Anyone bought and registered a bike legally in Suzhou?

Hi! I'm new to the group and have searched the forums, but I don't seem to find out how to register a new motorcycle here.

I managed to get my Chinese license and now want to buy a bike. I've been to a few shops in Mudu and Meicun (just outside of suzhou). They tell me that I need to give them ~800 rmb and wait a few weeks. They said that I can't get a legal plate in Suzhou or Wuxi. Something seems strange about this. Does this seem to be the way to go? I also had a guy tell me I could buy a used bike with a legal plate.

Anyone with ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,
Bill

Billiam...

Although certain provinces and cities have different rules. You can register a new bike by taking your license, 1,000 small pictures of yourself and any other document you can imagine and going to a Driver and Vehicles Administration Center (name may vary) in your province. In your case, likely near Shanghai.

At the Admin Center, you'll likely pay for taxes, insurance and registration/plate fees which should be around 1,000 depending on local laws n' stuff.

Second hand bikes in China have already been registered and the plates travel with the bike for life, thereby entirely avoiding having to go to the Admin Center.

What kind of bike you thinking about getting? :icon10:

CC

Many cities or districts refuse registration of bikes, or they have strict requirements like only one vehicle on one hukou. Or limits on the cc. Sometimes shops are looking for a person living in a certain place to register a bike in her/his name.

I have been looking at the QM 200 GY or the Suzuki YBR 125.

I have seen the Suzuki at a few places and it looks like a good bike to ride. I have also riddeng it a few times with motorcycle taxis here.

I have a friend that knows a second hand shop. Might give it a look this weekend.

I've enjoyed reading the site so far. It looks like you have a lot of experience in Chengdu. I have a friend out there, maybe i'll come out in the spring time. It must be getting a little cold to ride there.

I want to do some kind of big ride next year. Have you had people ride through Chengdu from Shanghai? How long should I plan for a trip? Maybe two weeks?

Thanks,
Bill

Billiam,

I'm not in Chengdu now, although I was for the past five years. For a trip from Shanghai to Chengdu, 2 weeks is enough for a one way journey. It really depends on what you want to see and how much time you can take off.

Good luck at the second hand motorcycle place and be sure to take some pics. The YBR is made by Yamaha I think and they now have a 250cc version available in China which looks promising so keep your eyes peeled for it.

What kind of riding did you do before getting to China?

CC

I think the area you are in and the visa you are on are important. Some areas it's just easier to put the bike in a trustworthy Chinese friend's name. Don't ride without plates, as it will get you stopped too quickly!

I like pretty much any kind of riding, a little off road, but mostly road bikes and touring. I've had a bunch of bikes over the years, mostly bigger bikes.

Since I am working here, my company is not in favor of me having a vehicle of any kind. Because of this, if I get a bike, I would like to be as legitimate as possible so I don't get in trouble with the government or my company. I have been here over 2 years now and really miss riding. I used to ride almost every day in the US. Usually that was 10k-15k miles per year. My bike is waiting for me in storage for my return.

I have my residence permit which should help, but I have been told by a number of locals I can't have a bike because I am close to the city. I see motorcycles riding around where I live every day but can't figure out what the rules are. I think I may be able to register it to my plant location because my residence permit is in Wuxi and my drivers license is Wuxi.

I've had a couple of people tell me they would register it in their name, but I didn't want to explain to police if I got pulled over why I was riding someone elses bike. I guess not a big deal?

Up in Wuxi, I have been able to ride some. There are a lot of motorcycle taxis and if I show them my license, they all have let me drive and they sit on back. That is quite a bit of fun and they all seem to get a kick out of it.

I see I goofed writing about a Yamaha last night. I think one to many beers.:naughty:

I forgot to ask, where can I get a Yamaha YBR250? That looks really cool.

Bill,

Hey a fellow Stich' wearer! Those things will save your ass in China... especially at 16,000feet! :thumbsup:

Two years in China without riding is a long time! I last the entire of six months before I broke down and got a bike. Seeing all these people with motorcycles putting around the mountains of Tibet made me loose my mind... sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. :icon10:

Even thoughh you may live close to the city, if you see people riding around then it's likely legal. Some folks tell you that it's very difficult or not possible just because they don't understand riding, think your crazy (or stupid) and don't want to deal with having you around as a liablility.

