Shenzhen - Chongching - Yangshuo - Shenzhen

I just returned yesterday from a great solo ride, 4440 kms in total. I had ten days off and had decided to do a trip around Guizhou when I remembered that yingang had said they could provide me with a new swing arm and shock. You may remember they also sent me a new front and rear brake systems a while back.

http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...yingang+brakes

This is because the bike I ride is really a prototype for the Chinese market and they now have a new beefed up model, also they are a biker friendly company who are pretty unique in China.

So I decided to visit the factory in Chingqing and make that the focal point of the trip. All of my mates either had girlfriend issues, fiancee issues, money issues, baby issues, work issues etc etc, so I set off on my own on the May 29th.

For the first time ever in my life I felt the need to keep a diary, perhaps due to the lack of people to talk to over a beer in the evening, so I will copy and paste it into this report.


Attachment 7509

Winston with his CB in Huiyang, just out of Shenzhen.

Tue 29

Left shed at 7.30 with Winston, did 75 kms to huiyang then he turned back. Pushed on to zengcheng, arriving at luckys (bike shop in Zengcheng) at 10.30, 201 kms total. Good clear roads, boshing along at 100 plus.

Attachment 7514

Beer and dog on a stick, what more do you need? :icon10:

Wed 30

Left zengcheng from luckys 8.20, arrived ruyuan at 12.40 for lunch. Had 1.5 quai noodles on the way. Presently 476 kms total, 275 kms from zengcheng to ruyuan. Terrible last 100 kms directly south of shaoguan, road totally smashed to bits by trucks. Must be avoided on way back. The bike shop we used last time in ry is no longer there, he packed it in apparently. Found another just down the road, getting my chain sorted now.

Arrived at shuikouzhen in the southwestern corner of hunan, 750 kms total. 274 after lunch, 550 kms for the day. Put the camera to use in the twisties leaving ruyuan then entered the clouds at the top of the mountain so put camera away. It then drizzled for most of the afternoon. 50 kms of absolute shite before coming on to a great road leading up to shuikouzhen. At the bottom of a gorge following a pretty river with old woodcutters houses either side. Lots of cool pikey footbridges. SKZ is a two horse town, one of the smallest I've stayed in. Lucked out with nice hotel with great covered parking, 80 quai with PC!

Attachment 7515

Northern Guangdong

Attachment 7516

Southern Hunan

Attachment 7517

My answer to the go pro. Skinny people need not apply, a substantial beer belly is required to properly aim the camera!


Wed 30 (continued)

Just reviewed footage and anything over 40 km/h is borderline unwatchable (too much rubber in mount). Have just pikied the camera case with holes front and rear, plan to wear it like a necklace.

Because I've pushed on today I now have three 400 km days ahead of me instead of 500 per day. I deserve a beer, gonna explore SKZ.

Maybe bypass SKZ on the way back, come thru ningyuan and lanshan instead.

Thur 31

Left SKZ at 8.20, took a wrong turn and went up a tiny path on wrong side of river. Got some great footage of tiny hamlets, new camera mounting system is working great. Needed to remove waterproofs from tank bag but then ok. Once on right road everything very nice, more woodcutters villages on road following the river. More good video footage.

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEzNjE2.html

(Before heading on to the woodcutters' road I took a wrong turn)

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwMjUwNzA4.html

(Leaving Shuikouzhen on what I called the woodcutters' road)

Good road ended at jianghua then just normal Chinese road...not bad but with bust up sections. Had great noodles, loads of chili and msg then hit a few bumps and rear wheel has smashed bottom of battery. It's now 11.30 have stopped in Daoxian to replace battery as bike konked out at traffic lights. Immediately drew a large crowd who had lively discussion on whether my bike was a Yamaha or not. I thought the fuse had blown but it hadn't so pushed it to a bike shop.

