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MissWelsh
Joined: 10 Oct 2013
Posts: 18
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 Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:32 am Post subject: Help and advice on buying a bike (in HCMC) |
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Hey all,
So I've been in Vietnam for almost a month now and I've been working for the past 2 weeks. Although it's great to be working I hate having to rely on a Xeom driver. I like my independence too much, plus it would be great to be in control of the brake, I swear I'm going to come flying over the drivers head one of these days.
So here comes my question(s) - Can anyone recommend somewhere I can buy a bike? I've looked on craigslist and I will check out the ones I've seen however, it would be great to have info on where other people got their bikes. Is there a reliable trader out there? Is anyone looking to sell their bike or knows of someone who is?
Again, I can't thank you enough for the help I've had so far on these forums. It's much appreciated. |
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1st Sgt Welsh
Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
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| Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:58 am Post subject: |
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| Craigslist is useful. I'd probably also join the 'Expats in HCMC (Saigon)' group on Facebook as they also have bikes for sale from time-to-time. |
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Kimmy
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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A friend of mine is selling a motor bike. It's quite big though and it's manual.
He is asking for $1,000. |
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Kimmy
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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A friend of mine is selling a motor bike. It's quite big though and it's manual.
He is asking for $1,000. |
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ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 744
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| Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Kimmy wrote: |
A friend of mine is selling a motor bike. It's quite big though and it's manual.
He is asking for $1,000. |
That's a completely ridiculous price for a used bike, unless it's practically brand new (less the 6 months used). |
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cb400
Joined: 27 Sep 2010
Posts: 274
Location: Vientiane, Laos
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| Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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you can check out newhanoian.com classifieds to get an idea of pricing. There is a difference between the 2 cities but not much really.
A half decent wave should be 300-400 max with papers (not chinese made).
Chinese made dream or wave 250 with papers.
New or newish wave 600-700 with papers of course
* be careful of the top gear wannabes doing the HCMC to Hanoi on a scooter things and visa versa. Many of the bikes are beat to shit and not maintained properly if at all, they are not worth the discounted price. Also many of the owners of these are new to VN and not use to the various scams the Vietnamese pull on most people when *repairing* a bike.
reduce by 40-50% if no papers |
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MissWelsh
Joined: 10 Oct 2013
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 1:47 am Post subject: |
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I agree, there is no way I am paying $1000. I was hoping to stick to a budget of $250 - $300.
In the first week we were here my other half bought a bike off an American who was going home. He paid $300, but on top of that he had to pay $25 to have the electrics fixed. Since then his headlight has gone again and the kick start broke. Hence why I am approaching this with such caution.
Thanks for the advice guys. Just one more question, cb400, what scams are you referring to so I know what to look out for? |
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cb400
Joined: 27 Sep 2010
Posts: 274
Location: Vientiane, Laos
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| Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 2:20 am Post subject: |
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| he had to pay $25 to have the electrics fixed. Since then his headlight has gone |
Fixing electrics and wiring should be a couple bucks. I had my dream completely re wired by a expat mechanic for about 5-7 dollars and the lights worked after 
Really look out for shody work (most VN mechanics) and people swapping parts out for cheap chinese shit. This is such an issue VIP bikes in Hanoi keeps warning about people servicing at local places and strongly advises to watch people even when getting a tire repairs...
plus the fuel issues:
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Safety/ local issues:
Recently Vietnam has number of motorbikes/ car explosion. The explosions
happened to cars and motorbikes include Hyundai, Daewoo, BMW, Mercedes,
Ford, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Kia, Toyota, SYM and Honda. The cause of these
accident is still puzzling. However, according to the transportation
Department, most vehicles in Vietnam use gasoline with high octane rating,
like A92 and A95.
It says those who use poor quality gasoline or gasoline of unclear origin
can face engine failures, low fuel economy, and the risk of fire and
explosions. For those using your motorbike for your daily routine we would
strongly recommend you to buy petro from reliable petro station not from
retail venders. Have your motorbike maintained regularly .
In general, the Petro stations managed by Military Petro Corporation
(MIPECO) or Petrolimex, COMECO are much more reliable. For those in Hanoi
please find below recommended Petro stations for your reference. |
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MissWelsh
Joined: 10 Oct 2013
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 2:29 am Post subject: |
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And we thought $25 was a bargain. By your post I am guessing your in Hanoi and so is the expat mechanic??
Anyone in HCM know of a good mechanic, since we need to have the other halfs headlight fixed again and obviously now I don't want to go back to the guy who originally fixed it? |
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1st Sgt Welsh
Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
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| Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 3:22 am Post subject: |
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