Yamaha TTX 115i Ride.

Yamaha TTX 115i.
This bike is available in Thailand, but not Malaysia. Had an opportunity to ride it for 3 days in Koh Lanta. Bike was rented for 750 Baths for 3 days.

Kantiang Bay.

Specification is attractive for a scooter.
114 cm3 with fuel injection, giving 5.70KW@8500r/min and a torque of 8.70Nm@5000r/min. This should be adequate for a  leisure ride with 2 up on a small island.

First thing first, fuel up. Since am using for a couple of days, it's much cheaper to fuel up at a proper station, rather than those selling by the bottles. 130 Baths as there were some fuel in the tank.

Pic taken from Tigersachclub.

I choose the TTX based on it's styling. It looks Macho / adventurousness. Also ease of riding / handling.

The Houben.

As were staying at the southern part of Koh Lanta, The Houben, we started with a ride to the southern tip. Road was windy as it's village roads. First stop was Kantian Bay.

Cliff by Kantian Bay.

Kantian Beach.

We then proceed further south. Came across lots of monkeys and wild fig trees near the Mo Koh Lanta National Park.

Wild Figs

First day ride was a slow one as am not similar with the bike & road. Was a bit doubtful going off road to the beach on a very steep incline, still we made it with a bit of keeping the momentum and with 2 up. I would guess it has a gradient of more the 20%. Going down this slope was also a bit problem as there is no engine breaking (CV gearbox). The rear drum brake, cable operated was extremely stiff & hard, not much breaking power. Front disc brake is good, but then can over break on down slope (off road, cement road). Others were pushing up (no rider, Mat Salleh) the slope.

Afternoon we traveled north, then east to cross the width of the island, to Old Town on the Eastern side. As we were going down the cliff of the Eastern shore, the bike felt rather funny on uneven roads and corner. Was thinking maybe we don't have enough air pressure as I didn't check the tires. We missed Old Lanta Town, over shot and ended up in Koh Keh.

Handsome cat at Saladan.

We did see a sign, Old Town 6, then Old town 5, which I got confuse, thinking it was 6 KM till Old town, then 5 km to old town. In fact it was it was Old Town Road 6 & 5.

Meter gauge of Yamaha TTX. The frog was hitching a ride.

We stopped at Kok Keh for lunch, as it's the last village. Check on the rear tire, it was almost flat. Skipped lunch, check with the locals with sign language where to get it fix. Most of them pointed to where we come from. Manage to speak to a lady (young lady) and explianed to me that we have to go back to Old Town for the nearest fix. We rode with our weight close to the front. We reached the Kon Lanta Hospital and there is no more air in the tire. Had to leave my wify there and proceed
ed alone. 7 km down the road, which is a very long ride, with 3 stop to asked for direction, I reached Old town. Got the flat fixed for 40 bath. There are also a couple of bikes having flats. I am very impressed the the rim & tire is still good even running flat. Just a patch took care of it. Filled up the pressure, hit it with a spanner to gauge the pressure and declared it's good to go.

Rode back to the Hospital to look for my wife. OMG, could not find her there. Decided to ride back to Old Town. Finally saw her flagging me down a few kilometers down the road. She was trying to hitch a ride but no one stopped for her. She did flag me on my way up, but I didn't noticed.

Since we were there and I already now where old town is, we went there to so some shopping. Old town were set up by mostly Chao Lay (sea gypsies), Muslim communities from the south and the came the arrival of Chinese.

The Pirate's Den.

Chinese Shrine in the town center.

The Old Town now is predominantly occupied by Thai Chinese families. Bought some bags and cloths. Prices were very much cheaper here. Bought 3 pieces of mango (medium/large) for 270 baths. It was the sweetest mango I ever tasted, fiber-less and almost no seeds.

Lotus in Old Town. Most of the population love planting in Old Town.

Day 2, check out both the tires before we ride. Fuel gauge was a bit low. Filled up again at the gasoline station. Oophs no air pump. Rode further down. Did some off road to the the International Mediatation Center which has to pass through a palm oil estate. The roads was gravel with lots of small stones. Scooter being on a small wheels, I just keep the momentum, no sudden start / stop or change of direction. It was rather difficult as the throttle wasn't responsive. I just can't get it right. It was either too much or too little. Too much cause it to jerk. Too little cause it to stop almost immediately (rolling). After w got back on road, I tried to play with the throttle and find that it's with the bike (either no maintained properly). Made another stop at Klong Khong Beach, The Lanta Animal Welfare Center. Went to the Cat House to play with the cats. Erh still couldn't find a gasoline station with an air pump. Check on the front tire, it's still holding, just a bit low on pressure. Rode all the way to Saladan. Stopped for some shopping & massage. Finally I stopped by a motorbike repair shop and request them to fill up the front tire.

Sandy @ Old Town. Foxy is at lower left cornier catching flies.

Day 3, a long ride. Morning we rode all the way to Saladan. Had a massage at Serenity. It was great, better then the 1 we had yesterday. Serenity has a relaxing area at the rear of their shop. It's a must visit. Had tea & fruits there. Afternoon we rode all the way to Old Town. Stopped at Sandy @ Old town. Sandy has 2 very unique dogs. Foxy whom is always busy catching flies. Smiley has a punky fur.

After having the bike for 3 days, my view is that this bike is a great short / leisure commuter. Good for heading out to the market or sundry shop or do some take-away. On longer distance, the vibration kicks in. Even when I kept it at 60 ~ 70 km/h. On the rear, the foot rest is too small. Seat is not made for comfort (longer distance). Being a scooter, it's easy to ride & park.