Russian · 6 years on Samui
Russian travel blogger and safety advocate based on Koh Samui for 6 years. Elena specialises in practical first-timer advice for renting vehicles on the island.
Updated: June 2026
I start the climb toward the Big Buddha hill on the ADV 350 with a smooth, steady throttle rather than a sudden surge. The 330cc engine has ample torque, so there is no need to snatch power - feeding it in progressively keeps the rear tyre planted and the scooter stable. On steep Samui gradients, jerky inputs unsettle any bike. A calm, even roll-on lets the ADV's strength do the work and keeps your line predictable all the way up.
Climbing the patched road near Lamai, I keep my eyes well up the hill scanning for gravel, damp shade, and broken edges. Samui's hill roads collect debris washed down by rain, and a mid-corner surprise on a gradient is dangerous. Looking far ahead gives me time to adjust speed before I reach the hazard, not over it. On the ADV's stable chassis, early reading of the surface turns a tricky climb into a controlled, unhurried one.
I let the ADV 350's engine braking carry much of the load on the descent from the viewpoint, easing off the throttle to slow rather than riding the brakes. Continuous hard braking downhill overheats pads and unsettles the scooter, so I brake in firm, brief applications and let the engine do the rest. The CVT provides useful retardation when you ease off. Controlled descending keeps speed in check and the chassis calm on Samui's steepest drops.
Braking on a damp downhill bend near Na Mueang, I squeeze the levers progressively and let the dual-channel ABS work if grip suddenly drops. The system is a safety net, not a substitute for smooth technique - I still brake mostly in a straight line before the corner, not mid-lean. Knowing the ABS is there lets me brake confidently on uncertain surfaces. Respect it as a backup and ride within your own grip, and Samui's wet hills become far less intimidating.
I take the switchbacks above Taling Ngam slowly in, smoothly out, setting my speed before the turn and rolling on gently through it. The ADV 350's longer suspension means it settles well when ridden smoothly, but rushing a blind hill corner on Samui is never worth it - oncoming trucks use the centre line. Entering at a sensible pace and accelerating out keeps the scooter stable and your margins safe. Smooth, deliberate cornering is the heart of safe hill riding here.
Bringing it all together, riding the ADV 350 on Samui's hills safely comes down to steady throttle up, eyes far ahead, controlled engine-braked descents, respect for the ABS, and smooth unhurried corners. The scooter has the power and the electronics to make the hills easy, but technique is what keeps you safe. Practise these habits on the gentler climbs first, and by the time you reach the steepest viewpoint roads, they will feel natural.
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