Motorcycle Story
By Thomas Rossetti
Dear Tom,
I am an avid Reader of your motorcycle column and am contemplating buying a motorcycle here In Pattaya. I don't have much experience and it has been several years since I rode in my native country of England. Any suggestions on where to learn to ride here.
Thanks,
Andy – London
Dear Andy,
Your question brings back memories of when I lived in Bangkok and was contemplating riding a motorcycle for the first time. Before I came to Thailand I was a relatively active Rider spending about 60% of my time on the Harley and 40 % in my Corvette. Many of my friends who were familiar with riding in Thailand tried to discourage me from riding here. When I did arrive here, I figured the best way to really know about the riding experience here was to hire a motorcycle taxi on a regular basis. I learned that to ride in Thailand you had to think Thai.
I also learned that riding in Bangkok is different than riding anywhere including Pattaya. Unfortunately, there are no riding schools here in Pattaya other than the practical experience you get on the road. The best advice I could give you is to do the same as I did. Start using Motorcycle Taxis and get a "feel" for the roads of Pattaya.
I must warn you however that in my opinion, some of the worst Riders here in Pattaya are those Thai people who work as Moto Taxis. Somehow, these intelligent human beings have come to the conclusion that they are superior in their driving skills and are not expected to obey any driving rules and regulations probably because of those superior skills they possess.
Should you ever feel unsafe with one of these Riders simply terminate your ride or in the instance of one perhaps riding too fast, simply state , Kap cha cha noy, "drive a bit slower". Once you start to experience first hand the Pattaya roads, you can make the decision whether or not this is truly something for you.
There are many things that need to be evaluated. Are you coherent enough to ride. Your eyesight needs to be better than just adequate. Are you capable of exercising good reaction time when you need it? Do you party or plan to party when you ride? I've stated it before and I will do so again. Having a motorcycle has been one of the greatest joys of my life, however, every time I saddle up, it comes with the complete realization that it could be my last. This is a healthy kind of apprehension that keeps my confidence in check.
I might also suggest that once you make the decision to ride here and also to purchase a motorcycle, you take the opportunity to analyze what kind of motorcycle you want to ride. Your body size and riding style will need to be evaluated and tested on various motorcycles before you make that decision, as there is nothing worst than purchasing a motorcycle and then realizing you are forcing yourself to feel comfortable. This can be a major distraction when you are riding when all of your senses need to be at their peak performance. Remember, accidents on motorcycles are measured in mile-seconds and a split second of distraction wasted on your motorcycle or looking at a beautiful woman can be expensive. Once, while in the U.S. sporting a beautiful 1969 slit roof Corvette, I took a split second to watch a beautiful woman walking across the road.
That mistake created an accident that required me to peal off the right back quarter panel before I could continue my journey. I was un-injured but it was a lesson I will never forget. Riding requires unwavering attention, a knack for being pro-active and a knowing where NOT to be in any given moment. Riding a motorcycle in Pattaya can be one of the best experiences of your life here but certainly is not for everyone.
Ride safe and enjoy. Search, predict and act.
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