MOTORBIKE TRAVEL

Hello,
I recently had the notion to travel around China on a scooter or motorbike. I will be in China for just under 3 months, from May 16th to August 1st and was hoping anybody could tell me anything that would pertain to this.
1. I will arrive in Shanghai - how easy is it to pick up a bike and what price should i expect?
2. How are the roads?
3. Basically, how safe do you think it will be?
4. Is it worth it, or are buses and trains cheap enough and relatively hassle free?
5. I only have a British Drivers licence and CBT licence, will this make any difference as I assume, it will be a lot more lax.

Any extra information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanking you in advance.
Gemma.

It's complex - but this guide should answer some questions

I think 4 is really your answer, unless you have a deep and abiding need to really do this by motorcycle. I've seen foreigners touring on motorcycles, but trains and buses are FAR less hassle than buying and owning a motorbike in China (see the link to see what I mean)

Also...

In my opinion the roads are far to dangerous.

Good Luck

I don't think the roads are that dangerous. . . it's more learning what the local customs are. My friend has a car in Shanghai - he said it took him about a week to get used to driving in China.

have yo got a death wish?

Astroboy, interesting link...

[snip]
4. You are driving up to an intersection where there is no signal light or policeman, A man is crossing in the crosswalk in front of your car. You should:
a) Blow your horn signaling the pedestrian to yield the right-of-way.
b) Stop and give him the right-of-way.
c) Continue into the intersection.
[/snip]

1 day in China will teach you that the correct answer is:
d) Do nothing, it's the pedestrian who should jump out of the way. :-)

The driving rules in China is :the bigest thing on the road always have the right a way.

Yeah, d) is the correct answer ... even if the pedestrian is on the pavement

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>
1 day in China will teach you that the correct answer is:
d) Do nothing, it's the pedestrian who should jump out of the way.<hr></blockquote>

Out of everything in China I have to adjust to - this is the biggest adjustment for me.

you might want to look into the labyrinth that pertains to foreigners driving their own vehicles in china. its not as straightforward as india where you just buy a vehicle and go for it. especially concerning anywhere that may be seen as restricted.
most foreigners with vehicles are rwsidents with connections who are restricted to the city they live in. some foreigners do bring a car or bike in or procure them inside, but it takes literally months of paperwork and 'fees'.
sorry to burst your bubble. maybe im wrong, but with lots of transport and the performance on chinese roads and hassles with the PSB, it may not be worth it.
good luck tho.

Not sure about motorbikes or scooters but self drive of a vehicle in China is very costly unless you have a Chinese passport of residency permit and Chinese drivers license.

People avoid doing this because of the Chinese regulations that you pay for a government supplied guide. This is from the website of a company that provides guides:

<<After we receive such information, we will keep in close contact with you to work out a detailed itinerary that will satisfy your need and be accepted by you. After this, we come to the stage of fulfilling itinerary which requests you to provide following material:

1. Color pictures of each vehicle(2 copies), their models, copy of vehicle identification including number of the vehicle body, serial number of the engine, type of fuel, original number of license plate, country of region it belongs to, color of the body and so on. And rember to tell us the present value of each vehicle.
2. Information about the tourist to drive in China: Copy of his or her passport, 5 photoes identical to that on the passport, his or her occuption, copy of the driving license.
3. List of logistic supply equipment and their value, such as spare parts of automobiles, camping facilities, tele-communication appliances like speakers, GPS system and satellite-transmitted telephones.
4. Confirmed route, itinerary, entry and departure ports, service items requiring us to enter into the contract.

Based on these, we start to apply for and obtain following permits and formality necessary for your proposed tour in China. This process may request 2-3 months.
1. To apply for a written reply released by related department of Chinese Government to allow automobiles to enter into China and travel permits to ensure the tour legal and operable.
2. To obtain temporary travel licenses, license plates and pay various fees such as road toll and purchase insurance for automobiles.
3. To obtain temporary driving licenses and buy insurance for tourists to drive in China.
4. To finish all customs formalities for automobiles to pass through the entry ports.

As you can see it is not an easy process nor is it cheap, but it can be done.

http://www.tibet-tours.com/english/selfdriving.htm<BR><BR>Ruth

Ruth - that only applies to someone bringing in a vehicle from overseas. not to someone buying one here.

astroboy - can you even buy a vehicle without a residency permit and license?

Ruth

Ruth - I'm sure that you can. Maybe not legally, but I'm pretty sure Xiao Liu down at the local scooter shop doesn't really care. Especially with the extra 500 RMB you throw his way not to care.