Want to buy motobye (probably used).

A little more info: I'm also considering buying a new one but if I do I will probably want it to be at the lowest end of the spectrum such as the Honda Wave RS...the thing is the only bike I've ever driven is a Sym and I kind of had my heart set on an automatic since as I said I'm a new rider and it's the only thing I know how to drive. I also like the extra space to store stuff and wanna keep my feet dry (heh) but I am considering the Wave so would be interested in hearing folks feedback on which option is best (used automatic or inexpensive new bike such as the Wave) given my concerns.

Thanks!

Semi-automatic isn't that hard to ride. It's not like a motorcycle where you have to rev match (up), clutch in and foot shift.

With semi-automatic you can ride in 3rd or 4th gear all day though you'll get a turtle start. Shifting isn't difficult and can be fun as you're more in-tuned with the engine. Just roll off the throttle and foot shift.

khanh44 wrote:

Semi-automatic isn't that hard to ride. It's not like a motorcycle where you have to rev match (up), clutch in and foot shift.

With semi-automatic you can ride in 3rd or 4th gear all day though you'll get a turtle start. Shifting isn't difficult and can be fun as you're more in-tuned with the engine. Just roll off the throttle and foot shift.

To be honest I'm not even aware of the mechanics of it. Don't you have to do something with the foot clutch when stopping (I mean would that be an issue in an emergency if you have to stop quickly?)?

A friend of mine has a little Honda Wave and I gotta admit it did seem like a pretty comfortable ride from my seat in the back. There is very little room to carry stuff though (very tiny under seat storage) and what about getting your leg burned on someone else's exhaust pipe? Is that a concern?

Also what about ownership issues? Some have said foreigners cannot buy a new motorbike unless they put it under someone else's name?

On semi-automatic the left pedal is for shifting. Right pedal for rear braking and front right hand lever for front braking. Most of your stopping power will come from the front brake.

But yeah I ride the 250cc automatic scooter here everyday for everything from grocery shopping to work commute. It's got lots of storage space and easier to brake just like a bicycle. Front left lever for rear braking and front right lever for front braking. Scooter is also more nimble, agile and offers better protection if someone were to hit you as your legs are not dangling to the side. I've been t-boned by a mini-van on a scooter before so I can attest to that.

Fuel consumption wise I would think the semi-automatic would save you more fuel just as a manual car would use less fuel than an automatic one. Just my theory but I think it has to do with being in the most efficient gear ratio which a scooter can't do.

I have a SYM Shark that I may be selling soon if your interested. It's automatic.

Nam_ wrote:

... I will be leaving the country in the near future for an indefinite period of time (though not more than a few weeks), ...

That sentence is confusing.  Are you saying you will be leaving the USA and be in Việt Nam for not more than 2-3 weeks?  If that's the case, just rent a motorbike.

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

Nam_ wrote:

... I will be leaving the country in the near future for an indefinite period of time (though not more than a few weeks), ...

That sentence is confusing.  Are you saying you will be leaving the USA and be in Việt Nam for not more than 2-3 weeks?  If that's the case, just rent a motorbike.

No, he's saying he'll be leaving Vietnam for an indefinite period of time and is concerned about where to store the bike while he's away.

Nam_ wrote:

....There is very little room to carry stuff though (very tiny under seat storage) and what about getting your leg burned on someone else's exhaust pipe? Is that a concern?

Also what about ownership issues? Some have said foreigners cannot buy a new motorbike unless they put it under someone else's name?

Yes, the newer models have "trunks" under the seat for storing raincoats and some are big enough to store your helmet since people like to steal someone else's helmet when their motorbikes are parked in a parking area.  The security guard and parking lot is only responsible for your motorbike, nothing on it, in it, under it, over it...etc. 

The leg burns are common, especially with chicks...eh...girls who wear short shorts.  They obviously don't know that you wear long pants for protection in case of a fall (motorbike crashes).  Skin vs asphalt is not a good sight.  Jeans/pants provide some protection vs asphalt.  The chicks..eh..girls just want to show the boys their long legs.  And thus they forget the exhaust of the motorbike next to theirs when parking and ....sssssssss. 

