Road Side Assistance? (Don't Laugh!)

[NCC1701A]

Hello everybody. This is my first post here, I am moving to Thailand in 6 months.

I am a American and in the states we have the Automobile Club which is a company that helps you out if you car or bike breaks down. I was wondering if there is anything like that in Thailand? I will be riding my motorcycle all over the country and it would be nice to have any info along these lines.

Thanks.

[RubberSideDown]

As an American who's been living and riding here for over a decade, I can definitely say you're in for a bit of a shock.

There's a thread going on another site (GT-Rider) which mentions a loose association of people who are willing to help a stricken fellow rider within a certain distance, but certainly nothing formal- you'll be lucky if you can find someone with an actual ramp to load your bike into a pickup truck (lifting it up off the ground and loading it with as group of others is a depressing experience) if you're out in the boonies- the bigger shops in large cities can help, of course, but don't expect them to run out at a moment's notice.

While several people have told me it's not 'real' riding, I plan to never be more than a couple hours away from my truck and bike trailer (as well as tools), which will act as my 'lifeboat' in case disaster strikes- I don't want to get stranded too far from assistance, so I'll be hauling my bike to the good spots so I can rely on myself if necessary- it's not that people wouldn't help you out, but rather that (depending on your ride) it's tough to find proper equipment.

Granted, there are some really handy guys who can do an engine rebuild on the side of the road using nothing but a steak knife and a pair of tweezers, but I'm not one of them...

[NCC1701A]

Thanks RSD, I figured it was something like that. I was just hoping there was some help to be found. I drove 1500 miles in Thailand last December in a rental car. It was like Mad Max. I drove like a madman when I was a teenager here in the states so I was sort of enjoying the wide ride for a while. Not look forward to getting into a car anytime soon again in Thailand.

[AAInsuranceBrokers]

There are no companies who will cover you for bike breakdowns/assistance - only vehicles I'm afraid.

[JonnyF]

Nothing formal as far as I'm aware too. Just make sure you've always got plenty of cash on you. I always keep a few thousand baht (reasonably well hidden) in the same place I keep all my documents. Touch wood I've never needed it but breaking down in the middle of nowhere with no cash would be a nightmare. With a few thousand baht in your pocket there will be plenty of people willing to help you out

[commande]

Thanks RSD, I figured it was something like that. I was just hoping there was some help to be found. I drove 1500 miles in Thailand last December in a rental car. It was like Mad Max. I drove like a madman when I was a teenager here in the states so I was sort of enjoying the wide ride for a while. Not look forward to getting into a car anytime soon again in Thailand.

Car in Thailand much safer than a bike - don't write it off so quickly. I own both, definitely much easier to be killed on a bike in Thailand than in a car. One more thing that will shock you is the insurance here. In the states it's rather expensive but has a lot of coverage, here in Thailand, if you dump the bike on the side of the road your not even covered if you have Premium Insurance (consider this full coverage in the states as a comparison although in the states you would be covered). Medical payments are low among other things. Then again it's cheap which is why the insurance is very limited.

I am from the USA also. If you plan on moving here permanently I suggest you still consider getting a car, you don't need anything special or expensive even though cars here cost almost 2 times what they cost in the USA, I recommend purchasing a new one and take care of it for 10 years, used cars and bikes are expensive here in a lot of cases not making them worth purchasing because you don't know the real condition or maintenance. But having both is a good thing, hot as hell in the summer here, riding a bike in 100+ F degree heat is painful in the summer after a time.

My solution for getting around. I have a little Ford Focus as my car, couple years old but and runs great with Air Conditioning , 500cc Honda CBR for fun riding when the weather is good mostly not in town, and finally a scooter - Honda Click for getting around town 90% of the time provided the weather isn't melting hot outside. All of them with basic insurance as I don't see the value of Premium Insurance here but this is my personal opinion others opinions might be different.

Roadside assistance, suggest you make good contacts and friends and carry money with you at all times. Money talks here, just about everything else doesn't.

Edited May 8, 2013 by commande

[ExpatOilWorker]

Sure Thailand have national 24/7 road service. I keep the number in my car, so I don't have it here with me now.

