So you ride/want to ride a motorbike

[nkped 1,208]

"Across Asia, which is the epicenter of the motorcycle boom, two- and three-wheeled vehicles account for about a third of all highway deaths, with the highest numbers in Southeast Asia. In Cambodia, for example, motorcycle crashes represent 67 percent of all road deaths; in Thailand and Laos it has reached a staggering 74 percent.

. . . .

According to the World Health Organizations (WHO), Thailand, with 38 road fatalities per 100,000 in population, is the worlds second most dangerous place to drive anything (the Dominican Republic is first)."

From a longer, somewhat meandering article, Death Rides a Moto.

http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/02/02/death-rides-a-moto-cambodia-helmets-road-fatalities-motorcycles/

Edited February 3, 2015 by nkped

[misteregg 709]

I've never wanted to own a motorbike, which is one of the reasons why I bought a bicycle.

 

I believe it's the best way to get from a to b in this town and it's healthy to

[MM 6,562]

I've never wanted to own a motorbike, which is one of the reasons why I bought a bicycle.

 

I believe it's the best way to get from a to b in this town and it's healthy to

Now, see, I am deathly scared of riding a bicycle in this town on these sois and crowded streets.

 

I consider the motorbike the best compromise between convenient go-where-you-want transport and avoidance of traffic delays.

 

I rarely take the car anywhere in town except to go shopping, and I would rather walk than ride a bicycle.

[Parkwahn 61]

Now, see, I am deathly scared of riding a bicycle in this town on these sois and crowded streets.

 

I consider the motorbike the best compromise between convenient go-where-you-want transport and avoidance of traffic delays.

 

I rarely take the car anywhere in town except to go shopping, and I would rather walk than ride a bicycle.

Agreed my truck goes out of town, you need to ride with sense and have a bale out area ... The worst riders I have seen have been farangs ....

 

Defensive riding ...

[MM 6,562]

Agreed my truck goes out of town, you need to ride with sense and have a bale out area ... The worst riders I have seen have been farangs ....

 

Defensive riding ...

I always give farang motorcyclists a wide berth because I have no idea what they are going to do next. Since they come from so many different countries with their different riding/driving styles, they are wild cards on the road.

 

At least with Thais, I generally know how they're going to move, yield or not, switch lanes or not...there is a sort of national character to their driving that is more consistently predictable (for me) than the various visitors.

[gaza 1 55]

Unfortunately tourists on bikes/scooters are a nightmare,many are inexperienced riders and have no idea of the skills required to ride safely in the town,Thais in the main are better but not good as they rely on the Buddha flowers hanging from the handlebar to keep them safe.

 

Young pissed up idiot tourists renting high performance machines are just asking for trouble,they are not toys,it should be banned,no fucker needs a 180 Mph Motorcycle to go bar hopping.

 

I ride big bikes frequently and have done thousands of miles safely all over Thailand,we often ride in large groups of experienced enthusiast and clubs,we have a strict set of road rules that can not be ignored,we nominate a road captain who will lead the group,if in a large group we also have out riders who will block junctions so we all pass through them safely,I also ride alone and have even been to Siahnookvile Cambodia solo,without any dramas,you have to ride defensively and be aware at all times of any danger.

 

Recently we are seeing all over Facebook terrible accidents and loss of life,mostly involving Thais riding performance bikes,the reason for this is that these bikes are now available and affordable to Thais as they are financed,sadly they do not have the skills or road sense to ride such machines,there is no formal training and after passing a silly test on a scooter you can jump on a 200hp machine,it's madness and causing carnage on the roads at present,the law needs to be changed and enforced.

[Parkwahn 61]

Unfortunately tourists on bikes/scooters are a nightmare,many are inexperienced riders and have no idea of the skills required to ride safely in the town,Thais in the main are better but not good as they rely on the Buddha flowers hanging from the handlebar to keep them safe.

 

Young pissed up idiot tourists renting high performance machines are just asking for trouble,they are not toys,it should be banned,no fucker needs a 180 Mph Motorcycle to go bar hopping.

 

I ride big bikes frequently and have done thousands of miles safely all over Thailand,we often ride in large groups of experienced enthusiast and clubs,we have a strict set of road rules that can not be ignored,we nominate a road captain who will lead the group,if in a large group we also have out riders who will block junctions so we all pass through them safely,I also ride alone and have even been to Siahnookvile Cambodia solo,without any dramas,you have to ride defensively and be aware at all times of any danger.

 

Recently we are seeing all over Facebook terrible accidents and loss of life,mostly involving Thais riding performance bikes,the reason for this is that these bikes are now available and affordable to Thais as they are financed,sadly they do not have the skills or road sense to ride such machines,there is no formal training and after passing a silly test on a scooter you can jump on a 200hp machine,it's madness and causing carnage on the roads at present,the law needs to be changed and enforced.

Drunken idiotic farangs on scooters are the worst menace, as you say the Thais are consistent ,

[jacko 8,815]

I've never wanted to own a motorbike, which is one of the reasons why I bought a bicycle.

 

I believe it's the best way to get from a to b in this town and it's healthy to

Well considering the small numbers that ride bikes, a solitary accident might bump the stats up real high.

I agree with you around town, but I wouldn't think it any 'safer' out on Sukhumvit or Khai Talo at night time!

One accident would dent your health somewhat.

[jacko 8,815]

Drunken idiotic farangs on scooters are the worst menace, as you say the Thais are consistent ,

Most of the danger to me is Thai drivers, but that may well be a factor of where I am driving, not so much around central Pattaya, I also rarely ride around on my bike at night time.Thais are poor drivers and don't consider others on the road. I do so for self preservation. I do find some variation in driving style, between say male and female, and between Bangkok drivers and rural drivers.

 

Later Edit:I had cause to drive around Pattaya a lot yesterday........ although I doubt many were drunk, the farangs certainly are a danger in town!

Edited February 5, 2015 by jacko

[ttk 236]

 

Young pissed up idiot tourists renting high performance machines are just asking for trouble,they are not toys,it should be banned,no fucker needs a 180 Mph Motorcycle to go bar hopping..

I thought the import of bikes ovet 120 or so was already banned. Easy to get around though.parts are OK.

 

I agree that the large crotch rockets should be banned...at least for short stay tourists and no Thai drivers license