What’s it like to drive in Thailand?

By Dan Cheeseman

 

 

Moving to Thailand is an assault to the senses in many ways, but once the novelty wears off, I started noticing “new” things that nobody had prepared me for. For once, I expected the traffic to be something from the 9th gate of hell, but nothing turned out to be further from the truth.

 

Yes, Bangkok has some of the worst traffic in the world, and YES, the number of fatalities on the roads in Thailand is staggering. However, I find these two facts are hard to reconcile with the general driving experience in Thailand.

 

In fact, whenever people visit me in the Kingdom, planning a road trip is one of my favourite things to do. Not only do you get to see some of the more secluded and authentic parts of Thailand, I also enjoy the driving itself. Outside the cities it is a stress free affair, and even in the densest traffic, hardly anyone ever touches their horn.

 

I enjoy giving people the right of way as well, because this is usually acknowledged with a little nod that you may just be able to see through the heavily tinted windscreen. Plus, driving a classic car will often get the approval of Thai gearheads on motorcycles, who will speed by and give me a thumbs up.

 

Things turn very, very differently however when you are unfortunate enough to get into an accident. Having lived in Thailand for almost ten years, I have certainly had my share of automotive misfortune. In the paragraphs below I will describe my different experiences and some of the more upsetting stories I heard from friends and coworkers.

 

Self-inflicted motorcycle wounds

Although I never took a class, a few months of total “motocy taxi”-dependency pushed me over the edge and I purchased a small bike with semi-automatic clutch. It took me exactly 15 minutes and one pothole to land in the nearest hospital, where they proceeded to stitch me up. This was on the outskirts of Bangkok, and the entire emergency department was filled with kids who were mauled by soi dogs on one side, and banged-up motorcycle drivers on the other.

 

I learned a few things that day. First off, Thai hospitals are cheap, professional and very reliable. I also didn’t know there was such a thing as internal and external stitches, but my knee required both in the double digit numbers. And finally, squeezing both brakes as hard as you can is counterproductive, as it locks the front wheel and will catapult you over the handlebars.

 

Two-vehicle incidents in Thailand

Expats will often warn newcomers that “crashing with a Thai will be your fault. Period”. I’d like to refrain from the deeper cultural implications on why this is, but it really seems to be true. I’ve been hit by a speeding motorcycle when I was waiting to make a right turn, and ended up paying 4.000 THB.

 

Full story: https://danaboutthailand.com/2018/04/24/whats-it-like-to-drive-in-thailand/

 

-- DAN ABOUT THAILAND 2018-04-25

2 minutes ago, webfact said:

I’ve been hit by a speeding motorcycle when I was waiting to make a right turn, and ended up paying 4.000 THB

 

Car driver generally pays for motorbike... That goes for Thai car drivers as well as Farang...

 

Dan About Thailand needs to learn more about Thailand

I think that Dan is just having some fun.

 

To be sure,Dan should not really comment about anything until he has lived here for 30 years,speaks perfect Mong and has put 1,793,317 bottles of Leo under his belt.

 

In the meantime we will just have to put up with Dan's jejeune jottings,buy a dodgy phone app that shows clear blue skies over Chiang Mai and join in shrieking about the underhanded attacks on Pattaya's noble reputation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  One of the problems why so many motorbike accidents happen without the interference of other drivers, cars, etc. seems to be lack of understanding how brakes work, especially when it rains.

 

   I'm amazed that this is not part of the movie you have to watch when you apply for your driver's license, nor is there any explanation on brakes in general.

 

   Most bikes without ABS have a disc brake in front and a rear drum brake. Not too many people are aware that just pulling the front brake will automatically make them airborne, which should be explained when people go for a motorbike driver's license.

 

  There should be a more difficult to get license for big bikes. It's a joke that anybody is allowed to drive a 1,000 cc motorcycle without having any driving practice.

 

   It's like so many other problems in Thailand the non existing education that's causing a lot of troubles. 

3 minutes ago, jenny2017 said:

  One of the problems why so many motorbike accidents happen without the interference of other drivers, cars, etc. seems to be lack of understanding how brakes work, especially when it rains.

 

   I'm amazed that this is not part of the movie you have to watch when you apply for your driver's license, nor is there any explanation on brakes in general.

 

   Most bikes without ABS have a disc brake in front and a rear drum brake. Not too many people are aware that just pulling the front brake will automatically make them airborne, which should be explained when people go for a motorbike driver's license.

