Buying in Vietnam and riding down to Singapore???
 

Hi,

Im after any information for the second part of my south asia scurmish.
I rode around India and Nepal on an Enfield for 2.5months and couldnt find a way into China (no surprises) so i flogged it. I did love every second of the trip though and im hooked. Im now looking to head south through:

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma (if poss.) and Malaysia.

I have searched previous posts but information is a bit dated and random so here goes:

does anyone know if i can buy a bike in Vietnam and ride south on it, are the border crossings OK for all countries? Where are the problems and does anyone have any alternative/easier ideas :confused1:. Im trying to do it cheap, i dont have $1000's to pay for guides ect. If anyone has done this trip before ide love to hear from you. Im dying for any info please.

Thanks a bunch guys. Charlie

If you want to go cheap get yourself a Honda Dream Step Through (they usually have something like 100cc). Most borders nobody will care about a little bike like this and since it's the universal multi purpose motorbike in SE-Asia you'll get it fixed almost everywhere.

I have met at least one couple in Thailand on a Vietnam reg'd bike, so it is possible.

You should be OK entering Malaysia. Just pretend your bike isn't there when you pass through Malaysian customs. Do, however, get insurance for it at the border. Worked for us in Padang Besar, might not work at the big crossing in Sadao.

Burma is out, this is a FAQ.

You need a carnet to enter Singapore. It's not worth the hassle. If you want/need to enter Singapore, leave your bike in Malaysia and take the bus.

Brilliant advise, you both definatly seem to get my wavelength....(as long as im travelling through on a motorbike that hasnt cost the earth, im happy) 'Honda dream step through' it is, sounds like something similar to what im bumping around China on now and im pretty content. Guess ill leave the bike in Thailand for my Burma excursion.

But, how do i pretend i dont have a bike on the Malaysia border??? Even though it looks tiny i dont think i can pop the Honda into a pocket...are you suggesting a friendly truck drivers help :cool4:?

Thanks again fellas

Crossed from Thailand to Malaysia in January 2008, on the big highway (Bukit Kayu Hitam maybe was the name of the place?) on a bike registered in Finland... and all they cared about was our passports. No-one checked anything on the bike. But because we had the carnet, we wanted to get it stamped, so walked to one of the offices, finally found the customs people, and they gave the proper stamps - again without even coming outside to look at the bike!

So yes, it appeared Malaysia would be do-able without carnet. Of course I cannot guarantee, that this will still be the same. Officially it is a carnet-country (something one should remember, if planning to export the vehicle from Malaysia, cos thats when they are likely to go through all its papers). Our bike exited Malaysia on an onion boat from Penang to Sumatra, and the shipping company demanded the carnet, but I believe it was because Indonesia requires it without exceptions.

edit. agreed with the others - will be nearly impossible to get your bike inside Burma, and even if you somehow managed to do that, crossing the entire country from India to Thailand, or v.v, would be yet another story.

Yep, agree with Pecha, we just joined the queue, but had to get out of the queue when it was our turn, because we had passports to process. (The locals have passes, so just show them and ride on.) So, fill in arrival card, get passports processed, jump back on the bikes and go. However, I repeat, you should get insurance at the border. If the cops check anything it will be that, plus if you ever have an accident...

We did fly our bikes out of Malaysia the second time without carnet stamps. (Customs at the Singapore border was closed.) The customs people just had a quick chat, shook their heads and said it's ok. But yes, if going to Indo you should have the carnet properly stamped beforehand.

In my experience (Laos, Cambodia and Thailand a couple of years ago) a little scooter is seen as something like a bycicle and most of them don't even have licence plates.

Just join the pedestrian queue, get processes like everybody else, then just push your bike over the border without making any fuss about it, the locals to it just like that.

Malaysia seems like a much better organised country, so they might check into this, although I think it's unlikely.

The bike I have in mind looks something like this:
http://earthwormenvy.files.wordpress...onda-dream.JPG

There's about a zillian different makes and models around, the original Honda should be the most reliable though. The locals in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia use these things to ride almost anywhere including pistes and tracks that some would consider serious offroad.

Imho it's actually a sound choice for SE-Asia. A bed for the night is cheap almost anywhere so no need for heavy, bulky camping gear (certainly not more than a hammock), the weather is warm so no big winter clothes, super comfy even on bumby roads and goes up to about 90kph if well maintained.

