Frequently Asked Questions

We require all renters to show a valid motorcycle license from their home country that allows them to ride the bike they are renting. We do not make any exceptions. If you hold an AM license (moped license) from the UK or an EU country, for example, you cannot rent one of our scooters because they all exceed the power limits of the AM license.

We recommend that you also have an International Driving Permit. The IDP is usually valid for one year and must be obtained in the country of your motorcycle license. It essentially extends your home country driving license's validity to all countries that have signed up to the IDP treaty. If you ride a scooter or motorcycle in Thailand without an IDP, you may be fined by Thai police. The fine is usually 500 baht (US$15), but these fines are reportedly going up. It is your responsibility to check whether your travel insurance and/or health insurance requires you to have an IDP.

Take videos and pictures with your phone! Document any damage to the bike before you leave, and send the pictures/videos to our WhatsApp. You are responsible for new damage to the bike, regardless of who was at fault. If another driver causes damage, you can ask them for compensation, and we can help you with that negotiation. Unlike some other rental shops, we do not take advantage of our customers by overcharging them for damage. We charge only the actual cost of the parts and a very reasonable rate for labor.

The bike must be returned at the same time of day that it was taken out, and with the same amount of petrol/gasoline as when rented.

Helmet Shop Number One and Helmet Shop Number Two are both near Rider's Corner, and they have a range of inexpensive gear, including helmets, gloves, boots, rain jackets and pants.

Even cheaper gloves can be purchased at HomePro (aisle 20B in Hangdong branch). Decathlon stocks a wide range of sports and outdoor gear such as hiking boots. There is a small branch at Thapae Gate and a massive store on the superhighway.

Chang Moto and Riders Care carry high-end helmets, jackets, gloves and boots.

We limit the use of our bikes (except for CRFs) to the paved roads of northern Thailand, which is a large region encompassing many of the world's best motorcycling roads (see our route guides). We can only support our customers north of Tak and west of Loei. If you want to take the bike out of this area, consult us first, we may be able to make a special arrangement. If you take the bike outside northern Thailand without telling us, we reserve the right to keep your deposit. If you ride a street bike (all of our bikes aside from CRFs) on dirt trails, you will forfeit your deposit.

We also do not allow renters to take our scooters to the summits of Doi Inthanon and Doi Ang Khang. These long and steep climbs will overstress the engine and brakes. If you want to go to the top of Doi Inthanon or Doi Ang Khang, we can rent you a big bike. We will hold renters responsible for damage to a scooter from riding up Doi Inthanon or Doi Ang Khang. The Thai government has banned the use of automatic scooters on these summits. You are welcome to take our scooters to the lower parts of Doi Inthanon.

November, December, January and February are the high season for good reason. The temperature is comfortable and there is not much rain. Just be aware the prices of flights and hotels go up, and you need to book well in advance. Book your rental bike on our website, which requires a deposit to reserve a bike.

From the end of February to the end of April, fires burn in the fields and forests of northern Thailand and neighboring countries. The air pollution is some of the worst in the world. This affects everyone differently and some people are not particularly bothered by it. Also every year is different and government authorities are trying to reduce the burning. So it is possible to have a good travel experience in these months. But if you have health issues that make you sensitive to air pollution, this is not the time to come. Also the weather becomes extremely hot by April. So this is a time when many Thais and expats make trips out of the region.

May to October is the rainy season. Most of the time this means a short, intense shower once a day for about an hour in the late afternoon, after which the sun comes out. This can be an excellent time to tour northern Thailand, as there is less traffic on the roads, prices are lower, and hotels usually have rooms available for walk-ins. The downside is that big storms occasionally bring several days of heavy rain. You need to be flexible with your plans, but it is worth noting that we have ridden an entire wet season here without getting soaked. Starting early in the morning so you can reach your destination by 3 pm is recommended.

For first time riders in Thailand, we recommend that you ride slowly until you get used to the Thai driving style. Police rarely stop vehicles for breaking traffic laws, which means traffic is governed by unwritten rules. Thais are usually very patient in city traffic, but many drive recklessly on the highways. They often overtake into the oncoming lane and expect motorcycles to move to the shoulder.

Some cars and motorcycles travel on the wrong side of the road, even on major highways. For this reason, passing on the shoulder is especially dangerous in Thailand. When crossing a road, always look both ways, traffic can come from an unexpected direction.

One of the most important principles on Thai roads is that drivers are responsible for avoiding obstacles in front of them, but not other vehicles approaching from behind. So you should always be prepared for a car or motorcycle in front of you to turn without warning.

Many accidents happen when a car is making a U-turn in the road. Learn to recognize the U-turn points and prepare for the possibility that a vehicle may pull out into the road. If you are riding significantly faster than the flow of traffic, you increase the risk that a driver making a U-turn may misjudge the opening in traffic and you won't have time to react.

When a car flashes their high beams, it means they are coming through and you need to give way. These drivers are using the "might is right" principle.

Heavy and continuous braking on the steep mountain roads of northern Thailand can cause brake performance to degrade. Try to use engine braking as much as possible, alternate between the front and back brake where practical, and stop to allow the brakes to cool if necessary. While stopped, be sure to release the brakes fully so that the caliper is not in contact with the rotor, as this can lead to more heat being transferred to the brake fluid. If brake fluid boils, you will feel the brakes become "spongy." After allowing the brakes to cool, braking action will come back to some extent, but the fluid is permanently damaged. You should ride cautiously until the brake fluid can be replaced.

Rider's Corner does all brake maintenance in-house, with mechanics trained on braking maintenance by western mechanics. We have taught many courses on brake maintenance to riders. We use the highest quality brake pads (four grades better than stock Honda pads) and fluids (the significantly more expensive DOT 5.1 rather than DOT 3, which has a much lower failure temperature).

See our guides to some of the best riding areas in Northern Thailand:

• The Mae Hong Son Loop
• The Golden Triangle
• Mae Salong
• Nan Province
• Our Favorite Roads
• Day Rides From Chiang Mai

If you have a puncture/flat tire on a paved road, you are almost never far from a tire repair shop. Thais are extremely friendly and helpful, and they can recommend a nearby shop that will quickly plug the tire. The cost is usually 100 to 200 baht.

For serious mechanical problems, call Ian on 061 650 6991 or Khun U on 090 260 2770, and we will work with you so that you can continue your trip.

Be very careful to turn off the bike ignition whenever you stop to avoid draining the battery. This is the most common problem we encounter. It is good practice to always use the ignition key rather than the kill switch in order to avoid this problem.

Do not put the key fob for the scooters under the seat. Often the seat will not open and the engine will not start. We will charge a fee for coming out to open the seat, which requires a special tool.