Oh the Indonesian market of motorcycles is not that big and as beautiful as you would probably expect it to be. It really always depends, sometimes you can rent a beautiful instance in a day, and some other days you can search even for a month absolutely everywhere and it just simply won’t be available anywhere.

Contacts of good renters are passed from mouth to mouth, while good options are already taken, people who are leaving the island trying to retake their bikes but their price is usually way higher.

Here are a few things that you should check before you rent a scooter and some useful tips that will help you to make a right choice:

1.  All tyres must have a clearly visible tread pattern, specially the front wheel , so don’t forget to check it.

2. Visually inspect the bike from all sides. There should be no rust, leaks, or involuntary leakage of fluids.

3. Sit down, and try to align the mirrors under yourself. Drive 5 meters - brake with the rear brake. Another 5 meters - the front brake, do it smoothly to a complete stop. At 20 km / h, the bike should stop at 2 meters.

4. Ride in a straight line for 30-50 meters with relaxed arms. By doing this we check that there is no figure eight on the wheels (this is a curvature of the wheel, which can occur as a result of impact), incorrect geometry of the bike, etc. The main thing that there should be is that it rides perfectly straight.

5. Find a hole or a lying policeman on the road and at a speed of 20-25 km/h jump on it. If you bounce a little bit on the bike without any pain and in a controlled way, it's fine.

6. Check the operation of electronics, turn on and off high/low beams, turn signals, and dashboard.

It is better to test on this principle several scooters in a row and choose the most appropriate to all points. Another small algorithm of actions at the search stage: exhale, collect contacts of lessors, and prepare a list with inputs on the bike (model, period of renting, area where you need to take and leave the bike). Meditate, recite mantras, check the star alignment and you are ready to go after that!

Proper passenger position on the bike:

1. When riding, it is best for the passenger to hold on to the bike and the driver. You don't have to always keep your legs tense all the way through. Just keep your feet on the bike while the driver is maneuvering, especially when braking. This will help you not to bump  into the driver with your helmet and you won’t hang off the bike.

2. Sit as close to the rider as possible. Do not twirl, follow the rider's body movements. Try to put at least one arm around the rider, the driver won't mind.

3. Do not rest your entire weight on your left or right hand on the back of the bike. You are controlling the bike too. Yes, passively, but still! And this 3-4 kg of pressure on one side of the bike will force the rider to compensate for it by steering all the time.

Common Passenger Mistakes:

1. While sitting and riding on the back of the bike at the slightest bump, pothole, maneuver, you dangle on the bike like a sack of potatoes.

2. Bumping into the driver’s head  with your helmet every 10 minutes.

3. Rotate your head all the time along with your body and shift to the side to say something to the driver.

4. Resting your entire weight on your left or right hand on the back of the bike, especially when the driver is accelerating or turning.

5. Piling your whole body on the driver while braking or going downhill.

6. Sitting too far away from the driver, this creates two centers of gravity and makes it way harder for the driver to control, especially at a low speed.

If you are feeling tired of riding as a passenger, come to our school to learn.

3-5 lessons and you will be able to drive a scooter feeling confident on the roads.

1. You do not have any driver's license - you have been pulled over by a policeman. What are your actions in this case:

А) Illegal way is to pay a bribe.
For driving without driver's license, the official fine ranges from 5,000 baht or 3 months in jail. Police can demand up to 10,000 baht. But you can usually settle for 2,000 baht or less and get away with it.  If you take such risks, do not keep a lot of money in your wallet, prepare in advance the amount you would like to give in this case. Be extremely polite, do not get into arguments and do not raise your voice. After all, you have broken the rules, and it is in your interest to agree.

Remember! By giving a bribe, you are promoting corruption! There are also ways to solve this problem legally.

B) Legal - take a receipt for an official fine.
The police have the right to take away the bike or its documents. Try to keep the documents, as this is more convenient. Find out where you can pick up your bike or documents after you have paid the fine. Most likely, they will not give your bike back to you because you still do not have a license. Your bike lessor can often help you with that. Contact him/her and discuss together what are your options. They might be able to offer you a temporary replacement scooter in this case.

The place where you can pay off your fine in Phuket:

8 Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

+6676381247

https://goo.gl/maps/AHFX6SAZpcL8MBEV6


46 157, Kathu, Kathu District, Phuket 83120, Thailand

+6676323300

https://goo.gl/maps/jAwM5WmDcHKK88CG6


2. If you have a Russian or other national driver's license.
Russian driver's licenses and other national licenses are not valid in Indonesia. It is illegal to drive an auto or motor vehicle using it (you must have an international driver's license). So, it's like you don't have one. Check out the first paragraph #1 of this article.

3. In case you have already obtained your international driver's license.
You can drive around Thailand with an international license or a local license, no exams are required. Thai license costs about 9,000 baht. They give you the right to use it in a number of different Asian countries.