SpeedEight wrote:Just read the entire thread and it's answered a lot...

- As I have a UK bike license already I can convert it to a Chinese one (with a written exam but no practical test right?).
Correct.
- Big bikes are ridiculously expensive in Shanghai.
yes, if imported legally, since there are many duties, taxes and fees payable to the Chinese government

I was thinking I could sell my Ducati Monster here in the UK and buy one in Shanghai but the prices look 4 times the price!

So could I import mine? My new company will pay my relocation fees, I'm sure I could get the bike in
It depends on what your year your motorcycle is, and that you can prove ownership from when it was first registered, as China does not allow import of used/second hand vehicles since 2010

What would that cost me? Is it straightforward? I've read anything from 'yeah it's easy to do, won't even cost you import/fees if it's for personal use and it leaves with you when you go' to 'it'll cost the equivalent in fees/taxes than the bike's worth'. Where does the truth lie?
It will cost you the freight, then anything from 40-60% of the new market price but it might cost anything up to 100% of the new price. No one can tell what the new price is, as that is not transparent and China authorities will make up their price based on their knowledge. And it doesn't matter if you have the original invoice/sales agreement.

Is the Shanghai license for a big bike (it's 696cc) a one off cost or is it an annual fee?
Shanghai license plate fee is a lottery system and motorcycle plates are a premium as the Shanghai authorities stopped issuing new motorcycle license plates. That means plates are secured recycled from motorcycles that are being scrapped, and then the plate can be transferred to another motorcycle. The other premium about a motorcycle is that it can also be transferred to a car, but not the other way round e.g. from motorcycle to car, but not car to motorcycle. The plate is a one time fee and you could consider it an investment, since the Shanghai government is not issuing new motorcycle plates. Please note that aside from the plate, you have to buy compulsory 3rd party insurance (minimum) each year, and every 2 years have the motorcycle pass a safety inspection for the first 5 years, then yearly after that until the motorcycle has to be scrapped. Yes, all vehicles have a date (usually 11 years from new - but it varies from one city/province to another) that the vehicle must be scrapped - meaning it cannot be used in that city ever.

Any help appreciated, I'm not sure I could live without my V-twin daily fix

kindredice wrote:So I understand that its either illegal or you have to part with some 6 digits cnys to own a decent bike here in Shanghai. How about the smaller japanese bikes? can you register those since they are under 250cc? for example a 2006-2007 249cc honda hornet? (I mean the same shops selling the big bikes have those smaller 250cc bikes too). I see a lot of Yamaha Ybr250s but I just want a darn inline four, track days are a joke they are asking for 800-900cny for 20mins alone with a cbr600rr and leather (sounded kinky).

My last resort will be one of those chinese x2x supermotos with 25hp , pimp it up with aftermarket header & exhaust, air intake etc... I've seen the 650cc cfmotos but they cost as much as a daytona 675 (illegal) and I cant seem to justify that for a chinese bike.

kindredice wrote:Yeah I've read about the CF Moto's 650TR, seen the naked one aswell. Maybe if they can come up with a sport version with full fairing? (its a copy of ninja 650 after all), TR looks too bulky. There is also the Loncin 650, but that one is a thumper with bmw f650gs engine. It is nice to see them making some bigger displacement bikes, but they have a lot of catching up to do. Anyway maybe I'll buy an illegal 600 and just ride it at the track. Thanks for the info.

StormXLR wrote:Guys I am planning to get my first driver license, sometime this summer anyone knows what are the procedures you need to follow to get a motorbike license? Also I am going to be moving to either Suzhou or ningbo for university and getting my motorbike there. Wont be getting a good one since i will be in China only for another 2 years min. Probably will pick up some decent secondhand chinese made Honda or Suzuki cruiser in softtail style ~5k rmb?
Anyways any tips on that? Also I need to take some official driving learning classes for a car and a bike at the same time.
Any Ideas I am 17 what is a minimum age limit to take driving classes in china?

Nuhaus wrote:

StormXLR wrote:Guys I am planning to get my first driver license, sometime this summer anyone knows what are the procedures you need to follow to get a motorbike license? Also I am going to be moving to either Suzhou or ningbo for university and getting my motorbike there. Wont be getting a good one since i will be in China only for another 2 years min. Probably will pick up some decent secondhand chinese made Honda or Suzuki cruiser in softtail style ~5k rmb?
Anyways any tips on that? Also I need to take some official driving learning classes for a car and a bike at the same time.
Any Ideas I am 17 what is a minimum age limit to take driving classes in china?

Minimum age for a Chinese driver's license is 18. Really wouldn't recommend you learn to drive here, it's very challenging even for experienced riders in Shanghai and the driver training is awful. Most schools just put you onto a lot (on a shite scooter) and let you drive around a fixed course. No classes, no road training, you just drive the retarded course around some pylons and over a 2 by 6 and away you go. Also, Ningbo and Suzhou have motorcycle bans in place, meaning that you cannot drive a bike anywhere near the city centres.

What is your home country? Can you go there for a Motorcycle Safety course over the summer?

Buying a used motorcycle can be difficult but not impossible. I recommend the Suzuki GZ150 as a first time cruiser style bike. It's fun, comfy, and easy to fix/mod. New ones run 10,000 RMB. Remember that a plate in Shanghai starts @ 7,000 to 54,000 depending on where you live.

Nuhaus wrote:You won't need to make any "payments" if you get a license in your home country first. You just need to have it translated, then you write the computerized road safety test. I'm very sure you'll get better training outside of China.

The GZ 150 I'm thinking of is based on the Suzuki GZ250 (which I have not seen here). It's a teeny tiny cruiser with a single front disc and a rear drum brake, similar to a Honda Rebel but with a one cylinder thumper. Check the Suzuki web site for more info. It won't beat a scooter off the line, but with the gears and large wheels you'll find you can maintain a higher top speed more comfortably.