Motorbike Tours

Motorbike Tours

About You

There is no typical participant on our tours. Riders come from all over the world and from every age group. From keen motorcyclists to those that have not ridden a motorbike for years and wish to experience once again the thrill of the open road on a big bike. From 17 to 70, male or female, traveling alone or in a group all have found that Thailand is a perfect country for a wonderful motorbike touring holiday.

Accommodation

We use good class tourist hotels throughout the tour except in the nature reserve of Khao Sok where we stay in
bungalows. All have air conditioning, mini-bars and most have swimming pools.

The Climate

Tropical Thailand is very warm all year round. November to April is the hot season and also when tourism is at its peak. The average daily temperature is around 34 degrees. The rest of the year brings daily showers although they tend not to last long and they are usually in the evening. Whatever the season the temperature rarely falls below 25 degrees.

Health

Thailand has no specific health hazards that require immunization. Medical facilities are on par with those of the west. Most doctors and pharmacists are able to speak English. Although medical care is cheap by western standards we strongly advise you to take out medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

Visas

All visitors to Thailand must bring a valid passport. Visitors from the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand staying for 30 days or less are issued with a holiday visa on arrival in the country. If you intend to stay longer than 30 days or if you unsure if you require a visa apply to your nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate or check on the ThaiVisa.com website.

Driving Licenses

Ideally you should bring an international driving license. These are easily obtainable in most countries.

Helmets

Although you will see many people riding motorcycles without helmets in Thailand, they are obligatory.  We do have a stock of helmets you may borrow but most riders seem to prefer to bring their own. Thai helmets are not made to the same standards to those in the west. We recommend open face helmets with a full face visor to protect against the wind and insects.

What to Wear

Most riders choose to wear jeans, trainers and tee-shirts. A light jacket and gloves are also advisable as protection against the sun and dust. Please do not bring too much luggage as everything has to be carried on the bikes and you will not actually need that much clothing. Laundries are everywhere and you can have your clothes cleaned easily and cheaply overnight. Sun tan lotion and sunglasses are also important. Clothes are very cheap in Thailand, so this is the perfect opportunity to go home with more than you came with.

Back-up vehicle

We do not provide a back-up vehicle on our tours. We found that it added a great deal to the cost of the tour and was very rarely used. So to keep the cost of the tours as low as possible we decided to dispense with this.

The Roads

The roads in Thailand are among the best in South East Asia and they are generally in excellent condition. We only ride on tarmac. The driving regulations are much the same as in the western world and we drive on the left. Most major roads have a special lane reserved for motorbikes.

Driving in Thailand

Taking into consideration that the Thai driving test consists of little more than the ability to park a car and there is very little enforcement of traffic regulations, the standard of driving is generally good. Thais are not usually aggressive drivers, so if you ride defensively, but with confidence you will have no problems.

Mileage

On average we ride approximately 300km a day and try to reach our destination by mid-afternoon every day. We make plenty of stops for drinks and refreshments and to allow you to take photographs.

Food

For many people the food in Thailand is one of the highlights of the trip. Thailand is famous for the quality and variety of food. It is also inexpensive with a good meal costing no more than 250 Baht. There are also many restaurants selling international cuisine in larger towns.

About Us

Southern Thailand Motorbikes was set-up by two long term ex-pats and motorbike enthusiasts now resident in Phuket. Our aim is to give you the motorbike tour and holiday adventure of a lifetime and to show you the many sides to this wonderful country.

From the vibrant international resorts of Phuket and Krabi to the peaceful nature reserve of Khoa-Sok and all in between. Not for nothing was Thailand recently voted into the top three countries to which to retire because of its lifestyle and climate.

Our tour leaders have lived and worked in Thailand for a long time and are all experienced riders and tour guides. They are not there just to show the way but to help you in anyway possible. They have traveled the tour routes many times and will know places that many tourists do not see. They understand the Thai people and culture and are willing and able to give advice on the do’s and don’ts in Thailand.

All the staff of Southern Thailand Motorbikes are there to ensure that you get the most from your motorbike tour adventure.

Our Motorbikes

The bikes we use on tours are Kawasaki ERN6 650’s or if you prefer a lighter motorbike, the Kawasaki Ninga 250R. All our bikes are owned by us and are recent low mileage models.

Motorcycle Insurance

There is no equivalent to comprehensive motorbike insurance in Thailand. If it were available we would be happy to offer it. All riders are covered for 3rd Party injuries but no other cover is included in the cost of the tour. We offer CDW to limit your liability for damage to the motorbike to 500 pound. As labour costs are so low in Thailand you would have to do a serious amount of damage to get anyway near that amount.