They still don't learn their lesson because you can actually see the burn marks on their legs (figured damn, that burns, maybe I'll wear long pants next time...nah) since they're still wearing shorts this go around.

I guess some guys dig dumb chicks that have long legs.  Sorry I keep calling them chicks.  I should call them girls but somehow I think chicks just have less intelligence than girls.

Foreigners can buy a motorbike but you have to register them at the Big City.  You get a special license plate with the NN on it; so as to identify you as a foreigner in case thieves are lurking around needing a wealthy foreigner to follow, crash into, and mug.  So yah, find a local to register the motorbike for you.

It's so common for people to sell their new motorbikes to someone else and don't re-register (avoid the "DMV" fees).  All you need is to sell the bike along with the owner's registration that the cops don't bother to see whose name is on the owner's registration; just that you have it when they pull you over.

saigonmonkey wrote:

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

Nam_ wrote:

... I will be leaving the country in the near future for an indefinite period of time (though not more than a few weeks), ...

That sentence is confusing.  Are you saying you will be leaving the USA and be in Việt Nam for not more than 2-3 weeks?  If that's the case, just rent a motorbike.

No, he's saying he'll be leaving Vietnam for an indefinite period of time and is concerned about where to store the bike while he's away.

I'm confused about the "not more than a few weeks".  When you say you're going somewhere for an indefinite period of time, there is no maximum...like you don't know.  So the "not more than a few weeks" is the maximum he'll be away from Việt Nam?

Is this correct then?  "I will be leaving Việt Nam in the near future for trips lasting no more than a few week."

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

You get a special license plate with the NN on it; so as to identify you as a foreigner in case thieves are lurking around needing a wealthy foreigner to follow, crash into, and mug.

The locals won't need to look at my license plate to see that I'm a foreigner. I stand out in a crowd of Vietnamese...like a sore thumb. So I don't think the license plate is the problem. But, (knock-on-wood) I've never had a problem with that, possibly because the would-be thief/thieves might consider me a formidable opponent if the need arose for me to defend myself.

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

I'm confused about the "not more than a few weeks".  When you say you're going somewhere for an indefinite period of time, there is no maximum...like you don't know.  So the "not more than a few weeks" is the maximum he'll be away from Việt Nam?

Is this correct then?  "I will be leaving Việt Nam in the near future for trips lasting no more than a few week."

Indefinite doesn't necessarily mean there is no maximum but can mean "lasting for an unknown length of time" or "not clearly expressed or defined; vague" (in my case I mean about 2-6 weeks). It probably wasn't the best choice of words in this situation but Saigonmonkey's interpretation is correct as is your last sentence in the above quote.

Maybe now is a good time to ask about storage options. I could rent a motorbike until my next trip outside of Vietnam and wait until I return to buy but I will need to occasionally leave the country for two to several weeks at other times in the future anyways. Prior to this next trip I will most likely end my lease where I am currently living so can't park it here. If the price is right I may rent another place to live before I go (even if I do it will be a new place and I'm not sure it would be wise to leave my motorbike parked there for several weeks while I'm out of the country) but may opt to wait until I get back.

So are there any good, safe places to store a motorbike (what about other stuff? I could leave some stuff with friends but would rather not have to bother them with it if it's not necessary) while outside of the country?

Nam_ wrote:

...So are there any good, safe places to store a motorbike (what about other stuff? I could leave some stuff with friends but would rather not have to bother them with it if it's not necessary) while outside of the country?

I just saw a place today that stores cars for people who don't have garages...i.e. your house is in downtown, your car is on the outskirts.  When you want to go out of town, you motorbike your way to this storage area, then take car out for a spin.  I would venture if they store cars overnight, they can store motorbikes. 

The garage/storage area was on the same street as and close to the Saigon Pearl Apartments.  Google Saigon Pearl Apartments, and it'll show the street and area in a map.