Motorcycle tours of Thailand. Suggestions please?

[tonychang]

My girlfriends dad and his mates usually go on a bike tour every year to a different part of the world and I am looking for recommendations in Thailand

They want to go early march and so far arer looking at this ( though I doubt theyve looked much further).
http://www.tours.avalon-world.biz/mt.html
I thought this tour might be a bit boring for them but correct me if I'm wrong having never been to Issan as I've never had any wish to 'meet the family'.

They are looking to go early march for about 2 weeks.

Even though their average age is about 60 I imagine they want to see a fair amount of action. They like to get on the piss, stay in good quality accomadation with western menus and as far as I know are all LOS virgins

Any suggestions of organised tours or reviews of the one above would be well appreaciated.

cheers

t.c.

[caller]

You need to speak to Rider, who's a member here. Check out his site:

http://www.ontheroadthailand.com/

[usual suspect]

T.C. If you're serious about riding the best roads are in the North of Thailand.
If you head for Chaing Mai most guest houses have maps of m/cycle routes. The most popular up there is the Mae-Hong-Song loop..taking in the towns of Fang,Pai, & possibly even Chaing Rai.
Check on the internet for 'Golden Triangle Rider'..his sites/pages are full of info for that area.
I ride up around Chaing Rai/Mae Salong up in the hills..wonderful roads, & I'm using XR250 Honda, or
Yamaha 250 'Raid' trail-bikes..about 8/900b per day.
Always a good idea to bring your own helmet & gloves...many rental shops in Chaing Mai have body-armour &
boots for rent...enjoy.

[tonychang]

Many thanks guys.
have just been reading about the mae-hong song loop and it looks awesome.
They are looking for an all in package with everything sorted out for them as I said they wont really know what to expect and will be capable of paying for it.
I guess I'm just trying to find out the best firm to use for them at a time that suits them as I sadly wont be going myself. It would be a good start to find out if that avalon tour was any good as they seem quite sold on it, mainly due to the fact that the dates suit.
Good call about helmets and boots, we always used to wonder if we'd get pulled if we wore saucepans on our heads in HH

[Korkenzieher]

Fully support Usual Suspects suggestion of the Mae Hong Son loop. I did it in the mid 90's. There's a lot to see. If you can (bike type and trail conditions depending) visit some of the hill tribe villages, it can easily take 3 weeks to complete. There are local guide books and rental trail-bikes available in Chiang Mai (Well, at least there was in 1993...). One of my best memories of my earlier visits to Thailand.

[tonychang]

all are harley owners so think trail bikes are outta the question

[Korkenzieher]

Not being able to get off the main road does sadly reduce the appeal of the Mae Hong Son loop, however it may still be worth looking at as part of a longer cruise tour.

[usual suspect]

T.C. There are 'Harley-Tours' available I think.
There was a lad called Dave (from Darlington UK) lived on Phuket doing a week-long package inc
good hotel accomodation each night..sadly he sold the business, but it may still be running..??
Maybe just Google 'Harley tours Thailand'..see what pops up..??
If you are in HH now Tony you need to be speaking to Kevin..the guy with the maroon Harley+
sidecar..this Dave is a mate of his.

[Stu-Pot]

http://www.motorcycletoursthailand.com/

These guys are backed by the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) which is a somewhat credible association.