Pulled into Huangqiaozhen at around 6 pm. 390 kms today, 1140 total. Shitty day in all, after replacing the battery the phone charging system went down, possibly due to large puddles and or rain. Luckily I had the portable charger so no biggie. Roads were pretty good with some battered sections. Did the same twisties I did with posh (an English friend) on the qingqi in 2010? but it was too wet to enjoy. New boots did keep my feet dry tho, a first on a bike trip and hair dryer is not needed for once. Did get some great videos in between showers, the beer belly mount system is a beaut. Yingang is cleaned and lubed ready for tomorrow (oil changed today, 140 on the clock), planning an early start as the weather looks likely to be shit.

Are you Tom? hehe, there have been talking in YG's QQ group about his bike's frame upgrade. :deal:

Yeah. They gave me a new frame too...but more on that later.

Attachment 7519

A pretty well equipped machanic in Daoxian told me my battery was knackered and I needed to lose weight!

Attachment 7520

Sheltering from the rain with some like minded folk

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwMzY1MTg0.html
(Google maps aren't quite up to date in this particular town)

Attachment 7521

My choice of lunch destination, a shed and some instant noodles...nothing but the best for this rider!

Fri 1

Left HQZ at 6.30, arrived xiushan at about 5 pm. 440 today, 1580 total. Weather was overcast first thing, roads still damp.

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEzODQ0.html
(Leaving Huangqiaozhen, a normal small town in Hunan)

Got some twisties footage but road to wet too push it, then the rain set in, didn't stop til about 3.30 pm. Got soaked.

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEzMjg4.html
(Hunanese mountain twisties - bit wet unfortunately)

The map took me onto a nice dirt track, I initially thought oh fuck, but great views and not too bad a surface. Since i started at 6.30 I could afford to mess around and take some videos.

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEzMjAw.html
(Hunanese off road)

Great brand new road leading into xuishan, great sweepers then twisties then sweepers again, perfect surface. Xuishan seems cool, its a little touristy around here. Went through a minority town overflowing with tour groups early afternoon, was too wet to stop and get camera out.
Third night in a row I've bought fruit for breakfast in the morning, also not boozing much. What's wrong with me! It's all about the early starts and getting kms under the belt.


Attachment 7522


A nice rural spot just before I hit a stretch of extended off-road - see video above..

Sat 2nd

Still waiting for doors to open to get the bike. Stored in flour warehouse behind hotel. No GPS today, my sim won't connect to the internet. Spent hours in a shop last night but still couldn't get it working. Frustratingly it worked with the boss's sim but not a new local sim. All the roads in Chongqing are in great condition and through beautiful scenery, got some good video of one through a gorge. Good fast road, was doing 100/110 most of it. Due to lack of GPS ended up coming into Chongqing on two sections of twisties, added an hour but well worth it. Hit Chongqing at 6.30 and called Raymond, waiting for him to find me then follow him to factory. So far today 590 kms, will easily hit 600 after reaching factory, everything hurts. 500 is enough for one day! Raymonds driver finally found me and we met for dinner - hot pot. Apparently you haven't eaten Chongqing food until you've had brain, two kinds of intestine, liver etc etc. Over dinner raymond explained that my bike is about to be sold in on the Chinese market and up to now has been mainly export only. It's the most popular 250 in Argentina and also sells well in Russia. Yingang have decided that the frame is not strong enough for Chinese conditions (though mine is still in one piece despite being ridden into huge pot holes at 100 clicks) so I'll be getting a brand new improved frame and swing arm with improved shock with longer stroke and needle roller bearings to replace the current metal sleaves. Tomorrow we are going to strip the bike down to nothing and install the new frame and rear end. Sixth gear is not what it used to be so that and the engine as a whole will be seen to on Monday. Hope to be able to start the return journey Monday afternoon.

