Question about moving to China

[the_american_knight]

Hi friends,

I curious about bringing my Harley to China. I know there is a dealership in both Shanghai and HK.

 

Does anyone have any info on bringing vehicles there? thanks!

[chengdu4me]

I have read that import tax is 37 - 47% of new value. If you're willing to pay that, then you can have it air freighted there. Many shippers to choose from. You will have to pick it up at the port and pay the tax and license fees, etc. before you move it.

 

If...I were going to do something like this, I would contact the dealer in Shanghai and ask if they have a service that can handle this for you.

 

I thought about taking my custom with me, but I think that it would be to difficult to maneuver in traffic and there isn't any other place to ride on any regular basis other than the city.

 

Also, I wouldn't want to get in an accident in China. I think being a foreigner, I would get royally screwed whether it was my fault or not...

[the_american_knight]

I'm guessing you live in Chengdu? That is where we are considering moving to.

 

Wow, that is so ridiculous about the taxes. But, that is government for you, they can do what they like.

 

It really is a shame because, I just got my 2009 Crossbones Harley last September.

 

I want to keep it, but, I have no idea how long we are planning on living in China.

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

Hi friends,

I curious about bringing my Harley to China. I know there is a dealership in both Shanghai and HK.

 

Does anyone have any info on bringing vehicles there? thanks!

 

Laws vary throughout China, regarding the use motorcycles. Some cities, like Shenzhen, don't even allow motorcycles of any type on the road, and will confiscate them if found. I've never seen anyone ever ride a Harley in China, but I always thought it would be a lot of fun to give it a try. Let us know what you find out.

 

My wife tells me you can bring it, but will have no way to get a license to operate it.

Edited April 30, 2009 by ShaQuaNew (see edit history)

[chengdu4me]

Chengdu has motorcycles all over the place! and bicycles....and buses...I've been riding for 40 years...There ain't no way! Nope....not me!

[Zhou Zhou]

Xiamen, is another city that does not allow motorcycles. I do see them but they don't have tags. ZZ

[ed and ying]

If it was me, i don't think I would bother. Public transport is inexpensive, plentiful and easy. I would not want to be a driver in China, to many possible problems. If you really want to do this, find out what is required to be a legal operator. Do you want this for your everyday transportation or the occasional pleasure ride ? You might consider what might happen if your bike was left unattended for any length of time. I think this idea could be more troublesome than you can imagine

[the_american_knight]

If it was me, i don't think I would bother. Public transport is inexpensive, plentiful and easy. I would not want to be a driver in China, to many possible problems. If you really want to do this, find out what is required to be a legal operator. Do you want this for your everyday transportation or the occasional pleasure ride ? You might consider what might happen if your bike was left unattended for any length of time. I think this idea could be more troublesome than you can imagine

 

You've never riden a Harley.

 

 

 

I guess we are staying in the USA.

[2mike&jin]

Hi friends,

I curious about bringing my Harley to China. I know there is a dealership in both Shanghai and HK.

 

Does anyone have any info on bringing vehicles there? thanks!

 

 

I'm not a Moto Che fan - but when I was getting my "Chinese Drivers License", the "Shanghai Motorcycle Club" had the only decent "english version" of the Chinese Road Rules. You can google - I just grabbed the first link that mentioned them...I know they have Sat/Sun FUN rides....and have links to all the Moto Che manufacturers. Again, not my thing but there certainly is a "following there".

 

http://kenandtheartofmotorcyclemaintenance...torcycle-group/

 

I have a couple of "opinions/views" based on living in China.....(1) I have a Chinese drivers license , (2) Driving there is just like driving anywhere in the world.....understand the other drivers and what they will do...and you're set (In china they will do anything and everything...In Germany they mostly follow the rules, in the US somewhere in the middle your mileage may vary), (3) You can take anything you want to China, you just have to pay for it, (4) You can register anything you want in China....refer to item #3., (5) yes there are cities that you will not be able to ride it...legally. Being a Laowei with a Hog - might get you warnings - but in most places they would direct you to leave the city, (6) Leave the Hog at home, buy a new "something" in China - and enjoy the rides!

 

Best of Luck

Hawaii Mike

[the_american_knight]

Hi friends,

I curious about bringing my Harley to China. I know there is a dealership in both Shanghai and HK.

 

Does anyone have any info on bringing vehicles there? thanks!

