So, you’ve landed in the capital. The air is thick with the smell of bun cha, the sidewalks are overflowing with life, and the streets are a river of moving metal. You are ready to join the flow.
Searching for motorbike rental in Hanoi is easy. Finding a reliable bike that won’t break down halfway up a mountain pass? That is the hard part.
With hundreds of rental shops popping up in the Old Quarter—some offering bikes for as little as $5 a day—it is tempting to grab the cheapest set of keys you can find. But Vietnam’s roads are unforgiving, and the difference between a great trip and a nightmare often comes down to the machine between your legs.
At Rentabike Vietnam, we have been the trusted choice for expats and travelers since 2004. We’ve seen every scam, every breakdown, and every triumph. Here is everything you need to know before you rent a motorbike in Hanoi.
The most common trap for travelers searching for motorbike rental in Hanoi is the “Chinese Copy” scam.
You will see signs advertising a “Honda Win” for cheap. The hard truth? Honda stopped making the “Win” years ago. What you are renting is a Chinese copy with questionable brakes and an engine that vibrates so hard your hands will go numb after an hour.
The Solution: Always rent a Genuine Honda. HOW: Just ask to see a copy of the blue card.
Whether it is a semi-automatic Honda Blade, a manual Honda XR150, or a touring beast like the Honda CB500X, verify that it is a real Japanese machine. At Rentabike Vietnam, our entire fleet is genuine. We don’t do fakes.
Before you sign any paperwork or hand over a deposit, perform this 3-minute safety check. Any reputable Hanoi motorbike rental shop will encourage this. We also insist that you take the bike for a spin before you sign the contract. This allows us to make any tiny tweaks you might like.
Are they bald? You need deep tread for the slick mountain roads of Ha Giang.
Is it sagging? A loose chain can snap and lock your rear wheel.
Test both the front and rear brakes. They should feel firm, not spongy.
Essential for communicating in Vietnamese traffic.
Don’t just sit on it. Ride it around the block. Listen for rattling and feel for wobbles.
Pro Tip: Ask about the maintenance schedule. At Rentabike Vietnam, our fleet is maintained by Western-trained mechanics who follow strict service intervals, not “fix-it-when-it-breaks” local repairs.
Not all bikes are created equal. Your choice should depend entirely on where you plan to go.
If you are just buzzing around West Lake or the Old Quarter, a Honda Airblade or Vision (scooters) is perfect. They are automatic, nimble, and have storage space.
This is steep, winding terrain. While many do it on scooters, a manual bike like the Honda XR150 offers engine braking and better suspension, making it much safer and more fun.
Comfort is king here. You want a bike that can handle 2,000km without breaking your back. The Honda CB500X or Royal Enfield Himalayan are the gold standards for this trip.
Many travelers want to ride from North to South but don’t want to loop back. This is where one-way motorbike rental comes in.
Most small shops can’t offer this. They need their bike back in Hanoi. However, larger agencies like ours allow you to pick up in Hanoi and drop off in Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City.
We also have an extensive library of FREE Route Maps for you to use. If there is anything you can’t find, just ask. We know.
Note: Be wary of “Free Drop-off” offers. Often, this means the bike is of lower quality because the company doesn’t care if it gets thrashed on the way down. We charge a transport fee because we ship our bikes back on professional trucks to ensure they are serviced by our head mechanics before the next customer rides them.
Ready for ultimate freedom? Our one-way rentals let you blaze your own trail across Vietnam — no need to loop back!
✅ Pick up/drop off in Hanoi, Danang, or Ho Chi Minh City
✅ Explore Vietnam at your pace
✅ No backtracking—just pure, open-road freedom
Can you legally ride in Vietnam?
No license needed (but these bikes are too weak for touring). Find out Why we refuse to rent 50cc motorbikes for touring.
You need a valid Vietnamese license or an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country that is ratified under the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Most travel insurance policies will void your coverage if you are riding illegally.
We provide full briefings on the current legal landscape when you pick up your bike, ensuring you know exactly where you stand. Te get you started, this is great content on driving legally in Vietnamdriving legally in Vietnam that ensures you won’t get caught out
Avoid Fuel Anxiety with the Honda CB500X
We aren’t the cheapest shop in Hanoi, and we don’t try to be. We are the shop you come to when you want peace of mind.
The oldest expat-founded rental company in the capital.
From the nimble Honda XR150 to the BMW GS series.
We don’t give you $2 plastic helmets. We offer high-quality, DOT-approved safety gear.
24/7 English-speaking support. If you have a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, we are just a phone call away.
Ready to ride?
Don’t leave your safety to chance. Browse our [Premium Rental Fleet Here] or stop by our Hanoi HQ for a coffee and a chat about your route.
Daily
Total
Rider (CRF 300)
$220
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Rider (XR 150)
Rider (CRF 300)
Rider (CB 500X)
Rider (GS 1250)
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Jeep (1 PAX)
$210
Jeep (2 PAX)
$120
Jeep (3 PAX)
$90
Jeep (4+ PAX)
$80
Rider (Easy Rider)
$115
Rider (Self-Drive)
$105
Private Room
$15
* Our jeep tour prices operate on a sliding scale. The larger your group, the less each person pays—each member of your group will pay the lowest daily rate shown. For example, if you have a group of 4 or more, you will each only pay $80/day. All prices are given in USD.
Engine Type
air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine
Displacement
1255 cc
Bore X Stroke
102.5 mm x 76 mm
Ignition
FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm
Rear Suspension
single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever
Front Brakes
dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers
Rear Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper
Front Tyres
120/70 R19
Rear Tyres
170/60 R17
Wheelbase
1514 mm
Seat Height
850 mm
Ground Clearance
790 mm
Kerb Weight
249 kg
Fuel Capacity
20 litres
Dimensions
2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)
Engine Type
air cooled, OHC, single cylinder
Displacement
149 cc
Bore X Stroke
57.3 mm x 57.8 mm
Ignition
CDI
Fuel System
20 mm piston valve carburettor
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Starter
electric with kick starter backup
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel
Rear Suspension
single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel
Front Brakes
dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc
Rear Brakes
mechanical drum
Front Tyres
90/90 19
Rear Tyres
110/90 17
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)
Engine Type
liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke
Displacement
470 cc
Bore X Stroke
67 mm x 66.8 mm
Ignition
PGMI – FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS
Rear Brakes
240 mm disc; ABS
Front Tyres
110/80R19M/C (59H)
Rear Tyres
160/60R17M/C
Wheelbase
1445 mm
Seat Height
830 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
17.7 litres
Dimensions
2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)
Engine Type
single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled
Displacement
286 cc
Bore X Stroke
76 mm x 63 mm
Ignition
Full Transistor Digital
Fuel System
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
43 mm telescopic upside down
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
Rear Brakes
220 mm disc, single piston caliper
Front Tyres
80/100 21
Rear Tyres
120/80 18
Wheelbase
1455 mm
Seat Height
880 mm
Ground Clearance
285 mm
Kerb Weight
142 kg
Fuel Capacity
7.8 litres
Dimensions
2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)
