Wanted: Driving Lessons For A Motorcycle Novice...

[canardo]

Hey folks,

I bought my gf a FINO and it appears that she has neither a driving licence nor any practice at all. So, to get a driving licence, you need to drive already.

Is there any service like a driving school or something like that, where I can send her to learn it properly, driving itself, traffic rules and traffic signs in BKK?

Cheers,

Canardo

[MaiChai]

Wow, you must be new to Thailand. Most people outside Bangkok ride motorbikes and a very high percentage of them don't have a bike license. Furthermore alot of kids ride bikes as soon as they are big enough to kickstart the bike or fit on the bike to reach the handlebars and sit on the seat. While most foreigners will abhor this, most Thai families send their kids out on errands on the bike (go get a bag of sugar, etc).

The twist and go bikes are so easy to ride that I can't think it would take long for anyone to get used to them. The more difficult problem is getting used to Bangkok traffic and staying safe. The best way for her to learn is to run short errands to 7/11, etc when there is no traffic, say in the evenings. If she starts doing this and gets a bit of experience, she can then go to the Land Transport Department where she will be forced to sit through some classes on road usage and safety. They will also give her a book on Thai road signs. Once she has built up some knowledge through this, she can sit the bike test and do a round on their artificial road to show she can control the bike.

Sorry about the long reply, but you obviously lacking the info!

PS: very generous of you to buy your gf a Fino!

[canardo]

Wow, you must be new to Thailand. Most people outside Bangkok ride motorbikes and a very high percentage of them don't have a bike license. Furthermore alot of kids ride bikes as soon as they are big enough to kickstart the bike or fit on the bike to reach the handlebars and sit on the seat. While most foreigners will abhor this, most Thai families send their kids out on errands on the bike (go get a bag of sugar, etc).

The twist and go bikes are so easy to ride that I can't think it would take long for anyone to get used to them. The more difficult problem is getting used to Bangkok traffic and staying safe. The best way for her to learn is to run short errands to 7/11, etc when there is no traffic, say in the evenings. If she starts doing this and gets a bit of experience, she can then go to the Land Transport Department where she will be forced to sit through some classes on road usage and safety. They will also give her a book on Thai road signs. Once she has built up some knowledge through this, she can sit the bike test and do a round on their artificial road to show she can control the bike.

Sorry about the long reply, but you obviously lacking the info!

PS: very generous of you to buy your gf a Fino!

No really new, probably longer than you, but never faced such a "problem".

I "learned" to ride a scooter here myself, did 4000 KM on it in 8 month (in and around central Thailand), but was driving car 20 years before in Europe and were aware of traffic in general, but because she has never had vehicle herself before, I just want her to learn it properly and not just the Thai "try and error" way.

Anyway, and may be useful for you one day, at YAMAHA Bangna they offer motorcycle trainings for 200 THB for 6 hours training, theory and parcourt ride. Will send her there...

Cheers

[Newguy70]

Hi Op,

Please have a (Thai) friend contact the following Honda Safety driving scool for you. The basic course is/was 200 Baht in (2010) not sure if the price is still the same, it lasts about 8 hrs, they have plenty of open space to practice. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. They are located in Ramkamhaeng, Bangkok. I have posted the information below.

If anything this will give her a chance to ride a bike in a very large open space, under supervision (without the worry of running into a Car).

ศูนย์ฝึกขับขี่ปลอดภัยฮอนด้า กรุงเทพฯ

1289 ถ.รามคำแหง แขวงหัวหมาก เขตบางกะปิ กรุงเทพฯ

Tel 02 7353999 , 02 7353458

Fax 02 7353933

รถยนต์ Tel 02 5402444 ต่อ 101 , 141

Website: http://www.aphonda.co.th/hondasafety/

or try the email [email protected]

Sidenote: I am not in any way affiliated with Honda, Or Honda Safety School

Jay

:jap:

[canardo]

Hi Op,

Please have a (Thai) friend contact the following Honda Safety driving scool for you. The basic course is/was 200 Baht in (2010) not sure if the price is still the same, it lasts about 8 hrs, they have plenty of open space to practice. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. They are located in Ramkamhaeng, Bangkok. I have posted the information below.

If anything this will give her a chance to ride a bike in a very large open space, under supervision (without the worry of running into a Car).

