Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Jul 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 12
buying a CJ in Ulan Bataar

Hi Scott,
How easy/difficult is it to buy motorcycle in Mongolia and register it there etc etc? I am fed up hearing how difficult it is in China, so I am thinking to start my journey in Mongolia and buy the bike there, spend a couple of weeks to fettle it up and then head off. What is the availability like of bikes? Can I get one ordered from China and sent to Mongolia?

best rgds

john
HK, Asia's WC (World City)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Jul 2004
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 147
John: It's easy to buy a bike here in Ulaanbaatar, and registering it should not be too bad either. The problem is the selection. There are no new bike dealers, so you're stuck with whatever used bikes have come over in containers from Japan. They are a real mixed bag; a lot of sport bikes, a few full-dress tourers like Gold Wings, and a few small dirt bikes and enduros. Big adventure bikes are rare.

You could buy a bike and ship it to UB. If you do it by surface shipment it is not very expensive, though you need to have more time. Shipping by air is also possible. Air China, Korean Air and Mongolian Airlines (MIAT) all fly cargo into Ulaanbaatar. If you're coming from Hong Kong you might check with the HK Air China cargo office for a quote.

Finally, have you heard there is an official BMW motorcycle dealer in Beijing now? They told me they can rent bikes to foreigners and that they can handle all the paperwork. Perhaps they can do that for new bikes as well.

Hope this helps.

-Scott
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Jul 2004
TBR-China's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CHINA...
Posts: 1,016
G'Day,
to my knowledge, the BMW bike dealer in Beijing cannot rent motorcycles, they trying to but as always in China: Red Tape! they have heavy difficulties getting registration / license / insurance for rental bikes and looks like there is still a long way to go until this issue is sorted. furthermore, Shg/BJ authorities does not issue temporary motorcycle license to individuals.
even you were able to rent a bike in Beijing, there is still the grey area about travelling to or through other Mainland China provinces, they implemented a "interprovince travel ban for motorcycles" three years ago. you can get away with it being a foreigner but they could give you hassles and confisctate the bike. ain't life in China great?!

doubt very much that you can enter China easily with an Mongolian plate (registration).

honest, if your talking about a CJ= Chang-Jiang 750cc sidecar, personally would not do a long haul trip on a CJ sidecar, you will not enjoy it. you need some repair knowlegde about the old CJ beast and furthermore they are unconfortable, slow,heavy and too many breakdowns, trust me - driving CJ's since 1989 in China....

best regards,
Butch
www.butchshanghai.com



[This message has been edited by butchman (edited 06 July 2004).]
__________________
Somewhere down the road in China since '89 ~ along the route I've learned the hard way that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everybody off is a piece of cake....TBR
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Jul 2004
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 147
Butch: Thanks for the update on the BJ dealer. Guess I'll hold off on bringing my helmet the next time I visit.

John: I didn't catch that you are looking for a Chang Jiang. There aren't any of them in Mongolia. Mongolians don't like Chinese things. Instead we have the Russian Ural sidecar rigs, which are quite similar. See www.ural.com for details on Urals.

I agree with Butch on not driving one of these things long distance. I lived in China for 5 years and had a Chang Jiang. It was fun for short trips (under 200 km) in the countryside, but it broke down frequently and was uncomfortable. The Urals aren't any better. Unless you travel with a Ural mechanic, as some tour groups do, you'll end up stranded in the Steppe somewhere.

-Scott
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Jul 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 12
OK, thanks Scott, Butch.
I'm interested that it's easy enough to import bikes into Mongolia. I'll get something else for the trip instead of a CJ although I'm a bit heavy and wanted something strong enough to handle my weight.

best rgds

john

Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:21.