Let's talk about what to do if you have a flat tire in Bali. Here, a rented scooter is the most popular means of transportation for tourists, and even if you haven't encountered such a problem on the "mainland," it can happen to anyone after long journeys around the island. The situation is unpleasant but not hopeless. We'll explain what steps an inexperienced driver should take.
First of all, it's worth emphasizing the importance of preventive measures❗. All this hassle can be avoided by regularly inspecting the tires of your scooter/car for foreign objects (nails, screws, various clips). Check if the tire is not losing air or deflating, and also monitor the tire pressure. In this case, you have a chance to reach a repair shop🛠️ without a completely flat tire and avoid getting stranded "in the middle of nowhere" in the middle of the night.
For example, if you run over a nail, the problem may not be immediately apparent; the tire may deflate overnight or over several days until it becomes noticeable and leads to a real issue. If you do find a foreign object in the tire, never try to remove it yourself! In the event that the damage turns out to be extensive, you might quickly release all the air and deprive yourself of the ability to reach the nearest workshop.
At Pertamina gas stations, you can also independently and for free inflate your tires with regular air or nitrogen for 3,000 rupiahs for scooters and motorcycles and 5,000 rupiahs for cars (white kiosks with the sign "Enduro Express").
Or, the second option - the old-fashioned way: open Google Maps, choose the nearest workshop with a good rating in your area (search for "bengkel" or "bike repair"), and go there. On-site, you can ask for "Pompa ban motor," but generally, you can always use Google Translate or the "DeepL" translator app in such situations. The prices for inflating a tire range from 5,000 to 10,000 rupiahs 💴 depending on the type of vehicle and, in some cases, the conscience of the worker.
Now, let's get down to business. So, an unfortunate event has occurred. Follow the next steps:
⚡First and foremost, stop in a safe place, away from the road, to avoid endangering yourself and other traffic participants.
⚡Assess the damage. Try to determine if it's possible to repair the tire or if it will require replacement. If you find a foreign object in the tire, never remove it unless you are confident that you can repair it on the spot. If yes, proceed to the next step with confidence.
⚡The third point is more of an exception, but still. If you have a tire repair kit and a pump and know how to use them, you can perform the replacement procedure yourself. May all the Balinese gods be with you. If not, don't panic and move on to step 4.
⚡Open Google Maps and type "bengkel" in the search bar. Alternatively, you can ask any local, "Bengkel dimana?" (where is the workshop?). If the tire is not too flat, head to the nearest workshop. However, if the workshop is far away and the tire is significantly flat (you feel you might not make it), try to find a pump and inflate it. You can also ride with a passing scooter to the nearest "bengkel" and get a mechanic from there. In the case of choosing to ride to the workshop, for scooter riders, it's better to go alone, without a passenger. And drive slowly!
⚡In the workshop, they will likely patch or plug the tire, and the cost is around 20-30 thousand rupiahs. If the cut is severe and cannot be fixed with a patch, you need to replace the entire tire. This can only be done at the dealer or in specialized tire workshops/auto services.
⚡If the situation occurs at night, be prepared for the difficulty of finding a workshop open 24/7 in Bali. Try to contact your rental and resolve the issue with them. You might have to lock the scooter, leave it in a safe place, and take a gojek (taxi service) home until morning because rental places often prefer to sleep late at night.
⚡After replacing or repairing the tire, don't forget to check the other tires for wear or damage to avoid additional problems in the future.
Continue your journey and enjoy your stay in Bali!
To learn more and rent a scooter, visit our website 👉 Balimotion.pro
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