For all those concerned, DO NOT RENT FROM ST MOTORCYCLE in Chiang Rai. They do not service their bikes.
My girlfriend and I set out the explore the GT by bike. I rented a motorbike through the front lobby of a local guesthouse, Chat House. Two hours into my trip while descending a steep and windy road just past Doi Mai Salong, the brakes from the bike – both front and back – completely gave out. It was only by sheer luck that we where able to avoid a serious crash and steer into a nearby driveway. We immediately phoned the bike company and where told without any regard to drive the bike back to Chiang Rai – downhill with no breaks. It was only after a local coffee shop owner was able to call the company for us and straighten out this nonsense that we were able to get the bike fixed in town. Upon inspection the local mechanic revealed that the front break pads had been completely worn out, down to the metal, while the back pads where not catching because the back tire was severely bent, something which could have easily been fixed had the bike been regularly serviced but which was undetectable otherwise. We where told by both the mechanic and the coffee shop owner to show the bike shop owner the brake pads as it was completely negligent to be lending out a bike in such condition.
The next day we set out back to Chiang Rai when again the breaks gave out, this time seriously injuring my girlfriend who was a passenger and who had to be taken to the hospital. Apart from ruining our trip, her entire calf from foot to knee is scared and she is in a lot of pain. Some locals who had stopped to help us out and road the bike afterwards reconfirmed what the mechanic in Mai Salong had said, that the breaks where faulty and that the bike should not have been on the road.
When we finally returned the bike, both the owner and agent where completely unremorseful, extremely rude, and refused to refund our money. Moreover, they tried to tell me that the accidents where somehow my fault, that the brakes had overheated. Again, this is complete nonsense as the first accident occurred right after a long break for lunch and the second after about a half hour accent. Furthermore, they appeared ready to rent the same bike out again.
We are very lucky that we escaped with the injuries that we did and it could have been much much worse and I very much fear for the safety of future clients.
Safe riding everyone.
My girlfriend and I set out the explore the GT by bike. I rented a motorbike through the front lobby of a local guesthouse, Chat House. Two hours into my trip while descending a steep and windy road just past Doi Mai Salong, the brakes from the bike – both front and back – completely gave out. It was only by sheer luck that we where able to avoid a serious crash and steer into a nearby driveway. We immediately phoned the bike company and where told without any regard to drive the bike back to Chiang Rai – downhill with no breaks. It was only after a local coffee shop owner was able to call the company for us and straighten out this nonsense that we were able to get the bike fixed in town. Upon inspection the local mechanic revealed that the front break pads had been completely worn out, down to the metal, while the back pads where not catching because the back tire was severely bent, something which could have easily been fixed had the bike been regularly serviced but which was undetectable otherwise. We where told by both the mechanic and the coffee shop owner to show the bike shop owner the brake pads as it was completely negligent to be lending out a bike in such condition.
The next day we set out back to Chiang Rai when again the breaks gave out, this time seriously injuring my girlfriend who was a passenger and who had to be taken to the hospital. Apart from ruining our trip, her entire calf from foot to knee is scared and she is in a lot of pain. Some locals who had stopped to help us out and road the bike afterwards reconfirmed what the mechanic in Mai Salong had said, that the breaks where faulty and that the bike should not have been on the road.
When we finally returned the bike, both the owner and agent where completely unremorseful, extremely rude, and refused to refund our money. Moreover, they tried to tell me that the accidents where somehow my fault, that the brakes had overheated. Again, this is complete nonsense as the first accident occurred right after a long break for lunch and the second after about a half hour accent. Furthermore, they appeared ready to rent the same bike out again.
We are very lucky that we escaped with the injuries that we did and it could have been much much worse and I very much fear for the safety of future clients.
Safe riding everyone.
