Scooter Lessons in Chiang Mai

[yyma]

Hi,

Does anyone know whether there are any scooter instructors or schools in Chaing Mai? I would like to learn and get confident in riding a scooter.

Thanks!

[BillyBobThai]

I have been riding motorcycles for 50+ years, and would not chose Chiang Mai as the place that I plan on dieing. Take a

tuk tuk, you will probably live longer.

[A1Str8]

I don't know where you can find an instructor but don't get discouraged by the first comment. After fifty years he still doesn't know what he is talking about. Just because you ride it doesn't mean you are going to die and a tuktuk is certainly not safer.

I am sure you will find what you are looking for and just keep practicing.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[roger1999]

If you feel perfectly comfortable riding a bicycle than you shouldn't have too much trouble learning to ride a scooter.

If you are not perfectly comfortable on a bicycle, I wouldn't risk a motorbike.

If you do try the scooter, get as much advice from others about the "rules of the road" for scooter safety.

One of my rules is to never pass another bike or car unless it is absolutely necessary. Of course, always wear a good helmet and proper shoes.

[andreandre]

I have been riding motorcycles for 50+ years, and would not chose Chiang Mai as the place that I plan on dieing. Take a

tuk tuk, you will probably live longer.

That is one way weird response...

Aside tho' OP..realistically if you have never ridden a bike at all Thailand in general is not a great place to start, but everyone has to start somewhere i guess.

Not sure who or where you will find what you want, no doubt there will be someone out there to help you..good luck.

[amexpat]

I never rode a scooter before I came here and, yes, it is pretty scary. Still is. But it's been several years and no big probs.

There are some good motorcycle safety sites on the web. Also, find a big empty space where you can practice slaloms, hard braking, all the moves.

Talk with other riders. Every day someone will tell you about the crazy, reckless, traffic situation they just saw. Believe them.

My rule, sometimes broken, is to park the bike well before midnight. It doesn't matter if you aren't drunk - they are.

Scooters are fun and it's the way to get around in these parts.

[Johpa]

Try renting a scooter somewhere outside the big city. If you can ride a bicycle it will not take very long to transfer some of those skills to a scooter. I use to give tours and had many customers who had never ridden before, but most got the hang of it fairly quickly. Problems usually ocured in the first few minutes. So maybe take a short vacation to Pai and rent a scooter for a day and get use to the vehicle on some quieter roads. Just go slow and hug the side of the road for the first month or so until you internalize the reactions needed to ride safely.

[Eliot Rosewater]

Sit on seat

Ignite engine

Engage throttle

Engage brake

500 baht please...

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[zeichen]

the problem with the automatic scooters is the design makes them less balanced than a normal motorcycle design. Legs in front changes your center of gravity and they definitely tip more often than normal cycles.

Apart from that. There are plenty of areas that are unpopulated to practice. Get a friend that knows how to drive and go for it.

FYI old fear monger, tuk tuks are not that safe either. They tip over at certain speeds and don't corner very well.

[roger1999]

Agree that automatics are the worst. They seem a lot heavier to me and more difficult to manage.

[amexpat]

^

Up to you. Gears are so 20th century. Even the very good riders sometimes find themselves in the wrong gear for the traffic situation and trying to recover quickly. (A couple of my friends say that's never happened to them but I have witnessed them struggling while I just twist and go.)

[MrBrad]

Watch for loose gravel and sand on the roads. This is possibly your most dangerous surface to ride on. You will not be able to stop well, causing a slide which will result in your crashing the motorcycle. Curves--even slight turns--on sand are unsafe. Go slower on sandy roads, much slower until you feel more confident, but even then, don't get over-confident on sand. Break gently well in advance of sandy surfaces.

Invest in an expensive helmet (4,000 to 6,000 baht or more) with a full face shield and chin protection. Surely your head or even your life is worth more than that. You'll be thankful that you took this precaution. The false sense of security that many cyclists have here with a 300 baht helmet is pitiful, if not ludicrous. Of course, as we see everywhere, many if not most motorcyclists don't wear any helmet at all, and for sure wouldn't wear one if it weren't for the occasional police checkpoints.

And be very aware of the car on your right. Thai drivers have a habit of seeing only what's in front of them--if that! Once he's passed you, you no longer exist. Don't be too surprised when he suddenly decides to make a left turn immediately after passing you. It happens all the time. Rules (those that exist) and common courtesy are not taken seriously on the roads here.

You'll find some helpful advice for driving in Thailand at this link. Be sure to click onto the photo above the words "Page 2" near the bottom of the first page. http://freebeerforyorky.com/driving.html

[dundas]

I like the comments about helmets, shoes, and practising in quiet places. Not sure you have to go to Pai, though. There are some very quiet roads around Chiang Mai - if you have a friend who can get to those quiet places so that it's safe for you to practise.

Some other tips:

• As there's a chance you'll come off the bike while you're learning, wear jeans and long sleeved shirt/jacket as well as the helmet and good shoes. It might help save you from some of the injuries I see being paraded in RAM hospital.
• You don't own "your" part of the road like you might in your own country. Stick as far to the left as possible.
• Just because the light has just turned red doesn't mean you should stop. Someone behind you might clean you up (and that's the closest I've been to being killed on a motorbike in CM - on my first day on a motorcycle here). That's another reason for sticking to the left - you're less likely to have someone not planning to stop run up the back of you if you're not in their way. "Red lights turn red two seconds after the turn red." (might not be the law but often works like that).
• Take an accommodating stance when riding - if someone pushes in in front of you that's because they're expecting you to let them in. You might as well; even when a bike the courtesy will be returned.
• I tend to be off the bike after dark, or at the very latest after 10 pm. Too many drunks, and too many drugs.
• I will do anything to avoid riding a small scooter on the super-highway or similar roads - the speed differential is too great. Plan your route and avoid those roads - riding a bike in the wrong place can be very scary.
• Personally, I don't mind something like a Honda PCX - good handling and linked brakes, and it's automatic. Just roll on the throttle and go.

If you can't find a place where you can learn, at least do some internet searches on e.g., motorcycle braking, and counter-steering.

Good luck!

[opalred]

go to where every one gets lessons to ride moter bike cm zoo

[bristolgeoff]

now you told the whole forum where to learn too ride a scooter.no more secrets left now

[anselpixel]

I wrecked a rental motorbike my first week in Chiang Mai. Not badly hurt, but totally put off by the whole concept of dealing with high speed, shoulder to shoulder driving.

Put the bike in a songtaew, took it back to North Wheels, and sacrificed my deposit.

After a year of suffocating tuk-tuk and songtaew rides, I bought a used bicycle, and rode around town until that felt comfortable, and I had a feel for others were doing in traffic.

Then I bought a used motorbike, and spent hours riding around the empty paved area in front of Tawan Daeng, and next to Canal Road.

After two years, I'm very happy I went through the process, and use the motorbike for almost all my travel. Quick, easy to park, and cheap to drive.

People here aren't trying to kill you in traffic. They're usually watching things very well, and when you tune in to the rhythm of it, riding is surprisingly safe, and uneventful.

I also tried to find someone to teach me, but ended up following the good advice of people who already knew their way around.