:scooter:

^ those scooters (or "chicken chasers"!!) are actually a great way to get moving in SE Asia! Cheap, reliable, surprisingly capable, can easily be lifted into any small boat, or over obstacles, and can be fixed almost anywhere. Even if it is stolen or destroyed, you only lose a few hundred euros.

I´ve got a few friends who live near Bangkok, and I´ve been on tours with them in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos on 115cc Yamaha Nouvos... it´s a friggin hilarious sight, when you´ve got 5-10 big hairy falangs riding these little mopeds!! But it also means a warm reception by the locals and even authorities everywhere, which is nice.

Havent had time to join their trips lately, and most now have newer 135cc Nouvo-versions.

1-up and with light luggage, these things can do at least 90% of what big bikes can do. Worth remembering that locals ride them year round, even in the rainy season, when rural roads may be full of mud.
I´m actually planning to go back to Indonesia some time, and I´m pretty sure this type of ´bike´ will be my choice.

Vietnanese bikes
 

I have just back from SE Asia and met several people on Vietnamese registered bikes in Laos and Thailand, there seems to be no problem doing this on Vietnamese bikes, just the other way around. If you were prepared to put up with an Enfield you might like to try a Minsk, there were usually 1 or 2 for sale in Hanoi backpackers hostel, if not Honda wave 125s were everywhere in Asia, fast enough, reliable but I found the seat uncomfortable after about 100 km.
Mark

Hi,

It might be a little late for that by now,but just for the future:

I bought an old minsk in Hanoi and by now I'm in Vientianne and hopefully by tomorrow in Thailand. But if you're on a budget and not a hobby mechanic I would agree with the others to take a scooter, though I would take a Honda Wave. Better Suspension, better performance (120 kph) and seen more often (personal feeling). Parts and repairing are dirt cheap in Vietnam, more expensive (though still nothing) in Cambodia and Laos. You couldalsothink about a Honda Win if you crave something more motorbike-ish, though supposedly the parts are getting a little rare,thoug noting too serious.

Borders are no issue at all so far even though thepapersof the bike are more than dodgy, not my name and from 94.Still, intocamodia they just ignored itcompletyand waved me through on my oily monsterand into Laos they "charged"me 5 Dollars more than the fee actually is.

What I would recommendthough is to getmore seat padding on your scooter. It looks like shit and the vietnamese don't getwhy you do that, but they are very uncomfy after more than 3 hours.

And buy an original Honda,no Hoinda Hongda or Japan.

Vietnam is awesome to ride,especiallycause the HCM Highway is in an amazing quality and runs through awesome scenery in the north.


Gonna give you an update on the Thai-Border soon.

Been there end of 2009.

I bought a bike in Vietnam and rode it in Laos. No problem.
You can buy a new Honda 100 for around 600USD, the older model, not the one on buebos post.

If I can suggest something it is enter Laos coming from Dien Bien Phu. Small border in a mountain pass (Tay Trang Border), middle in the jungle. Exit Vietnam 15min, enter Laos 15min. All with Vietnam registered bikes. 15$/bike.

The road is awesome, with several river crossings and small branch-made and hanging bridges. After 100kms middle of nowhere you arrive to Muang Khua. From there you could head to northern Thailand or to the center of Laos riding or putting your motorbike in a boat down to Luang Prabang (8h).

You could start in Hanoi, then NW to Sa Pa, to Dien Bien Phu, to Muang Khua etc.

That's what we did.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2095857_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._6656628_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5056639_n.jpg

...
 

OK, here's the update:

Thai Border is a breeze. I showed up with my laotian import papers totally destroyed by rain and still went out and into Thailand without any hassle at all.

And if you can, though I doubt that, you can try to get a document stating that you bought the bike of XY with a copy of his passport. Of course only if the guy is the one with his name in the papers, than it would even be completly official to enter thailand. As far as I was told by expats here the same goes for Malaysia, but then you'll need a carnet de passage cause Indonesia would be the end, doesn't matter though as you do't wanna o further.