Attachment 7552
My answer to google maps, basic but functional - not unlike myself :icon10:


Attachment 7553
This lady had great dumplings and fine noodles



Attachment 7554
As soon as you enter Chongqing municipality the roads improve no end and the scenery becomes spectacular



Attachment 7555
More gorges in Chongqing

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEzMDYw.html
(video of Chongqing gorges)

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEyOTI4.html
(Twisties before hitting Chongqing)

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwMzY1MjQw.html
(Sweepers before Chongqing)

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNDQxOTEy.html
(Entering Chongqing itself)



Attachment 7556
Arrival at the yingang factory

Great story

Damm those chinese mechanics always tell you to lose weight

Attachment 7557
Delicous brain hotpot, and guess what - it's good for your brain! :thumbsup:


Attachment 7558
The two bikes ready for frame exchange - the new machine is an ex show bike

Sun 3rd




Great night's sleep in the room yingang gave me in their factory complex. Off to start on the bike, weather is shite, glad I'm not riding. Ma la spicy noodles for breakfast, got a sweat on! Now in workshop, 'bamboo' the engineer knows this bike like no other man on the planet! He's stripping it down in no time. He is going to swap the frame and rear end with a new model bike. It's going to be a new bike, one difference immediately noticeable is an new bracing strut on the frame. They've just handed out the beetle nuts to chew on, no wonder they work so fast! The frame is beefier all round and the welding is much better. I didn't understand what he was saying but they used a different welding technique. They have indicators made here for ducati, 98 quai each! The spring on the original 12 cm, new 18, my arse is goning to be in heaven!*
It's 8 pm and the bike's all done, they've done a great job the bike is much more comfortable due to a new seat and the rear shock. I can now leave tomorrow morning but its pissing down with rain so won't be able to push the bike.*
Gonna take the gaosu to rongjiang then have a night out in yangshuo before heading back.

Went out for dinner with the yingang folk, got pissed on some fruity baijiu!*



Attachment 7559
Bamboo - chief engineer and awesome mechanic :clap:


Attachment 7560
Out with the old...


Attachment 7561
...and in with the new :riding:


http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEyNzky.html
(Video of the work being done and some ganbeing)

Attachment 7562

The old shock, not much travel there..


Attachment 7565
New shock - much more comfortable


Attachment 7563
I thought this was the mutt's nuts, the future I am sure!


Attachment 7564
Nice crosser, only a 150 though. Its bigger, badder 250 brother will be out in about 2 years


Attachment 7566
Smart new clocks on the new model - just like Knightrider, love it!

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNDQxOTQ0.html
(Me riding the new model, very nice..)

Mon 4th

Met the guys at 8 then went to test ride the new fuel injection model. Very nice bit of kit, great pick up, handling and cool digital speedo! One of them noticed my bike was a bit low at the rear so back to the workshop to fit new shorter shock linkage. This raised the whole rear end by quite a bit. Ended up leaving at about 10.30 then bike cut out on the outskirts of Chongqing. A fuel valve was blocked, so bypassed it and bike was fine. Petrol now goes directly into the carb. About 150 clicks to the Guizhou gaosu, not bad twisties. The guys said its no problem to use the gaosu in Guizhou but the toll girls always gave me right ear full as I went past. A few police cars went by me and no issues tho. The problem is with petrol, in chongqing and Guizhou bikes cannot be filled from the pump, you must park your bike off the forecourt then use a giant teapot to fill the bike...madness! I asked why and its for safety reasons. Carrying teapots of sloshing petrol around is clearly a much safer option! A couple of places couldn't help at all so I had to leave the gaosu to fill up then run the gauntlet of screaming toll girls on my return. The gaosu ride was a bit surreal, riding through mountain tops and clouds without seeing any of the hustle and bustle below. Did 710 kms today, was riding at 120 a lot of the time. The bike was very smooth, glides over the bumps now and the new seat is awesome. I only stopped for fuel today, no other breaks and my arse was fine. Did jar my knee when I came in to town cos my leg had gone to sleep and nearly dropped the bike at a junction! Arrived in rongjiang at 8.30, checked into weird hotel who smuggled me inside, still wearing my helmet, so no-one could see me. Worried about being fined for having a foreign guest apparently. Aiming to head off early doors tomorrow and have a few beers in yangshuo.


