Ducati motorcycles in Pattaya
A few hundred meters from my house, here in Pattaya, a branch of Ducati motorcycles has recently opened. You can find it on Third Road, from Pattaya Klang to Pattaya Nua, just after the traffic light halfway on the right side in a newly built apartment complex.
Ducati already has dealers in Bangkok, Phuket and Udon Thani, so this is the fourth branch of this Italian motorcycle brand.
Now I don't have anything with those big motorcycles myself, but this seemed like good news for the many motorcycle enthusiasts in and around Pattaya. Of course I also see the many Harley's, Kawasaki's, Honda's etc. regularly and also when a motorcycle club drives on Beach Road again, I think it's quite a nice sight, but I prefer to leave riding those monsters to others.
I had never noticed Ducati here, they must have been there in the motorcycle clubs, but to a much lesser extent. Until you start paying attention, because since I regularly drive past that Ducati dealer, I keep seeing a motorcycle from that brand.
Ducati Motorcycle Club Thailand
It seems that there is more and more interest in Ducati Thailand and there is also a real Ducati Motor Club. See the video below of one of their meetings.
History
My father-in-law was a big motorcycle fanatic when he was alive. He was a motorcyclist long before the word existed. He drove many kilometers on the then still bad roads of the Groningen farmland and regularly crossed the border with Germany. That happened in the twenties / thirties of the last century, a time without dealers and technical assistance, so he tinkered with the engine (a lot) himself. Later he raced and was also a timekeeper at the TT in Assen.
KNMV
I tell this about my father-in-law, because there is a nice anecdote about his knowledge of the motorcycle world of that time. He was member number 18 of the KNMV and also faithfully kept all numbers of the periodical magazine that the association published. Sometime in the eighties my parents-in-law moved and many old volumes of that magazine were found in the attic.
What do you do with it? I called the KNMV for him to ask if there was any interest in it. Well please, was the answer. Because a fire had broken out in the office of the KNMV in The Hague, and the entire archive was lost.
Appointment
Someone would come and pick up the magazines. That person did call, who immediately apologized that he didn't really have time, but he would come by between two appointments (he was an insurance agent). The man arrived at XNUMX pm and said goodbye at XNUMX pm , because he couldn't get away from the many stories of my father-in-law. A separate battle, those motorcycle fanatics, put two together and you won't have a child for hours!
Ducati forum
Most motorcycle brands will have a club and a forum on the Internet. Ducati Netherlands also has a forum where motorcycle enthusiasts can exchange their experiences with their “Ducjes”. I don't understand anything about the technical things discussed there, but their experiences in riding Ducatis, including on foreign race circuits, are contagious!
I myself - until a few years ago - always rode a motorcycle with great enthusiasm and I recognize that part about the stories and the constant talking of real motorcycle enthusiasts among themselves. Incidentally, in recent years I drove Triumph, a reborn British brand that has certain retro models (Bonneville, Thruxton and Scrambler) built entirely in Thailand. However, during my – so far short – visits to Thailand, I have never encountered one. Presumably they are built under a specific investment regime (BOI) and must be exported after production in order to meet the conditions thereof. Otherwise it would be nice to rent one somewhere and go out with it.
Found some more in the meantime: these Triumphs are also sold in Thailand. The fact that I've never seen one before may be true: the cheapest Bonneville model - fully produced and assembled in Thailand - costs no less than 650.000 Baht and that's a lot more than the suggested retail price in NL of just under 9.200 euros ………… ……………….
Since last year, Ducati has been building motorcycles in Thailand for the local (Asian) market. The imported Ducatis are priceless but this new model (Monster) is relatively affordable.
For more information:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/506620-ducati-monster-795/
Gr. James
Riding a motorcycle is dangerous. Way more dangerous than driving. Participating in motorized traffic is also more dangerous in Thailand than in the Netherlands, for example. Added up: riding a motorcycle in Thailand is asking the evil gods. I hear the siren of the anbulance almost daily (usually several times in a day). Almost always a motorcyclist is dead or sometimes 'only' disabled, or rather has done it to himself, whereby the other party is often in a very bad way. That on a stretch of road near my home where nothing special can be seen. But not being able and/or wanting to see the danger is precisely the greatest danger. I therefore bet that (even) a reaction will appear to this contribution along the lines of: I don't want to see the danger, lying in your bed is also dangerous, or something like that. Motorcyclists of the heavy caliber, in particular, think they can always go anywhere in between. Driving slowly and standing still in a traffic jam is not an option for them. That saves a lot of time and they are proud of that saving.
