Do you ride Motobike in Pattaya?

[gaijin 146]

i hope the police jail everyone that drinks and then rides a scooter, anyone that drinks and then takes charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle is a potential murderer as far as I'm concerned.

baht buses are 10 baht and everywhere in Pattaya is within walking distances.

any farang that causes injury while driving drunk should be blacklisted from entering Thailand after serving a long prison sentence.

 

 

Holy shit the sky is falling! Save us dontcha!

 

Really, no need to be so dramatic. I understand you're bored at home, and probably grumpy as hell, but don't take it out on us.

Edited October 18, 2010 by gaijin

[Fondles 94]

Yeah I ride the scoot, only when im too pissed to climb into the pickup.

[Stumpdog 11]

Hiring a scooter to go all over the place during the day is a must in my books...You just need to be carefull and watch for the unexpected. At night i leave it back at the hotel. I think the danger factor doubles at night

 

Exactly my thoughts. I ride day time for the convenience and park it up on a night.

[Regyai 415]

Hey can anyone else remember back to the good ole days when no one gave a flying fuck about drinking and driving

 

Or

 

Back to when Pattaya was once a 'pirates paradise' before the advent of mutual masturbation societies and back slapping do gooders trying to turn the place into a little facsimile of the anally retentive nanny states they emanated from .

 

 

.

[Double O 5]

i get on the back of em pissed out my head but il never fuckin drive one

 

And this from a man that goes after anything. LOL First time is Patts a few weeks back. Rode on the back of one for a few times, then I was driving. The girl I was with had one and we used the heck out of it. I was skeptical at first, then realized it really isn't so bad. I loved it. The worst was driving in the rain with contacts in. Next time, renting one as soon as I get to town. Won't think twice.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Hey can anyone else remember back to the good ole days when no one gave a flying fuck about drinking and driving

 

The victims of drunk drivers most certainly did care, even in the good ole days.

 

Evil

[danboy 151]

Its definately not for me. The roads in Pattaya are like a war zone and no matter how good a rider you are, you have not control over the other fucking idiots on the road.

[ronrat 59]

And the majority of idiots without helmets have no footwear or flip flops and no shirt. Good luck with the skin grafts.

[darkmancomes 75]

Hire one evrytime I am in Pattaya and my friend and I travel about and see the countryside. I abide by the rule no drink and ride and if I drink the night before I will wait at least 8 hrs bfore I get on next day. Yes sure you have to be careful out there but it goes further than that. You need to anticipate quite a bit and be on the look out for constant dangers on the road and footpaths! I enjoy riding in Pattaya its a challenge and keeps the skills up. Its nice to get out and about round Siam country club etc and explore, the traffic eases out that way but the hazzards don't. If you do decide to hire out there do please chck the bike out for your own safety and if you are not satisfied with the condition of the bike ask for another or go elsewhere. Treat the bike and other road users with respect and it will pay off I know its difficult when you see some of the antic's those bhat bus and mc taxi get up to but just watch out for them. Dont just read the road immediately infront of you look ahead and extend your vision to the side roads as well and you will have a better chance.

[Gary 4,119]

I had a Kawasaki Boss when I lived in Jomtien. Eventually I decided that Pattaya was way to dangerous to ride in. After a couple of minor mishaps in Jomtien, I sold the bike. The close calls were TOO close and I considered myself lucky to have escaped alive.

 

I think that anyone that rides in Pattaya has a death wish. As we say here in the Kingdom, UP TO YOU.

[harro1 256]

Jumped on the back of a mate one day in jomtien. We were doing 60/70km/hr up a deserted street and a soi dog ran out in front of us. Mate braked and hit the horn. All I could think was this going to fuck up my holiday. The dog turned back at the last minute and we hit it's head with the foot pegs. I think we killed it.

We could have been killed, broken bones or lost a lot of skin. I would advise not doing over 40km/hr around town.

[hkaussie 0]

Was on the back of one being driven fast by a BG and it was sheeting down. Back at he hotel I was massaging her and asked her of all the present scars and old scars. This was when she told me how many accidents and times she had fallen off her bike.

