There are several small businesses located in
Vang Vieng that rent motorbikes.
Renting motorcycles is a great way to see the surrounding countryside and
small towns near Vang Vieng. Motorcycle rental should be around 4 to 6 US
dollars per day. You are responsible for getting gas. Sometimes the gas
stations in town (and there are about 3 or 4 stations) run out of gas. I
experienced this - fortunately the company I rented from had another family member elsewhere in town who stockpiles gas. I drove my bike
to his shop and he filled it up for me. Its always a good idea to ask the
company you are renting bikes from if they have alternative gas supplies.
Its quite important to wear a helmet. If the renter does not have helmets
tell them you will not rent the bike until they produce a helmet. This
usually stimulates them to visit a friend or another bike shop so that they
can get you a helmet. Be very careful about the exhaust pipe in the back of
the bike - most of the bikes I rode in Vang Vieng did not have heat protectors covering the exhaust pipe, and as a result it is very very
easy to burn your leg on the back of the bike. I highly recommend wearing
long pants and closed toe shoes when riding motorcycles.
Motorcycles give you a lot of freedom to explore the countryside on your own
- far away from any tour groups - or limitations of buses and cars. I
especially liked visiting small villages on the outskirts of Vang Vieng.
Small children would flock enthusiastically to the motor bike - a digital
camera is an instant attention getter. The kids absolutely loved seeing themselves on the screen after the photo was taken. I gave several
small children rides on the back of the bike - they were the envy of their
friends!
As a side note, if you prefer a slower pace, you can also rent bicycles in
Vang Vieng.
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