I know Bangkok is a dangerous place for a new comer farang to ride a motorcycle but still, where in this city can one rent a motorcycle/scooter ?

Thank you

You think the average of 26 motorbike rider deaths per day in BKK constitutes dangerous?

Let's see … that's …. uhm ... 9490 per year.

That's not dangerous, that's suicidal.

Moving to Bangkok forum for local knowledge

In Bangkok bike rental shops are everywhere. By the way, i hope this crap is not going to start again..oh my god it's dangerous, don't do it. Just walking out of your apartment is absolutely dangerous. You might get hit by a truck. Or a bullet. Or get struck by lightning etc. Go get the bike and enjoy yourself. If you are about to die, it's going to happen anyway regardless of the vehicle you use or anything else.

Best of luck... As you will need it.....

Dangerous is an understatement.....

I was looking all day for a rental place no could find.

You think the average of 26 motorbike rider deaths per day in BKK constitutes dangerous?

Let's see … that's …. uhm ... 9490 per year.

That's not dangerous, that's suicidal.

My dear friend a statistic quote of the 26 motorcycle deaths per day would be greatly appreciated.

According to the statistics bellow, an average daily commuter, between the age of 24-64, sober, with a rate of speed of 5-10% above the legal one, wearing a helmet and having a vehicle with a proper maintenance, riding in Bangkok city during the day, are very, very, very unlikely to die in a motorcycle crash.

As follow:

65.9% of motorcycle deaths happen at night, between 0:00 and 5:59

78% of all motorcycle deaths are no other vehicle related

93.5% of the deaths are helmet related, or lack thereof, with injuries sustained to the head

Most vulnerable group, hence most likely to die in a motorcycle crash, are the riders between 15-24?

Alcohol/drugs, excessive speed, at night, on the outskirts of Bangkok, no wearing helmets related crashes.

Not to mention the high death occurrence among the alcohol/drug intoxicated riders and the major cause of death excessive speed of any group of riders.

http://www.forensic.sc.mahidol.ac.th/proceeding/49_nattapong.pdf

Please so correct me if I am wrong

Now can you please give me an address of a rental motorcycle shop?

Traffic moves so slowly during the day you're safe on a motorbike if you pay attention and wear a helmet. There are rental shops advertising in the classifieds section and bahtsold and craigslist.

Rented my bike. Day one riding in Bangkok. Absolutely love it!!!

Far, far safer than US and/or Canada. Splitting lanes rocks!

Drivers very nice and kind to leave space between cars, unlike US, Canada, Western Europe where they try every single chance they have to heckle the motorcycles by closing gaps, staying close together, etc.

Rented my bike. Day one riding in Bangkok. Absolutely love it!!!

Far, far safer than US and/or Canada. Splitting lanes rocks!

Drivers very nice and kind to leave space between cars, unlike US, Canada, Western Europe where they try every single chance they have to heckle the motorcycles by closing gaps, staying close together, etc.

So where did you rent from?

You think the average of 26 motorbike rider deaths per day in BKK constitutes dangerous?

Let's see … that's …. uhm ... 9490 per year.

That's not dangerous, that's suicidal.

My dear friend a statistic quote of the 26 motorcycle deaths per day would be greatly appreciated.

.

Bangkok Post, 2007.

No, I didn't save it. I have a great memory.

My dear friend I don't know Bkk 7 years ago, but I am sure many things have changed in the traffic landscape, density, and driving behaviour.

Thus, more paved streets, a better traffic nodes system, better vehicles in terms of visibility and stopping capabilities, etc, etc.

Again, most of the fatalities occur at night, outside the city, usually single vehicle crash, alcohol/drugs present, no helmet, faulty systems (light/brake/direction)

Rented my bike. Day one riding in Bangkok. Absolutely love it!!!

Far, far safer than US and/or Canada. Splitting lanes rocks!

Drivers very nice and kind to leave space between cars, unlike US, Canada, Western Europe where they try every single chance they have to heckle the motorcycles by closing gaps, staying close together, etc.

So where did you rent from?

Took your advice and find them on CL. Thank you!

Riding in Chaing Mai for almost a week now. Although the traffic is lighter than BKK, I find riding to be slightly more difficult.

Lower speeds, none the less, but less, waaay less care and due consideration for driver's part.

Some of the drivers, especially the SUV ones, especially the black SUVs, are rather disconsiderate towards smaller vehicles and mostly definitely towards the motor bikes.

They intentionally cut you off, force you to brake, sometime hard, change lane in haste, etc. I've heard in 5-6 days more people honking that I've heard in BKK in a month.

When rush hour, absolutely chaotic. When the see you coming between the cars, instead of trying to give you some space, as BKK drivers do, they try to close the gap and try to stay as much as possible mirror to mirror.

Buuuhhhhh!!!!! I had in those few days cars closer to my "azz" and on my side then I ever had in BKK in a month.

Riding in Chaing Mai for almost a week now. Although the traffic is lighter than BKK, I find riding to be slightly more difficult.

Lower speeds, none the less, but less, waaay less care and due consideration for driver's part.

Some of the drivers, especially the SUV ones, especially the black SUVs, are rather disconsiderate towards smaller vehicles and mostly definitely towards the motor bikes.

They intentionally cut you off, force you to brake, sometime hard, change lane in haste, etc. I've heard in 5-6 days more people honking that I've heard in BKK in a month.

When rush hour, absolutely chaotic. When the see you coming between the cars, instead of trying to give you some space, as BKK drivers do, they try to close the gap and try to stay as much as possible mirror to mirror.

Buuuhhhhh!!!!! I had in those few days cars closer to my "azz" and on my side then I ever had in BKK in a month.

Must be that new mood tone paint on them SUV's. When the driver becomes angry (sensed by erratic driving behaviour) the paint turns black!

Very easy to stereotype mate but I can assure you its not just black SUV's. Thai's have a similiar upbringing to each other and education usually does not involve great driving skills. Many people cut you off, don't indicate and drive over two lanes, turn right from the left lane etc etc. overall terrible driving skills in country here are on display everyday..

If you enjoy riding so much why not go on an actually motorcycling route where you can put your refined motoring skills to work. I sure it takes skill to stand at red lights and battle heat in traffic but traveling overseas to drive in Bkk is an insane hobby.