HONDA has a new "cub" on the street, called Wave.
There’s a choice of four versions, and three features an electric starter. With
prices from 800 USD, they are pretty reasonable value-for-money machines.
The four-speed Wave 100 for 2006 is similar to the previous model, except for
some minor improvements. Two of the versions (called RS and RSV) have disc
brakes in the front, giving better stopping power compared to the ancient drums.
The drums in the rear brakes have been maintained.
The Alpha, RS, RSV have an electric starter, which starts very efficiently.
There’s also the option of the kick starter. The only model that has no electric
starter is Wave 1.
The rear spring suspension is a more dynamic version that is said to increase
ride comfort, while the front utilises upside-down forks.
One significant change is the use of wider tyres for increased stability and
better handling, especially in the turns.
The Wave 100 is Honda’s latest small motorcycle.
The grip for the pillion is a slightly-raised bar above the rear light.
The foot-pegs however are of the very old-fashioned straight rubber ones, not
very suitable for a modern-looking bike.
For storage, there’s something called a “U-box,” a deep-set compartment under
the seat that would be able to hold small to medium-sized items. It certainly
keeps your wallet and handphone dry when you get caught in an unexpected storm.
Lights have been improved, with increased brightness; the front ones have a
double lens that gives a clear light, though the beam is directed too close.
Instrumentation includes fuel level, speed, gear and turn signal. RS and RSV
models are fitted with a maintenance-free battery, a real convenience.
At 97cc and a four-stroke engine, don’t expect any major power.
The acceleration is pretty reasonable for level road with gear well spaced out
for smooth acceleration at all engine revs.
However, going up hill with a pillion rider can be quite slow.
Thankfully there’s a gear indicator panel, so after some trial and error you’ll
figure out the best gears for gradients.
Its suspension system soaks up bumps and potholes well, and mounted to a more
rigid chassis tends to give a wobble-free and better ride stability.
The four-stroke engine has less acceleration but is a lot cleaner and does not
emit the stinking white smoke that the two-stroke bikes do.
There’s no clutch.
Its frugal fuel consumption would definitely make the Wave a good choice for
those who are watching their monthly petrol bills carefully.
The only thing we find not good on the Wave and other Honda models in Vietnam is
seat. The back part is so thin that you can't hardly ride comfortably. You are
likely to stop every 40 km to refresh yourself.
HONDA WAVE RSV (WAVE REPSOL) 100cc
(8 USD per day, monthly rate: 60 USD/30 days)
Wave RSV which has sporty and fashionable design with the unique colors – the
Repsol color of Honda Motor GP racing team, bringing the youthful, dynamic and
stylist for the young is a breakthrough of Wave model of Honda Vietnam. With the
suggested retail price of VND16.9mil and Honda global quality, Wave RSV is
surely the best choice for Vietnamese customers especially the young customers.
| Curb weight |
100 kg |
Overall
length x width x height |
1,920 mm x
710 mm x 1,075 mm |
| Wheel base |
1,235 mm |
| Seat height |
769 mm |
| Min-ground clearance |
130 mm |
| Fuel tank capacity |
3,7l |
| Engine oil capacity |
0.9 litre
when dismantling machine; 0.7 litre when changing lubricant |
|
Front suspension |
Spring, hydraulic
shock-absorber |
|
Rear suspension |
Spring, hydraulic
shock-absorber |
|
Engine type |
Gasoline, 04-stroke, single,
air-cooled |
|
Displacement |
97,1 cm3 |
|
Bore stroke |
50 mm x 49,5 mm |
|
Compression ratio |
9,0 : 1 |
|
Max. output / rpm |
5,1kW/8.000 rpm |
|
Max. torque / rpm |
7,7N.m/5.500 rpm |
|
Gear box |
Mechanical, 4-step rotary
system |
|
Starting system |
Electric/kick starter |
Reserve this bike.
HONDA WAVE RS 100cc (7 USD per day,
monthly rate: 50 USD/30 days)
Being newly designed basing on Wave series & research on Vietnamese customers’
taste and demand, Wave RS is a model in hamornious combination between strong
sporty design and youngfullness. In addition to keeping strong feature, fuel
saving and environmental friendliness of Wave engine - the outstanding point of
Honda motorcycle engines, Wave RS Wave RS obtains more outstanding features than
Wave Alpha and Wave ZX.
| Curb weight |
100 kg |
Overall
length x width x height |
1,920 mm x
710 mm x 1,075 mm |
| Wheel base |
1,235 mm |
| Seat height |
769 mm |
| Min-ground clearance |
130 mm |
| Fuel tank capacity |
3,7l |
| Engine oil capacity |
0.9 litre
when dismantling machine; 0.7 litre when changing lubricant |
|
Front suspension |
Spring, hydraulic
shock-absorber |
|
Rear suspension |
Spring, hydraulic
shock-absorber |
|
Engine type |
Gasoline, 04-stroke, single,
air-cooled |
|
Displacement |
97,1 cm3 |
|
Bore stroke |
50 mm x 49,5 mm |
|
Compression ratio |
9,3 : 1 |
|
Max. output / rpm |
5,1kW/8.000 rpm |
|
Max. torque / rpm |
7,0N.m/5.500 rpm |
|
Gear box |
Mechanical, 4-step rotary
system |
|
Starting system |
Electric/kick starter |
Reserve this bike.