Attachment 7567

Ooops!


Attachment 7568

Fruity baijiu, lethal

Attachment 7569

Leaving the muncipality, heading to Guizhou Province


Attachment 7570

An quan di yi tea pots! :confused1:


Attachment 7571

It could just be me but there's something vaguely sexual about this, just can't put my finger on it! :icon10:


http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEyNjAw.html
(leaving Chongqing)


http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEyNDk2.html
(Going through small town in Chongqing municipality)


http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEyMjc2.html
(On the Guizhou gaosu)

Tue 5th

Total so far 2940.
Left rongjiang at 6.20, alarm was set for 7 but had weird nightmare about Joe drowning. WTF! Maybe I'm going to find god! Got back on gaosu, without being shouted at and rode for 80 clicks then it finished. Got bollocked by a toll dude who told me it was very dangerous for bikes to be on the gaosu, so rode off the deserted dual carriageway on to a muddy, truck and buffalo filled road that went through villages with kids and dogs everywhere, which was obviously much safer. It then pissed down with rain until I arrived in yangshuo, (just after 1 pm) so couldnt get any footage of longsheng mountains. It cleared up just enough to get last few ks into town on film.
Have already seen Frank and oda at Kelly's and George at 98. Had the bike cleaned and now at Yi's giving it the once over. The exhaust bolt had rattled loose and yi is replacing the fuel valve that broke yesterday. Gonna say hi at zhuoyue then drop the bike off at will's. Then going boozing.
The chain needed another couple of links taking out, that's either 6 of 8 in total this trip...130 quai chains are pretty shite. Also the sliding part of the master link had fallen off so yi made one out of wire, nice and pikey. I have the 350 quai chain I bought from yingang to put on back in shenzhen with the new sprockets I already have. I hope I don't regret not getting them to put on a new set in Chongqing.

Attachment 7572
You sexy thing..


Attachment 7574
The offending fuel valve


Attachment 7575
Yi's bike with home made oil cooling system


Attachment 7576
Yi's pikey job of my chain

Tue 5th

Total so far 2940.
Left rongjiang at 6.20, alarm was set for 7 but had weird nightmare about Joe drowning. WTF! Maybe I'm going to find god! Got back on gaosu, without being shouted at and rode for 80 clicks then it finished. Got bollocked by a toll dude who told me it was very dangerous for bikes to be on the gaosu, so rode off the deserted dual carriageway on to a muddy, truck and buffalo filled road that went through villages with kids and dogs everywhere, which was obviously much safer. It then pissed down with rain until I arrived in yangshuo, (just after 1 pm) so couldnt get any footage of longsheng mountains. It cleared up just enough to get last few ks into town on film.
Have already seen Frank and oda at Kelly's and George at 98. Had the bike cleaned and now at Yi's giving it the once over. The exhaust bolt had rattled loose and yi is replacing the fuel valve that broke yesterday. Gonna say hi at zhuoyue then drop the bike off at will's. Then going boozing.
The chain needed another couple of links taking out, that's either 6 of 8 in total this trip...130 quai chains are pretty shite. Also the sliding part of the master link had fallen off so yi made one out of wire, nice and pikey. I have the 350 quai chain I bought from yingang to put on back in shenzhen with the new sprockets I already have. I hope I don't regret not getting them to put on a new set in Chongqing.




http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjEyMDgw.html
(Entering Guangxi Province)


http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDEwNjI4NTk2.html
(Riding into Yangshuo then some bar fun)

Wed 6th
It was about 500 to yangers, set off this morning before 9 with monster hangover. Nice sunny day at last so got some nice video. Can't remember getting back to the hotel last night, I can remember sparring with George in 98 but after that it gets hazy. Stopped for lunch in the middle of nowhere, 160 kms left to ruyuan. 3720 on the clock.

