China > France (Spring 2015)

[mblank]

BD,

I had a few days on the CB500X as well last year, driving from Chiang Mai to the Burmese border - I think the place is called Pai - and around. Really nice bike, I agree. Good on dusty offroad tracks (although didn't encounter mud), and powers through on fast tarmac as well, plus comfortable for hours on end.

I can imagine it would be a very reliable companion for the sort of trip we are discussing here, and the engine will be bulletproof.

Have you seen them in China, or have they started copying it yet?

M.

[prince666]

BD,

I had a few days on the CB500X as well last year, driving from Chiang Mai to the Burmese border - I think the place is called Pai - and around. Really nice bike, I agree. Good on dusty offroad tracks (although didn't encounter mud), and powers through on fast tarmac as well, plus comfortable for hours on end.

I can imagine it would be a very reliable companion for the sort of trip we are discussing here, and the engine will be bulletproof.

Have you seen them in China, or have they started copying it yet?

M.

The CB500X is made in Thailand and
Very soon will be available in China at a
Price that should be interesting !
To consider a copy one if made you
Would just end up with one more Chinese
badly made bike that falls apart after
10 km IMO .

[bikerdoc]

As Prince666 wrote having a copy of the CB500X or similar would likely not be worthwhile unless it was made by one of the better MC manufacturers. At the end of the day though, obtaining the real deal CB500X would likely only cost approx 30-35% more than most overseas markets given that the CB500 series bikes are made in Thailand, as there are obviously some preferential and favourable import policies for ASEAN member countries exporting MC's into PRC as can seen from my Thailand vs International pricing comparison post.

For the time being only the CBR500R and CB500F are available through the Chinese Honda distributor. Who knows if or when the powers that be will import the CB500X. Some of the independent shops (e.g. Tonjoy) might have access or import the CB500X, though as of about 2 months ago, they had no plans to do so at the time.

Apparently there is supposedly some decision making going on at then moment and announcements forthcoming in or around October concerning motorcycles, and not just specifically related to Honda either. Both Honda and Kawasaki confirm that they'll likely be party to these announcements though nothing was forthcoming in the conversations I had at the time. Might not be anything too significant, perhaps it might be just some special price promotions for the October 'National Day holiday', or perhaps some new model announcements... all conjecture at this point...

[JulienR]

Someone heard about this Ata Carnet to pass customs at each border ? Needs more info to figure out what is this .
cheers

[bikerdoc]

A ATA Carnet is a Customs document that provides for tax free importation/travel (free from any import duties and local taxes) of goods, products including vehicles through member/participating countries.

The Carnet means that the owner of the vehicle must pay an amount as prescribed to a competent authority/organisation (for vehicles, this competent authority or organisation is usually a motoring association or similar in the vehicles domiciled country of registration), with the monies held by that authority/organisation on the owners behalf in a 'escrow' type account.

The money essentially becomes a bond in exchange for documents, declaration, vouchers etc which are used in the countries detailed prior. The bond is only refunded when the vehicle has been returned/reimported back to the domiciled country within the specified period from whence it came (usually 12 months), all documents, custom seals are intact, and there are no claims against the carnet by any member country etc. There are about 73 participating countries. The vehicle must be exported out of the countries visited and returned to the home country within the prescribed period otherwise all duties and taxes become payable on the vehicle, extensions can usually be organised as needed, up to a maximum period of an additional 12 months (at least that was the way it used to be).

I used a Carnet decades ago with a motorcycle (NZ-OZ-NZ), but not for PRC. AFAIK PRC only allow the use of Carnet's for fairs and exhibitions, and there are no provisions for issuing 'Carnet's' from within PRC to the best of my knowledge. A Carnet is not needed for most if not all the bordering countries to PRC, including a few that don't e.g. Thailand. This means that legally plated & registered vehicles are able to cross into neighbouring territories without the need for a Carnet. How one might fair for countries further afield in such circumstances - who knows.

ATA Carnet Federation
International Chamber of Commerce

[JulienR]

So it means, need to bring back the bike to China to get back your deposit. Thats completely absurd...
Thats a big obligation if its true :(

[prince666]

So it means, need to bring back the bike to China to get back your deposit. Thats completely absurd...
Thats a big obligation if its true :(

Are carnet available for Chinese bikes
which are leaving China !!!

Just to chip in with bike from outside
China !! The duty is 20.000 rmb for bikes
And 50.000 rmb for cars to be paid
In advance to the Chinese customs office
With a entry date and a exit date
Failure to leave before or on the exit date
You loss your deposit
One way to bring a HD bike in and
Keep it here and save some money
On real duty !!!