 

 

I'm not a Moto Che fan - but when I was getting my "Chinese Drivers License", the "Shanghai Motorcycle Club" had the only decent "english version" of the Chinese Road Rules. You can google - I just grabbed the first link that mentioned them...I know they have Sat/Sun FUN rides....and have links to all the Moto Che manufacturers. Again, not my thing but there certainly is a "following there".

 

http://kenandtheartofmotorcyclemaintenance...torcycle-group/

 

I have a couple of "opinions/views" based on living in China.....(1) I have a Chinese drivers license , (2) Driving there is just like driving anywhere in the world.....understand the other drivers and what they will do...and you're set (In china they will do anything and everything...In Germany they mostly follow the rules, in the US somewhere in the middle your mileage may vary), (3) You can take anything you want to China, you just have to pay for it, (4) You can register anything you want in China....refer to item #3., (5) yes there are cities that you will not be able to ride it...legally. Being a Laowei with a Hog - might get you warnings - but in most places they would direct you to leave the city, (6) Leave the Hog at home, buy a new "something" in China - and enjoy the rides!

 

Best of Luck

Hawaii Mike

 

Thanks Mike, We have decided to stay here. The only reason we were going to move there is because she is homesick. So, then if we move there, I will be homesick. "damned if you do..."

 

We will just take a trip to China soon and hopefully stay a month.

[Urkidding]

The only reason we were going to move there is because she is homesick. So, then if we move there, I will be homesick. "damned if you do..."

 

We will just take a trip to China soon and hopefully stay a month.

 

Tony,

 

This is all to common - Homesickness!

 

I would give her a year or so. Your mileage may vary.

 

Get her involved in:

 

Friends,

Church

Chinese Community

Travels to Houston Chinatown

Hobbies around the home

Phone numbers of member's wife here on CFL (PM for mine)

 

and I'm sure other people can add to the list.

[chengdu4me]

Plop her butt on the back of that bike and go 4 corner the CONUS! That ought to take care of the homesickies!

[Robert S.]

In the United Arab Emirates where I lived for a year the rule was that if there is an accident the foreigner is automatically at fault. If you as a foreigner were riding in a taxi and your taxi was in an accident you were at fault. I was told if my taxi was in a wreck the first thing I needed to do was get out and walk away, if at all possible.

 

Surely it is not this way in a nice rational country like China, is it? I would hope that the police come and figure out who was at fault, don't they?

 

Mike, how much is insurance in China?

[2mike&jin]

In the United Arab Emirates where I lived for a year the rule was that if there is an accident the foreigner is automatically at fault. If you as a foreigner were riding in a taxi and your taxi was in an accident you were at fault. I was told if my taxi was in a wreck the first thing I needed to do was get out and walk away, if at all possible.

 

Surely it is not this way in a nice rational country like China, is it? I would hope that the police come and figure out who was at fault, don't they?

 

Mike, how much is insurance in China?

 

 

We paid about 6000 RMB a year for the coverage - on a new " Nissan Teana", sort of an Altima with a 2.3 engine. It paid for accidents and liability - but was a little short for glass coverage or someone "keying the side". All else seemed normal compared to the US.

[b.c]

Hi friends,

I curious about bringing my Harley to China. I know there is a dealership in both Shanghai and HK.

 

Does anyone have any info on bringing vehicles there? thanks!

 

A few things that might be of interest to you. Just last month I was flying from shanghai to Chengdu and noticed 3 chinese guys all decked out in HD from head to toe...pants, boots and all. I work in the motorcycle industry so my curiosity got the best of me so I went and struck up a conversation with them. They are the Chinese partners of HD in China. I got a smile from them when I asked them if they were heading to Chengdu for business. I would expect to see a store to open in Chengdu sooner rather than later.

 

But my personal opinion is similar to others on this board. It would be just too much of a headache. I believe most of Sichuan limits motorcycles to no more than 250cc. So you would probably have problems licensing it (Although like everything else in China....money and/or connections might do the trick). I have seen mare than a handful of Jap crotch rockets over 250cc over the years in Sichuan and I do remember one of them having plates. So there is obviously a way.

 

But have you thought about riding a Chinese motorcycle in China? I am sure there is going to be no good substitute to the HD for you, but I assure you riding any motorcycle in China can be alot of fun. Give it a try, it just might suffice.