The short version. Recent bikes, your passport stays with you, the deposit and damage costs in writing, clear prices, and good recent reviews. Then pick the shop nearest to where you stay.
1. How old the bikes are
Ask the model year and look at the odometer. An old bike with high mileage is more likely to break down, and worn tyres and brakes are the last thing you want in Bangkok traffic.
Ours: most of our bikes are 2025 and 2026 models; the rest are 2024. We don't rent out old, high-mileage bikes.
2. Whether they keep your passport
A shop needs to see your passport and record it. It does not need to keep it. A shop holding your passport holds all the cards in any dispute.
Ours: we photograph it and hand it straight back.
3. The deposit
Know how much it is, how you pay it, and when it comes back — before you pay it.
Ours: ฿3,000 in cash or by Thai QR, returned in full when the bike comes back in the same condition.
4. What the insurance covers
The insurance that comes with a rental in Thailand is the compulsory kind. It pays medical costs for people who are hurt. It does not pay for the bike. So ask what you would pay for damage, and for a total loss if the bike is stolen or written off.
Ours: the rental terms list the costs, with the total-loss figure for each bike.
5. A written agreement
It should name you, the bike, the dates, the deposit and what damage costs. Nothing important should be "agreed" only by word of mouth.
Ours: signed on a tablet at the counter and e-mailed to you.
6. Clear prices
You should see the full price for your dates before you pay, and know what is included.
Ours: every bike's price is on the availability page, from ฿359 a day, VAT included. Two helmets, a phone holder and the compulsory insurance come with every bike. Paying online by card adds 3%; Thai QR adds nothing. Cancellations are on the refunds page.
7. The bike at handover
Walk round it before you ride away. Check both brakes, the tyres, the lights and the indicators, and photograph every scratch. Make sure there are two helmets that fit, one for a passenger.
Ours: bikes go out with a full tank and two helmets. We also take a photo of you with the bike.
8. Reviews, and a real shop
Read recent Google reviews, not only the star rating. Look for mentions of deposits coming back and the bikes' condition. A shop you can walk into, run by a registered company, is easier to deal with if something goes wrong.
Ours: rated 5.0 on Google from 84 reviews. Our shop is a 5-minute walk from MRT Rama 9, run by KLM Hospitality Group Co., Ltd..
Signs to walk away
- They want to keep your passport.
- The deposit or the damage costs are not written down.
- Nobody asks for your licence.
- The bike has bald tyres, weak brakes or a warning light on.
- The price changes when you arrive.
Ready to choose a bike? The how-to guide covers the documents you need and the return.
See bikes and prices for your dates