:::Vietnam Trip::: ACE MTSG team - Saigon - Da lat - Mui ne, 700km for a weekend

[VietHorse]

Hi there!

Last weekend, ACE MTSG team has enjoy touring for about 700km from City, to highland and then seaside.

We, ACE MTSG team, are the big bike riders in Ho Chi Minh City, with the favorite of big bikes, speed and all the feeling on the twisty mountain pass...

The day was Saturday, 12 March 2011.
Gathered up from 04:15AM at Saigon gate, we take about half an hour for chitchat, re-inform the route, riding rules, checking some mechanical tools, etc...

At the muster point, we are 28 bikers.

The oldest rider in the team, Mr. Sang (he is over 50 years old), to get there, he had gone thru more than 150km fom Ben Tre to Ho Chi Minh City to meet us up. Great guy.

We departed about 4:40.
The road was not clear as expected. There are quite numbers of trucks and carries.
However, we move with quite good speed, in city, the average speed was about 80km/h.

After about 60km, there was a bike has issue with its tire, then the rider need to stop to fix, with Mr. Khanh, who always take care the most end part of the convoy.

We stoped for a while to wait our friends after getting out of the city:

Hic, it took us almost half an hour...

Kiet - Newsol, was riding CB1000R 2010, with his Pro Camera Nikon D3s:

Khoa with his Hornet600:

One of two Ducati in the team:

When our friends reached us, we continued with the ride...

We stop for breakfast at Baoloc, there was the place called Tam Chau - Bao Loc, almost 200km from Hochiminh City.

This area is starting of highland part. The weather here very nice, it was quite cool, enough to make the girls' cheeks turned pink...

Minh - GSXR1K rider:

Here was where we have breakfast. It was so nice, because of the very cool weather, and further more, we was so hungry... eheh

Our bikes took some more rests...

Then prepare to go next...

Blue - (Ms. Minh) - the only lady rider in the team.
With 125cc motorcross, she made us and many others surprised with her energy, ability and the concentration... She departed a title sooner than us, did not need to stop for waiting with us....

And now, she done the breakfast, then took the early depart (you can see the guys looking at her from the stair):

Blue, with the admiration of the local highland guys:

Then we also made ourselves ready:

Touring (Khoa) - with his girlfriend, a very nice couple in the team:

(to be continued....)

 

[VietHorse]

We was ready to depart after the breakfast, to leave the peace behind to the highland province, as it is

Wow, how can the colors matched that way...!!??

Hey, depart now!

I took all the photos during the trip using the CanonA620, which is 6 years old, scratchs everywhere, my son sometimes pee on that... hehe. It is still functioning so well...

FZ1:

ZXR14:

Buiduchung - a great libero with his CB1000R:

My tail, hehe

Hey, what the hell r u looking at!??

Phanbatrac:

GPS and the speedometer, which one to believe ...? hehe

Oops....

(to be continued...)

 

[ronwebb]

Hey VietHorse, this is great stuff. Looks like a fun fast trip with some interesting bikes and mates. I am interested to know who you took a picture of your dash at over 100 kms/hr. I look forward to the follow on. Keep the photos coming.

 

[VietHorse]

ronwebb;266326 wrote: Hey VietHorse, this is great stuff. Looks like a fun fast trip with some interesting bikes and mates. I am interested to know who you took a picture of your dash at over 100 kms/hr. I look forward to the follow on. Keep the photos coming.

Thanks Ron for the comments.
Yeah, we did a short, fast, and fun trip. This was the almost first trip of our team in the year 2011 with almost full team.
Original plan was just heading Muine from Hochiminh City to enjoy Sun-Sea-Sand only. I found that was too short for two days weekend.
I recalled the team about the feeling of riding on twisty mountain pass, they all agreed and excited.
Then we go...
The photo you mentioned was taken by myself.
There will be some more photos, give me sometimes to edit and give wording....

 

[David Learmonth]

Good report & photos. I am envious of the guy with the grey Honda STX 1300 (known in UK as the Pan European) I sold mine before I moved to Thailand. An excellent all round motorcycle & very suited to long distance riding.

 

[Rod Page]

VietHorse,
Great stuff. Keep it coming.
Are larger bikes like yours readily available to foreigners resident in Vietnam?

