In Reply to: Must agree about heading west posted by Heatherbelle on Thursday, 29. April 2010 at 17:21 Bali Time:
I have been motorcycling around Bali since 1975.
I have hired motorcycles about ten times in Bali. I always carry an International Drivers License (IDL) endorsed for motorcycles. I have never paid bribes (pungli) to Indonesian police. When stopped by police, just produce your IDL and be polite.
Don't hire a bike if you only want to tootle around Kuta/Legian/Denpasar. The traffic jams, one way streets and parking are a test of your sanity.
Don't let a local borrow your hire bike from you. Most do not have any form of drivers license or money.
Don't stay at Kintamani. The locals are annoying touts.
Do hire a fairly new bike with the papers. Make sure the "insurance" is included in the quoted price as hirers like to spring it on you at the last moment and "insurance" may or may not even exist.
Do wear a helmet, shoes, heavy jeans and thick long sleeved shirt.
Do take a loop around around Bali.
Suggestion One
Ride to Ubud, stay overnight. Ride to Kintamani, take a photo of the crater and leave as soon as possible before the touts surround you. Ride to Lovina, stay overnight and ride back to Kuta via Bedugul.
Suggestion Two
Ride to Gianyar, Klungkung and stay overnight at Padang Bai. Ride to Tirta Gangga, snorkel at Tulamben and ride on to Lovina. Ride back to Kuta.