Motor Bikes

[jackcorbett 2]

What are some of you guys riding and why? Also--How do you rate the danger level? I feel it's ETREMELY high. and not because of the shortcomings of the bikes. Just got a new Yamaha Nouvo, which has a 115 c.c. engine, a long life drive belt rather than a chain, and it's fully automatic. I feel it's ideal for the overall riding conditions found in Pattaya. Enough pickup, light, good handling, and it didn't cost an arm and a leg to buy. Although I've almost always bought manual transmission vehicles in the U.S., being an American who's used to driving on the right side of the road and therefore at a disadvantage in places where one drives on the left, I feel the automatic transmission allows me more time to focus on my driving instead of gear shifting. Also....anyone with Nouvos know how fast these things will do. I might have opened bikes up riding in the U.S. but here with so many drivers out and with a huge percentage of them not obeying any road rules whatsoever, 40 miles an hour seems pretty fast. If I were to guess I'd say 60-65 mph tops which translates to around 97 kilometers per hour or a tad better.

[lustyles 1]

ive been thinking about buying a nouvo.. how much did you pay ? i priced them in hua hin but each shop was a different price, cant remeber how much but think they were about 50,000 baht, and can a farang legaly buy and register one ?

[jackcorbett 2]

Sure he can. In the process of having the bike registered in my name, certainly not in any girl's name. I paid 53,000 baht and that included two helmets. Next door they were 52,000 baht, but I was not impressed with that place. I started to walk into the store when I spied around four Thais eating a meal at a table. No one got up to wait on me. I then left the shop, saw the small service shop and asked what the Nouvos were going for. One of the Thais in service waved in the direction of the sales department so I walked in a second time, approached the table, then asked the diners how much Nouvos were. Only at this point did someone jump up to wait on me. So I wound up buying from the cute, helpful girl at the larger shop. THis is on Central Pattaya Road on the North side of the street just West of Sukhamvit Road.

Edited February 6, 2006 by jackcorbett

[Eneukman 1]

I would never go on the back of a motorbike in Pattaya. It's just too damned dangerous with everybody only looking out for themselves and even not even that at times.

 

What really gets to me is that some of the worst offenders are farangs on the bigger, more powerful machines.

 

A word of warning though. The Police seem to be having a crackdown on motorbike safety just now as in the last few days, I've seen several people being pulled over for some offence such as not wearing a crash helmet etc. Just this afternon, no fewer than 3 people were being "processed" at the junction of South Pattaya Road and 2nd Road.

 

Alan

[sinbinjack 251]

Hi,I dont like auto transmission on anything, so I always hire a manual 115cc bike, for me its a matter of mobility, as i cant walk very far so this is the only way for me to see a bit of the town.I do agree that the driving in Pattaya leaves a lot to be desired,but I have no reason to go quickly in Pattaya so I can be a little more careful than at home,The fact that I drink little, or nothing,99%of the time,and dont drink and drive ever, helps with my safety.

[jackcorbett 2]

Although I've been in Pattaya already for more than six months this go around (I now live here full time), not once have I ever been to the top of Buddha Hill-until last week that is. I've also not seen much of Jomtien although I've been there a few times to meet friends for dinner, to deal with Immigration, etc. But last week I decided to try and find a more pleasant route to Jomtien so I took the bike out to the new pier and by trial and error I found a much less trafficked route (after first looking at a map) that utilizes the hill. Once in Jomtien I kept driving a few extra kilometers hoping to find the Varuna yaht club to inquire about renting a small Hobie cat sailboat. I then rode back to Central Pattaya and was amazed to see so few vehicles on my new route. I thoroughly enjoyed sweeping around the turns coming off the hill and the gorgeous views of the city.

 

I will often run several miles for exercise and I have even had my road bike shipped here from the U.S. But I have never simply gone out riding to find what I might find. And neither walking nor running would have allowed me to see so much in nearly so short a time. There is also a restaurant out on Third Road my gf really likes she calls "Fishing". It is a bit too far to walk to so we typically have to take a 100 baht taxi there and another 100 baht taxi to get back. Now we can get there very quickly and cheaply on the bike.

 

I have always enjoyed the wind in the face freedom one feels while riding a bike. And back in the U.S. I owned seven different bikes over the course of years. My last one was a 1985 BMW RS which I had as fast as 135 mph. But after thinking about how dangerous it was driving a bike in the U.S. and how many people I knew of who were injured or killed by having little old ladies pulling out in front of them, I decided to get rid of the bike. "If I were to die out on the road," I had reasoned, "at least I'm going to take the person driving right out in front of me with me." Which I could do if I were driving a car which was in the same weight class as the vehicle owned by the person pulling out in front of me.