ศูนย์ฝึกขับขี่ปลอดภัยฮอนด้า กรุงเทพฯ

1289 ถ.รามคำแหง แขวงหัวหมาก เขตบางกะปิ กรุงเทพฯ

Tel 02 7353999 , 02 7353458

Fax 02 7353933

รถยนต์ Tel 02 5402444 ต่อ 101 , 141

Website: http://www.aphonda.co.th/hondasafety/

or try the email [email protected]

Sidenote: I am not in any way affiliated with Honda, Or Honda Safety School

Jay

:jap:

Thx Jay, I just learned that there is a YAMAHA facility as well in Bangna, for a 6 hour group class for 200 THB it includes theory and practize, and because she has a Fino and no Scoopy, I better send her there...

Anyway, thx a lot!

[MaiChai]

Haha, my 10 year old son is now riding the bike I bought back in 1997 for the ex wife; he is in the country so he should be ok. Just gave him a new carb for it.

The problem with biking in Bangkok is not riding the bike, but getting used to the style of driving here and staying safe. Thats what I was trying to emphasize. I have biked in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam and each country has different styles; you need to work out the style and fit in with it, otherwise you are a danger to yourself and others. The courses are really cheap, so its a good idea to send her if she doesn't have any experience. My gf also bikes a little around BKK and she refuses to get a license; her trips are just to the 7/11 and shops. I can't persuade her to get legal!!! Grrr.

[canardo]

Haha, my 10 year old son is now riding the bike I bought back in 1997 for the ex wife; he is in the country so he should be ok. Just gave him a new carb for it.

The problem with biking in Bangkok is not riding the bike, but getting used to the style of driving here and staying safe. Thats what I was trying to emphasize. I have biked in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam and each country has different styles; you need to work out the style and fit in with it, otherwise you are a danger to yourself and others. The courses are really cheap, so its a good idea to send her if she doesn't have any experience. My gf also bikes a little around BKK and she refuses to get a license; her trips are just to the 7/11 and shops. I can't persuade her to get legal!!! Grrr.

Driving a Scooter in Bangkok is more difficult as driving a Scooter in Saigon, tried both and like it. Dunno abt Malaysia, but KL looks for me quite organized and easy to drive...

A 10 years old on a motorcycle? Are you serious?

[MaiChai]

He's big for his age (figure half farang he's got more BIG genes). Anyway these Thais never listen to me and he is with his mother most of the time. Thais are famous for letting their kids do what they want. Land of the free and all that.

Saigon is SLOW but alot of bikes. I really like Vietnam but I hear society is very organised and you can be hitting your head against a brick wall with communist commitees, etc dictating how things should be done. Great coffee, bagettes, architecture, Chinese looking girls, French influenced food, very long coastline with lots of unspoilt beaches, cheap... Why am I here?

Edited March 23, 2011 by MaiChai

[canardo]

He's big for his age (figure half farang he's got more BIG genes). Anyway these Thais never listen to me and he is with his mother most of the time. Thais are famous for letting their kids do what they want. Land of the free and all that.

Sure, I know, and at the end it is all your fault, if something happens...

1. it was your motorcycle at the beginning

2. you could have bought a nice helmet

3. you could have bought a more modern motorcycle (better breaks etc)

4. you could have bought a car for his mother (your ex), so she could have driven him around preventing him driving the motorcycle

...and of course even though and especially when you live separated from each other!

That's what I have learned in 18+ years of marriage with a Thai...

[MaiChai]

Well if life were so easy and straight forward nothing would ever go wrong and everyone would live in contented peace and happiness. Unfortunately life is not like that nor are relations with ex wives. Since I am not there they do whatever they want and disregard me.

She did have a car but she lost it through gambling. Some people are too stupid to help themselves. Would I be stupid enough to buy her another? Not to mention all the other things she lost...

It would be polite to keep these types of opinions to yourself since things often don't appear to be what you think. Offering advice and trying to help people is fine, which is what I try to do. Maybe I have been here to long and you have not been here long enough?

[canardo]

Well if life were so easy and straight forward nothing would ever go wrong and everyone would live in contented peace and happiness. Unfortunately life is not like that nor are relations with ex wives. Since I am not there they do whatever they want and disregard me.

She did have a car but she lost it through gambling. Some people are too stupid to help themselves. Would I be stupid enough to buy her another? Not to mention all the other things she lost...

It would be polite to keep these types of opinions to yourself since things often don't appear to be what you think. Offering advice and trying to help people is fine, which is what I try to do. Maybe I have been here to long and you have not been here long enough?

Sorry, my post was not meant to be offending at all, more ironic.

Thought we were somehow "brothers in mind"...

Mai Pen Rai, ok na? Katod krab and Djai Yen Yen...