Top Ten tips for riding a motorbike in Thailand

By Tim Newton

 

 

Motorbikes and scooters are the most popular mode of transport in Thailand, and most of south east asia. The 110cc step-thru is ubiquitous. Most just go and go and go – they’re astonishly reliable. Whilst you’re meant to change the oil once a month we suspect most don’t get their oil changed once a year, or ever.

 

Getting around on a motorbike is easy enough and, especially in busy traffic, will get you to your destination faster whilst the cars and trucks are plodding along in the traffic.

 

But riding a motorbike in Thailand can also be very dangerous but if you stick to the common sense basics – ride within the speed limits, wear a bike helmet, obey the traffic rules and don’t drink and drive – it remains a perfectly reliable way to get around. It will be cheaper and you’ll see more.

 

But here’s our Top Ten tips to make your journey on the motorbike safer and more comfortable.

 

1. Wear appropriate clothes

Whilst you’ll see idiot tourists riding around on their rented motorbikes in their swimming shorts, and that’s all, you’re going to be much safer with a few clothes on. Falling off a motorbike without anything covering your knees or elbows is going to be painful enough – having at least some fabric between you and the road is going to reduce the painful grazes a bit. Long pants and a long shirt are a good start. Always wear shoes for the same reason. And a motorbike helmet as well – it’s the law and it could save your life. The flimsy plastic ‘lid’ type helmets cost around 200 baht and will get you through the checkpoints but spending a bit more on a better helmet will provide additional protection in the unlikely situation your head comes in contact with the road. You’ll see the locals riding around with their jackets on the wrong way – they say it keep their clothes clean from the road muck and fumes.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/top-ten-tips-for-riding-a-motorbike-in-thailand

 

-- © Copyright The Thaiger 2018-07-30

 

Don't do it is a good tip.

There's others too:

Drive slowly.

Be aware of the other vehicles around you.

Wear a good helmet.

Don't drink and drive.

Mostly common sense but a decent reminder for first timers especially re the license.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

1

Learn to control bike with one hand, leaving the other free to hold your phone.

2

Find at least two other people, and a poodle, to carry with you on your rides.

3

Remember to leave your helmet at home.

4

Flip flops only, not shoes.

5

At least one of the rear view mirrors reflecting your face so you can see how cool you look while weaving through traffic.

6

Cool RayBans are a must.

7

Ensure sufficient shopping bags in basket to cover headlights.

8

Don’t be modest now. Mufflers off—announce your presence!

9

If you’re not drunk, don’t drive.

10

“Wai” with both hands when passing an elder you know. Politesse matters.

Riding a motorcycle in Thailand and anywhere in the world for that matter is akin to a crapshoot, you roll the dice every time you get on this thing, you can the best and the most astute rider in the world, than some absent minded <deleted> busy with his/her phone, drunk or just distruced will plow into you and the rest is up to your luck to die or come out it alive....

Best tip....Don't buy or ride a motorbike in Thailand!  

It can save your life or limbs.........

 

I lived the last ten years of my life in Thailand in Pattaya and was lucky to have the baht bus system in place. I lived in Bang Lamung within walking distance to a baht bus route to the beach and everywhere else. I never had any problem and then if needed I could rent one for the day for long trips and was inexpensive. I never needed to drive a mc although I did drive a truck when I worked in Map Ta Phut as it was given to me. I love Baht Buses.

Changing oil once a month? Not according to Honda's maintenance manual.

51 minutes ago, taipan1949 said:

I lived the last ten years of my life in Thailand in Pattaya and was lucky to have the baht bus system in place. I lived in Bang Lamung within walking distance to a baht bus route to the beach and everywhere else. I never had any problem and then if needed I could rent one for the day for long trips and was inexpensive. I never needed to drive a mc although I did drive a truck when I worked in Map Ta Phut as it was given to me. I love Baht Buses.

riding a Baht Bus is like having a vagina... Motorbike is indeed something for men with balls... No matter where you are, where you driving, what does it really matter is know the Newton's Laws of Dynamics and remember that the world is ruled by them, second use your eyes and be always aware of what the other people doing, when you're driving a bike you're not watching 5 meters in front of you, you MUST watch 80+ meters ahead and when you're in a corner you don't think about that corner but a the two that are coming after it. You need 150% of your senses while you driving a bike, that's it, NOT tired, NOT drunk, NOT stoned motorcycling is a serious thing a MB it's not a chair with a couple of wheels that takes you around, it's like a horse but your eyes are it's eyes...

1 hour ago, swerve said:

There's others too:

Drive slowly.

Be aware of the other vehicles around you.

Wear a good helmet.

Don't drink and drive.

Delete:  Drive slowly as you become a danger to others who have to swerve around you because of your slow pace.

 

Insert:  Drive carefully and at a speed of the flow of the traffic and be alert to others who suddenly do unpredictable things.

If you don't ride at home,don't ride here.

44 minutes ago, MekkOne said:

riding a Baht Bus is like having a vagina... Motorbike is indeed something for men with balls... No matter where you are, where you driving, what does it really matter is know the Newton's Laws of Dynamics and remember that the world is ruled by them, second use your eyes and be always aware of what the other people doing, when you're driving a bike you're not watching 5 meters in front of you, you MUST watch 80+ meters ahead and when you're in a corner you don't think about that corner but a the two that are coming after it. You need 150% of your senses while you driving a bike, that's it, NOT tired, NOT drunk, NOT stoned motorcycling is a serious thing a MB it's not a chair with a couple of wheels that takes you around, it's like a horse but your eyes are it's eyes...

