Motor Bike Side Car Legalities

[Curiosity Killed The Cat]

Just bought a Honda wave for 12,000bht in good condition. i have asked someone to put one of those side cars on it which will cost about 4,000bht. I see it (like most people) like a good way to move things around in the local area. If it is only used south of Chalong Circle on the side streets, should i expect lots of problems with the police or are they generally ok with it if you do not carry people or dangerous items in it?

[stevenl]

Can use it anywhere, even on the circle with the police present.

[Curiosity Killed The Cat]

Can use it anywhere, even on the circle with the police present.

ok that's great, heard lots of conflicting stories

[Curiosity Killed The Cat]

Can use it anywhere, even on the circle with the police present.

ok that's great, heard lots of conflicting stories

Does the helmet compulsion still apply as it is not longer a two wheeler?

[stevenl]

Can use it anywhere, even on the circle with the police present.

ok that's great, heard lots of conflicting stories

Does the helmet compulsion still apply as it is not longer a two wheeler?

It will remain a 2-wheeler, unless you want to get the green book updated with the sidecar. Would not recommend that.

[LivinginKata]

Can use it anywhere, even on the circle with the police present.

The question was - is a motor bike with ad hoc side car legal. Yes, folks use them everywhere without a problem. From what I have read - it's not legal. Ok, you all jump in and give your opinion.

[stevenl]

Can use it anywhere, even on the circle with the police present.

The question was - is a motor bike with ad hoc side car legal. Yes, folks use them everywhere without a problem. From what I have read - it's not legal. Ok, you all jump in and give your opinion.

The question I answered was from the OP " If it is only used south of Chalong Circle on the side streets, should i expect lots of problems with the police or are they generally ok with it if you do not carry people or dangerous items in it?"

If you change the question to: are sidecars legal, the answer is for all intends and purposes 'no'.

Edited July 17, 2013 by stevenl

[LivinginKata]

I read the title question as Motor Bike Side Car Legalities

Anyhow, I am glad you agree that they are technically illegal, but folks use them every day without issue.

[Pollywaffle]

I read the title question as Motor Bike Side Car Legalities

Anyhow, I am glad you agree that they are technically illegal, but folks use them every day without issue.

When driving on the roads, breaking the law generally goes unnoticed unless something happens e.g. an accident. Carrying people in the side cart is an even bigger no no, but you still see it happening. I would think that whilst only local people use this mode of transport it will be tolerated, but if Expats start adopting it there may be consequences.

[Shot]

Yes, you can carry many things.

Edited July 17, 2013 by Shot

[steelepulse]

As an expat, I'm sure if you get into any accidents, you'll have to personally pay as what you want to do is not legal to have insurance on this particular model. Do you really want that risk when you can buy a beater pickup truck that is insured and a hell of a lot safer?

[pagallim]

As an expat, I'm sure if you get into any accidents, you'll have to personally pay as what you want to do is not legal to have insurance on this particular model. Do you really want that risk when you can buy a beater pickup truck that is insured and a hell of a lot safer?

Couldn't agree more. Why? I cringe whenever I see the Welsh couple around the Chalong area, proudly displaying their various flags and neither wearing helmets.

The most significant safety factor with these things are not what the riders themselves are doing, but what the rest of the road users have to do to avoid them.

[lemoncake]

As an expat, I'm sure if you get into any accidents, you'll have to personally pay as what you want to do is not legal to have insurance on this particular model. Do you really want that risk when you can buy a beater pickup truck that is insured and a hell of a lot safer?

I have had one for over 3 years and use it daily(in Pattaya)to take my dogs out, its easy to park, easy to wash the dogs, easy to load and off load them.

I have never been stopped or checked, and usually just get a smile from the cops, when they see the dogs in the side car.

I have also never seen an accident involving a bike with a sidecar, may be because it does not go fast or may be because its hard to do stupid things while driving it.

However to warn the OP, on occasion things may break and you may find yourself going one way and side car on it own in another direction. Has happened to me 3 times already.

It is not balanced and is not as easy to drive as it looks. I usually, easily do 60-80km/h in mine with myself and 3 dogs.

Tires also often pop, i would guess due to non balance and is little risky if on a busy street because you simply loose control and slam into things.

