Korean Job Discussion Forums

neil-r · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: busan

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]

Octavius Hite · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:57 pm Post subject:

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

Lonewolph · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Location: Kwangju, Korea

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.

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

ghost · Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Location: Many congenial places

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

plutodog18 · Joined: 01 Feb 2007

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

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

Thanx.

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

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.

plutodog18 · Joined: 01 Feb 2007

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

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

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.

Lonewolph · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Location: Kwangju, Korea

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.

plutodog18 · Joined: 01 Feb 2007

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

plutodog18 · Joined: 01 Feb 2007

Lonewolf: know the name of that Motorcylce marketplace?

Anyone have any dealership websites so I can start shopping?

Thanks.

neil-r · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: busan

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

Lonewolph · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Location: Kwangju, Korea

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.