In Vietnam, where the motorbike is king, fuel efficiency isn’t just about being eco-friendly—it’s about the freedom to explore further and keeping more dong in your pocket. Whether you are commuting through the chaotic streets of Hanoi or tackling the winding loops of Ha Giang, watching your fuel gauge drop too quickly is a frustration every rider knows.
While rising global fuel costs are a reality we can’t control, the condition of your bike and the way you ride are entirely in your hands. At Rentabike Vietnam, we have seen firsthand how simple maintenance tweaks can drastically improve mileage. Here is our comprehensive guide to getting the most out of every tank.
Your motorcycle is a complex system, and if one part is out of sync, your engine has to work harder—burning more fuel in the process.
1. Tire Pressure is Critical
This is the single most common cause of poor mileage. Under-inflated tires create more “rolling resistance,” meaning your engine has to fight the road to move forward.
2. Chain Tension and Lubrication
A dry, rusty, or loose chain creates immense friction. Your engine wastes power simply trying to turn the rear wheel.
3. Breathability: Air Filters
Think of the air filter as your bike’s lungs. In dusty environments like Vietnam, filters clog quickly. A dirty filter restricts air flow, forcing the engine to burn more fuel to compensate.
4. Fluids and Friction
Old, thick oil creates drag inside the engine.
You can have a perfectly tuned Honda XR 150, but if you ride aggressively, you will still drain the tank.
Not necessarily. If your bike is designed for 92 octane (like many standard scooters and smaller manuals), putting in 95 won’t offer a significant performance or efficiency boost. Always check your owner’s manual.
In Vietnam’s climate, we recommend every 500km. If you have been riding in the rain or mud, do it immediately after washing the bike. This could well be daily if you are touring.
Absolutely. A worn or fouled spark plug causes incomplete combustion, meaning you are wasting unburnt fuel with every stroke of the engine.
Yes, but use the “20-second rule.” If the traffic light counter shows more than 20 seconds remaining, kill the engine. Idling for long periods burns fuel (and overheats the engine in summer) without moving you an inch. However, constantly restarting the bike for very short stops can drain the battery, so use your judgment.
Extended idling is unnecessary for modern motorcycles. While it is good to let the oil circulate for 30–60 seconds after a cold start, letting the bike idle for 5–10 minutes to “warm up” just wastes fuel. The most efficient way to warm up an engine is to ride it gently at low RPMs for the first few kilometers.
Improving your fuel efficiency is a combination of mechanical diligence and smart riding. By keeping your tires inflated, your chain lubed, and your throttle hand smooth, you will extend the life of your engine and save money for what matters—the post-ride bia hơi.
Ready to hit the road on a bike that’s tuned to perfection?
At Rentabike Vietnam, every motorcycle in our rental fleet—from the Honda XR 150 to the CB500x — is meticulously maintained to ensure reliability and maximum fuel efficiency.
[Browse Our Rental Fleet] | [Book a Guided Tour]
Engine Type
air-cooled, single cylinder, SOHC
Displacement
411 cc
Bore X Stroke
78 mm x 86 mm
Ignition
TCI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
telescopic forks; stanchion diameter 41 mm
Rear Suspension
linkage-type monoshock
Front Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 300 mm, 2-piston floating caliper
Rear Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 240 mm, single-piston floating caliper
Front Tyres
90/90 – 21
Rear Tyres
120/90 – 17
Wheelbase
1465 mm
Seat Height
800 mm
Ground Clearance
220 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
15 litres
Dimensions
2190 mm (L) x 840 mm (W) x 1360 mm (H)
Daily
Total
Rider (CRF 300)
$220
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Rider (XR 150)
Rider (CRF 300)
Rider (CB 500X)
Rider (Himalayan 400)
$220
Rider (GS 1250)
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Jeep (1 PAX)
$210
Jeep (2 PAX)
$120
Jeep (3 PAX)
$90
Jeep (4+ PAX)
$80
Rider (Easy Rider)
$115
Rider (Self-Drive)
$105
Private Room
$15
* Our jeep tour prices operate on a sliding scale. The larger your group, the less each person pays—each member of your group will pay the lowest daily rate shown. For example, if you have a group of 4 or more, you will each only pay $80/day. All prices are given in USD.
Engine Type
air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine
Displacement
1255 cc
Bore X Stroke
102.5 mm x 76 mm
Ignition
FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm
Rear Suspension
single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever
Front Brakes
dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers
Rear Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper
Front Tyres
120/70 R19
Rear Tyres
170/60 R17
Wheelbase
1514 mm
Seat Height
850 mm
Ground Clearance
790 mm
Kerb Weight
249 kg
Fuel Capacity
20 litres
Dimensions
2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)
Engine Type
air cooled, OHC, single cylinder
Displacement
149 cc
Bore X Stroke
57.3 mm x 57.8 mm
Ignition
CDI
Fuel System
20 mm piston valve carburettor
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Starter
electric with kick starter backup
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel
Rear Suspension
single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel
Front Brakes
dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc
Rear Brakes
mechanical drum
Front Tyres
90/90 19
Rear Tyres
110/90 17
Wheelbase
1362 mm
Seat Height
825 mm
Ground Clearance
243 mm
Kerb Weight
129 kg
Fuel Capacity
12 litres
Dimensions
2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)
Engine Type
liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke
Displacement
470 cc
Bore X Stroke
67 mm x 66.8 mm
Ignition
PGMI – FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS
Rear Brakes
240 mm disc; ABS
Front Tyres
110/80R19M/C (59H)
Rear Tyres
160/60R17M/C
Wheelbase
1445 mm
Seat Height
830 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
17.7 litres
Dimensions
2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)
Engine Type
single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled
Displacement
286 cc
Bore X Stroke
76 mm x 63 mm
Ignition
Full Transistor Digital
Fuel System
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
43 mm telescopic upside down
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
Rear Brakes
220 mm disc, single piston caliper
Front Tyres
80/100 21
Rear Tyres
120/80 18
Wheelbase
1455 mm
Seat Height
880 mm
Ground Clearance
285 mm
Kerb Weight
142 kg
Fuel Capacity
7.8 litres
Dimensions
2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)
