Explore the lesser-visited northern shore of Hoa Binh Lake. Take in the massive Hoa Binh dam, ride a few smaller dirt tracks and the famous lakeside road. Cross the river with your motorcycle on the ferry then head right up into the hills of Da Bac and down into the lush Pu Luong Valley. Black River Loop is a chill motorcycle tour with some awesome sights.
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Itinerary
Motorcycles
Inclusions
Addons
Pricing
Day 1: Ha Noi – Da Bac
140 km
5 hours
Hoa Binh dam; lakeside road; ethnic village
We take the longer, more scenic route to get out of Hanoi and get used to the bikes. Following the Red and then Black Rivers before heading into the hills. We can stop to view Hoa Binh Dam and then head onto the northern shore and the winding lake road to our homestay of choice.
Day 2: Da Bac – Pu Luong
70 km
4 hours
boat ride across Hoa Binh Lake; Go Lao waterfall; Pu luong Nature Reserve
We have to get across the Hoa Binh Lake to get to the southern shore and then on our way southwards. We can stop for a swim in the middle of the lake or visit a closeby waterfall. Then, it is southwards down to the Pu Luong Nature reserve where take the inner roads to get to our secluded homestay.
Day 3: Pu Luong – Ha Noi
140 km
5 hours
ATK routes; Pu Luong Nature Reserve
It is an easy ride back to Ha Noi today, so we take a meandering route with a lot of stops. We stay off the main road as much as we can and opt for the ATK routes and the smaller back roads. The final push is a little hectic as we get back to Hanoi so we need to be there before dark and pay attention. We drop you directly at your hotel for your convenience.
Honda Future 125
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Description
The Honda Future is our most powerful semi-automatic motorbike, and makes for a surprisingly capable tourer.
fuel injected: easy to start and good throttle response
storage space beneath the seat
light and easy to maneuver
Specifications
Engine
Engine Type
air cooled, 4 stroke, OHC
Displacement
125 cc
Bore X Stroke
52.4 x 57.9
Ignition
ECU
Fuel System
carburettor / PGM-Fi
Compression Ratio
9.3:1
Transmission
Starter
electric/kick
Gearbox
4 speed semi-auto
Wheels, Suspension and Brakes
Suspension Front
telescopic fork
Suspension Rear
twin suspension
Brakes Front
disc
Brakes Rear
drum
Tyres Front
70/90 R17
Tyres Rear
80/90 R17
Dimensions and Weight
Wheelbase
1258 mm
Seat Height
767 mm
Ground Clearance
135 mm
Kerb Weight
105 kg
Fuel Capacity
5.4 litres
Dimensions
1092 mm (H) x 711 mm (W) x 1962 mm (L)
Honda XR 150
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Description
The Honda XR 150 is the most popular dual sport in Vietnam for a reason: whether you’re riding a highway, a country road or a single track through the jungle, it’s built to handle anything the region has to throw at it.
comfortable seat, even carrying a pillion
huge fuel tank gives the XR fantastic range
very capable off road
Specifications
Engine
Engine Type
air cooled, OHC, single cylinder
Displacement
150 cc
Bore X Stroke
57.3 x 57.8 mm
Ignition
CDI
Fuel System
20mm piston valve carburettor
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Transmission
Starter
electric/kick
Gearbox
5 speed
Wheels, Suspension and Brakes
Suspension Front
telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel
Suspension Rear
single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel
Brakes Front
dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc
Brakes Rear
mechanical drum
Tyres Front
90/90 19
Tyres Rear
110/90 17
Dimensions and Weight
Wheelbase
1362 mm
Seat Height
825 mm
Ground Clearance
243 mm
Kerb Weight
129 kg
Fuel Capacity
12 litres
Dimensions
2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)
Honda CRF 250
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Description
The larger and more powerful brother of the XR 150, the Honda CRF 250 is one of the most popular dual sports on the planet. With excellent suspension and high ground clearance, it’s extremely capable off road.
