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Q: Buying a bike in China Q: Buying a bike in China
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  #1  
Old 28 Feb 2008
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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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  #2  
Old 28 Feb 2008
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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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  #3  
Old 28 Feb 2008
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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

Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyCarl View Post
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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gaspipe
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KTM 540 EXC
R1100GS Rallye
KTM 950 Super Enduro
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  #4  
Old 29 Feb 2008
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Location: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gaspipe View Post
Thanks Carl.

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

CC
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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

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  #5  
Old 29 Feb 2008
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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
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  #6  
Old 29 Feb 2008
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enlighten me please
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
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  #7  
Old 29 Feb 2008
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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.

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  #8  
Old 2 Mar 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CTB View Post
... 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.

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
__________________
---------------------------------------------------
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

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