Was proper fucked after lunch, had to stop and have a power nap by the side of the road. Definitely the worst I've felt on a bike! Checked into posh hotel in ruyuan, got room service and felt sorry for myself. Got some good footage of the ruyuan twisties but will try filming without tank bag tomorrow. Totally cooked the rear brake in the twisties but was ok again after 5 minutes. Did about 450 today, total 3890.

Attachment 7605
My other car's a land rover!



Attachment 7606
Somewhere near the Guangdong grand canyon

Thur 7

Left ruyuan at about ten, no rush today as don't want to ride into shenzhen before 7. Got the best twisties footage of the trip so far on the road leading to the Guangdong grand canyon. Much better to film twisties without the tank bag. Gonna improve bungee mounting system to include halterneck style strap so camera can be on my chest rather than beer belly. Stopped for leisurely breakfast now at 11.

Stopped for drinks in yingde, conversation with shopkeeper went as follows -

Your bikes Japanese.
No it's Chinese, from Chongqing.
You can't register it legally though I'm sure.
No. You can, it's legally registered.
Well you can't ride it in the rain though.
Yes you can, I ride it in the rain all the time.

I then walked away and pretended to look at the map, 3 strikes and your out!


Got back to the shed at 7.30, 550 kms for the day, 4440 in total. Dropped the bike in gravel about 50 ks outside of shenzhen going about 5 miles an hour. Twat. At least I was filming at the time so should make a funny clip. Going straight home to rape the beer machine.

Well that was fecking awesome Tom, excellent camera work and your riding skills are 100%
I award you 1%13
Your a real biker!

Thanks for the RR!
...and great videos.

Your Japanese Yingang is looking good.
But be careful riding in the rain without a plate!

By the way, was watching the Shuikouzhen Hamlets video and can't believe how well the Yingang handles on dirt roads.
Perhaps your new friends should be saying, "Your hovercraft is Japanese". [It's that smooth!]

What mount are you using with your GoPro?

Nice writing sir! A rider and a poet, makes for great reading.

Very impressed with the level of service you're getting from yingang, i bet all the jialing 600 guys are raging!

Attachment 7607

Close your eyes @ChinaV and @richKTM, there was no 97 at this place!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by felix

i bet all the jialing 600 guys are raging!

---

Since the JH600 ECU rage (that thread is thankfully now CLOSED!), Jialing seems to be stepping up.

Two weeks ago a couple of Jialing moto-staff guys came from Chongqing to Shanghai to meet with us. We discussed all things JH & JB! They came rather well-prepared with market-research surveys and interviewed each of us. And they were very open to discuss things "off the page", taking detailed notes. Topics included open and closed issues (like the ECU problem), re-design suggestions (engine, mechanical, electrical, tires, suspension and cosmetic). They were also very keen to obtain our insights in how to better market this bike. For instance, if they want to sell a bike w/ mods (like they do with the terrible side panniers) then they should do it right and produce a true adventure model with these components coming from quality out-sourced partners like Tourfella.

They were receptive.We also discussed past customer service issues and how to improve. Euphonius was most active and I think at one point in his life he'll swing a gig as the Jialing Consultant and spend a week or 2 in Chongqing! haha

This all concluded with a great dinner and goodhearted banter by all!

* For me the most interesting thing that came from this was info on how few recreational bikes they actually sell in China. We discovered it was only a couple of hundred in the last year - and they in fact sold more in Brazil than here. But this doesn't include the (probably very high) production and sales for the military, for mostly the JB model. The military not only uses this bike for themselves, but sell/export it to other national military units (which nations were not disclosed but one can guess the short-list!). So because of the sensitivity of this bike it's officially classified as a state secret. :lol8:

Which may explain some of the prior mafan we dealt with regarding the ecu. But seems now they are interested in the recreational market, and things can only get better with improved marketing, sales/distribution and of course customer service!

Attachment 7613
A good place for a power nap


Attachment 7614
A fake grand canyon


Attachment 7615
The Guangdong grand canyon

That's the last of the photos and the videos are finally all up on youku.

