Can anyone tell me what kind of red tape is involved when buying a chinese bike in China -- license, tax, etc...?

Is renting an option? I have rented in Vietnam and India, and both times the transaction was cheap and simple and required almost no paperwork.

I am keen on picking up a bike in Hong Kong, and riding out to the mainland.

Thanks,

>>CO

If you want to ride in China, you may be better off buying one in the mainland and not in HK. I'm sure Franki will be along to offer his .02.

If you buy new in the mainland you need to work out a special deal with a dealership who will register the bike in another persons name. Registration includes tax, inspections, plates and insurance. Then you and the dude who registered sign an agreement where he basically sells you the bike so you can ride it AND, more importantly, removes him from any responsibility for you and your ride. It sounds complicated, and can be, but usually it's pretty simple.

If you can find a good second hand bike, you don't need to do any of this as they already have plates and such.

When you planning to go?

CC

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Thanks for the quick reply. Time for the China adventure is TBA -- this Fall at the very earliest.

Why would mainland be better than HK for buying a bike?

>>CO

Simple. You can't import or ride a bike into China without a permit. Such permit takes 6 months in advance to apply and will cost you an arm and a leg.

You can also rent a bike in China but that means you must return the bike to the same place you got it or pay expensive transport charges.

If you ask for help, you need to explain clearly what your travel plan is as consideration varies.

Carl/Franki -

What would be a good bike to buy for a trip in China? Something they are familiar with, rather than one of my heaps.

I am thinking about starting in Harbin and traveling along the Mongolian Border and down to the foothills of the Himalayas. Probably this summer.

gaspipe

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[the original]

KTM 540 EXC
R1100GS Rallye
KTM 950 Super Enduro

Gassy,

Followed your Jomamma thread on Adv. You're a smart dude.

A good bike for China depends on what size engine you're comfortable riding. Not sure what the moto market is like in Ha'erbin but you could certainly pick one up in Beijing.

If you're okay with a 200cc suzuki thumper you can always get a Qingqi. I put a short review of it up on adv.

If you insist on something larger, and don't mind spending a few thousands bucks then the Jialing JH600 might be your thing. Franki has one of those and can hook you up with any info.

If you're serious about a trip, it would be good to talk. You use skype?

CC

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Thanks Carl.

I think a 200cc bike would do the job - it's not about speed, I just need to be able to haul a minimal amount of crap & fuel in what looks to be pretty remote areas. I'll go check out your review of the Qingqi. I'll probably pick up whatever I get in Beijing and have it shipped to the start. I have some amigos there to help grease the wheels.

Yeah - I'm on Skype, although it's been a while. I'll have to dig up my account and I'll PM you an add'y. Much to chat about, if you don't mind.

Bruce

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gaspipe
[the original]

KTM 540 EXC
R1100GS Rallye
KTM 950 Super Enduro

Sounds good. That's what it's all about ain't it?

CC

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Hi Gaspipe,

Beijing is a bad place for bikes and the police is tough.
Ha'erbin is a big city and you can get whatever you need there, including fitting the bike out with luggage frame and reinforcing the bike for your long touring purpose. I can point you in the right direction as and when you are leaving but do allow ample time to purchase the bike and getting it tour ready. It is not that easy to find parts along your route as 200cc bike is considered "Big Bike" in remote part of China.

Franki

I've been looking at China for a year or so (renting buying) but I still don't understand how to get around the drivers license issue. Unless you have a residence permit (which I think requires a business visa) you can't get a license- even then you may have to apply for a test. A lot of work and time. For a guy like me with 6-7 weeks of holidays it seems like a big risk to fly over to China and then hope for the best (maybe weeks of time) regarding the paper work.

I must really be missing something here cause I still see folks planning to or in the process of riding through China. If anyone can enlighten me I'd really appreciate it.

P.S I'm not into organized tours.

Thanks

Please keep posting what you find out. I'll be in India for a few months this summer and then would like to go to China sort of using the wanting to see the Olympics as an excuse. Buying a small bike isn't a problem for me since I'm used to small.

I like that a 200cc is considered large so I'll go from a 40-year-old 250cc to something smaller. Probably makes the same power though.

