Big Dog Scooter Rentals — Curated Review
A curated synthesis of public information about Big Dog Scooter Rentals. 4.9/5 across 843 Google reviews, public pricing, 2,000 THB deposit or passport option, and complimentary scratch insurance. The main caveat is that scratch insurance is a shop policy, not a formal insurance product.
Published Sat Nov 01 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) · Last reviewed Mon Apr 27 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Score: 69.9 / 100
Evidence Confidence: C
Excellent base, small independent operation
* Category stars follow 10 standardized criteria in the published Review Methodology. Category stars summarize public-source evidence; exact internal calculations are not published as shop ratings.
Both budget options — Big Dog has the larger fleet and higher review count
Budget vs proven local rep — same price philosophy, different history
Big Dog Scooter Rentals — Full Review
Big Dog Scooter Rentals is a small, personal operation in Chiang Mai’s Old City run by an English-speaking owner and team. The shop scores well on communication and friendliness, and offers a genuine customer-choice deposit policy (cash OR passport, not both). The fleet is described as fairly new, phones mounts and fuel are included, and the team is known for matching riders to the right bike for their route.
Best for: riders who want a personal, English-speaking service with flexible deposit options; casual renters who don’t need formal insurance or 24-hour support.
Avoid if: you need formal 24-hour breakdown support, or you want a recognised insurance product rather than a shop’s own scratch cover. verdict_one_sentence: “Big Dog does the job for what you pay — a practical budget choice with enough of a track record to feel safe, if not luxurious”
In Depth
Insurance & Damage Liability
Big Dog includes complimentary scratch insurance with every rental — this is the shop’s own product, not a formal vehicle insurance policy from an insurer. It covers minor scratches and damage to the scooter, but riders should understand its specific terms before relying on it. There is no documented full vehicle insurance policy in reviews or on the shop’s public-facing materials.
What it means in practice: For minor cosmetic damage, the complimentary scratch cover may apply. For a serious accident, riders should not assume this is equivalent to a full vehicle insurance policy. It is best understood as a goodwill gesture from the shop, not a replacement for proper coverage.
Support & Incident Handling
No formal 24-hour breakdown or roadside support is documented in reviews or shop communications. The owner has stated they are “open 24 hours for appointments” — but this refers to pre-booked drop-offs, not reactive emergency support.
What to know: If you have a breakdown or accident outside normal shop hours, Big Dog does not appear to have a documented reactive support system. Riders should plan accordingly and know the location of the nearest mechanic.
Passport & Deposit Policy
This is one of Big Dog’s stronger policies: customers choose between a 2,000 THB cash deposit OR leaving their passport (not both). This is more flexible than shops that insist on passport retention, and the choice is clearly presented. Both options are honoured reliably per reviews.
The passport-hold option (choosing not to pay cash) is common for travellers who prefer not to carry large amounts of cash.
Bike Condition & Safety Gear
Bikes are described as “fairly new” in reviews. Helmets are included. Phone mounts and a full tank of fuel are included with the rental — these are genuine inclusions that add value and are appreciated in reviews. The team helps match riders to the right bike for their intended route.
Booking & Availability Certainty
There is no online booking system — the process is walk-in or WhatsApp contact. One documented review mentions a reserved 125cc bike was not available when they arrived. The team offered a different bike instead. For popular bikes during high season, availability is not guaranteed without a confirmed booking.
Communication & Responsiveness
Big Dog scores consistently well here. Multiple reviewers highlight the owner’s and counter staff’s English ability and helpfulness. Kis is specifically mentioned for being kind and professional. The owner responds publicly to both positive and negative reviews — a sign of active reputation management.
Cost Transparency
Rates are displayed, and inclusions (phone mount, fuel) are noted upfront. There are no documented cases of surprise charges or add-ons being applied at return. The 300 THB/day rate is competitive for the quality and inclusions.
Handover & Delivery
Big Dog offers free airport pickup and dropoff at Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) and mentions flexible delivery as a service. The handover inspection is described as quick — “took a quick look and that was it” on return. No formal photo documentation process was documented in reviews.
Track Record & Community Trust
843 Google reviews with a 4.9★ average. Most reviews are positive, but there are documented serious complaints about customer service (booking issues, communication gaps). The owner responds publicly and respectfully to negative reviews.
Notable Review Excerpts
- “No need to leave my passport — all they asked for was a very reasonable deposit.” — ben channell (Google, 7 months ago, 5★)
- “The lovey lady i dealt with was charming and professional. Hands down ma best rental experience in thailand so far.” — Official FOS (Google, 5 months ago, 5★)
- “Customer service is really terrible.” — Anonymous (Google, 8 months ago, 1★)
Change Log
Revision history
| Date | Version | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-04 | v2 | v2 rubric: new 10-criterion weighted scoring, evidence confidence C |
| 2026-01-15 | v1 | Initial review published |
Sources
- Big Dog Scooter Rentals website and Facebook page
- Google Reviews — Big Dog Scooter Rentals (ChIJ3_BrK4M72jAR-luSxbhKMmA, 843 reviews, 4.9★, 2024–2025)
About the author
Kai is a Chiang Mai-based rider and the lead editor of Ride Chiang Mai. She has logged over 20,000km on northern Thai mountain roads and specializes in translating public sentiment and technical rental terms into actionable advice for travelers.
Negative-source search
On 5 May 2026, the following platforms were searched for complaints relating to Big Dog Scooter Rentals: Google Reviews, Trustpilot. Documented complaints about booking issues and communication gaps, with public owner responses in both cases. No formal vehicle insurance or roadside support found. Shop's goodwill scratch cover is the only documented damage product.