Scooters in Chiang Mai - Good Idea or Bad Idea?

[FolkGuitar]

I agree, but someone arriving in Thailand, riding a scooter for the first time "to enjoy what life has to offer" is not the greatest bit of advice I would give for someone wanting to ride a scooter for the first time.

You need to put it into context.

I'm sorry. I didn't see his post where he said he'd never ridden a scooter before. Seemed to me he was saying he was used to riding, but in Atlanta traffic.

I guess it was my mistake. By the way, which post was it?

[teflonwulfie]

I agree, but someone arriving in Thailand, riding a scooter for the first time "to enjoy what life has to offer" is not the greatest bit of advice I would give for someone wanting to ride a scooter for the first time.

You need to put it into context.

I'm sorry. I didn't see his post where he said he'd never ridden a scooter before. Seemed to me he was saying he was used to riding, but in Atlanta traffic.

I guess it was my mistake. By the way, which post was it?

No, I've never ridden a scooter (well - once when I was a kid and my neighbor had one). I've only driven cars. I just enrolled myself in a Basic Rider's Course which is 20 hours and will allow me to receive my motorcycle license directly afterwards to ensure I'm 100% legal while I'm there so that if I do crash my travel insurance from World Nomads will take care of me.

I plan on following the advice of everyone else here - take it slow, don't drive during rush hour and at night, and keep your head on a swivel.

[FolkGuitar]

I agree, but someone arriving in Thailand, riding a scooter for the first time "to enjoy what life has to offer" is not the greatest bit of advice I would give for someone wanting to ride a scooter for the first time.

You need to put it into context.

I'm sorry. I didn't see his post where he said he'd never ridden a scooter before. Seemed to me he was saying he was used to riding, but in Atlanta traffic.

I guess it was my mistake. By the way, which post was it?

No, I've never ridden a scooter (well - once when I was a kid and my neighbor had one). I've only driven cars. I just enrolled myself in a Basic Rider's Course which is 20 hours and will allow me to receive my motorcycle license directly afterwards to ensure I'm 100% legal while I'm there so that if I do crash my travel insurance from World Nomads will take care of me.

I plan on following the advice of everyone else here - take it slow, don't drive during rush hour and at night, and keep your head on a swivel.

Good on ya! Listen to the instructors. Practice. Take the advice of experienced riders here. Then when actually on the road, take your time. There is NO need to hurry just because others are. Many, many people come here and rent scooters having NO lessons nor experience, and manage to do just fine.

And if by chance, God forbid, you DO have an accident... well, hey.... shit happens... Many of us have had accidents, sometimes several of them, and are still riding motor scooters and enjoying ourselves. I've been riding 50 years and have gone down many times. Not every accident results in something serious. By far, the majority are just 'Road Rash.' Just because someone has a 'motorbike accident' doesn't mean something serious happened.

You will hear tales of the guy who was killed, the guy who was maimed, the guy who is now a quadriplegic or a vegetable. It does happen. Those sorts of stories get big headlines. How many headlines have you seen that read: "10,000 happy motor scooter riders enjoyed touring the city today!" That's the story that happens EVERY day that never makes the headlines.

Do your best to ride safely. Pray to the appropriate gods. Don't let your attention wander for a second. Watch out for idiots. But above all... have a great time!

[toesolipsolie]

The sum total of it all,....

Ride scooter, dont crash, dont die = Good idea

Ride scooter, crash, or crash and die = Bad idea

.

[FolkGuitar]

Three points I forgot to include in my post...

There is absolutely NO need to split lanes and get to the front of the line when coming to a traffic light. The cars ahead of you WILL move when the light turns green. Stay in your lane and stay safe.

Being in front actually puts you more at risk of two possible dangers;

...one, the crazy bike riders who will zig and zag left and right to get ahead of the other riders, Lots of bumping going on here.

...and second and perhaps more important, if there is a police check point ahead, letting the other riders get to it first reduces the possibility of your getting stopped!

[masuk]

Did I see that the OP has not ridden a motorbike before?

that leads to the question: How can he possibly have a Motor bike licence?

I was told quite firmly at the Transport Office in Chiang Mai that I would have to obtain my licence in Australia, (AU$800 course) and then have my International Licence updated.

Yes, I know that anything goes here, but Medical and Hospital insurance is void, and the police in some areas just love to catch farangs with no m/bike licence.

[FolkGuitar]

Did I see that the OP has not ridden a motorbike before?

that leads to the question: How can he possibly have a Motor bike licence?

I was told quite firmly at the Transport Office in Chiang Mai that I would have to obtain my licence in Australia, (AU$800 course) and then have my International Licence updated.

Yes, I know that anything goes here, but Medical and Hospital insurance is void, and the police in some areas just love to catch farangs with no m/bike licence.

See post #62