Getting Around Town - Best Option?

[Pancho]

I'd like to see as much of UT as possible in the few days I'll be in town this November. Is renting a motorbike the best option?

Now, I'm not experienced with motorbikes. In fact, I rented one once in Koh Samui 11 years ago for a day. It took a bit getting used to changing gears, but I made it in one piece. There was hardly any traffic then so I felt it was safe to operate one. That's my entire experience!

Would an inexperienced rider like myself be alright with a motorbike in UT? There's no way I'd rent one in chaotic BKK.

Are there motorbikes that automatically shift gears? What's the cost per day? Is insurance required? Where can I rent one? Do I need a license? Is wearing a helmet required?

If you see someone riding on the wrong side of the street, don't forget to wave.

Thanks.

[jackspratt]

If you see someone riding on the wrong side of the street............

Ah, that's something you would never see in Udon

[Philrjones]

Honda Click, Yamaha Mio, Honda AirBlade - around 150 to 300 (this is expensive) baht per day, fully automatic, no gears. Helmet advised around centre Udon otherwise you will be stopped all the time by the cops and have to cough up 200 baht fine. It's ok further out though. Plenty of places to rent - check rentals on this site. I have a licence (Australian, UK and International) but never had to show them except for renting a car.

My advice? Be careful! You could be in for some fun with the local traffic, especially if not use to bikes. When lights turn green, don't just automatically go as there will be traffic continuing to cross the intersection. You will see riders on the wrong side of the road frequently. You just get use to it. A bike is probably the quickest way to get around. Alternatively use the tuk-tuks, samlaws etc. Cheap but don't get you there fast (or as far) as a bike. Never, never, NEVER assume traffic will do anything remotely like in a western country or you'll crash for sure.
Good luck!

[BKKSTAN]

Boy,I wouldn't recommend that you rent a m/b for Udon!The traffic is chaotic to someone new.Least in Bangkok the traffic is usually going in the same direction,in Udon it is going 3-4 different ways most of the time.Takes awhile to get used to it and with your experience,you sound like an Udon accident waiting to happen!Guess what,you will be the person at fault ,no matter what the circumstances and it could spoil a nice visit or holiday!

[Prenders88]

I would not advise renting a bike in Udon unless you get some more experience.
The biggest danger is people not giving way at road junctions, you have to assume that they will pull out in front of you.
Make sure your travel insurance covers you for riding motorbikes.
I think a Jeep would be a better option for travel around Udon Thani.

[RALPHCUSENS]

Prenders, "or a TANK"

[BKKSTAN]

Seriously,if you don't want to pay for tuk tuks,get a samlor schedule from this site and plan your trips all around Udon!

[beer monkey]

Inexperianced riders..............DO-NOT rent/ride a M/C in Udon town.
Helmut required ???? yes and a protective body suit if possible.

even the most experianced of drivers/riders can see something new and 'surprising' everyday and the more experiance you have the more you would be prepared for the actions of some riders/motorists, the town roads are not like samui 10 years ago.

[JimboPSM]

Before you try and ride a bike in Udon, make sure you have a really good travel and medical insurance policy that will cover you both for the remainder of your stay and all repatriation expenses.

Drive defensively - buy a tank.

[Bump]

Look I love riding bikes here but if your not an experienced rider do not ride a bike here. These drivers expect bikes to react in certain ways you don't and you will be ran over.

I rode a bike for almost four months here before I ever ventured downtown five years later there are still times that scare me.

I don't know what your budget is but the last I heard you could hire Twann at the Chareon for somewhere around a 1000 baht a day plus fuel for a driver and a car, thats speaks english.

But in the end up to you.

[treehugger]

Are you inexperienced due to lack of practice, or because you do not have a motorbike licence in your own country? If ypou do not have alicence then riding the bike is illegal and all the hiring/insuance etc will be invalid.

Everyone will tell you 'no problem', 'don't worry', but when the accident occurs you will be on your own.

If you do have a licence then I have spoken out of turn.

[beer monkey]

Bicycle. .

[polehawk]

You would be better off renting a small car if your motorbike experience is limited. You always have to be alert for crazy shenanigans here. Last week I was at a corner in my car and just starting to make a right turn with turn signals on after oncoming traffic cleared when four women on a bike came flying past me on the right side. I was able to stop but heard or felt something brush the right front fender. Pulled over to check but luckily no damage to persons or vehicles. Hopefully they learned something from it but I doubt it. That could have been a bad one.

Car rental places are advertised on this forum. Think Lek's will even deliver one to you. Heard Mali's at the airport is also pretty cheap. Hiring a car with a driver seems like the best option for a few days if, as Ray stated, it's in your budget.

[Pancho]

Thank you all for the advice.

I am only licensed to drive a passenger vehicle here in the U.S. I have never operated a real motorcycle - just a motorbike in Koh Samui and a few minutes on a moped decades ago.

What I like about having my own motorbike is the freedom. I can go anywhere at anytime, see whatever I want, and eat at the various eateries around town. Walking long distances in Thailand is a bitch. It's too hot - even during the so called cool season.

Also, having my own means of transportation reduces the amount of times this foreigner gets ripped off by unscrupulous drivers. It may still be cheaper than in the West, but it's the principle that matters.

Hiring a driver or planning around the scheduled samlors, as BKKStan suggests, may be the best option for me.

Thank you again to everyone.

[douglas]

Hi,
If you have not got a bike licence DO NOT drive a bike in UT. I like to get out on the bike and every time i have been stopped by police and asked for my licence. I have a international and a Isle of Man licence which i allways show, Police look at it pretening to read it, say thank you sir and i'm on my way. Funny enough i've never been stopped in my car. Also wear a crash helmet 100B fine.

Hope you have a good time in UT Cheers Doug.

[Aardvark]

Freinds are very easy to make in Udon. You never know, you may meet someone in your first couple of days and they will show you around.

[aznyron]

WOW with all that advice he just might decide to stay home LOL
I learned to ride in Pattaya and I went down 8 times
I now have a steel pin holding my ankle in place
if you see a crazy farlong riding a yamaha with a white seat get out of his way he is a wild man his name is Ron and go under the handle of aznyron
good luck to you all

[BKKSTAN]

And you think Bush is dumb?

[JimboPSM]

And you think Bush is dumb?

Well, he did manage to fall off a Segway

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library ... segway.htm

However, for those who like Bush, this may seem like poetic justice

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.a ... E_ID=57465