Route and bike advice for SE Asia Jan-May2012
 

I would like to motorcycle through most of SE Asia from January to May 2012. Does anyone have any good advice on a route? From what I've read it looks impossible to get in, but fairly easy to get out of Vietnam with a bike. So my current plan is to buy something cheap but reliable there and drive it as far as I can through Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and hopefully into Thailand and on from there. Does anyone know if you can get all the way through SE Asia with a bike from Vietnam, and what registration/other documentation is needed?

Any suggestions on a good all around bike for SE Asia?

Also if anyone is going to be in the area and wants to hook up for part of the trip, let me know.

Thanks,
Ryan

Ryan,
I will attend the HU meeting in Chiang Mai and then try to figure out the same. I would agree that it is easier from Vietnam although your selection of bikes will be limited. I am most interested in touring Laos. I might be limited to Thailand and Laos especially if I rent. I would be open to buying a bike if it was fully registered with license and green card.

Laos border guards put a sticker on your bike with a deposit ($20-$60 can't remember the exact amount) to be picked up when you leave, good luck in getting it back ;)
If you are happy to plod along on a 150cc most of S/E Asia is a doddle just sell and re-buy if a border becomes difficult. Viet-Nam and Thai entry with a foreign bike are your main obstacles. At the moment starting in Nam, with a multi-entry Visa gets you access to Laos and Cambodia, do that and work it out from there. Avoid the main highway north/south along the coast in Viet-Nam, it has been the first and last overseas bike ride for many a tourist.
Laos is a little known treasure, with some stunning rides, a bigger bike will struggle to get to some small Islands on the Mekong so small works here.
Honda dealers everywhere through Asia
Have a good one :)