 

[VietHorse]

Thanks guys.
The ST1.3K is now only one in our team. The guy riding that also so cool, one of the convoy leaders.
For the resident foreigners, i think it is not so difficult to own and legally register a big bike.
The issue here may be the driving license. It is really difficult part, even for a Vietnamese.

 

[VietHorse]

(cont'd...)

On the way, wondered where our only lady rider gone,... as we found quite long way but did not catch her...

Finally, got her in the frame...
The 125cc bike was not be able to get more than 100km/h even though Blue try to twist the throttle.... hehe...

Take it easy, Blue. We 'll see u up there... you are great!!! :clap:

The old BMW racer. Was very realiable. He was getting 180km/h on the highway. But believe me, if it is breakdown, that's really nightmare... as there are not many spare parts available...

(to be continued...)

 

[Rod Page]

I'm with Blue - I've a D-Tracker but at 194cm & 110kl, 100kph is clsoe to my 'limit' too!
VietHorse - are the licenses of which you wrote applicable to all sizes/capacity of bikes or only the larger engined variety?
This thread just keeps getting better VietHorse; keep it rollin'!

 

[VietHorse]

Rod Page;266347 wrote: I'm with Blue - I've a D-Tracker but at 194cm & 110kl, 100kph is clsoe to my 'limit' too!
VietHorse - are the licenses of which you wrote applicable to all sizes/capacity of bikes or only the larger engined variety?
This thread just keeps getting better VietHorse; keep it rollin'!

Hi, will tell Blue about you and she may come and ride with you in Chiangmai... hehe...
There are two types of driving licenses for 2 wheels in Vietnam.
A1: Applicable for all bikes with the cc from 50 to less than 175. Not so difficult to get this, all of people who uper 18 years old, resident in Vietnam can be able to get that, of course with the contest.
A2: Applicable for all bikes with the cc from 175 and above. Damn difficult!!! Need to "officially own" a big bike (more than 175cc), has to be officially registered in a Sportbike organization, etc... In short, very difficult.

 

[VietHorse]

...

Keep going... keep riding on...

Some soft bends...

Hic... From that point , feel so sorry and sorrow for the low quality hand-gloves. They was too hard and tense, so when riding on Bảo Lộc mountain pass I was unable to take any photo. It was a very nice pass, with newly renovated road.

Phanbatrac with his "Hybrid bike" - the one consumed the lowest gasoline amount:

Oops... looked like a crows:

The hydro-power plant on the right:

Let's think if you have to see all the photos as below!! How will your neck would be?? Sorry for that, hehe, bcos I was taking photos by left hand while driving. I did put some modification to the photos to ensure your necks are all fine - so... thank me! hehe... :smile1:

(to be continued...)

 

[Rod Page]

Come on over Blue!
Thanks for the license info.
Will be in Da Lat in July.
Cheers

 

[VietHorse]

Let's continue with the tour...

Is that guy dancing?

Guess what bike is that??

Looks crazy huh!

This guy - Hung - Singaporeman - installed a Camcorder on his Helmet...

Hic... I dont have any photo during my riding... Bcos I am the "photo taker.." ... hic...

Starting point of Liên Khương Dalat Highway:

Arrange the team, ready for hi-speed:

Worrying??

Go straight to Dalat, turn left to Dacklak, that road was amazing as I was experienced sometimes, day and night, almost offroad.. hehe..

Ready?

Let's go:

From then, I concentrated on my throttle and the road... My bike was speed limited then she could not get over 187km/h... haizz.... what a pity...

There were some guys got more than 250km/h...

(to be continued...)

 

[VietHorse]

Arrived Đà Lạt, we took a small round by Xuân Hương lake. The most beautiful place here.
Some months ago, this lake was drained out all of water for some cleaning and renovation. That time, Đà Lạt looked differently. It was a pity for any tourists who visit this place during that period.

Our bikes took some more rest here...
The temperature here was around less than 20DegC, sunny.

Peace time of our team, ACE MTSG, beside the beautiful Xuân Hương lake:

The heart, the lung of the Dalat City:

Oops... our friends found out some girlfriends here!!??

(to be continued...)