 

So here I had driven a BMW 135 miles an hour. So I really wasn't afraid of the sensation of flying which one often gets on the back of a bike. My fear was completely justified, and in my more recent years driving in the U.S. my buying and driving a Miata sports car pretty much satisfied my urge to drive something that was completely fun to drive while putting me much closer to nature.

 

And if driving a bike in the U.S. was far too dangerous, what about Pattaya? Each year 640 people are killed in bike related accidents during a single week of Songkram. Now, the U.S. has roughly 4 times Thailand's population. So if Songkram were held each year in the U.S. and the American authorities were as lax as they are here in Thailand, 2560 would be killed each year in the U.S.--in a single week. At that rate 128,000 would be killed each year. So if this state of affairs existed in the U.S. or Great Britain for that matter, or Australia, Canada, Germany or practically any other Western country what would eventually happen? Well, for one thing, Songkram as the Thais know it would be discontinued by government edict in any one of these countries. And then any one of these governments would continue on to reduce the carnage among motorcyclists.

 

Driving a motorbike in Pattaya is simply an unimaginable activity for those who have never tried it. There are school children out and about driving these things who don't seem to be older than 12. And among all ages there is simply no respect whatsoever for any sort of rules of the road. You will not be given a lane of your own and will often be passed by two or three bikes at the same time while driving in your lane. You will often encounter other drivers driving straight at you on one way streets while you are driving the right way. It is total chaos out there. And no one lncluding the police and all governing agencies could care less.

 

But while riding a small motorcyle you will nearly laugh aloud at all the hapless drivers trying to maneuver their unwieldy cars through traffic or trying to find a parking lot. In many ways two wheeled transportation is so much more practical here. You can park practically anywhere. 80 baht will often fill your tank. Your bike takes up very little of the road and you can turn very quickly. If there's any traffic at all the cars actually seem to just sit there as if they were planting a huge turd out on the road and had to wait until the process was completed. On the small sois in particular all those cars seem to be even more ridiculous.

 

The weather since it's warm and sunny year round is completely practical for riding a motorbike as one's main form of transportation. So I suppose for me it's a matter of trying to be as careful as I can, of not drinking while driving for instance and in trying to be alert at all times. I am trying to keep a mindset of expecting anything to happen at all times and in being conscious of what I must do to avoid having anything collide with me. THis includes no hot riding or making rapid changes of direction when there are other vehicles close by. And a whole lot of other things besides so that I can hopefully reduce my risk of death or serious injury while riding that bike. Above all, I'm scared---very scared.

[Daveuk 28]

Jack - thanks for your interesting post on motorcycling in Pattaya. I used to be a biker and have owned BMW RT's and RS's, although my last bike was a Triumph Trophy 1200 cc. That I rode throughout the U.K. and to France, Begium and Switzerland. In Pattaya I usually get an automatic small scooter from "Twist and Go" on Soi Buakow. Normally I just tour round Pattaya and Jontien, but I have made longer trips to Sattahip (25 miles) and Non Nooch Gardens (15 Miles) and did have thoughts about riding along the coast to Ban Phrae, from where the boats leave for Ko Samet, but that looks like about 50 miles. The Twist and Go hire conditions state that the bike should not be rode "Long Way from Pattaya", so maybe a day trip to Bangkok is a little far !.

Yeah I do think about the chances of an accident, although to be fair I think bike riders in pattaya are reasonably skillful but I certainly would not take the bike out late at night. Last June I took a girl on the bike together with her 12 year old daughter and her 3 year old son to Pattaya park i.e. 4 people altogether. I must have been completely nuts !.

You mentioned running, of which I also partake. In November I was in Pty with a pal who is a 3 hour marathon man. I raced him to Jontien from Soi2 with a 10 minute start - the loser paying for breakfast for us and 2 girls - he won overtaking me in the last 100 yards. I would have won apart from tripping on the Walking St corner. In July 2004 I did the Pty half marathon - never again - far too hot !.

[wacmedia 277]

being an American who's used to driving on the right side of the road and therefore at a disadvantage in places where one drives on the left,

 

Hi,

 

I know you have experience in Pattaya, but do you really believe there is a right side and a left side ?

[gs joe 1,777]

Dave UK . did you get to Ko Samet ?

 

I found bikeing there to be great fun ,

Theres only about a mile of tarmac on the island .

 

Joe

Edited February 18, 2006 by gs joe

[Daveuk 28]

Jo - I've been to Ko Samet, but not on a motor bike. Sounds like you can hire them on the island - what you would need would be a dirt bike of some sort.

[ting_tong 63]

riding a motorbike in pattaya is suicidial, I would not consider it.

 

but in issan, its not so bad, its a must.

best to invest in a full face index helmet or better, many thai bike accidents involve the guy sliding on his chin, and head.

