Korean Job Discussion Forums

Demonicat · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Location: Suwon

What exactly is the lowddown on driving a bike outside of the city? Could I, for example, drive to Ansan from Seoul- passing through the toll booth? Could one cross the han river bridge? What are the rules?

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

There is really only one rule, and it is heavily enforced.

No bicycles or motorcycles on the toll roads.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:00 pm Post subject:

Yea, JacktheCat is pretty much right. You can get away with a lot on a motorcycle (as long as you're not blatant about it), but you're not allowed on the national highways. Aside from that, there's absolutely nothing stopping you from driving pretty much anywhere else (including sidewalks) except for an ornery cop or an accident. What you should do is buy a road map and find the major, non-toll routes between Seoul and Ansan, or you can always wing it and just follow signs from one area to the next until you get to Ansan. It will be a much longer travel time, though, in general, so keep that in mind. I used to drive between Cheonan and Suwon pretty regularly, and there was no way that I could get the trip any shorter than 90 minutes, whereas a bus would have me there in an hour.

Demonicat · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Location: Suwon

THAT is what I wanted to hear- that there are back roads. Believe it or not, where I came from if you wanted to get off the main road, you had to take the bush. Thansk alot, brothers

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

There's an English Atlas of Korea in Kyobo books at Kwangwhamun for 20,000....
Yeah not being allowed on the autobahns or toll roads has the benefit of slower, curvy, more scenic routes/secondary highways...

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Actually I like taking the looong, scenic route.

There are so many places up in the mountains and along the seashore that you miss out on if you don't have a motorbike or car.

Nothing better than riding your motorcycle along the ocean during a warm summers day.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:50 am Post subject:

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject:

Zyzyfer · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:00 pm Post subject:

Kosher as in "you can get away with it".

But I've never ridden a motorcycle through Seoul, and the driving itself is insane enough to tell me that it should stay that way.

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Seoul motorbike driving is so dangerous. Pusan's pretty bad but nowhere near. The thing is, for me, myopic car drivers who decide to brake, slow, and stop with ample space between them and the car ahead. They make a sense of space for themselves. And almost running into the back end of their car. Because they aren't going with the flow of the lanes to either side. They do something unnatural like that.
Are there any bikers here who are into dirt kind of bikes, country roads, going off the highway? What's a recommended, common model available in Korea (along with parts), do you know? 600, 700cc....

DirtySanchez · Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Location: Neither here nor there

Don't know about dirtbikes myself. although I rented a honda in the philippines for off-roading, and had a blast, aside from a couple close calls (slipping and almost dropping/crashing).

My question is, has anyone ever gotten caught for driving without a plate or liscence or registration? If so, when and where? What was the penalty? If not, what are the chances one would get caught?

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Don't know about anything around Seoul,

But there is quite a big dirt bike scene in Gangwando, near Sokcho and Gangneung. Went to a few of the races. Pretty cool and well set up. If you're interested, I'm sure any bike shop will be able to give you details about dirt bike opportunities in your area.

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

There's a motocross scene in Japan - that I do know - but not sure about Korea.

Thailand and Philippines also have motocross races and they have actually been on Asian ESPN/Star Sports.

I often rent trail bikes on Ko Pha Ngan, Thai. and ride without license - don't drive drunk, though, that's how a lot of foreigners get greased.

But Japan is the only country in the region that I know of with a serious motocross scene.

I rode and drank beer with guys on the weekends who were R&D riders for Honda. They were riding bikes that even U.S. and European factory team riders don't get to ride.