5 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

I agree but there's no where to park in Pattaya 

Say I went to Soi Bukhao where can I park 

I guess the same with most places 

 

I see, that is the difference then, there is lots of parking spaces in Phuket.

 

In that case I would get an Uber taxi or such like. 

 

6 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

He was apparently 76

No idea of how or where the accident happened or what the circumstances are but we all must know the risk is higher if we are older .

We all must be risk management adverse 

 

 

Hence the idea of using a car, it might take ten minutes longer to get the destination but we are sitting in air con luxury anyway, it is much better to get a dent in the car and live rather than get a life changing injury or death by bike. 

19 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Where is the freedom?

 

Much more comfortable to ride an open top car, I did 170 mph (272 kmh) in my Porsche many times, though of course that is not possible in Thailand, nor is it possible to ride a bike that fast here. 

 

I don't understand the freedom nonsense quoted by bike riders, it is all in their heads.

 

Some things just can't be explained or comparisons made, as just not the same.  Just have to experience.  Might not be for everyone, but I can't imagine not ever cruising surfside or on a winding, rolling mountain road.  Sometimes pushing the limits, others, just taking it all in.

 

Not a whole lot different going from a hard top car, to open ragtop.  Now go from the ragtop, to only a seat on 2 wheels.  You could put you feet down to touch the road, not recommended of course.

 

Convertible to MC, still hard to explain.  Take the seat & steering wheel out of the car, pretty much nothing else around you, then do 125+ mph.   Wearing shorts, t-shirt & sandals 

 

And a helmet, of course, and you feel of the elements on and all around you.

 

 

46 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Where is the freedom?

 

Much more comfortable to ride an open top car, I did 170 mph (272 kmh) in my Porsche many times, though of course that is not possible in Thailand, nor is it possible to ride a bike that fast here. 

 

I don't understand the freedom nonsense quoted by bike riders, it is all in their heads.

 

I never felt particularly free on a moped. I did on my mountain bike though, probably because I could get away from people on it.

 

Does the Op need one to ride to the next bar, or for out of town trips? The bars and most eateries are pretty much all the same here. Not sure if it's worth driving around for much.

On 10/24/2025 at 12:31 PM, scubascuba3 said:

otherwise you're restricted to the baht bus route or take crazy bike taxis, sooner you learn the better, it's safer than walking

 

 

Can't you take the regular Bolt car?

 

 

2 minutes ago, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

Can't you take the regular Bolt car?

 

 

Much better on your own bike, i do get a bolt car rather than bike when i need a taxi 

On 10/25/2025 at 7:30 AM, Mike_Hunt said:

This is why you never show off. 

 

 

That had to hurt.

 

Serves him right,

 

 

1 hour ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Where is the freedom?

 

Much more comfortable to ride an open top car, I did 170 mph (272 kmh) in my Porsche many times, though of course that is not possible in Thailand, nor is it possible to ride a bike that fast here. 

 

I don't understand the freedom nonsense quoted by bike riders, it is all in their heads.

 

The feeling of freedom comes within yourself, thought everyone knew that when they matured as a man. 

 

However, it can not be explained to someone who never got to feel the true freedom of choice to challenge yourself outside your own limits. I do not say riding motorcycle in general give you that, but it is a good feeling letting the trotted lose and enjoy the moment of wind and scenic nature and curvy roads. 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, JensenZ said:

Yes, statistics do not apply to individuals, and they have little relevance.

 

For individuals, there are many factors to consider. Here are some:

 

1. The age of the rider.

2. The experience and skill of the rider.

3. The motorcycle being ridden.

4. The maintenance of the motorcycle. Tires and brake condition are 2 big ones to consider.

5. Is the rider wearing a good crash helmet?

6. Excessive speed for the conditions.

 

For example, to think that my level of danger is equal to a young school kid riding a badly maintained motorcycle at high speed with 3-4 people on it (all helmetless) while chatting on his cellphone is absurd, but it illustrates how statistics lie.

Exactly as I said, your case is somehow different.

