New member, Beijing!

Hi everyone!

My name is Galen and I've been living in Beijing for a bit over a year now. I rode motorcycles since childhood back home on the west coast of the US. Now I'm getting the bug to get back into riding, and the little electric scooters, while fun and cheap, just don't cut it for me.

I'll keep exploring this site but for now, I do have a few questions.

Motorcycle license (yeah, I'm sure your sick of these questions...) I can't find a current website for the LaoShan training center in Beijing, but apparently that's where I need to get started? The only info I've found so far is about four years old. I do have a current, valid Washington State driving license with motorcycle endorsement if that makes any difference.

Is it easiest to just buy a new motorcycle and have the dealer handle the plate for you? I don't really need (or want) to ride into the middle of Beijing, so a jing B plate is probably all I need. Those are good for outside the 4th Ring, correct? (I live outside the 4th Ring, btw).

Once I get licensed, insured, plated and geared up, I look forward to taking my motorcycle the hell out of Beijing on the weekends! Hope to meet some cool folks here. Happy late mooncake day. :)

I'm not rich. (I'm an English teacher...) I just want a cheap, small reliable motorcycle that has a clutch and gears and something that I can get decent tires for. What's a good little bike to get? 125 cc seems a bit small for me, but I would entertain a 125cc, I'm hoping for a 250cc though if they aren't much more expensive.

Cheers!

Ohh, I do have a lot of pictures of me and my motorcycles, just still learning how to use this forum.

Good bike to start of with and cheap to buy

Attachment 15934

The picture is of the YBR G but get the YBR KG to which the link is....

link to taobao

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...id=38155428570

http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/...ps05b06fbe.jpg
get one of these

Quote:

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Take a China bike over a made in China Japanese bike? Sorry I just can't agree. A YBR125, YBR250, CBF150 will be much more reliable and hold their value wwwaaayyy better than any Zongshen. A Zongshen is just a crappy copy of Japanese tech.

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+ 1 :thumbsup:

Done over 20.000 km on the YBR in 5 months over some hard rides will no major issues ????
To me that tell's all

And at 12.000 Rmb on the road all plated and insured good cheap way to start


Attachment 15938


Attachment 15939

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.
Interested to know your budget. If over 24,000 yuan is affordable there is the Jianshe Yamaha YBR250 and the Haojue Suzuki GW250. Both ideal and great bikes, try to buy 2nd hand if you can't afford new.If your budget is about 10,000 yuan then try for a Jianshe Yamaha YBR125 or Sundiro Honda CBF150. These are the best choices for a reliable bike with a good resale. Buy from a local dealer, negotiate the price and make sure the bike is registered and insured by the dealer before you pay in full, maybe a 2000-5000 deposit upfront.

If you are desperate for 250cc power on the cheap or more off-road ability or other quirk you could consider a China bike. Be aware the quality and tech of these bikes is well below the Japanese branded bikes and you may have mechanical or other quality issues.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by galenernest

Motorcycle license (yeah, I'm sure your sick of these questions...) I can't find a current website for the LaoShan training center in Beijing, but apparently that's where I need to get started? The only info I've found so far is about four years old. I do have a current, valid Washington State driving license with motorcycle endorsement if that makes any difference.

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Hi Galen, and welcome to the Beijing motorcycling community.

Yes, it makes a huge difference that you already have a valid WA driving license with a motorcycle endorsement. There is a much easier process to convert your WA DL into a Chinese DL (you get to keep your WA license). You do not need to attend Laoshan for classes, but you will need to take a "written" test (on a computer, actually) covering Chinese Road Traffic laws.