Last month my partner and i hired a bike in Hanoi. Read about it here... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...eam-real-49945 :D

Timae, can you tell me what Thai border you went through? Everyone tells me its impossible to bring a motorbike (Honda wave in this case) back into Thailand, but I don't believe it. I have the little laminated card and copy of the contract from when I bought the bike in Saigon but am hoping I wont even need to show this to anyone. When I crossed from Ha Tien at the Xa Xia border nobody cared about the bike (although I did park it before the border, get the stamp, go back and get the bike and walk it through) and when I got to the Cambodian side the guards even helped me park it in the right spot while I waited the two minutes for the entry stamp. I am in Siem Reap now and would like to get to Bangkok via the Poipet crossing. Is this where you went through?

Thanks!

Right, sorry for delay my GF just cam back from 8 month tour of Aisa,
she did the Ho che tour on the back of a bike $75 per day!
she told me she met a few ppl en route who all had brought a minsk
bike and it would appear there reliability is doubtful.

The tour guide even told her my GF the ppl sell the bikes to the ppl & they know the bikes will break down.

I would suggest get a honda or simler but stay away from the minsk

I entered Thailand from Laos. But I took the big Vientiane Nong Khai Border, so I think there shouldn't be any difference down in Cambodia. If there is, Nong Khai works, should only be a 8 day drive or so ;)

And Selous: 75$ a day?! WTF, she got soo ripped of. You can get the Easy Riders in Dalat down to way less than that for a whole North South Tour. As to the Minsk, of course they"re unreliable, that's why we love them!

Buying in Vietnam...
 

What paperwork is involved in buying in Vietnam?

Is an address reqd?

Does having/not having the correct paperwork affect selling the bike at the end of the trip? I'm thinking price/time.

Cheers

Adam

Hate to be disagreeable....BUT,
 

UNLESS you are only going to spend your time in capital ciries, a small 100-150cc is a BIG mistake. The ideal bike size is a 250 -400cc, here is hwy...

a) You can double-up (and even if ur travelling alone you're going to want to at times... especially if ur a guy ;) ) and allow for luggage and still hit good touring speeds.

b) If you get a DRZ 400, KLX or XR you have a bike light enough to tackle hill climbs, river crossing, jungle trails etc... tha a big BMW tourer or a 650 can't handle.

c) MOST parts are interchangeable and accessible

d) It's still a big enough bike to attract alot of interest and cultural interaction when you get into the countryside, take a couple of rice farmers or kids for a spin and see if you will be allowed to leave before you've attended half a dozens weddings, birthday paries etc... :D

e) Not ideal but still a small enough bike to commute the big cities on.

I prefer the 400cc range (XR, DRZ as the ideal size).

ALSO, as a jump off point Cambodia is the ideal. because:

1) Business Visa on entry (just write businessman and tick the Business Visa Box when you arrive) means registering a bike legally in your name with photo ID costs you $26, and you just use a guest house receptionist to do the footwork for you... NO HASSLES whatsoever. You can then enter Thailand, Laos and Vietnam with a legal bike with photo ID.

2) Bikes are about 30% cheaper than Thailand, Thailand has 100% tax, Cams has standard $500 for over 250 cc, $250 for 250cc so they imported more cheaply), Vietnam simply has hardly any bikes available so your up for $2500 for a 20 year old Baja or DR 250.

3) There are a plethora of DRZ, XR 400-650s, KLX XR DR 250s, WR/CRF450, TransAlp400s for sale because its almost all an expat market...

Most bikes are sold via notices but you can try Jobs and Classified Ads in Cambodia - Bong Thom Dot Com for bikes or Khmer440 forum to confirm how bloody easy and cheap it is to get legal!!!

An old post, I know, but my question fits here best. I'm about to cross to Malaysia in Padang Besar on an old Belarusian Minsk I drove down from Hanoi. Where do I get insurance exactly, is it on the Thai (maybe even possible in Het Yai?) or Malaysian side?
I will try to sell the bike in Malaysia, most probably in KL to someone who'd be crazy enough taking care of the old lady. Any tips on that? I plan to follow beddhist's suggestion as for crossing the border.

I have written guides for Satun, Dannok and Betong but never this border despite having travelled through it many times ( usually coming in )

Insurance isn't sold at the border or within the complex.

1. Ask the Thai motorbike taxis on the way into the complex, and maybe look in the Thai Padang Bezar town - look for someone advertising "Kurnia" "Insurans Generalli".

