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Published on February 11, 2008

Mass-produced motorcycles in Thailand reach a maximum engine size of 200cc.

"Big bikes" normally refers to bikes that have engines larger than 400cc.

The new showroom on Ratchadaphisek Road is the result of an investment of Bt20 million. Big-bike showrooms have also been launched in Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phuket, but the Bangkok branch is the only one that sells big bikes only. Other showrooms also sell mass-market products by Yamaha.

"The main purpose of bringing big bikes into Thailand is to boost brand image. We want people to know that Yamaha does also have a big-bike side.

"Besides this we want to provide for customers who want to own a Yamaha big bike. Grey-market importers have brought in the bikes, but servicing was a problem. We have invested in service equipment and the stocking of spare parts," said Praphan, Phornthanavarsit, chief operating officer of Thai Yamaha Motor.

Praphan says Yamaha is the only company with nationwide network coverage for big bikes. The only other big-bike brands officially available in Thailand are from Ducati, BMW, Triumph and Harley-Davidson.

The total market for big bikes in Thailand is approximately 500 units per year. Yamaha hopes to achieve sales of 120 units. It says most customers will be people who previously turned to the grey market. All motorcycles coming from Yamaha showrooms come with a two-year warranty irrespective of distance travelled.

Five big-bike models will be sold at the showrooms. Praphan said the plan had been to sell seven but two encountered emission and tax problems. The Kingdom is thought to have about 8,000 big-bike riders, 1,000 of them on Yamahas.

Vijo Varghese

The Nation