Thailand Tour - anyone been, any advice?

[Littlepeahead]

Well following our 150 trip around Essex this has inspired the Dakar riding other half and I to look into a holiday on two wheels. We've seen a trip in Thailand which looks good, but I just wondered if anyone had done anything similar or had any experience with this company.

We're looking for a fly in, pick up the bikes, guided tour for 10 - 12 days trip rather than self guided - Stu has enough trouble finding his way to the shops let alone round Thailand!

The trip doesn't have to be Thailand though, anyone done South Africa, or India?

Here's the trip we've seen - it's two tours linked:

http://thaimotorcycletouring.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=6&Itemid=42

Followed by:

http://thaimotorcycletouring.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=50

[husky03]

if your gonna go i'd makesure that you have as much medical insurance as you can afford-the standard of driving in Thailand needs to be seen to be believed, i saw some very bad accidents there all due to driver error.The place is awash with mopeds that manage to seat a family of five, overtaking seems to be anytime,anyside, and anyway aslong as you give a toot of your horn.The cops fine you for anything they like to get a few more baht in there pocket as there wages are so bad.
The tourist places are full of what you'd expect-you can hire 750 ninjas etc and batter down the twisty roads if you want but so can people who have never been on a bike before.
The countrys amazing but check the malaria risk for the area you want to go to-foods great, people are fantastic-the difference between those that have money and those that don't is shocking.
i'm gonna go back in a year or two but i've got family over there and it makes a big difference being able to speak the lingo.

[madnlooney]

i've got family over there and it makes a big difference being able to speak the lingo.

same here and agree.

[the white rabbit]

I did a guided offroad (but very easy, no experience necessary) trip with Walter at http://www.siamenduro.com/
Some of my report is still on the testimonials (2004) :lol:

It was great fun, I'd definitely go offroad rather than onroad (dirt roads really so not really offroad)

[_Stretchie_]

Not done a tour but just bear in mind that in the tourist spots you can rent a CBR400rr or similar for about £5 a day (that's how I got in to bikes) with no license and you get a bob the builder helmet to get around the tourist police because you at least have head gear on (not that it'll do you any good) so there are plenty of eejits around (like I was) just waiting to go under the next thing overtaking them because they don't look.

And similarly people in cars are not really bothered about hitting you "You falang, is Ok, you have big money" is the common misconception over there trust me.

You could go to a street vendor for cheap bike rental and do it cheap as chips but there's no insurance and you'll get bent over if owt happens and if you go for a big bike they'll want your passport, not a copy, the original but a bit of talking and a few extra notes will propably get you around this.

If you decide on a proper tour mate (best idea) make sure they are covered by whatever standards and ombudsmans are required.

Having said that what a beautiful country go and do it without hesitation. I WANNA GO!!!!

Oh and if you can stay away from the busy tourist spots, go go bars and missus cannot be a good combination

; )

It's not a good reflection of what the country is. I spent a week over in Prachuab at Songkran it was awesome, much better time, festivities and atmosphere than the busy bar life Thailand is famous for

[etuna]

Went for a couple of months in 2004 after working in oz of for a while. It dangerous enough walking along the pavement never mind riding a bike but dont let that put you off.

If you can safely secure bikes (not sure if they will go on a ferry) go to eastern islands. I barely got further than beaches to be honest but dont regret that at all.

[cF^]

As part of my year long excursion in Thailand, I spent a week on an XR250 doing the mae hong son loop, taking a few diversions to go visit locations I thought would be worthwhile (Doi Suthep + some other big twisty roads). Couldn't recommend that loop enough. This was a few years ago before I had my UK license.

It was easy enough for me to buy a biker map over there, plan my route + stopping points and just get on with it, no hassles at all, the route was so easy to follow.

The scariest thing for me was riding a 'big bike' as I'd not done it before, but I spent a few days beforehand making sure I could ride it before I went out and did the little tour. Not many cars on those roads, one every 10 minutes, if that. Only thing to watch out for was land slides causing half the road to fall off the side of the hill, pretty common in that area. Driving in and out of Chiang Mai was fairly straightforward but scary for an inexperienced rider in a country where they drive fast and SO close.

I'd reccomend you try doing it on your own if you feel you can, I had so many wonderful experiences on that trip and a lot of them were down to me being able to stop wherever and whenever I wanted. I've just chucked some pics of the bike trip up in an album if you want to see what its like up that way :)

[Sudoxe]

As part of my year long excursion in Thailand, I spent a week on an XR250 doing the mae hong son loop, taking a few diversions to go visit locations I thought would be worthwhile (Doi Suthep + some other big twisty roads). Couldn't recommend that loop enough. This was a few years ago before I had my UK license.


Dude, If you did the road to/from doi sutep from chang mai on a bike, you either have some big balls or are stupid! Well done! :p:cool:

If i were to do it, I think i'd be tempted to up the place too much and end up the wrong side of one of the near vertical drops!

[keith_d]

I hired a moped for peanuts in Chiang Mai and did a couple of days out into the mountains. One or two scary moments but had a great time.

If I went there again I'd wear my jacket & boots on the plane and try to cram my lid in among the diving equipment.

Keith.

[cF^]

Dude, If you did the road to/from doi sutep from chang mai on a bike, you either have some big balls or are stupid! Well done! :p:cool:

If i were to do it, I think i'd be tempted to up the place too much and end up the wrong side of one of the near vertical drops!

I was pretty cautious, being so new to riding I knew I was putting myself in danger. But I was in Thailand where everyone seems to be out to kill themselves on a daily basis, I think some of that cultural carelessness helped too :P