When traveling in Thailand, it is easy to lease or hire a motorcycle, scooter or motorbike. The best tourist places in Thailand, such as Chiang Mai, have a lot of them. The country’s resorts, backpacker’s hostels and other accommodations usually have their own bikes. Motorbike rental in Chiang Mai is a good way to get out, explore the place and have some adventures.

Like any other place in the world, Thailand has its own set of traffic laws and vehicular restrictions that everyone must abide by. But worry not. With the proper guidance of the locals, along with the right motorcycle and gears, you cruise and enjoy Thailand’s sceneries safely and without hiccups. Here is a guide on how to rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai.

Find a Motorbike Rental Shop with Awesome Reviews

In Thailand, we can find most facilities like travel agencies and street stores offering vehicle rental. Motorbike rental in Chiang Mai varies in quality and price because of different standards of maintenance care between leasing them. Major hotels or resorts may have more quality motorbikes, as well as small resorts operated by westerners.

Since riding a motorcycle can be risky, we should do our own safety checks. We must not be carried away immediately with the Thai attitude of “Mai Pen Rai,” which means “no problem, no worries, forget about it.” Do not hesitate to ask and explore if you don’t find what you’re looking for. And feel free to ask us any questions you may have. Our English speaking staff at Mango Bikes Rentals are happy to help. Check out some of our 5 Star Reviews from TripAdvisor, Google, and our Facebook page.

Know the Cost

You need to check the insurance conditions and have the assurance that you can  get help if the scooter breaks down. If renting a bike, you are required to pay an advance fee, leave a copy of your passport and usally a deposit.  At Mango Bikes Rental your deposit is only ฿1,000 baht and you don’t need to leave your passport.

You should never ever hand over our actual passport. Some places ask for the passport as a collateral in case you damage or scratch the motorcycle. When returning the bike, if you cause any major scratches or damage you may be required to pay fees to cover damage, so it’s important to know those fees and what is covered.  If you leave your passport, you might be in a situation where you could be forced to pay exorbitant fees by dishonest bike shops. Just give a photocopy of the passport and if they insist, find another place to rent a scooter.  At Mango Bike Rentals we will take good care of you and charge only actual costs that are not covered by insurance.  Call to ask us any questions.

Motorbike rental in Chiang Mai differs in cost when renting a bike for 24 hours as it is based on factors like the place, whether the bike is new or old, manual or automatic. Some will offer discounts for a weekly lease or monthly term while others insist on a daily rate regardless of how many days want want the bike.  Ask about our cheap monthly bike rental rates.

Do a Safety Check

Motorbike rental in Chiang Mai can get exciting and we want to set off right away. While the company will detail the dents, damage or scratches of the vehicle, which they usually ask us to witness, you should do your own checking aside from paying attention of the scooter unit we are renting. Take photos of the vehicle’s existing damage and make sure that the suspension is working just fine. Also check the seat’s comfort levels, the mirrors for chips cracks and if the breaks are working properly.

Understand What Insurance is Covered

Damage insurance in Thailand is sometimes offered depending on how long you hire the motorcycle. It should be noted that most insurance for leasing require paying for repairs. Hence, you should ask for the details and procedures in claiming insurance before even renting the scooter. Other insurance policies require an upfront payment with a clause for claiming the money back at a later time. At Mango Bike Rentals we offer medical insurance of up to ฿30,000 THB per person, which will help you enjoy your  motorbike rental in Chiang Mai with a carefree and memorable experience.  See our FAQ page for more info on our insurance coverage.

Ask for a Map

When traveling, I usually ask for a map of the country I am in. We should ask for a map that is usually free of charge. Ask for the nearest petrol station as well because the vehicles rented could be fuel-empty, or you may need to return the bike when finished with a full tank.  Get familiar with the city and the area around Chiang Mai so you can recognize where you are at a glance with Google Maps or other map software on your smartphone.  There is convenient Wi-fi all over Chiang Mai.

Hopefully these tips will help you on your way to safely and enjoyably renting a scooter in Chiang Mai!  See you soon!