I rode 450km from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh in one day last summer (on a bike from Tigit), since there was nothing along the way that felt worth stopping for. Took me 9 hours, of which 8 were spent riding. 4 hour ride, one hour break, another 4 hours. Wouldn't necessarily recommend, especially for inexperienced riders, but it's doable. With the amount of homestays, it's easy to just ride until you don't want to anymore, whether that's after 3 hours or 8, and it's also a much nicer way of traveling in my opinion
Currently in Vietnam on a tigit bike, 300km is about as much as you’d want too push if you’re an experienced rider. Take the long way around, amazing condition roads if you don’t go near the tourists
A big issue not mentioned is people waking up late. I tend to leave Hcmc at 4 am when e.g going to Dalat. While a bit extreme, you beat all traffic and the heat at noon. I noticed tourists don't mind driving for hours but are simply to tired to leave their Hotel before 11am and then it's already time to eat and get a coffee again. What happens next? They drive in the dark, which slows you down and additional they often refuse to have break days because they feel like aren't on schedule to see some attractions.
Ok Jon, you are literally helping me plan my 4 week trip from Hanoi to HCM in April-May 2025. I will trust everything you say because I don't know s**t about riding in Vietnam but I am an experienced rider from Canada.
@@guderian7795 hi, last summer i did a 4 week trip from HCM to Hanoi with a Tigit bike. If you have any questions I'd be happy to share my experience 😁
@@RoadsideWanderer Hi much appreciated. What bike did you rent? How much did you pack? Did you stay in hotels or hostels? Did you use a bike mounted GPS or maps?
@@guderian7795 I went with an XR150. As an experienced rider I contemplated going with the 250 or 500, but in the end the 150 was perfect. It did sputter a little going up the mountain after I picked up a pillion and their luggage, but it managed lol. You won't need (nor want) bigger and the higher prices aren't worth it. I brought a 50L backpack and my own helmet. Besides that I also got some spare inner tubes and protection gear from Tigit which I carried with me everywhere. The whole thing was strapped to the back. Used hostels wherever they were, which was only at the (somewhat) touristy places. Stayed at homestays for the rest, which was always fine. I used my phone as GPS mounted to the bike. Google maps works perfectly and I even found myself faster than the estimated duration, by about an hour on average... But that depends on your riding style
Just completed my 7th trip to Vietnam on a bike hired from Tigit. I wish my fellow travelers had seen this video before they came on the trip (their first). This sums up everything wrong with their approach to the trip 🥲
Hey Jon, I’m Rod from Indonesia, i ride Ninja 250 (old model almost 200kg) and sometime my father’s KLX 250 in Indonesia and currently planning for 1 week trip from HCMC to Da Nang. I have seen some of your videos about the traffic in Vietnam. Have you experienced the traffic in Indonesia ? I think how the local drive is it quite similar isnt it? At first I was thinking to get CB500x or Beneli TRK502, after seeing some of your videos I do agree that XR150 would be more comfortable. But I am 90kg and I will ride with pillion (60kg). I think the 150 will be underpowered (will be enough but not satisfying at all), I have experienced such as CRF 150 or other 150cc here in Indonesia and i think for single rider the torque and hp would be enough. Do you still recommend the 150 over the 500?
I have not driven in Indonesia, but I wouldn't be surprised if the driving was similar. The XR 150 has enough power for two people and luggage. The power distribution of the bike is down to the driver's skill level. If you drive the bike and feel it hasn't got enough power, then that will be down to poor driving technique :) (talking about road journey here). Go ahead and book the XR 150!
Yes. Rode XR150 around Ha Giang loop wearing proper helmet and mesh armoured jacket (Revit Eclipse) bought in UK, boots and gloves. Speeds generally low, around 40-50kph. Long trousers and leg armour.
