Vietnam’s 150-class manual bikes (xe con tay) are its most romantic purchases - and its most questionable ones. All three current models have fully verified manufacturer data (retrieved 23 September 2026), so the question of who needs one can be answered with numbers.
What the class costs to run
| Spec | Winner R | Exciter 155 VVA | CBR150R |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claimed economy | 2.59 L/100 km (UDC) | 2.07 L/100 km | 2.91 L/100 km |
| List price | 46,360,000 VND | 55,200,000 VND (limited ABS) | 72,290,000 VND |
| Kerb weight | 124 kg | 123 kg wet | 139 kg |
Against the semi-automatic class - claims as low as 1.47 L/100 km and prices from 18.8 million VND - the manual class burns roughly 40-100 percent more fuel per kilometre and costs two to four times as much.
Who the data says needs one
- Riders who travel long distances regularly. The CBR150R’s 12-litre tank and fairing are the only verified combination built for sustained highway work.
- Riders whose terrain or load demands torque - the Exciter’s 14.4 Nm carries a passenger uphill far better than any 110.
- Riders who ride for pleasure. This is a legitimate need - the clutch, the six-speed gearbox and the 9,000-rpm power band are the point.
Who the data says does not
City-only commuters. In stop-start traffic, a manual clutch adds work with no benefit a 1.56 L/100 km semi-automatic does not deliver better. Carrying a passenger purely in the city: a Future 125 FI does it cheaper and cooler in summer.
The licence and skill reality
A manual bike demands a new skill set in the most demanding traffic in Southeast Asia - see our beginner manual guide. And before buying, confirm what your licence covers.
Try before deciding
None of the three is price-published in our rental line-up - contact us to confirm current availability. Our published daily classes are the Honda Wave and Yamaha Sirius at 150,000 VND - rent a semi-automatic first, and be honest about which riding you actually do. Insurance is not included in rentals.