8 hours ago, cdemundo said:

"Motorcycles are involved in approximately 74% to over 80% of traffic fatalities in Thailand. This figure highlights the high risk associated with motorcycle travel in the country, with some sources citing that 80% of road fatalities involve motorcycles. "

 

 

 

 

 

Yes around 75% is correct, but that could be reduced to 20% if Khun Thai wears helmets.....

9 hours ago, cdemundo said:

"Motorcycles are involved in approximately 74% to over 80% of traffic fatalities in Thailand. This figure highlights the high risk associated with motorcycle travel in the country, with some sources citing that 80% of road fatalities involve motorcycles. "

 

Easy to get that % down:

 

wear a helmet

look in the mirrors

look before pulling out

don't drive drunk

Don't ride recklessly

Avoid night time riding

 

Sadly Thais are clueless, little to no training

 

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I agree but there's no where to park in Pattaya 

Say I went to Soi Bukhao where can I park 

I guess the same with most places 

What are you doing in Bukhao ?

Surely not grocery shopping/chores.

 

get a bolt like the rest of us car driving expats do.,

21 hours ago, JensenZ said:

I've been shopping with a Yamaha Mio for many years. With 4 hooks under the seat, one in front, plus the large foot area, I can carry a full shopping cart home. I wouldn't shop any other way. No bike can carry more, and shopping in Pattaya by car is a tiresome task in the traffic. I have a car but hardly ever use it, and I was thinking of selling it.

 

 

My old Nuovo only has what is under the seat for space, the back box got knocked off by a garbage truck on Soi Honey while I was otherside engaged there. I always want to get a small coldbox under that seat, with ice-packs to stop some things going off, as again I do other things in town after shopping. That is a squeeze.  I can get in and out of town if I go early in the truck... down soi 36/1, Yume and into Big-CX at the back. I had a scavenger at the house the other day and what she carried on her motorbike was Guinness Book of records material! Me, I don't like to be off balance like that. A small car would be nice, but wouldn't suit her indoors for going to the village.... and I keep procrastinating over a more modern bike, as they do have better storage space, 

18 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

no struggling encountered, as for shopping, loads at the front of the Click, even using handlebars then the top box

At weekends I find Bangkok  traffic seems to be particularly obtuse about leaving enough space to squeeze a bike through....the smaller the better. And I have a longish trip homewards and dare not create any imbalances... My bike was bought in 2006, (they didn't seem to consider storage back then) and the backbox  I had fitted  got knocked off by a garbage truck!

14 hours ago, Hummin said:

The feeling of freedom comes within yourself, thought everyone knew that when they matured as a man. 

 

However, it can not be explained to someone who never got to feel the true freedom of choice to challenge yourself outside your own limits. I do not say riding motorcycle in general give you that, but it is a good feeling letting the trotted lose and enjoy the moment of wind and scenic nature and curvy roads. 

 

 

 

I also have a KTM 250 XC-F dual sport. 

2 minutes ago, TedG said:

I also have a KTM 250 XC-F dual sport. 

I've got the KTM  Duke 200, plus Kawasaki Z650 for touring. 

1 minute ago, roo860 said:

I've got the KTM Duke 200 and a Kawasaki Z650 for touring. 

Nice...Sounds like a good time. 

Just now, TedG said:

Nice...Sounds like a good time. 

Absolutely, I'm based in Chiang Mai, today we're heading for a 3 night trip, Mae Sariang, Mae Sot and Sukhothai 🏍

7 minutes ago, roo860 said:

Absolutely, I'm based in Chiang Mai, today we're heading for a 3 night trip, Mae Sariang, Mae Sot and Sukhothai 🏍

That seems like an area with nice roads.   Safe travels.  

The main argument against bikes in Thailand is its too freaking hot to wear the correct protective gear.

3 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

The main argument against bikes in Thailand is its too freaking hot to wear the correct protective gear.

I wear a mesh jacket, does the business for me.

11 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

The main argument against bikes in Thailand is its too freaking hot to wear the correct protective gear.

I've never worn the 'correct' protective gear.   Always just dress for the weather.

