What are the Insurance Requirements/Availability?

Your valid International Driving Permit (IDP) & valid full motorcycle license – are all that is required by law for our freely provided Third Party insurance. You're expected to provide your own holiday insurance (personal accident cover) for the make/model/cc machines provided.
Please check your holiday insurance fine-print, you'll usually find IDP a requirement, and often age/cc restrictions for riding in SE Asia. For those of you from Australia/New Zealand, OnePath comes highly recommended, with a policy that insures you for anything your license covers at home. Finally, our own entirely optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) available at just 2,500b/bike/week provides indemnity for any possible shortfall in the previous two and covers any damage to our bikes - over & above normal wear & tear. The policy 'excess' means the first 25,000b (covered by your Bike Deposit) of any individual claim is payable by the Rider, the policy paying all over that, right up to replacement. E.g. for a 100,000b repair bill; Rider pays 25,000b and no more.

How far do we ride per day?

With masses to see and do in Northern Thailand that doesn't only involve riding along some of the world's most scenic roads (lthough that IS certainly a great reason for booking your trip!), we usually ride about 150 to 200 kilometres daily. We leave our hotel around 7:30-8:30 a.m. after a buffet breakfast. Stops for attractions, photos, activities such as feeding the elephants or visiting a mountain-top village or temple are scheduled before and after lunch depending on the group's preference. We break to stretch our legs and have either a coffee or cool drink about every hour or so. Our goal is enjoy the ride and take in as much of the local Thai culture as possible. It's a once-in-a-lifetime trip – we don't want you to miss anything!

Is the ER6n/Versys big enough?

Yes. Absolutely. We do have bigger bikes available for a varying fees, but in all honesty they're less well suited to the terrain, especially on the likes of The Mae Hong Son Loop, where there are over 4,000 bends. I used to lug my 1000cc FZ1R around there, it's hard work (on average a bend every 100metres) and you're on holiday! Less is more, believe me. Of course, riders with pillions will be glad to have a little extra 'leg' on the Versys (saddles more 'lady' friendly, for your better half!) we offer as a free upgrade to two-up guests. Oodles of low-end grunt from the in-line twin engine pulling from as little as 2,000 Rpm, all the way up to 11,000 redline, 12,000Rpm rev-limiter, and 210Km/h. Fast enough, light, agile, manageable & most importantly - no quirks or foibles taking up the first half of your holiday getting used to them.

Do I need a special visa for Thailand?

No - not if you don't intend to stay longer than 30 days. You will complete the form for your 30 day Visa on the flight over and immigration will simply stamp your 30 day Visa into your passport on arrival. If you wish to stay longer you can either obtain a Visa in your home country or just hop over the border (as we do on The Golden Triangle Tour) and automatically get another 30 days on the way back in.

Do you book flights to and from Thailand?

That's the one thing we don't take care of. We'd rather concentrate on fabulous roads, great food, exciting attractions, and breathtaking scenery. For flight information, we recommend visiting: TrailFinders, Expedia, Orbitz, SaveFlights to mention but a few...

Should we fly up from Bkk?

Yes. There's a bus crash almost every month (literally) on the news, completely unregulated & well...two things I'll NEVER do in this country a) jump on a ride at a local funfair b) jump on a bus! The train's freezing cold, costs almost as much as the 90-minute flight, takes 11hrs and although you're in a VIP (dormitory!) bunk you'll never manage to sleep, being thrown around by the uneven track. Oh, and there's only ONE line...so on the day train you'll be stopping every hour or so outside stations to allow oncoming trains past. Neither will we be able to collect you from the bus / train stations either as I'm sorry but we're less than 10 minutes from the airport but an hour or more away from the latter & simply don't have the freedom to be caught in a traffic jam with others to collect on the same day.

How much cash will I need?

Not much! The cost of living in Thailand is fairly low. Most spend between 2,000-5,000b per person per week on their sundries bill with us. The difference is whether you choose to drink a) water/soft drinks, b)beer or c) wine/spirits after we stop riding for the day? Click here for today's exchange rate for your local currency

We recommend bringing Your Home Currency (£, $, etc) & visiting a Beureax De Change at CNX airport on arrival for the best cash exchange rates. Your use of an ATM (Service-till/Credit card while you're travelling with us will mean you pay a comparatively expensive exchange rate plus most ATMs here charge a nominal fee (usually 150b) and allow you to withdraw up to 20,000 baht daily. We're not so far from civilization that we don't pass by ATMs every single day **Make SURE to notify your card issuer that; YOU WILL BE TRAVELLING TO THAILAND before you leave OR THEY WILL BLOCK SERVICE.**

Most of our returning guests obtain the best possible exchange rate by adding their spending money to the final balance payment with us. Feel free to ask them at: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiMcTours

Travellers Cheques are certainly recommended for any 'Emergency Funds' you might require. Needless to say we don't arrange credit! Many credit card issuers allow you to get cash advances from countless banks branches and ATMs around the globe – and there are plenty in Thailand. Please check with your card issuer before you arrive to verify any service fees or charges and to make sure you know the PIN number associated with each credit card should you need it. We recommend bringing your 25,000 baht "Bike Deposit" fund this way, easily cashed for a nominal fee once you return home, again, check your bank's small-print especially if they claim NO fee, there's always a charge whatever they name it!

What if I want to break out on my own for a day or so?

Every day, we will offer advice on the best things to see and do, but you're under no pressure to follow the (small) crowd. You can strike out on your own at any time and simply meet back up with us when you're ready. We obviously have preferred routes – but anyway you choose to arrive at the booked hotel is up to you. As mentioned in Terms & Conditions the CDW only covers you for group riding and putting the bike through normal, lawful conditions - within manufacturer's recommended guidelines.

What should we bring with us?

You will be expected to bring your own helmets (open-faced/sunglasses are OK but a drop down visor is recommended) and ventilated summer riding gear/body mesh/armour. Leathers are inadvisable, even the perforated variety, you'll regret it! You may want a wind/waterproof layer under your armour for the cooler mornings in the mountains.

We have a service vehicle for luggage, so there's really no limit to the amount you may bring apart from that set by the airline. We certainly notice the difference between returning guests and those here for the first time; those returning bring less than half the amount of their first visit. So, don't over pack: You want room in your suitcase for the bargains you'll find here!

The above applies to (not prescription) medication too. Anything you might think of bringing "Just in case..." is available here (yes, they even have 'Boots The Chemist stores, Watsons too'), and at half (or less!) the price. Plus the formulae are beefed up for this tropical climate where quite frankly; your creams, salves & sprays from home will struggle.