Hey i am just curious, if i dont have any experince on a motorcycle will i die if i try and ride one in bali? And what if i just ride the motorbike out on the bukit, is the traffic as bad out there as it is near kuta? what are your opinons on this?
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getting around in bali
- Thread starter CCG
- Start date
Can't make an offering to Budda while on a bike.
Hire a driver for $10 bucks a day. You'll get some local color plus a kretek (clove cig) when your spent from a long day.
Hire a driver for $10 bucks a day. You'll get some local color plus a kretek (clove cig) when your spent from a long day.
"Hey i am just curious, if i dont have any experince on a motorcycle will i die if i try and ride one in bali?"
No the motorcycles are what they used to call "mopeds" in the US, 50 - 125cc mostly. There are three styles; small motorcycles,like a Honda CB100, and motorcycles with a step through frame, called 'motor-bebek' (because they look a bit like a duck from the side),a third style, scooters, like a Vespa.
Most of the bikes I see with surf-racks are the motor-cycle style bikes, probably easier to mount the racks. The easiest to handle are probably motor-bebek. Avoid scooter style bikes because the small wheels fall that much further into pot holes.
Avoid Chinese bikes that will probably be working there way into the rental fleet know. They have some serious reliability problems. I would say also avoid the Yamaha RX-King, also known as "motor-maling" (thief bike). Popular among thieves because they run like the wind. You wouldn't want someone to steal your bikle and then use it in a drive buy shooting or a bank robbery <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.
Here are the things to watch out for motoring in Bali.
1. Larger vehicle has right of way. If a bus is passing a dirt truck coming your way. Your obliged to get off the road.
2. Watch out for low shoulder.
3. Avoid the tendancy of drifting into the wrong side of the road when you go around turns.
4. Get a surf helmet, Indonesian motorcycle helmets are little more than plastic baseball caps.
5. Wear sun block.
6. Most places you have to pay to park. Be sure to keep lots of 1,000IDR notes handy for this. Its not worth getting into a dispute with a parking attendent or someone who claims to be one.
7. Don't assume others will be traveling on the right side (errr left side actually) of the road. Lots lots lots more bikes on the road in the past five years and school kids are a lot of those new motorists.
8. Last but not least. In a dispute you will be wrong.
No the motorcycles are what they used to call "mopeds" in the US, 50 - 125cc mostly. There are three styles; small motorcycles,like a Honda CB100, and motorcycles with a step through frame, called 'motor-bebek' (because they look a bit like a duck from the side),a third style, scooters, like a Vespa.
Most of the bikes I see with surf-racks are the motor-cycle style bikes, probably easier to mount the racks. The easiest to handle are probably motor-bebek. Avoid scooter style bikes because the small wheels fall that much further into pot holes.
Avoid Chinese bikes that will probably be working there way into the rental fleet know. They have some serious reliability problems. I would say also avoid the Yamaha RX-King, also known as "motor-maling" (thief bike). Popular among thieves because they run like the wind. You wouldn't want someone to steal your bikle and then use it in a drive buy shooting or a bank robbery <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.
Here are the things to watch out for motoring in Bali.
1. Larger vehicle has right of way. If a bus is passing a dirt truck coming your way. Your obliged to get off the road.
2. Watch out for low shoulder.
3. Avoid the tendancy of drifting into the wrong side of the road when you go around turns.
4. Get a surf helmet, Indonesian motorcycle helmets are little more than plastic baseball caps.
5. Wear sun block.
6. Most places you have to pay to park. Be sure to keep lots of 1,000IDR notes handy for this. Its not worth getting into a dispute with a parking attendent or someone who claims to be one.
7. Don't assume others will be traveling on the right side (errr left side actually) of the road. Lots lots lots more bikes on the road in the past five years and school kids are a lot of those new motorists.
8. Last but not least. In a dispute you will be wrong.
Personally, I wouldn't want to deal with the hassle (or possible dangers) of driving in Bali. From what I've read on this BB and in books, it can be downright crazy. The last thing you want is to get hurt in a carwreck when you are there all by yourself. You think driving a motorcycle in the U.S. is nuts? Multiply that by 10X in Bali! But this is coming from someone who is in their early 30s; I don't have that cockiness, feeling of invincibility, and lack of experience that comes with the teenage years. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/computer.gif" alt="" />
To me, hiring a driver sounds like a good plan. Strike a deal and see if you can get somebody for cheap b/c you'll be there for so long. Of course, financially this might not be in your budget. Perhaps your location will allow you to minimize those travel costs.
I'll be in Bali for almost 9 weeks and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get around. I certainly don't want the expense of renting a 4x4 solo for that period = $$$$$$$$$.
To me, hiring a driver sounds like a good plan. Strike a deal and see if you can get somebody for cheap b/c you'll be there for so long. Of course, financially this might not be in your budget. Perhaps your location will allow you to minimize those travel costs.
I'll be in Bali for almost 9 weeks and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get around. I certainly don't want the expense of renting a 4x4 solo for that period = $$$$$$$$$.
CCG,
Get a driver to take you out to Bukit and stay there. If there is a Padang swell you can easily get there. Minimize your time in Kuta except to rest up between trips.
Those bikes are heavy..good way to injure or if not kill yourself. A friend of mine ended his trip quickly riding those things. I have no moto experience so I definitely opted out of the bikes.
The other thing you generally avoid with a driver is the corrupt cops that just love pulling you over for having a board on the roof or some other trumped up charge.
