The Golden Triangle Rider

[gobs]

Hi all!

I recently saw for sale in Chiang Mai "enduro bikes" from the brand PLATINUM. There are two models: 125 cm3 and 175 cm3...
OK, as "tools" made in China, the "finishing" isn't at the top: painting, plastics, and weldings are not so good. If I'm right, the engine is a copy of the Honda one.
I met a guy who rides one of these bikes (it was one 175 cm3) for several months now (and 3000 km on the clock) and he told me that apart some bolts to tighten from time to time, these are "correct bikes for the price"...
Sure, I saw the 175 cm3 model, new and ready to go, at 47000 Baths! The price of a Honda Click... And green book and plate at the time of buying!
I think for Farangs (80 Kg or so... Hum!) better to ride one 175 cm3...

Anybody have already some experience with these PLATINUM? Some advices, some critics, some bad or good tips?.. I red here and there on the forum someones enjoying off-road with these bikes...

In fact, I'm looking for an old 25O XLR or DR or XXX 4 strokes. But with green book and plate and in "correct condition", they are not sold cheap. State of the market for these bikes, I suppose...
So in my head the idea of buying one of these PLATINUM.
Good or bad idea?

Thanks in advance.
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Tomorrow is another day!..

[Ian Bungy]

I have Never heard a Good report about a Platinum! In Phuket someone got the Consumers Board onto them and they were Banned from sale on the Island due to Unsafe and Inferior Build Quality and No Parts, Service Backup. Then the Guy from Chiang Mai took over who i have meet and indirectly had a small dealing with, An Unscrupulous Dirty Mongrel not to be Trusted would be Polite words to say about the Guy He would "Pinch the eye out of a Dead Mans Head and S**T in the hole" I have multiple Chinese Bikes and they are not up to Japanese Standards Yet but are definitely closing the Gap. You don't want to go to Far on a Platinum as you could have reliability Issues I would Pick the New Thai Made "Tiger CX135" over it anyday. These are available at the Dealer by the Train Station and are Great around town. Both Myself and Pikey have the Older 125 Model and mine has had a Fair Thrashing from the Staff and No Problems. You are welcome to call in the X-Centre and take mine for a Test. Last i heard they Cost 43,000 Baht for the Top one with Manual Clutch, Oil Cooler, Gas Shocks etc. Also they have a Plate/Book. Good Luck Mate!
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Cheers Ian
www.chiangmai-xcentre.com

[SilverhawkUSA]

I was going to comment.........but I sure can't say any more than Ian already has !

Ditto on the Tiger. I have a Tiger Joker 120cc that we have been riding for more than 4 years without any major problems at all. Also good service from the dealer in CNX.
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Dave Early

As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do. ~Andrew Carnegie

[pikey]

Yep, right enough about Platinum by all accounts. As for the Tiger, I think Gobs wants a "proper" looking motorbike - backbone frame, petrol tank between the kneees e.t.c as opposed to an underbone type bike.
My personal experience of the Tiger is that it's OK, a bit buzzy at high revs and the build quality whilst prob better than some/most Chinese bikes, still has a way to go to match Japanese standards. If you want a decent "proper" off-roader/trail bike then a second-hand Honda/Yam e.t.c is the way to go but you'll pay strong money for a decent one with a plate. If you just want to fly around town and have a play in the mountains, then a Tiger will do the trick and put a smile on your face at the same time
Cheers,
Pikey.
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"Belligerent, honest, sarcastic and rides like an arse? Hmmm, that'll be me then! "

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