Many Vietnamese men prefer motorcycles to cars

The demand for high-cylinder capacity motorbikes (175 cc or higher) has soared recently.

Several years ago, it was difficult to buy a high-cylinder capacity motorcycle. The buyers needed to be patient to seek them on the internet, or on automobile forums, order overseas or visit all sales agents. Some people who could not afford expensive new products had to use old motorcycles to satisfy their passion.

At that time, owning big motorcycles was a luxury, not just because the products were expensive. Even those with big money could not buy these stylish motorcycles.

In addition, not everyone was eligible for a A2 driving license. Only policemen, military officers, transport inspectors, market control officers, forest rangers and motorbike athletes could apply to take the exams for the license.

The absence of authorized sales agents, complicated procedures, and a series of problems in maintenance and spare parts were also hindrances.

But things are different now. The high-cylinder capacity motorcycle market has kicked off as more people can now apply for an A2 license. 

In the last four years, the world’s most famous motorcycle manufacturers appointed authorized sales agents in Vietnam and launched new models, thus creating a scorching hot Vietnamese market.

Harley-Davidson, Ducati, KTM, BMW Motorrad, Honda and Yamaha all have showrooms in Vietnam as they understand the importance of the market.

High-cylinder capacity motorcycles are listed as ‘super-luxury vehicles’, which have  prices of between hundreds of million of dong to several billion dong. However, the wide range of prices allows many people to own high capacity motorcycles.

Those who have over VND100 million can afford a KTM Duke 390. Meanwhile, those who have VND500-600 million can buy Honda CB400 or Ducati Scrambler Sixty2. Harley-Davidson and Triumph are priced at over VND1 billion.

The Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, sold at over VND2 billion, similar to a luxury car, is also sold in Vietnam. 

CEO of Ducati Vietnam Vu Bich Trang said that motorcycle manufacturers are happy about the potential of the Vietnamese market. The potential buyers of high capacity motorcycles are mostly wealthy people who own one or several cars, but still love motorcycles. 

Tran Minh Trien, a businessman in HCM City, well known for his motorcycle collection, said he has more than 10 motorcycles of this kind, including one valued at over VND2 billion.

US$1=VND23,000

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M. Ha