After a year's separation we meet up with our Tiger bike, made in Thailand.It is a 135cc motorbike based on Honda components: a cross between a scooter and trail bike, like a Honda scooter with trailbike frame.Very few were built and we bought it in 2008. We have replaced the original rear shocks with competition motorcross shocks. The gearing was a 38 tooth sprocket and is now a 32 tooth. We replaced the rear trail tyre with a larger road tyre, but the front tyre stayed as standard. The standard headlamp bulbs are now halogens. The seat has a double layer of carbon mesh 3D seatcovers which provides a cushion and airflow between bum and seat. Over the last 6 years we have toured extensively from Chang Mai in North Thailand to Singapore both up and down West and East coasts. So the state of the bike now is such that the speedometer and odometer and fuel gauge stopped working at 14400 kms. After our trip last year we posted, yes, posted the bike to Khon Kaen from Phuket.

Before we can set off on our next trip the bike needs a new starter motor and switch, new back box, new chain and sprocket, rear foot rests, service, indicators, hooter, headlamp bulbs (missing), and according to the new ruling on Thailand all motorcycles need an MOT. Prior to heading off to the MOT test centre we did the western thing and went to a local mechanic to check the bike over, knowing it had a lot of repair work to do. He nonchalantly tapped his foot twice on the rear break and said OK. So off we went following the Thai son of our extended family here in Baan Thon. Riding along a dusty road along dried out rice paddy fields helmet-less and enjoying the wind and scenery, I discovered to my unpleasant surprise that the miggies stuck to my newly applied lip gloss.

The MOT man was at lunch so a return visit was required, 15kms back home for a noodle prawn lunch at the local cafe (90baht ). Our lovely Thai extended family nephew did the deed and the bike passed the MOT, certificate in hand we plan to get license, tax and full repairs at Honda shop in city completed tomorrow. Job done with a few extras, almost a rebuild: 4000baht. So now it's about 2 days of packing, gathering maps, and route planning. I think I'll leave the make-up behind.