Foreigner Wannabe wants to learn to ride a bike :)

**sujeto1** · 05-13-2017, 01:53 AM

Hey guys, I'm new in this forum. I'm from south-america will be living in Guilin Guanxi next semester. I always has been interested on motorcycles from a wannabe perspective but I have to admit I never dare to ride one, I know how to drive a car and a bicycle. I have listen that motorcycles are quite popular in the south of china, so I'm thinking to learn to ride, problem is that I absolutely know anything about bikes, non of my friends ride bikes (kinda nerdy here with nerdy friends). So I wish you to guide me if possible on to give the first steps. I know I'm not going to be prepared for riding the whole china in a couple of months, but I want to give the first steps.

So, what is the first I should do? maybe hiring a riding school? then asking for a license? What kind of bike should I buy first to learn?

**prince666** · 05-13-2017, 02:53 AM

Hi and welcome to MCM

Buy yourself an E-Bike to start of with, cheap and don't need a Chinese DL.
After about 1 year getting used to how things work in China, then apply to get a Chinese DL.
After this point, let's talk about a motorbike.
Good luck and I wish you well

**ShuBen** · 05-13-2017, 03:28 AM

Do a driving license for motorcycle on your home country. That will safe you a lot of trouble in China because then you only need a theory test here to get a China license.
Otherwise it gets nowadays complicated. I have several friends that can't achieve a license without a converable home country license.

Further follow what the prince said

Sent from my GN8003 using Tapatalk

**Asymptomatic** · 05-13-2017, 08:48 AM

Yeah, I say take a riding class back in SA and get your license. Then come here and buy an E-bike. 100's of styles to choose from and you do not need to worry about anything other then going, stoping and wild chinese traffic.

Once you are comfortable and understand how Chinese traffic works, (it actually has patterns you do not see at first) then you can transfer your license and get a petrol bike.

Here is my e-bike to give you an idea. They can certainly still be cool looking.

2016-03-02 21.28.01.jpg

**prince666** · 05-13-2017, 09:33 AM

Was not thinking off 5000 W E-bike lol
One novic ride on a 5000 W E-Bike in China = 1 dead rider. Lol
But still good sound advice.from all the old timers.

**Asymptomatic** · 05-14-2017, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by prince666

Was not thinking off 5000 W E-bike lol
One novic ride on a 5000 W E-Bike in China = 1 dead rider. Lol
But still good sound advice.from all the old timers.

No worries, you can get that same bike in a 1500w or 2000w. It is also much cheaper that way and gets way more distance!

**ShuBen** · 05-14-2017, 12:40 PM

@Asym: that's an e bike? How much for that and how fast is it?

Sent from my GN8003 using Tapatalk

**Asymptomatic** · 05-14-2017, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by ShuBen

@Asym: that's an e bike? How much for that and how fast is it?

Sent from my GN8003 using Tapatalk

Yeah its electric!

Depends on the controller, batteries and motor you buy.

I paid 9K for it with a Kelly controller clone, 5000w motor and a 72v battery set. That will get you just under 100km per hour and about 85km in distance. The seller had a lot of options though, upgrade the front forks, upgrade the tires, upgrade...everything. They can get quite expensive depending on the build! I went with upgraded suspension, best motor, best batteries and best controller. I should of upgraded the breaks because they suck.