Don't worry about buying a second hand bike with someone else's name. The main thing is that the bike is in good condition and you have the correct documents. 80 percent of your troubles are over because you have your license so I suggest taking your time to find a bike which is good for you, your style of riding, and is realatively easy to repair (super double especially if you're considering long distance travel).

The rest is making plans and lots of elbow grease but that comes with the territory. Hey, did you bring your Stich' to China?

CC

Yep, I brought my stitch to China.

Thanks for all the info. Do you have examples or know what the correct documents look like?

Here is my current ride with my home made model airplane trailer.

Alright an RC Modeler!!! I tried to put together an RC Cessna C ardinal when I was younger with a Cox engine and the whole deal but never actually got it together. I should really get back into it sometime.

Regarding the documents, they'll look different depending on where you live and seem to have changed quite a great deal in the past few years so you'll just have to go through the process and find out.

Check out both the new and second hand rides. Second hand will save you the registration hassle and get you riding quick. Downside is finding one that's in good condition and/or easy to repair. :mwink:

CC

Yes, of course you could get a second hand bike, the problem with this could be that it will probably be a small capacity cheapo bike. Which means that you'll probably be in and out of the local repair guys shack, with yet another problem, and probably with tires the consistency of granite.

It is still an option worth considering, make sure you get have necessary insurance and registration documents that come with the bike and that the registration is not fake (quite common where I am). Also that the speedo hasn't been clocked. Figure out what any second hand bike would be worth new and halve it if the bike is 1-2 years old and a quarter to a third if the bike is older than that. Try to find a bike that you can verify is not over a year or two old, as some of them don't remain reliable for long. If the engine has Yamaha Suzuki or Honda stamped on it that's a good sign. Don't pay too much, if the bike is 3 years old and cost about RMB5000 new expect to pay RMB2000.

Either that or locate a Yamaha motorcycle dealership, bring a trusted reliable Chinese friend with you (make sure they bring their ID card). Order a YBR250, wait a week or two for them to get the bike and enjoy hassle free riding! Bike should cost RMB22,000 maybe a bit more. (If you get one and want to leave China later, I'll buy it!) :icon10:

http://mybikeshop.files.wordpress.co...50_2008_01.jpg

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Yeah those are proper looking 250's and should be awesomely practical for all kinds of riding. Wonder why they aren't available in the US? :confused1:

CC

I went to the Yamaha shop today and they told me they could order the YBR250 and it would be here in 1 - 2 days. They called and confirmed pricing on it. They told me 25000 initially, but I told them I heard I could buy one for 21000 thinking they would come down. After 15-20 minutes of negotiating they finally told me the best they could do was 23800. Also, they want a 5000 deposit. I am guessing there is one nearby so I might have to go looking this weekend.

I am really wondering if I should get that one or get the YBR 125 for 8000. They also had a european export YBR125 that looked identical for 9000. They claimed it was better somehow but I put them side by side and compared for 20 minutes and couldn't find any difference.

I think the 125 would probably be easier to fix on the road with more spares here.

If I could import it to the US I think I might get the 250. I get to bring a 20' container worth of stuff when I return. I figure I might be able to dissasemble it for shipping and reassemble back in the US. Might be hard to get a license plate though. Anyone ever tried it?

Decisions, decisions.

Anyone know what a fair price for a YBR125 is?

Seems awfully expensive for a 250cc. The Jialing JH600 is 29000RMB, the new Shineray X2 250 is 14000RMB, the Galaxy FTR 250 is 11000RMB, the QingQi 200GY is less than 10000RMB.

Plus you'll have to add road taxes, insurance ...

The YBR 125 should be around 6000/7000 like all the upper range Japanese 125 bikes here.

Yes the YBR250 basically considered too expensive by everyone in China. I have a theory for this and it's basically that the YBR250 is made in other factories around the world, and Yamaha think if they sell it too cheap in China they will have loads of 'gray imports' arriving in other countries that have a regional factory, being bad for business.

