Need Some Direction, Please!

[USslugga]

Hey everyone.  First post here. 

 

So I've been living in Thailand for almost 10 months now and I've been getting along alright with motortaxis, but I think it's about time I buy my own ride.

 

The only problem is, I'm not sure where to start!  Can anyone tell me what the process is like?  I've heard some say that it's better to buy the bike outright so you don't have to pay interest.  Others think it's worth it to pay per month for an extended period of time.  

 

Plus, I don't have a Thai drivers license (but I do have an American drivers license).  Will that bar me from getting a bike?  My thai friend doesn't seem to think that will stop the bike shops as long as I have the money. 

 

And I know this is already a long post, but can you recommend me a bike as well?  I've been thinking about the ryuka Inifinity Cruiser 125r, Yamaha Aerox 155 and Honda PCX but I'd like to hear what bike you think is the best one for a first time bike owner.

 

Thanks

[VocalNeal]

Where are you?

[USslugga]

16 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Where are you?

I live in SriRacha.

[VocalNeal]

OK then any Bangkok info I have is irrelevant, like guys to escort you to the auctions. On the plus side Sri Racha is not super busy and you can easily escape for practice in the hinterland. Have you ridden a bike before and does your US license have a motorcycle endorsement? Do you drive here? Do you wish to use the bike for urban errands or do you want to escape for a weekend? 

 

Apart from the actual vehicle control, you need to forget anything and everything you think you know about driving in the US or anywhere else outside ASIA for that matter. Basically there are no rules here and it is "me first" 

 

Have a search on here for posts about getting a driving license. You will have to take the practical test if you don't have the endorsement so better to do both together. Practical test is relatively easy and you can "borrow' a scooter to do that. 

 

Depends really if you want a "proper" bike or a twist-and-go scooter.  The later might be better for shopping. Aerox might be a bit boy racer, so might consider Nmax (ABS) depending on your needs. Go around all the dealers and sit on a few. Rent something if there is a rental shop there.

If you want a real bike Honda has a nice new 150 naked bike.

[USslugga]

Hey VocalNeal, 

 

Yes, I occasionally drive my girlfriend's scooter, so I have some experience, but not a lot.  And no, my US license doesn't have a motorcycle endorsement.  

 

And I don't plan on using the bike for any long distances.  I'm thinking I will just cruise around town (and maybe occasionally biking up to BangSaen or something).

[VocalNeal]

Sounds like an auto scooter is the way to go then. You can still ride to Khao Kheow and the like. 

 

Find the DLT office and get some licences first. 

[pferdy62]

I had never ridden a motorcycle before moving to Thailand.  I bought a Kawasaki KLX250 dirt bike as my first bike.  I rode this mostly on the dirt roads and in the local forests while I developed my skills to the point where I thought I was ready to do the license tests.  

 

I found some sites on the internet with examples of the questions that are asked for the theoretical test which helped a lot.  On the actual day of the theoretical test, everyone watches a video for about 2 hours.  It has English subtitles and provides some useful information on Thai road rules that answers more of the questions in the test later on.  I noticed that a lot of the Thais slept though this.  After the movie, it's off to do the test.  It is a computer based test that is fairly straight forward.  There were 50 questions and you needed 45 correct to pass.  The test is available in English so there are no issues there.  

 

The practical test is pretty straight forward and does not require much in the way of skills.  The only hard thing for me was to ride very slowly along a balance beam for about 20 metres.  You must take longer than a certain amount of time to pass this, so you can't just ride along it quickly and easily.  The logic behind this is that Thai traffic can be very tight and slow so you need to be able to maintain your position relative to everyone else around you without creating any problems for you or anyone near you.

 

When it came to buying the bike, I did not have either an Australian or a Thai motorcycle license at the time.  The bike dealer was happy to sell me a bike and the license is not his problem.  They do need copies of your passport and visa and stuff like that in order to sort out the green book for your bike so that you are the properly registered owner of the bike. 

 

 

[AllanB]

I rode for a couple of years before taking my test which was very easy, if I got stopped by the cops I just showed them my UK licence and never had a problem. My advice, learn to ride and then take your test when good and ready.

 

With regards to a bike, only pay cash and buy new. A brand new 125cc Yamaha Filano will cost a little over B50k including everything, it will fit you if you are 6 foot, it has a big seat if you are fat and carry a ton of stuff. Plenty fast enough around town, even with two, economical and we did the Mae Hong Song Loop on ours two up, it was a doddle. To me the Filano is the benchmark, start there and then look at the others.

 

But....if you live in an area with unmade roads and potholes think about a dirt-bike, but that will cost you more.

 

The number one riding tip here is, don't do anything dramatic. That means in terms of acceleration, braking and/or change of direction and generally be prepared for anything...watch a few Youtube videos. Might is right...and so are idiots, you can swear at them,just don't hit them.