On 10/24/2025 at 3:06 PM, scubascuba3 said:

I'm 55, riding for 26 years, i think I'm getting better all the time, building knowledge every day of different scenarios, you don't need super fast reactions just use your brain

I mostly agree... experience teaches you to anticipate what other drivers are going to do.  Of course you won't be correct 100% but it still lessens the need for lightning reflexes.

On 10/24/2025 at 5:23 PM, Sir Dude said:

but the roads here are littered with corpses that like/love motorbikes, and the stats don't lie.

Guess it's a horses-for-courses job on this one, but it doesn't work out well for many and you'll often hear long-term expats talk about the "inevitable motorbike crash" if you stay long enough and use them... especially the big bikes.

The stats are useful but only in the case of skills that match the average rider on whose results the stats are based.  An experienced and defensive driver's stats will be much better than the average and thus his/her risk substantially lower.  The stats don't lie but they also don't tell the whole story.

 

But, of course, a rider is at much greater risk of injury compared to a car driver when errors result in an actual accident.

19 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

I mostly agree... experience teaches you to anticipate what other drivers are going to do.  Of course you won't be correct 100% but it still lessens the need for lightning reflexes.

It is tough here.  They have a great capacity for stupidity and the ability to surprise. 

19 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

You're missing out but if elderly, ok

 

I am 69, I ride a push bike on a designated 10km bike/walking/jogging circuit with hills etc around a reservoir in Phuket every day, I would not ride it on public roads though, I do not have a death wish.

 

In my experience farangs/Thais with money drive cars, the poorer ones with no choice ride motorbikes and pretend it is about freedom.

 

Even the most expensive motorbikes cost bugger all. 

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

It is tough here.  They have a great capacity for stupidity and the ability to surprise. 

 

A French guy who lived in the house next door here in Phuket was killed on his motorbike, he had been riding it to and from work for years, his wife and three year old kid became homeless and they had to go back home to Isaan. 

 

Another guy down the road was riding his motorbike from work to home (farang) a bike ridden by two guys from Burmah crashed into him, dead.

 

I would not go anywhere near those death machines. 

 

An individual might be the best rider in the world but no one can dodge a dim a-rse riding badly next to them. 

 

If a bike or car hits me while I am in my car, the car gets dented not me.

 

19 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Some things just can't be explained or comparisons made, as just not the same.  Just have to experience.  Might not be for everyone, but I can't imagine not ever cruising surfside or on a winding, rolling mountain road.  Sometimes pushing the limits, others, just taking it all in.

 

Not a whole lot different going from a hard top car, to open ragtop.  Now go from the ragtop, to only a seat on 2 wheels.  You could put you feet down to touch the road, not recommended of course.

 

Convertible to MC, still hard to explain.  Take the seat & steering wheel out of the car, pretty much nothing else around you, then do 125+ mph.   Wearing shorts, t-shirt & sandals 

 

And a helmet, of course, and you feel of the elements on and all around you.

 

 

 

Not much different to an open top car.

 

For real excitement I go to the Thorpe Park for instance in the UK.

 

Roller coaster accelerating from zero to 100 mph (160 kms) in 2.5 seconds, 360 degree twists and turns, now that is real fun, nothing like sitting on a bike in the heat in the traffic with the noise and discomfort around, and the fumes etc.

 

2 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

The stats are useful but only in the case of skills that match the average rider on whose results the stats are based.  An experienced and defensive driver's stats will be much better than the average and thus his/her risk substantially lower.  The stats don't lie but they also don't tell the whole story.

 

But, of course, a rider is at much greater risk of injury compared to a car driver when errors result in an actual accident.

 

Dreamland

1 hour ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I am 69, I ride a push bike on a designated 10km bike/walking/jogging circuit with hills etc around a reservoir in Phuket every day, I would not ride it on public roads though, I do not have a death wish.

 

In my experience farangs/Thais with money drive cars, the poorer ones with no choice ride motorbikes and pretend it is about freedom.

 

Even the most expensive motorbikes cost bugger all. 

You'd be wrong, i know guys in 70s and 80s who still cycle around Pattaya. Sounds like you are scared so wouldn't understand good cycling or advantages of a motorbike