Life is much better if you have a motorbike, otherwise you're restricted to the baht bus route or take crazy bike taxis, sooner you learn the better, it's safer than walking

Just pony up the 300k or 400k and get a decent little car instead. Jesus...

The driver of any vehicle, especially those on two wheels, must assume each and every other road user and pedestrian is a complete idiot and about to perform the most stupid and dangerous manoeuvre. When the time comes that they do, at least you may be ready to avoid a serious collision or accident.

 

The danger comes primarily from other road users and pedestrians, regardless of how careful or skilled you (the rider/driver) thinks you are yourself.

 

I live in Pattaya so no need for any driving license, although I have possessed both car and bike licenses in the past but never needed them. They've long since expired but I may renew next year in case I wish to hire a vehicle for a few days at some point.

 

If I lived in one of the cheaper, more easily affordable areas surrounding Pattaya City, such as Pratamnak, Naklua or Jomtien or beyond, personal transport is probably a necessity. The cheapest and most affordable being your own motorcycle, probably an ex-rental.

 

Cheap-living can introduce further risks in life, such as personal transportation, likely a poorly maintained and only looked at when something goes wrong-type scooter.

 

Your life is up-to-you, not me.

If you haven’t ridden motorbikes in your previous life, do not start in Thailand simple as that. 

 

 

8 minutes ago, Hummin said:

If you haven’t ridden motorbikes in your previous life, do not start in Thailand simple as that. 

 

 

 

 

I did just that.

 

Hadn't ridden a motocy until I arrived here in 2016 as a 50 year old.  Bought my first bike the following year (Yamaha Neuvo)

 

 

Now, I can't imagine life without my Forza 350........... well, I can actually because I will give up driving the moment I feel that I am no longer competent. I think the car will go first.

i tried to teach a friend of mine who was around 55 at the time, he lost his nerves when we were going to the place where you make driving licence,

and he wasnt terribly good at it. maybe there is some age threshold when you shouldnt bother with it.

it is extremely dangerous even for those of us who has drive from age 11

2 minutes ago, mordothailand said:

i tried to teach a friend of mine who was around 55 at the time, he lost his nerves when we were going to the place where you make driving licence,

and he wasnt terribly good at it. maybe there is some age threshold when you shouldnt bother with it.

it is extremely dangerous even for those of us who has drive from age 11

 

 

The threshold is called "competence".

 

 

The hard part is realising when you can no longer achieve that competence.

2 hours ago, proton said:

Nobody over 65 should get a bike license, they are a danger to themselves and others on those killing machines 

If you take good care of yourself, your reflexes are still good well into your 70's. The danger is those at any age with no respect for others on the road, drivers who drink and not enough training.

5 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I did just that.

 

Hadn't ridden a motocy until I arrived here in 2016 as a 50 year old.  Bought my first bike the following year (Yamaha Neuvo)

 

 

Now, I can't imagine life without my Forza 350........... well, I can actually because I will give up driving the moment I feel that I am no longer competent. I think the car will go first.

My opinion is just a general advise based on common sense. The experience and instincts you gain as younger biker, could save you one day. Learning the same skills as older, is not the same for most. 

 

And I have to admit, Im not 60 yet, and Im not as sharp as I used to be, but I have been used to perform on high level in sports in my younger days, and maybe my awareness is a bit better than most, that Im not the same anymore. I have sold both my two big bikes, and do more of off road, rural roads, and less traffic. 

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

If you take good care of yourself, your reflexes are still good well into your 70's. The danger is those at any age with no respect for others on the road, drivers who drink and not enough training.

I have to disagree, there is no way you will keep your reflexes in to your 70ies if you are not an superhuman. You got your experience, but instincts and reflexes? Nope, 

54 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

LOL.... at 72 with 50+ years under my belt using motorcycles as my main transportation .... I've got several years left in me.

 

My situational awareness while driving borders on paranoia but it is necessary in urban traffic.

 

I don't get your thinking when you say 'Riding at your age is selfish'.

 

 

I agree that 72 isn't necessarily old depending on the person's health 

 

Riding bikes is just dangerous. Of not you it's someone else especially here 

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I have to disagree, there is no way you will keep your reflexes in to your 70ies if you are not an superhuman. You got your experience, but instincts and reflexes? Nope, 

Well, I'm 69 and almost as balanced and agile as I was in my 30's. Just have a little pain in the joints and not as flexible. The same for 4 friends of mine who are also gym rats. Most people don't exercise enough while they're young, so they lose it way before they hit 60. I also see many farmers around here still driving motorbikes into their 70's and beyond. It's just a matter of not slowing down until you are stopped. It also doesn't take superhuman reflexes to control a motorbike, as we see daily when people of all ages die and are in accidents here daily. It takes structure, skills and patience.The real danger is other people on the road, as older bikers usually aren't going wild.

