> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.taiwanquest.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Scooter Saga, Part V - URL: https://www.taiwanquest.com/20-essential-taiwan-scooter-accessories/ - Published: 2023-05-24T09:46:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-09T15:35:19.000Z - Description: 20 must-have accessories for your scooter in Taiwan… - Author: Zhen-Kang ## 1\. Full-face helmet ![An AGV K1 S full-face motorcycle helmet photographed on a concrete park bench.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/agv-full-face-motorcycle-helment-asian-fit-xl.jpg) 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 ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/philo-jazz-3-motorcycle-helmet-intercom.jpg) 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 ![A mobile phone attached to a Peak Design ball mount adapter, held in place by a Takeway-branded base structure on the handle of a motorcycle.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/motorcyle-phone-mount.jpg) I use a Peak Design Ball Mount Adapter attached to a made-in-Taiwan Takeway base structure. ## 4\. USB cable ![Close-up of a USB cable plugged connected to an SYM MMBCU scooter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/sym-mmbcu-usb-socket.jpg) 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 ![A cup of sugar-free iced lemon black tea in a tea holder, hanging from a hook on an SYM scooter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/scooter-tea-holder.jpg) My scooter has a built-in cupholder, but this is Taiwan so a dedicated tea carrier is also essential. ## 6\. AirTag ![An Apple AirTag inside a Pelican case, mounted to the underside of a scooter seat.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/apple-airtag-in-pelican-case-1.jpg) 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 ![A Taiwan vehicle registration card mounted in a card holder under the seat of a scooter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/taiwan-motorcycle-registration-card.jpg) 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 ![A red and gold Taoist good luck charm, hanging from the underside of a scooter seat.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/taoist-good-luck-charm.jpg) 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 ![An MMBCU-branded under-seat storage pocket mounted to the underside of an SYM MMBCU scooter seat.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/mmbcu-under-seat-storage-pouch.jpg) This holds maintenance records and other things I forget. ## 10\. Stay-open hinge ![A JR stay-open scooter seat hinge mounted to an SYM MMBCU scooter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/scooter-lid-stay-hinge.jpg) 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 ![A Polaroid MS276WG FHD Motorcycle Recording Camera (Night Vision) head unit mounted in the under-seat storage of an SYM MMBCU scooter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/polaroid-motorcycle-dashcam.jpg) 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 ![An MMBCU-branded storage divider mounted on an SYM MMBCU scooter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/mmbcu-under-seat-scooter-storage-divider.jpg) The divider prevents the next few items from sliding into the helmet storage space… ## 13\. Cleaning cloth ![Blue cleaning cloth in an under-seat scooter storage area.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/motorcycle-cleaning-cloth.jpg) For the pending rainy season. ## 14\. Antibacterial wipes ![A packet of Taiwanese antibacterial wipes in a scooter’s under-seat storage area.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/taiwanese-antibacterial-wipes.jpg) Because (bird)shit happens. ## 15\. Reusable shopping bag ![A reusable shopping back rolled up in its carry-bag, hanging from a storage hook on the front of a scooter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/reusable-shopping-bag.jpg) For the theoretical day I buy more than just tea. ## 16\. License plate surround ![An MMBCU-branded license plate surround mounted to an SYM MMBCU scooter. The license plate number is blacked out.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/mmbcu-license-plate-surround.jpg) Apparently license plates get bashed around in parking lots, so this offers some protection. ## 17\. Wheel lock ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/motorcycle-d-lock.jpg) 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 ![A rain cover on a scooter in Taiwan.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/scooter-weather-cover.jpg) 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 ![A model wearing Outperform wet weather clothing.