So do you think there is a chance you can travel independently in china (especially areas of sensitivity) if you hold a permit? From what I have read it seems a few lucky people have been able to travel freely but having a chinese guide sounds like the norm. I was planning on taking my own bike, firstly because I have one in Cambodia allready, and just negotiating to buy a new one (yamaha wr250r - i really think smaller bikes make better adventure bikes). Secondly, i think Chinese bikes are pretty crappy, and thirdly, I was thinking of a round trip, enter from Laos, China, thru pakistan, Iran, maybe turkey, syria, jordan, back thru stans, mongolia, china, back to Laos/Cambodia. I have been riding extensively thru cambodia and Laos. The cops there really only pull you over if you have done something wrong. And they are usually happy about the whole situation anyway. You can joke around with them, negotiate the fine down to a dollar or so, and then you are on your way. China sounds like a different deal tho (not that i have any experience - never been), and i really dont want my bike confiscated or held against me for some enourmous "fine".

So i do want to be as legit as possible. Given that, armed with as much paperwork as possible, i would still give independent travel a go if there is more than just a remote chance it is possible. If the only alternative is having a guide then of-course we would have to work out how much per person, and if this is not too expensive I would probably do this. Groupsize is important to me tho. I really wouldnt want to be ridning around in a huge group for a number of reasons. 3-4 would be my preference. But again, i'm always flexible enough to get the job done.

So when? was thinking around March/April. I'm in-between jobs at the moment and have a few things I need to get done in Oz. The only "spanner in the works" scenario is, if i do get some sort of job offer inbetween now and then. If i do, i would still try desperately to do the ride and negotiate a start date with work.

No info on where to buy bikes in China. I did do a fairly extensive internet search (because i actually had an interview for a beijing job - i am on a list there and there is a slight chance they will offer me something in the next 3 months, but i am not holding my breath). I am really interested in this yamaha wr250r and so that is what i was looking for. Could only find chinese bikes (which did seem quite cheap) and there are bmw's).

Info/research - my planning stage has kinda just started so i dont have alot of info, but of-course, I am willing to do the hard yards. Have just been reading forums and building the concept in my head.

cheers,
regie
ps: have a pad thai for me