Thread: Is it safe?

I'm following the idea through.

I have found out that I can do a test at the Eastern Verification Centre near Pattaya. I think the answer to my next question is going to be no, but I can't find the answer online. Can I rent a motorbike at the test centre to do my practical test?

You want to rent a bike at the test center, a bike you have never ridden before and you want to take the test on it!
Why do you think people in the west ride bikes with L plates on for ages,before the test is taken.

Got my car and bike license yesterday (360 baht). Had a U.K.license and only had to do colour blindness, depth perception and reaction test. Took 3 and a half hours. Be extra careful on highways, round town is a doodle.

Originally Posted by raycarey

is it safe?

My first thought as well.


Great flick!

Originally Posted by chitown

I always had a Harley in the states and considered myself an experienced biker, but I would never get on a bike in Thailand.

Besides the road safety, you might end up going native and popping zits and plucking chin hairs using your wing mirrors.

Funny how people have differing ideas, In Australia I rode a pushbike and a few motorbikes, I gave up on them because I thought it was too dangerous.
When I'm in Thailand I ride a motorbike and feel OK- but you need three eyes and constant concentration. You have to ride knowing that it is only yourself that is interested in your survival.
When we return later this year I have been told that my bike days are over, she says I'm too old.

Originally Posted by hopmad

I had a motorbike for 2 years in my youth, but not since. I am not a spring chicken, but neither am I a decrepit old git,.

That's me.
I am still in one piece after a few close calls, driving for years in BKK and rural areas.
It was scary the first few weeks, but one adapts quickly to the unwritten rules of the road.

Sometimes on the bike I feel like I'm in one of those video games.

Originally Posted by leemo

Sometimes on the bike I feel like I'm in one of those video games.

Yep, obstacle race level 3. lol
Speeding trucks & buses, swerving cars, carts rolling in from the side, dogs, chicken, buffalos, drunks... potholes, stones, building debris...

I'm going for it.

I've got an address verification letter from immigration, so I will take my test within 30 days. I will get a doctors certificate this week.

I am going to break my rule of 'neither a lender or a borrower be' and borrow a Honda Wave to take my test on. If/when I pass my test, I might ask to borrow it for a few days so I can get into some of this knee dragging Necron mentioned in post 3.

I have been to GT Rider on Pattaya Tai to check out the crash helmets. I will probably get a Real helmet. I didn't realise that I had a head like the Elephant Man, but all the helmets I tried were far too small for me,but I didn't try them all. I will also go to the Kawasaki shop on Sukhumvit, as I have read online that they stock a range of helmets.

While I was in GT Rider I had a browse around the shelves. They had some jackets in there with protectors on the elbows. Am I over-thinking this, or would one of these be a good idea? I've looked around and nobody else seems to wear one, so maybe not.

So, thanks for the replies. All things considered, I am going to do it. Cheers.

I learned to ride a Mbike in Phuket! Never ridden one before! Have I told you about the elephant I had a meeting with? Good to figure out the gear thingy and that there is a peddle does the braking job!

Can I add wear something decent on your feet.

Neal. Food for thought. I am planning to get a Yamaha Nouvo SX, but I take your point that at 125cc, it may not have the acceleration to get out of trouble when travelling. Where did you take your test and hire a bike to do so? This sounds like a good option for me.

Roger. I am checking out safety gear as part of the idea of getting myself on the road. Most Beloved thinks I will be squashed flat like a hedgehog if I carry on with this plan, (her sentiment, not her words), so safety is at the forefront. I will wear a strong pair of shoes or boots. Thanks for the heads-up.

Is it safe? With all those Thai idiots on the road? Be prepared to crash and at worst die thanks to some Thai preemie that has not clue on how to drive. At best you will crash and be robbed of your belongings whilst you are bleeding on the concrete and then transported to a hospital that will inflate your bill 1000 times more than the Thai cost because they believe you are so rich you fart gold bars.

More food for thought...

Test pending.

I have bought a Real G-Force helmet. Looks good to my untrained eye.

While i was in the Kawasaki shop in Pattaya, I had a look around some of the protective clothing. I saw a Revit Airwave jacket that looked quite good, the price was 8,000B. The size was XL, but I didn't try it on, so I don't know if it fits. Most of the jackets in there were made by a company called Scoyco. I can't find much about them on the 'net. Are they good, bad, indifferent, or, like most things, you get what you pay for, ie their more expensive stuff is the best. There were also boots/shoes and gloves made by Scoyco. Does anybody have an opinion on this company?

Originally Posted by hopmad

Scoyco. Does anybody have an opinion on this company?

If you value your life - don't go near them

Originally Posted by hopmad

I drive a car regularly, I am as certain as I can be that my reactions are up to the task, but even so...

Two things tell me you should be OK.

1. You have ridden one before and lived;

2. You drive a car here so you are aware of how the locals drive.

Buy a helmet and keep your wits about you.

Originally Posted by hopmad

Test pending.

I have bought a Real G-Force helmet. Looks good to my untrained eye.

While i was in the Kawasaki shop in Pattaya, I had a look around some of the protective clothing. I saw a Revit Airwave jacket that looked quite good, the price was 8,000B. The size was XL, but I didn't try it on, so I don't know if it fits. Most of the jackets in there were made by a company called Scoyco. I can't find much about them on the 'net. Are they good, bad, indifferent, or, like most things, you get what you pay for, ie their more expensive stuff is the best. There were also boots/shoes and gloves made by Scoyco. Does anybody have an opinion on this company?

The Rev'It Airwave is a great textile jacket (the Tornado is also available in LOS, but it has too much mesh, IMHO, and is less protective in a slide)- it runs about $200 in the US, but 8K isn't too bad for LOS. It was rated as the best textile jacket by Revzilla (large US retailer) in 2012.

Scoyco I'd never heard of before moving to Thailand- it might be OK, but I'd rather buy something that's been well-reviewed and tested than save a couple K on something that may not hold up as well in a crash.

That's it, passed my test, I now have a shiny new licence to use. Thanks for all the replies. As you can see, I have decided to go for it.

Now to buy a motorbike. I think I might try renting a bike before buying. Does anybody know of a rental shop in Pattaya that they would recommend? I might rent for a day or more to get a feel for the bike before I buy one.

I hope you don't think that's an accomplishment, to pass a Thai mosai driving test.

The real test comes when you get yourself a bike, and live to tell about your near misses and other experiences.

It's never safe on Thai roads.
Every time you venture out on two wheels it could be your last.