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/outperform-raincoat.jpg) 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 ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/sum-mmbcu-user-guide.jpg) 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… ![Mobile phone umbrella affixed to a scooter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/mobile-phone-umbrella.jpg) This mobile phone umbrella. ![A metal mailbox mounted to the front of a Kymco scooter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5e/e3/5ee3f160-68a0-49ef-af6f-ec70abc1d13e/content/images/2023/05/scooter-mailbox.jpg) This front-mounted mailbox. (Although, it would be handy to receive mail on the go…) Photo: Lee Te Yung. --- ## Update: May 2026 In the three years since getting my license and buying a scooter, I’ve enjoyed a bunch of scooter-based (mis)adventures in Taiwan. Here are some scooter-related posts: - [**A crab and a man cross on the green light**](https://www.taiwanquest.com/a-crab-and-a-man-cross-on-the-green-light/) – Something unexpected on my way home from the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. - [**Riding around Kaohsiung**](https://www.taiwanquest.com/riding-around-kaohsiung/) – Video of a lunchtime ride across town. - [**Two days in Taitung**](https://www.taiwanquest.com/two-days-in-taitung/) – Lizards, giant worms, hot air balloons, and paddy fields. - [**Two days on Penghu**](https://www.taiwanquest.com/two-days-on-penghu/) – My first trip to some of Taiwan’s offshore islands. - [**Reflections on huandao**](https://www.taiwanquest.com/reflections-on-huandao/) – My solo circumnavigation of Taiwan by scooter. See also: - [Huandao Day 1](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-kaohsiung-to-kenting/) – Evading the fuzz from Kaohsiung to Kenting. - [Huandao Day 2](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-kenting-to-taitung/) – A slow, wet journey from Kenting to Taitung. - [Huandao Day 3](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-taitung-to-hualien/) – Elections and erections between Taitung and Hualien. - [Huandao Day 4](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-hualien-to-yilan/) – All things spectacular from Hualien to Yilan. - [Huandao Day 5](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-yilan-to-keelung/) – Yilan to Keelung, the north-east corner of Taiwan. - [Huandao Day 6](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-keelung-to-taipei/) – An alien village, a queen, and a lighthouse, between Keelung and Taipei. - [Huandao Day 7](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-taipei-to-hsinchu/) – From Taipei to Hsinchu, the semiconductor capital of Taiwan. - [Huandao Day 8](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-hsinchu-to-taichung/) – An easy ride from Hsinchu to Taichung. - [Huandao Day 9](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-taichung-to-chiayi/) – From Taichung to Chiayi, buildings old and new. - [Huandao Day 10](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-chiayi-to-tainan/) – Getting salty between Chiayi and Tainan. - [Huandao Day 11](https://www.taiwanquest.com/huandao-tainan-to-kaohsiung/) – Completing my circumnavigation of Taiwan by scooter, with a short ride from Tainan to Kaohsiung. - [**Watch out for grandpa!**](https://www.taiwanquest.com/my-first-scooter-accident-in-taiwan/) – My first (extremely minor) scooter accident in Taiwan. - [**Free dinner at the police station**](https://www.taiwanquest.com/free-dinner-at-the-police-station/) – An unexpected bonus while filing a report. - [**Parking like a pro**](https://www.taiwanquest.com/scooter-parking-in-taiwan/) – Video of an underground scooter parking area in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. - [**A scooter ride to Wutai**](https://www.taiwanquest.com/wutai-township-pingtung-taiwan/) – Photos of an indigenous township in the Pingtung mountains. At the end of last 2024, I also got my Taiwan car driver’s license: - [Driving School Diaries, Part I](https://www.taiwanquest.com/enrolling-at-english-driving-school-in-kaohsiung/) – In which a change of New Zealand Government policy forces me to get a car license in Taiwan. - [Driving School Diaries, Part II](https://www.taiwanquest.com/first-day-at-kaohsiung-driving-school/) – In which I master a rudimentary driving simulator, before squeezing into a micro-truck. - [Driving School Diaries, Part III](https://www.taiwanquest.com/taiwanese-driving-school-tips/) – In which I open the window to improve engine performance. - [Driving School Diaries, Part IV](https://www.taiwanquest.com/taiwan-driving-school-experience/) – In which I continue to drive around a track. - [Driving School Diaries, Part V](https://www.taiwanquest.com/how-to-pass-the-taiwan-car-driving-test/) – In which I get my Taiwan car driver’s license. ---