I drove a big bike here, but as i used it less and less (not practical for shopping and I did not many big trips anymore) i sold it. Got myself a new aerox 155cc scooter. Even though I own a car i use the scooter a lot for shopping and short trips. The car is for shopping trips if i got a lot of stuff to buy.

 

Thing is scooters beat cars in places like BKK and Pattaya (i mean speed and parking wise.. not in a collision) I save so much time on my scooter and it gives me a lot of freedom. 

 

In the sticks a car might be smarter safety wise and you don't have traffic and parking problems there.

 

 

Edited July 30, 20187 yr by robblok

1. Don't.

2. Don't.

3. Don't.

4. Don't.

5. Don't.

6. Don't.

7. Don't.

8. Don't.

9. Don't.

10. Don't.

 

2 hours ago, MekkOne said:

I've got 170.000Km on a bike in Thailand in the last 7 years, never been in a accident, but yeah, I know what I'm doing as I use to teach to people how to properly drive a bike.

The first tip that this article should give is: If you know what are you doing always remind yourself that you're driving in a jungle of motorized monkeys while you driving in Thailand and SEA in general, if you don't know what are you doing learn somewhere else, monkey driving is not driving.

I agree, but it's not always possible for various reasons.

 

I say this as I was 'forced' to ride a scooter on a couple of holidays here - even though I'd never driven a 'bike before.  I was terrified, and hated it.

 

Moving here, it became obvious that a 'bike was the best way to get around - and so, I had to bite the bullet....

 

It took a while, but eventually I learned not only how to drive the thing ?, but also that it was mostly enjoyable - until negotiating traffic jams...

 

Most of us eventually learn to look for EVERY possible scenario both in front of us and behind us - knowing that drivers (both car and 'bike) will do anything and everything that is outside the 'rule book'!

 

I'd add that I give tourists on scooters the widest berth as for some obscure reason so many take ridiculous 'chances' ☹️ - presumably convinced that they're driving in the 'local' way....

Impractical wearing too many clothes in Thailand. Even Thais wear little and they don't sweat

2 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

Best tip....Don't buy or ride a motorbike in Thailand!  

It can save your life or limbs.........

 

It depends on the individual.

 

Personally, I'd never forgive myself if I seriously injured or killed someone else, which is why I gave up driving a car.

 

On a 'bike it's extremely unlikely that I can seriously hurt anyone else.

 

But we're all different in our opinion about hurting others/getting hurt.

Edited July 30, 20187 yr by dick dasterdly

8 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Impractical wearing too many clothes in Thailand. Even Thais wear little and they don't sweat

Yes we all know what is the safest attire but we are also all adults and make our choices. I ride  in a way to try and minimize any injury to anyone else. If I hurt myself by what I choose not to wear that is my choice. You wont hear me whinging about it afterwards. 

1. Always assume that everyone else on the road are going to try to kill you...  This makes you ride defensively...

Some good basic advice, but changing oil every month??  And long sleeves/trousers offer no protection at all from road rash.

 

Good helmet, gloves and shoes - as there are the likely landing points.  

 

And be aware of what's happening behind you as well as in front - even if indicating to turn left, a Food Panda bike will always pass you on the inside.

 

And watch the motorcycle taxis - when they suddenly dart into the inside lane, there's a police checkpoint ahead.

2 hours ago, Seligne2 said:

Changing oil once a month? Not according to Honda's maintenance manual.

If you're doing 150 km a day in sh*t condition (not an impossibility) I'd be changing it after 3 weeks.

5 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

Some good basic advice, but changing oil every month??  And long sleeves/trousers offer no protection at all from road rash.

 

Good helmet, gloves and shoes - as there are the likely landing points.  

 

And be aware of what's happening behind you as well as in front - even if indicating to turn left, a Food Panda bike will always pass you on the inside.

 

And watch the motorcycle taxis - when they suddenly dart into the inside lane, there's a police checkpoint ahead.

Gloves and shoes?

 

Genuine question as I know a few people that have been hurt as a result of accidents.  Neither their hands or feet were hurt!

I often see farang going too fast, maybe they are tourists, its hard to tell, but if you go too fast you're just increasing your chances of an accident

1 hour ago, MekkOne said:

Motorbike is indeed something for men with balls...

 

Mrs 1%:

 

 

3 hours ago, Vacuum said:

Don't do it is a good tip.

 

The only smart one.

 

 

5 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

Mrs 1%:

 

 

This is not a motorbike, this is a vaginabike, it's also pink to show you that is made for pussies...

 

you cannot use the tire of that bike like this, this is how a man use a tire...

 

Under here is how a pussy use a tire...

 

 

Edited July 30, 20187 yr by MekkOne
edit

Let’s hope this is not gonna turn into a “my bike is bigger than your bike” thread. 

3 minutes ago, MekkOne said:

 

 

you cannot use the tire of that bike like this

 

Shure you can, just underinflate it.

Don't ride too close to the left side as others coming around an intersection without looking on your left will take you out.

 

No mention of the right-of-way left-of-way...?

 

 

2 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Let’s hope this is not gonna turn into a “my bike is bigger than your bike” thread. 

let us have so fun, we just commenting the 10 almost most stupid tips for driving a bike in thailand ???