Is it safe to ride a motorcycle in SE Asia?

I would really like to rent a motorbike and drive around Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand. I don't know how to ride a motorcycle but if it's easy enough to move like that around South East Asia I will take some classes and hopefully I'll be able to travel independently.

How about rented motorcycle quality/safety?

Safety on roads/quality on roads?

Is it OK for a foreigner (female) to do anything like that?

In Thailand , the traffict in city like Bangkok is very congested, therefore riding a motorcylce is definitely a better option to move around. Roads in Thailand are in fairly good condition, therefore it will make riding a motorbike much easier. In Vietnam, motorbikes dominate the roads simply because they are more affordable than cars. Thousands of motorbikes squeeze through whatever space available on the roads and their adherence to the traffic rules is low. Roads in Vietnam are generally fine especially in bigger cities but get worse in the outskirts. In Laos and Cambodia, there is less traffic on the road than Thailand and Vietnam but those driving vehicles , either cars or motorbikes seldom observe traffic rules. There are a lot of honking on the roads, those bolder drivers / riders will get to their destinations faster but not necessary safer. As Laos and Cambodia are both very poor countries, the less than desirable road condition is expected. The roads in these countries are filled with potholes and pose great danger to motorbike riders.

I would not suggest you to ride the motorbike on your own. Even experience riders are not advised to do that in these places where roads condition are not that good and most people do not adhere to traffic rules, besides all the road signs are in the native languages. It wouldn't be safe and easy for you to do so.

Instead, most foreigners rent a motorbike ( with the "driver" ) to get them around. Even that, many are having the "adventurous rides" of their lives. Since you are a female, i suggest you go to a reputable vehicle renting company and rent a motorbike together with the "driver". It is not that expensive. However if you really wanted to be totally independent, perhaps you can only do it in Thailand where conditions of the roads are generally better and that too only in small towns or island resorts. Do not venture into the cities on your own.

In SE Asia, motorbikes are vastly used in day to day life, if u r planning to drive with in 40-50Km, motorbike is ok but more than this, its not advisable. u can get a plenty of good cars with automatic gears for rentals which easily can be handled.