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Well, I'm 69 and almost as balanced and agile as I was in my 30's. Just have a little pain in the joints and not as flexible. The same for 4 friends of mine who are also gym rats. Most people don't exercise enough while they're young, so they lose it way before they hit 60. I also see many farmers around here still driving motorbikes into their 70's and beyond. It's just a matter of not slowing down until you are stopped. It also doesn't take superhuman reflexes to control a motorbike, as we see daily when people of all ages die and are in accidents here daily. It takes structure, skills and patience.The real danger is other people on the road, as older bikers usually aren't going wild.

Did you miss the part of being a superhuman 😉 

 

 

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

Did you miss the part of being a superhuman 😉 

 

 

No ones a superhuman forever. That's God's way of humbling everyone, from those who think they're invincible, to those who are for a little while.m

Only wish we could keep it longer.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

Are you really that clueless that you ignore the stats.

Again, it's not the machine, it's the operator.  

 

Studies from US and AUS say that scooters are 20-40x as hazardous per km as a 4 wheeler with seatbelts.  Helmets make it about 40% better, but nowhere close to similar.

 

I'd be curious to see similar studies done in Thailand, but I won't hold my breath.

 

So yes.  It is the machine.  No matter how good YOU are, you're sharing the road with the hoy polloi.  And they can take you out in a second.

 

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

No ones a superhuman forever. That's God's way of humbling everyone, from those who think they're invincible, to those who are for a little while.m

Only wish we could keep it longer.

So how do elderly realize when it is time to stop driving? Most do not realize themselves is my experience, and most do have to high trust in their abilities, and that is not just for the younger generations. But not giving up your old habits, such as doing sports and riding motorbikes can contribute to keeping your agility and keep your reflexes and instincts longer, but at a higher risk. 

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Are you really that clueless that you ignore the stats.

yeah, i reacted to that too, i used to swear getting a car after a bike accident, bikers are unprotected

1 hour ago, Saddic said:

Pattaya is no place to "learn" how to drive a motorbike...  use bolt... or order online and have stuff delivered...

Yes I believe that's a better idea 

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

So how do elderly realize when it is time to stop driving? Most do not realize themselves is my experience, and most do have to high trust in their abilities, and that is not just for the younger generations. But not giving up your old habits, such as doing sports and riding motorbikes can contribute to keeping your agility and keep your reflexes and instincts longer, but at a higher risk. 

It's true that some drive longer than they should, but how does one know or decide to stop? Some shouldn't drive at 21, but that's another story.

Ozzi Moto in Jomtien makes these, He converts regular Motorcycles to 3 wheeled models.  Mine will be a 300cc model based on the Honda Forza frame - after 60, we need another wheel or two under our fat behinds.  😄  

Just now, Explorator en Actione said:

Ozzi Moto in Jomtien makes these, He converts regular Motorcycles to 3 wheeled models.  Mine will be a 300cc model based on the Hionda Forza frame - after 60, we need another wheel or two under our fat behinds.  😄  

Yes something like this would be great 

What do they call these ?

Although a prefer a lighter colour eg pink 

6 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Yes something like this would be great 

What do they call these ?

Although a prefer a lighter colour eg pink 

Sorry But I Don’t feed the trolls.

9 minutes ago, Explorator en Actione said:

Ozzi Moto in Jomtien makes these, He converts regular Motorcycles to 3 wheeled models.  Mine will be a 300cc model based on the Honda Forza frame - after 60, we need another wheel or two under our fat behinds.  😄  

A third wheel ads new risks, especially if you are used to two wheels only, same as for some adding side boxes on their motorbikes driving in heavy traffic can do. Personally experienced once only, and thank good it was not alu boxes but soft plastic. 

21 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Studies from US and AUS say that scooters are 20-40x as hazardous per km as a 4 wheeler with seatbelts.  Helmets make it about 40% better, but nowhere close to similar.

 

I'd be curious to see similar studies done in Thailand, but I won't hold my breath.

 

So yes.  It is the machine.  No matter how good YOU are, you're sharing the road with the hoy polloi.  And they can take you out in a second.

