hahaha - more expat discussion.

I have to head down to the TMB after June 9 to apply for my DL renewal - I will ask the what the current law is. I know several bikers who've been dinged by cameras, including a Harley guy who had to return to traffic school after getting 12 points, which is why the plate obstruction (usually a heavy lock on a chain draped over the plate) is so prevalent in Beijing.

Personally, I've never been dinged ... but I follow the laws.

Re investment - in my case, 京A plates have been a fantastic investment. I don't plan on scrapping any bikes, but my legal bikes' "all-in" replacement costs have increased by almost 10K over the last year. Simple financial math - last year my JH600 was around 42,000 all-in with a 京A plate - now it is over 50K. The used value of my bike has increased, because of the plate, should I decide to sell it.

Re exporting - there is a provision for a legally exported bike with a legal plate registered to a foreigner that has more than 1 year remaining on the plate to have that plate legally transferred to another bike no sooner than 30 days but no later than 180 days after legal export. BUT the plate must stay in your name for the new bike, and you cannot transfer it to another for at least 30 days. At least this was the law in early 2010. Confusing???? I spent a day and a half at the salvage depot trying to figure out if I should scrap or export a legal bike I had back then. Strangely, the export also gets a new 11 years marked on the re-issue form. One of the head policemen said he'd only seen 2 cases in the prior few years. His minions had no idea. Like many things in China (and many other countries), one needs to physically go to the source and talk wth the man-in-charge, with a copy of the law in your hand. It may be the written law, but getting it applied is a whole different situation.

whew - I'd just take the subway if MC-ing wasn't so much fun.