Obtaining western size riding gear in Hanoi.

[*Touring Ted*]

I'm starting a 3 month trip around S.E. Asia shortly. I'm mostly backpacking with just hand luggage so not carting around riding gear.

I'm thinking of buying a bike in Vietnam. Something cheap. Maybe ride it back to Thailand and sell it in Bangkok.

Problem is, everyone tells me that you can only buy child size helmets and just forget riding boots.

I want to go into the mountains and off-road trails and don't fancy doing that wearing flip flops with a saucepan on my head.

Any advice ??

Cheers in advance, Ted

[g6snl]

I looked into this last year ( didn't go in the end) Friend of mine used these guys, from what I recall he was happy with bike and gear, but can't remember what he had from them.......must have included a lid - he has a big head!

They appear to have shops in S & N.

Viet's Motorbikes | Sales, Buy, Repair, Custom, Service and Rental in Hanoi and HCM

[mark manley]

I didn't look very hard but everything I could see there was crap, I would at least take your own helmet and leave it at a backpackers when you don't need it.

[*Touring Ted*]

Hmmmm three months backpacking. With hand luggage only.

I really don't want to be dragging a helmet around for the sake of a couple of weeks riding. Hmmmmmm

[mollydog]

Are you going to Vietnam via Thailand ... or is it a direct flight into Vietnam?

Years ago when I was there, we flew from EU to Bangkok, then small Russian Turbo prop to Saigon, then onto Cambodia from there. (this was for work)

After the job was over, I stayed on and sent my sound gear home with crew.

On two occasions I rented bikes in Thailand. Both times helmets were provided for small fee. Yes ... they were open faced crap helmets. But not much else for sale back then. Got to be better now. :confused1:

I'm guessing you'll be able to rent a helmet or buy one cheap and re-sell when you sell off the bike. No size problems for my large head.

Thailand is perhaps more well stocked than Vietnam with bike gear. Chiang-Mai Thailand certainly is (or was back in the 90's).

I had a large waterproof Duffel bag, wore Jeans to ride in ... NO ARMOR. I wore my work shoes (quality mid level hiking boots). Better than flip flops and all day comfortable to walk in. A bit warm.

I hit the ground twice in my thousands of miles around N. Thailand. About knocked myself out on one fall ... cross-rutted at about 40 mph. WHAM! I was lucky ... no serious injury on this deserted mountain dirt track. Such beautiful country, you can get distracted.

If traveling super light then you may have to forego armor and good protective gear and just rely on your skills to get you through in one piece.

Maybe you can cram a Mesh jacket into your pack? They weigh nothing and pack up small save the back, shoulder and elbow pads. Bring a light rain jacket too ... if you've got the space.

You could pack some motocross type knee pads ... they would work with any pants and certainly help in an "off". Gloves are easy to carry.

I know it's a drag to haul stuff around if you're not riding. After your riding portion of the trip ... give it away or sell it!

My guess is once you start riding around and get the hang of it ... you won't be wanting to get back on a bus!

[anonymous1]

Bugger public transport mate, trust me, you'll go nuts within days

Buy a cheap bike in Hanoi, plenty to be had CHEAP and some not so cheap but you are expected to bargain ! Just take the bare essentials with you.

Buying a Motorbike in Vietnam | Motorcycle in Hanoi

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[MikeS]

If you really want to blend in, don't forget the Hello Kitty face mask to go with your kids helmet

[bikerden]

Ted, If you use a local helmet make sure you ride as though you wern't wearing one, they are purely ornamental. We saw one poor guy lying dead in the middle o0f the road after a dispute with a bus. His head was split wide open and his helmet was in a thousand pieces all over the road. Having said that we did about 4000km over 4 weeks with hardly an anxious moment other than one rather too enthusiastic overtake ... LOL

[*Touring Ted*]

S.E Asia is looking like the most difficult continent to travel by bike.... However, my experience is still limited to Thailand.

[g6snl]

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*

S.E Asia is looking like the most difficult continent to travel by bike.

Thats a great reason to travel by bike then


regards Tim sent by tapatalk

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*

S.E Asia is looking like the most difficult continent to travel by bike.... However, my experience is still limited to Thailand.

Ted,
Any plans to put up a ride report? I'm sure we'd all love to hear your thoughts on the current nuts & bolts of travel out there.

[dominatordave]

Not to bad just Vietnam difficult to bring in a bike from one of the other local country's I think that's why 250 bikes are so expensive also I don't think you are suposed to have a bike larger than 200cc the time I rented a 250 honda they gave me paperwork to say it was a125 cc if the police sttoped me ,they never did and had some good fun but spent alot of time repairing it . If you buy a small bike in Vietnam you can go into loas Cambodia and thialand but it is difficult to get into Vietnam with a bike from the others

[farqhuar]

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*

S.E Asia is looking like the most difficult continent to travel by bike.... However, my experience is still limited to Thailand.

Au contraire, S.E.Asia is the easiest part of the world to travel by motorcycle

You just need to throw away your expectations of being able to take motorcycles across borders and instead, rent in each country you visit.

Also respect the fact that the locals ride sans ATGATT for a reason, and you should relax a little for the same reason - namely that local motorists look out for, and accept the fact, that other motorists are not perfect; and instead of abusing them for their lack of compliance with "official regulations", accommodate their individual styles with a smile.

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by farqhuar

Au contraire, S.E.Asia is the easiest part of the world to travel by motorcycle

You just need to throw away your expectations of being able to take motorcycles across borders and instead, rent in each country you visit.

Also respect the fact that the locals ride sans ATGATT for a reason, and you should relax a little for the same reason - namely that local motorists look out for, and accept the fact, that other motorists are not perfect; and instead of abusing them for their lack of compliance with "official regulations", accommodate their individual styles with a smile.

Oh I'm no stranger to "local riding styles"

I just don't like wasting money renting shitty chicken chasers off people who demand retention of your passport and then try and charge you new for old x 500% for scratches etc.

They're fun for about an hour then just frustratingly slow and boring. I rented them in the south.

Nor do I like riding in flip flops and no helmet.

If I want to ride, I will... If I don't, I won't..

Simple


I'm driving a large campervan around south east Europe this year too. For another type of travel experience. I'll no doubt be called a part time biker for that too. Can't wait hahah

[Snakeboy]

Vietnam is the exception here. They dont allow much traffic of motorbikes through their borders, at least into their country. And its also the country where I have been scammed most by far of all the countries in this region. Many unfriendly and not helpful locals as too is my experience. Other people might have other experiences of course.

On the other hand Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are very easy contries to travel in, people are in general helpful, smiling and friendly. Exceptions there are of course. Very little scams also. Cambo have a tad of "Vietnam touch" though, but not to huge extend. You can normally easily bring a bike over the borders between these countries. Only problem seem to be the border between Laos and Cambo (there is only one) where it seems to be a little on and off if they let bikes through.

Traffic can be a little rough but if one have been to eastern Europe not to talk about India, China etc it will feel like a walk in the park to drive in SEAsia.