Stumbled across a display of Platinums at Home Pro in Chalong the other day, . I was very surprised to see they had PX250 Enduro's available after everything we have heard with the difficulties with getting emissions passed with the GPX ZF250 and Lifan 250 Enduro. As far as I know this is the first road legal, over 200cc Chinese/Taiwanese enduro/duelsport/dirtbike bike on the Thai market
Now I will say, I have owned a Platinum before and it was the worst bike I ever owned, but that was a 2007. I am wondering if 5 years on they haven't sorted a great many of the issues. I am actually considering this bike now. It certainly looked a lot better built than my old PX175 which never seem to run for more than a day. As temperamental as that bike was, it really went well in the dirt and in the hills. At least now if it breaks down they have a manufacturer branch in Phuket town, not just a dealer. Bike comes with 3 year warranty on engine, 6 mo. warranty on battery, and 2 year warranty on frame. They claim to have sorted the parts support issues with was what was blamed for the last Phuket Platinum dealer failing in 2008.
Price is 67k baht OTD, less than half a Kawasaki KLX 250.
Things I like about the PX250:
Great, modern looks.
Dual exhaust note sounds like a Ducati Monster.
USD Aluminum front fork.
Fork protectors
1 down 4 up gearbox, unlike Lifan Cross.
Really nice power, seemed the same as D-Tracker 250.
Hand guards standard.
LED turn signals standard.
Digital numerical gear indicator.
The ride felt very comfortable and natural. I didn't feel this way on the Lifan 200.
Braided cables
Rubber footpegs. (My PX175 had steel cleats.)
Manly looking skid plate, but now looking at the pics it may be plastic.
Turn signal has cancel, not just toggle back to center which for me usually means I end up signalling the other way.
Didn't like:
Some of the electrics looked similar to my dreaded PX175
Some welds not tidy, but looked structurally sound.
The bike is very tall. I can barely get my heels down when I'm in the saddle, and I am 6ft. (1.83m) but I wa in my sandles. Not sure how well that will go over with the Thai market. Seemed the same height as the KLX250.
Comes from the facory with full dirt tires. Jak, the salesman, agreed that isn't a good idea, but it's what his boss wanted. I would have them swap those for a 50/50. They did not perform well in the parking lot.
Braided brake cable blocks gauge cluster.
Not a "true" 250 @ 233.7cc.
The main gauges are analog, but modern looking enough. All I ask is that they work, which will be more than I can say about my last Platinum.
The Phuket dealer is on Bangkok rd. Coming from Chalong Cir. on the way into Phuket Town on ChaoFa East, right hand side, 100M before the fire hose circle. The salesman, Jak, speaks much better English than anyone at Phuket Kawasaki. I actually received a follow up email from him and even a phone call!! :wtf: I had to pinch myself. Am I still in Thailand?
My apologies for the grainy cell phone photos.
Now I will say, I have owned a Platinum before and it was the worst bike I ever owned, but that was a 2007. I am wondering if 5 years on they haven't sorted a great many of the issues. I am actually considering this bike now. It certainly looked a lot better built than my old PX175 which never seem to run for more than a day. As temperamental as that bike was, it really went well in the dirt and in the hills. At least now if it breaks down they have a manufacturer branch in Phuket town, not just a dealer. Bike comes with 3 year warranty on engine, 6 mo. warranty on battery, and 2 year warranty on frame. They claim to have sorted the parts support issues with was what was blamed for the last Phuket Platinum dealer failing in 2008.
Price is 67k baht OTD, less than half a Kawasaki KLX 250.
Things I like about the PX250:
Great, modern looks.
Dual exhaust note sounds like a Ducati Monster.
USD Aluminum front fork.
Fork protectors
1 down 4 up gearbox, unlike Lifan Cross.
Really nice power, seemed the same as D-Tracker 250.
Hand guards standard.
LED turn signals standard.
Digital numerical gear indicator.
The ride felt very comfortable and natural. I didn't feel this way on the Lifan 200.
Braided cables
Rubber footpegs. (My PX175 had steel cleats.)
Manly looking skid plate, but now looking at the pics it may be plastic.
Turn signal has cancel, not just toggle back to center which for me usually means I end up signalling the other way.
Didn't like:
Some of the electrics looked similar to my dreaded PX175
Some welds not tidy, but looked structurally sound.
The bike is very tall. I can barely get my heels down when I'm in the saddle, and I am 6ft. (1.83m) but I wa in my sandles. Not sure how well that will go over with the Thai market. Seemed the same height as the KLX250.
Comes from the facory with full dirt tires. Jak, the salesman, agreed that isn't a good idea, but it's what his boss wanted. I would have them swap those for a 50/50. They did not perform well in the parking lot.
Braided brake cable blocks gauge cluster.
Not a "true" 250 @ 233.7cc.
The main gauges are analog, but modern looking enough. All I ask is that they work, which will be more than I can say about my last Platinum.
The Phuket dealer is on Bangkok rd. Coming from Chalong Cir. on the way into Phuket Town on ChaoFa East, right hand side, 100M before the fire hose circle. The salesman, Jak, speaks much better English than anyone at Phuket Kawasaki. I actually received a follow up email from him and even a phone call!! :wtf: I had to pinch myself. Am I still in Thailand?
My apologies for the grainy cell phone photos.