HONDA SUPER DREAM 100cc (6 USD per
day, monthly rate: 45 USD/30 days)
Super
Dream are designed basing on the traditional Super Dream, which has been highly
evaluated by Vietnamese customers for many years.
Besides maintaining the traditionally durable, strong, fuel-saving and friendly
with environmental engine, these new models also have outstanding points
compared with the current Super Dream.
| Curb weight |
95 kg |
Overall
length x width x height |
1,860 mm x
655 mm x 1,040 mm |
| Wheel base |
1,175 mm |
| Seat height |
772 mm |
| Min-ground clearance |
130 mm |
| Fuel tank capacity |
3.5l |
| Engine oil capacity |
0.9 litre
when dismantling machine; 0.7 litre when changing lubricant |
|
Front suspension |
Spring, hydraulic
shock-absorber |
|
Rear suspension |
Spring, hydraulic
shock-absorber |
|
Engine type |
Gasoline, 04-stroke, single,
air-cooled |
|
Displacement |
97 cm3 |
|
Bore stroke |
50 mm x 49.5 mm |
|
Compression ratio |
9.0 : 1 |
|
Max. output / rpm |
4.41 kW/7,000 rpm |
|
Max. torque / rpm |
6.03 N.m/5,000 rpm |
|
Gear box |
Mechanical, 4-step rotary
system |
|
Starting system |
Electric/kick starter |
Reserve this bike.
Other models at 6 USD per day (monthly rate: 50 USD/30 days) are Honda Supra (or
Wave) 100cc, SYM Angel Hi 100cc, SYM Magic 100cc, SYM Star 110cc:
HONDA FUTURE NEO GT 125cc (10 USD per
day)
This is the first Honda Vietnam's model equipped with cast wheel, which brings
the sporty, modern, active and fashionable style. Future Neo GT is developed
from the current Future Neo, which is highly evaluated by Vietnamese customers.
| Curb weight |
105 kg |
Overall
length x width x height |
1,890 mm
x 705 mm x 1,085 mm |
| Wheel base |
1,240 mm |
| Seat height |
767 mm |
| Min-ground
clearance |
130 mm |
| Fuel tank capacity |
3.7l |
| Engine oil
capacity |
0.9 litre
when dismantling machine; 0.7 litre when changing lubricant |
|
Front suspension |
Spring, hydraulic
shock-absorber |
|
Rear suspension |
Spring, hydraulic
shock-absorber |
|
Engine type |
Gasoline, 04-stroke,
single, air-cooled |
|
Displacement |
124 cm3 |
|
Bore stroke |
52.4 mm x 57.9 mm |
|
Compression ratio |
9.3 : 1 |
|
Max. output / rpm |
6.6kW/7,500 rpm |
|
Max. torque / rpm |
9.9N.m/5,500 rpm |
|
Gear box |
Mechanical, 4-step rotary
system |
|
Starting system |
Electric/kick starter |
Vietnam Horison Travel organizes motorcycle touring by Honda and Minsk motobikes. They were imported from Indonesia (Hondas) and the former Soviet Union (Minsks) during the early to late 1990’s. Upgrade to Honda motocross is available.
Hondas are very powerful bikes and we have replaced longer shocks to make them very comfortable for mountain roads. They are very reliable and well maintained before every trip and always in good condition.
Today Minsks are not seen much in the cities but there are still some in mountainous areas but the trend is they will soon be replaced by reliable Hondas or cheap Chinese bikes. Nicknamed the "Iron Buffalo" they are easy to use and easy to repair and still handle the job very well. To be honest, Minsks are a bit under powered, but with Vietnam's narrow mountain roads which have many blind curves, they are the bikes of choice. Big bikes are a real big waste here in Northern Vietnam and more accidents are likely to happen if we use bigger bikes.
Vietnam regulations limits bikes to 175cc until May 2007 but the most commonly used are 100cc, 125cc and 156cc Hondas and the 125cc Russian 'Minsk'. It would take sometime to have big bikes imported in the country.
