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Taiwan Scooter Travel

Table of Contents

  • Travel Around Taiwan by Scooter / Motorbike
    • If you travel in Taiwan by scooter or motorbike…
      • If you go to the mountains…
      • Where Can I Rent a Scooter in Taiwan?
      • Taiwan Scooter Rental – Cost
      • Renting a BIG bike in Taiwan

Travel Around Taiwan by Scooter / Motorbike

If you can get your hands on a scooter or a motorbike, do it! Traveling in Taiwan on two wheels is pure heaven. Sure, it comes with some danger, but the rewards are worth it! In the cities, you can visit more attractions in less time and in remote areas you can get to places not covered by public transport. You’re free to go wherever you want, whenever you want!

taiwan scooter ride
Road trip between Hehuan Mountain and Ilan.

If you travel in Taiwan by scooter or motorbike…

  • always carry rain gear with you,
  • bring a good, detailed map of Taiwan,
  • inspect your tires, check the pressure,
  • make sure you’ve got good brakes,
  • don’t ride at night in the mountains,
  • don’t ride during a typhoon,
  • don’t wear sandals,
  • make sure you’ve got good travel insurances,
  • watch out for dogs, chickens, potholes,
  • don’t drink and drive!!!
motorbike ride in taiwan
Road trip in the Aowanda Region in Central Taiwan.

If you go to the mountains…

  • bring warm clothes (it gets really cold up there),
  • don’t wait for your gas gauge to say empty (there aren’t many gas stations in the high mountains),
  • don’t use your front brake (too much) on the way down,
  • watch out for young Taiwanese punks who come here to race with their friends.
taiwan scooter accident
My friend Pierre, having a drink outside China Hospital after his leg surgery. He hit a big stone at around 60km/hr on a small mountain road at night.

Where Can I Rent a Scooter in Taiwan?

You can rent a scooter outside most train stations in Taiwan. One problem about scooter rental in Taiwan is that they usually ask for an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate / work permit), or a Taiwanese driver’s license. Sometimes, your hotel can help either by giving them a phone call or by renting it for you. You’ll also be asked to show your international driver’s license and passport.

The following places are much more laid back for motorbike rental in Taiwan. All they want is a photocopy of your passport and the money: Kenting, Hengchun, Sun Moon Lake, and all the outlying islands: Penghu, Matsu, Kinmen, Green and Orchid.

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Taiwan Scooter Rental – Cost

Expect to pay around 350NT$ / day for a 90cc scooter. Beware, if you crash it, you’ll have to pay for everything – most places don’t provide insurance.

Renting a BIG bike in Taiwan

You will definitely need to provide the following documents to rent a big motorcycle (400cc +) in Taiwan:

  • an ARC (Taiwanese work permit),
  • a valid international driver’s license,
  • your passport,
  • a heavy motorbike driver’s license.
taiwan big bike
Me, on my 1000cc Yamaha FZ1 on the Central Cross Island Highway.
Wrong side of the road?!?

You should know that there is no theft insurance in Taiwan for big bikes. If you do rent or borrow one, ALWAYS keep an eye on it. Don’t even leave it to go for a pee. If you want to camp out, chain it to your leg or sleep on it. I am not joking! Back in 2005, I got mine stolen after owning it for only 2 months. Its value was 10 000 USD$ and I still had to pay the bank for two years. Same story happened to my friend few months later…

taiwan motorbike
Some older Taiwanese men in the countryside think they’re too cool to be riding scooters…

Return from Taiwan Scooter Travel to Travel in Taiwan

Filed Under: Travel Info Tagged With: Transportation

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Hello, I’m Ugo

ugo taiwanese secretsI’m the weirdo behind this site. I’ve been living in Taiwan since 2000, so basically I’ve spent half my life here. I have a big passion for everything Formosa and I’ve been working on this website since 2008 to share the beauty of Taiwan with the world!

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