Motorcycle Rental

[Azathoth]

Has anybody rented a larger bike? I'm not a small person and don't see myself touring on a 200cc. A Harley would be great, or a BMW. I've checked out the Harley Tours out of Phuket, but I'm looking to rent something ad tour on my own.

[HulaHula85]

Azathoth first of all, welcome to the Forum!

I'm a big bike fan in Thailand, and know a lot of places and information about rentals. Where will you be looking to rent from, and what exactly are you looking for? You literally have your choice of bike ranging from a 50cc Vespa, to a Harley V-Rod if you see fit.

Have you ever ridden a big bike in Thailand before? (That's predominantly the first question i'd ask, because over here it's VERY different from the states)

[Azathoth]

I'd like to tour the north. Leave out of Chang Mai and head up to the Golden Triangle, just cruise from town to town and see if there's anything interesting. Staying out of anything that looks like a real city. I have not ridden in Thailand, '47 Knuckle here. I'm looking for next year. We usually end up spending a lot of time catching flights and renting cars/drivers. I'd like something more sedate next year and get a little off the beaten path.

[HulaHula85]

Well since you're riding up north, you're better off as an unexperienced (in Thailand) rider. There are PLENTY of motorcycle rental places all over Chiang Mai, but I wouldn't really recommend making any online bookings, you can just catch a Saleng (tuk-tuk) around the city and find a nice rental place. Depending on the time of year, Chiang Mai can get pretty cold in some of the mountain roads, but the views are unbeatable.

 

You might be a bit hard-pressed to find a larger softtail or something similar, as far as engine CC goes. You probably could be well off with a Yamaha Dragstar 650, or Honda Steed 600 custom. They're big enough to keep up with traffic and get up the mountain roads, but they won't break your foot if you trip up and fall. Both are rigid-tail bikes with a standard-rake fork, 5-speed, about 40 hp (it's plenty). Most come with saddle bags so you can throw your things in and just cruise.

 

An available alternative would be a KTM enduro or a BMW 650GS, i've seen a couple around town but they are a bit rarer than the garden variety big-bike rentals. But for bike rentals Chiang Mai does have some of the best options aside from Pattaya (although the contracts are a bit more legible and tend to actually cater towards you)

 

I'll be in Chiang Mai with the family after Songkran (mid-April), so I'll get together a list of some of the rental places w/ prices and phone #'s.

[Azathoth]

The KTM or BMW sound good. I'd rather not brave the some of the highways on a hardtail. I've ridden bigger 2 strokes before (RD400/YZ490) and would be OK with one, but my buddy hasn't and I'd be afraid to turn him loose on one. As far as weather goes, summertime here in Portland isn't warm by Thai standards. We were in Chang Mai last year the end of January for all the rain and cold. The night in Laos was almost what I'd call cool, but i think that was more due to the cow/flat rock imitation the rain gave us. Thanks for your help.

[yankee99]

ON beach road they offered a r1 or cbr for 800baht a day......i am sure it can be negotiated...

[deadwood]

I'd like to tour the north. Leave out of Chang Mai and head up to the Golden Triangle, just cruise from town to town and see if there's anything interesting. Staying out of anything that looks like a real city. I have not ridden in Thailand, '47 Knuckle here. I'm looking for next year. We usually end up spending a lot of time catching flights and renting cars/drivers. I'd like something more sedate next year and get a little off the beaten path.

azathoth,get a map when you get to chiang mai or chiang rai. i remember a couple options to go the golden triangle and one was really a nice ride. i don't remember hwy. numbers but you have several options to get to chiang khong on the mekong from chiang rai(one being via ban hoc, ban lung and thung ah). the road to/from mai sai is all traffic. you can go up using one route and back by modifying it a little(via chiang saen,pong noi,etc.) and never have to go through mae sai. you'll pass a huge chinese buddhist shrine/temple in the middle of nowhere and lots of countryside. it's been a while but i remember it being a sweet ride. how i'd love to be doing it on a beemer right now! the small roads around chiang rai are pretty curvey but great countryside! actually outside of chiang mai some nice rides can be had through the flower fields and once you get through the traffic to chong pum a ride up to doi inthanon, highest point in thailand, is nice.

