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**Taomorris** · #1 28 Aug 2008

Hi guys,

I'm planning to land in Bangkok, rent a motorbike and drive to Cambodia for a 3 weeks tour with my girlfriend.

Do you think I can cross the borders with a rented motorbike or will I have problems with documents, permissions and so on?

If you think there're no probs, can you please suggest one/two shop in BKK where to rent a medium-size motorbike suitable for 2 persons plus some light luggage?

Thanks in advance!
Cheers
Taomorris

**beddhist** · #2 28 Aug 2008

I would like to redirect you to GT-Rider.com, where you will find lots of detailed info about biking around here. Basically, you need a bike with plates and papers (most locals don't bother...) and some kind of official permission from the owner to take it out of the country.

Bkk hasn't got much in the line of bike rental, you will probably have to head for Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai.

**pbekkerh** · #3 28 Aug 2008

Recently my son rented a Honda 600RR and a Yamaha R6 in Pataya and Phuket. I think they were around 30usd a day.

I don't know if they could be taken out of Thailand.

maybe its easier to rent one bike in each country

He didn't get any insurance, don't know if it was unavailable or too expensive

**Cpt Barbarossa** · #4 27 Sep 2008

Mate,
Long story but i've been living this question first in January when I started my tripp, then again now.

1) You CANNOT cross a border with a rented motorbike. Even Cambodia which is lawless and excessively bribable won't allow this.

2) renting... you can rent a transalp 400 (or equivalent) for $350 USD per month in Phuket or Pattaya. (2 mins negotiaiting so u may be able to do a bit better), and an XR/DR/TTR 250 from Phnom Penh for the same or a bit dearer (advisable cos in Cambodia you are responsible if the bike breaks down and THERE IS NO ARGUMENT.. u r screwed if you try and fight it.).

You would have to do a circle, fly to other city and repeat...

3) Buying... Thailand, bureaucratis and time consuming but possible. Suggest you buy off an ex-pat and get him to get the ball rolling before you arrive (GT-Rider good start) Handful of BMW, DR650 etc... about.

Cambodia: XL 650 $6,000, XT600 $4,000, DRZ400 $5-5,,500, XR-TTR-DR 250 $2,200. Papers sorted in a day. contact a guy called Tony at "Two Wheels Only" and pay him $100 to handle it for you or buy one of his bikes, he may buy the bike back or sell it on ur behalf when u leave. He's a trustworthy Pom with too big of plans to rip u off after u leave. The other shops are Kmer and one German DON'T TRUST THEM, Tony showed me bikes with car piston rings in them, cardboard gaskets, u name it... Ther are few Ex-Pat bikes available on an ongoing basis, buy one of these.

Advantages of buying:

1) You can cross borders (add Laos into the mix).
2) Stack it ur gonna repair for about 1/4 the cost the rental company will charge you.
3) U should sell for a loss of about $1,000... only $500 dearer than renting minus flights, plus freedom, etc... good deal.
4) You may decide not to sell, hell you may wanna keep a bike here, Cambodia is Bike HEAVEN.
5) Get in the shit you can drop the bike and RUN... you don't have to care for a bike that isn't yours...

Either way happy travels,
Drop us a line fore yas get here and we'll go for a ride.
Chris

**beddhist** · #5 28 Sep 2008

Sorry to contradict you, Chris, but according to DavidFL you can take a rental bike at least to Laos, provided it is properly registered AND you have the written authorisation on the correct form from the rental co. Start reading here: The Golden Triangle Rider :: WELCOME: Important. Read this first!

If you buy a bike make sure it has a PROPER rego, not what they call a "recycled green book". The latter involves changing the chassis number and looks of the bike to match the rego book. A common practice, although illegal. Transferring ownership can be complicated or impossible. (Again, this info is from gt-r).

**wanderingscotsman** · #6 29 Sep 2008

Slightly off topic, but if in Cambodia you should try to dig out a book called Adventure Cambodia. It’s written as a guide book with a total emphasis on bike touring in Cambodia – e.g. “when you pass the petrol station, set your odometer to 0. When you reach 13.5 miles, take the right unnamed fork…” etc. It’s got day and multi day trip from places and week long tours.
NB : I wasn’t biking when I had the book but I wish I was – was even more of a newbie then than I am now!

I think this is the book : link to amazon

**Taomorris** · #7 3 Oct 2008

Hi guys, thank you all for the suggestions.

I will probably cross the borders of Cambodia on my legs and find a nice bike over there!
I prefer the easy solution ... but I'll let you have an update once back on the situation and how much I enjoyed riding in the 'motorcycle paradise'!

Ciao from Italy
Taomorris

**Blue88** · #8 4 Nov 2008

Thailand Specific, .. I recently hired a Honda Phantom from John Moriarty in BKK. I couldn't find any other supplier in BKK,.. but then I didin't look too hard) It was around 300 Baht per day (I think), .. he does have other bikes at different prices. Unfortunately John's details are on my bike in a bonded warehouse in Toronto. If you want info, .... then reply and I'll dig out his details when back in UK, .... Thursday 6th November.

Geoff (Blue88)