In Reply to: driving in bali posted by bojogputih on Wednesday, 18. April 2007 at 15:43 Bali Time:
As much as most on this forum bag driving and especially riding motor bikes in Bali, it isn't that bad.
I bet those scaremongers have never even tried it. I hire a car every trip (11 timed so far) and we travel everywhere in it. I have hired bikes in the past occassionally also. Lets face it motorbikes are dangerous anywhere but ride slowly and safely and you'll be fine. I hire a Jimny (small Suzuki 4wd) or similar and the price includes insurance but you have to pay the excess which is pretty high (about $US500). They say that if the repair is cheaper you just pay that but as another reply states it is a grey area. I can't actaully remember the exact hire price but from memory it was something like 50,000Rp a day.
Driving your own hire car is great fun. Its an adventure going through Denpasar and getting lost in the country side but we love it. So much more freedom. I would definately recommend it.