HTmotortour’s Ha Giang Motorbike Loop Tour in 2 Days includes a 110cc semi-automatic bike as standard, but self-drive riders can upgrade to a Honda XR150L for the same trip. On a tour this compressed — real mountain riding packed into two saddle days with overnight bus transfers on either end — the extra power and control matter more than they would on a slower, longer itinerary.
This guide explains when the upgrade is worth it, what it costs, and what to do if two days turns out to be too short.
🧭 Quick Facts
| Detail | This tour |
|---|---|
| Tour | Ha Giang Motorbike Loop Tour in 2 Days |
| Rating | Excellent, 37 reviews |
| Duration | 2 riding days / 2 nights, overnight bus both ways |
| Group size | Up to 10 people |
| Included bike | 110cc semi-automatic |
| XR150L upgrade | Available as a paid add-on at booking |
| Riding distance | ~130km Day 1, longer combined distance Day 2 (riding + return transfer) |
Why This Itinerary Suits the XR150L
The 2-Day Loop doesn’t ease you in. Day 1 alone crosses Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate, the Twin Mountains viewpoint, Tham Ma Pass and Chin Khoanh Pass before reaching Dong Van — roughly 130km of continuous mountain riding in a single day, most of it climbing or descending switchbacks. Day 2 pushes further: the Sky Pass, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and a boat trip on the Nho Que River before heading back toward Ha Giang for the return bus to Hanoi.
That’s a lot of elevation change and technical riding packed into two days, with no easing-in day to build confidence on the included bike first. This is exactly where the XR150L‘s extra displacement and control help — more power for climbing out of hairpins without straining the engine, and more stability descending the same passes at the end of a long riding day when fatigue starts to matter.
XR150L vs the Included 110cc Semi-Automatic
Be honest with yourself about which one actually fits your experience — this isn’t a straightforward “bigger is better” upgrade.
| Included 110cc semi-automatic | Honda XR150L (upgrade) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Semi-automatic (no clutch lever) | Fully manual (clutch + gears) |
| Learning curve | Easier for riders without manual experience | Requires real manual motorcycle experience |
| Power for climbs | Adequate at a relaxed pace | More reserve on steep, repeated climbs |
| Descending control | Manageable at low speed | Stronger engine braking on long descents |
| Best for | Riders newer to geared motorcycles | Riders with prior manual bike experience wanting more control |
Choose the XR150L upgrade if: you already ride manual motorcycles at home and want a bike with more reserve for a compressed, pass-heavy two days — this is where the upgrade earns its price, not on flatter, slower routes.
See the full Honda XR150L Rental Vietnam guide →
What the Upgrade Costs
The XR150L is listed as a paid add-on directly on the 2-Day Ha Giang Loop Tour booking page, separate from the base tour price. Select it under “Extras” when booking, alongside other options like Easy Rider (pillion) or a private room upgrade. Confirm the current price at checkout, since extras pricing can be adjusted seasonally.
Need More Than 2 Days?
Two days is enough to ride the loop’s highlights, but it’s a fast pace — you’ll cover Quan Ba, Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng and the Nho Que River back-to-back with limited downtime. If you’d rather slow down, add a rest day in Dong Van’s Old Quarter, or extend into areas the 2-day route doesn’t reach, HTmotortour runs everything from quick 2-day loops up to multi-week expeditions — the itinerary isn’t fixed to what’s listed online.
If your priority is simply a bit more engine capacity rather than more days, it’s also worth comparing the Honda XR190L for a 2-Day or 3-Day Ha Giang Loop — a step up from the XR150L for riders who want extra reserve on the same route.
Northern Loop Vietnam Motorcycle Tour (15 days) and the 10-Day Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorcycle Tour show the range HTmotortour operates at — from a two-day introduction to three-week-plus expeditions. You can also browse the full Ha Giang Loop Tours range for other durations. If three days, a week, or something in between suits your trip better than the standard 2-day format, tell HTmotortour your dates and what you’d like to add rather than assuming the listed itinerary is the only option.
Motorcycle Licence & IDP for the XR150L
At 150cc, the XR150L falls under Vietnam’s Class A motorcycle licence category (motorcycles over 125cc), rather than the A1 category that covers up to 125cc — so if you’re used to riding smaller bikes at home, double check your licence actually covers this class before booking the upgrade.
Foreign riders also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, carried together with their national licence. Whether your IDP is valid depends on whether your home country actually ratified the 1968 convention — signing and ratifying aren’t the same thing, so don’t assume based on general reputation. Check your own country’s status directly against the official record:
If you’re unsure after checking, send HTmotortour a photo of your licence before booking and ask the team to confirm it covers the XR150L.
Honda XR150L on the Ha Giang Loop — FAQ
Is the XR150L upgrade worth it for a 2-day trip?
What bike comes included with the 2-Day Ha Giang Loop Tour?
Can beginners ride the XR150L on this tour?
Can I extend this tour past 2 days?
What licence do I need for the XR150L?
How much does the XR150L upgrade cost on this tour?
How far do you ride each day on this tour?
🏔️ Ready to Ride the Ha Giang Loop?
Two days is enough to see why the Ha Giang Loop has the reputation it does — but whether you ride it on the included bike or upgrade to the XR150L should come down to your actual riding experience, not just what sounds more exciting. And if two days turns out to be too tight for what you want to see, HTmotortour can extend it.
Tell HTmotortour your riding experience and how many days you actually want. We’ll confirm whether the XR150L upgrade makes sense for you, or suggest the included bike instead.
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