12 replies to this topic

[Phil Lander]

I made sure my insurance covers hiring a scooter this trip as I may want to get one if the occasion arises.
I've ridden one in my wives village near Nong Khai but never have been brave enough in Pattaya .
Any pitfalls or advice regarding hiring one.

[Kinkoy]

Be careful Phil, don't drive after drinking, and remember "normal" traffick rules don't applay in Pattaya, or Thailand for that matter. Don't force your "traffick rights", to drive passive is the best.
Are u sure your insurance will cover anything happend to the bike you rented, I know mine wont. Only cover my hospital bills.
I think if anything happens, you'll have to dig deep in your pockets and travel budget.
Those Motorbike taxies is an easy way to don't get in to that troubble.

[Automorph]

Hey Phil:

As attractive as having some independence for transportation is in Pattaya, I would think twice about renting a scooter.

Unless you're a seasoned rider in Thailand, it certainly isn't for the faint of heart. I'm an avid motorcycle rider in the US and just can't bring myself to ride in Pattaya. There is little rhyme or reason to the traffic flow and trying to anticipate is futile.

The other issue is drinking and riding. If you're going to have a night on the piss, then you need to leave the bike parked where it is.

The third issue is parking in Pattaya. One has to be careful, as parking times change and I know more than one BM who's had to recover their bike from the towing authorities (and its not a short trip to the yard, either).

All that being said, the cost to get around in Patts is dirt cheap and plentiful. On the other hand, the jump on the bike and go prospect is attractive, but isn't without risk.

Use your best judgement. If you think you can deal with it, then go for it. If you have the least amount of trepidation, then listen to your instincts.

Just be careful out there.

:wink:

[rxpharm]

Good advice in the previous posts. Something else to do because some rental shops will try to scam you charging you for damage that was there before you rented the motorcycle.

I suggest you use your digital camera or mobile phone camera to take photos of all the critical areas of the bike and be sure the manager/shop keeper sees you doing this. This advice also is good for rental of Jet skis, and cars.

[Phil Lander]

Thanks guys food for thought .

I dont ever drink and drive as I need my license to do my job as well as the other considerations.

I'd only want to rent one if I felt like going to Jomtien or somewhere just out of the usual Baht bus runs . (I know there are Baht buses to Jomtien , I'm just a little confused about them)

I read on another forum that there are parking buildings you can use in Pattaya but did'nt make a note of them .

My medical insurance will cover small mopeds but not the bike themselves . I'm a lapsed motorcycle rider but dont fancy driving or parking a large Motorcycle in Pattaya. A Taxi bike would satisfy my insurance.

My memories a bit faded , does 100 bht sound correct to get a moped taxi to the lookout from Walking street ? (I hired two for my girl and I.)

[dixon cox]

I hire a bike every visit now in Pattaya, for at least 90% of the time. But I only ride it a few times, I always let my GF do the riding as she's born there and knows the rules of the road, or lack of.

Some of the things they do makes my toes curl and I just hold on with my eyes half closed. Such as riding down the wrong side of the road, short-cutting corners and undertaking. Scary stuff at times and as others have said it is definately not for the faint-hearted.

Also, take the parking issue seriously. On several occasions I have witnessed bikes being removed due to being parked in restricted zones.

They are marked with red and white painted kerbs :!:

This pic was taken outside Kiss restaurant on 2nd Rd Pattaya.

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[Drift Spunk]

a good helmet not one of those paper thin blue hats they use!

[Phil Lander]

I watched some Italians getting their bikes confiscated in Walking street for bad parking , it was quite funny to watch as none of us had a common language.

[PP]

.....

[Phil Lander]

I always rent a bike in pattaya, if you are a half decent motorcyclist, you should have no problems, i always rent the small twist and go 125cc's, they are easy to park and ride, i not a boy racer, and i don't fly around, probably just as well as those thai's don't have a fucking clue about the highway code.

I normally rent from the bottom of soi 13, next to pizza hut, i get a bike for 200baht per day, although some other places you can pay 100, they advertise them in the sportmans bar.

I once had my rear tyre blow on me approaching walking st, early one morning, that was scary, the inner tube had been repaired no less than 14 times :!: they don't service their bikes terribly well, so therefore make sure when you rent, both tyres have good tread and the brakes are adjusted and sharp :!:

And don't park in walking st after 6pm, it could be 7pm, im not entirely sure, they will lift your bike to the compound, there are two compounds, the furthest is in jomteinen, at the very end, cost of retreiving your bike is 500baht.

You live and learn

Cheers mate , good info regarding prices , I did'nt think it was that cheap.
I think the Italians I mentioned above had parked after the street was closed off so got the bikes taken away . They were parked right in front of the boxing ring complex.