Forget about bringing a bike to China the legal way If you are lucky you can bring a new bike if you get it CCC'd and it complies with the emission standards. You still have to pay all duties, a homologation fee and go miles of red tape. You end up paying the same as if you'd bought it from a dealer here.

Exceptions:
- diplomats (the emission standard thing still applies)
- if you have really, really, really good connections - I am not aware of anyone who has those for this very purpose

And yes, I know you are not a tourist, you come to work and / or live there. Sorted out your working / residence permit? Also note that the driving license is not valid forever and it may be difficult, highly troublesome or impossible to get it extended if you try to in a place different from the original place of issuing. Once expired for >12 months you have to go through the procedure from scratch.


A good read on rules: Beijing Traffic Management Bureau
Also worth a read: MyChinaMoto - Chinese Motorcycle Forum - Powered by vBulletin

If you buy a bike in China and if you want to be legal (not everybody desires that ), your choice may be among the following:

- 6 to 12k RMB will buy you a 250cc local made bike. The experts for these are on mychinamoto (see link above). A German guy rode a 125cc bike from Shanghai to Berlin, two up!!

- I have not much info on the 400~450cc machines, but some guys on mychinamoto have for sure.

- Less than 40k should make you the owner of a Jialing JH600. Franki (here, on mychinamoto and advrider) is the most experienced JH600 rider I am aware of. I know a bunch of other locals and foreigners on JH600s and I tried it myself - not too exciting but good value for money is the common opinion. There is a good writeup on mychinamoto about this bike.

- there are some legal second hand bikes around for 40 to 200k, mostly Beemers. Currently for sale: F650CS ~75k

- the big bikes are >200k. BMW, HD are in the market for a couple of years already, so is Yamaha (they have only the R1 type approved from what I hear). There is a Honda dealer in Beijing I heard but I am not sure if and what they sell there. Ducati are starting, no idea what they will have on the shelf. I don't think other manufacturers are coming to the Chinese market any time soon.

- no idea on prices of custom bikes ±±¾©ººÂí¹þÀ×||Chrome Horse Motorcycles Beijing China

- there is still a huge 3-wheeler community all over the country if you want to go for one of these - mine is for sale btw


When are you coming and where are you moving to?

All the above to the best of my knowledge and based on very recent first hand info

Moreover the "different village different rules" as well as the "it worked yesterday, it doesn't work today, but it may work again tomorrow" principles apply

Cheers

They way I see it I have several options, some easier than others, some cheaper, some more rewarding than others.

I like to ride my big bike, in this I agree with butch, for this I have two options:

1. buy a very expensive bike in China, with local registration.

2. take my bike to China, at a high price, but, probably is the cheaper option to ride a big bike, considering that I don't have to buy the bike as I already have it. The question is if it is possible. And if it is possible to ride it there and have it properly registered.

Then there is the option of the local small bike. I will like to take one of these bikes back home sooner or later, mostly for fun riding in the country side (or what's left of it and still allowed for bik riding).

Thanks for your ideas.

Honestly, if I were you I'd buy that 2nd hand F650CS, Chinabiker mentioned, or buy a Jialing JH600. If you really have lots of money you could buy a BMW new.

If you are staying in China a few years it is better to wait before buying a Chinese made bike, because the quality is improving, fuel injection is becoming more common and the engines are getting more powerful, plus there are more choices all the time.

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National Motorcycle Club in China: http://www.the-fmcc.co.cc

G'Day,

Now that's what I call a really fugly bike!!! Comes very close to the ridiculous BMW C1 scooter years ago.....

Down in Shanghai, recently I have seen a few second hand BMW GS650 and KTM offroad (Enduro) bikes for sale but no idea on the pricing.

Best Regards, Seasons Greeting's! BUTCHMAN

ps: visited the official Ducati Shanghai dealership today as I had a meeting within walking distance and was priced 275000 RMB + 40000 RMB (Shanghai "A" rego / license plate) for a Ducati Hupermotard 1100S......

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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

I dont see the point to waste my weekly income for a Ducati in China, when I can be just as cool with just my license plates :P

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Riding the horse to death

http://tuo-ma-si.blogspot.com

I am more interested to post the picture of my JH600 here than arguing what is best for riding around in China

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I don't think that the issue is "what's best for riding in China" but rather, "what is it that we like to ride on, be in in China or else where"