2 weeks Feb Trip - need some advice

[rorider]

Hey guys, i'm fairly new here. Been lurking for a while and reading all the interesting threads, but now I need a bit of advice and guidance from all you good people. Thanks in advance.

I'll be traveling to Chiang Mai in the beginning of February and planning to do a bike trip for about 2+ weeks with another 2 friends. Starting and ending point of the bike trip will be Chiang Mai.

We ride enduro/dirt bikes at home (Toronto,Canada) and we would like to experience the Northern part of Thailand in a more of a 50/50 paved/dirt roads way. We're thinking of renting a couple of CRF205's load them up and head for the mountains, dirt and adventure

Is this a silly dream or actually doable? I noticed in most RR that the northern roads are paved and looking real good, so maybe a CRF250 would be pointless and we should get something more like a CB500X.
What can you tell me about this?

Cheers.

 

[DavidFL]

There's a lot of dirt out there on the MHS Loop if you want to do it.
But the distance are not great & often the scenery is no better than on the asphalt roads; unless you're into riding single track.

You could take a CRF250 for a few days, then swap over to a road bike.
What's best for you, you will be able to decide only after you comeback.

Check these out
https://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/showthread.php/37835-Epic-Northern-Thailand-Dirt-Tour!-5-days-and-1200km-of-offroad-fun!

An oldie, but still applicable
https://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/showthread.php/26037-The-MHS-Loop-Checking-Dirt-Roads-amp-Trails

There's a North Thailand asphalt trip planner in here
https://www.gt-rider.com/tour-options

BTW if you're other 2 friends are not experienced dirt riders, then perhaps it best to play it safe & stick to the asphalt.