If you are interested in traveling on the cheap, or backpacking perhaps. A motorbike rental may be in your future.
Take some of these tips on driving from me. I just did a month in Thailand and rented a bike for the first time. I had no clue what I was doing, but I did manage to survive.
Also, before getting started follow my advice on insurance and safety.
Book with your credit card that provides rental insurance with purchases.
But, do check with your credit card company to be sure that vehicle rentals do not exclude motorbikes.
Wear a helmet.
You might look more sexy with out a helmet on, but traumatic brain injuries can be life altering and devastating. Not to mention they are statistically more likely if you are on a motorbike (which is probably why most CC companies do not cover).
Now onto tips for the fun part, driving.
Sit far back on the seat. The more distance you are from the steering column the more control you will have over the steering of the bike. Your arms should have a slight bend when holding the handle bars.
I started off my trip with my mom on the back of the bike. She reluctantly agreed to jump on, even after watching as I struggled with simply starting the bike. We both rode for several pain-staking miles right up against the handle bars before I realized that we could scoot back. Once we moved back on the seat I felt 100% more comfortable. I noticed other new scooter people doing the same thing.
Be careful of the muffler
The muffler is typically on the right back side of the bike and the locals called it a Thailand tattoo if you burn your leg on the hot metal. Be careful
Adjust the mirrors before starting on your travels.
This simple tip would have saved me a lot of stress when I pulled out in traffic for the first time with the mirrors adjusted for a different person.
Use your mirrors and only turn your head slightly to check when turning.
If you turn your head all the way, your chest can also turn and your bike will swerve with it.
bring a seat pad
If you are traveling anywhere warm, then your bum will be a lot happier if you bring a pad for protecting your sensitive tush from the BLACK seat that was cooking in the sun while you were in buying this-and-that.
Be careful of right handed U-turns with an automatic bike.
The throttle is in your right hand and can easily stay engaged while you are performing a right U-turn. Approach this maneuver with caution. You may find yourself in an uncontrolled accelerated turn while trying to brake and then ending up crashed in the shoulder (this may have happened to me).
I do know for sure that the next long adventure I take will be on a motor bike. It allows you the ultimate freedom to have all that you need on your back. If I could rewind and redo my Thailand trip I would have left my roller bag and 90% of my clothing at home.