Rentals
3 Things you MUST know Before Riding a Honda XR150
The Honda XR150 is a simple motorcycle, and that simplicity is one of the reasons it works so well for travelling around Vietnam. However, it also has a few old-school features that can confuse riders who are used to newer motorcycles.
These are three things we explain to almost every renter before they leave on an XR150. None of them is difficult, but knowing how they work can save you from unnecessary problems on the road.
1. There Is No Fuel Gauge
The first surprise for many riders is that the Honda XR150 does not have a conventional fuel gauge.
Instead, the bike uses a manual fuel tap with a reserve position. This is a very simple system once you understand it, but if you have never used one before it is worth learning how it works before leaving.
How the XR150 Fuel Tap Works
The fuel tap is located on the left side of the motorcycle underneath the fuel tank.
It has three positions:
ON / Main fuel
This is the normal riding position. Fuel flows from the main section of the tank to the carburettor.
OFF
This stops fuel flowing to the carburettor. You normally do not need to use this during ordinary riding.
RESERVE
This allows you to use the remaining reserve fuel once the main supply has been used.
Depending on the exact fuel tap fitted to the motorcycle, the physical direction of these positions can differ, so we show every renter the correct positions on their individual bike before departure.
How Do You Know When You Need Reserve?
As the main fuel supply runs out, the engine will normally begin to hesitate, splutter or lose power.
If this happens, pull over somewhere safe if possible and turn the fuel tap to RESERVE. Give the carburettor a few moments to refill and restart the motorcycle.
The important thing to remember is that reserve fuel is there to help you reach a filling station. It is not an excuse to continue riding until that runs out as well.
For more on motorcycle fuel range, petrol types, fuel economy and planning refuelling stops around Vietnam, see our complete motorcycle fuel guide for Vietnam.
The Most Important Part
After filling the tank, put the fuel tap back to the normal ON position.
If you forget and leave the motorcycle on reserve, you lose your warning system. The next time the bike runs out of fuel, there will be no reserve left to switch to.
That is the mistake we particularly want renters to avoid.
The XR150 has very good fuel range, so running out is rarely a problem if you fill up regularly. We still recommend topping up when convenient rather than trying to calculate the absolute maximum distance possible from each tank.
2. Be Gentle With the Petrol-Cap Key
The second thing we warn riders about is the fuel-cap lock.
The XR150 fuel cap uses a spring-loaded locking mechanism. Once you understand how it works, it is very easy to use. If you try to force the key, however, you can damage or even break it.
That is an unnecessary problem to create halfway through a motorcycle trip.
How to Close the XR150 Fuel Cap
When replacing the cap, align it correctly with the tank and press it firmly into position.
Do not force the key while closing the cap.
The locking mechanism should move as the cap engages. Once it has locked correctly, remove the key normally.
If the key does not want to move, stop and check the cap rather than applying more force. Motorcycle keys are relatively small and are not designed to withstand a lot of twisting pressure.
This is a tiny detail, but it is exactly the sort of tiny detail that becomes extremely important when you are standing beside a petrol pump several hundred kilometres from the rental shop.
Honda XR 150 Motorcycle Rental
Ready for adventure? The Honda XR150 is your perfect companion for rugged backroads, mountain passes, and open highways.
✅ Lightweight, reliable, and fuel-efficient
✅ Comfortable for long rides and multi-day tours
✅ Trusted by riders across Vietnam for the legendary Ha Giang Loop
3. Learn How to Use the Choke
The XR150 models we use are carburetted motorcycles, which means they have a manual choke.
Most of the time you will simply press the electric starter and the motorcycle will start normally. On a cold engine, particularly first thing in the morning or in cooler mountain weather, the choke can make starting considerably easier.
Where Is the Choke?
The choke lever is located on the carburettor underneath the fuel tank.
You reach it from the left side of the motorcycle. We show renters exactly where it is during the bike handover because it is much easier to recognise once somebody physically points it out.
When Should You Use It?
If the engine is cold and does not want to start normally, put the motorcycle into neutral and engage the choke.
Try starting the bike without opening the throttle excessively. Once the engine starts, allow it to settle and warm slightly.
As the engine becomes able to idle normally, progressively reduce the choke until it is fully off.
Do Not Ride With the Choke Fully On
The choke enriches the fuel mixture to help a cold engine start. Once the engine is warm, it is no longer needed.
If you continue riding with too much choke, the motorcycle may run poorly, hesitate under acceleration and use considerably more fuel.
So the basic sequence is simple:
Cold engine → choke if needed → start → warm briefly → reduce choke → choke fully off → ride.
If the motorcycle still refuses to start, there may be another reason. Our 3 Ways to Start a Honda XR150 article explains the electric starter, kick starter and bump-starting options.
These Three Things Sound Complicated — They Aren’t
Fuel taps, chokes and spring-loaded fuel caps can sound strange if your normal motorcycle has fuel injection, a fuel gauge and keyless starting.
After a day or two on the XR150, you barely think about them.
They are simply part of the bike’s mechanical simplicity. That simplicity is also one of the reasons the XR150 is relatively easy to maintain and repair when travelling through Vietnam.
The important thing is to understand the motorcycle before leaving rather than learning how everything works after something goes wrong.
What Else Should You Check Before Leaving?
These three XR150-specific quirks are only part of preparing for a motorcycle trip.
Before leaving on any rental motorcycle, you should also know how to check the tyres, brakes, chain, lights and controls, understand where your documents are kept and make sure your luggage is properly secured.
Your rental handover should also cover any equipment fitted to the motorcycle, including phone mounts, USB charging, luggage racks and tyre setup.
The exact bike matters too. An XR150 being used primarily on paved roads may be prepared slightly differently from one heading towards more remote or rougher routes.
FAQ
Does the Honda XR150 have a fuel guage?
No. The XR150 models we use rely on a manual fuel tap with a reserve position rather than a conventional fuel gauge.
You should keep a rough idea of how far you have travelled, fill up regularly and understand how to switch to reserve if the main fuel supply runs out.
How far can a Honda XR150 travel on reserve?
Reserve range varies with riding conditions, load, motorcycle setup and fuel consumption, so we do not recommend relying on an exact number.
Treat reserve as enough fuel to find the next convenient filling station rather than as additional normal riding range.
What happens if I leave the XR150 on reserve?
If you leave the fuel tap in the reserve position after filling up, the motorcycle will continue to run normally.
The problem is that when you eventually run out of fuel again, you will have no additional reserve remaining. Always return the tap to its normal riding position after refuelling.
When should I use the choke on an XR150?
Use it when the engine is cold and reluctant to start normally.
Once the engine is running and warming up, reduce the choke progressively and switch it completely off before normal riding.
Is the Honda XR150 difficult to ride?
No. Once you understand these few mechanical quirks, the XR150 is a very straightforward motorcycle.
Its manageable size, predictable engine and simple controls are some of the reasons we continue to use it extensively for motorcycle rentals and touring in Vietnam.
Learn the Bike Before You Leave
None of these three things should put anyone off an XR150.
They are simply characteristics of a mechanically simple motorcycle, and understanding them takes only a few minutes. That few minutes can prevent unnecessary frustration later in the trip.
If you are considering an XR150, read 10 Reasons We Love the Honda XR150 for Touring Vietnam for its strengths and 10 Things We Don’t Love About the Honda XR150 for the limitations you should understand before deciding.
You can also see 7 Honda XR150 Modifications We Make for Touring Vietnam to understand how we prepare our rental bikes for the conditions our riders encounter.
If the XR150 still sounds like the right motorcycle for your trip, you can view our Honda XR150 rental and XR190 rental options and availability.