Hi T.J.
Yeah... I am still debating on what route to take.
After my 5 nights in/around Chiang Mai, I'll have 10 full days to ride the South.
I'd like to stay 2 nights in Koh Samui, and maybe 2 nights in Krabi. And the rest of the days I want to ride "half-days", along the coast (mainly), starting/ending in Phuket.
I have looked into so many ways and places to stop overnight.
Hard to forsee it, since it is my first time.
I read your comments, and wonder if you could give me a hand.
In your opinion,
What is the best route for 10 days of riding? (taking a break for 3-4 nights)
Places that I shouldn't miss.
The rental bike:
I have a Yamaha R1 here in Tokyo. So, I wanted to get something more easy-riding, lighter on the lower-backbone, maybe the CB 400 would be cool too. Aren't there any unpaived roads, or "backroads" for any offroad in the South?
Cheers D
T.J.'s Reply
There aren’t reall y enough dirt roads to warrant getting a trailie, my suggestion would be to fly Chiang mai to Phuket, rent a bike on Phuket then…
R4 Phuket-Ranong-Chumpon
R41 Chumpon-Surat Thani
Surat Thani turn left to Don Sak, take ferry to Koh Samui
Leave bike on Samui, take passenger ferry to Koh Phang Ngan, hire a dirt bike there, heaps of trails on Phangan, as there are only a few roads that are actually sealed.
Samui take ferry back to Don Sak, then
R401 Sichon-Nakhon Si Thammarat
Turn left R4013 follow coast down to Songkhla
R407 to Had Yai
R4 Phathalung
R4 Trang-Krabi-Phuket
Depending on the time left you can stop in Krabi, Ao Nang, and can leave bike at Ao Nang and get long tail boat to Railey beach.
Now bear in mind, the west coast (Phuket/Krabi) is now in monsoon season, so expect some rain normally every day, and seas a bit rough.
The east coast, (Samui/Phang Ngan/Chumphon) have the dry season, sunny days, flat seas, just something to think about.
It’s a real scenic ride Phuket to Ranong, some great corners. Ranong has hot springs… see Thommo’s thread, Chumpon has some nite life, see NSR Mike’s thread
When approachind Songkhla, keep straight on, and go across river on ferry.
Chumphon to Surat Thani boring dual carriageway, another option, after leaving Ranong, backtrack down R4, then take R4006 over to Lang Suan, this is a great road have done it many times.
Then turn right heading south
This should get you started.....
How ae those Geisha girls coming along....
Yeah... I am still debating on what route to take.
After my 5 nights in/around Chiang Mai, I'll have 10 full days to ride the South.
I'd like to stay 2 nights in Koh Samui, and maybe 2 nights in Krabi. And the rest of the days I want to ride "half-days", along the coast (mainly), starting/ending in Phuket.
I have looked into so many ways and places to stop overnight.
Hard to forsee it, since it is my first time.
I read your comments, and wonder if you could give me a hand.
In your opinion,
What is the best route for 10 days of riding? (taking a break for 3-4 nights)
Places that I shouldn't miss.
The rental bike:
I have a Yamaha R1 here in Tokyo. So, I wanted to get something more easy-riding, lighter on the lower-backbone, maybe the CB 400 would be cool too. Aren't there any unpaived roads, or "backroads" for any offroad in the South?
Cheers D
T.J.'s Reply
There aren’t reall y enough dirt roads to warrant getting a trailie, my suggestion would be to fly Chiang mai to Phuket, rent a bike on Phuket then…
R4 Phuket-Ranong-Chumpon
R41 Chumpon-Surat Thani
Surat Thani turn left to Don Sak, take ferry to Koh Samui
Leave bike on Samui, take passenger ferry to Koh Phang Ngan, hire a dirt bike there, heaps of trails on Phangan, as there are only a few roads that are actually sealed.
Samui take ferry back to Don Sak, then
R401 Sichon-Nakhon Si Thammarat
Turn left R4013 follow coast down to Songkhla
R407 to Had Yai
R4 Phathalung
R4 Trang-Krabi-Phuket
Depending on the time left you can stop in Krabi, Ao Nang, and can leave bike at Ao Nang and get long tail boat to Railey beach.
Now bear in mind, the west coast (Phuket/Krabi) is now in monsoon season, so expect some rain normally every day, and seas a bit rough.
The east coast, (Samui/Phang Ngan/Chumphon) have the dry season, sunny days, flat seas, just something to think about.
It’s a real scenic ride Phuket to Ranong, some great corners. Ranong has hot springs… see Thommo’s thread, Chumpon has some nite life, see NSR Mike’s thread
When approachind Songkhla, keep straight on, and go across river on ferry.
Chumphon to Surat Thani boring dual carriageway, another option, after leaving Ranong, backtrack down R4, then take R4006 over to Lang Suan, this is a great road have done it many times.
Then turn right heading south
This should get you started.....
How ae those Geisha girls coming along....