 

  There should be a more difficult to get license for big bikes. It's a joke that anybody is allowed to drive a 1,000 cc motorcycle without having any driving practice.

 

   It's like so many other problems in Thailand the non existing education that's causing a lot of troubles. 

Its more of an issue now with bikes coming out with combination brakes, one lever operates front and rear brake together. Rear brake only isnt an option.

I came off one rainy day when the front wheel of our Fino slipped out from under on a wet painted speed bump in our village, spilling both me and the shopping all over the road. Fortunately only a minor bruise and abraded shorts.

 

More seriously our new Mio Sport did the same thing at stationary traffic lights with my wife on the back - one of those joins in the concrete was out of level, the front wheel dropped down the little step, a mere 25mm but enough to cause the wheel to slide out and down we went with her on top of me.

 

Three months later and she has recovered, but I have suffered some sort of injury to my shoulder that is getting more painful every day and causes sleepless nights. X-rays show nothing broken, and the expensive doctor at the Central General Hospital insisted that it was strained tendons, or ligaments and that I should rest it although driving the Mio was ok. (Clearly he has never had to wrestle a bouncing bike on Thailand's bumpy roads) Also don't sleep on it.

 

Ha - the only place I get any pain relief is to sleep on that side with my arm over my head. When I did some google research, I found deep bone bruising that is trauma to the bone that manifests itself on growing pain, takes forever to heal, only shows up on MRI and was denied by my doctor as actually ever occurring. So that was a waste of money and he was one of the most expensive specialists in that hospital.

 

But in spite of that we seldom use the car as traffic is too heavy, we use the bike, the Fino before and now the super sporty Mio that is a much better traffic bike capable of rapid acceleration in traffic so we can maximise gaps etc when struggling through Bangkok rush hours to the hospital or Chang Wattana or wherever. I prefer it to the car, you save hours of sitting still, polluting the air, and it is fun to drive. 

 

Ok, after an hour the "numb-bum syndrome" is replaced by "aching-bum syndrome" followed by "bruised-bum syndrome" if a journey over crap Bangkok roads is too long but still..............................!

17 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Its more of an issue now with bikes coming out with combination brakes, one lever operates front and rear brake together. Rear brake only isnt an option.

   Two friends of our son had accidents with their big bikes just because of the use of the more powerful front brake. All big bikes should have ABS by now.

 

   Many motorbike drivers don't even stop accelerating when hitting the brakes if something abruptly happens in front of them.

 

Why do people not slow down when it rains? Our little Yamaha 110 cc bike does 110 km/h, way too fast for some kiddies. 

 

   

8 minutes ago, cliveshep said:

I came off one rainy day when the front wheel of our Fino slipped out from under on a wet painted speed bump in our village, spilling both me and the shopping all over the road. Fortunately only a minor bruise and abraded shorts.

 

More seriously our new Mio Sport did the same thing at stationary traffic lights with my wife on the back - one of those joins in the concrete was out of level, the front wheel dropped down the little step, a mere 25mm but enough to cause the wheel to slide out and down we went with her on top of me.

 

Three months later and she has recovered, but I have suffered some sort of injury to my shoulder that is getting more painful every day and causes sleepless nights. X-rays show nothing broken, and the expensive doctor at the Central General Hospital insisted that it was strained tendons, or ligaments and that I should rest it although driving the Mio was ok. (Clearly he has never had to wrestle a bouncing bike on Thailand's bumpy roads) Also don't sleep on it.

 

Ha - the only place I get any pain relief is to sleep on that side with my arm over my head. When I did some google research, I found deep bone bruising that is trauma to the bone that manifests itself on growing pain, takes forever to heal, only shows up on MRI and was denied by my doctor as actually ever occurring. So that was a waste of money and he was one of the most expensive specialists in that hospital.

 

But in spite of that we seldom use the car as traffic is too heavy, we use the bike, the Fino before and now the super sporty Mio that is a much better traffic bike capable of rapid acceleration in traffic so we can maximise gaps etc when struggling through Bangkok rush hours to the hospital or Chang Wattana or wherever. I prefer it to the car, you save hours of sitting still, polluting the air, and it is fun to drive. 

 

Ok, after an hour the "numb-bum syndrome" is replaced by "aching-bum syndrome" followed by "bruised-bum syndrome" if a journey over crap Bangkok roads is too long but still..............................!

