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thinkin' about buying a scooter or motorcycle... AM I CRAZY?
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neil-r



Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Location: busan

PostPosted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:45 pm    Post subject: thinkin' about buying a scooter or motorcycle... AM I CRAZY? Reply with quote

I just arrived in korea about 2 months ago and i have a sever disdain for the bus. My work is about a half hour trip away from my apartment, and i'd love to be able to ride a scooter instead of standing on a crowded, sweaty bus with everyone refusing to open ANY windows for whatever reason. I've realized korean drivers are a little aggressive to say the least and the rules of the road are somewhat ambiguous. So, my question, among others, is whether or not it is "safe" to get a bike, either a scooter or a motorcycle. Also, whats the deal with insurance? Do most people driving scooters or hogs have it? What happens if i hit someone on my bike and i have no insurance? Am i f**ked for life or what? What happens if someone hits ME and i have no insurance? Am i f**ked for a life in that situation as well? How much does a decent scooter cost? And same question for a decent motorcycle? Anyways, i know its a lotta questions but any and all responses are much appreciated![/b]
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Octavius Hite



Joined: 28 Jan 2004
Location: Househunting, looking for a new bunker from which to convert the world to homosexuality.

PostPosted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

First off, getting a motorcycle was one of the best decisions I have ever made in Korea. It lets you do whatever you want, whenever you want and you will see more of the country than you ever thought possible.

I have a 125CC motorcycle and it has all the power I need. 125CC and under means you don't need a licence, I don't have any insurance and am not planning on getting any.

I have had a few close calls, but basically you have just pay attention, don't get distracted. Also assume that anything can happen will happen. Left turns, blindsides, uturns, etc are all done without anyone looking to make sure its safe. Also many Koreans drive while smoking, talking on the phone and watching TV all while three little monkeys (aka Kids) run around the car.

You need to watch out and take the sidewalk if you need to get around safely. If you hit someone and don't have insurance either run, or be prepared to pay. If someone hits you, they have to pay so take them to the cleaners and get as much money as possible.

Good luck and stay safe
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Lonewolph



Joined: 19 Mar 2003
Location: Kwangju, Korea

PostPosted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I drove a motorbike in Korea for 5 years. It is the most convenient and cheapest mode of transportation for teachers as gas is cheap (relatively), parking is simple and you can get away with just about anything as long as no cops are around.

You take your life in your hands though. You really must have a very good understanding of the Korean driving culture and be prepared for just about anything on the road. As back home, motorists here pay very little attention to two-wheel vehicles, and in a country where the concept of road courtesy is all but non-existent, bikers need to be two steps ahead mentally at all times.

Contrary to several years ago where 125CC bikes and under did not require a driving license, all motorized vehicles, including 50CC scooters, require at least a motorcycle license to operate. Being caught driving without an appropriate license will mean that you will be prohibited from obtaining a motorcycle license for at least 6 months or a regular driving license for 2 years. You will also have to pay a fine. For more information, visit the Driver's License Agency English website at http://www.dla.go.kr/english/index.jsp.

In regards to insurance, if the other party is at fault, they are responsible for damages, including medical costs if you are injured, regardless of if you have insurance or not. If you are at fault and have insurance, you will only have to pay a portion of the costs. If you are at fault, but have not insurance, you will be taken to the cleaners. With insurance, repair and injury costs are set by the insurance companies, and accident victims can only claim a pre-determined amount, both for vehicle repairs and for injuries. However, if the party at fault has no insurance, victims can seeks the costliest repair facilities and hospitals, with nearly no limit on what damages they can seek. Insurance is fairly cheap and only gets cheaper each year that you go without an accident, so it is extremely prudent for anyone driving any kind of vehicle in Korea to purchase a policy.

As a last note, if you have no driver's license and are involved in an accident, you are automatically at fault, regardless of who was actually in the wrong, and any insurance policy that you may hold may be void for driving without the required license. Furthermore, if the party at fault cannot come to a monetary settlement with the victim(s), they will face criminal charges which can result in huge fines in addition to jail time.


Last edited by Lonewolph on Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:30 pm; edited 1 time in total
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jdog2050



Joined: 17 Dec 2006

PostPosted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:08 pm    Post subject: Re: thinkin' about buying a scooter or motorcycle... AM I CR Reply with quote

neil-r wrote:
I just arrived in korea about 2 months ago and i have a sever disdain for the bus. My work is about a half hour trip away from my apartment, and i'd love to be able to ride a scooter instead of standing on a crowded, sweaty bus with everyone refusing to open ANY windows for whatever reason. I've realized korean drivers are a little aggressive to say the least and the rules of the road are somewhat ambiguous. So, my question, among others, is whether or not it is "safe" to get a bike, either a scooter or a motorcycle. Also, whats the deal with insurance? Do most people driving scooters or hogs have it? What happens if i hit someone on my bike and i have no insurance? Am i f**ked for life or what? What happens if someone hits ME and i have no insurance? Am i f**ked for a life in that situation as well? How much does a decent scooter cost? And same question for a decent motorcycle? Anyways, i know its a lotta questions but any and all responses are much appreciated![/b]


Yesterday in Chuncheon I rode a scooter (49cc) for the first time ever. The feeling of freedom and wind in your face is absolutely incredible after a year of being pent up in buses and subways.

