Rent Or Own A Moped

[sonnyshi]

I'm thinking of touring Phuket sometime in Sept.-Oct. '05 and would like to know if as a visitor I can buy a moped or motorcycle to tour with and what the laws are as far as registering, insurance, etc. I'll be getting an international drivers license where I presently reside. Thanks.

[udon]

Bring a good quality open face helmet with you.

Thai helmets are crap.

Sorry, I know nothing about Puke t

[sonnyshi]

Bring a good quality open face helmet with you.

Thai helmets are crap.

Sorry, I know nothing about Puke t

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the tip. Will make sure I do that.

[tedkarma]

As a visitor (meaning you're on a tourist visa) you can't buy a motorcycle in your own name. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not true.

Check this article at the Phuket Gazette: http://phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=772

Bike insurance is dirt cheap - I think I pay B600 a year or so - but don't expect it to do anything except keep you out of jail.

I love riding in and around Phuket. Be sure to take the ride up to Khao Lak (and even past for a ways) and check all the side roads on the way up for cool side trips. The area around the Hot Springs Spa is great - even Thai Muang has a lot of character. The loop from Thepkasatri near the airport towards the new Mission Hills Golf course is a beautiful drive. Phuket has so many great back roads and easy drives - that tourists (and even most residents) never see. But that's fine keeps the road uncrowded for the rest of us. Take the drive also from Layan Beach area up to Trisara - on up to NaiThon beach for a few of the best beach views on the island.

Drive slowly - if it gets scary just pull over for a while. The driving habits of people on the island can get wild - between the drunk tourists and the karma-tempting locals.

[jdinasia]

you should be able to get a monthly rental on a bike somewhere around 2600 baht. If you have a dinger (and you probably will!) don't take it back to the rental place that way ... take it and have it fixed on your own.

There are good places here to get a helmet but I had to special order ... my enormous noggin was the problem (not sure if that's from ego or or massive bone ... but it sure aint from brains as I ride in Thailand :-)

[cojones]

theres no need to buy a bike , there are rental places all over the island. i normally rent a bike in phuket town because thats the first place you arrive from the airport ,you have a choice of around 100 bahts for a small bike and on up for more powerfull bikes.

they are not fussed about a licence just taking a copy of your passport and a deposit .

bring a few good locks for security , as bike theft means you have to pay for a new bike if it gets stolen (not uncommon)! a good map you can buy in BKK. it doesnt take long to tour the island and you can stay in off the beaten track guesthouses for little money .

there is a road in and out of patong beach which is highly dangerous and maybe others too . Many have been killed on this road because of the bad layout so take it very easy until you know the road layouts . Phuket has a high death rate from newbie bikers who cant handle the bikes and dont know the roads .

Some tourists have been murdered for their bikes so dont stop if someone flags you down on a quiet place .This happened to me some time back , a thai guy waved me to stop and then attacked me on a quiet stretch of road . I hit the throttle and got away but it was a close shave .

[penzman]

Bring a good quality open face helmet with you.

Thai helmets are crap.

Sorry, I know nothing about Puke t

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you re not familiar with driving a motorcycle around these parts I would suggest a FULL FACE helmet... Saved my life and awesome looks once back home.

[Wolfie]

Phuket is a wild place for riding a motorbike, takes some getting used to. My only peice of advice for someone riding these roads for the first time...

Take it easy, keep it slow, dont do anything silly and watch everything if your not in a rush, you will get there in one peice. Race/Rush and you might not.

Bike rental is cheap enough, unless your considering long term your better off renting a cheap honda dream sized bike.