We are planning a trip to Laos, anywhere between 5 and 10 days and wondered if anyone could recommend a route, or places to visit, good riding roads, mountains, etc. Perhaps areas to avoid, problems you encountered, border crossings and so on, including tips. For instance, I heard US landmines is still an issue there, so wondered what the real situation was.

Timing for us around early December, bikes, well my NV400, or perhaps a new Lifan 200cc Enduro, I think my chum is going to hire a Baja 250 or similar and I may even do the same. It may be the case that we check out the bikes when we get there and choose something that is actually in one piece.

The border crossing will be Nong Khai.

Join GTRider, touring Laos is what they are all about.

Rent a KLX if you are tall enough.

The old Baja's are lame.

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/activity.php?

No need for a fancy bike...Wave will be what you see the locals riding.

I'm planning Pattaya/Cambodia/Laos loop for Dec. on older CBR150.

Unless the green-book is in your name & in-hand, crossing into Laos is going to be nigh impossible, so rental (hire) bike...na.

The real situation is unexploded anti-personell cluster bombs, not land-mines...

but will probably only maim rather than kill so no worries.