 

A quote from my police friend, he is a thai: "the thais are the nicest people in the world, until you put them on a motorbike, or in a car"

[dotcom_OD 0]

you can hire both motorbikes and quads on some islands in Samed. I did try the quads with a friend and two girls behind. The island is so small and the "highway" end in about a mile or two. Then, you have dirt track. The roads cannot be run faster than 35 miles and thats balls out speed with one riding behind you. I let the girl drive me, and held on to her, believe me when I say these thai girls can ride very well even with their feet up(automatic) that I wasn't surprised with the war wounds on their legs and knees.

 

Try them sometime, I believe the price was like 150 baht for an hour for the quads. And the hour was all you need to see the whole island...LOL

[Eneukman 1]

I've seen the odd quad on the streets of Pattaya and they certainly seem safer than motorbikes though I'll pass on driving any sort of vehicle here.

 

Alan

[Soi7 1]

I never though I would Ride a Motorbike when I made the move here but living off the beaten path comes in handy at night when I need to get out to pick something up. I try to stay focused and careful but you cant be careful for the other guy.

[gs joe 1,777]

Bikes on Samet where 100 baht an hr 500 a day .

quads 1000 a day .

night time rideing was something else .

 

I go with ting on the get your own helmet .

I take mine with me to LOS .

 

Joe

Edited February 19, 2006 by gs joe

[Daveuk 28]

In Pattaya I have seen a few Honda "Trans-Alp" bikes for hire. I had one about 6 years ago - it was one of the best I have owned. Good for touring and with an off the road capability. You dont see many in the U.K. but in Thailand they seem to be the most popular in the 500-600 cc range. Think they were about 500 baht per day.

A very practical bike if you want to do a few miles away from the resort.

[gs joe 1,777]

Agree with Dave UK on the trans alp,

have hired one in Pattaya and Samui a good all round bike ,

but check the tyres when hireing .

 

Joe

[EDP 0]

Ive been hitting Pattaya 3 to 4 times a year since 1992 and have rented the Big Bikes when I was young and carefree and as time went on " Graduated" to the smaller 110-115 cc Kawasakis Hondas and Yamahas.

 

I do not think that you are taking your life in your hands to ride the smaller bikes unless you have little to no experience on a bike at all. A lot of the accidents are the idiots that drive aggresivley and just dont give a sh..t. You just have to remain alert and not watch the sidewalks and whos walking on them.

 

The bike allows you the freedom to get away from those stupid baht bus drivers, and save quite a bit of money. To go grab food where you want and when. To walk a few feet to a bike then wave down the baht bus.

 

Hey I understand and said with respect that alot of gents on here might be cautious and perhaps a bit up in years or with health issues. Then I would seriously agree to stay off. But if your in ok health can operate a small bike, then go for it!!

 

Yes the Police target bikes, but I have not been stopped ever on my trips.

I wear a helmet and just follow the rules. Probably the only one haha.. But that it.

The Police will slam a Thai these days just as quick on violations. They are looking for pretty much three things. 1 helmet 2. Insurance 3. Drug users..

 

On the new Yamaha Nouvo. be careful!! "Hot bike" for theft now... If you rent get one thats not brand new. Less of a target!! they do steal bikes!!!!!!

 

Happy riding!!!!

Edited March 9, 2006 by EDP

[jackcorbett 2]

I am finding that Yamaha Nouvo to be a money saver in more ways than I anticipated. There is the obvious cost savings from not having to use taxis including motorbike taxis nearly as much. But recently I've noticed that my food bill has probably dropped to half. My gf and I instead of heading to a next door restaurant that will typically set up back from 300 to 450 baht, will instead go on the bike to places such as Carre Four. Here one can get a plastic card. A meal for the two of us runs from 100 to 125 baht so figure we are saving around 200 baht each time we take this election. There is also a very inexpensive retaurant in Big C which is just down the street from us.

 

Transportion costs plus savings in meals are probably 1500 baht per week. That's $150.00 U.S. per month or $1800 a year for a bike that costs just $1350 brand new. Gasoline costs are approximately 100 baht per week or 400 baht per month.

[EDP 0]

Your so right in not being restricted as to when and where to eat and on that note shopping for goods either.. You have som much more choice. Dont forget how spendy it can get if you can get to Jomtien beach!

Not on a bike though!

 

They are just so handy that it outweighs the risks

[kolobos 0]

I bought a Yamaha Nouvo 115 and a Honda wave 125i 4 months ago

 

Pro's for the Nouvo= Less to think about when drunk

Con's for the Nouvo=You look like a girl

 

Pro's for the wave=more speed control when you've given the finger to a drunk on a Nouvo

Con's for the wave=Easy to fall off when drunk

 

Driving in Pattaya is a piece of piss, keep your wits about you, keep your eyes on everyone else, don't speed unless you've flipped the bird at an angry Nouvo driver, and don't forget the pleasure of getting a reach around when your woman is on the back...pure bliss!

