Practicing on manual bike

[ivenius]

Hey. I plan to buy a big bike around 250-500cc and make a license on it in Bangkok (I just have a car license so far). I never drove on a manual bike before, but a lot on automatic/semi-automatic. Now there is not so much traffic jam so it could be a good time to practice driving around on a manual. And I have to wait until they open the land transport department anyway (it's closed now apparently). Once I got a "fine" for not having the license in Chiang Mai, it was 500 baht, is it the same in Bangkok? Is it a good idea, or are there better ways to learn how to drive? Making a license doesn't require taking any lessons here, like it normally happens in the west.

[VocalNeal]

To do the test rent an auto scooter from the DLT examiners. If they only have a Wave? Leave it in third gear! 

[OneMoreFarang]

In my experience (speaking Thai) the Bangkok police is often happy with 100B "fine".

 

And about learning manual gears: I think the only thing you have to practice is using the clutch from stop. Because that is the moment when the engine might stop or your bike will "jump". Everything after that is easy, if the engine is too loud then shift up. And if you have no power anymore and/or the engine is stuttering then shift down. It won't take long before you get a good idea about when to shift up and down. It does not have to be perfect at the beginning. You will automatically optimize it over time.

 

With the start be careful when you switch between bikes. With a small bike it might be necessary that you rev the engine before you slowly release the clutch. And then maybe you open the throttle wide to get moving.

On a bigger bike the same usage might result in a wheelie and a crash because it has a lot more power.

And some clutches are just bad and not smooth.

Better try low revs first and "kill" the engine if it has not enough power to start compared to too much power.

Otherwise small and big bikes are same same.

[HaleySabai]

You will need to get well acquainted with the clutch in relationship to the brake so you can maneuver through traffic without stalling the bike. It will become 2nd nature after a few hours of practice. Going up and down in a quiet soi should do the trick.

Good Luck.

[ivenius]

I'll rent something this Saturday and try, thanks for the advices!

[richard_smith237]

Check your home licence (if you have one).

Some UK Driving licences have a Motorcycle Category on it (A1 A2 I think,  for up to 125cc or something).

 

I think I managed to slip through the gaps - my UK car driving license has no Motorcycle categories, yet when I applied for a Thai Motorcycle License using my UK Driving License as support I was issued the Thai License (after watching a video and doing the reaction test etc).

 

It surprised me, I thought I'd have to do a Thai test.

 

If you have a UK licence the Thai BiB may be satisfied with this. I've only ever been stopped twice on my Motorcycle riding in Bangkok. Once when riding down the center of Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd (no bikes allowed), my bad, I laughed and gave the officer 100B. Another time on some sub soi's near Ekammai, once stopped I flipped up my helmet (modular), the BiB saw I was a foreigner and wasn't interested, they asked where I was going then waved me along.

 

So... Sure, give it a go - now is the right time to try it in Bangkok.

 

 

[ivenius]

I have a Polish car license (B), it should be valid for 125cc as well (A1 and A2 I think), but I paid once 500 baht already in Chiang Mai, so apparently it's not valid, haha. I will take 2 days off and make a Thai driving license when they open land transport department again.

[VocalNeal]

23 hours ago, ivenius said:

I'll rent something this Saturday and try, thanks for the advices!

As I see or saw it you have two problems.

 

1. Get a Thai license for a bike

 

2 Learn to ride a manual bike.

 

They are mutual exclusive, not mutually inclusive. 

Depends which is more important to you as to which you do first.

[Damrongsak]

Circa 1977/78, I helped with a motorcycle training class for some fellow Peace Corps volunteers whose jobs might require it.  It was at Bang Saen beach, IIRC.  During the week, the area was practically deserted.  We rented some wooden bungalows on a large property that had sand driveways.  Perfect for putting around and getting used to shifting the semi-auto bikes.  We also rented a few manual bikes.  After a couple days, we cruised around the local beach roads.

 

One trainee on a manual bike wanted to do a wheelie.  So I had him put it in 1st and hold the clutch.  Then had him rev it - a little more, little more ... go!  He probably had it running at 5 grand.  Front wheel went skyward and he went off the back.    These bikes were all 50's, 90's maybe 110's at best.

 

It was fun and a great way to get off work in Loei and get a free trip to the beach. One guy in the class had never learned to ride a bicycle, so we rented one.  He learned, but I've never seen someone try so hard.  His face would turn beet red, but he managed.

[papa al]

12 hours ago, ivenius said:

I have a Polish car license (B), it should be valid for 125cc as well (A1 and A2 I think), but I paid once 500 baht already in Chiang Mai, so apparently it's not valid, haha. I will take 2 days off and make a Thai driving license when they open land transport department again.

Get a Thai car and bike license while you are there.

Might need a Dr's health certificate.

Like 200baht, any clinic.