The next morning we prepared for our final ride back home to Bangkok.
Roy connected up his bike and we found a whole load of error codes flashing on the dash. “Ouch, might have to tow the bike back to Bangkok” we thought. As a result, no ignition. From my own previous experiences on my Multistrada I know that when there is no power going to the EMU (Engine Management Unit) these errors needs to be cancelled before the CPU will allow the bike to work. So through some fiddling on the controls we managed to cancel the errors and trick the CPU into allowing ignition. But we now find the battery is dead. Seemingly during the error found yesterday the battery wasn’t being charged even on engine running.
We then tried bumping the bike with some help from the hotel guards but that didn’t work. Then in true Thai style someone came along and made a call and within 5 mins a truck turned up with jump leads and we thought, “great problem solved” However this recovery truck’s battery was not charged enough to provide sufficient power to Roy’s battery and so the bike still wouldn’t start. So this guy went away.
A coffee shop owner from across the road came over, himself a biker, and he called another person who turned up some 25 minutes later. This is one of the real beauties of Thailand. People are always willing to help and someone always knows someone else to call and help is generally available with lots of smiles.
When the 2nd recovery truck arrived, this was a proper set up with his own son helping out. They connected up and instantly Roy was able to start up the bike. A few thank you’s, and photo’s later they packed up and left and we got ready to ride off, with the strict decision not to switch Roy’s bike off no matter what. What was so great was the 2nd recovery truck wouldn’t even take any money. How great are Thai people ?
We set off shortly thereafter, filled up at a fuel stop near by and hit Route 4. It was a straightforward ride all the way to Hua Hin, stopping once more for fuel for Roy. We got to South of Hua Hin before stopping for lunch. After scouring the sides we found a restaurant where we had a very nice lunch. Here we switched Roy’s bike off in the belief it shouldn’t be too long a stop and should be able to restart. But again, on attempting to fire up the battery was dead again.
Fortunately this restaurant had a 6ft ramp leading into it. Advising Roy how to pop the clutch properly to bump the bike. Basically build the speed, pop the clutch and simultaneously give it a hand full of throttle and throw all your weight onto the back of the seat. We backed the bike up to the top of the ramp, and with the help of the restaurant owner give it a good go and Roy was able to start it first attempt.
After this we just hit the road all the way to Bangkok. Roy pulled off at Samut Prakarn as his BMW dealership was located there, dropped his bike off and got a taxi home. I carried on home straight to beat the rush of afternoon traffic.
An eventful day for sure, pretty much straight riding but not without it’s excitement.
All in all a great 5 days ride, some adventure and some excitement. We covered 3,194 kms.
Motorcycle Chronicles by Jamil Siddique 