hi people,
I'm heading out to Thailand for 15 days starting on the 5th May, I've visited Thailand severay times but this time I'm hoping to Hire a bike and do some exploring. Has anyone got any ideas of where i can hire a bike or routs i should Ride or avoid. was thinking of heading north but also fancy getting a flight to Phuket and doing some exploring in the south too, so ideas and advice are all welcome.

Ian

Hi Ian,

We've just entered Laos after 2 months in Thailand (on our own bikes though). Whilst there a friend came out to join us for a while and rented a bike.

First off, you find much in the way of bike hire in Bangkok. Pattaya (to the south east on the coast) has lots of bikes BUT you can no longer take them out of the city limits!! We tried to fin a way round it but the place is full of dodgy russians (I'm not saying all russians are dodgy) and those from other countries, prostitutes and is generally really seedy so don't waste your time.

Your best bet, wothout any question, is to jump on an internal flight straight up to Chiang Mai in the north. It's motorcycling nirvana up there! You don't need to book anything in advance, just rock up and take a walk along the canal street on the eastern side. It's a it's where all the guesthouses, bars and rental shops are) and choose one. There are always dozens waiting to go - mostly 250cc D-Trackers, ER-6 and Versys, although you can get bigger bikes but you really don't need anything more.

As for where to go, as i said it motorcycling nirvana. Whoever designed the roads in northern Thailand must have been a biker, so pretty much wherever you go you'll be grinning from ear to ear. Obviously the Golden Triangle gets mentioned all the time but we found the Mae Hong Son Loop to be better - if the idea of several hundred bends over beautiful hills is what you're after! Stop in Pai for the night along the way (full of travellers but very chilled). The road south from Mae Hong Son down along the Burma border to Mae Sariang and to Mae Sot is also fantastic, as is Nan, to the east. Don't worry about accomodation either. There's always somewhere to stay and it's always bloody cheap.

When you get to Chiang Mai, you can buy the GT Rider maps for various routes (Golden Triangle, Mae Hong Son Loop etc) which are more accurate and up to date, and are motorcycle specific, but if you've already got a map it's more than enough. If you need more inside knowledge when you get there, try going to Rider's Corner (it's at the NE corner of the 'square' round the centre of town. Phil, the owner and some of the expat regulars are almost always there and are a great source for local knowledge, and will surely set you on your way. They also served a very cold, very good . You'll need it!

You'll find that your 2 weeks will, most likely, be spent just in the north (which is far better in my opinion) as there's an awful lot to cover. Don't worry we in the north for over a month and still left having not done it all!

If you need any more info, get in touch.

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Hi Bobduro,
What can I say but thank you, I was thinking along the lines of your recomendations so your insight is invaluable. I view your journey with envy.

I have done quite a bit of moped riding in the pattaya, Trat, and BKK areas over the years but never been north. Unfortunatly i only have 15 days for this trip as all my leave has gone on a trip to Morocco in october on my HP2.
I think a Versy or similar will be ideal for me and my backpack so thats great news.
I will certainly head for Riders corner when i arrive, I was thinking of a few days to acclimatise when i get there so time to find the gt map and the right bike.
thanks again
stay safe,
Ian

Ian
I did a bit of biking 2 yrs ago in the north and north east.

Having never visited Thailand before, I contacted Miles Nadin of Motorcycle tours in Thailand for great advice & ended up riding with him for 3 days in the north east / laos border.

A little while later, we went to Chiang Mai & rented a bike from Big Tony Chiang Mai Motorcycle Rental & Hire - Thailand - Tony's Big Bikes

I can highly recommend this area and wish I had spent a lot longer in that area. The roads are fantastic and the scenery is amazing. Have a brilliant trip!

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

Hi Elaine,
Thanks for the info, I will check out Tony,s and Miles. I'm hoping to spend ten days exploring the area and have already picked out some roads from recomendations.
I'm looking for a Versey or a big trail bike so i can explore the rougher roads a bit.

Do you ride here in England, this weekend was the first decent weather in Yorkshire since sept, and i was at work.

Cheers,
Ian

Hi Ian,

We just spent quite a bit of time in Thailand and I'd agre with what everyone so far said except that when we'd crated up our bike we hired a couple of bikes from Tony's and were very unimpressed with the 400-4 Honda (it was dangerously faulty). Choose a bike with care and take a short ride on it before committing. The newer D-Trackers should be ok and the Versys is great but will set you back 1200-1400 BHT/day for a short rent with discount for longer. Try Joe's Bike Team for some nice 600 Kawas or KLX250's.

As said before, all the roads in the north are superb and twisty.

Some fun/useful places in Chiang Mai -

TukTuk (CU) Bar on Moon Muang Soi 1 is run by a US biker who takes a ride out every Sun morning. Mention Matt and Anita and he'll kick you out - no, I'm sure he'd be happy for the company, and quite a few bikers get in there. Cold and free BBQ on Thurs night. Live acoustic music every night. Closed Sunday.

TK Guest house near South East corner inside canal 3 mns walk from CU bar- ask anyone. Very good value, quiet, clean and biker friendly with covered parking. Recommended. Say hi to tK.

Saturday evening market east-west across the centre street of town. Huge and touristy but interesting.

Mae Hong Son is a good stop, and Ban Rak Thai a good trip out from there.
Have a great time; we're jealous!

BB

Saga Louts on Tour

Thank you barking bikers,

again some great advise, i will try TK Guest house as I dont have anything booked, Im usually a turn up and find somthing bloke.
I had looked at tonys on the web and the bikes are 'not my first choice' i think is the best description.
I'm going to give myself a day or so to look around and aclimatise so should be able to find a decent bike for the trip.
I am very envious of your journy, I'm hoping my own is not too far into the future.
Thank you for taking the time to help.

Ian

If you get to Chiang Mai, definitely check out Riders Corner, as a previous poster recommended. Phil is a great guy, they make the best hamburgers around IMHO, and he also has about 4-5 rooms available. You'd be right in the action.

He also has a GPS map available if you're interested in getting off road.

Just my .02 cents.

hi

if you 'll ride in the north, get a look at Motorcycle Touring & Maps: Thailand : Laos : Golden Triangle
all you need to know is there.

from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong son you 'll got a 1864 cruves road.

you can consider your trip from C-M to Pai, mae hong son, then Mae Sariang, Mae Sot, Sukkothai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao , and back C-M , a very very nice loop !

very good roads in the north , it 's a bikers paradize,but do not forget , if you have time enought to go to Nan area ( on Laos border ) superb roads, and nobody , no farangs .

enjoy your tip,

Zen

Thanks Sprint and Zen,
Some great advise and links, I'm now getting a plan together.
I'm hoping to do both the lop as mentioned and get over to Nan area.
I will have 10 days or more on the road so should be enough time to enjoy the ride without too much hurry.

Thanks everyone,

Ian

Hi

I've been to northern thailand last november - best biking ever!

if you also like to do some offroad stuff contact Andy from motorbike thailand.
He can organise rental bikes and knows the most amazing offroad paths!
Motorcycle Tours & Holidays Thailand - Motorbike Tours Thailand

And say hello from me...

Have fun!
Heike

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