips were completed before I had ever heard about GT-Rider so none of it was ever posted about on here. The BMW F650GS that I rode was not really comfortable for long journeys, the only two bikes that I found I could ride comfortably all day were my Honda Varadero and my current UK bike a Harley Sportster, which has a touring seat fitted as the standard was definitely not for long distance touring. If the Bm wasnt comfortable for long journeys then the D-Trackers seat look like it has all the comforts of an ironing board
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

UK 19 Gold Medals, Whinging Aussies 14

[KZ]

Have you ever thought about getting a scooter? No joke. Even though scooters are a joke to lots of people, including me. But last time I had a look at the Big Bike shop I saw a 600cc twin-cylinder scooter, and the thing went like stink! It had a real comfy seating position, big, wide seat, a huge, angled screen for real wind protection and you can move your feet around the floor boards. Storage space is under the seat for helmet and a duffel bag. This thing would be ideal for long distance, it's like sitting at home watching TV while the scenery flies by. I was quite impressed, this thing makes a lot of sense!
But I'd never buy one because I feel like an idiot or an old man on one.
Kind of sad, because if I think about loading up my bike for a trip, tying the bag down with bungee cords, then the co-rider has to squeeze in, and maybe leans onto my back, I'm sure I'd be more relaxed when I arrive if I had a scooter!
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The possibility of the impossible makes the impossible a possibility.

[Captain_Slash]

I guess you mean the Honda 600cc Silverwing, I was loaned one once whilst mine was being serviced and yes it does go like stink but its not what I want for Thailand though. This time next year there should be a lot more choice on the Thai market as hopefully all the interested manufacturers should have their shops up and running.
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

UK 19 Gold Medals, Whinging Aussies 14

[KZ]

So it's a Phantom until then?
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The possibility of the impossible makes the impossible a possibility.