Rentals
7 Honda XR150 Modifications We Make for Touring Vietnam
The standard Honda XR150 is already a very useful motorcycle for travelling around Vietnam. It is light, simple, comfortable and capable of handling the mixture of paved roads, broken surfaces and easier dirt roads that most touring riders encounter.
After running XR150s in our rental fleet for years, however, we have found several small changes that make them considerably more practical for long-distance travel. None of these modifications is intended to turn the XR150 into an enduro bike or something it was never designed to be. They simply address some of the weaknesses we have noticed through everyday use.
These are the seven modifications we commonly make to our Honda XR150 rental bikes.
Navigation and Power
1. Phone Holder
A phone holder is probably the simplest modification on this list, but it is also one of the most useful. Most riders now navigate using Google Maps, offline mapping apps or one of our own route maps, so having the phone somewhere visible is much safer and more convenient than repeatedly stopping to take it out of a pocket.
We position the phone where the rider can glance at navigation without having to look too far away from the road. The important word here is glance: the phone should be treated like an instrument panel, not something to interact with while riding.
There is also a practical issue in Vietnam’s climate. Phones can become extremely hot when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods, particularly while charging, so it is worth monitoring temperature on very hot days.
2. USB Charger
Navigation can drain a phone battery surprisingly quickly, particularly when the screen is permanently illuminated. A USB charger means riders can keep a phone powered during a long day without relying entirely on power banks.
It is also useful for charging cameras, GoPro batteries and other small electronics when stopped. Combined with a tank bag or safely stored charging cable, it becomes one of those modifications that you barely notice until you are riding a motorcycle without one.
The important thing is to make sure the charging system is properly wired and switched. Leaving accessories drawing power while the motorcycle is parked can flatten a battery, which is precisely the sort of inconvenience you do not want at the beginning of a riding day.
USB Charger
So you can charge a phone, or gopro or drone batteries. If you use this in conjunction with a tank bag you can ride and charge at the same time. It’s very handy.
Just remember to turn it off when you are not using it as it can drain the battery and render it useless.
Handlebar Risers
This gives a more comfortable riding position. They raise the position of the hands and also allow you to sit more upright. As well as this, they make it easier on your back if you get up on the pegs as you need to bend a little less.
A common complaint of the XR150 is that it is a little uncomfortable for taller riders. On a long trip this can really be noticed.
Handlebar Brace
This is mainly to reduce the amount of vibration that is felt through the handlebars when driving. Again, it is something that is noticeable on a long journey.
It also helps to stop the handlebars folding in an accident and it is also a great place to mount gopro.
Shorten Mudflap
The suspension on the XR150 is a little soft and we have found that the mudflap and registration plate can get caught in the knobbly back wheel tyres and fold under the bike. It is not dangerous and more annoying than anything, but you might end up losing the number plate. So to prevent this we cut it shorter and eliminate the potential for it to happen.
The downside is that you might get a bit more of a skunk stripe when you ride through the mud.
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
Luggage
3. Larger Rear Rack
The standard XR150 rear rack is quite small. That is fine for carrying a light bag around town, but many of our renters are travelling for a week, several weeks or even the length of Vietnam.
We therefore fit a larger rear rack that gives riders a more practical platform for securing a dry bag or other sensible luggage. A larger platform spreads the load more effectively and gives you better attachment points for straps and bungee cords.
There is an important distinction here: a larger rack does not mean you should carry more weight.
We deliberately avoid fitting large side racks to our XR150s because they encourage riders to bring too much luggage. Overloading a small motorcycle affects handling, braking and suspension performance, particularly on mountain roads.
The aim of our rack is to make sensible luggage easier to secure, not to turn the XR150 into a packhorse.
Handling and Road Conditions
4. Tyres Chosen for the Route
There is no single perfect tyre for every motorcycle trip in Vietnam. A rider travelling predominantly on good paved roads has different needs from someone expecting gravel, broken surfaces and regular dirt sections.
We therefore use different tyre types depending on the bike, availability and intended route. A road-biased or 50/50 tyre can be an excellent choice for ordinary touring because most kilometres will still be on tarmac.
For riders expecting more dirt or loose surfaces, a more aggressive tread can give considerably better confidence and traction. The trade-off is usually increased road noise, faster wear and potentially less refined behaviour on paved roads.
This is why we prefer to think in terms of the right tyre for the trip, rather than declaring that every XR150 should automatically be fitted with a knobbly tyre.
The standard tyre choice is one of the limitations we discuss in 10 Things We Don’t Love About the Honda XR150.
Riding Position
5. Handlebar Risers
One of the most common complaints we hear from taller XR150 riders is that the handlebars feel low, particularly when standing on the footpegs.
The standard position is quite comfortable while seated, but standing for a long section of broken road can require taller riders to bend farther forward than they would like. Raising the handlebars slightly creates a more natural position and reduces the amount of forward reach required.
It also suits the way many people use the XR150 in Vietnam. You may spend most of the day seated, then stand briefly through potholes, gravel, roadworks or rough dirt sections.