Will be purchasing a 49cc next month. Can't wait.
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ghost



Joined: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Many congenial places

PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:18 am    Post subject: How about using a mountain bike? Reply with quote

Last year in Taiwan, ghost used a mountain bike to commute about 20km a day to University, school and so on.....despite the naysayers saying "it's too dangerous" etc.... the good thing about Taiwan is that although pop. density is among the highest in the world, there are side roads which run along most major roads, and if you use those 'side roads' you lessen the risk of an accident by a great margin.

What is the situation in Korea for bike users. Will be living near Pyeongtaek city from April, and also hate using publice transport?

Thanks for any information about that.

Ghost, TESL/FSL teacher, French Montreal school board
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plutodog18



Joined: 01 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What are the costs for a bike from 50cc to 125cc?

Is it difficult to get a motorcycle license? What are the fees?

Thanx.
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uberscheisse



Joined: 02 Dec 2003
Location: japan is better than korea.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i bought a 100cc scooter almost 2 years ago and it's still the best purchase i've ever made.

advice - get a lock. mine's been ripped off 3 times (all unsuccessfully, they couldn't figure out how to hotwire it)

- when driving, stay aware and be a little aggressive. use your horn a lot. korean drivers won't see you unless you make yourself seen.

- get a nice big jacket and gloves and ride all year around. i rode every single day this winter. sometimes it was unbearably cold but i still did it.

- find a nice mechanic. my mechanic is awesome, and has yet to do anything that even remotely resembles fucking me over. most repairs are super-cheap. keep that little buzzer maintained and it'll keep ticking for years.
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plutodog18



Joined: 01 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

plutodog18 wrote:
What are the costs for a bike from 50cc to 125cc?

Is it difficult to get a motorcycle license? What are the fees?

Thanx.


Any help here?????

Uber, care to share the name, address and/or phone number of your guy. Maybe if we drop your name you'll get uber service.
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uberscheisse



Joined: 02 Dec 2003
Location: japan is better than korea.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

plutodog18 wrote:
plutodog18 wrote:
What are the costs for a bike from 50cc to 125cc?

Is it difficult to get a motorcycle license? What are the fees?

Thanx.


Any help here?????

Uber, care to share the name, address and/or phone number of your guy. Maybe if we drop your name you'll get uber service.


he's right in my neighborhood... i could show you where it is, but f'd if i know the number. i live in sinsa-dong, in between apkujeong and sinsa stations. his shop is basically the halfway point between the 2. i know of one in hannam-dong as well, and they apparently speak english. i'd have to find it though.
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Qinella



Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib

PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got a scooter when I moved to Seoul and it's been nothing short of excellent. No waiting around for a bus or a taxi. I can make a quick trip to the E-Mart, HomePlus, or Homever, each of which would take about 15-40 minutes on foot, any time I please. I can drive to the subway station, or go past it and get to Hongdae, or wherever. I've explored the neighborhood and seen parts I would've never bothered to walk into. One of my favorite things is the 3am ride. Put on some cruising tunes in my iPod and have the roads to myself. It's fantastic.

My only regret is getting a 49cc. It's too damn slow. I've accidentally gotten onto the highways before, and people fly past me so fast that the wind friction feels like it's gonna knock my bike down. Soon, I will sell this one and get a 125cc or faster. 49 is good for zooming around town, but on long trips it can be terrifying.

Also, you do need a license even for a 49cc, unless the cop who stopped me was misinformed. However, he let me go anyway, without a license.

uberscheisse wrote:
- get a nice big jacket and gloves and ride all year around. i rode every single day this winter. sometimes it was unbearably cold but i still did it.


Another tip for winter riding is to use a scarf. I button my jacket all the way up, put on the helmet, and then wrap a scarf around so that it even covers part of my mouth. Keeps your head from freezing.
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Lonewolph



Joined: 19 Mar 2003
Location: Kwangju, Korea

PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is a massive motorbike market in Myung-Dong in Seoul. You should be able to pick up a decent used 125CC for between W600,000 and W800,000, though they sell anything from scooters all the way up to powerhouses.

If you have a valid Canadian or American driver's license and have your ARC, the Korean Driver's License Agency will give you a KDL without any written or road test. The cost is very low, between W4,000 and W8,000 and it is valid for nine years.


Last edited by Lonewolph on Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
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plutodog18



Joined: 01 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you very much LoneWolph............ Very Happy
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plutodog18



Joined: 01 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lonewolf: know the name of that Motorcylce marketplace?

Anyone have any dealership websites so I can start shopping?

Thanks.
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neil-r



Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Location: busan

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks everybody for all your advice, i think i'll be buying a scooter shortly, something with a decent amount of power so i don't get blown over but not enuff power so that i'd kill myself. I'll may be posting my next reply from the hospital bed though... only time will tell Confused
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Lonewolph



Joined: 19 Mar 2003
Location: Kwangju, Korea

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They are not so much dealerships as about 30 small stores that all sell bikes on one long street. There are no large "dealerships" here. I don't think you will find any online stores, and even if you did, prices would be high and they probably would not show the lower end items that you might be looking for. Best thing to do is take an afternoon and visit as many shops as you can to compare prices. I am pretty sure it is located out of Chungmuro station (line 3) though can't give you specific directions as it has been some years since I went.

You might also consider buying a bike from another foreigner who is leaving. http://www.englishspectrum.com has a good community board for this.
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