I'm just back from a short 5-day beach vacation in Rayong, Thailand with my wife and kids (only had one half-day or heavy rain, but they conspired to blow up a chemical factory in town - it's in the news!). Got back to the office today, all excited to get an update on the plates situation from our vehicle person. She's away on sick leave! I wish her well, but man, it's eating me up inside: go or no-go??? I can somewhat relate to what Pete was feeling earlier in the thread when he had a bike and no plates! It must have been worse for him since he physically had his bike and could ride it around a bit, while I am in a situation of having a bike lined up and awaiting a confirmation that I will get plates before I can go pay for the darn bike!

Question for Pete: did you also have to have the Chinese characters for Yamaha stenciled on your tank like Fred, or is that a stupid rule applicable to Shanghai only? My natural reaction to someone attempting to spray paint my property is "eat the can first, and then try spraying". But I am way too polite to express it in those terms of course.

To all: did anybody identify in the end after-market hand guards that are suitable for the YBR 250? (I saw that "hand job" thread).

Here's hoping I get my bike before the end of this month. Better yet, in time for my birthday in a couple of weeks. But again, TIC...