2. I had an old Kurnia cover note from Satun, maybe a year old - and the address of the main agent was in Padang Bezar, but it was a Malaysian address.

Wisut LongKao, Padang CT SDN BHD
No. 83, Main Road, 02100 Padang Bezar, Perlis 04 94 92316

You may have to ride through and search out in Malaysia, then return to the JPJ to get a ICP, which is just before the 'bend' where Malay customs sit.

You may want to call in to the JPJ there and see where to buy insurance, but by then its too late ..

Please report back if you are successful, but to avoid the headache I would ride through Sadao. Padang is a good border to enter into Thailand, because they are so "easy-going".

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I spoke to another guy the other day who got stopped at a JPJ roadblock on the way to Penang. The guys threatened to take his bike and he would have to go to the compound and pay 600 ringgit ( 6000 THB / 120 quid ) to release it. Just be aware of the consequences of riding without a ICP in Malaysia.

How much do you expect to get for the Minsk ? I might be interested, I'm in Hat Yai.

Thank you recom. I'm just not sure if it will be easier to sell it with or without an ICP. In Thailand there is a 10'000 Baht fine if you leave Thailand without the bike (with the temporary import papers). What's the deal with the Malaysian ICP / JPJ?

I just arrived in Hat Yai as well! I'd be happy to show you the Minsk and have a drink if you're free some time? Send me a PM

Quick update here: I made it over the border Thailand-Malaysia in Padang Besar with the Vietnamese bike. It was time consuming but easier than expected. Wrap-up:

I found an insurance office on the Thai side in Padang Besar, however they were only selling Thai insurances. After some misunderstanding they called an other office that should be able to issue Malaysian insurances but they were closed that day (Wednesday, huh?). As a result I decided to cross the border without insurance and without JPJ/ICP if possible. The Malaysian immigration was a huge pleasure: whereas at the Thai side you need to fill out a departure card and stand in line, on the Malaysian side you can actually stay on your bike passing your passport through the window. It goes so quick you don't need to turn off your engine. Wow! Thereafter you proceed in a dedicated lane. A group of officers stopped and told me: "Please continue and read the sign that's coming up." I figured that was about the JPJ I didn't want to bother, so I just continued and passed without looking back.

In Malaysia I was looking for an insurance company. I knew it'd be tricky: Belarusian bike, Vietnamese registration, Vietnamese motorcycle license not in my name (blue card), but (Vietnamese) ownership document (that got me into Thailand). First insurance office explained they can't do it and they didn't think it would be possible at all. Second one–after some sweet talk–did issue an insurance (collected/copied: blue card/license, ownership document, IDP). Cost for one month, 125cc, brand: "other", incl. plate sticker for front: 44 MYR.

I decided to head back with the forms to JPJ and look at that: they were skeptical at first, asked for the original licenses, but they delivered the ICP. About 10 minutes time, free of charge. Really happy!

This was the insurance office that helped: KURNIA Wakil Insurans, Fang Chee Foong (left side main road 200m after the roundabout). https://goo.gl/maps/fnXyPtxQdC62
Sure enough, when I continued on 79 down South after 15 minutes or so a checkpoint stopped every vehicle. Young officer only asked where I'm heading to.

Thanks again recom for your support!

Yeah! Nice one - Thanks for doing the leg work on finding the insurance office. - I will do another report for that border.

It's one of the most inconvenient / ass-about-face border systems, getting through the border then buying insurance, then returning to the border to sort out the ICP paperwork.

Im looking for an agent on the Thai side / Hat Yai, that I can go and do the paperwork the night before. It's all too time consuming on the day.

Happy trails mate and nice to meet and hear your story .. If we can talk about the Minsk another day - I'm still very interested.

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I know that checkpoint further down, it was a JPJ stop ? did they check you papers, I thought it was police. To be honest, in the past I have ridden up with in the cover of a pickup, ridden around out of site and avoided stopping.

There are a lot of concern in that area about the movement of 'extremists' across the borders, so there are lots of checkpoints.

And, yes, isn't it great ! .. not even having to get off your bike, just throwing the passport through the window and getting a stamp. Its even quicker some days - getting off and walking to the foot traffic window. If only other nations would take on this system.