Given I’m planning to do some motorcycle riding in Thailand a friend suggested I get a helmet from a shop in Phuket Town called ‘Archi Motorcycle Helmets’. So, I did. This activity led me to being introduced to the owner of ‘Archi’s’ Khun Nong, a cool guy who I believe has his heart in the right place.
“I changed the café into something I like and that I know well”
Nong – Owner of Archi Helmets.
My brother Adrian (Ad) and I arranged to meet with Nong to ask him how his helmet shop started and of course introduce us to the two-wheeled love of his life, a carbon fiber gun-metal grey 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300cc Generation 1.
In our meeting Nong told the Farangbowl how the shop used to be a café that he ran with his then girlfriend. When he and his girlfriend separated, he was at a loss as to what to do with the shop and decided as he loved motorcycles to start selling helmets. “I changed the café into something I like and that I know well” he told the Bowl. The name ‘Archi Helmets’ came from Nong’s previous career as an Architect where he was put to work designing private, commercial and landscaping projects. Ad commented that this shop has character when compared to similar shops in Phuket and I think given its size and the genuine helpful attitude and personality of Nong that he’s not wrong.
The ‘Archi Helmets’ shop stocks Gloves, Backpacks, Racing helmets and a good selection Café Racer head gear too. I do love my racing bikes; however, I also have a soft spot for Café Racers and could not take my eyes of a black Bell Bullitt retro lid on display. It wasn’t long before we moved on to the subject of Nong’s Suzuki Hayabusa which was conveniently parked outside the shop.
Nong bought the bike eight years ago from a private seller in Bangkok and it has been in his loving care ever since. Some modifications and upgrades had been made to the fairing (now all carbon fiber) and the brakes respectively.
Nong kindly fired up the Hayabusa and I must be honest, I was shocked at the sweet rumble this much-loved bike made. It really did thump you in the chest every time the throttle was rung.
Nong agreed to take the bike for a ride and follow our camera clad car around Phuket Town and By-Pass Road to show of this incredible machine in all its well-earned glory.
Filming this bike was an absolute pleasure and we encourage you to watch the feature video that supports this article in the media viewer below. It was breathtaking to watch.
The Bowl would like to thank Nong and ‘Archi Motorcycle Helmets’ for welcoming us into his life albeit briefly and spending the afternoon with him and his bike.
Company details
Archi Motorcycle Helmets
Owner: Khun (Mr) Nong
Address: Archi helmets, 7 2 Patiphat Rd, Tambon Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000.
Call: 0894149554
Line ID: 0894149554
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archi_helmet_phuket/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Archihelmet36/
If you want to watch the filmed episode that supports this article then please go to the Farangbowl YouTube Channel or watch it in the media browser on this page below.
James Alexander
