Taking a motorbike to China? (or buying there?)

[jphoward]

I'm planning a 5 week trip to China in August. I hope to motorbike around the south of the country (mainly staying away from cities).

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what issues there are with either bringing my motorbike to China and using it there, or renting/buying one once I'm in China. The benefit of bringing my own is that I can get it all set up properly (and since I'll be going through some tough terrain, including desert, that will be important). Is it legal to use a foreign-registered vehicle in China? Is there paperwork I need to organise?

If not, would I be able, in practice, to purchase a motorbike once I'm there, and sell it at the end? (I tried to do just that in the US last year [i'm Australian] and had no luck - they needed US identification to sell a motorbike.)

[Kenny同志]

My American professor once had a motorbike and I often saw him ride it around when he was teaching English in Hainan. I don't know how he handled this.

[jobin]

I suspect your biggest headache will be getting the operating permit, driving license. Read chinese? you may need to show you can read the road signs, etc. to pass the test. Yes, test. Also, maybe possible to 'transfer' OZ license. Check google on this stuff regarding license. Many motos in south china, mostly poor quality, i think. Can find Honda, Suziki, etc. Buy new, sell used? Mabybe buy in china, finish trip, go to Vietnam where the market is MUCH bigger for bikes. at least, moderate sized. need 500cc, keep looking. mongolia also very good for biking; wide open roads, few cars, some camels. much more capitalistic and open to buy/sell stuff. in china, authoritarian control of personal life, esp of foreigners. driving into **bet, and xinjiang territories may be difficult, even impossible.

[jphoward]

So you think that using a foreign-owned bike may not be a problem, but that we will need a local license to use it? Based on your suggestion, I found this useful page: http://wikitravel.org/en/Driving_in_China . That confirms the need for a Chinese driving license. However it sounds like only people staying for over 3 months can apply!

It sounds like this will be rather tricky... I think I'll contact the local embassy and see if they can help.

If it turns out that we can't arrange anything, what do you guys think about just getting an international license and hoping we can talk our way out of trouble? We're not planning to visit big cities. Do you think that would be dangerous, or would we be able to get away with paying the occassional small fine?...

[roddy]

There's some info on running a bike here, but not specifically on importing. I suspect it would be an awful lot of hassle for a five week trip though.

[liuzhou]

what do you guys think about just getting an international license and hoping we can talk our way out of trouble?

China does not recognise International driving licences, so I wouldn't have thought it a very good idea. I believe to get a local driving licence you are required to have a residence permit. I certainly had to show mine.

[jphoward]

Thanks for everyone's help so far. I've learnt a lot from: http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/index.php . It turns out that in 2007 it became possible (in theory) to get a tourist driving permit, and a permit to bring in your vehicle. Both are for up to 3 months. They are have to get in practice. Most westerners apparently ride in China without a license, and don't have to deal with anything worse that a 100 yuan fine. However in theory the penalty is 14 days jail! Some useful pages I've found:

• http://www.4panda.com/special/drive/index.htm
  
• http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454
  
• http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1152
  
• http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=712
  

[imron]

Most westerners apparently ride in China without a license, and don't have to deal with anything worse that a 100 yuan fine.

Assuming of course they never cause an accident. If that happens it's a different story entirely. You might also have trouble pursuing any travel insurance claims if you are unlicensed. See also this post.

[Prodigal Son]

Glad you find that site.. mychinamoto.com is definitely the best resource for anyone finding out info on driving motorcycles in China. The guy who runs that site is a veteran of riding and touring inside China as a foreigner.