Once you get to Bukit spots...all the girls Made, Ketut, Wayan, and Yeoman will ask you if it is your first time to Bali? Tell them you have been many times before...otherwise they will try to sell you every single one of their wares. You want massage, uluwatu t shirt, etc. Most of them are actually incredibly good and generous people so treat them with respect but don't let them convince you to buy something unless it is something you really want. Those post surf massages are nice...and I could go for a jaffle right about now. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bawling.gif" alt="" />
Get a driver to take you out to Bukit and stay there. If there is a Padang swell you can easily get there. Minimize your time in Kuta except to rest up between trips.
Those bikes are heavy..good way to injure or if not kill yourself. A friend of mine ended his trip quickly riding those things. I have no moto experience so I definitely opted out of the bikes.
The other thing you generally avoid with a driver is the corrupt cops that just love pulling you over for having a board on the roof or some other trumped up charge.
Once you get to Bukit spots...all the girls Made, Ketut, Wayan, and Yeoman will ask you if it is your first time to Bali? Tell them you have been many times before...otherwise they will try to sell you every single one of their wares. You want massage, uluwatu t shirt, etc. Most of them are actually incredibly good and generous people so treat them with respect but don't let them convince you to buy something unless it is something you really want. Those post surf massages are nice...and I could go for a jaffle right about now. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bawling.gif" alt="" />
You can get cabs or just be resourceful and pay a local to hop on the back of his bike. I think..but I am not sure that some of the warungs rent bikes out on the Bukit. Not positive on that one though as I have never driven a motorcycle in my life no way was I going to learn in Bali <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/socrazy.gif" alt="" />
I got an SUV with no driver for $15 a day. I would much rather drive a SUV than a motorbike, having crashed once in Costa Rica, ruining a month long trip. A cheap car could be less. Hook up with some people and pitch in for a car for a few days. It pays to have mobility to get to lesser surfed spots.
Go to Lemongon.
Go to Lemongon.
Buddy of mine went to Bali for two weeks got in a motorbike accident the first day. Broken collar bone had to get surgery, SUCKED! nobody else on the trip got on a motorbike for the rest of the trip.
If you can, avoid it .
If you can, avoid it .
ccg - when traveling solo, this will be the perfect time to meet other surfers your age and save money by pooling your money together to rent a 4x4.
-d
-d
I would not rent a car to drive myself -
met a bunch of frenchies who did - good for them - but you crash it or worse you hurt someone while driving-
you're fukkkkked!!!
mototrbike is quick and cheap - takes a lotta ballz though - some crazy driving -
if you're with amigos - get a driver for ±15 clams a day -
hell go to the Puri Raja hotel in Legian (cant miss it ask any local - a few hundred meters north of Jelan Padma (Spelling??)) - the'res 4 or 5 drivers that pay a fee to the hotel to loiter out front and pick up business -
eddie is ok - younger , tries to be hipper , knows all the breaks (or at least all the well known ones)
but KETEUT is just a great dood - he too knows everywhere (that's not hush hush) on the island to surf - about 40 - super family dood - hell after 2 weeks of cartin our lazy assess all over the island he refused to drive us anymore unless we went over and had dinner with his wife and kids (who just watch you eat <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />)
my not so short point is - a driver between 3 doods is about the same cost and you can travel around with a few boards at a time - rather than riskin your neck on a bike with only the 6'6"
so jealous
met a bunch of frenchies who did - good for them - but you crash it or worse you hurt someone while driving-
you're fukkkkked!!!
mototrbike is quick and cheap - takes a lotta ballz though - some crazy driving -
if you're with amigos - get a driver for ±15 clams a day -
hell go to the Puri Raja hotel in Legian (cant miss it ask any local - a few hundred meters north of Jelan Padma (Spelling??)) - the'res 4 or 5 drivers that pay a fee to the hotel to loiter out front and pick up business -
eddie is ok - younger , tries to be hipper , knows all the breaks (or at least all the well known ones)
but KETEUT is just a great dood - he too knows everywhere (that's not hush hush) on the island to surf - about 40 - super family dood - hell after 2 weeks of cartin our lazy assess all over the island he refused to drive us anymore unless we went over and had dinner with his wife and kids (who just watch you eat <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />)
my not so short point is - a driver between 3 doods is about the same cost and you can travel around with a few boards at a time - rather than riskin your neck on a bike with only the 6'6"
so jealous
Absoulutly! It's called being mobile and cheap. Nusa Dua's breaking? Hop on the bike. There are so many little alleys in Kuta that only bikes fit through that will save you alot of time and traffic hasseles(you can go wrong way on one ways too but be careful). Besides it's the fastest transport to the Chicken Shack(MMMMM, find it).
First week get a car and driver. Ketut out front of Hotel Puri Raja is good, a mate of mine. Also Soody whose phone number is listed in Indo Surf & Lingo together with a FREE BEER Voucher with each whole day trip. Then (maybe) rent a bike 2nd week, once you know all the shortcuts to the breaks and feel confident with the traffic. Or just stick with the driver and relax in the backseat with a cold beer on the way back from the surf each day.
<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ha - of all the Ketuts and think we are actually referring to the same guy-
i think i earlier wrote about eddie being one of the other doods stationed out front - but i think i was wrong - his name is Jimmy - is he still there?
i think i earlier wrote about eddie being one of the other doods stationed out front - but i think i was wrong - his name is Jimmy - is he still there?