Motorbike & Scooter Rental in Chiang Mai | Trusted Since 2010

Scooter rental in Chiang Mai (125-160cc models) typically costs 250-700 THB per day or 1,300-4,200 THB per week depending on the model. Bigger bikes like ADV 350 or enduro motorcycles cost more. We show the exact price for each bike on this page with no hidden fees. Weekly and monthly rentals have significant discounts compared to daily rates. If you’re not sure which bike fits your plans, message us with your route and experience level and we’ll recommend the best option.

Yes. Thai law requires a valid motorcycle license to ride legally. An International Driving Permit (IDP) with a motorcycle category works, or a Thai driving license if you have one. Your home country license alone is not valid in Thailand, even if it includes a motorcycle category.

Police checkpoints are common in Chiang Mai, especially around the Old City, Nimman area, and on the roads to Doi Suthep and Pai. Riding without a valid license means a fine of up to 1,000 THB per stop, and you can be stopped multiple times. More importantly, if you have an accident without proper documents, your travel insurance will likely refuse any claims related to the accident, including medical bills.

You need your passport (for identity verification and a copy for the rental agreement) and your motorcycle license or IDP.

Some shops in Chiang Mai keep your original passport as collateral until you return the bike. This is risky: you cannot check into hotels, take domestic flights, or deal with police without your passport. If something happens to the shop, getting your passport back becomes complicated.

At Cat Motors, we never keep your original passport. We verify it, take a photo for our records, and give it back. Your documents stay with you at all times.

Deposits typically range from 3,000 to 10,000 THB depending on the bike model. The deposit covers potential damage and ensures the bike comes back in the same condition.

Some shops ask for your passport instead of a cash deposit. We don’t do this because your passport is too important to leave with anyone, and because a passport doesn’t actually cover repair costs if something happens.

At Cat Motors, we accept only cash deposits. Before you ride, you take your own photos and videos of the bike’s condition. We don’t do the inspection for you. You document everything yourself so there are no disputes later. When you return the bike in the same condition, you get your full deposit back immediately, on the spot, in cash.

A well-maintained bike with regular service history. Two helmets (3/4 open face or full-face, your choice). A basic first aid kit. Rain ponchos for both rider and passenger. A phone holder. A full tank of fuel. Medical insurance up to 300,000 THB covering both rider and passenger.

We also provide free luggage storage at our office for the duration of your rental, so you don’t have to carry everything or pay for storage elsewhere. Remote support is available if anything comes up during your trip: mechanical issues, questions about routes, or any problems on the road.

For weekly rentals, free delivery within Chiang Mai city is available by arrangement. Please give us 24 hours notice so we can schedule it.

You return the bike with a full tank of fuel.

Yes. Medical insurance up to 300,000 THB is included with every rental, covering both rider and passenger. If you have an accident, we help you through the insurance claim process step by step.

Now, about “full damage insurance” for the bike itself: in Thailand, insurance companies do not offer damage coverage for commercial motorcycles. This is not just our policy. No insurance company in Thailand will insure a rental motorcycle fleet against damage. The reasons are simple: rental bikes are ridden by tourists who are often inexperienced with Thai roads, unfamiliar with local traffic patterns, and statistically have a much higher accident rate than private owners. Insurers cannot control who rides the bike, whether they have a proper license, or how they ride. Processing thousands of small claims for scratches, broken mirrors, and cracked plastics is not profitable. This is different from rental cars, where commercial insurance exists because cars are more expensive, accidents are easier to document with dashcams and body damage, and control is simpler.

What some rental shops call “insurance” or “CDW” are actually in-house schemes with their own rules and exclusions. Typical conditions: damage under a certain amount is not covered at all, certain parts like mirrors, plastics, and wheels are excluded, damage from off-road riding or flooding is excluded, and if the total repair cost exceeds a certain percentage of the bike’s value, you pay for everything. These schemes often create more confusion and disputes than they solve.

At Cat Motors, we skip these schemes entirely. Our approach is simple: you take photos and videos of the bike before you ride. Spare parts prices are posted in our office. If there’s damage when you return, you pay the actual repair cost based on those prices. No deductibles, no percentages, no hidden conditions. You see exactly what you’re paying for.

Yes. You receive the bike with a full tank and return it with a full tank. This is called a “full-full” policy.

Why this system? Because it’s the fairest for everyone. Some shops give you a full tank and say “return it empty,” but you end up paying for fuel you never use if you return early or ride less than expected. Other shops give you an empty tank and let you return it empty, but then you’re looking for a gas station right after pickup, which wastes your time. Full-full means you pay only for what you actually use.

Most scooters run on gasohol 91 or 95, available at every gas station in Thailand. Current price is around 30-35 THB per liter. A typical 125cc scooter uses about 2 liters per 100 km, so fuel costs are minimal even for long trips.

If you return the bike without a full tank, we charge for the missing fuel at current pump price plus a 200 THB service fee, because someone has to ride the bike to refuel it.

For deposits, we accept cash only. For the rental fee, we accept bank transfers (Thai bank accounts), cash, and card payments. Card payments may incur a processing fee (typically 3–5%) charged by the bank/payment provider. We’ll confirm the exact amount in advance.

For scooters 110 to 125cc, the minimum age is 18 and you must have a valid motorcycle license plus at least 3 years of riding experience. For motorcycles 300cc and above, the minimum age is 21 and at least 3 years of riding experience is required. We apply these rules to make sure the bike matches your skill level and to reduce risk on Northern Thailand’s mountain roads, where conditions can change quickly with steep grades, sharp curves, uneven surfaces, and unpredictable traffic.

If you are not sure which bike class fits you best, message us and tell us what you have ridden before and where you plan to go. We will recommend an option that is comfortable and safe for your trip.

We do limited reservations only. Because many customers extend their rentals, sometimes by a week or two, it is not always possible to guarantee a specific bike far in advance. To keep things fair and avoid last-minute cancellations, we can usually reserve a bike up to 3 days before your pickup date.

If you are arriving in high season (November to February), message us as early as you can anyway. We will tell you what models are most likely to be available and suggest the best backup options. Once you are within the 3-day window, we will confirm what is available and arrange a smooth pickup.

Our shop is open every day from 8:00 to 18:00, including weekends and public holidays. No lunch breaks.

We’re located on the main road in the historic center of Chiang Mai, about 10 minutes from the airport by taxi, and easy to reach from the train station or bus terminals. Most customers pick up directly at the shop because it’s convenient and you can see the full fleet before choosing.

For weekly rentals (7 days or more), free delivery within Chiang Mai city is available. Please give us at least 24 hours notice so we can schedule it. Delivery outside the city center or for shorter rentals can sometimes be arranged for an extra fee depending on distance and our schedule.

Let us know before your rental period ends. We adjust the dates, you pay the difference (at the same rate or applicable weekly/monthly discount if you qualify), and you keep riding.

If there’s an accident, contact us right away. We can provide remote guidance on what to do next and, if needed, help you communicate with local police. If medical care is required, we can also help you with the insurance process and the paperwork needed for a claim.

If the bike cannot be ridden, we will help arrange transport back to our shop if needed. The best option and timing depend on your location, but we will stay in touch and coordinate the next steps with you.