@foxy88 I found a formula online that says a non-turbo engine looses about 12% of it's power for every 1000m above sea level.. so at 3000m that's something like a 36% loss of power (I had the feeling the loss was a bit more than that..). So a 125cc has the power of a 80cc, and if the jets are not changed on the carburetor, fuel efficiency drops. Yes, we'll past by Kunming, if we do manage to get going at all.. :-)

@prince666 Great photo! How are things looking for your trip?

@bikerdoc We want to be as legal as we can. Hopefully that is legal enough to cross the country via it's backwaters and get across the border. We've already given up on the idea of the 'blue book' being in our name, but I don't see that as a problem? We would be in the same situation as prince666, with the bike registered in someone else's name and a letter. After China, I don't think there will be many difficulties. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan I imagine are pretty lax (plus, according to my friend from Turkmenistan, bribes don't so much as fix problems, but rather are responsible for about half the GDP. I've also had the pleasure of driving around Ukraine), but Kazakhstan and Russia probably have a more through customs procedures. With translations of the Chinese docs into Russian, should be alright. Could also look into registering the bike locally in Kyrgyzstan, if this is possible. I speak Russian so things would be much easier over there.

I'm more worried about the danger of road accidents than the prospect of spending a couple of weeks in prison and loosing the bike. Motorbikes are dangerous, no matter how cautious a driver you are. A momentary lapse in concentration or the simultaneous occurrence of several road hazards (curve + gravel on the road + gust of wind + oncoming traffic crossing into your lane etc.).. the human body isn't designed for motorcycle-speed impacts..

One question. Should the letter be written: I give permission to David to drive my bike around anywhere he likes, including across borders etc. --or rather-- I transfer ownership of the motorcycle registered in my name to David ? If a bike is sold in China, does the name in the blue book always change?