I Had No Idea! The War on Motorcycles in Korea

[@hunikim]

You’re right, there are way too many frustrating laws in Korea that make it hard to ride motorcycles freely. I can sort of understand the restrictions on modifications, but banning us from using the motorways is just infuriating.

[@fauveride]

It's such a strange feeling! Darcy visits the store where I bought my Triumph and the cafe I sometimes go to and talks about Korean motorcycle culture. Hope you enjoy your trips to Thailand (now?) and other places! and Paulo really knows well with those! He's almost korean

[@kongjope]

Oh my god you are in Korea! I have been watching your videos in Korea. I am Korean guitarist who lives in seoul and ride Royal enfield classic 350. So great to see you in Korea

[@specialcircs]

I had a (gentle) go at you a month or so ago when you were comparing the MG V7 to the RE Interceptor 650 - I then test rode both and bought a V7 Stone! You were right, the V7 has so much more character (I just love the way it starts up, sort of languidly!) and it has more 'oomph' than the RE, which felt sluggish to me. So I'm sorry! And you were right!

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Awesome, great to hear 👍🏼

[@DushtYantr]

67 HP has more oomph than 47 HP? Who woulda thunk?

[@specialcircs]

@@DushtYantr and you made the effort to post this, what a guy

[@Deetroiter]

@@DushtYantr To be fair though, shaft drive vs a chain drive takes out some of that oomph as compared to it being chain vs chain, etc.

[@thedonald6238]

rip double the price in australia

[@recoverymail269]

Oh that is literally right infront of my house. I always used to pass by that dealership just to take a look at the triumphs. Didn't know you stopped by

[@open_water2411]

Cremona, home of the Stradivarius.

[@michalnemsak7886]

Absolutely brilliant video! Love to learn about motorcycle cultures of foreign countries. Enjoy as much as possible even if it means not filming 😀

[@open_water2411]

That V7 might just be my next bike. It’s an absolute stunner.

[@rollllinstone]

Enjoy your travels Darcy! I don’t know if Vietnam is part of the tour, but my lord, if you can get there, I think you’d appreciate the people more than any country in the world. They’re wonderful, and they love bikes!!

[@MHeadroom]

I totally agree! My first trip to Vietnam was in 1997. Having been there numerous times since and touring through most of the country it’s simply amazing how friendly Vietnamese people are towards foreigners, particularly given their long history of invasions from multiple cultures. 👍

[@AkaWilf]

I was on a tour of Tibet in 2017 including a night at Everest Base Camp (Rongbuk Monastery) and we weren’t allowed to travel on the main highway in and out of Lhasa. In fact, the police must have guessed where we were heading to with our Chinese guide and set up a road block to prevent us accessing the main drag. Fortunately he did lead us back through the city to the old road where we continued on our way… We were on Zuumav 335cc 4-stroke twins… Chinese home market bikes.

[@kwakithailand]

Interesting, if not frightening discussion, Darcy.

[@keunhojeong-t5q]

Thank you for covering the depressing state of motorcycles in Korea. On Korean roads, motorcycles are treated as the lowest class, even below bicycles! The lawmakers only see motorcycles as a traffic nuisance. Fortunately, with the increase in motorcycle users recently, people are fighting in various ways to reclaim their rights. I hope that by covering this, Darcy can draw attention to this issue globally. I’ve subscribed! I hope to see you on RSG one day :)

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you and welcome to the channel 👍🏼

[@JoJo-hc4dj]

Really enjoyed this video of Sol and a great chat ride and the chat at the cafe with Paulo 👍🏼 ps that dog was so cute 🥰

[@JaffaJannu]

"I went there but I was hungover so I didn't film it" so relatable 😅

[@Tom_FLHCS]

Enjoyed that! I say it all the time but your videos are a nice mix of bikes, chat, riding. Also the composition/colour grading is looking better every video, this one looks brilliant!