Get a double suspension on the side car, otherwise it tips the bike a little after some use and becomes more difficult to drive

[steelepulse]

Let us know what happens after you/re in an accident. Here in Thailand as long as nothing happens, you'll see smiles, but once you are caught in the ( seemingly) wrong, the smiles turned into hands out and police negotiations. No insurance will cover you unless you have one of the very few approved side car models. Safe riding lemoncake!

[lemoncake]

Let us know what happens after you/re in an accident. Here in Thailand as long as nothing happens, you'll see smiles, but once you are caught in the ( seemingly) wrong, the smiles turned into hands out and police negotiations. No insurance will cover you unless you have one of the very few approved side car models. Safe riding lemoncake!

Thank you

[stevenl]

As an expat, I'm sure if you get into any accidents, you'll have to personally pay as what you want to do is not legal to have insurance on this particular model. Do you really want that risk when you can buy a beater pickup truck that is insured and a hell of a lot safer?

Yes, a pickup may be a better alternative.

Many foreigners drive sidecars, and some must have been in accidents as well. Have you ever heard of anyone having insurance problems (take into account that motorbike insurance is (limited) 3rd party anyway)?

[stevenl]

Let us know what happens after you/re in an accident. Here in Thailand as long as nothing happens, you'll see smiles, but once you are caught in the ( seemingly) wrong, the smiles turned into hands out and police negotiations. No insurance will cover you unless you have one of the very few approved side car models. Safe riding lemoncake!

And that is based on what, your thinking process or actual experience?.

[KarenBravo]

As an expat, I'm sure if you get into any accidents, you'll have to personally pay as what you want to do is not legal to have insurance on this particular model. Do you really want that risk when you can buy a beater pickup truck that is insured and a hell of a lot safer?

Couldn't agree more. Why? I cringe whenever I see the Welsh couple around the Chalong area, proudly displaying their various flags and neither wearing helmets.

The most significant safety factor with these things are not what the riders themselves are doing, but what the rest of the road users have to do to avoid them.

Yeah, me too. I wish the woman would wear a bra......

[cgphuket]

As an expat, I'm sure if you get into any accidents, you'll have to personally pay as what you want to do is not legal to have insurance on this particular model. Do you really want that risk when you can buy a beater pickup truck that is insured and a hell of a lot safer?

A beater pick-up in Phuket can still cost 150-200k and not everyone can afford that. If you want to loan him the money for the truck I am sure he would appreciate it.

[Curiosity Killed The Cat]

As an expat, I'm sure if you get into any accidents, you'll have to personally pay as what you want to do is not legal to have insurance on this particular model. Do you really want that risk when you can buy a beater pickup truck that is insured and a hell of a lot safer?

A beater pick-up in Phuket can still cost 150-200k and not everyone can afford that. If you want to loan him the money for the truck I am sure he would appreciate it.

Hi well thanks for this and Curiosity Killed the Cat is a woman and I already have a 6 month old pickup. The motorbike with the side car would not be in massive frequent use, just useful for bulider bricks, rubbish, dirty linen etc. I will only ask the Thais to use it and only if they feel comfortable using it. I have seen many large named companies using them without incident so i thought i could use it within my business.

Thanks again

[IrishIvan]

As an expat, I'm sure if you get into any accidents, you'll have to personally pay as what you want to do  is not legal to have insurance on this particular model.  Do you really want that risk when you can buy a beater pickup truck that is insured and a hell of a lot safer?

 

Couldn't agree more.   Why?   I cringe whenever I see the Welsh couple around the Chalong area, proudly displaying their various flags and neither wearing helmets.   

 

The most significant safety factor with these things are not what the riders themselves are doing, but what the rest of the road users have to do to avoid them.

Those 2 are a menace to society.

[keestha]

Sure, many expats going around on salaengs (mororbikes with sidecar), seeing them always makes me feel they are more successfully integrated than I am. In Koh Lanta, salaengs are very popular among young tourists to rent, cheapest way to get around if you are with a few people.

[IrishIvan]

This couple came up in discussion in tamarind bar tonight. Apparantly that couple are nudists too. They head out onto remote beaches and let it all hang out. Im glad the modesty laws are in full effect on Phuket or else they might cause an accident!

[Curiosity Killed The Cat]

This couple came up in discussion in tamarind bar tonight. Apparantly that couple are nudists too. They head out onto remote beaches and let it all hang out. Im glad the modesty laws are in full effect on Phuket or else they might cause an accident!

555