The light motorcycle, but slightly heavier than a moped, is a means of public transport here in Thailand and almost always an economic necessity. It is difficult to banish that type of motorcycle, but the heavy motorcycle is rarely if ever anything other than a 'plaything' or worse, ridden by mostly foreigners. This country, its inhabitants, deserve better than the excessive terror on the road that these people commit - not always - but very often. Just ban heavy motorcycles, I would say. There is another thing: it is almost always men who ride heavy motorcycles. For many, being a man means: tough, courageous, strong, rough and even criminal. Motorcycle clubs are almost equivalent to criminal gangs. I would like to promote the gentlemen, the gentle, the especially civilized man. Being masculine in this way (and anything but a wimp) is also possible, but it is too rare (especially among farang).
I'm sorry, but I disagree with you:
"It's hard to ban that type of motorcycle, but the heavy motorcycle is rarely, if ever, anything other than a 'spielerei' or worse, driven mostly by foreigners."
My experience is that most Thai boys/men are crazy about fast motorcycles and those who can afford it buy one (agree that this is only a small number but that is because of the purchasing power).
The fact that the heavy motorcycle is usually driven by foreigners (large number of foreigners?) may have more to do with your place of residence, I am convinced that there are many more Thai people driving around, but have this as a 2nd or 3rd means of transport.
Thailand (Thai-Free) is doing its name far too short to ban everything…
I think that riding a motorcycle is by definition no more dangerous than driving a car. I think most accidents are caused by negligence and overestimation of the driving skills of the person(s) involved (after all, a mistake is easily made and can have major consequences).
Talk about generalizing. The statement “motorcycle clubs are almost equivalent to criminal gangs” is going very far. This picture is probably formed by the fact that certain “clubs” make the news more often and in a more negative way, but I think that the majority of motorcycle clubs are really not criminal gangs. Many clubs (are) created by the "love" for a certain motorcycle brand, type of motorcycle or another valid reason.
Riding a motorcycle is of course more dangerous than driving a car, at least for the driver, as you are much more vulnerable if something goes wrong. I don't see what the ban on heavy motorcycles should solve, compared to the 'scooters' they can be counted on one hand. The solution for safer traffic in Thailand lies in education.
Personally, I prefer to be on a road bike. And if you still want to ride a Ducati with all your might, here is the solution: http://www.bianchi.com/Global/Bikes/Bikes_Detail.aspx?ProductIDMaster=46633
Robert, on a road bike in Thailand: is it doable? As an enthusiastic cyclist I am very curious about this – even more fun than riding a motorcycle!
Cornelius:
https://www.thailandblog.nl/reisverhalen/racefiets-door-thailand/
My comment has been responded to with: “the Thai man who can afford a fast bike buys one, agree
that that is only a small number, but that is because of the purchasing power”.
This is argued against my (assumption) statement that -I quote myself now- “the heavy motorcycle is rarely, if ever, anything other than a 'spielerei' or worse, driven mostly by foreigners”. My opponent continues:
“I am convinced that there are many more Thai people driving around on fast motorcycles”
I'm trying to understand this. This is about a "small number" of Thai, but there are "much more" (than farang).
The best I can make of it is that relatively many more farang buy such a dangerous monster (there are still more Thai in this country than farang) and that that would be over as soon as Thai purchasing power has risen enough.
I would say: ban the heavy motorcycle before that is the case. It prevents Thai from driving themselves to death. To see that as - as my opponent argues - their right in this free country is, in my opinion, a reprehensible position and, by the way, your death is the absolute end of your freedom. If you grant people their freedom, you do not grant them a prematurely cut short life; that would be a contradiction. This is especially true because the dangerous rider is not only putting his own life at risk. Someone who kills me and sees that as his freedom is immoral.
I know a disabled Thai man who became disabled because he got an overtaking and opposing motorcyclist right on the hood of his car. Two of his children, twins, were in the car with him. One died, the other is imbicile for life as a result of the 'sporty' driver in question (indeed: a -now dead- farang). Who took a little too much liberty, I think, in his way of taking risks.
You're talking about banning certain motorcycles, apparently. Cars are OK, people don't get into accidents with them, they don't cause damage to others?
Give a person his pleasure and if that happens to be a heavy / fast engine: fine, right? Ban because it is dangerous – if that is the criterion, we can still draw up a nice list (but of course of activities that you yourself cannot or do not like…………).
I wrote “Motorcycling is dangerous” and to explain that many don't want to see that: “I bet that (even) this post will get a response along the lines of:
I-don't-want-to-see-the-danger”.
