In May 2016, Ho Chi Minh City was busy preparing for the brief visit of then US President Barack Obama. Commuters on their Kawasaki motorbike found themselves blocked from streets where the presidential motorcade will pass. By the time Air Force One landed, crowds lined the streets to get a glimpse of the US President. The crowds were waving little Vietnamese and American flags which were amazing considering past history between the countries.

Vietnam has changed after the official economic liberalization policy. Among 26 million households, about half have incomes ranging from $3000 to $15,000. After Indonesia, Vietnam is now the second biggest market for motorbikes in the Southeast Asian region. Around 45 million have replaced their bicycles with motorbikes as the primary means of transportation.

The motorbike segment continues to grow; however, there is a much smaller middle to the big bike range that focuses on more wealthy consumers. Previously, high capacity machines were restricted to state officials but relaxation of license rules allowed people who are 18 and above to drive one.

Last year, Benelli Vietnam estimated the total market for big bikes last year at more than 7,000 units. Ho Chi Minh City has over 8,700 big bike registrations as of April and Hanoi about 2,100. Motorcycle models of up to 1,800cc are being offered by Kawasaki, Benelli, BMW, Ducatti, Harley-Davidson, Honda, KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Last April, Vietnamese Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers held its first show with the “Ride high together” banner. About 170 two-wheelers were on display to attract 140,000 visitors to the show. The organizers wanted to stimulate demand in the saturated Vietnamese market and meet the emerging trend for high capacity vehicles.

Since many Vietnamese are classified as capable consumers, it has become easy for them to order the latest models of bikes from manufacturers all over the world through showrooms.

You can easily order a Kawasaki motorbike from Kawasaki dealers in Peterborough. A full range of Kawasaki bikes are available from the Kawasaki ZX-10R with its amazing power to the bestseller Kawasaki Ninja 300 that allows straightforward riding fun and the Kawasaki 1400 GTR with its unbeatable performance.