On your way back you can get the bike on a bus so you don't have to go through "hell" a second time...

BenjaminWilk wrote: ↑Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:15 pm Hello there everyone,

I will be in Phnom Penh on the 1st/2nd of October and I am looking to rent a bike to get me and my wife to Siem Reap. Ideally I'm looking for an automatic moped, around 120ccs like the Honda Airblade or another model.

rozzieoz wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:46 am Please take the bus.

But not Virak Buntham,his chances on a moto would be better.....................

Hi there everyone,

Just thought I'd let everyone know how I got on. I ended up going to New New Motorbikes and renting a 125cc semi-auto Honda Wave, but on the way to Siem Reap we ended up accidentally taking a wrong turn that lead us westwards off the main road. By the time we found out (after riding about 100km, or about 50 or so km off-route) we decided to just call it a day and head back to Phnom Penh, we then just spent the rest of the day riding around the outskirts of Phnom Penh and visiting the Killing Fields.

Overall, I would say that traffic in Cambodia is OK for the most part compared to China. The roads are much better in China, but the drivers are worse (read selfish and unwilling to compromise with anyone else on the road if they believe they have right of way) so driving in Cambodia was generally a pleasant experience, the only issue was the mid-day sun gave my forearms epic sunburn.

Phnom Penh is pretty awful for traffic, but as long as you don't drive stupidly and keep your wits about you it really isn't anymore dangerous than China (safer in my opinion because people don't drive so fast and recklessly). I would say that I enjoyed being out on the highway, generally everyone seemed to be quite considerate out there, with even trucks and HGVs typically trying to keep a good distance from the bikers most of the time.

I think if I were to try this trip again, I would use a larger bike and take it over a longer period of time, as I feel that about 100-150km on the highway in Cambodia in one go is definitely enough. I don't know if I would take a passenger again either to be honest, it could be quite fun riding as a small group though.

I heard the road to SR has gotten better, did you think it was a pretty good drive? Also, did you have problems renting the bike? Did they want your passport?

icetiger81 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 08, 2019 8:49 am I heard the road to SR has gotten better, did you think it was a pretty good drive? Also, did you have problems renting the bike? Did they want your passport?

The road was fine to be honest, I just took a wrong turn at a bridge. I paid a 700 dollar deposit so they didn't need to take my passport, it was one or the other. To be fair to the owner of New New Motorcycles, he gave me the money back when I returned plus an extra 8 dollars for the extra day of rental that I didn't need in the end.

Well done BenjaminWilk, and good intentions, but sorry you didn't make your intended destination. But again I see that you wasn't overall disheartened.
Adventure by motorcycle, can, and will certainly be a challenge in this country, to put it mildly. There are many factors that are against the motorcyclists, firstly the conditions of the roads and also the weather conditions you would be riding in. The sun can be very strong, so can the rain, it is always best to make plans to stopover sometimes if this factor gets too much for the rider and pillion, plentiful cafés and hotels mostly everywhere.
Then we can add other road users, trucks, cars and Moto's, pedestrians, farming machinery and livestock (buffalo, cow, goat and pig, duck and chickens). Wildlife too in some areas, I actually hit my second snake on my previous journey. Be aware of the unexpected, and never forget that all have the rights above yourself, that includes the small rural kid who can't even put their feet on the road ridding their Moto. The guy who has just pulled from the side street at bolt neck speed, no insurance or helmet, but downed 10 cans of my country beer at the local KTV looking for more fun. Also anything bigger than you has right of way, cars and trucks heading straightforward in your path, let's not forget that here people argue with the odd running train that didn't stop or move out of their way, before the collision of crossing the tracks. You are invisible to everyone and anything else on the road. Invisibility! But not if your involved in any incident, (this time their not running away) why, you shouldn't have been there anyway, not your fault says 100% you will pay for the privilege.
Why do we do it? The challenge, fun and excitement, open air and the pleasure. We all may have our personal reasons and likes for adventure.



My ride a 2017 Honda MSX 125cc (Singapore) bought from shop new 2017 $1200 all documents in my name according to the law. Many posters said in the past it wouldn't last one year, the engine and brakes are same as new.
One thing the Chinese can't make or maintain is the front LCD's, but replacement strips and spotlight's are 10.000reil on most local market's and are hellish bright, when they give up just pop in another with a little dab of superglue (10-12 month lifespan). It's had a new battery, chain and sprockets, regular oil change, fuel in the tank for the many miles of enjoyment.

Happy ridding and safe journey to all members and posters

Nice bike @AndyKK - $1200 was a steal - where did you buy it??

Riding is certainly a hair-raise on occasions.

Giving way is definitely the rule.

Mishmash wrote: ↑Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:56 pm Nice bike @AndyKK - $1200 was a steal - where did you buy it??

Riding is certainly a hair-raise on occasions.

Giving way is definitely the rule.

I agree totally with your statement, we are in no rush, why people around us drive and ride like lunatic's as they have to get there yesterday is beyond reason.
The answer to your question, Kampong Cham, I bought (two) not at the same time, but within a few months apart, the same shop and same year model and registration, both same price bracket $1150-$1250 on the road with plate, card and paper, registered with the police with your passport. I sold one of them last year (one year old) for $1000, that too was a very good bike.
I enjoy the ride on the bike, it's economical not only on fuel and oil, but also on parts. like I have said previously I changed the battery $20 and chain and sprockets $13 fitted. LCD's front lights had been the initial problem after about just short of two years, but again previous, a cheap fix. Tyres and brakes have plenty of life left. I have made one or two mod's also to suit, such as better fuel line (the originals seem to perish) a little to the electrics and a little cutting and replacement of the rear mudguard.
The small bike is nimble but very sure, and I use it daily for normal use. I tend to journey like you see in the other photo above, loaded with the two of us Speed, is like you wrote of above around the 50kph on open country roads, but the bike has no problem hitting the 90+kph mark and is very nimble and flickable.
Sometimes yes! I would like something larger, I have had an array of bikes here from 250cc dirt bikes to 50cc scooters, riding on many journey from south to north. But to the question, I also think is there any need to change for my purpose, this has done fine up to date.



The one that got away

@AndyKK

Wow - I never knew you could get such a great deal - papers too.

Amazing..

The bikes look great and you kept them in excellent condition.

I know who to come to for a bike now - hope you're still here in December - when it's time for a Chrimbo prezzy to self.

I passapp mainly now as PP is chock-a-block and riding is no fun anymore. Dun even bother with the car as it's just gas and waiting at the 1km traffic light queues.

Glad you're having fun and living life.