Frankly, the best way to learn how to do this is to visit the Traffic Management Bureau on the SE 4th Ring Road (huge building), and go to the Foreigners' Department on the left side of the building (when facing the building). Although the counter police usually speak some English, and are MUCH friendlier than DMV personnel back home, it is usually best to take a Chinese person with you (unless you are comfortable with the Chinese language). You can get all the forms, get the brochures on the process, the list of approved clinics for the very simple "physical" and eye test, and even register for the test. It is not a difficult process, just bureaucratic, although the Traffic Law test can be tricky so you need to get the most up-to-date Study Guide. The test is offered in English.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by galenernest

Is it easiest to just buy a new motorcycle and have the dealer handle the plate for you? I don't really need (or want) to ride into the middle of Beijing, so a jing B plate is probably all I need. Those are good for outside the 4th Ring, correct? (I live outside the 4th Ring, btw).

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Definitely easiest to get a dealer to handle everything for you, especially for a B plate.

Good luck

Hey guys, thanks for the welcome and the info so far! I'm intrigued by the Chinese Yamaha YBR ... I'll seriously look into that bike as my first motorcycle in China. I was hoping to keep the total cost of the bike around 10,000, but I can probably go as high as around 15,000 and still tolerate my wife's wrath. :P

I've ridden a variety of bikes back in the States... my last bike was a Honda VFR800... great bike, but too heavy and sluggish for my tastes. I rode the piss out of an old Yamaha YZF600, also rode my friend's Kawasaki KLX250 motard on an extended loan... my last dirt bike was a KTM EXC 360... actually street legal 2-stroke monster, but I only ever road that one in the woods. I think I would have lost my driving license if I ever put street tires on that thing, haha!

I got into the track scene around the Pacific NW for a couple of years, almost got into racing, but just didn't have the funds to keep it up. At one point, we were doing track days almost every weekend over the summer at different tracks around Oregon and Washington... those were fun times :)

Here's some pictures (I hope they post okay... photobucket hotlink, you may need to run a VPN to see them)

Rockin' my friend's KLX 250:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p.../galentard.jpg

Portland International Raceway, YZF600r:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...27jffx_572.jpg

Geared up for a weekend camping trip, same old YZF:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/DSC04267.jpg


I low-sided and put me and my bike in a ditch the day before a track day:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...H/DSC01325.jpg

What the?
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...H/DSC01322.jpg

I missed my track day the next day, but got my bike glued back together for the following weekend at Oregon Raceway Park, yeah!

Okay, I'm going to the Traffic Management Bureau tomorrow afternoon with a Chinese friend of mine and we'll see what we can do! I'll report on what I find out. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Lao Jia Hou!

Okay, I just got back from the Traffic Management Bureau to see about getting my Chinese driving license. Wow, I live in NW Beijing, so it was a long trek to get there. I didn't apply yet because I was missing my hospital check and a translation of my US driving license. I'm going to try to go back tomorrow to apply and schedule the exam.

They're open until 6:00 pm during the week and 4:00 pm on Saturday.

Documents needed:
1) Passport and photocopies. (I brought two photocopies, and photocopies of my residence permit)
2) Original police registration form of temporary residence and photocopies.
3) Original driving license (My USA License)
4) Photocopies of the original driving license (front and back)
5) Translation of the driving license (they gave me a standard form on which the pertinent information they need should be written in Chinese)
6) Hospital check-up. They gave me the form to take to the hospital to have the doctor fill out and sign
7) Pictures. I just went to a little shop and had them do nine one-inch photos for 15rmb.


Things to note:

1: They don't have the study guide for the written exam anymore. They gave me a card for a company that sells the English study guide. It's 70RMB. They deliver. To order the book: during regular hours call 36767890, after hours call 13522765212 I'm obviously going to order the book, and of course once I've passed my exam I won't need it anymore, so if anyone in Beijing needs it, you're welcome to borrow it once I'm done.

2: According to the lady at the desk, you don't need an official company to translate the license. Anyone can translate the license and sign the above mentioned translation form. So, I'll have my Chinese friend do the translation for me and keep my fingers crossed.

3: I had my friend ask twice to be sure: My Chinese driver's license should be valid for driving cars and motorcycles. According to the lady, the Chinese license will mirror my USA license relating to what kind of vehicles I can operate. I'm crossing my fingers on this one... I've heard some contradictory information. We'll see.