 

Scary thought

[englishinsiam 15]

Was on the back of one being driven fast by a BG and it was sheeting down. Back at he hotel I was massaging her and asked her of all the present scars and old scars. This was when she told me how many accidents and times she had fallen off her bike.

 

Scary thought

 

 

Yet they still think they are indestructible

 

I try not to ride in the rain I take the car out instead, Or stay where I am until it stops. It's not safe at all here the rain makes them even worse drivers/riders than they are normally and thats really scary.

[Daveuk 28]

I have hired motor-bikes for about 6 years now in Pattaya of the 125cc class.I just need transport and not the thrills of a big bike. Not had any problems so far (Am I tempting fate ?). I would just like to give these small items of advice to new bike riders.

 

1. When hirring the bike check its condition and take a photo if there is any existing damage. This helps if they try to charge you when returning it. Important to have the tyre pressures checked and again each week. Make sure the helmet is not old and filthy as you can pick up head lice from previous users. Make sure you have a card with the phone number in case of problems.

2. Take it very easy to begin with till you are familiar with the controls and the traffic. Do a little riding on quieter roads.

3. Note exactly where you park the bke - there are hundreds like it - its not unknown for bikes to be "lost"

4. Dont leave the key in the ignition - its easy to do and an invitation to have it stolen. Dont drop the key when you are near the kerb, as pattaya has a lot of slotted drain covers with horrble sludge underneath into which the key can fall. A key fob which will help to avoid the above.

5. Dont "lend" your bike to your girlfriend - they will often ask to borrow it to go back to the loom.

6. Wear sunglasses or goggles as the atmosphere on Pattaya's main routes is very poluted and sometimes dusty and it can irritate your eyes.

7. Avoid Sukumvit Road with its fast traffic.

8. Better to avoid riding in the rain or at night.

9. If in front of the queue when waiting for the traffic lights to change, dont immediately accelerate away as many Thais run the lights when they are changing. Just hang back a little.

10. Watch out for young farangs on powerfull bikes that they cannot control.

[jacko 8,822]

I have hired motor-bikes for about 6 years now in Pattaya of the 125cc class.I just need transport and not the thrills of a big bike.

Pretty good collection of precautions there DaveUK!

I might add, don't ever tailgate a baht bus or try to pass one on the inside.

Beware when turning, motorcycle taxis will try to pass you as you turn.

Ride in such a way as you never feel 'trapped'.....

No sudden moves...

Everybody else on the road is a complete and utter mindless moron!

 

Buy a padlock and use it instead of the one that came with the bike..... rumours abound that the renter may come to your hotel at night and use spare keys to have it away!

Being hungover riding a bike is nearly as dangerous as being drunk!

Edited October 23, 2010 by jacko

[Bush Pig 11]

My perception of riding a motobike when I first came to Pattaya was #4, then after a day of riding it was #1. I couldn't imagine having to take multiple baht buses to get somewhere and also sit in the horrendous traffic and heat. Also, I rented a motobike for 150 baht/day my first trip, and 130 baht/day 2nd trip. That's $5 or less per day. That's pocket change for me. I may be the only person here that has not even ridden a baht bus yet.

 

Now, before anyone thinks I ride like a Evil Knievel, here's my background. I ride a super fast Honda Fireblade 954RR at home sometimes. I've taken multiple lessons from really skilled riders and have ridden at 'You wouldn't believe riding this fast was possible' speeds, kneedragging, 130 mph with the flick of a wrist. I know how to shift my weight on a bike, I understand countersteering. Now I don't really need to apply these advanced principles while riding a scooter in Thailand, but I definitely am just as aware. I find riding in the USA, is more dangerous than riding in Thailand. Sure it looks loony with all the motobikes zooming in and out between cars and even against traffic when there's gridlock traffic, but that's part of the riding culture and the riders are actually take more precaution than what it looks like. Sure I know many people crash burn and die a horrible death on motobikes, but when you consider just how many motobikes there are on the road, there's bound to be accidents. I'm not saying I'll never get into an accident riding in Thailand, but there are many ways to give yourself an exit strategy in case something does happen, such as if a car cuts you off be ready to slam on the brakes if there's enough distance, watch for cars that are looking to zoom out, give yourself room either side to swerve when that car does come zoomin out in front of you. In the USA we're taught to ride like we are invisible and drivers will never see us and will always cut off out paths, or sideswipe us, and I've had many more 'Oh Shit' moments in USA than Pattaya.

