Thailand forum

If your weather cooperates there are tons of great biking routes in the region. Easiest to ride would be a Honda Click/Airblade or Yamaha Mio/Nouvo automatic scooter available for around 200-250 baht per day. Slightly bigger 200cc Honda Phantom cruiser around 500b/day or bigger Honda CBR400 if you're experienced and want some power. For offroad rental it's hard to beat a Kawasaki KLX or D-Tracker dual purpose bike. Make sure you get insurance, wear a helmet and note any damage to the bike before you ride away. Try Mr. Mechanic (3 locations) or Tony's Big Bikes on Ratchamanka Road.

From Chiang Mai daytrips around the "Samoeng Loop" or up to Doi Suthep with sealed road to two Hmong villages, or if you're up for it stump down to Huay Tung Tao, a small lake with swimming and food on offer. Doi Inthanon National Park (Thailand's highest spot) is also daytripable from CM. Very popular multi-day ride on the "Mae Hong Son Loop" with stops in Pai, Soppong, Mae Hong Son, and Mae Sariang. Or straight north to Chiang Dao continuing to Thaton w/sidetrip to Doi Angkhang, then through hilly Mae Salong to Chiang Rai. Loads of well-surfaced smaller roads in between.

Best maps are from GT-Rider http://www.gt-rider.com/maps-of-thailand-laos-maps available in most book shops, and the forum has loads of trip reports, Q&A and riding tips http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum

Sorry I can't help you with your itinerary, but I would just like to add, make sure you existing license is legal in Thailand, if it is not you may also find your insurance is void.
Have a great trip.

There is no place better to be a steel horse cowboy than Thailand. And adventure all the way. I love riding out here.

great info here, i'm also interested in renting a bike while in the CM area a few weeks from now.

will i be good with my US license? do i need an international license for bikes? moter scooters?

thanks!

walkingtrees, you don't usually need to show a drivers license to rent a scooter, motorcycle, or in many cases even a car. Your US license is sufficient anyway and have never seen an IDP required in Thailand. If you get stopped at a road checkpoint (not uncommon in the far north) the cops usually just want to say hello and maybe see if you're carrying anything (methamphetamines aka "ya-ba" or maybe illegal Burmese folks). If you commit an offense (no helmet) or have an accident they'll want to see your license.

As for renting, I've often recommended Mr. Mechanic which has a few outlets in town, and Pop Rent also with increasing numbers of rental spaces, and for more specialised also see Tony's Big Bikes on Ratchamanka Road, also in the old city. The usual deal - check for existing damage, make sure it has insurance, and wear your helmet. GT-Rider maps sold around town and are the best.

Traveling by motorcycle is really traveling. It is a much more intimate experience than an air conditioned bus. You get to see every inch of the road.

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