Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bossface]

does anybody know of a good spot to learn how to ride? i have a five day break in August at the same time that every Korean in the world has vacation, so i'm probably stuck in Korea over break. are there any places in Jeju or in the provinces where it would be easy to learn? i have an international licence if that makes any difference. thanks.

[Mr. Peabody]

Find a motorcycle hagwon. They run around 250 - 400 thousand won and you get your motorcycle license once you pass the class.

There are lots of them and prices do vary.

[tehdee]

gangnam station intersection 530pm friday nite.

[nathanrutledge]

What do you mean "learn how to ride"? You want to learn how to physically ride a motorcycle? Or you want to improve your motorcycle skills? Or you want to get your license?

If you've never ridden before, you'd better find a GOOD school to learn from. Most of the hagwons for MC's in Korea are aimed at passing the test, not necessarily how to ride/developing good habits. If you want to improve your skills, same thing goes but I imagine it would be a bit harder - I don't know how many places handle that kind of stuff.

If you want to get your license, then yeah, any hagwon will do the trick.

Honestly, IMO, if you don't know how to ride a motorcycle, you need to find a friend or someone who speaks English who can personally instruct you. It's not particularly difficult to do, but it's very easy to get into bad habits and get into serious trouble (i.e. kill yourself and others) very quickly. Personally, I read a ton and rode a bit on my cousins farm, then I bought my first motorcycle in Korea. Drove it from Itaewon to around Osan - looking back, I'm amazed I'm alive. Korea is definitely not the place to be learning without an experienced driver.

[SNOTOSEOUL]

I rode around the college campus near me for a little bit to get some practice in before hitting the busy sidewalks, and streets. It was a nice place to get acquainted with the machine.

[Ramen]

busy side walk is the best. guaranteed to make you an expert rider dodging moving obsticle.

[Steelrails]

[wishfullthinkng]

before you even get on a bike learn what all four of your limbs need to do and the multiple functions they are responsible for. that way the first time you jump on you can concentrate on making them work in harmony and keeping from laying down the machine, and not the where what is and what it does.

that said, also learn on something small like one of those 125cc putters you see running around. i bought a 600cc sports bike back in college never having rode one in my life and taught myself in an empty parking lot. not the best idea...

[bossface]

yeah, by learn to ride, i mean physically learn, i haven't ridden one before. i don't own a bike and don't plan to buy one, i live in central Seoul so i really don't need one here. i'm planning a major SE Asia trip in a few months, and i figure it would be a useful skill to have on the road. plus, i amigine it would be easier to learn here than in, say, Hanoi.

[Swampfox10mm]

Having ridden a multitude of motorcyles, and some in Korea, I'd say that the Daelim 125cc Forte is by far and away the most useful, enjoyable, and most economical method of 2-wheeled transportation possible in Seoul (other than just a bicycle).

[Mr. Peabody]

[nw25th]

[wishfullthinkng]

[andrewchon]

I agree with Mr Peabody. If you're an absolute beginner: start with an automatic scooter and get used to the delicate handling of the throttle. Then upgrade to a clutchless semi-manual and get used to the standard layout of a bike: gears with the left and brakes with the right. Then get a manual bike and learn the clutch. You'll also use that time to learn the un-written rules of road usage in Korea. Take your bike out to Paju and Kangwon-do. There are plenty of deserted roads out there to cruise around.

[Mr. Peabody]