Should You Rent or Buy a Motorbike?

Vietnam Motorcycle Rentals: Honda Master 125 - keyhole

Table of Contents

Covid Update 2022

Currently, we are still in the midst of the pandemic and there is very little inflow of tourists or expats into the country. In fact, tourism is still as dead as a Dodo. Only a few expats are willing and able to enter the country as well, If you add in the fact that the whole economy here in Vietnam has generally been weakened, then you’ll understand that the bike market is not what it once was. 

This definitely sheds and new light on the question of whether to buy or rent a motorbike.. This is because you can either buy a very reasonably priced bike from a dealer (however, be sure that it hasn’t been sitting for an extended period of time as this is not good for any bike) or you can pick up a cheap bike from someone who is desperate to leave the country. You may even get a bike for free on the promise to sell it for someone who has to leave it behind. What could be better than a free bike? 

All I would say is do not bargain too hard and be understanding that the seller is probaly already taking a loss. Karma is a bitch 🙂 

Should You rent or Buy a Motorbike?

Whether to rent or buy a motorbike is a choice most expats have to make. If you plan to remain in Vietnam for a year or more, you might be tempted to purchase, rather than rent a motorbike. The motorbikes most commonly seen on Vietnam’s streets generally cost from $1,000-$3,000 new. Premium brands such as Piaggio fall at the higher end of that spectrum, as do the larger, more powerful machines capable of doing double duty as touring bikes.

Vietnam Motorcycle Rentals: Honda Lead - back right angle

Benefits of Buying

Over the course of a two-year teaching contract, you might well save a little money by renting vs buying. This is especially true if you can resell your motorbike for a decent price when you’re leaving Vietnam. Under what circumstances, then, should you consider renting a motorbike?

Frankly speaking, $1,000-$3,000 is a large expenditure for a frightened new expat unsure of how well she or he might like Vietnam. Renting does not require the same financial commitment.

Some might consider shopping for a used motorbike instead. Keep in mind that there is no way to evaluate the seller. Expats often try to sell their bikes after they’ve had an accident or after struggling with nagging maintenance issues. Locals frequently post motorbikes for sale at prices far greater than their real value. Buyer beware.

If you buy a motorbike in Vietnam, you will have little recourse if the motorbike falls short of your needs and expectations. If you end up with a lemon, you will be stuck with it. The same is true if you discover the bike has less power than you require or is missing features that you wish you had.

a pretty river in North Vietnam

Do You Really Save Money?

Well, yes and no.

If you buy a piece of trash, cheap old bike that has been thrashed, then probably, no. This kind of bike will most likely need repairs very soon. This could end up costing you the value of the bike and more. Especially, if it is a NUOVO. Then, you have the potential loss of earnings when you break down on the way to work. Let’s not mention the hassle and stress! When it comes to selling the bike, you will either lose money on it or be forced to sell it to an unsuspecting fool. Tough choice.

If you buy a decent bike that is fairly new, let’s say 3 to 4 years old, then it is likely to be reliable. Of course, you need to be cautious when buying ‘Caveat Emptor’, but you have a better chance of finding something decent. You will then most likely have trouble-free motoring, that is, as long as you keep the bike serviced and this isn’t hard to do. And, when you come to sell you will see that the price depreciation of bikes here in Vietnam is surprisingly little. This is particularly true of Hondas, which really hold their value.

Benefits of Renting

When you rent a motorbike, you have recourse. If there is a problem with the bike, you can have it repaired or changed out. You can upgrade or downgrade models as you wish. Any decent, serious motorbike rental shop will accommodate your wishes and requests. And if they don’t, you can simply terminate your contract and take your business to a new shop.

Why rush into a purchase? With most motorbike rental shops charging around $45 per month for an entry-level motorbike, take a few months to get used to driving in Vietnam. Go for weekend trip out to the countryside to see if touring is something you’ll want to be able to do. Carry a passenger or two. Switch between bikes to get a feel for what suits you. The best way to evaluate the features you will need from a motorbike is to live with one for a month or two. Check out our selection of bikes to get an idea of what’s on offer.

inventive vandalism prevention sticker on the side of a car

Is It Really Less Hassle?

Again, yes, and no. Like anything, you get what you pay for.

If you rent from a low-quality firm that tries to be competitive by offering the cheapest rental possible, then it is likely you will have problems. The bikes in these places are often very low quality, badly serviced and maintained, and the customer care level is very low. We often have people switching to us after having ‘3 different bikes break down’ or being ‘fed up with driving a death trap’.

If you rent from a decent reliable firm that offers good customer service (see RentABike’s reviews), you really will have less hassle. The bike that you rent will be in good condition. There will be no paperwork issues. It will be serviced regularly. You will have the backup support if you have a mechanical issue, problems with the police, theft, an accident, need directions, etc. Overall, it makes it a very easy option.

Does Rentabike Sell bikes?

Yes, we do. 

This is not something that we consider to be a main part of our business so we don’t really shout about it. However, if you are looking for a decent used bike, we can often help out. 

Our bikes are regularly maintained and we check them very carefully before selling. You may find something slightly cheaper at the bike market or in a private sale, but you won’t have any come back should it turn out to be a piece of trash. That is not how we roll. We don’t want to see you again after you have bought one of our bikes and, therefore, we do our best to make sure you will have 6 months to 1 year’s hassle free driving. 

We also do not pretend to offer crazy 3 year warranties on engines, which are unlikely to be honoured. 

We will sell you a decent bike at a decent price, that will run well for a long time. If you service it regularly, you shouldn’t have any major issues over the next 5 to 10 years. (We have customers on bikes that we sold them, this long ago 🙂 

BMW 1250 GS

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)

Honda XR 150 motorcycle rental

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)

Honda CB 500X motorcycle rental

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)

Honda CRF 300 motorcycle rental

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

256 mm disc, 2 piston caliper

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)