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, get well soon !!

Despite all the hype I find it ok on both bikes and cars. A bit dodgy at night due to lack of headlights but other than that.


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is this for real, talk about rose coloured glasses. Every time I drive any distance on thai roads the amount of near accident I see is pretty bad, cutting off other cars, overtaking in turning lanes, not giving way, refusing to stop when coming out of driveways/side streets then you get on the open road and they are even worse. On blind corners with double lines it is common to see a car coming at you on your side off the road, overtaking by using the shoulder of the roads is also common as is driving the wrong way on a road, Thais will drive straight through a stop sign and a red light, I have had motorbikes pass me on the left side then try to turn across the front of me while I am moving forward, both cars and bikes will move into your lane and expect you to pull over so they can keep going because they do not want to have to stop themselves, the outright selfishness and ignorance/arrogance of thai drivers/riders is staggering. Then you have "face", overtake a slower car or bip your horn at them when you are entitled to and the chase is on, some even pull guns (twice I have seen this) all because they lost face by your action, also there is the fact that many have no idea of the road rules(or simply ignore them as it suits)  or dont have a licence at all. For the author to state what they have they are simply playing with themselves, I enjoy driving and stick to the road rules, I thank others when they do the right thing too, really have to wonder if the author was paid to write this bullsh*t 

Let's get realistic. Thais are terrible drivers, not all, but in general. When you are upcountry, you see the dumbest manoeuvres like passing on a blind turn, no use of signals, drunkeness, and a general lack of attention or concern. In Bangkok, you cannot cross the street safely at the beginning of a red light in many areas because many bikes and cars will run the red light. It's insane and quite dangerous for an unsuspecting pedestrian. The police do nothing in general to enforce traffic laws except when they need to make a bit of money and setup bogus traps bilking the vehicles of 100 baht or so. It all adds up to lawlessness and lack of rule of law. Driving defensively is the smartest thing you can do as well as for the pedestrian.

Cars dont pay for bikes. Thats ludacris. Can be used as a way to get money out of a farang though.  A Girl drove her scooter with her school friends on the back right in to the side of my car. Instantly my fault. Bigger car, too fast, farang dont understand, just girls (no licenses), yada, yada. People were running from everywhere to blame me, cctv of the police box was fake. Told everyone to go to hell and got a lawyer on the phone. I sent a get well card to hospital with a inspirational messege.

Im a descent driver and been in comp cars and bikes since a lad. Had our car totalled by an unlicensed hardware shop delivery guy. Ended up at the police station and the hardware shop owner guy took the cops in to the other room and came out saying its our fault and get out. 

Thais are racist end of story. Farang always has to pay for other peoples mistakes. Thais are shameless, greedy, selfish, ignorant, lying, 2faced, low iq morons. Only interested in the cost of everything and value of nothing. Just thankfull not everyone is this bad and thankfull my wife aint one of them but its the impression i have of being here for decades. Im not thai bashing just stating facts as i see them. 

Anyway, driving is fine if you can drive. Just be prepared for others to ding your car repeatedly!

 

First of all get yourself a dash cam front and back, I personally wouldn't drive in Bangkok, but driving in more rural places is ok though not sure who has the right of way when turning left as no one stops at a red light when making this manoeuvre also there's no respect to the road markings the Thai people want to overtake they do so without a care for safety

4 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

Car driver generally pays for motorbike... That goes for Thai car drivers as well as Farang...

 

Dan About Thailand needs to learn more about Thailand

 

Not my experience. A big bike slammed into the back of my car yesterday at some speed. Thankfully the rider was wearing a full crash helmet, proper boots, and a thick motor cycle jacket. He was shook up and banged his shoulder and knee. Accident happened right outside a police station. 

 

A witness and the rider both confirmed it was the riders fault. My insurance company employee was quickly on the scene. Several hours filling in the accident report, police logs, insurance details and the outcome was the rider was fined for careless driving - all officially receipted and noted in the report. At no time did anyone loose their temper or argue. The rider was a very nice young Thai man and I felt sorry for him as he was very apologetic. 

 

I have to say the police, particularly the officer making out the report, were professional and thorough but also very hospitable putting everyone at ease, getting water for us etc. Luckily for me that this officer spoke really good English and could even read my awful hand writing and translate my statement for the insurance guy!

