riding in Thailand
Discussion
Will be in Bangkok for a few days and thinking of hiring a bike to get around/go for a few blasts. A friend in Laos says anything above 250cc would be pointless, but after seeing various videos of R1s, 1098s, tear-arsing around Bangkok I'm not so sure. The bike hire company has 250cc street legal dirt bikes, Honda CB500X, honda CB650F, Ducati Monster 821, and Kawasaki Z800. They also have big scooters like the T Max. I'm leaning toward the Kawasaki. I've never ridden in a country like Thailand before (though I've been to Asia many times), but I can't imagine a bigger bike ilike a Monster would be any worse than a 250, but perhaps I'm wrong
You can ride a big bike by all means. But whilst Thailand is wonderful, most of the road surfaces are poor / slippery and you won't be able to stand the heat with protective gear on.
You'll also more likely to get stuck in the horrendous Bangkok traffic on anything bigger than a tiddler.
You'll also more likely to get stuck in the horrendous Bangkok traffic on anything bigger than a tiddler.
abarber said:
You can ride a big bike by all means. But whilst Thailand is wonderful, most of the road surfaces are poor / slippery and you won't be able to stand the heat with protective gear on.
You'll also more likely to get stuck in the horrendous Bangkok traffic on anything bigger than a tiddler.
+1 unless you're out of Bangkok on suitable roads (again this can be very variable) itself just stick with a twist and go scooter, even then majority of Thai's just ride scooters.You'll also more likely to get stuck in the horrendous Bangkok traffic on anything bigger than a tiddler.
Also OP expect some very random driving and riding when there is no queuing, Thai road rules don't really follow ours but are slightly less chaotic than India road rules (where there are none)
Edited by sjtscott on Wednesday 25th November 16:03
Though its a bit of a faff, I might take my Shoei with me, as I'm so used to my lid I dont think Id be comfortable in anything else. Its a full-face but the few times I've ridden in very hot weather it hasnt been a problem.
I don't own any mesh gear but hate the idea of riding around in a t shirt for extended periods. Do you think its too hot for mesh gear? (Its 33 degrees centigrade there now)
I don't own any mesh gear but hate the idea of riding around in a t shirt for extended periods. Do you think its too hot for mesh gear? (Its 33 degrees centigrade there now)
BlackPrince said:
Though its a bit of a faff, I might take my Shoei with me, as I'm so used to my lid I dont think Id be comfortable in anything else. Its a full-face but the few times I've ridden in very hot weather it hasnt been a problem.
I don't own any mesh gear but hate the idea of riding around in a t shirt for extended periods. Do you think its too hot for mesh gear? (Its 33 degrees centigrade there now)
33 deg heat plus humidity = it feels a lot hotter. Open face with shades is fine.. sure mesh gear will help you'll still be cooking though.I don't own any mesh gear but hate the idea of riding around in a t shirt for extended periods. Do you think its too hot for mesh gear? (Its 33 degrees centigrade there now)
You're kidding yourself if you think you will have any sort of fun of any sort on a bike of any size whatsoever in Bangkok ( unless you are thinking what BN is , and admittedly, we all were , thinking...) . Forget it. Enjoy the tuk-tuk rides and save yourself the hassle , it's hot, it's humid, it's potholed and congested , dry and slippy when it isn't having a torrential downpour , albeit brief , but you will derive no joy pursuing this idea there - out in the countryside and on the islands ( scooter Rev 'n Rip territory ) fine......capital city - no.
Sorry if not the answer you wanted to hear - enjoy your trip .
Sorry if not the answer you wanted to hear - enjoy your trip .
I was there in february/march for just over 3 weeks, there is No Way I would want to ride around bangkok on a bike, the standard of driving is pretty bad and its so busy. The videos you see are probably not in the centre of Bangkok, it is an absolutely huge city. I spent 1 night and 1 day in Bangkok and couldn't wait to leave.
Get out to the islands and other cities such as Krabi and its much nicer. We rented 125 mopeds in Krabi and rode 100km to a place called Emerald Pool, great fun although its too hot even riding in shorts and t-shirt. The roads around there were very smooth and fairly quiet although they are slippery.
I rented a CR250 and a CRF250L on one of the islands, the CR was not legal but the police turn a blind eye on the islands. The roads were in awful condition and also very sandy and slippery. Lots of offroad fun to be had although I didn't fancy doing too much as they take your passport as a deposit.
Wear a helmet, its sounds like you are going to, you will be one of the very few sensible people that do.
Get out to the islands and other cities such as Krabi and its much nicer. We rented 125 mopeds in Krabi and rode 100km to a place called Emerald Pool, great fun although its too hot even riding in shorts and t-shirt. The roads around there were very smooth and fairly quiet although they are slippery.
I rented a CR250 and a CRF250L on one of the islands, the CR was not legal but the police turn a blind eye on the islands. The roads were in awful condition and also very sandy and slippery. Lots of offroad fun to be had although I didn't fancy doing too much as they take your passport as a deposit.
Wear a helmet, its sounds like you are going to, you will be one of the very few sensible people that do.
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