Motorcycles in VN

[Khatores]

I've noticed that people tend to talk about motorcycles in Vietnam...but, this kind is typically what we'd call a motor scooter in the US. Then there are mopeds, which are another type of low-power motorcycle, and finally motorized bicycles, which is sort of a bicycle with a weedwacker engine on it.

From watching some of the videos, I see a lot of two-wheeled vehicles - mostly scooters, but a few larger motorcycles. My roommate has some kind of Suzuki motorcycle and a guy that lives on my street has a Vespa. Scooters are very uncommon in Jacksonville, and if you see one, it's something to tell people. "Today, I saw a guy riding a scooter!" "Yeah, I saw that guy too!" :lol:

So, I'm curious as to whether Viet people often make a distinction, or is it just like "big motorcycle" and "small motorcycle" or what? What are the different kinds of words for different kinds?

Also, what makes a "good motorcycle" in the opinion of most Vietnamese? What kinds of options and things do you look for? Typically in the US, people want something so fast that they can kill themselves 4 times over with it...but, in heavy traffic that's probably not very useful. Do you look for large storage compartments, comfortable seats, good reliability, or what?

[nktvn]

So, I'm curious as to whether Viet people often make a distinction, or is it just like "big motorcycle" and "small motorcycle" or what? What are the different kinds of words for different kinds?


There is no distinction in size among those vehicles, only the TYPE. Mopeds are called collectively "xe Honda" because Honda is the most popular moped manufacturer in Vietnam. Shiny, fancy-looking sports motorcycles are usually associated with "xe Suzuki" or "Su xì po" (guess why?) although we also have some Harley-Davidsons. Finally, cars are associated with the Toyota brand. The formal name for all the two-wheelers are "xe gắn máy" (i.e. engine-powered vehicles).

In short, here are ways to visualize when you hear about vehicles in Vietnam:

"xe Honda": mopeds
"xe Suzuki": sports motorcycles
"xe Toyota": cars


Also, what makes a "good motorcycle" in the opinion of most Vietnamese? What kinds of options and things do you look for? Typically in the US, people want something so fast that they can kill themselves 4 times over with it...but, in heavy traffic that's probably not very useful. Do you look for large storage compartments, comfortable seats, good reliability, or what?

It depends on what type of person you are. If you want to look posh, go for shiny, bulky, fancy-looking sports motorcycles. If you want to save money, consider the fuel consumption factor. I think most people go with the latter.

[bschuess]

Dear NKTVN

Is there the equivalent of Hell's Angels types in VN? Tough looking guys in leather who ride around loud and in groups.

Of course, many people don't realize that most of these tough looking guys in leathers on the big Hogs are normally doctors and lawyers during the week!! But their image is very rough.

There are motorcycle gangs in the US that are involved in criminal activity, and this is the image of most guys on big bikes, but the truth a little different.

Bob

[nktvn]

Hi bschuess,

I guess I know what type of people you're referring to. They are commonly depicted in American movies. Really, they look tough. I don't think we have that type of people in Vietnam and so we use the literal translation "Những Thiên Thần Của Địa Ngục." We do have a lot of *crazy* motorcyclists though. I couldn't hate them more because they pay no heed to other people's lives.

[Khatores]

There are motorcycle gangs in the US that are involved in criminal activity, and this is the image of most guys on big bikes, but the truth a little different.
I thought that biker gangs had mostly died out, but my roommate used to work security for Bike Week and said that they're actually still very active, but they just don't get into as much trouble anymore.

[giang]

I remember I watched some movies that talk about these biker gangs. They can stay days on their big motorcycles, with pretty girls behind them and runs through different states in US. Is it true story or just Holiwood's imagination ?

[bschuess]

I remember I watched some movies that talk about these biker gangs. They can stay days on their big motorcycles, with pretty girls behind them and runs through different states in US. Is it true story or just Holiwood's imagination ?

There are still some motorcycle gangsters around. When they are real, they are pretty tough, because their culture has evolved into drug sales and prostitution.

The fantasy with the Hollywood image is that the guys really do look like Marlon Brando, but Marlon as an old man when he weighed 350 pounds, not in Wild One, and the girls are not so pretty anymore either.

Every year there is a parade of motorcycles in Chicago and 100's of rough looking guys on cycles ride to one location.....carrying toys for poor children at Christmas.

You will sometimes also see rough looking guys and gals on Harleys on the road. In reality, these are a club not a gang. They wear black leather but they are actually doctors, lawyers, elevator repairmen, language professors, and retired businessmen out for the day. Who else can afford a "Hog" these days. Hey, it's the Year of the Pig! Maybe we should all buy Harley Hogs.

The link below is to a video of a "biker festival" in Florida which attracted 1000's of bikers for the weekend from all over North America.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=fGOvUN79p70&mode=related&search=

[Khatores]

Actually, probably more than that you will see groups of younger people who have "crotch rockets" - fast plastic Japanese bikes - in large groups in urban areas, especially in places like S. CA or Miami.

[maccavn]

You will sometimes also see rough looking guys and gals on Harleys on the road. In reality, these are a club not a gang. They wear black leather but they are actually doctors, lawyers, elevator repairmen, language professors, and retired businessmen out for the day. Who else can afford a "Hog" these days. Hey, it's the Year of the Pig! Maybe we should all buy Harley Hogs.

I think these guys joined such clubs just for their hobby. I've seen some club of motorcycles on Discovery Channel. They also created motorcycles by them self.

Yep, this year is the year of The Fire Pig. So if you want to buy a Harley Hogs, you should buy a red one :D