Mopeds are a lot of fun and SE Asia is a great place to take one for a spin, especially because they are so cheap to rent.
So no matter what your experience level, even a first timer, follow these rules and hopefully you won’t be battling broken leg for the rest of your trip.
Always wear a helmet.
I’ll admit to not always following this rule especially on quiet island roads but I’m no role model and in towns it’s a definite must. Not only because of the sometimes crazy accident rates around this part of the world but also because it’s the law.
Go with the flow.
Most traffic has a sort of flow to it. Judge how fast you should be travelling and how best to overtake from those around you. I don’t mean the guy going the fastest on the hard shoulder either, go with the majority.
Practice makes perfect.
Don’t get your new girlfriend from the dorm room last night on the back straight away. Take the bike for a spin first and get used to the controls. Become one with the bike? Or something like that…
You’re on a moped.
Not in a scene from The Fast and the Furious. Remember mopeds aren’t always the easiest to spot for car drivers so think first before flying round that blind downhill corner at top speed, it won’t be the car that comes out worse…
Check, check & check again.
Before you head off onto those wild jungle roads, make sure everything with the bike is working beforehand. You don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere and ending up as the modern day Tarzan.
Don’t play Evil Kenevil.
No matter what anyone tells you no one has ever cleared a canyon or valley, or anything worth note in fact, on a moped. Don’t try to be the first… You will fail.
…And now you’re safe. Safe from major injuries, safe from hefty repair bills and annoying insurance claims.
Do you have any more tips for riding a moped in other parts of the world? Or maybe a concern about your first time?
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