Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree5Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 16
Buying a bike in SE Asia that can be taken accross borders

Hi All
I'm planning to spend 6 months riding around SE Asia next year and would like to do it all on the same motorcycle. So, I was wondering which country is the best for buying a bike that I can register in my own name that I can take across national borders with minimum hassle?
I've done a bit of touring (on various Honda step-thus) in North Thailand, Cambodia, South Java (from Bali) and Vietnam in recent years but this time I'd like to cover the lot on a larger more comfy machine (except 'Nam and Burma) in one long trip and ideally ending up in the same country where I bought my bike, so I can sell it again.
I'm not sure which sort of machine to buy, but I was thinking along the lines of a Honda XL250 or similar. I've heard however, that the Chinese manufacturer Lifan offer good deals on their bikes and have a good dealer network across the whole region -does anyone have experience of their machines?
I realise this question has been asked before, but getting the latest info and hearing peoples experiences would be very helpful.
Many Thanks
Phil TK
England
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Oct 2013
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Uruguay
Posts: 28
Hola, les cuento que he tenido bastante experiencia con los productos chinos.
A una moto de 200 cc la lleve por América durante 32000 kmts y aguanto bien.
En Australia compre una Kimco 125 cc y le metí 19884 kmts.
Ahora pienso en India comprar una Royal Enfield 500 o una Badjad pulsar 200 cc.
Los motores chinos están desarrollados hasta 200 cc de 200 cc para arriba están en etapas de consolidarse.
Lo esencial es cuidarla, no pasarlas de vueltas y llevarlas a una marcha tranquila de 80 a 90 kmts/h...el resto lo hace el piloto.
Pero estas motos, conosco las Lifan desde Peru y son buenas maquinitas.
No son para toda la vida, pero para un viaje inferior a 30000 kmts están bien.
Les dejo mi blog para que vean lo hecho.
The Dreams Trip / El viaje de los sueños
Saludos.
Buenas rutas.
Ernesto.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 18
Hi,

My suggestion is buy your bike in Malaysia as it's a straight forward procedure and you can take it around SEA without much hassle.

If you decide to start from here, let me know and will show you around where to get the bike and if time permit would like to join you for the trip.
__________________
______________________________________
R1200GS rallye, Versys 650, KLX250, KLX150
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Oct 2013
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zainal Abd Halim View Post
Hi,

My suggestion is buy your bike in Malaysia as it's a straight forward procedure and you can take it around SEA without much hassle.

If you decide to start from here, let me know and will show you around where to get the bike and if time permit would like to join you for the trip.
sorry to jump onto the thread but at the moment i'm organising a trip to asia myself and am arriving on the 22nd of December.. until march.

if I fly into Malaysia and buy myself a bike what about the paperwork to ride off into the other countries? does it get changed easily into my name without an address? I don't understand? please explain as this interests me very much and would make my trip a lot easier .. thanks for any advice and sorry again for jumping onto the thread
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 18
[QUOTE=kevinhancock750;441319]sorry to jump onto the thread but at the moment i'm organising a trip to asia myself and am arriving on the 22nd of December.. until march.

if I fly into Malaysia and buy myself a bike what about the paperwork to ride off into the other countries? does it get changed easily into my name without an address? I don't understand? please explain as this interests me very much and would make my trip a lot easier .. thanks for any advice and sorry again for jumping onto the thread[/QUOTE

Hi,

The paper works in basically straight forward. Normally, the bike shop will do everything for you. Don't worry to much about the address as can easily be sorted out.

Once you get your bike registered under your name, just jump on it and cross the border around SEA region.

Hope this help. Cheers.
__________________
______________________________________
R1200GS rallye, Versys 650, KLX250, KLX150
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Oct 2013
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
thanks for your reply,
what if I buy a bike privately and not from a shop? I been looking on the internet and was interested in something like the Honda wave for 10wks but secondhand not new... or small 125cc motorbike.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 18
Hi Kevin...

