Anybody rent a motobike in the beach areas of Thailand? What is required as deposit, insurance, etc?? Any scams I need to be aware of?

Harry

Depending on where you shop, the type of bike you want, the time of the year, and how long you take it, you can get a bike for as little as 100THB/day. I've never been asked for a licence, but I had to leave my passport each and every time. The closer you are to the beach, the more expensive the bikes. A good strategy is to seek out an expat or spot a seasoned sanuker on a bike and find out where he got his.

Pattaya and Koh Samui are great places to rent a bike, Ko Phang An very dangerous. Negotiate like you would with any street vendor. Some have fixed prices, some will come down.

Chiang Mai maybe Ko Samui both in Dec. So the passport deposit is standard? Helmet required?

Harry

HJ, I have rented scooters in both Pattaya and Chiang Mai. My policy when I travel is to never give my passport to ANYONE as a deposit. Photocopy fine; passport, never. (As a trivial note, I believe there is a law somewhere that states US citizens should never surrender their passport unless it's to a police officer or immigration officer.) Both times I rented the scooter they accepted the photocopy. Both times they also wanted a deposit, of I believe, something like 1000 baht. Never had a problem getting the balance refunded when I returned the scooter.

I believe the law in Thailand states that a helmet must be worn, but like a lot of laws there, it is frequently ignored. A helmet comes with the scooter, and I wore mine most of the time. Riding sans helmet may prove to be a shakedown invitation for the boys in brown, but I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Thanks guys. I've been reading that there are a couple nice hot springs just outside (to the east) of Chiang Mai that are worth a trip.

Harry

HJ

The only scam I am aware of is there are some operators who have sent employees to steal their own bikes when parked at hotel at night and then try to hold the renter hostage for some type of payment as restitution for lost bike. This scam would not work very often if the police get involved. I think their goal is to convince the mark to pay without calling the police into it -- for everone's " convenience ".

BTW -- A farang without a helmet is a Thai cop's wet dream. They will frequently look the other way for a Thai dude or especially a pooying. You, as a farang however,can count on getting pulled down and " fined " on the spot.They will ask for 1,000 baht likely-- do not pay any more than 200 baht.

Insurance in Thailand ???? What a concept !!

Anyone know of a place to rent Harley's in Pattaya?
Last Sept trip the place i saw was closed!
I did see something in Hard Rock Hotel, but i lost it.

Thanks
NW

NW...they usually have a bunch of bikes on display with "for rent" signs near Soi Post Office and beach road. Don't know the price or reliability, I rent scooters.

forget about Hard Rock unless you want to give away cash.

Harley's will probably go for around 15-20 bucks a day, but be very careful to thoroughly inspect the bike before you drive off... They are all over-- all around pattayaland 2/beachroad you'll see long lines of bikes. Shop around for best prices and terms.

The only Harleys I ever saw for rent in Pattaya were pretty lame and did not deserve to be called Harleys. A big bike in Pattaya is not really a good idea IMO. Too much traffic ,small sois, and idiotic drivers who will likley take your bike as a challenge. Cross country would love to have a Harley for touring, but in the cities I think it's a waste.

I agree, which is why I've never rented. As a biker tho, I am continually tempted to rent a passable bike and head north for a week or so of exploration.

Perhaps a bike tour of thailand is in the works one of these days.

DM, Even though I haven't spent ANY time driving on the left, lemme know when/if you're setting up the bike tour.

Thanks Guys
I always rent a Hardly a Harley from a lil lady near pizza hut ..for 500baht a day i get a Honda shadow cruiser with xxtras, looks cool but its not a harley!On my last trip in Sept i saw a few Road Kings.. most of my buddies go for the street bikes so im the lone cool biker.

Perhaps a bike tour of thailand is in the works one of these days ..... DM whens your next trip...im always game to see more than just Jomtien

Senator ...pattaya the drive on the left / right/ and any other side.. crazy.. i also got two helmet tickets in 24 hours .. locked my bike up and made me go to ticket office
1)240 baht
2) 300 baht tags i think

I ALWAYS rent motos down here in Pattaya - only way to get around.

They accept the information I fill out on the rental application without question and rent me a top of the line, brand new Nouvo for 1000B/week. That's a SUPERprimo deal. You do NOT need to bring your passport, but they will ask for payment up front along with the 1000B deposit.

Renting a nice moto like that runs 200B/day for a day or two, but you can usually strongarm them into taking 150B/day if you're getting the bike for longer then 3 days.

E

We have to get a side group together . The Harley Hombres. Would love to tour and tear up the Thai countryside in a pack of REAL Hogs !! Just gotta find a place that rents the real thing, not some Thai underpowered knockoff.

Epi

After ridin a Harley every day to work I just cannot force myself onto one of those little "Chiao" Euro poofster scooters. Nothing personal, I do know how convenient they are. Just cannot get on one.

Ya no offense Epi-- but when I said "bike", I'm referring to a something with a tad more displacement.

Nothing against those scooters-- I have great fun having my GF drive me around while I feel her up.

As for all you other gents, I'm up for taking a few days off anytime and head out on the open thai road. Perhaps we could pack pooying for the ride, perhaps eat on the road... Either way, it sounds like a great way to mix up the schedule while in pattaya.

I'll open a new topic list tomorrow under LoS and we can try to coordinate the ride/keep the topic alive.

Sounds good DM - I guess our 1st thing would be for one of us to locate a Harley rental location!
Anyone in Pattay could check it out?
As i said i did see a place in the Hard Rock ... and on the way to Jomtien called (V2 i think)

Epi - i agree with Khun mor- at 250lb you could not get me to even look at a motorbike ... but thanks for the info... thats a great price plus they always take my passport (im working to stop that)
I did here of Jesters & Renegades Motercycle Club doing charity rides: info # (7)036-2897

NW