I'll post an update after my application is accepted and my exam scheduled. sigh.

One more question!

Are there any local Beijing meetups or bike nights? Weekly rides? I looked around on the forum and didn't find anything. Hopefully I can fall in to a decent group of motorcycle riders once I get my bike. :)

Good up-to-date info, thanks!

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Originally Posted by galenernest

2: According to the lady at the desk, you don't need an official company to translate the license. Anyone can translate the license and sign the above mentioned translation form. So, I'll have my Chinese friend do the translation for me and keep my fingers crossed.

3: I had my friend ask twice to be sure: My Chinese driver's license should be valid for driving cars and motorcycles. According to the lady, the Chinese license will mirror my USA license relating to what kind of vehicles I can operate. I'm crossing my fingers on this one... I've heard some contradictory information. We'll see.

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I experienced the same many years ago - anyone can do the translation. Good to see that it is still that way.

One recommendation is ... if your WA is a full, unrestricted motorcycle endorsement, make sure your friend's translation includes a notation that you are licensed to ride BOTH 2 wheeled motorcycles and 3-wheeled sidecar motorcycles. In WA state, I believe, a sidecar license & a motorcycle license are the same thing. In China, they are different. In China, just a 2-wheeled motorcycle license is a C1E (C1 = passenger car and E = 2 wheel motorcycles), whereas a C1D includes passenger cars, 2 wheeled motorcycles, and 3 wheeled motorcycles (sidecars). You may as well shoot for the C1D, as you are indeed licensed for sidecars.

In my experience, the Beijing TMB are pretty good when dealing with foreigners. Given the large foreign population, with all of the Embassies, etc., they have pretty much seen it all and do not appear to have any concerns with foreigners becoming legal. In fact, the TMB actively encourages it. Seriously, there is no reason why anyone in Beijing should not be licensed.

As for bike nights, weekly rides, etc., I've recently been riding more outside of China than inside, sorry, so I'm a little out of the loop. There used to be a Tuesday night meet-up at Frost Burgers in Sanlitun, but I don't know if it is still going on. With such a transient population, it is really tough to organize and maintain anything. Frost is listed on The Beijinger, and you can contact Jeff (the owner, an American) for more info. Jeff is a local rider.

Finally, answering one of your initial questions - yes, a B plate is fine for anywhere outside the 4th Ring Road, except on the actual 4th or 5th ring road (side roads are fine). If you are in the NW (Haidan district), the rule may be that you still technically need an A plate to register the bike in your name. Haidan is one of the 6 restricted motorcycle plating districts. However, a decent motorcycle shop (pick one of the large ones) can help you out with how to get a B-plated bike.

Good luck in your pursuits!

Thanks for the info on the SanLiTun meetup... I'll look into it once I get my bike. Of course, by then it'll probably be winter and not too many folks will be out and about on their bikes just for fun.

I'm not sure when the law changed in WA, but sidecars now require an additional endorsement to operate, which I do not have. It may have changed when the CanAm spyder came out? Not sure. But I'm not too concerned, I can live without riding sidecars. (Incidentally, I was the "monkey" in a sidecar race one time. That's a whole different experience, lol).

Lao Jia Hou, did you live on the West Coast at one point? You're spot on about the DMV personnel back in the States... you'd think that they were affiliated with the mob to be so damn rude and still keep their jobs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by galenernest

Thanks for the info on the SanLiTun meetup... I'll look into it once I get my bike. Of course, by then it'll probably be winter and not too many folks will be out and about on their bikes just for fun.

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That's where a scooter (maxi scooter is my preference) comes into it's own... all year round riding... just got to watch for snow and black ICE

Quote:

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Originally Posted by galenernest

I'm not sure when the law changed in WA, but sidecars now require an additional endorsement to operate, which I do not have. It may have changed when the CanAm spyder came out? Not sure. But I'm not too concerned, I can live without riding sidecars. (Incidentally, I was the "monkey" in a sidecar race one time. That's a whole different experience, lol).