 

 

 

 

Typical TV Drama Queens. 

 

Maybe its them them that shouldn't be on the road 

19 minutes ago, bsdthai said:

Cars dont pay for bikes. Thats ludacris. Can be used as a way to get money out of a farang though.  A Girl drove her scooter with her school friends on the back right in to the side of my car. Instantly my fault. Bigger car, too fast, farang dont understand, just girls (no licenses), yada, yada. People were running from everywhere to blame me, cctv of the police box was fake. Told everyone to go to hell and got a lawyer on the phone. I sent a get well card to hospital with a inspirational messege.

Im a descent driver and been in comp cars and bikes since a lad. Had our car totalled by an unlicensed hardware shop delivery guy. Ended up at the police station and the hardware shop owner guy took the cops in to the other room and came out saying its our fault and get out. 

Thais are racist end of story. Farang always has to pay for other peoples mistakes. Thais are shameless, greedy, selfish, ignorant, lying, 2faced, low iq morons. Only interested in the cost of everything and value of nothing. Just thankfull not everyone is this bad and thankfull my wife aint one of them but its the impression i have of being here for decades. Im not thai bashing just stating facts as i see them. 

Anyway, driving is fine if you can drive. Just be prepared for others to ding your car repeatedly!

 

 

Not my experience. See my previous post for full story. Big bike hit my car. Rider fined for careless driving. Police very thorough but also very helpful and hospitable to all, including my insurance guy. Rider nice guy, sorry for him, very apologetic and clear from the start he was at fault. 

 

It seems there are always good and bad experiences everywhere. 

7 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Not my experience. A big bike slammed into the back of my car yesterday at some speed. Thankfully the rider was wearing a full crash helmet, proper boots, and a thick motor cycle jacket. He was shook up and banged his shoulder and knee. Accident happened right outside a police station. 

 

A witness and the rider both confirmed it was the riders fault. My insurance company employee was quickly on the scene. Several hours filling in the accident report, police logs, insurance details and the outcome was the rider was fined for careless driving - all officially receipted and noted in the report. At no time did anyone loose their temper or argue. The rider was a very nice young Thai man and I felt sorry for him as he was very apologetic. 

 

I have to say the police, particularly the officer making out the report, were professional and thorough but also very hospitable putting everyone at ease, getting water for us etc. Luckily for me that this officer spoke really good English and could even read my awful hand writing and translate my statement for the insurance guy!

 

 

 

 

 

‘Farang automatically at fault’ has also not been my experience in 20 years here....

 

However, the lazy actions of the Police taking the path of least resistance may lend people to this conclusion... 

 

In many cases the ‘path of least resistance’ is to follow what has for some reason become an acceptable social norm in that the bike rider can’t afford repairs while the insurance of a car driver can... it’s not really about blame, it’s about who can afford to pay. 

 

If you are not at fault, it’s easy enough to politely stand up against this, in which case you are no longer the ‘easy solution’....

Edited April 25, 20188 yr by richard_smith237

I stopped for a pedestrian crossing because the traffic ahead was stopped anyway, that didn't stop a girl on a bike running into the back of my truck and busting the tail light. The girl came off worst, a nasty laceration on the hand and of course she had no money and no insurance, she just wanted to get to work poor thing. What to do, the mrs gave up her two hundred and persuaded her to go to the clinic and get her hand checked, the local cop took her than on his bike. Financial cost, 1,000 baht for a new tail light plus 200 for the girl at the clinic, what more can be said!

 

In Phuket: driving slowly along Beach Road in Patong and a bike runs into the back of my truck, I really must remove that sign that tells bikes to drive into me! An ugly crowd gathers so a nearby policeman adjudicates, he looks at the truck and announces I'm OK, he looks at the bike and the rider on the ground and says you're not OK. He takes both of our licenses and tells us to agree on a settlement, I ask him how much is fair - he says five thousand and I say four, the boyfriend is called and the money arrives and I am paid - the boyfriend gives me his business card and invites me to stop by his shop for tea one afternoon, nice guy.

 

In Chiang Mai one month ago: I'm stopped in traffic and waiting for the light to change and the car behind me nudges me forward, pushed me forward about one foot. I get out and see no damage but he stays in his truck - I see he has a police badge on the front of his truck. What's wrong with you I yell at him, you hit my truck, he doesn't get out. I walk closer and he looks uncomfortable so he gets out and looks for any damage - I verbally scold him, be more careful, look what you're doing I said, he looks sheepish but doesn't speak, idiot I tell him and get back in my truck and drive off - funny.

