Bangkok to Nan with Kawasaki, Thailand and Outdoor Thailand Magazine, December 2012

[TonyBKK]

Just got back from a fantastic weekend ride sponsored by Kawasaki, Thailand and Outdoor Magazine-

Cool mix of bikes- mostly Kawa 650's (Ninja 650, ER6n and Versys, but also a few Ninja 250's, Z1000's, a ZX10R, a GTR1400 and the mighty new ZX14R)-

Early morning rendezvous at Kawasaki Rama 9 in Bangkok-

Departure-

Pit stop with drinks and snacks at the Kawasaki dealer in Nakhon Sawan-

Lunch!

We always eat well on these Kawasaki rides-

Fantastic Route 1339-

The 1339 ends abruptly at a reservoir with a dirt track leading down to a ferry crossing-

Panorama-

On the ferry to Ban Pak Nai, Nan, Thailand-

This was December 21st, the "End of the World" according to some. I didn't give it much credence, till I saw the state of this "ferry"... :shock:

The "ferry" is actually more like a dilapidated old barge, and it's towed by a long tail boat-

Tom and Dam on the ferry to Ban Pak Nai-

We made it!!

Drank and karaoke'd till we passed out. Funny night!

Sunrise at Ban Pak Nai-

Early morning at Ban Pak Nai, Nan Province-

The ZX14R looks good at any time of the day

Khun Pep with his Z1000 stunt bike-

Wat Pumin, Nan, Thailand-

 

[TonyBKK]

We stopped at Ton Sak Yai National Park, home to the oldest living Teak Tree in the world (really??)

Stopped here to see the sights and enjoy some refreshments-

Can't really remember if it's the "biggest" or the "oldest" Teak Tree.... I imagine there must be some undiscovered teak trees in other parts of SE Asia that might give it a run for the money-

Route 1339 is a fantastic road!

Had some good fun chasing this KTM 990 Adventure. My pillion is a good sport

Eventually we caught up with some other bikes- ZX10R and Ninja 650R-

End of the road!

 

[Franz]

Another great trip & report Tony !! Also hats-off for Kawasaki to organise soooooo many bike events !! Looks like a lot of fun, obviously mainly Thai participants - so no whining and extra services for individuals 555555555. Cheers, Franz

 

[TonyBKK]

Franz;285934 wrote: Another great trip & report Tony !! Also hats-off for Kawasaki to organise soooooo many bike events !! Looks like a lot of fun, obviously mainly Thai participants - so no whining and extra services for individuals 555555555. Cheers, Franz

Cheers Franz,

Yes, it had been a while since I've been on one of Kawasaki, Thailand's tours and it was refreshing to ride with such happy easy going bikers. No whinging or egos, just a lot of smiles and Thai sanook!

Hell, we even found some ***** out in the sticks!

Look forward to the next one! Cheers!

 

[Franz]

Tony, these fotos speak for themselves !! Next one you are on, please let me know !! Cheers, FR

 

[brian_bkk]

Nice report and trip.. Wish I could have gone.

Will try and make the next one.

Cheers
Brian

 

[nikster]

wish i could have gone! when's the next one?

 

[TonyBKK]

Some more pictures from the Kawasaki ride to Nan, Thailand. Black and whites are all courtesy of Khun Yutt.

In front of the Thai-Lao border crossing Customs House at Thung Chang-

We discovered here that two of us had picked up punctures on the scuzzy border road from Bo Klua. (A third puncture was discovered later). I swear the villagers must throw scrap metal on the road- seems every time I ride this way some one gets a puncture.

Anyway, amazing Thailand- local tin shack mechanic had us sorted in 5 minutes flat for 50 Baht a puncture (about $1.60)

Let the Good Times ROLL!

 

[TonyBKK]

We stayed in the National Park Bungalows in Doi Phu Kha National Park-

Very nice!

I'm told they cost only 400 Baht (~US$13) a night for a 4 bed bungalow- amazing value!

Bikes parked out in front on Sunday morning-

Hearty breakfast and hot coffee on a chilly morning-

Our lovely house-mates, Tom and Dam-

Good morning Khun Pep!

As they always do, Kawasaki handed out a bunch of prizes and souvenirs-

It was a LONG ride back to Bangkok- over 800km, and with a puncture and a long lunch and a lot of photo stops we didn't get back till after dark, but everyone made it back in one piece, no crashes, no drama, so all's is well that ends well!

Thanks again Kawasaki, Thailand and Outdoor Thailand Magazine! Looking forward to the next one!

 

[TonyBKK]

Route 1081 to Bo Klua, Nan, Thailand- one of the best sport bike roads in Thailand!

This road just keeps going and going and going and is one of those rare roads where I find myself wishing for an extra 20-30 Hp!

 

[TonyBKK]

Route 1081 to Bo Klua continues. This video starts just past the junction with Route 1257, which is also a cool road-

 

[Johpa]

TonyBKK;286020 wrote: Route 1081 to Bo Klua, Nan, Thailand- one of the best sport bike roads in Thailand!

This road just keeps going and going and going and is one of those rare roads where I find myself wishing for an extra 20-30 Hp!

Great videos from Nan, although I found the views so spectacular when I rode pretty much the same roads that I was thinking how great it would be to just putt putt along on a scooter.

 

[johngooding]

Looks like a fun trip with a happy bunch of riders. Thanks for the report

 

[TonyBKK]

A bunch more pics from the Kawasaki ride to Nan :happy1:

Early morning rendezvous for coffee and breakfast at Kawasaki Rama 9

Leaving Kawasaki Rama 9-

Quick stop for snacks and refreshments and photos at Kawasaki Nakhon Sawan-

Kawasaki dealer in Nakhon Sawan-

Kawasaki Nakhon Sawan threw in some T-shirts and other goodies-

Leaving Nakhon Sawan-

Lunch!

I think this is on the 1339 south of Ban Pak Nai-

Ninja ZX10R chasing the mighty ZX14R-

Here comes the ferry... Wow, looks a bit sketchy...

ZX14R waiting to board the ferry to Ban Pak Nai-

The fellow on the KTM 990 adventure was quite fast once moving, but struggled with low speed stuff on account of the height of the bike-

Boarding-

On our way to Ban Pak Nai-

See you on the other side... I hope!

Woohoo! We made it! Took four ferries to get all the bikes and support vehicles across.

Our luxurious accomodations for the night! It was pretty cold and I was glad to have the gf along for warmth

Good night!

Good morning!!

Khun Pep was the only guy brave(?) enough to jump in for a swim...

Sunrise at Ban Pak Nai-

A monk is collecting alms in his long tail boat-

Local kids are up early-

Lids-

 

[Changnoi1]

Gosh would think I made this reply already .....
Tanks for the great report & beautiful photos ..... Khun Yutt makes great photos!

And thanks for reminding me where to go in 2 weeks time.

Chang Noi

 

[Rod Page]

Great report, outstanding photography.
We see some great reports from individual adventures but this surely proves the heights that can be reached by a group of riders enjoying it to the full.

 

[TonyBKK]

Let the Good Times ROLL!