Phuket Thailand - Where to learn to ride a motorbike/scooter

chucky66 · #1 16-01-2006, 00:05

Hi,

I can drive a car and automatic scooters but want to know if there is anywhere on Phuket I can learn how to ride a manual bike/scooter (with gear changing etc). Can anyone point me in the right direction of such a place?

All the best

C66*

steve@thaib · #2 16-01-2006, 00:46

I would have thought that Phuket is the last place to learn to ride. Maybe best to learn before you go?

chucky66 · #3 16-01-2006, 01:41

Learning to ride a motorbike on a tropical island Couldnt think of a better place to do it?

faultytowers · #4 16-01-2006, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucky66

Learning to ride a motorbike on a tropical island Couldnt think of a better place to do it?

Have you been to Phuket and seen how they drive .

It's bad enough out there with "normal" drivers, as a learner it would be a death trap.

chucky66 · #5 16-01-2006, 01:48

Yes been to Phuket 12 times now. A nice quiet stretch of road can easily be found on Phuket. I just want to learn the basics..like gear changing etc. The rest of the rules of the road I already know as I drive a car and in the UK we drive on the same side of the road as the Thais. I know Thais are idiots on the road.

jimholio · #6 16-01-2006, 03:03

Go take 1 driving lesson back home before you go. 1 driving lesson wont cost you much and you'll learn how to work the clutch?

senor123 · #7 16-01-2006, 05:42

I doubt if anyone learns from a professional in Thailand.

However, in my state it is compulsory to do a 2 day "stay upright" course before you can even sit for the "learners'" exam and get on your own motor bike/scooter.

The course was fantastic and I learned a lot from the professional teachers.
It also teaches you defensive riding which will come in very handy in Thailand.
About 8 hours of instruction for 1800 baht. (60 bucks OZ)

Steve.

Whazzzup · #8 16-01-2006, 06:41

Dont do like me!!!

When I first started the bike I just hired I almost ended up in the hedge across the road doing a wheely. Guess a bit more powerfull as I expected.

stevem · #9 16-01-2006, 06:44

Sorry but anyone that thinks the roads in Phuket are for learning to ride a bike, are sadly mistaken and should seriously reconsider.

geespot · #10 16-01-2006, 06:54

if ur going to stay in phuket for any length of time, i would suggest that before u come get some rider training and if u can sit ur test.

U may not have experience but at least u will have been taught defensive driving tactics and how to operate and handle ur bike

G

LivinLOS · #11 16-01-2006, 11:17

Well opposite to all the advise above.. You say you can drive a car.. Do you mean a manual ??? And you can already ride an auto scooter..

Well all the skills are there you just need to learn to transition clutch to your hand etc (most 'scooters' dont have a manual clutch anyway)..

You will have a far far greater danger from those around you than from yourself IMHO..

aussie dollar · #12 16-01-2006, 12:16

would not try to learn in phuket,its crazy on the roads

Captain · #13 16-01-2006, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

I would have thought that Phuket is the last place to learn to ride. Maybe best to learn before you go?

Why? By the look of the traffic I thought everybody was learning to ride in Phuket. First practice and then teoretical like the code.
Just being sarcastic, no way I would drive a motortbike in Phuket.

muffdiver · #14 17-01-2006, 00:05

phuket is nothing, try driving inn pattaya thats worse than anywere else.

jimholio · #15 17-01-2006, 01:09

Id say its ok to drive between Karon and Kata and such, not that much trafic, but i wouldnt even consider driving to Phuket town or Patong, i felt safer to sit behind my girl without helmet then to drive there myself.

geespot · #16 17-01-2006, 01:16

Well Thai girls on bikes, quite funn really

I has a Yamaha R1 in Patong, girl i no asked if she could have a shot, just thinks its like riding a honda wave 555555555555. I said ok u can have a shot but 1st i will take u to Karon from Patong, then decide if u want a shot or not

when she came back i had to help her up the stair her legs were shaking so bad, funny she never asked for a shot again after that

G

faultytowers · #17 17-01-2006, 01:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by geespot

when she came back i had to help her up the stair her legs were shaking so bad,

G

You boasting again G....

Lord_Farquard · #18 17-01-2006, 01:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by geespot

Well Thai girls on bikes, quite funn really

I has a Yamaha R1 in Patong, girl i no asked if she could have a shot, just thinks its like riding a honda wave 555555555555. I said ok u can have a shot but 1st i will take u to Karon from Patong, then decide if u want a shot or not

when she came back i had to help her up the stair her legs were shaking so bad, funny she never asked for a shot again after that

G

OMG----100 mph in 1st gear

odysseus · #19 17-01-2006, 02:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Well all the skills are there you just need to learn to transition clutch to your hand etc (most 'scooters' dont have a manual clutch anyway)..

You will have a far far greater danger from those around you than from yourself IMHO..

I almost had a disaster for completely the opposite reason.
1st tour I had never been on an automatic before but was used to my own Firestorm at home - couldn't be any easier, surely 555555
except when starting up and forgot its a big no-no to blip the throttle.
Almost ended over the edge of the cliff at the parking spot at Lamp Sing beach

Odysseus