Guess how I got the number in the first place? My car broke down of course, a few curious Thais came over to have a look and after a bit of small talk they came up with the number. 30 min later a professional truck showed up and took me to the service station I requested.

If you are in need, somebody will always help you in Thailand. Even easier on a motorcycle, you will be able to get help in even the remotes corner of Thailand. Have fun driving.

[SumetCycle]

Honda Big Wing offers 24 hour roadside assistance for bikes bought there.

[BSJ]

Back home we had the Royal Auto Club in each state. Once you joined the one state, RACV for me, you could get help anywhere in the country. Au$179/year got you a lot of benefits if you needed help!

Out of interest what can you get here in LOS? Besides Honda Bug Wing et al.

Edited May 9, 2013 by metisdead
Bold font removed.

[RubberSideDown]

I wonder if Honda Big Wing has a distance limit? It's possible to be quite far away from the nearest shop.

This is my roadside assistance program (not my bike- it's a promo shot from the trailer company- I'm waiting for them to finish building mine):

[SumetCycle]

I wonder if Honda Big Wing has a distance limit? It's possible to be quite far away from the nearest shop.

This is my roadside assistance program (not my bike- it's a promo shot from the trailer company- I'm waiting for them to finish building mine):

image.jpg

They will come get you from anywhere in the country. After so many kms you have to pay though. I'm guessing they have contacts with different tow companies around the country.

[commande]

I wonder if Honda Big Wing has a distance limit? It's possible to be quite far away from the nearest shop.

This is my roadside assistance program (not my bike- it's a promo shot from the trailer company- I'm waiting for them to finish building mine):

image.jpg

They will come get you from anywhere in the country. After so many kms you have to pay though. I'm guessing they have contacts with different tow companies around the country.

You are 100% correct, nothing like AAA Service in the USA.... Definitely not timely either and you will be lucky that they show up with a truck that can carry a bike and not a tow truck for a car... It's not normally worth it.

Edited May 8, 2013 by commande

[guzzi850m2]

Car in Thailand much safer than a bike - don't write it off so quickly. I own both, definitely much easier to be killed on a bike in Thailand than in a car. One more thing that will shock you is the insurance here. In the states it's rather expensive but has a lot of coverage, here in Thailand, if you dump the bike on the side of the road your not even covered if you have Premium Insurance (consider this full coverage in the states as a comparison although in the states you would be covered). Medical payments are low among other things. Then again it's cheap which is why the insurance is very limited.

I am from the USA also. If you plan on moving here permanently I suggest you still consider getting a car, you don't need anything special or expensive even though cars here cost almost 2 times what they cost in the USA, I recommend purchasing a new one and take care of it for 10 years, used cars and bikes are expensive here in a lot of cases not making them worth purchasing because you don't know the real condition or maintenance. But having both is a good thing, hot as hell in the summer here, riding a bike in 100+ F degree heat is painful in the summer after a time.

My solution for getting around. I have a little Ford Focus as my car, couple years old but and runs great with Air Conditioning , 500cc Honda CBR for fun riding when the weather is good mostly not in town, and finally a scooter - Honda Click for getting around town 90% of the time provided the weather isn't melting hot outside. All of them with basic insurance as I don't see the value of Premium Insurance here but this is my personal opinion others opinions might be different.

Roadside assistance, suggest you make good contacts and friends and carry money with you at all times. Money talks here, just about everything else doesn't.

You are a very brave man or you got 200K baht handy for bail bond in case you kill somebody in your car even if it's not your fault.

I never drive/ride 4 wheeled vehicles/big bikes without class A coverage, theft- bail bond- hospital coverage for millions of baht for involved parties.

If the shit hits the fan you can go to jail and/or be broke very quickly here so take your precautions which means: fully insured vehicles.

[commande]

Car in Thailand much safer than a bike - don't write it off so quickly. I own both, definitely much easier to be killed on a bike in Thailand than in a car. One more thing that will shock you is the insurance here. In the states it's rather expensive but has a lot of coverage, here in Thailand, if you dump the bike on the side of the road your not even covered if you have Premium Insurance (consider this full coverage in the states as a comparison although in the states you would be covered). Medical payments are low among other things. Then again it's cheap which is why the insurance is very limited.