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

‘Farang automatically at fault’ has also not been my experience in 20 years here....

 

However, the lazy actions of the Police taking the path of least resistance may lend people to this conclusion... 

 

In many cases the ‘path of least resistance’ is to follow what has for some reason become an acceptable social norm in that the bike rider can’t afford repairs while the insurance of a car driver can... it’s not really about blame, it’s about who can afford to pay. 

 

If you are not at fault, it’s easy enough to politely stand up against this, in which case you are no longer the ‘easy solution’....

 

Again I was lucky yesterday in that the rider had full insurance cover. His insurance man didn't turn up till rather late though whereas my guy was there in 30 mins and stayed until I left.

 

The police also weren't lazy, and usually around here they never are. We were delayed at the station as the duty senior officer changed before we finished and the incoming officer arrived late as he'd been to arrest a burglary suspect - who the brought in wearing hand cuffs. Also for some reason after everything is finished you have to wait for 30 mins before leaving and the senior officer then gives permission to leave. The case office went to some trouble to explain all the procedures carefully to me. 

 

I think you are right. The key is to always be polite and follow what is required to do.

Typical TV Drama Queens. 
 
Maybe its them them that shouldn't be on the road 

If you can't see the many problems that are frequently visible on Thai roads then perhaps it is you that should be having a long hard think about whether you're observational and driving skills are up to scratch.


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4 hours ago, cliveshep said:

I came off one rainy day when the front wheel of our Fino slipped out from under on a wet painted speed bump in our village, spilling both me and the shopping all over the road. Fortunately only a minor bruise and abraded shorts.

 

More seriously our new Mio Sport did the same thing at stationary traffic lights with my wife on the back - one of those joins in the concrete was out of level, the front wheel dropped down the little step, a mere 25mm but enough to cause the wheel to slide out and down we went with her on top of me.

 

Three months later and she has recovered, but I have suffered some sort of injury to my shoulder that is getting more painful every day and causes sleepless nights. X-rays show nothing broken, and the expensive doctor at the Central General Hospital insisted that it was strained tendons, or ligaments and that I should rest it although driving the Mio was ok. (Clearly he has never had to wrestle a bouncing bike on Thailand's bumpy roads) Also don't sleep on it.

 

Ha - the only place I get any pain relief is to sleep on that side with my arm over my head. When I did some google research, I found deep bone bruising that is trauma to the bone that manifests itself on growing pain, takes forever to heal, only shows up on MRI and was denied by my doctor as actually ever occurring. So that was a waste of money and he was one of the most expensive specialists in that hospital.

 

But in spite of that we seldom use the car as traffic is too heavy, we use the bike, the Fino before and now the super sporty Mio that is a much better traffic bike capable of rapid acceleration in traffic so we can maximise gaps etc when struggling through Bangkok rush hours to the hospital or Chang Wattana or wherever. I prefer it to the car, you save hours of sitting still, polluting the air, and it is fun to drive. 

 

Ok, after an hour the "numb-bum syndrome" is replaced by "aching-bum syndrome" followed by "bruised-bum syndrome" if a journey over crap Bangkok roads is too long but still..............................!

I had a  shoulder injury once that came from nowhere and was probably caused by poor posture while sitting at my desk. The rotator cuff ligament, hurts like hell and takes a few months to heal but does go away. Physiotherapy helped.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

What’s it like to drive in Thailand?

It's insane.  But put that into perspective with these observations:
 

• The average Thai driver has few if any driving skills that are required in order to obtain a license in the West.  That is self evident by watching them drive:
   
• The average Thai driver does not know how to maintain a lane, or doesn't care to.  Lines on the pavements are just so much paint and have no real meaning or value.
• The average Thai driver, if encountering an obstacle in their own lane, will pull directly into oncoming traffic and expect the oncoming traffic to pull off to the shoulder to avoid a collision.  It's suicidal, but it's the norm.
• The average Thai driver will pass slower vehicles on blind corners or on blind grades and hills.  This too is suicidal, but it's also the norm.
• The average Thai driver is either highly aggressive, or completely oblivious - or worse - both.
• The average Thai driver has no concept of what 'yielding the right-of-way' means, and based on casual observation, it is a concept is even unclear to the police and courts.
• The average Thai driver does not know how to merge onto a highway or thoroughfare.  Instead of using the 'merge-lanes' of highways to accelerate up to speed, they will cut 90 degree across the road and accelerate at a snails pace or they will simply pull out in front of oncoming traffic.
• The average Thai driver is blind based on accident reports ("I didn't see the [motorcycle, car, truck, pedestrian, red light, stop sign].
• The average Thai driver driver drives a vehicle with faulty brakes based on accident reports (My brakes failed).
• The average Thai driver has absolutely no concept of what "Defensive Driving" means.
• Based on statistics, the average Thai driver has no problem with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 