[USslugga]

1 hour ago, pferdy62 said:

 

 

Quote

 

Thanks for the advice pferdy62.  It would probably be smart to follow your steps in getting the license.  However, after talking with my British friend, I guess it's not so necessary at the moment.  He was stopped by police and showed his British license and he said that was acceptable to them.

[USslugga]

Thanks for your response AllanB.  Can you elaborate more on this: "With regards to a bike, only pay cash and buy new."  

 

Are you saying that I should only buy a bike in one, upfront payment?  Why do you not recommend paying a smaller amount every month? 

 

True, it will cost more overall, but it will allow you to more easily afford a better bike. 

[AllanB]

34 minutes ago, USslugga said:

Thanks for your response AllanB.  Can you elaborate more on this: "With regards to a bike, only pay cash and buy new."  

 

Are you saying that I should only buy a bike in one, upfront payment?  Why do you not recommend paying a smaller amount every month? 

 

True, it will cost more overall, but it will allow you to more easily afford a better bike. 

Well I am old school...don't buy stuff you can't afford..that is my rule and my opinion. As the great prophet George Carlin used to say, "buying shit you don't need with money you don't have."  The entire western world is in deep shit for buying stuff on credit

 

Buying something "better" when you can't afford it is something of a fools paradise IMO. My first bike here was a Honda Wave 110efi, bog standard, drum brakes, kick start B34k. Mine from day 1.. and we still have it 8 years on, it always starts even after 6 months non use and it still stops as quick as you need. 

 

At B50k  for a 125cc efi it is not big bucks so why pay more....and there could be hassle from the finance company who "own" your bike.

 

 

[DILLIGAD]

Also it is difficult for a foreigner
to get finance here, without a work permit & Cert of Residence.


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[USslugga]

3 hours ago, DILLIGAD said:

Also it is difficult for a foreigner
to get finance here, without a work permit & Cert of Residence.


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Hey DILLIGAD,  I do have a work permit already.  And I believe I have a certificate of residence as well. I know my landlord prepared some documents stating where I reside and how long I have been there and the like.  He keeps up with all the immigration laws.

[USslugga]

@AllanB  Yeah, you make good points.  I certainly am not planning on buying a bike I cannot afford.  I have enough money in my bank account to pay for most bikes I want up front, however, I don't want to shove over a big amount of cash at one time in case I need that money for emergencies.  

[pferdy62]

There is one point that may be relevant concerning licenses.  While a tourist is able to ride here using an international driving permit for their holiday, people who live/stay here longer need to have a license.  While the police may accept your foreign license or accept a small donation, the problem comes about if you are involved in an accident and the insurance company decides that you are not covered as you were not correctly licensed to ride in Thailand.  If you need serious medical treatment, how will you pay for it?  If someone else wants to claim damages, how will you pay for it?

[DILLIGAD]

There is one point that may be relevant concerning licenses.  While a tourist is able to ride here using an international driving permit for their holiday, people who live/stay here longer need to have a license.  While the police may accept your foreign license or accept a small donation, the problem comes about if you are involved in an accident and the insurance company decides that you are not covered as you were not correctly licensed to ride in Thailand.  If you need serious medical treatment, how will you pay for it?  If someone else wants to claim damages, how will you pay for it?

Wise words!


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[KhunBENQ]

Call me cheap charlie, but for riding around town (no serious overland tours) the cheapest and simplest is good enough.

Wife has an automatic scooter (Honda Click).

I just got me a new Honda Wave (110 cc) with semi-automatic (clutchless).

38500 Baht with front disk brakes, kickstart.

2000 for registering by the shop.

I like this better. It's light weight, small, easy to maneuver, 17 inch wheels.

I would not like one of these fat scooters (rolling sofas) that don't fit in a small parking space for riding around town.

 

Well, how tall/"strong" are you?

I admit that the Wave is not for the strong guys

 

Driving license: do it from scratch.

Biggest hurdle is the theory test for which you might have to swot.

Driving test on the office yard is a joke.

 

[USslugga]

Thanks for the input guys!  

 

Any more bike/scooter recommendations from anyone?  Are there any decent "real" bikes for under 100k?     

[guzzi850m2]

Get something with electric start and front disk brake.

You can buy a used bike, why not, but not too old.

Get the scooter you fell most comfortable on. Yamaha or Honda makes no difference but i will avoid anything "exotic" if I was you.

I think the Nmax have ABS? Good to have here. I don't know this scooter myself but heard many good things about it.

I ride a PCX for over 5 years now and it never let me down, a good scooter but not the most pretty thing to look at, but who cares, it's a scooter.

[DILLIGAD]

Thanks for the input guys!  

 

Any more bike/scooter recommendations from anyone?  Are there any decent "real" bikes for under 100k?     

Many second hand with no legal registration book, just random invoice/import papers.

Steer clear!

 

 

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