HONDA DIRTBIKE XL 125S (Four-stroke
dirtbike at 15 USD per day)
A good, well maintained dirt (trail) bike is the cornerstone of every enjoyable enduro tour.
As always, this is a compromise between bike purchasing cost (we're not sponsored by any motorcycle company - the touring business here is too small to be attractive for any bike manufacturer), bike operating cost, availability of spare parts, reliability and the "fun factor" of the bikes.
Considering all this, we purchased four-stroke Honda XL 125, which are fairly lightweight, durable, and a barrel of fun.
Made in 2000, Honda XL 125s 4-stroke, 125 cc is a real motorcross for Vietnamese mountain roads where power means nothing as roads are small and have many blind curves.
| Number of seats |
2 |
| Country of origin |
Japan |
| Engine displacement |
125cc |
| Cylinder |
01 |
| Engine power (hp/rpm) |
13/9,500 |
| Starter |
Kick |
| Engine type |
OHC,
air-cooled |
| Stroke cycle |
04 |
| Compression ratio |
9.4:1 |
| Speed |
06 |
| Ignition |
CDI |
| Fuel Consuming |
51,4 km/liter
speed 50 km/hour (standard gasoline) |
| Clutch |
Manual, Wet
Type, & Double Clutch |
| System (volt.) |
6V |
| Front brake |
Drum |
| Rear brake |
Drum |
| Front tyre |
2.75-21-PR |
| Rear tyre |
4.1-18-4PR |
| Front suspension |
Telescopic
fork |
| Rear suspension |
Swing arm w.
sh. abs |
| Fuel tank capacity (l) |
07 |
| Ground clearance (mm) |
265 |
| Height (mm) |
1,110 |
| Length (mm) |
2,080 |
| Curb weight (kg) |
104 |
| Seat height (mm) |
820 |
| Wheel base (mm) |
1,310 |
MINSK MOTORCYLE
The plant was founded on 6 November 1945.
It is situated in the capital of Belarus - Minsk:
Motovelo Corporation, 8 Partizanski Ave., Minsk, Belarus 220765; Tel: 375 17
221-6905; Fax: 375 17 221-6806
The plant manufactures on parallel assembly lines motorcycles and bicycles.
70% of bicycles are exported to Russia, while 90% of motorcycles are
exported to countries outside of former USSR - Iran, Vietnam, Turkey,
Mexico, UK, France, USA and Germany.
Since privatization the MotoVelo Corporation has been in decline trailing
near bankruptcy. On 25 November 2005 some 600 employees of MotoVelo rallied
and blocked one of major Minsk streets in protest of low salaries
($100/month) and poor work conditions. On 16 December 2005 majority stock
(90% of stock options) were transferred to Belarusian state to save the
plant. The Belarusian socialist economy means that the plant will soon have
an influx of state money and improve.
Some believe that this whole situation was created by a Motovelo director
deliberately, since immediately after the collapse of Motovelo he was
promoted to high government position. Looks like Lukashenka regime was after
the hard currency flow generated by this 90% export of motorcycles abroad.
However - this is good news for consumers - the plant will survive.
Two models Mr Cuong rents out: 7 USD/day
(bike and helmet)
MMVZ-112
| Engine |
Two-stroke, one-cylinder |
| Engine capacity,
cc |
125 |
| Engine power,
kW(HP) |
7,36(10) |
| Number of gears |
4 |
| Maximum speed,
km/h |
85 |
| Fuel |
Gasoline
A76 |
| Average fuel
consumption
(with one driver at speed 60 km/h, liter/100km) |
4 |
| Front fork |
telescopic, with hydraulic dampers, move 130 mm |
| Rear suspension |
balance,
with hydraulic gas-filled dampers, move 85 mm |
| Brakes |
Drumed,
with mechanical drive, diameter 150 mm |
| Tires |
3.00-18
or 3.00/80-18 |
| Battery |
None |
| Ignition |
Electronic, noncontact |
| Maximum weight, kg |
105 |
MMVZ-113
| Engine |
Two-stroke, one-cylinder |
| Engine capacity,
cc |
125 |
| Engine power,
kW(HP) |
7,36(10) |
| Number of gears |
4 |
| Maximum speed,
km/h |
85 |
| Fuel |
Gasoline
A76 |
| Average fuel
consumption
(with one driver at speed 60 km/h, liter/100km) |
4 |
| Front fork |
Telescopic, with hydraulic dampers, move 150 mm |
| Rear suspension |
Balance,
with hydraulic gas-filled dampers, move 95 mm |
| Brakes |
Drumed,
with mechanical drive, diameter 150 mm |
| Tires |
3.00-18
or 3.00/80-18 |
| Battery |
None |
| Ignition |
Electronic, noncontact |
| Maximum weight, kg |
112 |
|
