French · 7 years on Samui
French motorcycle tour guide living on Koh Samui for 7 years. Marc leads group rides across southern Thailand and knows every road on the island.
Updated: July 2026
I start most Aerox days on the Ring Road heading anticlockwise out of Chaweng toward Lamai. The long, well-surfaced sweepers between the two beaches let the 155cc engine settle into its stride, and the gentle curves reward the sporty chassis without demanding real skill. This is where I send first-time Aerox renters: an open, forgiving stretch where they can feel the scooter's pace build safely before tackling anything tighter on the island.
Climbing to the Lad Koh viewpoint between Chaweng and Lamai is where the Aerox feels most in its element. I take the switchbacks at a steady lean and the firm suspension holds a clean line all the way to the sea-view car park. The short, sharp corners suit the light frame perfectly. For anyone wanting to feel why the Aerox is called sporty, this is the one Samui road I recommend above all others.
On quiet early mornings I ride the Aerox out along the south coast to Thong Krut and the Five Islands viewpoint before the day heats up. The road is smooth, open, and near-empty at that hour, letting the scooter stretch its legs past coconut groves and fishing jetties. That southern run is my favourite place to enjoy the Aerox's cruising ability, with the bonus of a longtail-boat breakfast waiting at the far end.
I keep the Aerox off the rough dirt tracks that tempt ADV riders behind Wat Plai Laem, and I tell renters the same. Its road-biased tyres, firm sporty suspension and low front give it no business on loose gravel or mud. Ridden where it belongs - sealed tarmac - it excels, but point it up a washed-out jungle trail and its strengths become weaknesses. Knowing where not to take the Aerox matters as much as knowing where to.
Along the quieter north coast between Maenam and Bophut, I like the Aerox for the string of café stops and photo spots that break up a ride. I have parked it at the Bang Po seafood strip and the Secret Buddha Garden turn-off, linking them at a brisk but relaxed pace. This gentler side of the island suits riders who want the Aerox's poise without constant high speed, threading scenic villages rather than chasing the clock.
Across the island, the Aerox rewards sealed roads with a bit of flow: the Ring Road, the Lad Koh climb, the southern coast, and the north-shore café run. I steer it away from dirt and dense town gridlock, where its sporty setup adds nothing. Plan an Aerox day around Samui's best tarmac and it repays you with the most engaging standard-scooter ride on the island - matched, as always, to the roads it was built for.
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