China Cross Country Begins Tomorrow!

Hey,

My name is Chris Maupin and I am flying to Shanghai tomorrow to start my China cross-country (on the D/L) motorcycle trip. I will buy the bike in Wuxi with the help of a Chinese friend I made online. Then I will ride south and westerly down toward Yunan and try to cross into Laos there. Let's hope they let the bike through!

I will try to post more here about the specifics on registering the bike and the loopholes etc. Also, I will keep a blog with my location on the route:

www.chrison2wheels.com

Hopefully I will be able to figure out a way around all the systems and rules! Either way, it will be a hell of a trip!

Chris

Hi Chris

Welcome to the site.

your trip sounds interesting please keep us informed how it is going.

I think you will find this site a real help to you as there are a few who live and travel on motorcycles in China hanging around this forum who post here.

Chris,

Good luck on your travels! Be sure to keep the speed down and constantly alert!

Ride on! :thumbsup:

CC

Have a great trip. Nice easy-read blog. But no more entries since Aug. 16

Interesting insight on what the Chinese really know and how we are made to perceive them :mwink:

Take care :riding:

Pete

Been on Kirisu's blog. Sadly we won't get any ride report, It seems that he has dumped the bike because of the road conditions and the risk involved to ride without license/papers...

Sure that riding in China is not without issues but the experience is rewarding.

Today kw_bike, a young fellow rider from Singapore, has left my hometown in GuangDong for a solo trip on a local 125cc to the great North West and beyond. I wish him the best.

Kirisu (Chris) is back on his wheels:thumbsup:

He is in North Yunnan and on his way he met kw_bike, another fellow adventure rider who has started a bike trip from South China to North Europe 3 weeks ago.

The World is a village...

Thanks for the update Brice. Sure would be nice if they dropped in every now and then with comments of pictures. Sounds like they're having a good time out there!

CC

That's right! I am back. I decided that I am not one to shirk from a challenge. In Shangrila, I found the "Right tool for the right job." Now, I am riding a 150cc Zhongshen dirtbike. It handles the shitty roads, mud, ruts and everything else like its nothing!

I did meet up with Kaiwen on the road - that was crazy. We were both riding to Deqing - close to the Tibetan border. He is on his way further north now. I came back to Shangrila, then back down to Dali, Kunming and now making my way south toward Xishuanbanna region - bordering Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. I plan to spend some time there and try to cross into Laos.

Interesting happenings:

- Been stopped by cops 3 times and 3 times they just laughed and sent me on. (Tip: start speaking English really fast and ask tons of questions. Never show a licsense either.)
- Met Kaiwen.
- Off-roading in Tibetan farmlands
- Glacier in Deqing
- Expressway riding!!! You can ride it on bike from Lijiang to Dali (G214) and south of Kunming as well. You can really kill the KMs on the xpwy.
- Police care more about bike reg. than license.
- Lots of drugs in Dali.

If I could do all of this over again, I would A) buy a dirtbike from the start B) start in Yunnan. Best riding, best views, lazy cops and tons of stuff to do and see.

Check my blog for photos: www.chrison2wheels.com

Thanks for your support!

Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kurisu

That's right! I am back. I decided that I am not one to shirk from a challenge.

---

Glad you came to that realization. Rationalization is such a powerful tool against overcoming!

Good luck on the rest of your trip and keep us posted. Wonderful pics in your flash gallery BTW.

CC

P.S.
You got a map of the route you've covered and plan to take?

hello i am planning on doing a trip beijing-lijiang summer 2009, any tips would be great!!
thanks

Hey friend! Beijing to Lijiang huh? Ballsy - trying to outdo me? haha. I think that will be an awesome ride. I will give you advice assuming that you are not a Chinese resident and that you are doing this on a tourist visa like I did.

1. Dirt Bike. Dirt Bike. Dirt Bike. China has the WORST roads I've seen yet. The "National roads" are often in wretched condition. But, if you can find a dirt-bike with the high suspension etc., you will be able to fly over the potholes etc. This may be tough to find in Beijing - but it's worth looking for.

2. Full-face helmet with reflective visor. Keeps the cops off your case. You want to avoid the police because they can put a dent in your fun. If you do get pulled over then insist in speaking only in English and speak very fast. This worked for me 2 out of 3 times. Finally, don't offer up registration or license until they ask you in English - they will probably give up and wave you on.

3. Stay out of city centers - bikes are banned.

4. Get the ownership documents for the bike- get a letter written by the chinese seller stating that it is yours to own and use. Get a copy of his ID card if you can.

5. Plan your stays along the way in medium-sized cities or larger cities. Some small hamlets cannot host foreigners and it might leave you stranded.

6. Travel light. Forget all that damned baggage. I've done just fine with a gym-style sports bag and some bunjee cord. Don't weigh your bike down with a bunch of crap you dont need.

7. BUY IT THERE. Whatever it is, it is made in China, so just take cash and buy it when you need it. Don't be that guy who prepares for everything. If you need a flashlight, stop and buy one. Don't worry about bike repairs - tons of shops in every town can do quick mends to brakes, chain etc. No need to carry all the stuff - repair is cheap too!

8. Avoid hotels, use guesthouses, hostels etc. Try Couchsurfing.com to find places to stay for free.

9. Do not pay tolls. Bikes can circumvent toll booths - just go around them.

10. Yunnan - You will love it! It was the BEST of everything, including roads. Get to Kunming and stay at the Hump hostel. Then, dart out Dali (enjoy some herbal use there..) and then to touristy Lijiang. But don't end it there - You have to go north to Shangrila - it is awesome.

11. Gas - use #93 octane.

12. Don't let someone con you into buying an expensive japanese bike. I got my Zongshen for only $600 and it is a workhorse bike.

13. Bring your own, good bike lock. I've gone through 3 Chinese ones already.

14. Don't worry too much about the (il)legalities etc. You will be fine - just do it and keep your head low. I got caught 6 times and I'm still rolling now! (in Cambodia) Find a tentative route - one that will take you through some cool sites. Then, use a local map for the rest.

Hope this helps - if you have more specific questions, just let me know. I had the hardest time finding info when I was planning my trip, so I am happy to help out. Good luck friend!

Very nice summary Kirasu and a good read for anyone planning to ride in China! Looks like you've learned a lot on your trip. Am looking forward to the full illustrated version! :naughty: :icon10:

CC

thanks alot friend,
how's the ride in cambodia? where did you find info on the route map? i will be riding with my dad on a CJ750, what do you think? love what you wrote was exactly what i was thinking! hope all is well, good luck on your trip, hope that all roads will be open for you.