After riding around on a scooter for a few weeks all over Thailand I'm looking into the logistics buying a motorbike/scooter..

I've also seriously looked into bicycle touring but feel this would be more my style at this stage of my life.

I'm thinking "scooter" because I prefer to stay off of highways and travel smaller local roads and see the actual places I travel through at a slow speed - not race by as fast as I can go.

I'd prefer to go slow and use up my entire visa per country - or even extend. This trip has no time limit etc.

Plus a scooter is cheaper to buy, fuel and maintain.. it also seems a lot more fun in my mind.. and if I don't like it or get bored; it will be easier to sell or dump and move on with my life..

If I was in the USA I'd probably buy a 49cc Honda Ruckus and do all of North, Central and South America etc.

So I'm thinking of just the basic 125cc Asian scooter like a Honda Click or Zoomer-X.

Not sure if I would do used or buy new.

I'm currently in Thailand but open to going anywhere else in SE Asia to make this happen.

After doing some research.. aside from China(where it seems I can't go to with my own bike) I will need a "valid" Drivers License and an International Drivers Permit.

US Citizen

Drivers license is expired

No motorcycle license

No International Drivers Permit

I believe both the Drivers License and International Drivers Permit need to be issued from the same country?

Can I get these from a country outside of the USA? Meaning can I get a Drivers License and International Drivers Permit from XYZ country here in Asia?

Will I be able to register the bike on a tourist visa?

Will I be able to get insurance?

Crossing borders seems to be a real challenge as well, thoughts on this?

Anyone have advice, thoughts or experience with any of this?

Any feedback is appreciated!