Phuket Enduro: KLX140 and CRF300L Explore New Trails
A Quieter Sunday on the Phuket Trails
This episode of enduro riding in Phuket is a smaller, calmer affair than usual. Just two riders headed out on Sunday 3 May 2026, swapping the big group turnout for a relaxed pair-up focused on exploring and discovering new paths through the jungle. JD Simpson rode the lighter Kawasaki KLX140 and carried the GoPro, so most of what you see is filmed from his point of view. Nicola Vega rode the Honda CRF300L, a bigger and heavier machine. The video runs for about 21 minutes and was published on 4 May 2026. It is spoken in English, with a little Franglais slipping in along the way. This is another instalment in Nicola Vega's ongoing Phuket riding series. If you enjoy watching two mates simply ride and chat, this one is for you.
Two Riders, Two Very Different Bikes
The contrast between the two bikes is part of what makes this session interesting. The KLX140 is a small, nimble machine that is easy to flick around tight corners and lift over obstacles, which suits filming and scouting fresh ground. The CRF300L has more power and a taller stance, and it is genuinely capable on longer days out. Nicola was honest about the trade-off: by the last section of the ride, he found the CRF300L a bit heavy and harder to manage as fatigue set in. That kind of straight talk is useful if you are weighing up a bike for local trails, because weight matters just as much as outright power once the terrain gets technical and the day grows long.
What Phuket's Terrain Is Really Like
Away from the beaches and busy roads, the centre of the island rises into forested hills laced with narrow tracks. These paths wind through rubber plantations, past patches of thick jungle and along ridges that open onto quiet green views. The going changes quickly. One moment you have firm packed dirt, the next you meet loose gravel, exposed roots, ruts left by the rains or a sudden steep pinch that tests your balance. Because much of the year is warm and humid, surfaces can be dusty in the dry spells and slick after a shower. That variety is exactly why a two-rider day spent exploring makes sense: you can take your time, read the ground and pick your line without a queue of bikes behind you. You can browse more routes across the island on our Phuket trails pages.
Why This One Is Worth Watching
Not every ride needs a huge crew to be enjoyable. This session shows the appeal of a smaller outing: more room to poke down side tracks, more chance to find something new and a calmer pace that lets the scenery come through. Because JD is filming from the KLX140, you get a natural, first-person feel for the trail rather than a heavily edited highlight reel. The Franglais chatter adds character, and the moments where the pair pause to work out which way a fresh path leads are part of the fun. It is honest, unhurried footage of two riders enjoying the island on a Sunday. For more clips in the same spirit, see our Adventure & Riding collection.
Thinking of Riding It Yourself
If this footage tempts you out onto the dirt, plan sensibly before you go. Ride within your own ability rather than trying to copy anything you see on screen, and build up gradually as your confidence grows. Wear proper protective gear, including a helmet, gloves and sturdy boots, and carry water in the heat. Respect private land: much of the island's interior is working plantation and farmland, so do not damage crops or trespass, and leave gates as you find them. Most importantly, go with someone who already knows the trails. A local guide or an experienced friend makes a real difference to both safety and enjoyment, especially when paths are unmarked and easy to lose. For a fuller picture of getting started, read our guide to enduro and off-road trails before you set off. Done thoughtfully, enduro riding in Phuket is a wonderful way to see a side of the island most visitors never reach.
