My New 2011 WR450F

**johnnysneds** · 16th May 2011, 04:42 PM

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

**johnnysneds** · 16th June 2011, 02:37 PM

Today I fitted a multi-point charging system to the WR.

Ive had this now for a few years and you can get them from here:
http://www.locatis.eu

They've also got a lot of other handy charging accessories to suit your bike.

Its waterproof and has worked flawlessly on my other bikes.
I basically got it for charging my phone and camera when on the go.

Ive mounted it at the rear so I can charge gadgets in my rear luggage while riding.

The step down transformer will accept voltages between 10-30 Volts dc and output 5 Volts dc for all your electronic needs. Used Velcro stripe and secured it under my seat for easy access/removal.

The unit will supply a max current of 1.0 Amp and has an inline fuse of 1A as shown.

I was hoping I could operate my helmet camera while charging it at the same time, unfortunately it wont power up when the USB slot is being powered. Charging only. Im sure there will be a way to bypass this. Would be good to not worry about the battery expiring just before those special moments.

**johnnysneds** · 7th August 2011, 10:36 AM

The WR is now 100% legal in Thailand. The book/paperwork/insurance/tax all checks out on a Bangkok number plate, awesome.

Nice number too

**Ian Bungy** · 7th August 2011, 02:26 PM

Wow!~ Well Done Johnny, I think You are the Only Person I know who has got through the System and ended up with a Completely Legit Plate! Hat's Off to You!

**johngooding** · 7th August 2011, 03:23 PM

I echo Ian' well done, and must be a great feeling, that now you know that the bike is not only mechanically all A1, but it is also fully legal. I have to add that I do know a number of people who have used Bangkok companies to get a legal book for new unused bikes with all the right invoice paperwork, Brian for instance with several bikes, and of course people like Red Baron, do it all the time. These are not cheap and of course the bike has to go for the emission tests, so it takes time. I guess from the time of Johnny's initial posting it took a month or so longer than the initial quoted 3 months.

**brian66** · 7th August 2011, 03:33 PM

I don’t understand it but I am intrigued by this Thailand registration system.
Johnny has stated that he has registered his bike and now has a green book, plate and papers.
In the past four years I have purchased an R1, FZ1 and two CBR1000rr in Thailand. All were brand new parts imported bikes.
All were put through the system in Bangkok and I received the revered Green book, plates and the small square bike mounted registration paper.
All the Green books had matching frame an engine numbers. No frame numbers had been changed on the bikes. Still original numbers as I have my Singapore Blade also and the frame number on that is identical in font and stamp position, quantity of numbers, colour, layout etc.
Thanks to John Gooding noticing that the FZ1 green book described the bike as a Harley Davison I had it changed at the land transport office in Kumphawapi to Yamaha.
I changed the colour of one of my blades and I had that change noted in the green book.
I have since sold the R1 and the buyer changed the papers into his name in Bangkok. No issues for him.
Everything seems to be above board and legal with all these bikes. However, I realise they are not technically legal as they were imported in parts (legally) and assembled then licensed through whatever corrupt system is used. (This is the possible and likely illegal part)
The parts had the excise duty paid so that part was legal. To get the Green book the bikes had to go to Bangkok for over one month. This all seems to be the same process Johnny used.
I have heard of Grey books but mine are definitely Green. Or is that colour just a figure of speech?
It seems all my bikes have legitimate papers however if I take Ian’s statement at face value it seems my papers may not equal Johnny’s in legality.
Can anyone describe to me what is the difference between my bikes registration plates, green book, tax excise documents and Johnny’s just completed process?

**johngooding** · 7th August 2011, 03:54 PM

Hi Brian,
I would say that yours and Johnny's Green books are all legal, as you have seen, you are able to change details and even ownership in the book without any problem. They are all new bikes and books and the book contains the correct original manufacturer's frame and engine numbers. All the correct details are on Thailands vehicle computer system.
Both yours and Johnny's bike were imported new with invoice paperwork, with correct part numbers and the correct tax paid for importing those parts. The cost of the new book to you reflects the cost of emission testing and whatever other tax is paid to make the bike fully legal, plus of course whatever the agent who does the work takes as commission. I do not know if this is done thro the front door as it were, or through internal contacts in the transport office concerned, either way it is a good Green book.
The grey books are also green in colour, but are not belonging to the bike in question, so something has been changed, most commonly the bike frame number changed to reflect the book number and then a new engine number registered in the book. It is possible to continue to tax and insure these bikes at any office, but ownership change in the book, can be difficult or impossible depending which office one uses. Sometimes the guy who provided the grey (green colour) book can effect the change at the office he has 'good contacts' in. Would be interesting for you to get an answer from Red Baron on how he gets his books.

**brian66** · 7th August 2011, 04:18 PM

Thanks for that explanation John. Vikrom keeps his contacts close to his chest and he has always been reluctant, at least he is to me, to talk about his contacts or process. This is why I think there are shady dealings going on as if it were a legit and open process there is no need for confidentiality.
However, I feel completely satisfied and comfortable that my bikes are legal.
Johnny procured his WR450 through the same person that I used from 2006 to procure my FZ1, R1, WR450, CRF450R and YZ250. That person was very shady in my dealings with him to say the least. But he always came good in the end and delivered.
My two blades are from Red Baron and I was and still are completely satisfied with Vikrom’ s service.
That same person took my FZ1 and R1 to Bangkok and completed the registration process; bike was gone for a month, plate and papers maybe 4 months later. 80,000 Baht each.
It annoys me that one can't just enter a motorcycle shop in Thailand and buy whatever brand takes ones fancy. I was spoilt by the huge range of brands and cheap prices in Australia.
I would like to buy an Aprilia V4 naked. But where to get????