Why Are Honda CRF300, CRF250 the Most Common Bikes for Off-Road Motorcycle Tours in Vietnam?

There are a few reasons for this, and we’d like to share them as a fun story.

First, Honda has been the biggest motorcycle brand in Vietnam for many years. Honda motorcycles first appeared in South Vietnam in the 1960s, and they became so popular that people started calling every motorcycle “Hong-Đa” (derive from the pronunciation of Honda), regardless of the brand. It’s similar to how people say “Kleenex” in the US or “Esky” in Australia. Some people in Vietnam still use this name today, although it is much less common than before.

Second, Honda has built a strong reputation over many years. Their motorcycles are known for being reliable, durable, and well suited to Vietnam’s hot and humid climate. This has helped Honda become the most trusted motorcycle brand in the country.

What about motorcycles for off-road tours? The answer is still Honda.

The most common off-road bikes used for tours are the CRF250L and CRF300L, which replaced the XR250 that was also very popular about 20 years ago. They may not be as light or as powerful as professional dirt bikes, but they are incredibly durable. For riders who need a bike that can handle both long-distance touring and off-road trails, they are an excellent choice.

I often joke with our guests that these bikes “run forever,” and that maybe only an old Nokia phone could somehow damage a Honda CRF.

Another advantage of Honda off-road bikes is that some small parts can be replaced with parts from common Honda motorcycles such as the Honda Winner or Air Blade. This is very useful because motorcycle tours often travel through remote mountain areas, where it is almost impossible to find genuine parts for off-road motorcycles, which are quite rare in Vietnam.

Finally, there simply are not many choices in here.

Not many manufacturers want to sell off-road motorcycles here because demand is still relatively small. Import taxes also make these bikes much more expensive than in many other markets. Tour companies are also less interested in expensive models because both the purchase price and maintenance costs are much higher.

Honda’s biggest competitor at the moment is probably the Kawasaki KLX250/300. It is also an excellent motorcycle with a more affordable price and very good quality. However, more expensive spare parts and more complicated maintenance have kept it from becoming as popular as the CRF.

New models will continue to enter the market, but the Honda CRF will likely remain one of the top choices for off-road motorcycle tours in Vietnam for many years to come. Out in the mountains, a reliable motorcycle is worth far more than a few extra horsepower.