Motorcycle Story

By Thomas Rossetti

In the next couple of motorcycle story columns, I'd like to take a break from our three or four part motorcycle brand history segment and get back to a more personal perspective of riding in Thailand. I have gotten several e-mails stating that the information on the different histories of motorcycles is interesting and informative but I feel they are not so original, as the information is gleaned through different sources on the Internet. It's much more fun for me to talk about the experience of riding a motorcycle “in country” from the personal perspective.

This time of year is an interesting time to ride as high season approaches and there are many more Tourists especially, exploring the experience, some for the first time of riding motorcycle here in Thailand. Any Foreigner or Thai living and riding here will tell you, riding the roads of Pattaya is an experience like no other. I've ridden in other countries but none compare with the excitement of riding here. Although exciting, there is a danger factor that has to be discussed however and this aspect needs to be examined properly especially if you are here on holiday here and are thinking about renting a ride. Many people for example on holiday will rent a motorcycle they are unfamiliar with and as is the norm will spend time in the many Entertainment establishments that dot the city.

It's not uncommon for a motorcycle rental establishment to rent a motorcycle even if you do not have an International Drivers license as if you give them your passport they know they will be protected in terms of any damage that you do to their vehicle. There are many things that are wrong with this picture and it is best that someone who is taking this chance understand the what if's before they make the decision to, rent, drink and drive on an unfamiliar bike in an unfamiliar city. In addition, I'll bet you may even get lucky and have a young lovely join you at some point and chances are you probably didn't think to get an extra helmet from the rental agency. I sometimes feel hesitant when I write this kind of narrative as I feel there are many more positive things to talk about in terms of the experience but I have seen many a holiday get turned around all because someone decided it was a good idea to rent a motorcycle in Pattaya or anywhere in Thailand for that matter. I figure if I save one life because I planted the seed of reality in someone's mind than this column accomplished more than it was ever designed to. Back to our sample situation.

You rent your...let's say CBR 750CC and are on the roads of Pattaya during high season with many others like yourself, here on holiday and on a motorcycle that looks great but if you don't have a lot of experience on one can be difficult. You're staying in Jomtien but you decide to see the Entertainment sites in Central Pattaya and get a good early start down on Soi 6 before doing any serious festive drinking. You meet a girl, take her out of the bar with her “normal” bar girl outfit (short skirt and high heels) with no helmet to go out and have a good time. Besides the fact that it is only your second or third time in the city and you continually get lost, she is having a good time on the back and you don't even realize that she is distracting you from the task at hand, riding your CBR. Another Rider, you're weren't sure if he was Thai or a Foreigner like yourself, is riding on the wrong side of the road at the same time you decide to turn around and speak to your girl on the back. You collide head on with the other Rider and you and your girl go down. You have no Drivers License and are considered wrong in the situation regardless of the fact that the other Rider was on the wrong side of the road. You were lucky as you only broke your leg but your girlfriend seems to be going in and out of consciousness and looks as if her head hit the asphalt. You both are rushed to the hospital and the bike is impounded. At the hospital, although you both need immediate attention, things seem to be hold until you contact someone to come down and leave a deposit for hospital services. The holiday you thought you were going to enjoy just took a major turn for the worse and got much more expensive than you ever imagined. Hopefully, your girlfriend will pull through and you will not owe wrongful death payments to her family. I think you get the picture. These are the things that no one ever thinks can happen to them but I've been here quite awhile and hospitals in this region do a brisk business during this time of year as do Attorneys and Police Agencies.

Now that you have the un-spoken about perspective, allow me to give you a few suggestions.
1. If you haven't been riding for awhile, forsake the whole idea of renting a motorcycle. You can use Baht buses or even motorcycle taxis to get around effectively while you enjoy your holiday.
2. If you plan to rent a motorcycle here, have an Int'l license and purchase some accident insurance that can be used should anything happen to you abroad. I believe you can even purchase some basic travel insurance here. There is a place on Central Pattaya Road on the other side of Foodland going towards Third Road that sells inexpensive Travelers Insurance.
3. If you do decide to rent, make sure you have a descent helmet and request an extra one for the passenger.
4. Purchase a separate lock for the bike and should you feel too inebriated to ride, leave the bike. Remember to get a business card from the nearest business close to the bike so you can return the next day to pick it up.
5. Ride pro-actively and defensively. Stay sharp, continually scan, look in your mirrors continually and try to "think Thai". Not an easy task for anyone here for the first time. (I still haven't completely mastered this one and I have been here for 15 years)
6. Always keep a business card of your hotel in your wallet or somewhere else on your person. A small laminated copy of your passport is also a good idea.

Well, I hope I've given you some things to think about before or after you make your decision to rent a motorcycle while on holiday here. Remember, a holiday is really only a holiday if you go back home either the same way you came or better relaxed and feeling like you accomplished your mission of enjoyment.

Search, predict and act. Ride safe and enjoy.