And yes: “I think that riding a motorcycle is by definition no more dangerous than driving a car”, someone responded. Who apparently has lost the reality, after all, from just the simple counts that are made, a fact appears, and then that fact "by definition" (!) would not be true? Well, that seems to me an ultimate (not to say fanatic) example of an attitude that I already mentioned, namely the attitude of:
i-don't-want-to-see-the-danger.
Another acknowledges that heavy motorcycling is dangerous, but “driving a car is too,” he says. And what you enjoy, dangerous or not for (yourself and) your fellow road users, that should be possible (according to the other person; I expressly oppose that).
Driving a car, especially here in Thailand, is indeed dangerous, but riding a motorcycle is really more dangerous. The car and the light motorcycle, which is customary here in Thailand, are - as I already mentioned - an economic necessity: the car as well as the light motorcycle, the use of which can therefore be regarded as unavoidable. That does not alter the fact that it is avoidable to act dangerous with a motorcycle gun just for fun. That on the public road, of course.
And as for that list of all kinds of dangerous things (which you should also forbid): there are more tough things on it (tough to get banned), smoking -and thus making others smoke secondhand - for example (without smoking with that to have the intention to switch subjects, but it does have a parallel with dangerous driving - that for yourself and for your fellow road users). Yet governments have been working on a smoking ban for years. That with slowly progressing progress.
Making (especially Thai) traffic safe, I see only a slow progress for the time being. An extremely slow progress, even. There is no shortage of illogical and otherwise objectionable objections - see the reactions to my contribution. But what we can do about it, we (could the government) do the best we can.
In summary: I've had more discussions than just this one. What you always hear is:
1. It is not the case (in this case: motorcycling is -even by definition- not dangerous) and:
2. It may be so, but…
and it is then mentioned that you must also (and preferably first) deal with all kinds of other not entirely innocent matters. And - mister do-gooder - you probably don't want that.
After three very detailed responses, your opinion on motorcycling is well known, Willem.
Do you have something to say about the Ducati motorcycles, because that's what the story was about!!
Gringo's article is about Ducati motorcycles. A fantastic brand that applies very nice technology in the engines they produce. I myself own a Ducati 748, but it is still in Amsterdam. And unfortunately a few months ago a law came into force in Thailand that only new motorcycles can be imported. The Ducati factory in Thailand is currently only building one model for Asia, a Monster 796. I hope that a few other models will be added soon, such as the Hypermotard or the 848. Riding motorcycles and certainly riding Ducati is a true passion. About forty years ago I took part in races on Ducati motorcycles for a few years with great pleasure.
I deeply regret that this fine subject has been pushed into the background by a discussion of the dangers associated with motorcycling. Of course you can never fully control these dangers, but most of the time you decide how dangerous it becomes. There will always be people who take irresponsible risks when overtaking. Usually they are in a car. Comments that motorcycling on 'heavy' motorcycles should actually be banned can only come from people who have never experienced the feeling of happiness that a fast, powerful, well-handling motorcycle can give you.
Incidentally, my racing bike also gives me this nice feeling. I am on the road here in Uttaradit province almost every day on the beautiful, often mountainous, roads around my hometown.
Really nice cycling there! I even sometimes do a round of Sawankhalok – Sukhothai historical park when I am in that area, flat route but still a nice 100 km with the additional advantage that they serve a farang breakfast in Sukhothai because of the tourists there.
Indeed, the discussion surrounding the dangers has come to the fore when it was ultimately about the introduction of Ducati in Thailand. Definitely a brand with history and passion, indeed - I have ridden motorcycles for almost 45 years and also rode road races for several years as a youngster, the first year with a 250cc Ducati. So I can say that I speak from personal experience when I talk about the risks. I have never indicated that riding a motorcycle would be less dangerous than driving a car: I agree with you that you largely decide for yourself how dangerous it becomes. Whether the motorcycle or scooter is 'light' or 'heavy', you are a lot more vulnerable and if you continue to realize this and adjust your driving behavior accordingly, you will continue to assume that other road users can and will make mistakes. and you anticipate them, the risks are very acceptable in my opinion. Certainly, in Thailand the dangers in traffic are of a different magnitude across the board than in the Netherlands, but fortunately we are free to make our own decisions regarding risk taking.
@Lunghans and Cornelis: wonderful responses from both of you. I think it's so beautiful how you can talk about passion and the feeling of happiness when you're on your (Ducati) motorcycle.
You are both very clear and realistic about the dangers and risks.
Thanks!