designed to go off road
plenty of torque, even in 5th gear
front and rear disc brakes
Specifications
Engine
Engine Type
liquid cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke
Displacement
249 cc
Bore X Stroke
79 x 50.9
Ignition
computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
Fuel System
PGM-FI fuel injection
Compression Ratio
13.9:1
Transmission
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5 speed
Wheels, Suspension and Brakes
Suspension Front
49 mm leading-axle inverted, 12.2 inch travel
Suspension Rear
single shock with spring preload, 12.3 inch travel
Brakes Front
single 260 mm disc
Brakes Rear
single 240 mm disc
Tyres Front
80/100 21
Tyres Rear
100/90 19
Dimensions and Weight
Wheelbase
1445 mm
Seat Height
875 mm
Ground Clearance
332 mm
Kerb Weight
145 kg
Fuel Capacity
7.7 litres
Dimensions
2195 mm (L) x 815 mm (W) x 1195 mm (H)
Honda CB 500
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Description
The CB 500X is an adventure touring bike, and represents a massive step up from rental motorcycles traditionally available in Vietnam. It’s got plenty of room for baggage and a pillion, so it’s perfect for those longer adventures.
right at home both on and off road
designed for touring: maximum comfort and capability
huge amount of power
Specifications
Engine
Engine Type
liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke
Displacement
470 cc
Bore X Stroke
67 x 66.8
Ignition
CDI
Fuel System
PGM-FI fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Transmission
Starter
electric/kick
Gearbox
6 speed
Wheels, Suspension and Brakes
Suspension Front
41mm SFF-BP USD forks
Suspension Rear
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre-load
Brakes Front
dual 296mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS
Brakes Rear
240mm disc; ABS
Tyres Front
110/80R19M/C (59H)
Tyres Rear
160/60R17M/C
Dimensions and Weight
Wheelbase
1445 mm
Seat Height
830 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
17.7 litres
Dimensions
2155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1410 mm (H)
Motorcycle
Your motorcycle is 3rd party insured. This is a legal requirement here in Vietnam, and protects you in the event that you injure another road user.
Additionally, we are responsible in the event your motorcycle breaks down or suffers a mechanical failure. However, if you damage your motorcycle by crashing it or through general misuse, you will be responsible for repair costs.
Naturally, you are also responsible for your own travel and medical insurance.
Fuel
All the fuel you need for the duration of the trip is provided.
Food and Drink
Your breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided and will be a mixture of European and Vietnamese food. Soft drinks and water are also provided and guides keep them stocked up at all times.
Breakfast will be in your homestay or hotel and will generally be a mix of fried eggs and bread, noodles, pancakes and sticky rice, accompanied by fruit and coffee.
Lunch will be in roadside restaurants (small eateries offering clean and delicious local food), or we’ll stop for picnics (sandwiches with cold cuts and cheese) when appropriate.
Dinner will be in your hotel or homestay and will usually be a family cooked meal with a range of meat and vegetable dishes with some local specialties (all of which will be washed down with local fire water if requested!)
Vegetarian and vegan options may be limited in the countryside, but we always do our best to cater to our riders’ dietary requirements.
Beer in the evening is not included, but it’s cheap and in plentiful supply.
Western Guide
You will have one Western tour leader who will also act as translator, mechanic and route master. Larger groups will also be accompanied by an English speaking Vietnamese mechanic.
Medical Support
Your guide and support staff are all trained in first aid, and will be carrying first aid equipment.
Visa Invitation
We will arrange your visa invitation letter free of charge.
(Please note, though, that you will need to collect this take this to immigration yourself and pay a stamping fee of about $25 to receive your visa.)
Covid Guarantee
We take it on ourselves to offer a covid guarantee. We offer a full refund/rescheduling of your tour should you be unable to fly due to having covid. All we ask is that you provide us with photo copies of a failed covid test taken less than 3 days prior to your flight departure date.
