Traveling by Motorcycle to Thailand and Vietnam

[BIF]

I am currently sitting in my hotel in Hanoi, and looking at doing some motorcycle tours in Thailand and Vietnam as both have some fantastic loops. Thailand seems easy enough to do, and I have all the proper paperwork. Vietnam is a lot tougher due to regulations with the international drivers license, but I have seen people do it, and some of it seems to come down to giving the right people the right amount of money.
Has anyone done these loops and what are the logistics and your opinions.
I know MG has a presence here but I have yet to see one on the road, I think a V85TT would be a great bike to do the tour on if I could find one to rent.

[guzzisteve]

You may find a Chang Jaing 750 , the latest looks like a V85TT and has a sidecar. Guess we know who makes their Chinese parts.

Here's the latest model-----------------------------

https://www.rideapart.com/news/687891/changjiang-v750-defender-sidecar-design/

[Tkelly]

Thailand might be alittle scary with a war going on.

[MikeP996]

I still have a fond memory of my first ever ride on a motorcycle which took place at Phouc Vinh, Vietnam!  I was a young tourist back then on a free, all expenses paid tour.  Saw lots of beautiful country that would be great riding today.  Hope you're able to do it!!!

[nwguy]

I have a friend who goes with a group every year to Vietnam to ride motorcycles for a week or so. One friend from the States who's at least part Vietnamese serves as their guide. They rent small displacement bikes that are usually in poor condition. Numerous patches or plugs on each tire, etc. They usually ride mountainous areas and tour/stay in small villages. Lots of fun they say. Good food. Bikes usually have trouble at some point though. Rain and mud seem to be a recurring thing.

[MikeP996]

"Rain and mud seem to be a recurring thing."

 From around mid April to mid Sep as I recall...It is, indeed!!!

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I've yet to visit either, but as you may well know MANY motorcycles are built for global export in Thailand, as well as for the obvious domestic market. If it's of interest to you, I'd see if Honda, Ducati, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, etc have anything worth seeing at their factories even if they don't offer tours of the facility. I know that Thai Honda at least have a small museum at one of their factories. Beyond that I'd recommend checking out a "Cub House". They are the lifestyle oriented motorcycle dealers for Honda, similar to some Harley-Davidson dealerships in the US, but for the small bore bikes that the world, and Thailand, run on.

[Dukedesmo]

Quote from: BIF on Today at 08:57:19 AM

Thailand seems easy enough to do, and I have all the proper paperwork. Vietnam is a lot tougher due to regulations with the international drivers license

___________________ ___________________ ___

Can't speak for Vietnam but my Son went 'travelling' 3 years ago. He spent the first 2 years in Thailand where, AFAIK he used his UK licence and is now in Bali, Indonesia.

He bought a bike whilst there -  as for licensing, he paid the equivalent of $100 at the local Police station which got him a local licence (for whatever vehicle he wanted) with no requirement for any test or proof of a foreign licence.

Now this was Indonesia but I doubt that Vietnam is so much different that money can't buy you the requisite documents...   

[antmanbee]

In Thailand a mid or big bike might be of some use. The roads and infrastructure are ok.
In Vietnam not so much. A small bike is all you need.
I'm in the Philippines now and a small bike is all you need here too. There is no place to safely go fast. You don't need to carry much gear over here as it is warm and there is always an inexpensive hotel to stay at.

[Dukedesmo]

Quote from: antmanbee on Today at 09:59:02 AM

In Thailand a mid or big bike might be of some use. The roads and infrastructure are ok.
In Vietnam not so much. A small bike is all you need.
I'm in the Philippines now and a small bike is all you need here too. There is no place to safely go fast. You don't need to carry much gear over here as it is warm and there is always an inexpensive hotel to stay at.

___________________ ________

Agreed, my Son has a Honda Verza 150 which he reckons is all you need in Bali, the roads not being that great, distances small and loads of Dogs sleeping on the streets.

Also, cheap to run & easy to maintain (made locally I believe) whilst being somewhat 'better' due to bigger wheels, handling etc. than the scooters that most use.

Previously when he was in Thailand he had a scooter, bought it because it was cheap (probably because it was Pink!) but went for the bike once he moved to Bali.

[BIF]

You may find a Chang Jaing 750 , the latest looks like a V85TT and has a sidecar. Guess we know who makes their Chinese parts.

Here's the latest model-----------------------------

https://www.rideapart.com/news/687891/changjiang-v750-defender-sidecar-design/

I will give it a look, but I haven't had great luck with the Chinese motorcycles. Sidecars are a "No" for me. They look cool, but I can't stand the weird handling characteristics.

[guzzisteve]

I will give it a look, but I haven't had great luck with the Chinese motorcycles. Sidecars are a "No" for me. They look cool, but I can't stand the weird handling characteristics.

They drive like a car, point handlebar & it goes that way. No counter steering unless sidecar wheel is in air.

[BIF]

Thailand might be alittle scary with a war going on.

No worries, The Mae Hong Son Loop is in Northern Thailand and well away from the Cambodian Border. I spent the month of November in Bangkok, Rayong, Chiang Rai and Udon Thani. My biggest danger were too friendly bar girls, but that is another story. I do hope they get this settled quickly.

[BIF]

I've yet to visit either, but as you may well know MANY motorcycles are built for global export in Thailand, as well as for the obvious domestic market. If it's of interest to you, I'd see if Honda, Ducati, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, etc have anything worth seeing at their factories even if they don't offer tours of the facility. I know that Thai Honda at least have a small museum at one of their factories. Beyond that I'd recommend checking out a "Cub House". They are the lifestyle oriented motorcycle dealers for Honda, similar to some Harley-Davidson dealerships in the US, but for the small bore bikes that the world, and Thailand, run on.

That is a good idea and I hadn't thought about that. While I have been past the HD factory I have never stopped by to see what is available. What I may do is see if one of them has what the car dealers call European delivery. You pick up your American spec vehicle at the factory and drive it around a while in the manufacturing country and then ship it back. I will let you know what I find.

[BIF]

In Thailand a mid or big bike might be of some use. The roads and infrastructure are ok.
In Vietnam not so much. A small bike is all you need.
I'm in the Philippines now and a small bike is all you need here too. There is no place to safely go fast. You don't need to carry much gear over here as it is warm and there is always an inexpensive hotel to stay at.

Sorry No, OK if you were only in Hanoi or Saigon but the loops go up into the mountains and you need some torque. which is why I think the V85 would work well. While the 125-200cc scooters own the cities, the popular bikes here for the mountains are between 400 to 600cc with the Honda CB 500 being the most popular and Triumph scramblers being popular. Also you need gear here, It doesn't happen often but Sapa gets snow in the winter, given the location of Vietnam this should give you an idea of the elevation changes, and the need for a bigger bike.