Bike repair in Thailand - average service prices
Everyone who uses a motorbike to travel around Thailand, including the islands of Phuket, Koh Samui or the resort towns of Krabi, Pattaya, unwittingly faces the problem of repairing and maintaining their bike. The Thai workshop workers may not speak English, or you risk being the victim of inflated prices like an innocent tourist, but nobody wants to pay more. This article will be about the average prices for repairing an iron friend. All data is collected in the open spaces, in particular, it was collected by my friend Eugene, from whom you can rent a bike in Krabi, I can safely recommend it. Oh the nuances of bike rental, I already have an article, be sure to read if there is no experience.
The content of the article
Price for repair and maintenance of bikes
Please understand that prices vary by region. In places where tourists are concentrated, they are higher, however, there will be no problems with communication. Official services, contrary to domestic opinion, work cheaper than private offices, at least regarding the main problems (oil change, brake check, etc.). Other works either do not fulfill or deliberately delay the deadlines. For example, in the event of a breakdown of a plastic part, they will most likely refuse to repair it, they will offer to replace it. Therefore, your path will lead to private craftsmen.
The following prices are regional averages: Krabi, Ko Lanta, Ko Phangan, Surat Thani, Trang, Hua Hin and the northern provinces near Chiang Mai city. In the popular resorts of Koh Samui and Phuket, the upper bar of the price range will be slightly higher.
Engine, chain, cooling, carburetor, tank
- Engine oil change (every ~ 4000 km) - 150 baht;
- Motorcycle chain tightening - 30-50 baht;
- Topping up liquid in the cooling system - 10-30 baht, often free of charge when changing the oil, if you ask the service technicians about it;
- Adjust and clean the carburetor - 50-250 baht, depending on the complexity;
- Removing rust in the fuel tank and fuel line - 400-500 baht;
Box and clutch
- Changing the oil in the variator - 100 baht;
- Replacement of bearings in the variator - 300-400 baht;
- Replacing the variator belt - 500 baht;
- Replacing the clutch assembly - 1200 - 2000 baht;
Wheels
- Replacing the camera in case of a puncture - 150 baht (up to 200-250 baht on the islands);
- Tire replacement (severe wear, puncture) - 300-1200 baht, the price depends on the size of the tire and the model of the motorcycle. On average, it costs 500-600 baht;
- Vulcanization of a punctured chamber - 30-100 baht (up to 150 in tourist areas). Repairing a car wheel will cost from 150 to 250 baht, depending on which car and the condition of the tire;
- Replacement of a spoke wheel - 600 baht;
- You can always pump up the wheels for free, for a smile. Or you can pump up the wheels yourself in any garage or at a gas station.
Brakes
- Adjust the front disc brake - 30-50 baht;
- Adjust rear drum brake - from free replacement and up to 30 baht;
- Replacing brake pads on disc brakes (front + rear) - 300-400 baht;
Plastic, mirrors and license plate
- Grouting scratches on plastic - from 50-100 baht per part, in the area of headlights and deep scratches, will cost you more;
- Replacement of plastic body parts - 1 part from 100 to 1000 baht, maybe more, it's a matter of the brand of the bike. On the PCX, parts are about 20 or 30% more expensive;
- Complete replacement of all plastic on the bike with a choice of colors - usually somewhere around 5,000 baht, no more. If you are asked about 10 thousand baht for a seriously stripped bike, then you should just look for another service;
- Replacing side mirrors - 150-300 baht per mirror. Replacement is done as a set, in case you need to change only one mirror, then a new second one will be left to you in stock. Rarely is there a mirror in a single copy in services, but it can be lucky if the bike model is popular;
- Replacement and installation of a new license plate - 100 baht;
PCX Plastic Prices in Thailand
Filters, candles, battery
- Air filter cleaning - 30-50 baht;
- Replacing the air filter (after 10,000 km or once a year) - 200-400 baht;
- Replacing a candle - 100-200 baht;
- Battery replacement - 500-900 baht, the price is influenced by the size of the battery and the power;
Undercarriage
- Replacing a pair of rear shock absorbers - 2000-3000 baht;
- Replacing bearings in the hub - 300-500 baht;
- Replacement of spare parts and oil in the front fork - up to 1500 baht (drive carefully!);
Washing
- Bike wash - 50-60 baht;
- Washing a motorcycle - 80-120 baht;
Important nuances
From the above price list, it can be seen that the cost of repairing a bike in Thailand is available to anyone. But you still need to know a few things for a clearer understanding of the maintenance of your bike..
- If you were offered to replace the oil in the scooter with a specialized motor oil (with additives), then you should inquire about the reasons for this. Normal Thai scooters (but not motorcycles) use ordinary 10w40 oil. Dry transmission in a scooter (except for Yamaha T-Max) does not require additional friction oil additives.
- The belt in the variator is designed for ~ 25 thousand km of run. You should not believe the words of a technician about belt wear if you know for sure that your motorcycle has a much lower mileage. The belt may break, but it will not wear out in any way. Better in advance, when the mileage is approaching 20 thousand km, buy a spare belt and throw it into the bike's glove compartment, it costs about 1,500 baht.
- The gearbox is filled with standard gear oil. It changes according to the data sheet of a specific bike model, that is, for some bikes every 20 thousand km, for some a couple of times a year. The serviceman can try to breed you for a replacement, saying that it is dirty. But this oil becomes opaque within a day after using the bike. In general, please note.
- Coolant is available in green, blue and red. Green and blue need to be changed once a year and can be mixed together. Red changes every 5 years and in no case should it be mixed with blue and red cooling. If you suddenly change green / blue to red, then keep in mind that the cooling system will have to be pre-rinsed 2-3 times with distilled water. In the future, at services, do not forget to check the liquid level.
- Light scratches on plastic parts can be repaired at the service in just an hour. The parts will look almost as good as new. Deep scratches are also removed, but the work is more expensive, so it may be easier to buy new plastic.
- When choosing a bike (buying, renting), pay attention to the sound of the engine. It should be flat. In private rentals, mileage is rarely twisted, but in salons with used bikes they may well. There are a couple of signs of a high mileage - a scratched ignition key lock and a worn license plate (Thais rarely change it). But the signs are indirect, for the lock and the sign can be replaced.