Big Bikes KP

[ParadiseLost]

Big bikes are becoming a serious danger on KP - as I can now personally attest to. I was hit almost head-on yesterday by a Kawasaki 600 hurtling straight towards me, the rider having lost control. He only managed to stop 100m down the road...

I have lived here since 2005, which was when I bought my little Honda Sonic 125. A great little bike which only has 15,000km, just run-in really. Now the entire front end is destroyed because some 21 year old idiot is allowed to hire a lethal bike with little or no regard to his ability to ride the thing, even more importantly his ability to safely execute an emergency stop from 100+!

My injuries are not life threatening; no broken bones but I am immobile and black and blue everywhere. A very lucky escape I think, all things considered. The (Russian) idiot broke a few bones in his foot - also could have been much worse.

The damage to the Kawa was quite bad so I imagine he is going to get spanked by the bike shop today

My bike is going to cost 20k to fix... Swift justice out here, though - 21k was paid in full at the police station before he was allowed to leave last night.

Which brings me to the point of why I decided to post this (after giving up on this forum many years ago); ultimately I had a positive experience through this, and I would like to say just how well I was treated by everyone involved:

To the emergency services, to the Koh-Phangan Hospital staff and to the KP police a very big THANK YOU for your efforts, I could not have asked for better treatment and in all it cost very little - pelvic and foot x-rays, pain injection and tablets - 1,000 baht (and no waiting).

I plan to draw up a petition to ask the authorities to limit bikes for hire on this (and KT) to 250cc max - there is absolutely no reason to ride anything bigger here.

IMO 99.9% of big (road) bike hirers on this island are <deleted> with no regard for anyone else - a lot seem to suffer "little man" complex.

I hasten to add that I myself have a big bike licence from the UK, but I would never ride a big road bike here as the roads are not only terrible, but there are so many obstacles (such as myself), dogs, taxis, sand, etc.etc. They are also 100% contrary to the vibe of this little piece of heaven, the best kept secret in the world (I love that there is such a bad rep here which is completely foundless) (well, until the Russian invasion that is).

One more point - the guy had to pay a fine for reckless driving - 400 baht. This is ridiculous!! Poor stoners on the beach are getting hit up for 50k for one little joint; they harm no-one. How about fining the big bike kamakazis 50k for reckless driving instead?

[AngThong]

There seem to be more of them on the roads, yes. Sorry to hear about your accident but glad everything seems to be going well. I broke my wrist and ankle 2.5 months ago, thankfully no one else was injured.

Russians and road traffic can be a lethal combo...

One accident was enough for me. I'll get a car, move to a secluded place near Thong Nai Pan or find another paradise with no cars/bikes. Maybe I'll try all three, in that order.

[ktm jeff]

Glad your OK. An un-qualified idiot on a 250 is still a lethal weapon to all others though! Fines need increasing 100 fold , or time in the big house.

[ParadiseLost]

Glad your OK. An un-qualified idiot on a 250 is still a lethal weapon to all others though! Fines need increasing 100 fold , or time in the big house.

When I say 250cc I mean off-road bikes, which as you say can also be lethal, however I think somehow they are more daunting and novice riders are less inclined to go for them.

Anyway, I guess I am hoping that a different type will hire the Kawa 250 off-roaders; the vertically challenged (little-man complex) are definitely put off by the seat height...

and 250cc road bikes are not as "cool" to the desperate to impress...

Edited March 23, 2014 by ParadiseLost

[delgarcon]

Does anyone know who was killed on a motorbike on the bridge near the Jam a couple of days ago? Not much news on KP apart from hearsay.

[AngThong]

Does anyone know who was killed on a motorbike on the bridge near the Jam a couple of days ago? Not much news on KP apart from hearsay.

A 47-year old German guy is what I heard, no idea who he was or how long he'd been here. Apparently mauled by a taxi. Can't vouch for the veracity of my source who was not present on the scene.

Edited March 24, 2014 by AngThong

[ParadiseLost]

My accident was about 500m past the Jam, heading north.

That's one of the few straight pieces of road on the island, so popular with speed freaks - cars, taxis and bikes...

[delgarcon]

Does anyone know who was killed on a motorbike on the bridge near the Jam a couple of days ago? Not much news on KP apart from hearsay.

A 47-year old German guy is what I heard, no idea who he was or how long he'd been here. Apparently mauled by a taxi. Can't vouch for the veracity of my source who was not present on the scene.

I cross that bridge most evenings and I'm surprised that there aren't more accidents there. The way taxis speed along that stretch of road and expect everybody to give way to them on the bridge is lethal. Real bad luck for the motorcyclist to be in the wrong place at that time. I'll definitely be taking more care approaching the bridge in future.

[AngThong]

I cross that bridge most evenings and I'm surprised that there aren't more accidents there. The way taxis speed along that stretch of road and expect everybody to give way to them on the bridge is lethal. Real bad luck for the motorcyclist to be in the wrong place at that time. I'll definitely be taking more care approaching the bridge in future.

I don't use that particular road that often, but I've been riding slow and careful since my accident. I've broken enough bones for a decent while. I don't have fast reactions so my only protection (apart from my crash helmet) is being aware of what is going to happen well before it does, hence keeping an eye on everything and everyone behind and in front of me, and giving wide berth whenever I can, especially if the other guy (it's rarely a girl...) doesn't seem to be paying attention to his surroundings.

[ParadiseLost]

There is a really simple solution - speed-bumps in a few places would force everyone to slow down.

They are called "sleeping policemen" in the UK I believe, the name is pretty fitting as there seems to be no other type on the roads here...

Edited March 24, 2014 by ParadiseLost

[MAGS75]

There is a really simple solution - speed-bumps in a few places would force everyone to slow down.

They are called "sleeping policemen" in the UK I believe, the name is pretty fitting as there seems to be no other type on the roads here...

yeah I can just see those little thai boy racers speeding up and doing flying jumps off them ........

[phanangpete]

Well , having lived here most of the nine years ive lived in Thailand, i can see the situ only getting worse.

A certain sector of society are coming on hols here and many setting up on a permanent basis, there are the problems of communication, a thinking that they are superior and can try anything on they like.

Ive been following whats being going on in Phuket and the powers that be had to send a specialist unit in from Bangkok (DSI ) to deal with the many issues developing , one was the so called Russian mafia and the other the taxi drivers, the local police were just brushed aside.

Now i don't need to go into the details here as you are all aware what these issures are. and yes its going to happen here !

I agrree with the petition , also setting up an expats forum with regular meetings and woul'nt it be good if we had a monthly publication like Samui , Pattaya have, it becomes a sort of watchdog.

[worzel]

20k to repair someones taking you for a ride or are you thai

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