Bike Tuning and Modding Scene in Thailand
First of all, I would like to apologize to the Malaysian motorcycling community but if you’re an avid follower of the scene, you would agree that it is fair to say that apart from Indonesia, Thailand has the best and biggest scene in South East Asia when it comes to tuning and modding these two-wheeled machines.
This comes as no surprise as the Land of the Smiles is regarded as the region’s motoring powerhouse and home to numerous major motorcycle manufacturers from Japan such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki. Even some European brands like BMW, Triumph and Ducati have set up their own factories here.
Because of this, the country sees a lot of aftermarket part manufacturers and tuning companies spring up like mushrooms. Be it small or big, the presence of these companies has benefited the consumers in the form of access to spare parts and accessories regardless of make or type of motorcycle they own. Whatever you need, whether for cosmetics or performance, they probably have it.
So what kind of creations can we expect from our Thai friends? This souped-up Yamaha NMax is just one of many distinctive creations the scene has to offer. We’re not sure which company did this but what started out as a maxi-scooter built for the masses has become a somewhat eccentric machine that looks like it just rolled out of Dr. Frankenstein’s lab. And we like it.
Judging by the skinny rubbers that wrap the spoked wheels, large brake discs and stainless steel exhaust, this NMax is most likely built for drag-racing, which is one of the most common motorsport disciplines in this region, especially for small-capacity motorcycles or “underbones” as they call it.
If you are into aesthetics, companies such as K-Speed will be more than happy to transform your old BMW motorcycles into something that will turn heads. Perhaps to attract a bigger customer base, the company also provides customisation services and accessories for other motorcycle brands including Harley-Davidson and Royal Enfield.
The best thing about this is that they are not the only ones to do this – there are many other companies that offer similar services, so you’re never short on choices. Also, you don’t have to be there to get your hands on the accessories as most of them can be ordered online. Some Malaysians prefer to ride into the country themselves to get a closer and better look at what they are buying but if you’re not ready for that kind of adventure, the Internet is your best friend.
From my point of view, business is booming for parts and accessories suppliers in the country. Sure, Thailand’s motorcycle market has its ups and downs in recent years but for a country that has 20 million motorcycles, the demand will always be there.
Of course, we are not short of our own accessory suppliers and talented customizers. Over the years, we’ve seen many companies and individuals come up with attractive offerings but the question remains: could we be as big as our neighbour? Some day, perhaps.
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