Korean Job Discussion Forums

[captain kirk]

experience of those who motorbiked or continue to motorbike in busy seoul. i've heard some sworn off it expecting imminent mangling of any fool brazen enough to tempt fate. others, i expect, whiz on sheer hyper-awareness and brash confidence/reflexes. advice, warnings, tales from the fleet-wheeled?

[sparkx]

yo kirk,

I have a 125 cc motorcycle that I purchased almost immediately when getting here and I had never ridden before. I spend over a month tooling around my little neibourhood before venturing onto the busy streets. If you have ridden (rode?) a bike before you probably shouldn't have too much trouble. i am a serious mountain biker and the type of driver (cars) that is very aggressive but very aware. Thus, back home I was a huge heat score piling up numerous speeding tickets but was never in an accident. i find that this driving style is perfect for driving in Korea. If you are an overly cautious person, glued to the posted speed limit, you will be killed here...yep...literally killed on a motorcycle.

I find that my motorcycle gives me a ton of freedom and can be euphoric on those dreary, monotonous days.

[Derrek]

What's the story with bigger bikes?

Just how hard is it to get approval to drive a 600cc sportbike, for example? I had them for 5 years back home.

[PootyTang]

I did it for the better part of three years and I would do it again.

[Zyzyfer]

Motorcycle in Seoul? Now...I wouldn't do that.

In the suburbs and lesser cities, I think it's fine to cruise around on one. You can squeeze through traffic, and bikes usually have good enough acceleration to stay ahead of the pack, which means you stay out of traffic all the more.

You do gotta kinda drive like a demon though.

As for approval....huh? Oops. I just bought one and rode around.

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

I don't think it's as dangerous as people try to say it is... I drive a 125 cc bike in Seoul (Kangnam Station Area) during rush hour and have very few problems. The key is to maintain pace with the speed of traffic, drive defensively, and try to think a couple of steps ahead... I think it's the fastest way to travel in Seoul if you know the city well.. Also, you can go anywhere you want, whenever you want...feels good to have that kinda' freedom...

Has anyone driven down to Pusan from Seoul??? Which road(s) did you take?

[Zulethe]

bump

[mack the knife]

It's a great rush but eventually you will get nailed. I got slammed by a crazy ajuma who had decided to turn left on a green well after the arrow had disappeared. Just broadsided me. You can't avoid that shit.

[coralreefer_1]

[GoldMember]

The big problem is liability. Liability determines if your medical bills, loss of income damages etc will be covered. In most cases it will be the moron Korean drivers fault. Witnesses and the police will say its your fault. You could find yourself seriously injured for life with no legal recourse and compensation. This is what you should be thinking about.

[Xuanzang]

Just be more vigilant for runaway cars, red light runners, etc but it's doable in Seoul.

[Bibbitybop]

I rode in the USA before Korea. I don't recommend learning in Korea, mainly because I recommend a professional training and safety course. Those don't exist in Korea.

Buying and riding a motorcycle in Korea is one of the best decisions I've made in Korea.

Faster commute times
Learning and seeing the true city outside the bus and subway
Easily traveling all over the country, and seeing new places buses don't go.