20 must-have accessories for your scooter in Taiwan…
Time to accessorize!
1. Full-face helmet
I went to the largest helmet shop in Kaohsiung and bought literally the only one that would fit me. It’s labelled “ASIAN FIT XL”. Full-face helmets provide much more protection than open-face or lid-style helmets, but those are more comfortable in hot weather and therefore more popular in Taiwan.
2. Bluetooth intercom
The intercom has two speakers and a mic inside the helmet. It connects to my phone via Bluetooth, and can pair with other intercoms up to 500m away.
3. Phone mount
I use a Peak Design Ball Mount Adapter attached to a made-in-Taiwan Takeway base structure.
4. USB cable
I use Google Maps everywhere so a charging cable is essential. For privacy reasons, I preferred Apple Maps in New Zealand, but the English language version is unusable in Taiwan (due to inconsistent spelling and lack of motorcycle directions).
5. Tea carrier
My scooter has a built-in cupholder, but this is Taiwan so a dedicated tea carrier is also essential.
6. AirTag
I mounted my AirTag under the seat in this Pelican Protector case. Being illiterate in Taiwan, many scooter-filled streets start to look the same—so I anticipate using this often to find where I parked.
7. Vehicle registration
Unlike in New Zealand, in Taiwan it’s not compulsory to carry your driver’s license—but it is compulsory to carry the vehicle registration card.
8. Taoist talisman
Two-thirds of Taiwanese people are Taoist or Buddhist. A friend took me to a Taoist temple to pray for motorcycle safety, before making a donation to receive this talisman. After following custom by waving it through the smoke of joss sticks (three times in a circular motion), I mounted it under the seat of my scooter for ongoing protection.
9. Under-seat storage pocket
This holds maintenance records and other things I forget.
10. Stay-open hinge
I replaced the factory hinge with this magic alternative that holds the seat open. (After the seat fell on my arms a dozen times in my first week of ownership, I don’t understand why this isn’t a standard feature.)
11. Dual-camera dashcam
The dashcam recording unit is in the storage area under the seat, and is attached by velcro so it can be held in a more convenient position when reviewing footage. It also has a remote mounted below the handlebars.
12. Storage divider
The divider prevents the next few items from sliding into the helmet storage space…
13. Cleaning cloth
For the pending rainy season.
14. Antibacterial wipes
Because (bird)shit happens.
15. Reusable shopping bag
For the theoretical day I buy more than just tea.
16. License plate surround
Apparently license plates get bashed around in parking lots, so this offers some protection.
17. Wheel lock
My scooter came with a free Yamaha wheel lock. In Taiwan I’m largely unconcerned about theft, but the lock is also useful for the next item…
18. Rain cover
The cover’s held in place by a built-in clip plus the aforementioned wheel lock. I park on the street every day (my building doesn’t allow scooters in the underground carpark)—but I only plan to use the cover for longer-term parking and typhoons.
19. Wet-weather gear
Given it’s currently humid and over 30ºC every day, I thought driving in the rain would be cooling and pleasant—until I drove in the rain. This gear’s made by Taiwanese brand Outperform, and comes with two key features: 1) The raincoat expands to cover a backpack. 2) Uncharacteristically for clothing in Taiwan, it’s available in my size. (Photo courtesy of Outperform. I opted not to model this gear myself because it’s currently humid and over 30ºC.)
20. User’s Guide, Machine Translated by Google
Featuring machine-translated advice like “Failure to follow instructions will result in serious injury or even death” and “Be prepared to deal with emergencies in order to cope with the occurrence of emergencies.”
Finally, two accessories I opted not to buy…
This mobile phone umbrella.This front-mounted mailbox. (Although, it would be handy to receive mail on the go…) Photo: Lee Te Yung.
