Korean Job Discussion Forums

crazy_arcade · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

I went out and bought a scooter today.

It's a 100 cc.

Now, as I understand it, I only need my Korean license right?
Do I need to get insurance for it?
I read through the massive thread in off-topic but I'm still confused.

Also, what about locking it up? I've got it locked up to a post outside my apartment (next to my landlords motorbike).
Should I also buy a wheel lock?

Any other wisdom or knowledge you can pass my way would be great!

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

The sidewalks are yours! Run over those damn pedestrians!

crazy_arcade · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

rD.NaTas · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Location: changwon

tuck and roll , if you have a girlfriend make her ride side saddle

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

My advice: be careful.

Lock it up. Don't park near the road unless there is a fence between your scooter and the road. Don't leave it out overnight, or it will get swiped. Expect your helmet to be stolen if it's not locked away. Koreans stole 2 of mine, and would have lost a 3rd, but the 3rd time I had it locked, and they gave up after nearly breaking it trying to yank it away.

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Make no assumption that anyone on the road will respect your safety. By all means get some kind of insurance. You have one accident and it can be quite messy financially. Park your scooter in a place that is secure, and don't leave anything on or around it when in for business, etc. Get locks and use them especially if your are in or around Seoul. Drive safely and happy riding. It sure beats relying on the transit when you are in a hurry to get some where. BTW you can get a parking ticket on your scooter just the same as the cars and trucks illegally parked, so be careful where you park. That's about it from what I know.

Col.Brandon · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

Make out a will.

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

It's only 100cc? You don't need a license of any kind. Be careful of theft. In the city I live in five of us bought scooters and four of us lost them and not for lack of being careful. My scooter was chained and the steering was locked when it was stolen.

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

It's not a case of IF you'll have an accident, but WHEN.

Above is an immutable law of riding a motorcyle, though your choice of a putput scooter probably lengthens the odds a little in your favor.

There I was in Taiwan. This Canadian had just procured himself a motorcycle and us fellow teachers stood about making eyes and generally oohing and aahing. Then I slowly drawled initial sentence of post.

It was like the others flinched from my negativity. It didn't go down at all well, if I have to be honest. Trying to be helpful and is what you get.

And take a guess?? Wasn't even one freakin week. You had to be there to see the multiple abrasions and machrachrome streaming his ass from arse to tit.

It's not necessarily a deathwish owning a scooter, but I'd go along with saying we've all gotta die sometime, so what the hell, do you wanna die with your boots on or what??

You scoot about on a scooter and invite death on a motorcyle. But are they so very really different ? Has to be my question at this time.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Wear a helmet.

If you don't, your God better be an awesome God.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I was pretty sure a 100cc scooter needed a licence. Not a 99cc one though.

The best way to lock it is to lock the steering column. On mine, I do this by turning the wheel all the way to the left, and turning the key counterclockwise as far as it can go. A thief can break any lock but the steering column lock makes it nearly impossible. Some thieves hotwired my scooter a few weeks ago, and they realised too late that they didn't know how to unlock the steering column. They got it to the end of the block with it and then I scared them away.

Other advice: watch out for buses. They're the most insane drivers on the road.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

I suggest you dress well.

There is a big temptation when it's warm, ESPECIALLY on a scooter to dress in shorts and a t-shirt and cruise round. This is awesome and fun and cool. Unless you fall or get knocked off. Then you're talking roadrash of an insane scale. Like serious, serious hospital time.

Buy some leathers.

And since you're buying leathers, you might as well buy a motorbike instead of a scooter =)

If you're in the country, away from buses and big roads and traffic, maybe you'll be OK. If you're not, then it's just a countdown until you get knocked off that baby..

Beeyee · Joined: 29 May 2007

rocklee · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul

You don't need a licence for 49/50cc scooter but I think you need one for anything bigger.

Get insurance, a good safety approved helmet and maybe put reflectors on the bike and helmet. As for locking up, a nice big chain to tie up to the nearest bike rack. The storage in the bike is pretty big for the helmet and chain.