Edited January 15, 2009 by deadwood

[deadwood]

I'd like to tour the north. Leave out of Chang Mai and head up to the Golden Triangle, just cruise from town to town and see if there's anything interesting. Staying out of anything that looks like a real city. I have not ridden in Thailand, '47 Knuckle here. I'm looking for next year. We usually end up spending a lot of time catching flights and renting cars/drivers. I'd like something more sedate next year and get a little off the beaten path.

Edited January 15, 2009 by deadwood

[HulaHula85]

ON beach road they offered a r1 or cbr for 800baht a day......i am sure it can be negotiated...

 

 

Yeah the only problem is that most of the beach road renters have in their contracts that you cannot leave the city, some can be as specific as saying you can't even drive on Sukhumvit road. My friend Steve rented a CBR600 from the dealer just before Mike plaza, took it up to Korat and was ticketed at the usual police stop just before the city. The policeman called the renter using the number on the "official renting contract," and when the renter found out the bike was in Korat, he completely denied renting it and said the bike was stolen. Long story short Steve spent a few nights in a lovely Nakhon Ratchasima jail cell while I negotiated with the renter to call the police and release him. 25,000 baht later and the renter had his bike back, and Steve was sticking to Yamaha Nuovos.

 

Generally when you rent from Chiang Mai the renters are a bit more legit and often times their contracts will say you can travel outside the city. It's just safe to say that check the contract (regardless of the fact that it's usually written to always benefit the renter, never the rider)

 

Also, who would want to rent an R1 and drive it from Patts up to the Mai Sai area?? Talk about a bad back, and i'm 24 hahaha!

[Gator001]

Has anybody rented a larger bike? I'm not a small person and don't see myself touring on a 200cc. A Harley would be great, or a BMW. I've checked out the Harley Tours out of Phuket, but I'm looking to rent something ad tour on my own.

 

Check out east Coast choppers at Jomtien. Chris has Harleys for rent. head past Theppasit road towards Jomtien and he is just to the left of the round about where the road turns sharp right to the beach

 

How long are you in town for?

[Azathoth]

Last time I was there, I remember a Big Dog dealer, is that them? I'm only in Pattaya for a week this trip. Arrive early Tues morning.

[richmondfun]

Do you need to have a motorcycle certification on your driver's license to rent a motorcycle or scooter in Pattaya?

[Gator001]

Last time I was there, I remember a Big Dog dealer, is that them? I'm only in Pattaya for a week this trip. Arrive early Tues morning.

 

 

Here you go http://www.customharleyrental.com/rent-a-h...y-davidson.html

 

Chris is a good guy. Obviously not cheap as repair costs are not cheap, all above board and good cover though

 

If in Phuket Nicky has a ton of bikes in Patong at Nick's Handlebar. if you need his number let me know

 

Not aware of a Big Dog dealer as such but I wouldnt be suprised if there is a Big Dog custom or two around town but most in Thailand and Asia do their own customs rather than buy the mainstream custom lines from the US

 

There are a number of other places in Patts that rent out HD's but I dont know the guys running these shops so cannot recommend

 

Cheers

[chuckrivera]

Do you need to have a motorcycle certification on your driver's license to rent a motorcycle or scooter in Pattaya?

 

No, but you should have it on your license and IDP if there's to be any chance that you will be covered under your travel insurance. Read the fine print, some won't cover you even with the Class M.

[gogo dog]

Do you need to have a motorcycle certification on your driver's license to rent a motorcycle or scooter in Pattaya?

No. But to be legal you need a full motorcycle licence and an international driving permit, or a Thai motorcycle licence. In practice almost any rental operation in Pattaya will rent you a 1000cc race replica without any kind of driving licence at all.