 

[VietHorse]

Some photos of our bikes resting beside Xuan Huong lake in Dalat (Blue water restaurant, drinks and foods):

(to be continued...)

 

[Dougal]

Great report Viethorse. Love the photos.

Wonderful mix of bikes. Looks a whole lot of fun and Blue is a 'Star'!

 

[SilverhawkUSA]

Very nice. I am really surprised at the wide selection of motorcycles you guys have. Good for you. Please post more reports as you guys ride, as there are many here that are interested in riding in Vietnam.

 

[VietHorse]

Dougal;266403 wrote: Great report Viethorse. Love the photos.

Wonderful mix of bikes. Looks a whole lot of fun and Blue is a 'Star'!

Thanks. Hv told Blue... She kept silent up to now... hihi... don't know what's her though....

SilverhawkUSA;266407 wrote: Very nice. I am really surprised at the wide selection of motorcycles you guys have. Good for you. Please post more reports as you guys ride, as there are many here that are interested in riding in Vietnam.

Yeah, we are here not focusing on any specific brand or style of bike.
However, you can see very minimum Cruiser in our team. That cruiser rider also changed to a sport touring BMW right after that trip as he found so hard to catch up with the hi-speed team.

 

[VietHorse]

Our hobbies... what 's out of bikes this in such beautiful highland morning?

ST1300, many riders' target...

Harley rider has changed to the below BMW after the trip....

Visitors found surprises here...

One of the King of speed during the year 70s

(to be continued...)

 

[VietHorse]

Now, its come to the time we prepare to depart:

Ngay trước sảnh:

Almost done the resting:

Blue Serenade - the "star" of the trip:

One more time with Blue Water Restaurant - Dalat:

Put your gears on...

(to be continued...)

 

[VietHorse]

Team having a light lunch then ready to depart.
It's almost after lunchtime...
Leaving Dalat, we back to Prenn mountain pass and Lien Khuong Highway...

It's me, with my VFR800, photo taken at one end of the highway by Hung-Singaporeman

On highway, most of us try to warm up the bikes after a long resting time beside beautiful lake...

Starting....

Increasing:

A little more:

Others passed me quickly...

Felt the speed...

Oh, they were too far... let me put back the camera and concentrate to ride huh...!!

My VFR is speed limited one, I could not come over 187km/h... haizzz... need some more modification to satisfy the needs for speed....

(to be continued...)

 

[ronwebb]

SilverhawkUSA;266407 wrote: Very nice. I am really surprised at the wide selection of motorcycles you guys have. Good for you. Please post more reports as you guys ride, as there are many here that are interested in riding in Vietnam.

I agree with SilverhawkUSA on the fantastic selection of bikes. Very envious indeed. Do you import them individually yourselves? I used to go to Vietnam, HCMC mostly, every month or so for work for the past twelve or so years and never saw anything like you are showing on this thread. Keep it coming, its great to see.

 

[VietHorse]

ronwebb;266445 wrote: I agree with SilverhawkUSA on the fantastic selection of bikes. Very envious indeed. Do you import them individually yourselves? I used to go to Vietnam, HCMC mostly, every month or so for work for the past twelve or so years and never saw anything like you are showing on this thread. Keep it coming, its great to see.

We also have various way to import bikes into Vietnam now. By individually or thru some agencies or buying from some bike shops here.
If coming to Hochiminh City or Hanoi, you still not easy to see the big bikes riding on streets. The city traffic here is not suitable for big bike anyway...
We normally ride such bikes during weekend and mostly outside of Cities...
In Vietnam now having most of the most updated or expensive bikes imported in. I may collect some information of some special bikes available in Vietnam and post in another thread for your info.
Thank you all for riding along my trip...

 

[ronwebb]

VietHorse;266447 wrote: I may collect some information of some special bikes available in Vietnam and post in another thread for your info.
Thank you all for riding along my trip...

That's a great idea VietHorse as I am sure many folk would be interested to see whats available/possible in Vietnam.
Admin, can we start a section "Big Bikes Vietnam" or something like that for VietHorse and his mates to put up some info?

 

[Rod Page]

Viethorse,
The bikes, Da Lat & Blue all looking good; keep it coming.
Looking at Da Lat as a base from which to explore Vietnam; your input on bikes would be most useful.
Cheers