 

So for those of you who are on the fence about riding in Pattaya, I'd say go for it. It's pretty fun and you get places other tourists can't and much quicker. Just take it easy at first, and remember to go balls out when a stoplight turns green because if you don't others will get mad at you. Those little bikes don't go very fast at all and it's almost like riding a bicycle.

 

 

 

My life has been deemed to valuable to ride a bike in Pattaya which is ok by me.

 

But no doubt it is a suitable form of transport for any of the expendables.

 

I think if you research the actual figures you won't conclude riding a bike is safer in Pattaya than the US but feel free to correct the record if I'm wrong.

[sinbinjack 252]

I allways ride a motorbike in Pattaya ,I could not be there if I didn't, as My Arthritis makes it very difficult to walk very fa,r so a bike is vital to my holiday enjoyment.

[Hub 203]

I have hired motor-bikes for about 6 years now in Pattaya of the 125cc class.I just need transport and not the thrills of a big bike. Not had any problems so far (Am I tempting fate ?). I would just like to give these small items of advice to new bike riders.

 

1. When hirring the bike check its condition and take a photo if there is any existing damage. This helps if they try to charge you when returning it. Important to have the tyre pressures checked and again each week. Make sure the helmet is not old and filthy as you can pick up head lice from previous users. Make sure you have a card with the phone number in case of problems.

2. Take it very easy to begin with till you are familiar with the controls and the traffic. Do a little riding on quieter roads.

3. Note exactly where you park the bke - there are hundreds like it - its not unknown for bikes to be "lost"

4. Dont leave the key in the ignition - its easy to do and an invitation to have it stolen. Dont drop the key when you are near the kerb, as pattaya has a lot of slotted drain covers with horrble sludge underneath into which the key can fall. A key fob which will help to avoid the above.

5. Dont "lend" your bike to your girlfriend - they will often ask to borrow it to go back to the loom.

6. Wear sunglasses or goggles as the atmosphere on Pattaya's main routes is very poluted and sometimes dusty and it can irritate your eyes.

7. Avoid Sukumvit Road with its fast traffic.

8. Better to avoid riding in the rain or at night.

9. If in front of the queue when waiting for the traffic lights to change, dont immediately accelerate away as many Thais run the lights when they are changing. Just hang back a little.

10. Watch out for young farangs on powerfull bikes that they cannot control.

 

Good advice.

 

I have rented from the same family since 2001, so have a comfort level as they have always been straight up.

 

I have often stayed off the beaten path (e.g. towards jomtien), so need it to get around. I feel more uncomfortable with mototaxis.

 

Usually will only ride in the day (usually requested strongly by wife if I go out with the guys), although occasionally will use it at the beginning of the night to get near the action and park it. I also only rent the scooters.

 

I drive slow and try and avoid areas I feel uncomfortable with. Some areas you can't avoid, even if going "the back way".

 

It still is a risk no matter any precautions, but I am usually going all over the place on vacation and it really is convenient and I don't want to waste the time and hassle on vacation.

[maipenrai 476]

Pretty good collection of precautions there DaveUK!

I might add, don't ever tailgate a baht bus or try to pass one on the inside.

Beware when turning, motorcycle taxis will try to pass you as you turn.

Ride in such a way as you never feel 'trapped'.....

No sudden moves...

Everybody else on the road is a complete and utter mindless moron!

 

Buy a padlock and use it instead of the one that came with the bike..... rumours abound that the renter may come to your hotel at night and use spare keys to have it away!

Being hungover riding a bike is nearly as dangerous as being drunk!

 

 

Oh so true, whether you are driving a bike or a car; I feel more out of touch with reality if I have a bad hangover than I do when I am half-drunk. Here in our wonderful western world, police have been known to pounce on those people returning to pick up their cars from the pubs in the morning after leaving them behind the night before; dirty pool, I think, but it happens and the "offenders" are often still legally impaired from the night before.