Samui/Hua Hin - 31st Jan

Having to cover 550km to Hua Hin. With ferry time taken into consideration, it should be the longest day on the move today. Hope to reach before sunset..

Junction near Surathani;
Gonna split with Colin, my riding partner who joined me in Sg Petani on the 29th Feb..!! bye

left Samui - 31st Jan

2 hour ferry ride..

Left Samui City hotlel at 8.30am. Took half an hour to reach the other side of the Island frm Chaweng, where we stay. Manange to catch the 10am ferry..

motohead corner 2

..ready to race...

.... and his machine.. A YZ250

The champ..

Searching for Colin's plug, we come up to this shop.. Apparently, a district MX champ.. Preparing his machine for Sunday in Samui.. ahh, we will be leaving by then..

Jimny all over for rental too.. Likewise in Bali, drive a Suzuki and you can't go wrong.


For2 wheels.. Go 'team red' I guess you can't be that wrong too. This motorcross club has a fleet of XR for rental.

For motorcross and organized trail rides.. check this out..

motohead corner

Even a Triumph convertible is available for rental at his shop.

A yellow Busa..

A translap in his rental list..

Thats the boss, Mr Ohm, getting the plug for Colin.

Lots of XR250 for rent.. he said many more XRs already out

For those riding there or plan to rent one, a must to check this out. Ohm cycles. We were looki ng for Colin's spark plug, 4 other shops do not have it until we found this shop.. I am impressed, his shop sells Garmin and best of all, Zumo 550 in stock.. slightly more expensive only at BHT30,200.

Samui by night

The only original thing I see of this machine is the engine and it looks like a 'capchai'.. the rest are all fabricated.. the height of the seat is only at my knee..

We had dinner here.. Initially the name of the rst looks like they will wait for the customer.. but after stepping in and make your order.. you wait long long la..

30th at Samui

Babi Guling Thai style.....

These water is on the west of Samui where the few pier sits.. the water is clearer on the other side.. Chaweng and Lamai..

My first Tomyam soup after so many days in Thailand.. trying to avoid hot & spicy..

More or less like Phukat but a smaller scale..

Wow.. been a long time since I last step on white powdery sand.

2 nights in Samui island - 29th/30th Jan

Common sight in Thailand.. Worms, ants, insects is a delicacy..

4 hungry man...

Too hungry to explore any further.. Walked down the road at the road side stalls..

Parking is always a concern.. well, can't complaint much as we were allowed right in frnt of the main entrance.

Reached the island of Samui almost 8pm.. We were hungry and it's getting dark, so we decided not to go hotel hunting over at the east of the island at Chaweng. Checked into a cheap hotel (bht480) in the town call Ang Thong, right in front of the pier. Notice this security guard squatting at the entrance of Win Hotel..?

Hatyai/Koh Samui - 29th Jan

A long 2 hour ferry ride, reaching around 7pm with the sun setting behind us.

Bike loaded onto the ferry at 5pm.

Que to load bike onto the hourly ferry.

Taking a break after Si Thammarat..

Left Hatyai at 11am. Headed east towards Songkhla using the coastal Rd up north.

Hatyai - 28th Jan

Join by a VFR and GSX.. iron butt, Philip and Francis rode direct from SG since 6am.. Stayed in JB Hotel.. Quite expensive to pay RM170 for a room in Hatyai.. though wireless provided la..

met Colin's parents for the first time.. Wow, on a Zapher 11. company us up to Thai boarder, Kayu Hitam.

met up with Colin in Sg Petani.. Ready to rock with his Italian ape, Pegeso.

starting off - Penang 28th Jan

Setting off. Eric's house in Pg, together with Rick and my sis Patricia..Jayne at Pg airport. Flew back on the 2nd day of CNY.. Will be riding back frm Senai.. see you soon in Chiangmai.. tata..!!!

Celebrating 09 CNY in Pg and B'worth

As usual.. CNY with parents in Pg and aunty in B'worth

set off in S'pore- 24th jan 09

Set off with Jayne at 4.30pm after mounting Zumo. Jayne on Dr200. To be parked at Senai as she will be flying back Pg/Senai on the 2nd day of CNY.

Journey to KL was a tough test.. Heavy traffic as expected but heavy downpour was terrible. Ended up staying a night in Lester's place in KL..
Continue the next day... less traffic but again, 'blessed' with non stop shower... urghh...

Journey starts at home

Change to a longer neck bracket as the shorter one sits between the speedometer and the screen with the unit touching the screen causing vibration at 4,000 rev. Good thing M-technic has the RAM accessaries.

Now it's standing very high as though right on my face while riding..

total 11 kg on left 35lt panniers and 9kg on right. loaded top box to 10kg. Having too much weight on the back, the front floats on acceleration, and lost a lot of steering 'sharpness' (already not good with Dommie). Decided to use a tank bag strap to the back instead.. manage to transfer some weight to the front, strapping it onto the baja lights and bring down CG with some tools cable tie to the engine bash plate and frame.

Only a slight improvement, until rear suspension were set much stiffer so it does not dip too much on acceleration.. thnks to sengster..

Bike prep;

Top overhaul and clutch changed at 100,000km on the clock.
Trotter cable, clutch cable, rectifier, CDI changed with old ones as spare.
Tyres/tubes, all oils and running on lupromax.

Front/rear sprocket, and chain. Brake pads and wheel bearings changed.

Finally, Garmin Zumo 550 arrived after a long wait.. Thnks to my nieces, nephews and cousin for this fantastic toy (Xmas gift).. well, a useful tool more then a toy..

Took delivery on the 23rd evening, few hours before my set-off time at 4.30am.. Well, I have to delay and got it fitted the next day.