albertaduke
former airline pilot without the big bucks
The twin shocks are because most bikes that BIG! are used to haul a sidecar so thats the way they come. I bought it new for about 1400 dollars. There are thousands of them fitted with sidecars and a roof, it rains a lot. They park in a line maybe a block long, you just get in the one thats at the front of the line and the driver takes you wherever you are going, usually about 50 cents or a dollar. The driver and two passengers ride on the saddle seat, the passengers sit sideways and two more go in the sidecar. 5 people total on a 90cc up to a 175cc bike. If a tire goes flat they stop at a vulcanizing shop which there are many and they patch it, also will glue new tread in the outside if needed. Many motorcycle shops for the little bikes, they work off the dirt floor on a piece of cardboard, they can fix or rebuild anything, they don't just replace things unless they have to. As I remember it does have drum brakes. The traffic is unreal and you have to be a good rider or driver. Many large buses and big trucks and Jitneys to share the road with, mostly little motorbikes, scooters, bicycles, and pedestrians. Not many rules or order, if you are shy you will not get anywhere.
my mum was born in hanoi and I have seen pictures of traffic similar to what you describe , different world indeed !!