Hello all,

I am planning on living in Wuhan, China for the next 10 months, on a work visa. I have an international driver's licence and a Suzuki GSXR600 that I am going to miss. I don't think it is feasible to try and import it due to gas needs, road conditions and the high possibility of theft (someone correct me if i'm wrong!). However I would like to buy a small 250cc standard, nothing fancy but just some transport for daily use and perhaps a week of touring. Can someone direct me to a classifieds website of some sort, or pop me some advice on pricing and whether I will have any troubles licencing it being a foreigner. My e-mail is *edit* click link. Thanks in advance and safe riding!!!


[This message has been edited by Holyrain (edited 24 August 2004).]

G'Day,
gas is available up to 99 octan (90/93/97 octan most common) in most of China, road conditions vary extensively.
your International Diving License is not valid in Mainland China, to drive / ride / steer a motorized vehicle legally in PRC you have to obtain a Chinese Driving License.
you might be able to locate a Suzuki GN250 or similar in Wuhan but no leads to one of the "armpits of China", myself avoiding this kinda destinations (Wuhan/Guangzhou/Shenzhen) at all costs. concerning registration of bikes, securing proper registerd bikes, most of the times really depends who you know in that particilur area, things might work out for person "X", but will not work for person "Y" due to lack of right connections.

it's not Wuhan releated, check out our shanghaimotorcycle discussion group: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/shanghaimotorcycle/

best regards, seeya in the pub or on the road somewhere....
BUTCH
www.butchshanghai.com

[This message has been edited by butchman (edited 23 August 2004).]

[This message has been edited by butchman (edited 23 August 2004).]

Hi Butch, Thanks for the tips. I will probably drop you an e-mail in the near future as I have much last minute planning to do. Re: Classifieds: I am not so concerned about finding a bike, more about the rough $$ so I don't get slashed too badly. Talk to you later and ride safe!

Hello everybody.
I'm turing around the world now.
I passed throguh Kyrgystan-China Irkeshtam border,
and entered in China on Aug 31.

Thanks Goetz.
I only use my international driver licence and
international document and a few money.

First, border stuff said "You need China
document!".
But finally, he took me one papere,
it is maybe temporary import permition.
(I must return same border.)

I ride my motorcycle a few days in China.
See you again.
(My English is not good.
If I have mistake, I'm sorry.)

http://www.bashishi.com

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bashishi

Hey Jun! Good to see you on Horizons Unlimited! Great to hear that you were able to enter China without problems and without any special permisions or guides. Good job!



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Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius - William Blake

Hi,

Thanks a lot for this tips, we are planning a trip with motorbikes along the silk road next year, and its really a good new to know that it’s possible now to go into China !

Christophe

Is the following info true?

Today I was told by someone that, starting in May this year, the Chinese government started to recognize the International Driving Permit.

Can anyone confirm if this is true, and if yes, if there are any limitations (e.g. organized group tours, IDPs according to a certain convention only etc.).
And any information how the police handles IDPs?

The information comes from someone who is involved in organizing motorcycle group tours in China.

Would it be advisable to get a bike within China (vs. temporarily importing it) (probably registering it in someone's name countryside), and get a Chinese drivers license (even in case that the International driving permit would be accepted).

>>>> My own comment on this above:
It appears the International Driving Permit is only accepted for guided tours, so I have my Chinese drivers license now .... The next thing will be a motorbike inside China.

[This message has been edited by Michael Rauck (edited 04 November 2004).]