[RedRackam 0]

Anyone who doesn't get a bike when in Pattaya in my opinion is mad. Forget about it all being crazy everything actually works pretty well if you forget what you were taught in your own country.

 

So get yourself a moped for 100bht a day, drive nice and slow, be a little bit more aware, drive like the thais do and you'll be fine. You'll also have an incredible amount of freedom.

 

Out of Hotel, down to Soi 6, up to Carrefour, then to the driving range, on to jomtien for an hour or so, back to the hotel for a shower, off to eat on 2nd road, check out a few beer bars, down to walking street, back up to soi 8. All of this can be done so quickly and efficiently, you can't do that on a bhat bus and if you could it would be expensive.

 

However, get a big bike and start playing MotoGP rider and yes you're asking for trouble.

[conley 2]

Anyone who doesn't get a bike when in Pattaya in my opinion is mad. Forget about it all being crazy everything actually works pretty well if you forget what you were taught in your own country.

 

So get yourself a moped for 100bht a day, drive nice and slow, be a little bit more aware, drive like the thais do and you'll be fine. You'll also have an incredible amount of freedom.

 

Out of Hotel, down to Soi 6, up to Carrefour, then to the driving range, on to jomtien for an hour or so, back to the hotel for a shower, off to eat on 2nd road, check out a few beer bars, down to walking street, back up to soi 8. All of this can be done so quickly and efficiently, you can't do that on a bhat bus and if you could it would be expensive.

 

However, get a big bike and start playing MotoGP rider and yes you're asking for trouble.

With all due respect, I reckon this is probably the worst advice ever handed out on this board. Sure it would be great to have the freedom of a motor bike to get around. But lets get one thing straight that freedom in Pattaya comes at a great risk to life and limb. Has anybody ever found a BG who has not been involved in a motorbike accident? We all know,to our great sorrow, of the FLB girl who was killed on a motorbike accident in Pattaya recently.

Big bike or little bike you run the same risk. I witnessed the aftermaths of 3 bike accidents all in one evening. There is hardly a day goes buy that you dont see some kind of accident. Not all of them are serious but I think records will show that fatalities from motorbike accidents in Pattaya are way above average.

You could be the best and safest driver in the world but there is no accounting for actions of others.

[EDP 0]

I have been travelling to LOS since 1992 an avg of 4 times a year. I stay in Pattaya a min of 3 weeks. I also have my own bike that I keep over there.I have witnessed a total of or the aftermath of about 4 bike wrecks in all those years.

Normally they are the idiots on crotch rockets racing right into the back of a baht bus.

I have also noticed when reading in the paper that alot of Thais are killed out on Sukhumvit racing along late at night. Where most of us would not be operating one in the first place.

Those guys drive like idiots are normally drunk and are asking for it.

Yes I have met bar girls with the road skid marks on their legs. And normally to go with it is a THAI MOTO Taxi driver that was driving her, Or her lack of any experience operating one herself.

Talk to any of the ex pats over there and u will see it is a way of life to have a bike. There are 70 year old guys driving them on Soi Buakow.

**If you read the paper you will now see that many tour busses or taxis travelling from BKK to Pattaya or the re reverse are being involved in horrendous accidents! Drivers falling asleep with tourists on board. Now there is a risk right there! I am more uncomfortable on that late night long trip to and from the airport than on my moped!

Hey its totally up to the tourist of course!! But it isnt poor judgement to say not to use one.

Its up to a rational thinker to understand the responsibilites and to not get on one if he never rode or has conditions that would not warrant it being a good idea.

Happy motoring!!

[conley 2]

It is up to each and every individual wether to ride or not to ride. Is is obvious to me that riding a motorbike carries a huge risk anywhere in Pattaya (I'm never on Sukhumvit Road so dont know if it is a race track). It is a country where driving discipline is almost non existant (overtake inside, overtake outside). I have hit road pot holes in a taxi at 100 KMP and it feels like the bottom has fallen out the car, what would that do to a motorbike?

 

Please dont try to tell me or anybody that it is easy and safe to ride in Pattaya. It is not. Is it easy and safe to drive a car in Pattaya?....No, but it is safer than a bike. The chances of a road traffic accident in that part of the world are far higher than probably anywhere in the Western world. That is a fact.

 

If you havent had an accident in all those years then great and there will be thousands like you but there certainly will be thousands of grieving families as well who have lost loved ones through m/bike accidents. Moreso than anywhere else I have visited.