Deciding whether to rent or buy a motorbike is the first big decision you will face in Vietnam.
In the past, the “buy cheap, sell cheap” mentality was standard for backpackers and expats alike. But in 2025, the landscape has shifted. With stricter traffic laws, police crackdowns on unregistered vehicles, and the rise of professional rental services, the math has changed.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the Financials, Mechanics, Legalities, and Lifestyle factors to help you make the right choice.
To see the bigger picture, note that this post is part of our Vietnam Motorcycle Legal Vault, where you can access our full library of legal advice and rider requirements.
Is buying actually cheaper? We analyze the hidden costs that most riders ignore.
Buying a used bike is a gamble. If you buy a second-hand bike with a cracked engine block or warped piston (common on “backpacker” bikes), you lose your entire investment. When you rent from us, a mechanical failure is our financial burden, not yours.
Motorbikes in Vietnam hold value well if they are genuine Hondas. However, cheap Chinese copy bikes—often sold to travelers as “Hondas”—depreciate by 50-80% the moment you try to resell them. The market is flooded with sellers, meaning you often have to dump the bike for pennies to catch your flight.
Owners pay for everything: oil changes every 1,000km, tires, brakes, and chains. Over a 2,000km trip, these small costs add up to $50-$100. Our rentals include routine servicing in the price, so you never pay extra for normal wear and tear.
Time is money. Buying requires days of scrolling Facebook Marketplace, translating messages, and visiting mechanics. Selling requires meeting flaky buyers who want to haggle. Renting takes 20 minutes. What is your holiday or work time worth?
Why the bike you choose dictates the quality of your adventure.
Many bikes for sale are actually Chinese knock-offs (Lifan/Detech) with soft metal parts. They vibrate heavily, overheat on passes, and parts snap easily. Our fleet consists of genuine Japanese Honda rentals that are built to survive Vietnam’s roads.
When a purchased bike dies in the mountains, you are alone. You must find a local mechanic, negotiate in sign language, and hope they don’t rip you off. Rentabike Vietnam offers a support hotline to translate and manage the repair process for you. We are your virtual support crew.
Private sellers rarely service a bike before selling it; you often inherit bald tires and cooked brakes. We fit high-grade tires with deep tread suitable for muddy mountain roads and ensure brake calipers are serviced before every single rental.
If a rental bike develops a persistent annoyance, you swap it for a fresh one. If a bike you bought has a persistent issue, you are married to that problem until you can convince someone else to buy it.
Navigating the “Blue Card” maze and Vietnamese Traffic Law.
Legally, a foreigner cannot register a bike without a residence card. Buyers usually hold a Blue Card in a stranger’s name. This technically illegal status can lead to immediate impoundment during strict police crackdowns.
Police actively target foreigners on cheap, beaten-up “Win” bikes because they know the paperwork is likely flawed. Riding a clean, late-model rental bike with a valid rental contract and company stamp looks professional and attracts significantly less police attention.
Read More: Police in Vietnam – 4 Useful Tips
Standard travel insurance often excludes motorbikes, and private bikes have zero coverage for crashes. Renting allows you to purchase a Damage Waiver from us, capping your liability if you crash.
Specific considerations for riders doing the North-South or Loop rides.
Travelers often finish their trip in Hanoi or HCMC hours before their flight. This desperation forces them to “panic sell” their bike for a fraction of what they paid. Renters simply drop the keys, shake hands, and catch a taxi to the airport.
We offer One-Way Rentals (e.g., Hanoi to Da Nang). You cannot “buy” a bike in Hanoi and guarantee you can return it to a shop in Da Nang; you have to find a buyer yourself in a city you don’t know.
Our touring bikes come with racks and bungees pre-installed. Buying a bike often means hunting down a welder to attach a rack strong enough to hold your backpack for 2,000km.
Our monthly rates drop significantly for long-term contracts. When you factor in the included maintenance (oil, brakes, tires), the cost gap between buying and renting narrows significantly.
Rent for the first two months. Try a semi-auto, then try a scooter. Find what suits your commute before dropping $2,000 on a purchase. You aren’t locked in.
Expats are often overcharged when buying used bikes from locals or mechanics. Rental prices are fixed, transparent, and listed on our website. You get exactly what you pay for.
While buying a bike offers a sense of ownership, the risks for short-term travelers and the hidden costs for expats often outweigh the benefits. In 2025, the convenience, safety, and support of a professional rental package provide a superior experience.
Don’t let mechanical stress ruin your time in Vietnam. Choose the ride that guarantees you reach your destination.
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)
Daily
Total
Rider (CRF 300)
$200
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.
