Thailand Golden Triangle Big Bikes

You will ride this trip on a Honda CB500x motorcycle. In addition, there are various upgrade options to a heavier or larger motorcycle. 

Visa
For this motorcycle tour, you need a visa. You can arrange this on arrival. Please note that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon return.

Driving license
For this motorcycle tour, you need an international driving license, which you can arrange in advance in your own country with the ANWB.

Support car
For our motorcycle tours, a follow-up car with a mechanic will accompany you from 6 participants. You can put your luggage in the follow-up car. Because we sometimes take small and/or unpaved roads/paths, it is possible that the follow-up car will take a different route. Always make sure that you have your belongings for that day with you.

Pocket money
Even though a lot has already been included in the travel sum, you will still need some pocket money. This is an indication for you of what the general costs will be for food, drinks and petrol. For most Asian countries you can count on about 15 to 20 euros per day.

Luggage
Because the tour is done by motorbike it is not possible to take a lot of luggage on the motorbike, but enough. It is preferable to take a roll-up adventure waterproof bag and a small backpack. This can be secured on the back of the motorbike with quick-release fasteners (which we have for you). Also take a flashlight and a towel with you to be on the safe side, to use on the way if necessary. If there is a follow-up car, the luggage can be taken in the car and you only take a small bag with you for what you need on the way.

Clothing
Experienced motorcyclists know better than anyone that wearing good clothing is important, so we also adhere to it in the tour that you are going to ride. The requirement is to wear long pants (motorcycle pants) and a (motorcycle) jacket, as well as sturdy motorcycle shoes or possibly high hiking boots and summer gloves. It is best to bring your own helmet. Please note that especially in the mountains the weather can change and that it can cool down or rain. Always take 1 fleece sweater and rain gear. A raincoat is also good to use to block the wind when it gets colder.

Difficulty of the trip
During this trip we will not drive on paved roads and we will not reach a relevant height. In that sense, it is not a difficult trip. However, it will take some getting used to in the beginning with the traffic and driving on the left. 

Insurance
For this trip you are required to have travel insurance with worldwide coverage. Check in advance whether motorcycling is included in the insurance. You must take the policy number and emergency number with you and provide them in advance. Damage to third parties in the event of an accident is not insured and is usually settled on the spot. Regardless of who is at fault, the foreigner will usually pay for the damage to third parties. Fortunately, we are usually talking about very small amounts, unless it is a major accident. Insurance for damage to a motor can usually not be insured. Fortunately, the repair costs are a fraction of what we are used to and are therefore talking about small amounts. All damage caused to the motor, regardless of who is at fault, is for you.

Health
There is a lot of uncertainty about malaria. For the right advice, consult your GP/GGD or travel clinic. They can advise you whether you should take malaria pills (usually Malarone) for this trip, they can also assess whether this is possible in combination with any personal
medication. Diarrhea can easily occur due to the heat in combination with a different type of food. The diarrhea often disappears after a few days and can also be suppressed with, for example, Imodium. If the diarrhea occurs for a longer period, the local doctors have various means to treat it. If you are dependent on medication or illnesses, you should check this with your GP in advance. He can assess whether this has any adverse consequences for the trip to be made. You should also inform R2D about this in advance.

Flexibility
We try to make the trip as smooth as possible, however, situations may occur where flexibility is expected of the participants. There may be engine failure or the planned route may be temporarily impossible due to roadworks. 

Day stages
The routes go as much as possible over small roads, mountain passes, valleys, plantations and villages. Upon arrival, you will be extensively informed in a briefing about what you should pay attention to during the trip. The roads are not of the same quality as in European countries, but are getting better and better. For example, it can happen that large holes or parts of the road are washed away. The weather has a great influence on the asphalt and dirt roads, which means that a road that was still passable last year can now be in very poor condition.

Traffic
Driving in Asia is different from participating in traffic in Western European countries. You will be informed about this in detail in the briefing.

Money
You can pay by card at most places we visit, but you must first unblock your card.

Electricity
For Asian countries, it is best to have a world plug adapter with you.