Motorcycling the north of Thailand on the Mae Hong Son loop!
Aug 10th, 2011, 06:20 PM
#1
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Motorcycling the north of Thailand on the Mae Hong Son loop!
Hi all,
I'm planning on doing a four-day tour of the Mae Hong Son loop with a couple friends and had some last minute questions before we head off to Thailand in a week for anybody that has been on the loop:
- Would you recommend any gear to buy beforehand (I'm thinking poncho, anything else?) Also, we'll be backpacking through Thailand, is it normal to just bungee our backpacks to the back of the motorcycle as we make our way through the country?
- I'm trying to find great places to visit or stay while on our 4 day loop. Are many places going to be closed (I'm thinking national parks) because it's the rainy season? I read this somewhere ...
- Right now we haven't made any preparations for renting the motorcycles. Is there anything we need in order to rent (motorcycle learners permit?). We all have U.S. drivers licenses but no permits for driving motorcycles in the States, though we have ridden motorcycles before. Is this a problem?
I'm planning on doing a four-day tour of the Mae Hong Son loop with a couple friends and had some last minute questions before we head off to Thailand in a week for anybody that has been on the loop:
- Would you recommend any gear to buy beforehand (I'm thinking poncho, anything else?) Also, we'll be backpacking through Thailand, is it normal to just bungee our backpacks to the back of the motorcycle as we make our way through the country?
- I'm trying to find great places to visit or stay while on our 4 day loop. Are many places going to be closed (I'm thinking national parks) because it's the rainy season? I read this somewhere ...
- Right now we haven't made any preparations for renting the motorcycles. Is there anything we need in order to rent (motorcycle learners permit?). We all have U.S. drivers licenses but no permits for driving motorcycles in the States, though we have ridden motorcycles before. Is this a problem?
Aug 12th, 2011, 01:04 AM
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That's a nice trip, but the road you'll be (mostly) on is treacherous in the rainy season, be super careful.
Strapping your pack to your moto is fine but it will be wet and so will you. You need a rain cover for your pack for sure. Bring your bungees too, the moto renter dude won't have them. You won't need anything to rent the bike but a (normal) driver's license, if that.
I didn't do that trip in the rainy season so not sure about closures; it's possible smaller places will be, especially if they're out on a dirt track somewhere.
Have fun, that's a beautiful part of the world.
Strapping your pack to your moto is fine but it will be wet and so will you. You need a rain cover for your pack for sure. Bring your bungees too, the moto renter dude won't have them. You won't need anything to rent the bike but a (normal) driver's license, if that.
I didn't do that trip in the rainy season so not sure about closures; it's possible smaller places will be, especially if they're out on a dirt track somewhere.
Have fun, that's a beautiful part of the world.
Aug 12th, 2011, 07:58 AM
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Buy some clothing that is designed for sliding down roads in.
If you do have the misfortune to do some "dynamic dismounting" then you need to avoid as much damage to yourself as possible. many people suffer frightful injuries from sliding down the road, their clothing rips/tears and they end up using their skin asa brake.
There are many ultra-strong tear-resistant motorcycle suits on the market - choose one that is lightweight and specifically for hot weather and you'll be fine.
If you do have the misfortune to do some "dynamic dismounting" then you need to avoid as much damage to yourself as possible. many people suffer frightful injuries from sliding down the road, their clothing rips/tears and they end up using their skin asa brake.
There are many ultra-strong tear-resistant motorcycle suits on the market - choose one that is lightweight and specifically for hot weather and you'll be fine.
Aug 12th, 2011, 09:32 PM
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"We all have U.S. drivers licenses but no permits for driving motorcycles in the States, though we have ridden motorcycles before. Is this a problem? " YES! I have no doubt that you will find someone who will rent you a bike with no license but will retain your passport as security against any damage. The problem lies in your lack of experience. Motorcycle accidents are the single biggest cause of accidents/deaths amongst tourists in Thailand.
"dynamic dismounting" as KW puts it is bad enough with full gear (I know I have tried it!) but with shorts & T shirts it is akin to being dragged along a giant cheese grater.
The MHS loop is a great trip but rent a car instead
"dynamic dismounting" as KW puts it is bad enough with full gear (I know I have tried it!) but with shorts & T shirts it is akin to being dragged along a giant cheese grater.
The MHS loop is a great trip but rent a car instead
Aug 12th, 2011, 11:59 PM
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You need an international driving permit, available from AAA, to drive legally. Note that if you don't have a US license for motorcycles, then your IDP will not include motorcycles either. In this case, you still won't have a problem renting, but your insurance will not cover you - which has the potential to be a big problem if you crash.
Aug 13th, 2011, 04:59 AM
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A good point above about insurance - if you don't have an IDP then it is quite possible the insurance company will try not to pay up.
Another insurance point is that you might find that your holiday insurance specifically excludes motorcycling under the dangerous/extreme sports and activities section.
There is also a legality stays problem with bikes over 150 or 200 cc - they often don't have legitimate registration details - all this comes to the surface only when you have problems - accident or theft.
Another problem is that Thailand has virtually no ambulance service - in the event of an accident you will be bundled into a pickup truck and taken to the drivers favorite hospital - none of this is done in appropriately quick time or with satisfactorily trained operatives. So even if you ARE insured it may not matter.
Many people have a fantastic time riding motorbikes around thailand. Most are skilled and experienced some are simply foolhardy and lucky. I have ridden bikes since I was 7 years old, and raced on and off road, toured Europe etc etc, but I avoid riding bikes here, there is so much to loose.
Another insurance point is that you might find that your holiday insurance specifically excludes motorcycling under the dangerous/extreme sports and activities section.
There is also a legality stays problem with bikes over 150 or 200 cc - they often don't have legitimate registration details - all this comes to the surface only when you have problems - accident or theft.
Another problem is that Thailand has virtually no ambulance service - in the event of an accident you will be bundled into a pickup truck and taken to the drivers favorite hospital - none of this is done in appropriately quick time or with satisfactorily trained operatives. So even if you ARE insured it may not matter.
Many people have a fantastic time riding motorbikes around thailand. Most are skilled and experienced some are simply foolhardy and lucky. I have ridden bikes since I was 7 years old, and raced on and off road, toured Europe etc etc, but I avoid riding bikes here, there is so much to loose.