 

If they could fine tune the stats, I would show a bit more of risk factor ...

... age

... helmet use

... single vehicle oops, or other vehicle involved

... driving experience

... number of accidents (average per year)

... maturity level

... single, married

... alcohol or drugs  (DUI)

 

Myself, old, mature, married, responsible, never drugs when driving MC, highly experienced w/ defensive driving skills.  1 oops in 25 years (car) in TH and always wear helmet when on MC.  

 

NO, would not drive MC in Krung Thep, but did drive MC regularly when living at Udon Thani, and on holiday on Phuket, and at Hua Hin

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

A third wheel ads new risks, especially if you are used to two wheels only, same as for some adding side boxes on their motorbikes driving in heavy traffic can do. Personally experienced once only, and thank good it was not alu boxes but soft plastic. 

I tried riding a quad, scared the hell out of me, and didn't feel safe at all.  I knew I'd roll it, if I continued driving it.

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

A third wheel ads new risks, especially if you are used to two wheels only, same as for some adding side boxes on their motorbikes driving in heavy traffic can do. Personally experienced once only, and thank good it was not alu boxes but soft plastic. 

 saw a lot of these running around highways when I was on vacation in Hawaii, trike in reverse, called a SlingShot.  It’s not considered a motorcycle though, more like a car.  Wouldn’t be very good during Song Krahn though.     Cheers

16 minutes ago, Explorator en Actione said:

Sorry But I Don’t feed the trolls.

Well only as you been a member for 3 days we didn't even know you existed ...no doubt to come on here to advertise your silly  3 wheel  motorbikes , another freeloader 

Look like an idiot riding that silly contraption !

I will take up thai boxing and Tai Chi when getting older to keep my reflexes and coordination, instead of risking my life out on the streets. I have survived all my stupid activities this far, and see everyday as an bonus day, so no more need for action to feel alive. But if the benefits outweigh the risks, why not? 

 

If it is your dream to ride motorbikes in Thailand, just make sure you do your job to stay alive and healthy as long as possible and make sure you know when to quit. In Pattaya you got the baht busses, and I really do not see the need for anyone if you live in reach of those. 

Learned to ride a motorcycle in Thailand. Great training, as you need to be far more alert than you would be in a place where traffic rules are adhered to.

 

Anyone who is 69 claiming that they are as agile and balanced as they were in their thirties due to going to the gym, was either stiff as a board in their thirties or simply deluded.

Training with weights doesn't make you agile and balanced. I'd like to see any 69 year old here doing gymnastics/somersault kicks. Perhaps just a legend in their own mind. Don't let it get to your head.

 

 

 

 

 

29 minutes ago, TopGun10 said:

Learned to ride a motorcycle in Thailand. Great training, as you need to be far more alert than you would be in a place where traffic rules are adhered to.

 

Anyone who is 69 claiming that they are as agile and balanced as they were in their thirties due to going to the gym, was either stiff as a board in their thirties or simply deluded.

Training with weights doesn't make you agile and balanced. I'd like to see any 69 year old here doing gymnastics/somersault kicks. Perhaps just a legend in their own mind. Don't let it get to your head.

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing this is yet another one of your aliases, I'll answer in kind. That you're continue to not believe means nothing, as you never met anyone like me before. 

 

 

 

"Well, I'm 69 and almost as balanced and agile as I was in my 30's. Just have a little pain in the joints and not as flexible."..................Not AS agile and balanced................I was an athlete all my life and only age has slowed that down. If you aren't a real hardcore gym person, and that statement proves it,you'll never understand how hard some workout, and that only a few out of thousands can lift or do certain things that most can't.

 

I ran the 100 yard dash in 9.5 from 15 to around 40, 15.2 around the bases, and was the fastest runner in our high school, and doing Tae Kwando and Boxing made me more flexible than correct weight training did alone.

 

Of course at 69 I can't do what I did back then, and neither can anyone else alive. Heavy training makes you strong, but it hurts your joints. Weight training does make you balanced, especially heavy squats and deadlifts. I've been humbled as everyone will every year past 35, but it's again, not the strength but the attitude and desire. You can stop lifting a year and come back and find yourself again very fast, as muscles have a memory. You might not know anyone who still lifts in their late 60's into 70's. Not many do. But when you start at 16 you usually don't stop until you die. You don't need to do gymnastics or somersault kicks to still have it. Why not stick with one username? Changing them so often is sneaky behavior and for what reason?