I Rode A Tiny Moped From Thailand to UK (No Experience)

498 days. 43,600km. Thailand to UK on 1 tiny moped. Just over a year ago, with zero motorbike experience, I bought a Honda CT125 from Honda Cubhouse in Thailand, and attempted to ride it 27,000 miles back to the UK.

The plan sounded simple, but everything went wrong…

I rode into corruption, monsoon jungles, bomb scares, riots, revolutions, insurgencies, military checkpoints, and what would become the adventure of a lifetime.

Somehow… I also ended up in literal history.

And now, after 3 months of editing and revisiting the footage, I have the ultimate pleasure of sharing it all with you.

Enjoy!

Cheers,
Harry

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📼 Thailand to UK on 2 Wheels episode playlist: https://youtu.be/u94mC5u2l7E?si=6BqTf9-0aaKWOTj7

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FAQ:

What bike did you ride?
Honda CT125 (if you want one/purchase one after this – please tell them about this video)

Would you recommend this bike for such a long trip?
100x yes. It makes it harder, and some places are going to be a little more difficult, but that’s what makes it fun! Can’t imagine dropping a 200kg+ bike in some mud down a trail is a good idea. Also everything is ridiculously cheap compared. Petrol. Insurance. Shipment. CDP.

Why did it take you so long?
I think the video speaks for itself. Closed borders. Riots. General turmoil. Of course it could’ve been quicker, but then it never would’ve worked out the way it did – which I find insane to think about. Also I did actually cycle Vietnam for 3 months (pedal bike), removed it from the video because it felt like its own adventure.

Did you plan for this?
No. I had a very short napkin plan, but as you can see, that was a pretty terrible one. I just kinda went into the unknown and figured it out on the way. If I’d have planned it more, I don’t think I would’ve ever left.

How much did it cost?
I initially planned to only spend £10,000. It didn’t end up being possible in that amount. Luckily I managed to see success in making videos, so I was able to pick up the costs along the way (after months of eating into savings). I spent £20,000 ish on this entire trip – bike costs, flights, carnet de passage (CDP), freight (twice), sustenance on the road.

How did you learn to speak Thai?
I spent 6 months learning myself before going, then enrolled in a Thai school for about 3 months. This gave me the visa I needed to be able to purchase a bike, and properly license everything.

What’s next?
I have some cool big adventures planned here, but it entirely depends on the performance of this video if I can continue or not.

What camera did you use?
DJI Action 5. No mic. No attachments. Nothing. Simple, cheap tripod I got from a random vendor in Thailand somewhere. Cheap Helmet mount.
Voiceovers were recorded with a new set of DJI Mic Mini’s (purchased after trip).
https://www.wehatethecold.com/camera

Music from:
🎵 Copyrighted music licensed from Lickd. Join here for an exclusive free trial: https://referrals.lickd.co/l/HARRYJACKS06/
1901 by Phœnix, https://t.lickd.co/l/leYxWBxRpOG
Om Mani Padme Hum by Deva Premal, https://t.lickd.co/l/Z3m0VyQRb2N
retire (final) by Alvedon, https://t.lickd.co/l/rJ0pwo1OXaP
Spirit In The Sky (Deluxe Edition) by Norman Greenbaum, https://t.lickd.co/l/bZ8w4RzgoNP
WombatNoisesAudio – The Legend of Narmer is under a Creative Commons BY 3.0 license.

Credits to all original performances & recordings

Music by Sujan Lama:

My Way orchestral remake:

Chinese music:

Rain over istanbul:

Footage used:
Wat Phousalao drone:

Music by Sujan Lama:

Cappadocia:

Kashmir:

Drone footage cappadocia:

Drone footage death railway:

0:00 – A Moped, A Dream & No Experience
4:38 – The Most Secret Place on Earth
9:23 – The Border They Told Me Not To Cross
13:21 – They Thought My Bike Was A Bomb
22:00 – Asia’s Most Militarised Paradise
25:50 – When Heaven Turns To Hell
29:20 – Where No Tourist Dares
31:35 – Level 4 Unlocked
43:35 – Driving Home For Christmas