Handlebar risers are therefore not about making the motorcycle look more adventurous. They address a genuine comfort issue that becomes increasingly noticeable over several days of riding.
6. Handlebar Brace
We also fit a brace across the handlebars on many of our XR150s. Its primary purpose is to add support to the relatively simple standard handlebar setup and provide another convenient mounting point for lightweight accessories.
It is particularly useful for mounting an action camera or other small equipment without overcrowding the area around the controls.
We do not treat the brace as crash protection or assume it will prevent handlebar damage in an accident. If a motorcycle goes down hard enough, handlebars and controls can still bend or break.
For us, it is simply a practical addition that helps create a stronger and more useful cockpit setup.
Solving a Small but Annoying Problem
7. Shortened Rear Mudflap
This is perhaps the least glamorous modification we make, but it comes directly from operating XR150s in the real world.
The rear suspension on the XR150 is relatively soft. When the motorcycle is heavily compressed — particularly with luggage or a passenger — the long rear mudflap and number-plate area can get surprisingly close to an aggressive rear tyre.
We have seen the tyre catch the lower section and pull it underneath the motorcycle. It is usually more annoying than dangerous, but it can damage the mudguard or result in a lost number plate.
Shortening the lower mudflap removes much of that possibility.
The disadvantage is predictable: there is less plastic stopping water and mud from being thrown up behind the motorcycle. Ride through enough wet dirt and you may end the day wearing a rather impressive stripe up your back.
We think that is a reasonable compromise.
Are These XR150 Modifications Really Necessary?
Strictly speaking, no.
You can take a standard, well-maintained Honda XR150 and travel a very long way around Vietnam without making any of these changes. The motorcycle already works remarkably well in standard form.
What years of rental and touring experience have shown us is that small annoyances become much more noticeable over a multi-day journey. Navigation, luggage attachment, charging, standing comfort and tyre choice all become more important after several consecutive days on the road.
So we are not trying to reinvent the XR150. We are simply refining it for the way our customers actually use it.
What We Cannot Modify Away
There is another side to this.
Some XR150 limitations cannot — and should not — be solved by bolting more things onto the motorcycle. It is still a relatively low-powered 150cc machine with basic suspension, limited electronics and modest carrying capacity.
If your trip involves two adults with heavy luggage, sustained high-speed riding or genuinely demanding off-road terrain, the correct solution may be choosing another motorcycle, rather than trying to modify an XR150 into something it is not.
That is why we recommend reading 10 Things We Don’t Love About the Honda XR150 as well as 10 Reasons We Love the Honda XR150 for Touring Vietnam.
Together, those articles give a much more realistic picture of what the bike does well and where its limits begin.
FAQ
What are the best modifications for a Honda XR150 used for touring?
For touring rather than serious off-road riding, we think the most useful modifications are practical ones: a secure phone mount, charging, sensible luggage carrying, handlebars positioned comfortably for the rider and tyres appropriate for the route.
These changes improve everyday usability without fundamentally changing the motorcycle.
Should I fit knobbly tyres to a Honda XR150?
Only if your route justifies them. Riders spending most of their time on paved roads may be better served by a road-biased or 50/50 tyre.
More aggressive tyres become useful when your trip contains substantial dirt, mud or loose surfaces. The best choice depends on where you intend to ride.
Are handlebar risers worth fitting to an XR150?
For taller riders or anyone who expects to spend time standing on the footpegs, they can make a noticeable difference. They raise the hand position slightly and reduce how far the rider needs to bend forward while standing.
Shorter riders who spend almost all their time seated may find the standard setup perfectly acceptable.
How much luggage can you carry on an XR150?
The XR150 can carry enough luggage for a long motorcycle trip if you pack sensibly, but we recommend travelling light. Adding too much weight affects the already-soft rear suspension and changes the handling and braking of the bike.
Our larger rear rack is intended to make a sensible dry bag easier to secure rather than encouraging riders to bring more equipment.
Do AZ Motorbikes XR150 rentals include these modifications?
Our touring XR150s are set up with practical equipment and modifications based on how the individual motorcycle is being used. Equipment can vary between bikes, so riders who particularly require something such as a specific tyre type or charging setup should confirm it when booking.
The objective is always the same: give the rider an XR150 that is practical and appropriate for the trip they are planning.
Built for the Way We Use Them
The seven modifications above are not dramatic. That is exactly the point.
The XR150 does not need an enormous catalogue of expensive accessories to become a good touring motorcycle. What it benefits from are a handful of sensible changes based on the problems riders actually encounter: carrying luggage securely, navigating, keeping electronics powered, getting comfortable and having tyres appropriate for the route.
Those changes have evolved through operating XR150s in Vietnam rather than simply looking through an accessories catalogue.
If you are considering renting one, start with 10 Reasons We Love the Honda XR150 for Touring Vietnam, then read 10 Things We Don’t Love About the Honda XR150. Between the three articles, you will have a much better idea of whether an XR150 actually suits your trip.
View our Honda XR150 rentals, or compare the XR150 with the XR190 before deciding which motorcycle is right for you.