I am from the USA also. If you plan on moving here permanently I suggest you still consider getting a car, you don't need anything special or expensive even though cars here cost almost 2 times what they cost in the USA, I recommend purchasing a new one and take care of it for 10 years, used cars and bikes are expensive here in a lot of cases not making them worth purchasing because you don't know the real condition or maintenance. But having both is a good thing, hot as hell in the summer here, riding a bike in 100+ F degree heat is painful in the summer after a time.

My solution for getting around. I have a little Ford Focus as my car, couple years old but and runs great with Air Conditioning , 500cc Honda CBR for fun riding when the weather is good mostly not in town, and finally a scooter - Honda Click for getting around town 90% of the time provided the weather isn't melting hot outside. All of them with basic insurance as I don't see the value of Premium Insurance here but this is my personal opinion others opinions might be different.

Roadside assistance, suggest you make good contacts and friends and carry money with you at all times. Money talks here, just about everything else doesn't.

You are a very brave man or you got 200K baht handy for bail bond in case you kill somebody in your car even if it's not your fault.

I never drive/ride 4 wheeled vehicles/big bikes without class A coverage, theft- bail bond- hospital coverage for millions of baht for involved parties.

If the shit hits the fan you can go to jail and/or be broke very quickly here so take your precautions which means: fully insured vehicles.

The vehicles are fully insured so I am not sure what your talking about. My insurance covers everything except my vehicle loss to include limited medical for me and my passengers and which I have a separate medical insurance policy that kicks in after that one is exhausted. I just don't pay for Premium Insurance in Thailand, I get the legal requirement and that's it. So no, I am not brave, I just assume risk for the replacement cost of my vehicles. As for your bail bond comment, your insurance is not going to post bail for you if you kill someone in a car accident and before you can post bail a judge has to deem you can be released on bail, that's an involuntary man slaughter charge among other charges they may throw at you, they don't even do that in the west. At least they don't in the USA, maybe they do in the UK or somewhere else.

Yes I have more than 200k baht handy sitting in my Thai bank account, again irrelevant...

Edited May 8, 2013 by commande

[taninthai]

^

the insurance will post bail for you. That is really the main reason for having first class insurance over here.we pay 25,000 for the car and 6000 for the bike .You did say you only had basic insurance which many will think is por a bor or whatever it's called basically the little sticker you get every year.

Jmo but pretty careless to buy a brand new bike and not have top class insurance but then if you can cover the cost or loss of a 200 k bike who am I to tell you different

Edited May 8, 2013 by taninthai

[commande]

^

the insurance will post bail for you. That is really the main reason for having first class insurance over here.we pay 25,000 for the car and 6000 for the bike .

Good to know, thank you for informing me. I will keep my insurance policies as they are never the less....

[taninthai]

It's not just the bail the insurance will do all the negotiating with other party and police saving you costs and hassle suppose it's the same with all insurance you never know how good it is until that day comes when you need to use it.

[loserlazer]

If motorbike, just stop the first empty truck, pay them a 1000 thb and let them load your bike and drive you to the nearest mechanic.

[Khun Watchaporn]

While several people have told me it's not 'real' riding, I plan to never be more than a couple hours away from my truck and bike trailer (as well as tools), which will act as my 'lifeboat' in case disaster strikes- I don't want to get stranded too far from assistance, so I'll be hauling my bike to the good spots so I can rely on myself if necessary- it's not that people wouldn't help you out, but rather that (depending on your ride) it's tough to find proper equipment.

Blimey.

Make that 'several +1'

What happened to chucking some clothes and a few llight tools in a backpack and heading off on roads unknown until you feel like coming back.

I generally prefer to ride alone, (in fairness now I do have a GPS), but just jumping on the bike and F'ing off is what makes biking for me. You get stuck somewhere, you can damn well make sure you're gonna be spending the night with some local mechanics getting shitfaced on whiskey and enjoying the local hospitality.... or walking back to where your van has been stragetically left a few km back after you towed the bike up there just in case.

