Hi guys I am planning on doing a coastal tour from KL to Ha Noi and I have some questions. The reason we chose KL to start is because we heard that it was the easiest to get a bike registered in your name. Is this true, I have been hearing that Vietnam can be simple too, I just haven't found to much info on it. I have heard that entering Vietnam can be a struggle. Is it do-able or should we think about starting in Ha Noi or HMC? Would we just need proof of registration to cross the necessary boarders, or is there more paperwork that we would need? And my last question for now (im sure ill have more) is what would you guys recommend for bikes? the main three I have heard suggested are the Honda wave, Honda win, and the Minsk.

Your guys input is very helpful seeing as I am a huge newbie when it comes to this stuff. Thanks

I am planning to buy a motorcycle in Vietnam in 3 weeks to tour the country while my motorcycle is been shipped to Thailand.
As far as I know, It is not possible for non resident in this country to register a motorcycle: If you buy a motorcycle there, you have to ask the guy who sell it to you to give a paper saying that "he authorize you to drive his motorcycle".
Fortunately, in Vietnam the insurance is linked to the vehicle and not to the owner.
Furthermore, legally, for driving in Vietnam you must convert your driving licence into a Vietnamese one, which take 7 to 14 day.

I don't know about Malaysia, it might be easier there.

Regarding which motorcycle, it will depend on your budget& driving style.
Honda will be more expensive but less problematic.
Indeed, Minsk are known for breaking down a lot... therefore some mechanic knowledge would be advisable.

I traveled a great deal in Vietnam from 2004 to 2012. I had several Minsk and a Ural without the sidecar. Apparently it is still running around Ha Noi. Unless you are a pretty good mechanic, or speak Vietnamese well, you should stay away from the Minsk. They are bulletproof for the most part and my first Minsk never broke down in two years. I know they have a legendary rep for durability and they are great in the mountains. They don't seem to know when to quit. Having said that, I have the great good and bad fortune to have had three others which had small problems that cost lots of time. I can send photos of several different mechanics working on bikes I rode. They always seemed to break near a place where I could get it fixed but good mechanics are definitely hit and miss and most manly VN men insist on helping anytime the things don't start on the first kick. And this friendly help takes a nasty turn when they begin to take your bike apart when it doesn't start by the third or fourth. I do not have a monopoly on this story by the way. This can also happen on other bikes and whether you rent or buy, try to get something that has an electric start and good battery. You can hardly imagine the attention one can get having even the slightest hiccup near a group of VN men. And I would say I had much better luck in the rural North. In that people seemed VERY helpful and knew when to stop helping. Right around Da Nang going south things seem to change. (Obviously this is just my experience.)
I hope I am not getting off on too much of a tangent but riding in Vietnam for me, was an absolute pleasure almost all of the time. But no exaggeration, a foreigner preparing to kick start a bike just seems to have a weird effect on VN men. I have a horrible story which I would rather not relate, nothing dangerous but definitely annoying. I am finally coming to the point! See if you can get a Honda, maybe the wing, with electric start and not too beaten up. Check the usual things, chain, tires and etc. and you will be happy!
I know nothing about KL, but I have traveled quite a bit in Northern Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and the above mentioned Vietnam. I have crossed to Cambodia and Laos on a Thai bike. I was not allowed to cross into Vietnam. My VN friend who is local out of Ha Noi claims it CAN NOT be done. She works with the government and customs and seems to know what she is talking about but I have heard it possible from sources on this site. Don't know. Good luck and enjoy.
PS If you do decide on the Minsk anyway, just try to get one from a dealer or foreigner who had it for awhile. Give it a shakedown cruise around the place you bought it. NEVER forget to turn off the gas when you go to a gas station. You need to mix the gas and oil. The heavy oil will kill a good part of an hour and maybe two if it goes down without gas. Give it a couple of days before you run out to the hills. I love the Minsk and would travel on one again in a heartbeat. The only thing is that nostalgic fondness sometimes blocks memories of the bad. If you want to see some photos of the insides of the Minsk, hit me up. And...I never had a Vietnamese license. I was never pulled over not do I know of any foreigner who was ever pulled over in Vietnam.
PEACE

So would it make sense to start in ha noi? would we be able to buy bikes there? and leave the country on them?

Hey guys,

So I would really appreciate some more feedback. I am thinking now that starting in Vietnam probably makes the most sense. This trip is pretty last minute but you guys could really help me out a bunch seeing as there are a lot of you who have done this trip or a similar one. looking forward to hearing from you guys. thanks