So, to summarise the trip...

Riding solo on a trip of this size was a first and very different experience, much more expedition than the usual jolly. I think I enjoyed it as much but it was more in a me against the world kind of way. The bike was fantastic all trip, it's so nice when you can be sure you won't have any major problems. The experience at yingang was amazing, I would never have believed you could receive this individual service and generosity from any company worldwide. My 'new bike' is a totally different animal, much more of a tourer now although as MotoKai commented it was pretty smooth off road even before the changes. But the new frame is much more solid, the already minimal vibrations have now disappeared and you know it's built to survive a real pounding. The new swing arm and shock have made a huge difference, it now glides over the bumps and the larger pot holes no longer lift you out of the seat...a much more comfortable ride. The new seat is a major improvement, the original was too sporty and a bit of a nutcracker, riding for hours upon hours no longer causes pain. A good solid rack was also missing from the bike and the current one is extremelly well designed, it's the final piece of the puzzle which makes this a great bike for China. Personally speaking I think a 250 is enough, I only wanted for more while on the Guizhou gaosu, and I think you'd struggle to find a better one in China at the present time. Any thoughts guys?

Here are the last few videos:

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDExODgwNjQ4.html
(Leaving Yangshuo)


http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDExODgwNzEy.html
(A serious deadend)


http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDExODgwNzc2.html
(Twisties leaving Ruyuan)


http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDExODgwODA4.html
(When I drop the bike and return to the outskirts of Shenzhen)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MotoKai

What mount are you using with your GoPro?

---

My 'gopro' is an 800 quai casio camera bungee strapped around my torso, cheap and cheerful to say the least. It's not bad but a bit low, i'm going to try and raise the camera to chest height for the next trip.

Holy shit...this video deserves a repost for anyone who didn't see it the first time.
Tom rides up to two tunnels under serious construction, chooses one and rides thru it without hesitation.....AS IT'S BEING TUNNELED!

Black Sabbath (Ozzy) in your helmet will give you the balls to do anything!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by futianshenzhen

My 'gopro' is an 800 quai casio camera bungee strapped around my torso, cheap and cheerful to say the least. It's not bad but a bit low, i'm going to try and raise the camera to chest height for the next trip.

---

You just invented the 'goPikey'

working my way through the videos now.. the yangshou one is a classic.. dirty old town.. dirty old town!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by richardktm

working my way through the videos now.. the yangshou one is a classic.. dirty old town.. dirty old town!!

---

Absolute Classic yangshuo video! Good baxing at the end there bey!

"go pikey" is now a registered trade mark of pikemaster ltd!

I've just found out I've got another ten days off at the end of this month. I'm thinking of riding up through Jiangxi province and then west to Chongqing, probably solo. Are there any MCM riders along the way?

You sure you want to do those central provinces with your time off? The roads are supposed be appalling out there. Wouldn't be better off doing fujian and zhejiang?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by felix

You sure you want to do those central provinces with your time off? The roads are supposed be appalling out there. Wouldn't be better off doing fujian and zhejiang?

---

Yeah I'm sure you're right, it's not about the roads though. I've already 'done' Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, Guangdong, Fujian and Chongqing. The ultimate goal being to do all provinces in the middle kingdom, and Jiangxi needs to be done. I have asked yingang if I can leave my bike there and then use Chongqing as my base to explore the north. At the moment I seem to be getting a lot of time off work so hope to do monthly trips, maybe 2 more years to get the full set - Tibet being the only really tricky one.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and if yingang say yes i'll be on the road again!

That sounds like a good plan too, let me know when it's time to cross shaanxi off the map; i'll have fresh supplies of duct tape and zip ties in case you need to do any major repairs

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by felix

i'll have fresh supplies of duct tape and zip ties in case you need to do any major repairs

---

haha! Awesome, I will do. I just heard from yingang and the plan is a go. Northern China here I come!

haha ! futianshenzhen I am Bomboo