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The Traffic PSB would not likely know there's a difference. I'd still be inclined to follow LJH's advice and push for the 'D' category. Given the familiarity with which the local BJ Traffic PSB deal and have dealt with foreigners, there's a good chance they are familiar with this request. Never heard the term "monkey" swinging on an outfit... where I'm from they're termed 'swingers' hehehe. A couple I used to house share with many many years ago raced outfits, he rode, she swung :naughty:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by galenernest

Lao Jia Hou, did you live on the West Coast at one point? You're spot on about the DMV personnel back in the States... you'd think that they were affiliated with the mob to be so damn rude and still keep their jobs.

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Give it time...
One could apply that liberal interpretation here easy enough when dealing with many aspects of daily life and work in many contexts - it's far from peaches and cream here... IMHO.

Heh, swingers :P

This particular sidecar motorcycle got up over 150 MPH (about 240 KPH) down the front straight. My visor flew open on our second warm-up lap, DOH! It was a pretty cool machine. Amazing how much power you can feel and how much it slides around the corners.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...R/DSC_4677.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...R/DSC_4678.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by galenernest

I'm not sure when the law changed in WA, but sidecars now require an additional endorsement to operate, which I do not have. It may have changed when the CanAm spyder came out? Not sure. But I'm not too concerned, I can live without riding sidecars. (Incidentally, I was the "monkey" in a sidecar race one time. That's a whole different experience, lol).

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Ah, ok. I was just guessing about the WA state DLs. Tx for clarification. BTW, I've heard that the Beijing TMB has copies of virtually every jurisdiction's DLs, and associated rules, so you best come clean with what you are licensed for.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by galenernest

Lao Jia Hou, did you live on the West Coast at one point? You're spot on about the DMV personnel back in the States... you'd think that they were affiliated with the mob to be so damn rude and still keep their jobs.

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My DMV experience is from just North of you, in Canuckistan ... just as rude (despite being Canadian), and a similar multi-volume set of nanny rules always at the ready.

BTW, that is some scary looking sidecar racing. Rule # 1 - don't eat a bran muffin before riding.

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to give an update that I got my Chinese driving license with motorcycle endorsement C1E, and now I'm bike shopping. There's a motorcycle store not far from where I live that I'll check out to see if they have the JH150 and can do a 京B plate for me.

Great news and well done with the C1E 1 more can say I done it .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by galenernest

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to give an update that I got my Chinese driving license with motorcycle endorsement C1E, and now I'm bike shopping. There's a motorcycle store not far from where I live that I'll check out to see if they have the JH150 and can do a 京B plate for me.

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Congrats... spend time shopping round and don't be too eager to pull that trigger. Also be wary of what dealers tell you or promise you. If they suggest or promise to do such and such, get it done before you hand all money over. Once most local sellers have your money there is little to no incentive for them to help or make good on any pre-purchase promises. They can look you straight in the eyes and lie full on without flinching.

If it was me, I'd go for a 250cc before I'd go for a 150... as the 150cc will get old real quick IMO... just sayin... YMMV

Can confirm you can't beat C.C. for long rides, just done over 24K on the 125cc YBR ( big bore kit to 150cc) in 30 weeks and to be fair I have rode the bike hard over that time with some long runs
using 80% of the revs for long periods of time and sadly the engine bearings are all shot
found them to be cheap Chinese parts so replaced with Japanese branded parts , which brings me onto my
point maybe a 250cc would of lasted longer !

Thanks for the replies! If it were up to me, I'd go for the YBR 250 (or another option), but sadly my wife has put my budget at 10,000 or under. I don't really think I'll be doing too many long hauls, more just urban commuting and an occasional ride in the suburbs.

