“Rent a Scooter, oh yeah!! Totally cool!!” Right?

Absolutely! It’s going to be awesome, we promise.

But there’s just a few key things you need to know in order to make your scooter bike rental the best experience possible.

What most people don’t realize is that… 

1.  A Scooter isn’t a Toy.

Many people think they can rent a scooter and it’s like a little toy, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Most of our scooter’s engine sizes are 125cc’s.

Scooters are in the range of Motorcycles!

And these bikes can easily go up to speeds that would surprise you.

So, just remember that when you rent a scooter, think of it as renting a “motorcycle.”  You’ll be sure to use extra caution, and realize the power that’s right there between your legs.

2. As the saying goes… “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”

You are about to have the blast of your life!  Yes, you’ll have lots of fun, but also realize that you are… “little,” and cars and trucks are…. kind of… “BIG.”

Many times they don’t see you on your cute little scooter, so make sure not to drive in anyone’s blind spots.   It’s best to slow down, and drive defensively here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Also, beware of cars and scooters coming out of nowhere.  Sometimes they don’t even look to see if traffic is coming, and you could be heading straight for them!  Although you might be tempted, try to avoid honking your horn, as it’s considered rude here in Thailand.

Just go slow, and enjoy the cool vibe we have here in Chiang Mai. 

3. Know your Brakes, or you might crash!

Believe us, no one likes to talk about this.

But in this article, we’re talking about, The Top 5 Things You Need to Know Before You Rent a Scooter.  Learn this quick little trick, and you’ll be better prepared.

When you’re riding your scooter and someone cuts right in front of you, which brake are you going to use?  You have 2 options?  Hmm?

“Wonder which one is the best?”

Well… if you tell us “the front brake,” then we’re going to tell you that… your forward inertia is going to make the front of the bike slide out from underneath you.

And, you will go down.

But… if you remember this article, you’ll know that that if you must brake urgently, do so with the back brake only, and perhaps with a soft touch of the front brakes.  A few taps on the front brakes while squeezing your back brake lever will do the trick, especially when going down those steep hills.

Make sure you pay attention, and listen well to our advice… You’ve gotta know your brakes, or you might crash.

3. Don’t Be a Foot-Dragging Foreigner!

Typically, if you drag your feet on the pavement when going slow, it shows you don’t know how to control your bike.

Don’t embarrass yourself.

When you rent one of our Scooters, here at Mango Bikes Rent, take your new ride into a big parking lot where you can practice, and gain confidence.

We encourage you not to practice on the busy city streets of Chiang Mai. It’s not a best idea.

One of the ways you can gain a better control of your scooter is…

…what some call “Staggered Braking.” This is where you are going fast, and then suddenly the traffic slows you down to almost a stop, but not quite.  The newbie would start dragging his/her feet, but you?  No, not you. You begin to….

…..Gently squeeze your back brake (left-hand lever), and then rev up the throttle slightly.  Can you feel the bike standing straight up for you? It’s at your command.

So, when going slow, and you don’t want to be a “foot dragger,” simply squeeze your back brakes, while also revving the throttle, and you’ll be in control of your scooter.

This centrifugal force (created by the braking and revving of your throttle) makes your bike stay upright at incredibly slow speeds, and proves you know how to control your bike.

There’s even motorcycle and scooter events which are called, “The Slow Race.”  Using this technique, riders who last the longest on the course, wins.  You will feel like a winner too when YOU rent an awesome scooter from Mango Bikes Rent, here in Chiang Mai, Thailand!

Again, we suggest that you take your newly rented scooter to a nearby parking lot, and simply get used to your brakes, and begin to feel the power of 125cc’s under you.  It’s very powerful indeed.

4. Be familiar with your rented scooter before your hit the open road  

So, before you drive off on your newly rented scooter, eagerly wanting to tour the streets of Chiang Mai, please take the time to get familiar with your scooter in the parking lot.

• Know your brakes
• Check your turn signals
• Know where your horn is
• Practice driving slow
• Get comfortable with small turns without putting your feet down
• Always wear your helmet

5. We’ve got your Back!  

That’s right, we here at Mango Bikes Rent are here for you.  You won’t ever have to worry about being stranded, or not knowing what to do if you get a flat tire.  We make ourselves available to you via phone, text, and even the popular mobile phone apps like Facebook or Line.

Knowing we’ve got your back brings a peaceful confidence that you will be enjoying your scooter for your entire trip here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

If you’re looking to rent a Scooter here in Chiang Mai, Thailand, then please visit our website for our location.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

http://www.mangobikesrent.com/

Excited for your Journey!  Looking forward to seeing you at Mango Bikes Rent!