Don't see any problem if want to get privately own or secondhand bike. The only thing is you have to do the registration on your own or pay a small amount of fees to a shop and they will do it for you.
__________________
______________________________________
R1200GS rallye, Versys 650, KLX250, KLX150
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Oct 2013
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
well that is welcomed news....
either that or its rent in each country that I visit which would be a pain, and also moving between the countries is now made easier..

looks like i'm in Malaysia for Christmas then
any ideas how long the paperwork takes? to changover to my name?
i'm arriving in Bangkok on 22nd December and will then probably fly on 23rd to KL to start looking for a bike. I know theres a meet in north Thailand on 10th January so would like to be there.

and thanks for your replies zainal.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 25 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 16
Thanks for the replies guys. Hopefully we all will stay on this thread and we can exchange even more information in the near future.
And many thanks to Zainal, your information certainly makes things a lot easier for me in terms of planning. What I would also be interested in is prices, could you let us know of some examples of what is available in dealers at the moment? I would be interested in a secondhand machine initially -around 250cc or maybe smaller if it is a reputable model.

Cheers
Phil TK
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 25 Oct 2013
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
hope you don't mind me latching onto your thread phil...
as we're looking for the same information
www.mudah.my is a site I was just looking at for secondhand bike in Malaysia. theres probably other sites too but I found quite a few cheap small 125cc on there.
when you thinking of going?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 25 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinhancock750 View Post
hope you don't mind me latching onto your thread phil...
as we're looking for the same information
www.mudah.my is a site I was just looking at for secondhand bike in Malaysia. theres probably other sites too but I found quite a few cheap small 125cc on there.
when you thinking of going?
No, I don't mind at all, it's great stuff.
I'm heading off from the UK in late January, it's a shame I'll miss the Hubb meeting in Chiang Mai -I went to the last one and it was an excellent event, well worth it. Once I'm over in SEA I'm not sure if I will head off from KL to Sumatra and then Java, Bali etc or go north and do Thailand and Cambodia etc I'll be away 6 months at least -is the plan.
Cheers for the link Kevin.
Phil TK
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 26 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 18
Yes mudah.com.my is the one you should look at for the kind of bike and price range. From there you will know what the market like. Once you decide what you want then only we can look into it or maybe get a better price somewhere. Bear in mind there are lots of second hand bike too at the shop. Cheers
__________________
______________________________________
R1200GS rallye, Versys 650, KLX250, KLX150
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 27 Oct 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Andrews
Posts: 662
Hi Guys, I also am hoping to get a moto in KL just before Xmas with help from Zainal. I am presently riding around Laos on a Vietnamese registered tiddler which I will be handing back to the rental agency at the end of Nov. If you want to meet up in KL for a and info swap let me know. Ride safe.
__________________
Mike
---------
Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 28 Oct 2013
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
hi maja, by the looks of things i'll be arriving in KL on the 23rd December and a meet up would be nice . it's my first time in asia so some advise over a glass or three would be greatly received .

just need to start organising a bike and have it ready for my arrival which would be nice. i'm only looking for something small possibly ex5 or similar.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 28 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 16
'Glad this thread is proving useful already. I hope everyone stays in touch and keeps us informed on how their trip goes.
I poured over some maps this weekend and to update my plans:- I've decided to travel from KL up to the Thai border and ride along the Thai-Burma border to the North, stopping off at Phuket and Koh Tao for a bit of diving perhaps.
I need to be in Vietnam at the end of March to meet some fellows from the UK for a couple of weeks and will look to store my bike somewhere in Bangkok and then fly to Hanoi. Then back to Bangkok and ride into Cambodia and Laos.


Cheers
Phil TK
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying Used Bike in Santiago Chile lachy South America 187 5 Dec 2023 14:53
Buying used bike in South Africa for travel north larrysimpson Trip Transport 2 5 Mar 2013 15:30
Buying a bike in Argentina; questions to fill in the dods Suzpot South America 1 29 Jan 2013 23:59
Transfering Title In Buenos Aires kwelfl South America 7 28 Dec 2008 16:06

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:35.