I went to where the motorcycle shop was a few months ago and... the building is half torn down. Not surprised. While wandering back to the bus stop, I found their new shop! They didn't have any Jialings, but the lady showed me a Lifan KP-150 (little sportbike) and a Yinggang 150X (enduro). The Lifan was 7800 and the Yinggang was 9800 without trying to haggle (I was just window shopping, so I usually save the energy for when I'm ready to buy). 京B plates 1500. Out of curiosity, I asked about 京A plates... dagai 90,000. Each bike comes with a 2 year warranty on the engine and 6 month warranty on other things (as far as I could understand her... my Chinese isn't stellar!)

I can't find much on the Lifan... what do you guys think of those bikes? I will go check out another shop nearby tomorrow after work, still hunting for that Jialing JH150 to see it in person.

I'm in no huge hurry... waiting for my aerostich to come anyway. Too damn cold outside.

If it were up to me !!!! I get a new wife !!! Well shit happens and one is left to be told what bike you can and can't have !
Good luck I am sure it will all work out in the end

Hello,
First congratulations to galenernest for getting his license.

I was wondering, if I don't have a license from back home, does anyone know the new regulations? how much it is supposed to cost and what not?
I've been talking to the agent that will transfer my car license, and he says the whole process is around 7 weeks, and costs around 9,000 元.
Does anyone have any info on this?
Plus if anyone is from Australia, do you know how long it takes to do the motorbike license there first?

Thanks

Also galenernest, you said if anyone wants to borrow the book, please ask.
Well could i borrow the book? or buy the book?
if convenient you can contact me at david[at]ecmsglobal.com
thanks

Sorry to say but if you pay 9000 rmb to get a Chinese C1 then you have more money
then sense IMO why you can do it yourself at a cost of less then 500 rmb and get a legal Chinese DL
It is not impossible to obtain a full C1E Chinese DL even if you don't have a motorbike category on your
home country DL .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1288711

Hello,
First congratulations to galenernest for getting his license.
I was wondering, if I don't have a license from back home, does anyone know the new regulations? how much it is supposed to cost and what not?
I've been talking to the agent that will transfer my car license, and he says the whole process is around 7 weeks, and costs around 9,000 元.
Does anyone have any info on this?
Plus if anyone is from Australia, do you know how long it takes to do the motorbike license there first?
Thanks

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A word of caution; if you have an overseas car licence, and gain a PRC DL class C1 and then later want to add a motorcycle 'class E' or three wheeler 'class D' then one may discover that the newly acquired class cannot be added until a). one year has past since the PRC DL (C1) was first issued, or else b). the PRC DL (class C1) is nearing expiry, or c). some other non-transparent hindrance... welcome to PRC... LFZ - TIC!

The regulations will likely differ dependent on you, where you are, who you talk with, the time of the day, the way the wind blows, or doesn't. It's one country, made of many many little kingdo0ms or citadels. No one size suits here, forget any cookie cutter transparency. Always say to yourself the mantra, logic free zone (LFZ), this is Ch!na (TIC [def: annoying problematic parasite that feeds of others/hosts that may cause paralysis or worse]).
You might like to start here (read various posts and threads as others who've also not had an overseas DL with motorcycle endorsement have enrolled in driving schools and successfully completed the course.
http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/fo...-Making-Tracks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1288711

Hello,
First congratulations to galenernest for getting his license.

I was wondering, if I don't have a license from back home, does anyone know the new regulations? how much it is supposed to cost and what not?
I've been talking to the agent that will transfer my car license, and he says the whole process is around 7 weeks, and costs around 9,000 元.
Does anyone have any info on this?
Plus if anyone is from Australia, do you know how long it takes to do the motorbike license there first?

Thanks

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1288711

Also galenernest, you said if anyone wants to borrow the book, please ask.
Well could i borrow the book? or buy the book?
if convenient you can contact me at david[at]ecmsglobal.com
thanks

---

You can borrow/have my book. I also found a website with a practice exam that more or less resembles the actual written test. It's at www.chinese-driving-test.com

It's not perfect, but it's a good study tool. Also, 9000 yuan seems expensive. I didn't need an "agent" for any of it, but I did already have my endorsement. Total cost to me was 50 kuai for the exam, 80 kuai for the book, 10 kuai for the license and 10 kuai for the medical check.

