Recomendation for Dual-sport Bike for Trip from China to Europe

[davidzweig]

The Chinese registration papers have English on them, right? That should be enough (without translating the whole thing into Russian).

[davidzweig]

Setting myself up with maps..

I've got a Garmin with me (Nuvi 200, a car one, that should be fine on a bike), but the download is 4gb for the China map, would take forever on this connection, plus there's hassle with the 'shift.' Hmm.

I've also got a tablet with me (LG G Pad 8.3) that I use for maps. Mostly I use OSMAnd for offline maps but the OSM maps seem very basic here in Hezhou. Guess I'll put an internet package on my phone and use Google Maps online. Any other options?

[bikerdoc]

You might like to read through various posts on the ride prep and making track category... where several threads discuss GPS

[foxy88]

Setting myself up with maps..

I've also got a tablet with me (LG G Pad 8.3) that I use for maps. Mostly I use OSMAnd for offline maps but the OSM maps seem very basic here in Hezhou. Guess I'll put an internet package on my phone and use Google Maps online. Any other options?

There is always the old fashioned way http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...tlas-for-China

[bikerdoc]

Setting myself up with maps..

I've got a Garmin with me (Nuvi 200, a car one, that should be fine on a bike), but the download is 4gb for the China map, would take forever on this connection, plus there's hassle with the 'shift.' Hmm...

Yes the shift (offset) can be an issue especially in the cities where the offset can be as much as 500m... but as for a solution... well, it's long winded so won't go into it. You can maybe find two versions of the map... 'Venus' and 'Mars'... one has the corrected offset built into the map, while the other doesn't- you'd need to do some in-depth reading to appreciate the differences, on other GPS et al., related websites. As for your Garmin Nuvi 200W or just plain 200, well regardless, if it's a manufactured and bought overseas model... there might be a problem with the map compatibility anyway... as far as I can recall, but I might be mistaken. Only some overseas Garmin models are supported and compatible with the PRC maps. I'd have thought that you'd have done research and due diligence on the various topics before you landed here. Most of what you are asking can be found trawling/searching MCM and elsewhere.

[davidzweig]

@bikerdoc I had taken a look at those posts and elsewhere about setting up the Garmin, but it seemed complex and I decided that it wasn't worth the time looking into it in detail. I did find a 'shifted' 2012 map online which I was going to try, but my connection is not very fast here to download it. I was mostly just logging my thoughts, but of course I am grateful for a useful tip or a point in the right direction.

Today the guys in the garage and I put together a rack, starting with the regular 'bolt-on passenger foot platform' as a base (you know the one..), but fitted in reverse. Still some welding left to do. It's going to swing up to allow the rear wheel to be removed, very clever. Photos coming. Bought helmets, two new air filters, four oil filters (bike has an oil filter, so oil change intervals are 4000km, cool), new clutch cable, brake pads. Some other small jobs left on the bike and a couple more small things to pick up, might also change the fork oil (bouncy) and the wheel bearings (seem fine but will they be in 10,000km?).

Had dinner with the garage owner, he perhaps knows someone who can help with the DL. Will see tomorrow, fingers crossed. I am surprised by how few people I meet who speak any English, had the idea it would be more. There were some blogs I read about foreigners in Beijing who couldn't get anyone to speak to them in Chinese (?!). Well, come to Hezhou! Google translate on my phone is a lifeline, and actually works surprisingly well, two-way conversations are possible.

Hope to get going soon.

[zhu]

there are many hills and valleys between hezhou and Beijing

[davidzweig]

South of Guangzhou too，where we arrived everything was super-shiny, perfect roads, huge areas being planted with trees. It made most places in Europe look shabby. Not saying I'm a fan of that. Had a snooze on the bus and woke up when we were a couple of hours NW of Guangzhou, things were very different. The roads were still impressive though.

Price666, sorry, I've beaten you to it. If you notice and error, let me know.

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To Whom it May Concern,

I [Owner's Name] (ID: [Owner's ID Number]), the registered owner of the motorbike with the identification numbers listed below, give permission to [User's name] ([User's Nationality], Passport Number [User's Passport Number]) to use said motorbike for an unlimited period, for any purpose he wishes, including taking the motorbike across international borders.

Chinese plate No.: [Chinese plate No.]
VIN number: [VIN number]
Engine number: [Engine number]

Please do not hesitate to contact me if any further information is required.

[Owner's Name]

Contact telephone number [Owner's Contact number]

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And in Russian, probably a minor error or two, my friend will check it soon..

You can transliterate your name into Russian using Google Translate. For Chinese -> Cyrllic, this tool seems to work: http://mandarinspot.com/annotate

Для кого это может касаться,

Я, [Owner's Name] (ID: [Owner's ID Number]), юридическим владельцем мотоцикла с идентификационными номерами, перечисленных ниже, разрешаю [User's name] (гражданство: [User's Nationality], Номер паспорта: [User's Passport Number]) использовать мотоцикл этот на неограниченный срок, для любых целей он желает, в том числе вождения мотоцикла через международные границы.

Китайский номерно́й знак: [Chinese plate No.]
Число VIN: [VIN number]
Номер двигателя: [Engine number]

Пожалуйста, не стесняйтесь обращаться ко мне, если требуется любая дополнительная информация.

[Owner's Name]

Номер телефон [Owner's Contact number]

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敬启者，

我本人 [Owner's Name] （身份证号码: [Owner's ID Number]），做为此摩托车的注册车主（身份号码如下），允许 [User's name] ([User's Nationality]（护照号码为 [User's Passport Number]）无限期，任何用途地使用上面提及的摩托车，甚至包括穿越国界。

中国车牌号：[Chinese plate No.]
车辆识别代号： [VIN number]
发动机号：[Engine number]

如有任何问题，请随时和我联系。

[Owner's Name]

联系电话 [Owner's Contact number]

[davidzweig]

What are Chinese spare parts like? I went to the parts shop and bought a complete clutch assembly (plates, springs, holder, whatever) for 50 CNY ($8 USD). Seems.. a little too cheap. It looks OK, the casting is a bit rough. I asked them for their best wheel bearings, they gave my 'KQYQ' made in China bearings (just checked their website, looks encouraging). They cost less than a dollar each. Will they last? Any tips where to find good parts?

Is motorcycle oil generally available for sale? Semi-synthetic? Clutch is sticky and I wonder if it's the oil.

One very important question. How can I check the registration documents are genuine and original, and the bike is legal? I have some reason to wonder.

Is the insurance always 'for the bike', and not 'for the driver?' The seller said everything is fine with the insurance, but I don't understand how it works.

[humanbeing]

Can't comment non-genuine's quality w/o looking. Some OK (OEM of name brand), some are so so.
Even the crappiest brand in wheels can survival (Under normal usage. Unlike the Tibetan that cross rivers/ streams ... ) if u grease it from day 1.
Oil:
Stick w m/c oil that sells in gas station/ authorized dealer , otherwise...
15w/40 diesel oil (High ZDDP) also quite good in these engine.