i am planning a trip beijing lijiang in summer 2009 on a cj750. would love any tips.
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i am planning a trip beijing lijiang in summer 2009 on a cj750. would love any tips.
Moeava,
Welcome to the list. Generally more details and specific questions will get you more detailed/specific answers. Otherwise, there is so much to say it is difficult to know where to start.
Do you have any specific questions?
CC
what is a real nice route to take? i want to see the back country!
any kind of tips would be great.
do you know where i can get some road maps of china?
any guys that live in beijing, that have done some long trips in china i could talk with, BEER is on me!
thank alot for any help!
For areas around Beijing, I suggest contacting Chinabiker and crew, These guys are in tune with that area. Also individually contact some of the guys in the CJ750 section who have done long distance rides on CJ's and may be able to give special suggestions.
As far as riding in China goes, to me, the further away from the population you get the better. The folks in the countryside are downright groovey. :thumbsup:
A good route from Beijing might be to Xian, Chengdu then to Kunming and the rest of Yunnan. This way you'll get to see some desert and plenty of mountains. You never said if this is to be a one way trip or loop so I'm not sure after that.
Is this a one way trip? How much time do you have? You going solo? :confused1::confused1::confused1:
CC
thank you,
the trip will be up and back, its going to be a 2 month trip, and i will be with my father.
i don't want to stop and visit citys, already did that, just want to drive.
do you know where i can buy road maps of china.
thank you for your help.
MH
Although I realize you don't want to spend a lot of time in big cities be aware that you'll have to spend at least some amount of time in them, if not for a hot shower (unless you propose to not shower for two months) then for the Long March of repairs that will be needed on the CJ.
Yet more info is missing. Have you ridden long distance in China or other developing nations before? Do you have mechanical skills? Language skills? how long have you been riding the CJ?
CC
yes i realize that i will have to stop for that! :icon10: just meant that i want to stay out of the big cities as much as possible.
this will be my first trip long distance on a bike. traveld quite a bit around china by back-pack.
i studie in beijing, and will be buying the CJ this coming month. no serious mechanical skills, can change oil, spark plug, oil, and some little stuff, but have been driving a chinese motorcycle for the last 4 years.
this trip is hopefully the beging of other long trips for me through china.
Great so you've been in China for a while and, I assume have language skills. What bike have you been riding for the past four years and how did you decide on the CJ?
CC
the CJ, cause i love the look, plus this trip will be with my dad who will have his 70 th b-day. so its really a father son thing. as far as the language no prob, as for the bike, a good old R9 scooter, don't laugh to hard wouldn't want you to choke.
this trip is going to be my first trip by motorcycle, so i want to do it it something that me and my dad can remember. i will be getting the back this month, and driving it as much as possible, the trip will be in 6 months, so i think i will get the hang of it by than and figuere out all the stuff. i think it would be possible in 2 months if not, than how ever long it takes, plus i can always send it back by train to beijing, so not really worried about that.
thanks alot for the help,
Wow that sounds like a great trip to do with your old man and it should be a journey of a lifetime. Triple thumbs up bro! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and directly contact some of the CJ riders/owners on this list and get some of their experiences/advice. Off the top of my head:
- Jimbosidecar
- DHFox
CC
thanks alot, i hope also that it will be a trip of a life time. thanks alot for your help.
I'm sure questions will arise as the planning progresses so please keep us up to date!
CC
Hi,
I'm the one known as Jimbosidecar. I've ridden pretty much all over Northern China and Mongolia and beyond. I live in Beijing. I install BMW motors into CJs so they can make these long rides. Give me a call or stop by my shop.
And good Luck.
Regds,
Jim
www.mycj750.com
Quote:
Originally Posted by moeava
Xinhua bookstores are a pretty good source for maps.Quote:
Originally Posted by moeava
Also look up map.sogou.com or ditu.google.com
I live in BJ. E-mail or PM me for an appointment.Quote:
Originally Posted by moeava
Andy
iheared that going with the BMW was not at all good. to many problems to fix if it were to break down.
I think that's the point......it's less likely to break down in the first place. I've had a Chang for 5+ years.......it's never left me stranded but I wouldn't ride it anywhere with out tools, I trust it that much.:lol8:Quote:
Originally Posted by moeava
Just buying one, jumping on it and taking off will be asking for trouble. If you end up going with a Chang, ride it for a few thousand KM's, fix and get to know all the issues it has before you go. Yes, the new ones have issues built in........and I'd make sure it was legal with real plates, insurance and a your DVL license is properly endorsed for piloting a three wheeler as you will tend to stick out when you break down on a Chang.
It can be done.......up and back in a month might be tight......shitty roads and a low top speed will make for low daily mileages, stopping to check things out more so.
I am with everyone else on this one...
I run an adventure tour company using CJ's as our "iron horse" but I am a mechanic and I bring sooooo many spares and tools, i wonder how I get anywhere with all that weight.:icon10:. When on a paying tour I always bring a mechanic from my buddies shop usually on his own bike for just the sole purpose of repairs. Its never anything major but enough to end a trip if your not well prepared. Also some of these stretches of roads in China are pretty isolated and while mechanics are everywhere spares arent...
But I guess these things are the reason we all do this type of adventures....
"If it was easy, then everyone would do it!"
PM me if you need help:thumbsup:
Where did you hear that? BMW powered Changs have ridden all over the world.
Regds,
Jim
www.bmwsidecar.com
Quote:
Originally Posted by moeava
Jim,
I think what he is trying to say is that "IF" they were to breakdown, lets say in a really small town the mechanic there might not be capable to fix a BMW. Certainly find parts locally on his trip to fix the BMW engine will be really hard to find. Although the likelyhood of a break down is little to non.
On the flip side I found exactly the same problem with my CJ from time to time.
Make sure he gets your "mingpian" so he can call you for spares....
Jim,
I think what he is trying to say is that "IF" they were to breakdown, lets say in a really small town the mechanic there might not be capable to fix a BMW. Certainly find parts locally on his trip to fix the BMW engine will be really hard to find. Although the likelyhood of a break down is little to non.
On the flip side I found exactly the same problem with my CJ from time to time.
Make sure he gets your "mingpian" so he can call you for spares....
That’s exactly what i meant. Most people told me not to get the BMW motor, “just in case it breaks down, there is a good chance of not finding anyone to fix it" of course that is outside of the big cities.
OK, I get it. Coincidently, we're building out 2 BMW powered CJs for a French father and son who will ride the bikes back to France, through China, Turgikistan (SP), and into Europe.
Have the guys who are giving you advice ever ridden any long distance rides?
Regds,
Jim
<www.bmwsidecar.com>
Actually yes, met with 3 different people, who have done long distance, they all say the same. it might not break down, but if it does and your not in a big city, your chances of finding a mechanic in china, apart from some big city's, who can fix a bmw, and who has bmw parts is very slim. that’s all nothing against the BMW, i want a BMW cj, but i don't want to take the risk of having to cancel my trip. Nothing personal.