[@Deetroiter]

Another quality video! I dig the HD shirt, as well! Cheers from Detroit, USA

[@omCARvlog]

As usual loved the conversation ❤looking forward to

[@garyseaton4619]

Thank you for sharing the experiences of a lifetime...

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks for watching!

[@IanBeasley]

Great vid, thoroughly enjoyed it 😊

[@Simulera]

At around 16’41” there seems to be a guy showing up (on left side facing screen in the video), taking pictures of your bikes and typing! Maybe not, but it fits the narrative… I really like your Asian tour series. Really good.

[@ilejovcevski79]

Those regulations are actually scary. And to be quite honest, make no sense. Motorcycles are much more environmentally friendly then cars, if you want to regulate emissions, especially in modern society where literally every adult drives a vehicle, you should encourage people to transition to them, not provide as many entry barriers as possible.

[@logangodofcandy]

Almost all taxes and regulations are about control and nothing else

[@matethomka2961]

Yeah, but people, who can't solve a parallel parking within 10 mins, driving 2-ton tanks on the roads and that's fine, even honoured. In London every 3rd car is an SUV now, which is moooore environment friendly, I bet...

[@ilejovcevski79]

@@matethomka2961 fully agreed!

[@neildutton8077]

Here in Thailand, it's also illegal to ride a motorcycle on the motorway ( toll roads ), no matter how big the bike. Dual carriage ways are okay though.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

I didn’t realise that, I’m in Thailand now

[@neildutton8077]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan Riding in Thailand is a real eye opener. I live in Pattaya and ride a hunter 350....perfect bike for this city.

[@christopherpekel6096]

​@@MrDarcy-OlManbe careful riding around Bangkok. People are extremely dangerous and don't care if they kill you. I've rode in lots of places around South East Asia but Bangkok is one place I'd never do it again

[@UncleLongbeard]

wow, that law is really crazy. Nice trip and nice story buddy. Cheers

[@YiddoHuayi]

Tot-ten-ham 😂😂 The spirit of Ossie lives on!

[@MentatOfDune]

Love the colour of that Moto Guzzi. Definitely one to consider for my next bike.

[@seongkyulim4495]

한국의 모토사이클 규제 문제에 대해 다뤄줘서 감사해요. 유로5 규제를 만든 유럽인 두 분이 한국의 규제에 대해 말씀하시는 것이 아이러니 하네요. 그리고 수다장이 지점장님이 출연하셨는데 한 마디도 안하시는것 처음 보네요. 영어 앞에서 작아지지 마시라구요.. ㅎㅎ

[@Farney-gy1qo]

Loving you Videos, Thank you 👍

[@simonlee4885]

Very informative video. By the way, the fighter jets were training for military day, on October 1st.

[@bikerbeliever8169]

My Thoughts exactly I've rode the t100, t120, interceptor 650 and the v7 850 and prefer the guzzi because of the character and feel. But I would happily own all or any of them.

[@johnarmstrong3140]

I got my drivers licence in China. I did 20000km on my little Yamaha before Covid forced me out. When I first got my bike a British guy of Pakistani descent told me that the traffic cameras in China don’t target bikes. He was right. I deliberately went through some red lights etc and waited for the fines. Nothing! I was never so free as when I rode in China. Got back to Australia afterwards and got masses of fines :-)

[@GarethLa]

Digging these travel Vlogs. Would love to see a bit more riding footage on that 360 while you are there so we get so see a bit of the place 😁

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

You’ll like my upcoming Thailand videos 😁

[@GarethLa]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan 🤗🤗🤗

[@sambagogo777]

It's not surprising that motorcycles are more popular among the younger generations over there when they're not being ripped off on the price! The example I found to illustrate the obscene price difference was the Indian FTR 2024 which is £8438 (at current exchange rate) in South Korea and is £12,995 in the UK. Over 50% more expensive in the UK! Disgusting.