Yeah, Thailand is not a place you want to drive.  But if you have to, understand the terrain.  Unlike Thais, a Westerner with driving skills need to employ defensive driving tactics at all times.
This is neither a fun nor safe place to drive.

Edited April 25, 20188 yr by connda

Having been a motorcycle safety instructor in the USA, I am amazed at how few people including Farangs that ride motorbikes have ZERO knowledge or understanding about proper attire when riding. A leather jacket, over the ankle boots and leather gloves are a minimum to prevent road rash. Leather pants would be a good idea as well. But of course many will tell you it is just too uncomfortable to be wearing all that in this hot climate. And so the excuses continue and the road rashes continue and the road driving rules continue to be not enforced and no one in Thailand has any concept of what "right of way" means.

I have no sympathy for anyone that ends up in a hospital from driving on Thai roads because N O  O N E wants to take the time to learn proper road procedures or even consider safety. Like a mom and her 6 year old son and a 2 month old baby all riding on a motorcycle and no one with a helmet on.

I have become convinced that the reason the road rules aren't enforced in Thailand is because it is Thailand's method of population control. I mean who cares if a bump in the road knocks a bike over and a baby hits its head on the road. What the hell. It's easy to make another baby.

You had to pay 4000 Baht?? Who to? Why?  You were stationary and were hit by a speeding motorbike, were you not?

I have found it a lot safer riding my motorbike in Bangkok than any other Thai city.

5 hours ago, Kadilo said:

Despite all the hype I find it ok on both bikes and cars. A bit dodgy at night due to lack of headlights but other than that.


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I would have thought the bad roads were more dangerous than people without headlights when riding after dark.

14 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

You had to pay 4000 Baht?? Who to? Why?  You were stationary and were hit by a speeding motorbike, were you not?

I think if you re-read it the farang was paid the money from the girls boyfriend and then was invited to tea by him. Very nice.

6 hours ago, jenny2017 said:

 

  There should be a more difficult to get license for big bikes. It's a joke that anybody is allowed to drive a 1,000 cc motorcycle without having any driving practice.

 

it took about a week to get accustomed to 1k+ bikes, the biggest issue was the weight, i just wasnt prepared for how heavy it gets when tilted.

it took a longer time to get used to drive a small bike initially, like wrong way,

peculiar stuff, the gears, and other stuff. some things, like people crossing all 3 lanes after a U turn when i'm approaching i will never get use to,

it scare the living hell out of me when i see someone intending to get out on my lanes, like pure fear of death and a cold lump

of anxiety an inch above my solar plexus

Edited April 25, 20188 yr by poanoi

Driving in Thailand is like playing Pacman . The four ghost that roam the maze are the Thai drivers, you are the Pac-man they are trying to kill. 

1 minute ago, poanoi said:

it took about a week to get accustomed to 1k+ bikes, the biggest issue was the weight, i just wasnt prepared for how heavy it gets when tilted.

it took a longer time to get used to drive a small bike initially, like wrong way,

peculiar stuff, the gears, and other stuff. some things, like people crossing all 3 lanes after a U turn when i'm approaching i will never get use to,

it scare the living hell out of me, like pure fear of death and a cold lump

of anxiety an inch above my solar plexus

You should never hop on a real big bike when you only had scooter experience.

 

  The weight of the bike, the handling, the acceleration, the speed, etc. is completely different to a little moped.

 

   One of the fear factors where I live is that buffaloes ( on two and four legs), cows, dogs, cats, basically anything can be all in a sudden in your way when you're driving fast.

 

   More power can be helpful to avoid an accident, but you need a lot of practice to know how to handle a big bike.

 

  After riding a scooter, it might be good to start with 150 cc to 200 cc and once you can handle it you can think about a bigger one.