NEW MANUAL BIKES FROM 2014
As of March 2014, the Vietnamese government introduced important changes that made it possible for more people to own and ride motorcycles larger than 175cc. At the same time, obtaining a driving license for large-displacement motorcycles became much easier. Previously, the A2 motorcycle license was mainly restricted to government authorities, professional riders, and motorcycle clubs. Under the new regulations, however, ordinary riders could obtain an A2 license by completing the required theory and practical riding tests. This change opened up new opportunities for both local riders and the growing motorcycle community in Vietnam.
Several major motorcycle manufacturers and industry representatives have also been discussing ways to reduce the high costs associated with large motorcycles in Vietnam. These costs include import taxes, luxury taxes, and motorcycle registration fees, all of which can make larger bikes considerably more expensive than in many other countries. If these costs are reduced, larger motorcycles will become more accessible to Vietnamese riders, and the motorcycle market will have even more choices. For adventure riders, this is also an exciting development because it creates more possibilities for long-distance touring and off-road motorcycle adventures in Vietnam.
For us, this was also the right time to upgrade our fleet with new-generation manual motorcycles. Vietnam Offroad was pleased to introduce several new 2013/2014 motorcycle models, including the Honda XR125L, Honda XR150L, and Honda CGL125. These motorcycles offered improved reliability, practicality, and performance for our Vietnam motorbike tours, while giving riders better choices for different types of roads and terrain. The XR models were particularly well suited to dirt roads, mountain trails, and off-road riding, while the CGL125 was a practical option for sport-touring and longer road journeys.
With the arrival of these newer motorcycles, we also began discontinuing some of our older models, including the Honda GL Pro 160cc sport-touring motorcycle and Honda XL 125cc dirt bike. At that time, many motorcycle shops in Hanoi were still using older-generation models, but we have always believed that our riders deserve the best motorcycles available for touring in Vietnam. Whenever a newer and more suitable model becomes available, we carefully evaluate it and upgrade when it makes sense. Our goal has always been to provide reliable motorcycles for Vietnam adventure tours, whether you are riding paved mountain roads, remote countryside tracks, or challenging off-road trails.
Manual Honda XR150L New Dirt Bikes (from 2016 to now)
Manual Bikes Honda XR125L Off-road (from 2014 to 2017)
Manual Bikes Honda CGL125 Road Touring (from 2014 to 2020)
It was a major change for the Vietnamese motorcycle market after many years of limited choices for larger motorcycles. Major motorcycle manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Kawasaki, KTM, and Harley-Davidson were expected to introduce more large-displacement motorcycles in Vietnam during and after 2014. At that time, Yamaha and Suzuki were already assembling 150cc manual motorcycles locally, although larger-displacement models were still limited. The changing regulations and growing interest in bigger motorcycles opened the door to a much wider range of bikes for Vietnamese riders and motorcycle travelers. For Vietnam motorcycle tours, this development was especially exciting because better and more capable motorcycles could eventually become available for long-distance touring and challenging mountain roads. Stay tuned as we continue to follow the latest developments in the Vietnamese motorcycle market.
Upcoming Fleet
If conditions continue to develop in the right direction, we plan to upgrade more of our fleet toward 150cc dirt bikes, including models such as the Honda CRF150L. With more advanced fuel-injection technology, larger wheels, and a modern off-road design, a bike in this class can offer improved performance on high mountain roads, dirt tracks, and remote trails in Vietnam. The combination of manageable weight and increased engine performance makes a 150cc dual-sport motorcycle particularly attractive for riders who want to explore challenging terrain without moving to a much heavier 250cc machine.
For taller riders and those looking for more power, the Honda CRF250L became another important addition to our fleet from 2017. With its larger engine, full-size chassis, modern suspension, and dual-sport capabilities, the CRF250L is well suited to demanding Vietnam off-road motorbike tours. It provides the extra power and physical size that taller or more experienced riders may prefer, while remaining versatile enough for both paved roads and rugged trails. As our fleet continues to evolve, we focus on selecting motorcycles that are reliable, capable, and suitable for Vietnam’s diverse roads and terrain.
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