Buying a bike in China and riding home with it

[bigdamo]

At the toll gates I was also always greeted in russian/local dialects...interesting area and stunning nature you living in!
Enjoy it while it last, the pollution is getting really bad these days! I have seen lots of chemical processing plants in the middle of nowwhere with fumes from the chimey that didnt loocked to nice.

Anyhow back to Nostro...

Yep the rest of China is coming to Xinjiang.Has been my pet hate for along time some beautiful valley and they stuck a iron ore processing plant smack in the middle.

They can't see the forest through the trees.

[slabo]

They can't see the forest through the trees.

I'll remember that.. well put.

[Nostro]

No worries, feel free to mildly derail the thread with riding/driving experience in Xinjiang and the like, it only makes me want to go more and might save me surprises.

Also what about the driving license? Chinese one mandatory or a translated international one would do the trick?

[bigdamo]

Sorry.

International licenses are not accepted in China although I believe someone said there was a country in Europe that had some unilateral agreement doubt it though.

What route where you planning on taking through China.

To get a Chinese driving license you need to be basically living and working in China.

[bigdamo]

try reading this http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...et-on-a-Qingqi

Although he came in and went out on the other side of China.

[Nostro]

No route currently planned other than "travelling in easter Asia to probably Europe, possibly on a bike. Starting Oct 2011". My experience from a few years back in the 'stans taught me to research well the paperwork-side of the trip before setting on an intinerary. It seems experience pays sometimes

tokyokid seems to have been very lucky finding lenient border officers... 3 years later, I'm note sure I should bet on that, especially seeing how the situation in Xinjiang doesn't seem better (see Kashgar last year).

[bigdamo]

Possibly if you really want to ride through China you might be better just buying a Chinese motorcycle and riding through and then selling it at the border.Although I highly recommend not driving through China with no license and no rego and no insurance but I'm not your keeper you do what you see fit.

ChinaV is right the Chinese authorities are seeing more westerners driving/riding in China and don't need the hassle.

I know of some people who have been riding in Xinjiang for a number of years with no license and had no problems but I also know the police know they have no license and I have been told when they have a accident there toast.

[Nostro]

Yup, it seems to boil down to buy and sell inside China, and ride without documents. Not too keen on that, and your advice confirms it, so I think I'll pass. Interesting thread you linked, but indeed it's another border, where the borders are AFAIK easier. Tibet an Xinjiang to the 'stans is another story. Appearently you have to be very lucky to pull the trick I wanted to do, I don't think I'll take the bet. Two friends might join me, it's three times the chance of an accident plus the extra attention you get as a group of bikers with full gear and luggage... looks like a recipe for disaster. So I guess the closest I'll come to riding in Xinjinag will be to hear stories over a Tsingtao from foreign bikers in the region