G'Day,

you cannot import a motorcycle temporarily and register. in case you would/could find somebody they become the legal owner of the motorcycle, never trust a person you just met! TIC = This is China!!!

some chinese big bike owners use fake registration and documents and don't seem to care much but would not advise to do same as a foreigner. know of a couple of foreigners who did not listen and thought "we are westerners and have some more rights". yeah, right, accident happen with fake document...no PRC driving license...arrest..passport confiscated and even their embassy / consulate could not solve the problems since a crime was committed. they paid huge amounts to the victimes and fines. some people learn the hard way, though.

there is a lot of bull... being told on the internet and self acclaimed "PRC bike tour organisers". having mates visiting next week for the 1st. Formula One race held in Shanghai/China and three days ago we enquired about temporary bike driving license or acceptance of overseas / international driving license so my mates can take some of my/our groups bikes for a ride. we were advised not to do that sort of thing since a Chinese driving license is required to drive/ride a motor vehicle in Mainland China.

best regards,
BUTCH
www.butchshanghai.com

[This message has been edited by butchman (edited 18 September 2004).]

[This message has been edited by butchman (edited 18 September 2004).]

Hey Butch, been thinking about you and your own F1 race!! Will be watching on the television. Enjoy my friend.
Allen.

G'Day,

yeah, next week brings the 1st. Formula One Race to PRC (Shanghai). will be a messy one with all them clueless people, TIC=This is China! talking about the organisation around the whole race event and traffic, program, food & beverage, the actual race will be perfect but all the other issues...myself being one of the key food suppliers and major headache already.
our RDMC group has some mates arriving from all over the world as of sunday but we checked regarding driving around with temp. bike license or overseas/international ones but was adviced to refrain from that sort of fun, OK, understood.

regarding biking in PRC, well everybody likes to get a slice of the pie and so far Harley-Davidson, Ducati, KTM are all ready to go into Mainland PRC but big time "red tape" holds them back. will not be an easy one due to the everchanging rules and motorcycle bans in China. BMW is so far the only company that got a foothold in PRC but progress seems to be very-very slow with a lot of obstacles.

best regards, seeya in the pub or on the road somewhere....
BUTCH
www.butchshanghai.com

ps: in case you have not seen yet, this years RDMC trip: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/reddevilsshanghai/

Great shots Butch. I assume this is the trip to Tibet? Wonderful.
Allen.

G'Day,

just the outskirts of Tibet (Qinghai Plateau) around the Langmusi area. our "top of the wotld" tour comes next year to Lhasa / Mt.Everest basecamp.

regards,
Butch
www.butchshanghai.com

North Comets mc Club from Chiang Mai, North Thailand have organized a motorcycle trip, The Asian – Kunming Friendship Ride, from Chiang Rai to Kunming via north Myanmar (Burma) & return for 8 days in early December 2004. I spoke to the Chiang Mai organizer a few nights ago & he insists that all permits “have been issued” and the tour is approved. Take a look at http://www.chiangmaibikeweek.com/_tp....php?id=101936
if you want some more info.
For me, I will believe it when it happens, but North Comets are extremely well connected so I wont be too surprised if they pull it off.
But it will be a first, entering Burma at Tachilek, then riding North to Kyangtong, capital of Shan state, then into China at Daluo, onto Jinhong, then Kunming & return.
Just a couple of months ago, Simon & Suzi Harby
http://mccs.co.uk/global/
came out of Burma from India (via Nagaland & Manipur), into Thailand to make the first? crossing of Burma by motorcycle.
So generally maybe things are opening up.
However my opinion is that these new trips are going to be one-off specials and it will be quite while before the borders are totally open and free for all bikers.


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Davidfl

Hi everyone, new member from Sweden.
I´m planning a Euro-Asia tour on my AT, and I was in contact with Embassy of China in Sweden last week. According to the embassy it is out of the question for me to drive inside China.
Does the same apply for Myanmar?
Is driving Iran - Pakistan safe?

@all
Thanks for all the useful information. I travelled in Kyrgyzstan extensively and am planning a trip via Irkeshtam, Kashgar and KKH next year. Heard from kyrgyz sources that this is possible since 2004, too...
I am in the lucky position of having my own two Suzi DR650 with Kyrgyz number plates in Kyrgyzstan, absolutely no problem there and fantastic country. Anybody interested in driving over there but not taking his own motorbike may contact me anytime..
Hope to see one of you guys over in Central Asia/China or somewhere on the road

Seb