[@GapBahnDirk]

An interesting video! Greetings from Thailand. I am wondering where you will go here......

[@HoodedDragonSix]

I went here a couple months ago. These guys are great.

[@davidskaggs9914]

Cool video! Glad you got to ride the Triumph T120...this is the newest bike in my stable, and I drive it everywhere now. I'm going to take a trip across Texas on it in a few days. I wish we had lane splitting here in Texas...but at least we don't have other restrictions on modifying our bikes. I bet it was weird to see someone else riding your bike in another country. I test rode the Moto Guzzi V7 Special a few months ago and liked it a lot.

[@colingoldthorpe5918]

I spent 3 months in Korea with work but during Covid times….and it was miserable during those times. Lots of very depressed people and the rules were insane. As soon as we started up a massive reactor we literally ran for the airport ASAP. Looks like it may be worth another trip someday 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@specialcircs]

Mazda is Mazda. Miata was the alternative (US) name for the MX-5 model.

[@bullymac68]

Really enjoying this travel vlog. I reckon this might be your forte Darcy. And yeah...know that kind of hangover well 🤢

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you very much! I’m really enjoying making them

[@simongilbert2704]

very interesting italian guy ,, great viewing ;;

[@Bob-xc2us]

You are right about that W800. It is stunning. BJ

[@alpha_delta_93]

I might be going to Korea motorcycles addict

[@robertomarrerog703]

sad you didnt film the meeting on sunday but very interesting chat with Paulo - should leave his socials @ to give him a follow as well ........ i´ve to korea for work a lot and definetely love it, the food, the people... not so much the wheather though ... as you are in summer you should try the ice noodle soup, its really different from what us westerners are used to, but it is delicious!!!

[@j4s0n67]

Fyi the biggest US base camp outside united state is in s korea

[@Serkoharp]

Hi, its me again about the subtitles 😂

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

@@Serkoharp ok it will be sorted shortly 👍🏼

[@Serkoharp]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan Thanks buddy!

[@정상현-q1z]

can't believe you come to Korea! Plz let me help you if you need any suggestion or help while you stay here

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks so much! I’m afraid I’m in Thailand now

[@carver7689]

On one hand, South Korea's bike laws are exactly contrary to what I would have assumed. On the other hand, all those cars with blacked-out windows make it seem like maybe it's not such a big loss. Paolo's a a major dude for showing you around a bit, too. Lastly, happy birthday to Darcy's girlfriend!

[@deborahnielsen6286]

Mazda MX-5 Miata is Mazda's current name for the MX-5 in the US. When the car was introduced in the US, Mazda called it the Miata and the Miata it's been ever since. A few years ago, Mazda attempted to rename it MX-5 to be like the rest of the world but American fans refused to call it anything other than Miata so Mazda gave in, sort of, and now calls it the MX-5 Miata in the US.

[@kevindarkstar]

7:44 so in other words the guzzi is rough and the triumph is smooth 😂

[@RideWithRen]

Those are South Korean military jets, not American flying low over Seoul. That was around the time when they were training for the yearly military parade and also to antagonize North Korea. Guzzi should always be pronounced with zz like pizza. Brits who mispronounce it can't laugh at Americans when we say aluminum 😜 I'm glad you were able to ride a bike here, many foreigners get disappointed when they find how hard it is to find a bike rental that will accept foreigners. Predo's take on bike culture here is very different from mine, I find there are tons of motorcycle cafés, within an hour of my house an hour south of Seoul, in the countryside, there are perhaps five or six motorcycle cafés. If i go north towards Seoul there are many motorcycle cafés. I find motorcycle culture to be huge here. Not being able to ride a motorcycle in the expressways is okay, as the best roads in Korea are the backroads. Lane splitting is illegal but no one cares. The reason why motorcycling isn't bigger here is due to harsh winters and very humid summers, in my opinion. If you want great motorcycling in South Korea, get off Seoul. And as an American with the US Forces here we get an exception on modifying our bikes, we can do whatever we want. Unfair perhaps, but our bikes are technically not imported into Korea.

