5 big adventure bikes camping up north

KTMphil

KTMphil

Senior member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bikes
2007 KTM 990 Adventure Suzuki DRZ 400
Considering September is one of the wettest months during the SW Monsoon, we were taking a bit of a chance going camping. All of our tents were waterproof so what the heck.



RIMG2339_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



We had two spots in mind at the Thai/ Myanmar border, an easy one if it was pouring down and another in a more secluded area.



R 4015 txt by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr
 
As of 22nd September, 2015, R 1095 east of Pai is in a horrible state


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Several 5km sections of roadworks


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Lots of uncleaned sections still covered in slippy mud


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New bridge construction


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The odd car crash even on the good bits

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Some unmade sections on R 1095 east of Pai


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If this had been wet it would have been good for us


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A lot of it had been watered to keep the dust down


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Some not


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Back on the tarmac and Sned's Multistrada is off


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Through the police checkpoint


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Some good road at last, Sneds chasing Steve


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Mr. F through the switchbacks


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Sergio followed by Steve


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West of Pai the road is much better


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There are still a few roadworks west of Pai on R 1095


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Drink break at the viewpoint


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Some local characters


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Then back westwards on R 1095


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Being dry, we decided to give the campsite at the north end of R 4015 a try, right on the Myanmar border. R 4015 was under some major rennovation too


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Mr. Sned's Super Corsa track race tires were hanging in there on the dry red clay, if it rained overnight, it might be slow getting out of here


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Quite surprising how much was still unmade


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A few muddy puddles nothing too bad


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The dry hardpacked stuff was fun


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Sergio on the V-Strom 650


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Roadmakers on the blind corners


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About 70% was sealed on R 4015


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If you havnt been up this road it has some unusual views


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Small villages all the way north


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Lots of blind corners and a thin road so you cant really blast along


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Getting close to the border, checkpoints start


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Up at Ban Khong (Tai Yai) we look for the camp site


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Took a little bit of finding, a quick survey, the grass was a bit long, maybe attracts some snakes, but on the whole should be fine


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Mr Kelly with some mud splashes


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Let the camp making begin


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Bob's 2 man MSR Hubba Hubba, one of the best lighweight tents you can buy



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All set up before dark, the snorers staying at the ends of the group setup


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Time to get medicated


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We had steaks, sausages, chicken wings, baguettes, potatoes, Jack Daniels, vodka & red wine. The BBQ chef taking care of things


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A chap turned up with this t shirt on which caught our eyes


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A decent night sleep in the cool, mountain air. Everything was wet which is a pain when you have to pack it away like that


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Back south on R 4015


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The clouds still rising


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Nice twisty road down


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Nice and green from all the monsoon rain


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Through the buffer border checkpoint


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The red clay was still dry on the way out



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Twisties


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Back on the hard top


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Full array of greens


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Headed south on R 4015/ downhill, you get better photo opportunites


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Idiot proof gas pumps


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More dirt sections



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Looks like it would be slick in the rain


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Especially here


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One lane finished caused some headaches


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Back down at R 1095/ Mae Hong Son Loop road and decision time for the next nights camping


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MHS for breakfast and we would decide there... Park Rangers on their way back to MHS


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The Salaween River Restaurant & Bar does the best food in Mae Hong Son


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Huge breakfasts with home made bread



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P_20150923_105533.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Then off south on R 108


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Just as we reached Khun Yuam it poured with rain, perfect time to duck into the Japanese WW II museum


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We'd decided on camping in Mae Sariang. Jonny knew a potential spot on the western side of the Mae Yuam River in Mae sariang


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It looked doable, we had a river to bath in, with all the standing water around and cow dung, it looked like it would be mosquito hell at dusk so we decided against it


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Back out to survey another potential camping spot Bob had seen


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Right next to the bridge Bob had spotted a flat grass area below the Wat


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Didnt look like private property, close to town, river to bath and even a toilet, looked perfect


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Some excitement from the young monks once they realized what we were doing


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We put the tents up and non one seemed to be bothered by it



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Serg down by the river


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38C lets hope it cools down later


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River was delicous and cool


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We were listening for banjo's



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banjo by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr
 
A night on the town in Mae Sariang, then home to Chiang Mai on R 108

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Beam me up Scotty


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Some bridge building west of Hot on R 108


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Thats it --- 2 great days camping




..
 
great time! thanx for the pix Phil :DD
 
Great trip and nice camping area at Ban Khong Tai Yai at the end of Rd 4015. Another nice camping area is just a bit south-west of Ban Pang Ung/ Ban Na Pa Paek (Coordinates N19.498566° and E97.905896°) off Rd 3011/5001 north of Mae Hong Son but that can get very crowded during the Christmas/New year period with Bangkok people enjoying the cold air

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Last edited:
Lone Rider said:
Great trip and nice camping area at Ban Khong Tai Yai at the end of Rd 4015. Another nice camping area is just a bit south-west of Ban Pang Ung/ Ban Na Pa Paek (Coordinates N19.498566° and E97.905896°) off Rd 1285 north of Mae Hong Son but that can get very crowded during the Christmas/New year period with Bangkok people enjoying the cold air

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Was just going to post that too.. Really great spot and ideal for hot season camp out with swimming BBQ etc.. Rooms available in the village and 2 nice ones from the park ranger.
 
this was our plan B .. I ve ben there a couple of times ,owesome spot also has cabins


Lone Rider said:
Great trip and nice camping area at Ban Khong Tai Yai at the end of Rd 4015. Another nice camping area is just a bit south-west of Ban Pang Ung/ Ban Na Pa Paek (Coordinates N19.498566° and E97.905896°) off Rd 1285 north of Mae Hong Son but that can get very crowded during the Christmas/New year period with Bangkok people enjoying the cold air

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