Motorbiking in Asia forum

One way Motorbike rental in SE Asia.

robertjcuer-
vo

longtail driver
Posts: 5

So I have a few months in SE Asia going thru the following countries:

Indonesia
Thailand
Cambodia
Vietnam
Laos (Time Permitting)

I would like to know if anyone knows of companies that offer single way bike rental so that I save time going in big loops or doubling back on certain paths.

I have a rough time table for these countries of 3-4 weeks in each.

#1 Posted: 21/1/2012 - 00:09
stefanw

motodop
Posts: 27

Your going to find it difficult/impossible to do that I think. Unless you hire a bike from a different place in each country and send it back to them (which doesn't seem likely that a rental shop would do that).

It would be a lot of effort organising everything. Have you thought of buying a bike LEGALLY in a country that allows that and then taking it over the borders. I'm not sure on all the rules and whether they get followed but I would say owning a bike yourself is a much cheaper and easier way to go, if you can of course.

The easiest way though is to just buy a bike in each country and sell it before you leave and maybe rent and send back on a train if that is possible aswell.

#2 Posted: 21/1/2012 - 02:33
robertjcuer-
vo

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Yeah, that is my next option. Unfortunately companies with multiple offices and/or locations exist in that part of the world.

It would just be ideal then going around in loops. Buying does work out more expensive then renting unless your got a buyer in the last country which as far as I know you cannot sell a bike outside of the country you buy it there.

Thanks for the feedback.

#3 Posted: 21/1/2012 - 03:13
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

Buying a bike in Thailand is a bit tricky if you don't have a visa and address to base out of. Meaning a one year visa. Not sure if it's possible otherwise. Vietnam I know is easier, but crossing borders with the bike is trickier. A rentel in Bangkok, the travelling to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and then down to the Mekong and riding along it to Ubon and then back would be a nice trip though. No better place to be a steel horse cowboy than Thailand.

#4 Posted: 21/1/2012 - 03:58

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Victory in Pattani
robertjcuer-
vo

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Yeah, I guess at this stage I will just have to go country to country and trip and loop back around. As for vietnam, no chance really of looping around that easily.

Can anyone suggest any good routes for Laos, Cambodia?

#5 Posted: 21/1/2012 - 18:52
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

Laos gives you the same problem you have with Vietnam - it's a long, thin country. Basically you can drive around in a loop up north, or you can do south along the Mekong and back up the same way.

In Vietnam you also have a problem getting a license to ride anything bigger than a Minsk. There are CC restrictions that are pretty narrow.

Last, but not least, people here become morons when they drive any motorized vehicle. I don't know why it's part of the collective psyche, but the rules are ignored, even driving convention is often ignored when it suits someone. It boggles the mind... So drive assuming moronic behavior at all times.

#6 Posted: 22/1/2012 - 00:40

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Victory in Pattani
robertjcuer-
vo

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Ahh ok, Thankyou for the tips MADMAC!

As to the comment about moronic behavious at all times, I come from Sydney...have been to a few countries now and still appears we have some of the worst drivers I have ever seen.

#7 Posted: 22/1/2012 - 05:35
johnysac

hippy
Posts: 71

Posted from within Vietnam.

Hi Robert
The answer to your problems is to buy in saigon and then ride in to cambodia and laos and back into vietnam and up to hanoi This can be done only on a viet plated bikes using certain
boarder crossings . Before any one says different I know this to be true as i did it myself 6 weeks ago

Regards Johny

#8 Posted: 22/1/2012 - 08:40
robertjcuer-
vo

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Hi Johny,

How much was the bike you purchased and were you able to offload it after use easily?

Regards, Robert

#9 Posted: 22/1/2012 - 15:16
sayadian

under-employed
Posts: 952
Located in:

Private message

Madmac
Can I take my Vietnamese registered bike into Thailand from Cambodia?
If so how difficult is it?

#10 Posted: 23/1/2012 - 05:44

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money frees you from doing things you dislike,since I dislike doing nearly everything money is handy'
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

Sayadian,
I've had a lot of mixed reporting concerning moving motorcycles across borders between all of the states here. I know in theory you can cross into Laos from Thailand, but in Mukdahan / Savanakhet the officials won't allow it. Local policy. A friend of mine did cross at NKP / Thakek. Go figure.

I have no idea about between Vietnam and wherever though. Someone posted on here a while back he could not cross into Laos on his motorbike from Vietnam, even though he had all his paperwork in order.

Going into Cambodia, I don't know.

#11 Posted: 23/1/2012 - 05:50

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Victory in Pattani
sayadian

under-employed
Posts: 952
Located in:

Private message

OK, thanks for the answer.What I'd like to do is cross from Cambodia where I and my motorbike are into Thailand. Problem is the bike has Vietnamese registration and plates so strictly speaking it's not even legal here.Though I've been stopped once for a traffic violation the cops only wanted to see my Cambodian licence they weren't interested in the bike just $3 for an illegal turn.No receipt of course.Policing here is basically a way of making extra money rather than enforcing the law.

#12 Posted: 23/1/2012 - 23:24

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money frees you from doing things you dislike,since I dislike doing nearly everything money is handy'
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

It sounds like you really need to get back to Thailand man.

#13 Posted: 24/1/2012 - 02:15

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Victory in Pattani