Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Godzilla]

Just a few questions for you motorbikers out there. I'm looking for an off-road bike at the moment and wondered if anybody had any good or bad experiences with this model? Also, if I used my UK license to get a Korea license, would it allow me to ride a 125 like the Canadian license does?

Cheers guys

G

[Derrek]

I'm not into off-road bikes, so I can't help you there. I did get my license, however.

I was able to get my USA motorcycle license to work and get me a Korean motorcycle license, but it was a royal pain in the tootie. The Kangnam license office told me I had to go to the US embassy (other side of the city) and fill out a form which stated that my license was real. It then had to be stamped by my embassy.

I went to the embassy... waited for an hour... and was told that there was no such form. They asked practically everyone in the place, and no one had heard of such a thing. The best they could do for me was have me write out a statement that my license was authentic, in my own awful handwriting, photocopy my license, and attach this with their own seal and statement page. They used some funky attachment (not a staple) that was like a rivet. I paid like 30,000 won.

I took this to the Kangnam license station the next day, and they balked the handwritten page and the rivet. They even called a security guard over, who accused me of trying to forge a document! This is when I lost it and raised holy-hell with them. After several seconds of yelling at them and creating a scene, I was told to come back in 30 mins, and was given my license.

I later learned that US citizens who have access to the US base can get them done easily in Yongsan somewhere. Otherwise, most expats just drive illegally.

I got pulled over once, and the cop was shocked I actually had a license. He then let me go.

Good luck.

[rok_the-boat]

I had a DR 125 in Japan - similar to the Hyosung model - it ran great - I barely touched it in the year I had it and it was ten years old when I got it.

I quite fancy an RX125 myself for kicking around on. You can get them for 50-100 man Won. Far better than the rest - especially for those with longer legs. But in the meantime, I'll work on getting my Harley back together.

[Godzilla]

Cheers Derrek and ROK. Thanks for getting back to me. I went to Chungmuro today and got quoted between 1 and 1.25 million for one. I might try and drag along a Korean friend of mine for some serious bargaining on Thursday.

Hope the Harley's going well ROK, and your quest for a superbike is bearing fruit Derrek.

Thanks again.

J