[@Borntobemild2625]

Brilliant 👏 👏 👏

[@DJPTEXAS]

When i was in the military many years ago stationed in Korea the Police in Seoul rode big Harley Davidson Police bikes.... I tried to take a picture but they would not let me...... sure has changed a lot there I see.....

[@VinnusWorks]

In Korea, motorcycles are legally forced to use the far right side of the lane. Most large trucks, buses, and construction vehicles use the right lane. The stupid Korean government is trying to kill motorcycles by driving them into dangerous lanes full of menholes, bumps, and people and cars sticking out. It's such a shame. Korea always feels problems from foreign perspectives, but it doesn't listen to Korean drivers no matter how much they shout. I hope foreign media or KZbinrs deal with these problematic laws often.

[@ianhalliwell8604]

"A piece of England here in Seoul" you should have put him right that it's a piece of India and has very little to do with Hinckley. Great guy, he's a natural and speaks better English than some to around here. Looks a great city, that is if you like cities.

[@aromaticsnail]

Technically speaking, lights, mirrors and exhausts all need to be homologated. If you notice they all 'need' to be E-marked. The fact that in the UK riders can replace all these without worrying about it (or re-homologation) still puzzles me, considering they need to be MOT to be road legal. Back at home motorcycles' MOT has been delayed for years, even with the EU pressure. But even if there's no need for a MOT, just using those yellow tint stickers on headlights is illegal, as well has noisy pipes. I see so many modified motorcycles in the second hand market that will probably be banned from roads once the MOT is mandatory...or not, based on how flexible MOT is for modded bikes in the UK

[@MCTeck]

Just like California 13:44

[@HunterVlog350cc]

Hyosung and Dailem entered india 2 decades back via JV but could not set foot properly. They were inspired by Japanese manufacturers. initially,. Now in India too, there is fine on loud exhausts but customizations wise you can still do anything here

[@zteburner5882]

I am torn between the 2020 T100 and 2022 W800. Have two used the pick from, both with the same 2000 miles and $1500 more for the T100.

[@vinrot]

Well, euro spec Mistral slipons has catalytic converters, fully homoligated.

[@caseyclifford8536]

I put Zard Stainless Steel exhaust on my V7 speacial.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Awesome 👍🏼

[@andyjdaviestjk]

What a nice guy? I thought the rules were bad enough here !

[@steveaga4683]

Wow! Cannot believe that you have never heard of Hedon helmets. I have been riding less than a year and even I have seen them.

[@HamRidez]

He has heard of Hedon. He said "Is it a Hedon?" Saw the branding on it and then said "No, i haven't heard of that make before". But, you're my hero.

[@kevindarkstar]

I, for one have never heard of em 😜

[@radianman]

Sunni’s motorcycles are manufactured in China but my understanding is they are designed in the UK (I cannot access their website in Canada).

[@robertwinston2519]

Nice work, Guess be alarming seeing U S planes coming over there , nice area 👍👍👍🍷

[@markgreenhow7953]

Hyosung used to sell some nice looking bikes in the UK, they sold a sporty looking 650 a few years ago, not sure if they are still on sale.

[@mrmoon1482]

GTR650 they pop up on eBay sometimes

[@markgreenhow7953]

@@mrmoon1482 just looked they only sell a couple of models in UK now, biggest 300cc. I think the old 650 was a bit of a rip off of the Suzuki SV.

[@mrmoon1482]

@@markgreenhow7953 yes the GTR125 GV125 and 250’s all used the same VTwin engines the 250s had bigger sleeves, they was reliable enough but some did have cam and valve problems, some of the 250s was fuel injected, there is also a GD250 which is a single and some say more reliable and easier to work on, there is a video on here of a moto gp guy who’ uses on to practice on as they handle very well,

[@steveaga4683]

Sinnis is the same as Lexmoto, not Hyosung

[@stevied6286]

Zard will hurt your ears above 50mph..soooo. Loud!!

