Hi Lisa,

This is Sue. I have my own bike and want to ride through Europe, et al. I have also ridden, in one go, appx 20,000 miles in 4 months, "pillion"...and 24 yrs altogether. I can speak as a driver and I can speak as an extensive "pillion" rider. GET YOUR OWN BIKE. Not knocking pillion. When you are on the back and are really into the "ride", not daydreaming and freaking out at the smallest emergency move, it is pure heaven. Quite the journey/rush. Driving though, man, you'll regret not doing it on such an extensive trip. You'll fall in love with riding, get back home after eons, go for your license and then say "man, now I'm going to have to go back and do it right". They are such different worlds. Impossible to explain. Pillion is fun, driving is everything! You have to be a trooper though Lisa. I'm a strong woman and it's hard work...man or woman. Call it a "state of mind" because through heavy winds, rain, rough terrain, cold air, hours of vibration from the grips, on the defence 75% of the time on average, mental and physical drain that can be better than sex if you let it (!), Lisa, it's ALL good. Also know, the mental part you can't take a break from for a second. You have to love it to do it. And, you should go to a safety school course for a few days and test for your license with them. On top of that, you should have at least one season in as a driver before doing something like you are planning. Not to hang a damper on your plans but it's just not wise. I'm sure other experienced drivers would agree with me. Maybe you could take the course before you go and get your license and then take turns driving the bike when travelling. Once you have some mileage and skills "earned" you can rent one and drive your own. You can pretty much rent one to travel on anywhere. As for China, no info there. May your journey be full of magic and the wind be at your back.