If I were you, I'd just go to the traffic management office for foreigners and ask them what you need to do. You might have to go to the motorcycle school here in Beijing, but I can't imagine that it would cost 9000 kuai.

Take subway line 10 to ChengShouSi station, take exit C2 and walk directly across the street and turn left. Walk until you find the bus 990 stop (it's near a hotel). Take bus 990 and after it turns left, look out the window (on the right hand side) for a huge grey building with a crescent-shaped entrance, near a gas station... I think the stop is call shi ba li (something something). Bring a Chinese friend with you if your Chinese isn't so hot. There was a girl there that spoke English, but I wouldn't count on it...

PM me if you want to pick up the study book.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prince666

Sorry to say but if you pay 9000 rmb to get a Chinese C1 then you have more money
then sense IMO why you can do it yourself at a cost of less then 500 rmb and get a legal Chinese DL
It is not impossible to obtain a full C1E Chinese DL even if you don't have a motorbike category on your
home country DL .

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Oh sorry, i didn't make that clear, the agent is doing my car license. (i don't know how much that is meant to cost by itself, but he says 1000)
And then i ask him about doing the motorbike license from start to finish and he said around 9,000.
& yeah i guess it's not Impossible to get the full C1E but, i get the feeling that it sure takes a lot of time and hassle
If you have any tips on this please, all is appreciated

Thank you Biker doc and galenernest for getting back to me so quickly,
@Biker doc, yeah i read quite a lot of the information a while ago, and there was one guy that said the whole process took 7 weeks.. but he didn't say how much it cost.
I've got to find that post again.
I didn't realise that it could be so troublesome to add the motorbike license to the Car one,
but yeah that seems to be generally the case of China.
(as to who i am and where i'm from, I am Australian, in Beijing, and i'll try to be nice and talk to someone nice)
@galenernest , yep i found that site too, i intended to use that to study for the car license.
Although is there much difference between the Car computer test & the bike computer test?

Yeah i'm thinking 9000 sounds a bit ridiculous. I've heard from many people that it's easier to do it back in your home country and transfer it across. But i'm guessing they're saying that because they don't know the full process to do it here.
Plus as for Australia, i doubt it will be easier because you have to wait such a long time between taking the computer test & practical and even then you only get a provisional license for a year to drive up to 600cc after a year you can do the next stage.

Anyway, i will haev a try this weekend. Thanks for the advice and especially thanks for the directions, i will follow it to the letter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1288711

Thank you Biker doc and galenernest for getting back to me so quickly,
@Biker doc, yeah i read quite a lot of the information a while ago, and there was one guy that said the whole process took 7 weeks.. but he didn't say how much it cost.
I've got to find that post again.
I didn't realise that it could be so troublesome to add the motorbike license to the Car one,
but yeah that seems to be generally the case of China.
(as to who i am and where i'm from, I am Australian, in Beijing, and i'll try to be nice and talk to someone nice)
@galenernest , yep i found that site too, i intended to use that to study for the car license.
Although is there much difference between the Car computer test & the bike computer test?

Yeah i'm thinking 9000 sounds a bit ridiculous. I've heard from many people that it's easier to do it back in your home country and transfer it across. But i'm guessing they're saying that because they don't know the full process to do it here.
Plus as for Australia, i doubt it will be easier because you have to wait such a long time between taking the computer test & practical and even then you only get a provisional license for a year to drive up to 600cc after a year you can do the next stage.

Anyway, i will haev a try this weekend. Thanks for the advice and especially thanks for the directions, i will follow it to the letter.

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I wondered if there would be any difference on the exam, too. But, there wasn't a single motorcycle-related question on the 100 question exam that I took.

The office is open on Saturday and Sunday until 4pm, by the way. Good luck!