Bringing a motorbike on the long haul train?

[passport220 0]

Bringing a motorbike on the long haul train?

 

Anyone ever done it? I will take the long haul train to Chang Mai and would like to bring my motorbike. I think I will have to ride to Bangkok to get it on board, but maybe it will work at Chachoengsao?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Bringing a motorbike on the long haul train?

 

Anyone ever done it? I will take the long haul train to Chang Mai and would like to bring my motorbike. I think I will have to ride to Bangkok to get it on board, but maybe it will work at Chachoengsao?

 

You can certainly take a bike on the long-distance train. It's OK if its a small 110-125 type bike but don't expect the stations to have loading ramps if it's anything much bigger.

[packhike 13]

Bringing a motorbike on the long haul train?

 

Anyone ever done it? I will take the long haul train to Chang Mai and would like to bring my motorbike. I think I will have to ride to Bangkok to get it on board, but maybe it will work at Chachoengsao?

I know the trains have baggage cars so I would think taking the train from Hualampong in BKK you would be able to get the motor bike on. You might find some info here.

State railway of Thailand

 

This is how to take a bicycle on a thai train...

"Traveller David Mitchell reports: I can confirm that it is indeed possible to take bicycles on Thai trains, or at least the Bangkok to Chiang Mai route, though I’m sure it is similar for the others. You have to send the bike as cargo and it travels in the cargo/guards van. The procedure is to buy your ticket, then locate the cargo office where they will fill out a cargo ticket. They will attach part of the cargo ticket to the bike and part to your passenger ticket – the cost for a bike was 90 Baht each way. You then have to drop off the bike in the cargo car yourself before taking your seat. At your destination you go to the cargo car and collect the bike – you will have to show your ticket & cargo ticket before they will release it. The cargo car gets very full so it is worth turning up early to make sure that there is enough space in it to accommodate your bike. One thing to watch for is station staff trying to earn a bit of extra money by insisting that you have to pay another fee at the destination – just be firm and threaten to involve the police if necessary. I had someone try this scam on me at Bangkok but had no problems in Chiang Mai. One oddity: In Bangkok the cargo office issued the bike ticket but in Chiang Mai the cargo office don’t issue bike tickets, you have to buy tickets for bicycles from the cloakroom (yep, the place where you can leave your coat) which is not exactly obvious!"

Found from here.....

Seat 61

Edited March 2, 2010 by packhike

[ingo67 8]

My mate has done the trip Bangkok to Chiang Mai on the sleeper train several times.

His bike is a Kawasaki D-Tracker 250cc which is supposed to weigh around 140kgs. I think the weight limit may be around 150kgs because he initally had to produce the owners manual for the booking clerk, which states the dry weight, but she wasn't to know!

 

Bikes have to be loaded into the guards carriage, amongst all sorts of boxes and other crap, so the likelyhood of your pride & joy getting scratched is fairly high. Loading takes the help of 4 porters (looking for tips, don't give more than 20bht each) because the height difference from platform to train is about 4ft. This is obviously the reason for the weight limit, so I doubt you can take 600s, 1000s or big choppers on the train.

 

Last tip, you have to get there about 2 hrs before departure to book your bike in, it costs approx 1100-1500bht for oneway BKK to Chiang Mai, cannot remember the exact amount. You cannot book your bike on the train in advance.

 

I've also done the trip a couple of times; I rent the same bike (D-Tracker) for approx 750bht per day inc insurance, discounted for 2 weeks rental, usual quotes 800-1000bht ex insurance. "POP" is probably the biggest and most reputable rental company.Yes this is more expense than renting from one of those Beach Rd scumbags.

 

The roads in northern Thailand are brilliant, no traffic, endless twisties and great scenary. GT-rider.com website has lots of info and I would recommend the very detailed maps because you will get lost in the more remote parts.

Edited March 2, 2010 by ingo67

[2Dangerous 0]

ingo67,

Those pictures are great .

[passport220 0]

Good info. Thank you one and all for the replies!

[m_right 0]

You can also send it using the Thai postal service. It may take a few days longer. Not sure of the price difference.

[nidnoyham 30]

Good trip ingo ?

 

glads you were all properly dressed for it.

 

Those bikes look ideal. Are they suitable for shorties like me ?

Edited March 11, 2010 by nidnoyham

[ingo67 8]

Those bikes look ideal. Are they suitable for shorties like me ?

 

The D-Tracker is a great bike for Northern Thailand - great on the twisties, light, not too powerful to get into trouble, just a little frustrating on some of the flat/straight roads (not many of those) as they top out at 120kph. All are less than 2 yrs old (it was a new model in late 2008), so reliable and cheap to repair if you have a minor spill - new handle bars and foot brake less than 800bht fitted at Kawasaki dealer in Chiang Mai.

 

I am 5ft10" so no problem for me, my two short arse mates are 5ft7/8", and they just about OK. Probably difficult if you are less than 5ft6".

 

I'll get a trip report done sometime soon.

[nidnoyham 30]

I am 5ft10" so no problem for me, my two short arse mates are 5ft7/8", and they just about OK. Probably difficult if you are less than 5ft6".

 

Hmm... Looks like I would need the old platform boots- or those high heeled Cubans !

[900fireblade 0]

how would your bikes handle this !,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

half terrified, half wat to give it a try!

 

(but not on my 'blade!!)