I started a thread when we were looking for a motorbike in Kunming. Eventually after meeting up with andre555 we decided to go for the YBR250 at the yamaha dealer in Kunming. After all it was there in stock waiting for us to be driven back to the other side of the world. Because we were only on tourist visas we knew it was going to be 'a bit' trouble to get it registered. After a week of driving up and down in Kunming we were sick of all the bureaucratic running around and getting sent everywhere. Besides our visas were running out. We decided to start our trip, on a temporary license and only a international drivers license. We tried basicly every city on the way to get the bike registered, but got denied because of the same reason every time: we only had a tourist visa. Only in Shangri-La they said we couldnt get it because we already paid taxes in Kunming.
When we arrived in Urumqi our temporary license for the bike ran out. We applied for a new temporary license and got it after another week of hassling around. In the end it was useless, because at the border of Jimenay it was never asked for or even looked at. Getting out of china was easy, but we got stopped by customs in Kazakhstan. We had to pay a deposit of 50% of the value of the bike. This cant be done at the border itself, we had to pay for an escort to the closest head office of cutsoms 500 km further into Kazakhstan. We were happy enough to be out of China so we whent along with support of our embassy. The deposit will take us through russia too, as they have a customs union since 2010.
To cut the story short, it is possible to buy a motorbike in china and take it out of the country if you are willing to pay the deposit. We got stopped a few times by police but the language barrier or just for being white is enough for them to let you pass. Other option is to register it with a long visa, then you can just drive over the border easy(we were told).

Now 8500 km on the clock and still going, only had a front fork seal leaking. Changed that at around 6500 at the Urumqi yamaha shop for free(we only had to supply the part from taobao).

Pictures coming soon!