Planning Beijing to Yunnan Trip on CJ, advice needed!

[moeava]

thanks alot, i hope also that it will be a trip of a life time. thanks alot for your help.

[CrazyCarl]

I'm sure questions will arise as the planning progresses so please keep us up to date!

CC

[Jimbosidecar]

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

thanks alot, i hope also that it will be a trip of a life time. thanks alot for your help.

[chinabiker]

... do you know where i can get some road maps of china?

Xinhua bookstores are a pretty good source for maps.
Also look up map.sogou.com or ditu.google.com

.. any guys that live in beijing, that have done some long trips in china i could talk with, BEER is on me!

I live in BJ. E-mail or PM me for an appointment.

Andy

[moeava]

iheared that going with the BMW was not at all good. to many problems to fix if it were to break down.

[Nick in PRC.]

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.

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.

[Shanghaifingers]

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.. 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

[Jimbosidecar]

Where did you hear that? BMW powered Changs have ridden all over the world.
Regds,
Jim
www.bmwsidecar.com

iheared that going with the BMW was not at all good. to many problems to fix if it were to break down.

[Shanghaifingers]

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....

[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....


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.