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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tax Code: 0105306316
International Tour Operator License: 01-2010/2022/TCDL-GP LHQT
15a Ng. 12 Đ. Đặng Thai Mai, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
© 2025 Rentabike Vietnam. This site is subject to copyright. No unauthorised reproduction is permitted.
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)