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



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Sep 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 52
Is Buying In Cambodia Our Best Option?

I started researching on buying in Thailand, but from what I have read here on the HUBB it would appear that Cambodia may in fact be the better option. Some of the info is dated (2004) and there is a lot dedicated to Vietnam (which due to conflicting information we have decided we do not even want to try. Cambodia, Laos and Thailand sounds good enough for us!).

Has anyone recent experience with buying (as a tourist) in Cambodia? Or in Thailand/Laos? We will rent, but the idea of being able to cross borders on the same bike (or scooter, we do not need to have big bikes) is very appealing to us!

Are there separate rules for scooters? We are also thinking about the Honda Wave. Any must dos or things to avoid????

Is it even possible as a tourist to buy and register bikes? Is it easier to do so with a scooter?

Just a little background information on our situation. We are currently in Mongolia and selling our 650's here, as the original plan of shipping from Vladivostok to South America has proven to be more money than the bikes themselves are worth. That leaves us wide open in terms of possibilities, but also back to scratch with planning! We have decided to tour SE Asia until Christmas, as we can always rent if not buy. Then it will be New Zealnd or the States with the plan to buy there.

So we are really looking at 4 months riding South East Asia, and planning in it about 2 weeks in advance!

Any recent experiences would be welcome!

Thanks,

Sherrie
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Sep 2011
chica diabla's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 103
I don't know about buying, since we were there on our own bikes. But you could have a look at Ride Asia, a mostly Thai bikers website but I am sure they have a lot of info for you

In Cambodia there's a great guy called Dara in Phnom Phen who has a bike shop where he repairs, rents and occassionally sells bikes.

His contact I wrote under repair shops, so have a look there.

Good luck and have fun!

greetz Els
__________________
Dream it, do it!
www.2fortheroad.nl
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 Sep 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 52
Thanks Els!

I had not heard of that forum before, so for anyone interested, this is exactly the thread I was hoping to find here:

RideAsia.net • Best country in SE Asia to buy a bike for touring??

All the pros and cons on buying a bike in SEA and all the posts are from 2011! And some ideas on where to buy

http://rideasia.net/forum/post4052.html#p4052

Still trying to figure out the legalities, but when I find out I will post it here!

Last edited by gypsyprincess; 2 Sep 2011 at 04:52. Reason: Hit the submit button too fast!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Sep 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
On the subject of what to buy, I was told by locals in SE Asia always buy a Honda wave if you can afford it, other Japanese as second choice, Korean as third and never Chinese.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Sep 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 9
I arrive in Bangkok in Oct, first stop on my RWT. I'm spending 4 months riding through Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia-Thailand-Malaysia. Flying into Myanmar and Singapore via BKK. My plan is to rent a bike around Prachuap or Hua Hin and spend 2 weeks along the Southern Coast, then fly to Han Oi, Vietnam and buy a small 100-125cc, probably a Honda Win since they're so cheap, easy to repair and source parts for. After many hours of research, buying in Vietnam seemed like the best option if you plan on making Vietnam part of your route. The other option was to buy in Cambodia but then you have to rent in Vietnam. Too much paperwork in Thailand. Since I already have my Visa, it just made sense. Most reports I've read about people riding through SE Asia bought a cheap smaller bike (Win, Minsk, Bonus, etc) in VN and sold it in various countries or just donated it. There are several people on GT Rider.com doing the same trip right now, I'm meeting up with a few of them along the way.

Here is my basic route. Take the Northern and Northwestern loop from Han Oi, then getting my Laos visa in Dien Bien Phu. From there my rough plan is to spend alot of time exploring the small towns of Northern Laos and Northeastern Cambodia. I love getting off the beaten path and getting deep into a culture, these areas seem the best to do that. I'll loop around and do the HCM trail, eventually making my way into southern Thailand where I'll do some island hopping, then Malaysia and Singapore. I plan on flying out of KL to New Zealand sometime in February. Have fun and good luck. Don't over think this too much, there are many backpackers who just fly into Vietnam, buy a cheap bike and hit the road, no gear besides a helmet. Absolute worst case scenario, besides a serious accident, is the bike gets impounded and you lose $3-$400, no big deal.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 Sep 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Bristol
Posts: 27
Cambodia

Hi Sherrie,

Try 'Two Wheels Only' in Phnom Penn, Cambodia (just google his website) and Tony (ex-pat from the UK) will be able to point you in the right direction with current up to date information.

It has been a couple of years since I was there, so you would be better to ask someone on the ground.

I had a bike off Tony there, and it was a cracker; he looked after me as a fellow biker as I was 'new' and travelling on my own, above and beyond any kind of business, and even sorted stuff like recovery etc a month later when I broke some bones after a run in with a cow up towards the Lao border. Again going above and beyond, and didn't charge anything like he should've done for the repairs etc.

Highly recommended as a decent human being (as a lot of fellow bikers are) and I will look to use him again myself when I get the opportunity to ride this amazing country again.

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Oct 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 52
We Bought Waves In Malaysia

For the record, we ended up buying new Honda Waves in Malaysia because it was the easiest! They were about 200 Euro more per bike, but considering we saved 120 on the tourist visa in Cambodia (plus about a month of time) and 500 in school fees for the non immigrant visa in Thailand, the extra 200 on the bike was in fact less than what we would have spent. It took 2 business days and required only our passports and the money. Everything in our name, road tax and one year insurance (for Malaysia) included.

Second hand would have been cheaper again, but not significantly so. I dont know about prices for bigger bikes, but everyone recommended the Wave for this region so that is the one we went with!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Oct 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 52
Final Follow Up On Buying A Bike In South East Asia

We just wrote a post over on our blog on what we found out about buying bikes in South East Asia for anyone in our situation and thinking about the best place to buy and the legalities of it! It looks at Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia, with the link for Vietnam coming back to the discussion here on the HUBB.

If your thinking about buying here we hope it helps a little with the decision making process! We being myself and the German half of the partnership, onkellarle on the HUBB. (We need not discuss the creepiness of that name) :-P The HUBB - The HUBB

The post is here:

Buying A Motorcycle In South East Asia - Unleash Your Adventure

Cheers!
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 in Vietnam and on to Cambodia / Thailand Audacious Lach West and South Asia 3 30 May 2011 08:12
Buying minsks in Vietnam, riding through Cambodia/Laos then back into Vietnam gemmasun West and South Asia 9 31 Jan 2011 05:32
Crossing from Cambodia into Laos on bikes registered in Cambodia? Kudi West and South Asia 3 5 Feb 2010 08:52
what's my best option? kevinhancock750 Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 4 28 Jul 2007 10:56
Landrover 109 an option? globalkoster Equipping the Overland Vehicle 4 4 Apr 2003 14:06

 
 

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
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 16:22.