Good bike mechanics away from the big cities

[Captain_Slash]

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Is there any good shop around Chiang Rai area (or up north, Mae Sai/ChiangKhong) for servicing a Phantom.
Was to Greenwing in Chiang Sean, but what I saw there so far, I wouldn't recommend bringing your bike there. Even not for a simple oil change.

I have just used any Honda dealer at whatever town that I happen to be in for my services and now at 104,000 km still havent had any problems

[David Learmonth]

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I can recommend Greenwing In BanPaSakLuang. Roughly half way between MaeChan & ChiangSaen. Ask for Khun Prasid. He is first rate. Thorough, clean & your Phantom will not be left with spanner rash. He looks after my Bonneville for me & in nearly 4 years I have no complaints, only praise for him. He can understand limited English & if you write what you need doing in English - he will understand most of it. Its on the left hand side of the road as you come from MaeChan, just as you are about to leave the village & just before the local town hall.

[jethro69]

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I was already there, although just for checking out the bikes, when I was still chasing after a new Phantom. However great tip, and quite nearby (20km).
Just one question, do you live nearby, or did you not trust the shops in Mae Chan ???

[jethro69]

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Ok. I'll list what I don't like about this shop, and I hope you'll not tell me that's all Honda have to offer.

1st As I got the bike second hand, and did not knowing at all, if serviced or not or how, I went for a oil change, as I couldn't open the drain plug (remember the thread “ Why do Thai mechanics overtighten everything”), so I went there, and the guy did the change. As me and my GF were checking the scooters, but in my opinion he loosened only the plug, never took out the filter (metal screen) to check. I was not 100% sure about that, so I shout my mouth. He put in 1L oil, never checked the level. I did that when back home, and it was way over maximum. A couple of days I was back, as we were interested in a scooter, they made the oil change on a Honda Wave, exactly the same way, just loosing the drain plug not removing it.
A week later, after getting a decent spanner, I made another change myself, I took out almost 1,2L (Pepsi bottle), putting 1L in, oil level correct.

2nd Ordered a new front tyre, and was told it take one week to get it. Actually it arrived yesterday and they fitted it today. That`s not that big issue, also considering the new year holidays, but if you're touring, it will. What I didn't like, is that the mechanic disappeared with the bike to another “shop” to get the tyre fitted, without saying a word. Furthermore the girl in the office tried to charge me twice for the work.

3th We were after a new scooter, and after a bit research I thought the Honda “Click-i Forward” would be a good choice, this comes with “Combi brake” (front and rear brake actuated together) and alloy wheels. They had no on display, and told my GF the “Tune-up” is the same, they will change the spoke wheels to alloy wheels for a fee. No word about that you'll not have the “Combi break” then.
When deciding to purchase one, they tried also to push us to take one on display, (they come in white, black, and red) we opted for the red, they were quite resisted to our choice. I almost loosed my temper, and just told them, either you get one, or we'll go to other places, where we saw them before.

It' a little bit of a dilemma, the bike will stay here in Chiang Sean, (I'm not riding it), and tell some Thais they have to drive 20Km or more for servicing to keep the warranty. I would wonder if they go at all.

[David Learmonth]

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I live 4 kms from Greenwing BanPaSakLuang - so I have no need to go to MaeChan. A friend of mine who lives in MaeChan takes his Phantom to the Greenwing shop there (on the corner just after Kasikorn Bank on your right) & has no complaints about them at all. Again - I will recommend Prasid at Greenwing BPSK. We bought our Honda Wave new from them & have found their service to be excellent. Very little English between the "desk" staff but always helpful & polite - I can usually manage with my limited Thai speaking but if any problem just let my wife do the talking. Give BPSK a try - but do state you would like Prasid to do the work. You can tell them Lung David & Pi Saifon from BanMai sent you if you like. I trust the man - he does things the way I want them doing - if he didn't I would not let him loose on my Triumph Bonneville! They do have another mechanic there who is competent with scooters but not really with motorcycles.

[jethro69]

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Was there yesterday to have my carburetor cleaned. 45 min and 100 bath later, and the bike was again running perfectly. Will use the place in the future. Chain and sprockets will probably be the next.....