A Question For The Specialists

[Jahil]

Hi everybody.

I am not a motorbike fan at all but one of my friend is....

He would like to rent a motorbike to make a tour in the North of Thailand.

In Belgium he is driving a big BMW.

Any idea about a serious rental company?

It would be great if you could give me some website i can forward to him.

Thanks for your help

[Daewoo]

As far as I know, the only rental company in Chiang Rai is ST Motorcycles, but they only have (good) XR250s.

A much better solution will be to start and hire out of Chiang Mai where there are many many motorcylce rental companies...

Here you can rent older big bikes like 400cc Hondas, or new Kawasakis like the ER6N/650 Ninja/Versys...

Best point to start will be GT-Rider.com

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/content/1-home

and the associated forum;

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/forum.php

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/threads/25854-Chiang-Mai-Motorcycle-Rental-Shop-Updates

Cheers,

Daewoo

[katabeachbum]

Bangkok bikes rentals, our bike forum sponsor, proper 3rd party Insurance

[Garry]

Why does the statement 'I am not a motorbike fan at all' need to be made in regards to enquiring about bike rental for a friend?

[JeffreyMcCollum]

Chaing Mai had dozens of bike rental companies renting all shapes and sizes of bikes. Some well maintained, others not.

What size and kind of bike was he looking for ?

[Jahil]

Hi Garry.

Sorry if you did not like this sentence.....

this is the problem when you communicate in another language than your native one.

I just mean that I do not know anything about motorbikes.

Have a great day

Why does the statement 'I am not a motorbike fan at all' need to be made in regards to enquiring about bike rental for a friend?

[Jahil]

Hi Jeffrey.

i will come back once I have the answer to your question.

Chaing Mai had dozens of bike rental companies renting all shapes and sizes of bikes. Some well maintained, others not.

What size and kind of bike was he looking for ?

[Kf6vci]

I broke down and was stranded up some mountain for hours at night. My friend rented from Mr. Mechanic and they had support service. They have a website and are a leading company in CNX. With a website, too.

Chris

[nikster]

First of all, rent a Kawasaki - they're new, and won't break down on you. Unlike the old 400cc Hondas in variable state of repair. A 10 year old bike that has been abused by God knows how many renters is not going to be reliable. And that's in the best case when the shop actually cares about the shape their bikes are in. Plenty don't.

That leaves the ER-6n, Ninja, or Versys. I'd recommend the ER-6n for the budget option (1000/day at POP and other rental shops in CM) and Versys for more fun for about 1,500 / day.

There's also some specialized rental shops that have BMWs and harleys but I think they cost 3,000+. I have only heard about this, no personal experience with them. Anyway if price is no object this is also an option.

Edit: D-Tracker or KLX250 would also be good options, depending on the kind of riding your friend plans on doing. Get him on the internet and post here...

[katabeachbum]

First of all, rent a Kawasaki - they're new, and won't break down on you. Unlike the old 400cc Hondas in variable state of repair. A 10 year old bike that has been abused by God knows how many renters is not going to be reliable. And that's in the best case when the shop actually cares about the shape their bikes are in. Plenty don't.

That leaves the ER-6n, Ninja, or Versys. I'd recommend the ER-6n for the budget option (1000/day at POP and other rental shops in CM) and Versys for more fun for about 1,500 / day.

There's also some specialized rental shops that have BMWs and harleys but I think they cost 3,000+. I have only heard about this, no personal experience with them. Anyway if price is no object this is also an option.

Edit: D-Tracker or KLX250 would also be good options, depending on the kind of riding your friend plans on doing. Get him on the internet and post here...

seconded, more than 3 years/ 30k km, look for another bike rental

also consider the financial responsibility of an accident, kwaker parts and labour is dirt cheap, so are the bikes if totalled

[Garry]

Hi Jahil,

It just seemed a bit odd. I hope your successful in sourcing a ride for your buddy and as others have said, go for the Kawasaki's ER6N / Versys bikes. Good bang for your buck (money) and as KBB and others have stated, cheap to repair if the unfortunate happens.

Cheers,

Garry

Hi Garry.

Sorry if you did not like this sentence.....

this is the problem when you communicate in another language than your native one.

I just mean that I do not know anything about motorbikes.

Have a great day

Why does the statement 'I am not a motorbike fan at all' need to be made in regards to enquiring about bike rental for a friend?

[KRS1]

er6n and versys are all over central chiang mai, one shop alone has over 20 bikes in these specific models.Look on the road on the outside of the canal around thapae gate.