[@esardut]

miata is a name of 1 model of mazda, the mx5. its not a name for all mazda cars.

[@Bradshaw812]

There are a good few of us that, having been around bikes and noisy things longer than your "old man", have defective hearing - without you switching the subtitles on the videos become unwatchable. I am sure you'll pick up a fair few mores views if you could just be more diligent in pressing the "on" button for subtitles - could be just me so I'll go and sit grumpily in the corner and listen to my tinnitus for a while.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

@@Bradshaw812 sorry we normally do add subtitles as have worldwide viewers. We will get them on shortly 👍🏼

[@1990-t1j]

I don't know whether you realised when you were in Japan, you cannot take a pillion on a motorway. At least, you couldn't when I lived there in the early '90s. You can't modify bikes in Portugal. Nick

[@oshima0928]

The regulation against taking a pillion on highways in Japan was relaxed about 20 years ago, allowing you to ride with a pillion on highways if one year passed since you got your license

[@MrJamBak]

Omg I really surprise seeing han-geul on your video. Because I'm Korean by the way. I hope you enjoy Korea. Not good for motorcycle rider.... I'm so embarrassed when you guys talking about our law problems.

[@LeftHandCustoms]

Hit me up when you are in Bangkok.

[@torokun]

Behind the glamour of all the Kpop and Kdrama craze, people don’t realize how backwards some things are in Korea. Especially the fact that you can’t take motorcycles on freeways

[@fuglbird]

Fatalities per 100,000 motorcycles: South Korea 5 EU 11 UK 26 USA 60 Who is backwards?

[@logangodofcandy]

Korea is backwards. It's your life and you can do what you want with it. Men don't take lightly being told what they can and can't do.

[@mrmoon1482]

Sym and hyosung

[@ronmoropito2200]

Interesting 'travelogue", but DARCY, please WEAR safety gear. T shirts and pavement are a poor combination.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Totally understand, but in 35 degree heat with 100% humidity you will get a heat stroke with a jacket on. I really wanted to wear one but I just couldn’t

[@ScrapYardDog64]

How rude, thank you Triumph Gangdong for lending you the T120 despite you liking the beautiful Guzzi more... Guess its an age thing that i don't understand.

[@mattdog1982]

Laws coming to the uk soon…..😂

[@alpha_delta_93]

Is there a Royal Enfield showroom

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

@@alpha_delta_93 yes 👍🏼

[@MrUled]

One of the main reasons many Asian countries have restrictions or are planning on them is to "facelift" the look of their cities from the perception of bikes = poor to cars = rich.

[@qnim7]

관통했다

[@EddieEloff]

Motopizza

[@paulfoster5432]

Basically it's just Crap for Motorcycles, No way I'd ever want to go there.

[@kevindarkstar]

9:07 nope 😮 that is definitely not stunning either in form or colour 😣

[@DaveSunderland]

Another year and I reckon you (Darcy) can dump the old man.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks! (Ol Man)

[@Richard-r1x7d]

Your Travel blogs are so much better than a lot of more famous ones. You engage with locals and talk about their bikes and what they have want and use and why. The world is full of people who have travelled the world and never met a local not serving them or employed by them.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you so much! That’s very kind. I have plans for many more!

[@bally632]

Sinnis don't make motorcycle's,the bike's they use are rebadged Zongshen bike's built and designed in china.

[@dennischapman7944]

To noisy , to much going on.

[@soshsiB]

Nice to see you here in Seoul. Quite a lot of bikes are heavily modified here. So therefore it doesn’t matter much. Basically you can say, Korea is a car country, so the government is not favourable to motorcycles. Greetings to your Italien buddy from a Vespisti 🛵😎

[@timmcvittie436]

Pho Q noodle 🫢 (8.55)