Hi all, a mate and I are looking at doing our first post pandemic adv ride overseas. Last time we did Japan and this time we are thinking Korea. Does anyone know where or how to hire a bike there? We would be riding for around two weeks and covering as much ground as possible. A CRF300L or similar would suffice- they are common in Japan, Vietnam etc where we have previously ridden. Any advice and help very much appreciated as we start planning this adventure! Cheers
Did you end up doing this trip to South Korea, find some rentals or tour? Curious as I might be there later this year, would love to get out and ride.
@175grams, Have a read at this thread. https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/south-korea-riders.721673/page-18
I live in Korea. Renting a motorcycle here is a pain for two reasons: 1, you're not Korean, 2, insurance. Some bike rental places will straight up not rent to foreigners (we call the racism in the west), but they're becoming few and far between. Sometimes it might be due to language barrier, others because of problem number two. Insurance is a pain here. They want you to have a Korean car license that allows you to ride up to 125 cc bike, or get a Korean motorcycle license to ride above 125 cc. Theoretically you can ride in Korea with an International Drivers Permit with motorcycle endorsement, but good luck getting someone to do a rental. It's weird... On Korean for sale sites (Passo.co.kr, Batume, naver, etc) you often see on listings on motorcycles for sale that the "motorcycle is available for rent". This might be your best choice for finding a bike for rent, but then there is that pesky language barrier again. If you have a Korean friend who can facilitate the communication between you and the potential renter this is great. If not, skip Google Translate and go directly to Papago, a Korean translator that does a better job of translating for you. You might be required to put a deposit on the value of the motorcycle for sale in lieu of insurance, who knows. On the insurance front there is one bright light... if you have any links to the the US military. If you qualify for USAA member ship (https://www.noblr.com/usaa-membership/) then you can get Korean insurance through USAA, an American company that will fully insure you, legal in Korea. Now, is that insurance good even if you don't own the bike? I'm not sure. As a foreigner in Korea you won't be allowed to register a bike unless you have an Alien registration Card, and I don't think you can get one with a tourist visa... So, what's the final word: the Korean government and insurance industry doesn't make it easy for tourists to travel by motorcycle in Korea, unless you bring your own motorcycle. It's sad because it really is a wonderful country that is very safe, with a lot of places to see, good food, great roads, lots of mountains, etc. If you do want to travel in Korea by two wheels your best bet is to go by bicycle, but that's another story.
Sounds like an exciting adventure you're planning! For renting a CRF300L or a similar bike in South Korea, you might want to consider seeking Timetours guidance https://www.timetour777.com/ . They can provide valuable assistance in finding reliable rental services and help you plan your two-week adventure covering as much ground as possible. Enjoy your ride in Korea!