Edited May 8, 2013 by Khun Watchaporn

[NomadJoe]

Viriyah had the service the OP is looking for included in my 1st class insurance when I had my bike (Ninja 650R) insured with them. They don't insure big bikes anymore but perhaps they offer this service ala carte. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

[RubberSideDown]

While several people have told me it's not 'real' riding, I plan to never be more than a couple hours away from my truck and bike trailer (as well as tools), which will act as my 'lifeboat' in case disaster strikes- I don't want to get stranded too far from assistance, so I'll be hauling my bike to the good spots so I can rely on myself if necessary- it's not that people wouldn't help you out, but rather that (depending on your ride) it's tough to find proper equipment.

Blimey.

Make that 'several +1'

What happened to chucking some clothes and a few llight tools in a backpack and heading off on roads unknown until you feel like coming back.

I generally prefer to ride alone, (in fairness now I do have a GPS), but just jumping on the bike and F'ing off is what makes biking for me. You get stuck somewhere, you can damn well make sure you're gonna be spending the night with some local mechanics getting shitfaced on whiskey and enjoying the local hospitality.... or walking back to where your van has been strategically left a few km back after you towed the bike up there just in case.

What happened to it? Well, for me, what happened was that I had to spend a ridiculous amount of money (over twice what it's worth) to get the bike I wanted (as did many people here)- there are hardly any shops that can work on it in the country, and certainly few 'local mechanics' (drunk or otherwise) that will have even seen one, let alone have a clue how to work on one.

I'm no longer interested in touring (I've done my days on the road)- I want to enjoy my bike, and I want to protect my investment- that means relying on myself to get it home by another means if it breaks down, so I'll haul it a ways in order to do that- living in Thailand has given me a new perspective on riding- it was different in the States or Japan, where there were reasonably-priced bikes and good service.

[BirdsandBooze]

If motorbike, just stop the first empty truck, pay them a 1000 thb and let them load your bike and drive you to the nearest mechanic.

When I got a flat on my late Scoopy a local songthaew took me and the scooter onboard and 8kms later dropped us off outside my driveway. Total cost 40baht. If anyone is interested there is a Thai breakdown club which operates like the AA and RAC, just do a search and it should show up.

[nikster]

Honda Big Wing offers 24 hour roadside assistance for bikes bought there.

Wow - that's amazing, I had no idea. Very cool.

Just to echo what some said above, if you break down in the middle of nowhere you'll soon find out that there's locals around, and they will help you gladly with a big smile on their face. Only good experiences here.

[Khun Watchaporn]

I was given 12 months 24 hour roadside assistance anywhere in Thailand when I bought my Honda.

Being a Honda though of course I didn't need it.

[BirdsandBooze]

Benelli also offer 24hr assistance included in their warranty package.

[nikster]

Benelli also offer 24hr assistance included in their warranty package.

24 hours seems a bit short but then again it's a Benelli, you might need it...

[BirdsandBooze]

Benelli also offer 24hr assistance included in their warranty package.

24 hours seems a bit short but then again it's a Benelli, you might need it...

It's actually 3 years And who knows, It might turn out to be a better bike than the Thai built Hondas, only time and those pioneers who buy one will be able to tell.

[NCC1701A]

Thanks everybody for your input. I did find Carworld Club.

http://www.cwc.co.th/cwc/news.php#

I will probably just end up walking.

[commande]

For the service you would actually get paying for a policy compared to what your used to in the USA your probably better off. 2000 baht in your pocket, mobile phone, nice friendly smile on your face most Thai's will help you out on the road with no issues. Cheaper and a lot more social, you will probably even be offered a drink while you wait for them to arrange something for you. Learn a little Thai and have a laugh or two.

[yankee99]

I wonder if Honda Big Wing has a distance limit? It's possible to be quite far away from the nearest shop.

This is my roadside assistance program (not my bike- it's a promo shot from the trailer company- I'm waiting for them to finish building mine):

image.jpg

Waiting to finish!

Amazing with a shop properly set up they should knock those out hourly...