Hey guys, I'm a weenie. [:I] I've never driven a motorbike and I'm skeered of them. I've only been a passenger on one a few times and didn't like it.
But I'm living in Vietnam now and need a way to get around. I was thinking about a trike or a motorbike with sidecar. I would drive a motorbike if I felt secure on it, and a third wheel would make me feel more secure that I wouldn't fall over. I realize it would still be easy to die, but I'm very careful and think I could drive it safely. (although I would think twice before driving ANYTHING in those mad HCMC streets)
The thing that worries me about motorbikes is the inevitability that you will fall off. They say it happens to everyone, and I don't want it to happen to me, partly because I don't want to wear a helmet and I can't wear protective clothes in Vietnam without sweating my ass off. I wear shorts all the time in SEA.
I've read about the shortcomings of all three wheel vehicles. I realize you have to learn to drive them, that it's very different than a bike. I'm willing to learn. And I intend to drive slowly at all times.
Now, the only trikes I've seen in Sai Gon are basic Honda Dreams with two wheels, rather narrowly set, in the back. These are easy and cheap to get someone to make, I think. Oh, and I also saw a red Honda Gyro X scooter trike parked in the street once. But they stopped making those over 20 years ago. I think you cannot buy a trike here, you have to have one converted. And forget about importing anything, with the stratospheric import taxes here.
I was thinking I'd rather make a trike out of a scooter, because it might have a lower center of gravity due to its lower wheels, which might help stability, and also the smaller wheels would make it less noticeable to people that I'm driving a trike. I realize driving a trike in Vietnam, that everyone will think I'm either a cripple, or a total weenie.
A scooter, if I'm not mistaken, also doesn't require shifting, is more like an automatic transmission, and I'd prefer that, as I've never driven anything but auto transmission cars.
I think i would actually prefer a sidecar if they're not too expensive. I read on the net that Mr. Cuong, the Minsk expert in Hanoi, sells Urals with sidecars, for $5000. Heck, even with the very high import duties in Vietnam, you can buy a used car for that price. Is anyone aware of someplace in Vietnam where I can get a bike with sidecar that's less expensive, but high quality and well engineered (I realize that's critical)?
Thanks for your thoughts. [
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But I'm living in Vietnam now and need a way to get around. I was thinking about a trike or a motorbike with sidecar. I would drive a motorbike if I felt secure on it, and a third wheel would make me feel more secure that I wouldn't fall over. I realize it would still be easy to die, but I'm very careful and think I could drive it safely. (although I would think twice before driving ANYTHING in those mad HCMC streets)
The thing that worries me about motorbikes is the inevitability that you will fall off. They say it happens to everyone, and I don't want it to happen to me, partly because I don't want to wear a helmet and I can't wear protective clothes in Vietnam without sweating my ass off. I wear shorts all the time in SEA.
I've read about the shortcomings of all three wheel vehicles. I realize you have to learn to drive them, that it's very different than a bike. I'm willing to learn. And I intend to drive slowly at all times.
Now, the only trikes I've seen in Sai Gon are basic Honda Dreams with two wheels, rather narrowly set, in the back. These are easy and cheap to get someone to make, I think. Oh, and I also saw a red Honda Gyro X scooter trike parked in the street once. But they stopped making those over 20 years ago. I think you cannot buy a trike here, you have to have one converted. And forget about importing anything, with the stratospheric import taxes here.
I was thinking I'd rather make a trike out of a scooter, because it might have a lower center of gravity due to its lower wheels, which might help stability, and also the smaller wheels would make it less noticeable to people that I'm driving a trike. I realize driving a trike in Vietnam, that everyone will think I'm either a cripple, or a total weenie.
A scooter, if I'm not mistaken, also doesn't require shifting, is more like an automatic transmission, and I'd prefer that, as I've never driven anything but auto transmission cars.
I think i would actually prefer a sidecar if they're not too expensive. I read on the net that Mr. Cuong, the Minsk expert in Hanoi, sells Urals with sidecars, for $5000. Heck, even with the very high import duties in Vietnam, you can buy a used car for that price. Is anyone aware of someplace in Vietnam where I can get a bike with sidecar that's less expensive, but high quality and well engineered (I realize that's critical)?
Thanks for your thoughts. [
]