--Dave

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Forget those horrible strokers and consider one of these from
Welcome to CJSidecar!
who will sell you a PLA army bike, bike with side car or a faithful replica of a 1930's BMW. They have showrooms on Beijing and Shanghai and are real bikers so will tell you how it is and not how the authorities would like you to think it is and will even tell you about some great roads/routes.

These bikes are based on the Russian K75 who in turn ripped it off the German BMW from 1939. I will myself be strapping a Ural K75 to the back of my Zil for my trip. They are built for any kind of road or off road conditions and the side car version will have two wheel drive, are rugged in the extreme and will run on almost any kind of fuel. Most of all, they are full of character.

Expect to pay up to £2.5k for a new K75.

or

Try this outfit in Beijing:-
Beijing Sidecar


"Newly registered Chang Jiang 750 sidecars, from Nan Chang, and Hong Yang for registration in Beijing and other parts of China. These sidecars including all documents and fully licensed in Beijing list for only 18,000 RMB (2,250USD).

Basically these new CJ750 sidecars have all the documents needed for transfer of title and will be valid for ten years in Beijing. If you plan to stay in Beijing for an extended period of time of more than 2 to 3 years this is an option to choose from. Do note that the "New" sidecars from Nan Chang are OEM rebuilt from stock parts. If you are in a city outside of Beijing and need to register your CJ750 sidecar, you may need to purchase a "New" sidecar because it will have all the receipts and documents required for first time registration.

Important: Do not buy an illegally registered CJ750. Read our 'Own a CJ750 in Beijing' FAQ about this! Insurance will not pay if your are involved in an accident! Legally registered CJ750 are highly available and check out our prices!

'97 Chang Jiang 750 sidecars are very popular because the license can be transferred and thus are LEGAL. This means the owner will be able to buy insurance and the police will not confiscate your bike if anything happens.

Most expatriates in Beijing stay a year or two, making this the best deal for them. Expats with work visas will be able to aquire black "Jing A" plates. Diplomats buying a legal Chang Jiang 750 sidecar, can have the title transfered and get diplomatic plates. There is absolutely no need or reason to buy a bike with illegal plates or Hebei plates when you can get one that is road legal and most likely at a lower cost. We emphasize legal plates very much because they are easily available and are not expensive. It is NOT WORTH the trouble to own an illegal Chang Jiang 750. If you live outside of Beijing the options may be different. give us a call and we will work it out.

Many of our client's that buy '97 Chang Jiang 750 have them painted and customized to their specifications."

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Let just say that China does not have the most formalized legal structure or even enforcement of some rules which are already in place. Essentially, you take advantage of this - just like the locals - by leveraging the ambiguity. For example, since few people here have a concept of standing in organize lines, many will stand in between service counters and simply push their way into whatever on is next - a behavior commonly seen at train and bus station ticket counters. What this means for the foreign rider is to basically get the bike, with plates and registration and simply sit your ass down and ride.

Is it a risk? It sure is, but that's only a problem if you're not okay with risks. In general I wold say, if you're not okay with risk then you shouldn't be riding China anyway. Also worth noting, if you do it this way on a tourist visa, it may be a little better if you ride it with another person.

Carl

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Buy "The Return - Riding Western China" DVD - Now on Holiday sale!!!
http://www.motocyclops.com/buydvd/

The world's newest, most super-awesome Chinese Motorcycle and Travel Community!
http://www.mychinamoto.com/

Personal China travel info, photo and video site:
http://www.carlparker.com

Hey CC,

Wanna ride down to Yunnan from March 20-30? I have a few days holiday....

Franki

Wish I could cuz' it would be double good to could run out the QingQi fbefore May. The mountains will still be cold in March. Need to earn money and save up my holidays for the May trip. You still on for May right?

Also, just dropped the bank and picked up a Nikon D300. All I can say is, NICE! Clicky! Clicky!

CC

__________________
---------------------------------------------------
Buy "The Return - Riding Western China" DVD - Now on Holiday sale!!!
http://www.motocyclops.com/buydvd/

The world's newest, most super-awesome Chinese Motorcycle and Travel Community!
http://www.mychinamoto.com/

Personal China travel info, photo and video site:
http://www.carlparker.com