Quote Originally Posted by davidzweig View Post
Is a trail bike out of my price range? We could stretch a little. Otherwise that bike would certainly do.
You could get a new 125cc-150cc bike trail(ish) for about $1200-$1400. A real YBR125G is your best bet, or maybe a factory Jialing JH125 or 150.

Does buying a used bike make any sense? Or are prices quite high on used bikes?
Buying a 2nd hand bike does make sense. Easier these days as everything for sale is listed online, but you'll need local help. Bikes depreciate quickly from new, a third cheaper after a year depending on brand, could be an economic solution to at least get a bigger capacity or better bike.

I guess I could buy a copy of the YBR125G, then fit a big bore kit from taobao? Are there FI kits on there too? Could someone check for me? :-) Would be great not to have to mess with the jets all the time.
I don't know if I'd want to mess around reboring and trying to retrofit EFI. Most Chinese mechanics can only do bodge fixes and change oil. Even if you could find a capable mechanic it would take days of frustration and language difficulties ordering parts online and then only maybe. Also get a real Yamaha if you can, it would be so much more reliable.

We fly to Macau, enter China, then would like to get a bike as soon as we could. Is there a district in Guangzhou with lots of bike shops?
I know that Guangzhou has some anti-motorcycle jihad mental disorder. I also think you'd be better off buying anywhere else. Jiangsu, Hebei, Chongqing and Shandong seem fairly liberal toward bikes, probably lots of other places too. Buy in a 2nd or 3rd tier city as registrations are much cheaper. Too small a place not enough choice, too big too much expense and restrictions.

How are driving conditions in China? Is it possible to cruise on secondary roads at 70kph? What is the reality of long-distance driving on a small bike?
The problem with China is the maps don't tell you that much. Some roads look OK in theory, in reality they are dirt covered truck pounded nightmares. Other roads are beautiful, but it's just impossible to know until you get there. Sometime you could make good progress, other days nearly nothing. Lots of hunting for hotels that don't stink at sunset covered in dirt.