The Chinese YBR 125 is proven reliable, as we know that someone on this forum has gone from Shanghai to Germany on it. If you do a lot of city and very twisty mountain roads the YBR 125 will be fun. Also the speed that bikes prices depreciate here, the more expensive the bike, the more you loose if you sell it. The YBR125 could get boring on some kinds of roads.

I'd get the export YBR125 usually, but if I had the money the YBR250.

In Brasil is FAZER 250 Attachment 259 its is a limited edctionm sorry unfortunately I do not know speak English

Whoa! Black with red pin stripes! Very cool!!! :thumbsup:
Do you own one?

CC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CrazyCarl

Whoa! Black with red pin stripes! Very cool!!! :thumbsup:
Do you own one?

CC

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Hello Carl I have some friends that this is one of the best bikes here in Brazil is fast and economical the engine has EFI and is balanced.

Some of the key characteristics that identify the Fazer 250, as a Yamaha product is the expertise that board, as their sisters as the largest electronic injection system, forged piston and cylinder with ceramic tile, look beyond the modern, easy driveability and low consumption.

The whole operation of the engine is provided by an efficient control system that drives a set of ten different readings. The heart, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) monitors and analyzes the information from each sensor and transmits the commands to the various systems to work in order to meet the most ideal conditions for different steering, for example, the angle of the sensor inclination that is used to stop the injection of fuel when there is an inclination of the motorcycle above 65 degrees.

The electronic injection system coupled with the induction of Air (Air Induction System) - a device in which through valves connected with the air filter, injection, catalytic converter head and ensure minors emission of polluting gases in a motorcycle that segment ever produced in Brazil .
The fact that electronic injection makes the motorcycle more "intelligent", which results in very efficient operation of the engine making 250 Add more economical because of better combustion of the fuel. "

The oil radiator, improves the ability of engine cooling, monocilíndrico a four-stroke of 249 cc and command of the simple valve head that develops 21 hp from power in 7500 and 2.10 kgf.ma RPM 6500 RPM, with forged piston and dispersive ceramic-coated cylinder of heat, like that in the larger models of the brand - XT660R, Do, YZ and WR, are also used because of their enormous strength and longevity.

The set also has other mechanical components that contribute to security, robustness and quality of components of Making 250, as; gear compensated spring damping installed at the right end of the shaft balanced, gears of the 5 marches reinforced, air filter box, with large capacity (3.5 liters) for a better functioning of the engine at low and medium speeds.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by billinsuzhou

I went to the Yamaha shop today and they told me they could order the YBR250 and it would be here in 1 - 2 days. They called and confirmed pricing on it. They told me 25000 initially, but I told them I heard I could buy one for 21000 thinking they would come down. After 15-20 minutes of negotiating they finally told me the best they could do was 23800. Also, they want a 5000 deposit. I am guessing there is one nearby so I might have to go looking this weekend.

I am really wondering if I should get that one or get the YBR 125 for 8000. They also had a european export YBR125 that looked identical for 9000. They claimed it was better somehow but I put them side by side and compared for 20 minutes and couldn't find any difference.

I think the 125 would probably be easier to fix on the road with more spares here.

If I could import it to the US I think I might get the 250. I get to bring a 20' container worth of stuff when I return. I figure I might be able to dissasemble it for shipping and reassemble back in the US. Might be hard to get a license plate though. Anyone ever tried it?

Decisions, decisions.

Anyone know what a fair price for a YBR125 is?

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Buy the european version (9000rmb), the black one looks good.
From my point of view its the most reliable legal bike you can find here in China. I bought it in Shanghai, registered and insured it in Changsha for 236rmb. I checked in germany and i could also register it there since its on the market there too. Could be same in USA.
Me and my wife did 26.000km on it in 4 month and its stilll fine.
The original backtire is not so good, needed to change it after 9000km, the profile was completly gone.
Only need to change clutch plates after 19.000km because I tried too much :icon10: Check the pictures