Motorbike tour of western China

**shaddawn** · 06-22-2012, 04:39 PM

Hi,

Me and my boyfriend are currently in Vietnam - just did the Ho Chi Minh trail from Saigon up to Hanoi by motorbikes and plan in a maximum a month or so to enter China and do a trip by motorbikes from Guilin towards Tibet and Nepal.

We know that it is impossible to import bikes into China so we are planning to buy 2 motorbikes somewhere in China where is most convenient - we would go East as far to Guilin and from there we will turn West to continue towards Tibet and Nepal.

Would need your help for some things :
1. Where would you recommend to buy 2 decent motorbikes (used ) - a 125 CC and a 150-200 CC - was thinking of the Shinerays G2 and G4 from some years back - or anything similar.
2. How much more or less would they cost ?
3. How to obtain a Chinese motorbike driving license with a tourist visa only ? (Hope it is possible). I don't have a motorbike drivers license but I do have a car driver license for many years. If possible, would you recommend any cities where I could pass the exam ? ( I saw somebody mentioning Guilin, will go there anyways but any other recommendations ?) I really want to play by the country's rule in China!

We both are looking forward to making this trip on motorbikes. Any help is fully appreciated.

Thank you!
A

**juice** · 06-22-2012, 08:02 PM

I can't comment on buying the bikes, but I did get my license about two months ago in Shanghai. Not having a motorcycle license in your home country will make obtaining a bike license in China a bit more difficult and time consuming, but not impossible. As far as I know, your tourist visa should be attached to the city that you are staying in, and that city is where you will apply for the license. Again, as far as I know, I'd recommend taking up residence in one of the smaller and lesser known cities if your sole purpose is to obtain a motorcycle license. The rules in the smaller provinces are often less restrictive and you are more apt to find people that you can pay to help you accomplish your objective. Going the straight and narrow route in the larger provinces will certainly cost you 2-3 months time. This is China and nothing ever goes smoothly, or quickly for that matter.

**TB-Racing** · 06-23-2012, 12:09 AM

http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...ssing-Question nuff' said......

**bigdamo** · 06-23-2012, 02:58 AM

You will not get a M/C license on a tourist visa.

"I'd recommend taking up residence in one of the smaller and lesser known cities if your sole purpose is to obtain a motorcycle license. The rules in the smaller provinces are often less restrictive and you are more apt to find people that you can pay to help you accomplish your objective."

Maybe but Harbin sounds rather difficult to get a M/C license and Xinjiang is incredibly difficult.

Takes time to find these people and develop the trust so that you can pay said people.

No offense but search these forums on how tourists can ride through China every month or so someone ask the same questions.

Riding through China with out being legal can be done but in these present times I'd be real real careful.

**fahni** · 06-24-2012, 11:38 AM

dito the comments.

DL on a tourist visa is impossible and even if it was possible, it would cost you about 6 weeks (not counting the time for learning the questions) to get it. T*bet is off limits for tourists now and lot's of places with tibetan populace are severely restricted.

**sldx** · 06-24-2012, 02:05 PM

I see, I think we have enough info about the license issue, I guess we'll try our luck in Cambodia.

Any info on where would be the best/cheapest city to get our bikes?