Few weeks in South West China

Brice · 12-10-2008, 02:16 AM

In July 2009, my Family and I will leave China after 4 years. There are so many countries and places to visit and live in that we have few chances to come back before long.

This November, I took the opportunity to do a solo ride in some areas that I enjoyed during past trips with my 4WD. The journey is the destination, I visited very few touristic places, just wanted to ride and experience South West China, its landscapes and its people in an another way and different season than in a cage.

The trip lasted one month, 6500km and crossed 5 provinces anti clockwise in South West and South China (GuangDong, GuangXi, GuiZhou, Sichuan and Yunnan). I have no precise itinerary to follow, the idea is to reach Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province then to head west on the Tibet-QingHai plateau then to go back by Yunnan. I'll try to avoid most of the big cities.

To see the interactive Google map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en...04b481987f42cd

The bike is a QingQi QM 200 GY, a Chinese production that uses a copycat Suzuki DR200 engine. This is one of the best and most reliable dirt bike made locally. 200cc could seem small for western riders but considering the roads here it was good enough most of the time for me and my 30kg bag.

Check this thread to know more about the QingQi range.

This specific bike was owned first by CrazyCarl then ChinaV, two fellow members of this forum. When I bought it, it was better than a new one, ChinaV has reviewed and upgraded whatever might failed based on his experience during a previous trip in Yunnan and Sichuan with Carl. Being a local production, this bike shares many parts with the armada of 125/150cc basic Chinese bikes available everywhere plus Suzuki (HaoJue in China) has a huge network of resellers/mechanics so finding common parts should not be a big issue.

Here the bike when I bought it from ChinaV.

The objective of the first day was to leave as quick as possible GuangDong Province or at least the Pearl River Delta which is a crowded and industrial area.
First stop, 80 km from the departure, I took a small ferry to cross one of the numerous rivers of the delta. Highways being forbidden to motorbikes I couldn't use the huge bridge behind the two folks.

For the locals to see this kind of bike and a foreigner is always an event, they are curious about the price, where I'm going and where I come from.
My Chinese being very limited, the conversation turns short often after few sentences. Ting Bu Dong (he doesn't understand), is always the last thing I hear...

Cost of passage is less than $US1.

Lot of traffic on the Delta. Rivers are used to carry goods and raw materials between factories and cargo ships.
Like on the road, size matters here, the bigger has always priority.

Another bridge just before Wuzhou my first stop at the end of the day. The water is clear which is a big change from the Delta, one of the most polluted regions of China. Wuzhou is less than 300km from my hometown, on good tarmac/cement roads my average speed is around 60/70 km/h. It seems slow compare to Western countries but roads here are full of hazards so being cautious is the best way to stay safe (more to come on this subject later).

For this trip, I have a big bag which weight less than 30kg plus a small tank bag for papers, maps and electronic devices (GPS, camera, phone). The 200cc engine will carry me (100kg) and the bags for the coming month unabated, only the clutch then suspensions will suffer later on dirt roads. On the opposite side of the exhaust, you can see a black cylinder, this is the toolbox made of a sewer tube. No plate on the bike, it is legally registered and insured but the plate was lost during a previous trip, Police never mind of this.
The side stand is a little bit short specially when the bike is loaded with the bag. I have to check that the road is flat.

More to come, stay tune...

GB · 12-10-2008, 03:44 AM

Jamie Z · 12-10-2008, 10:37 AM

Very nice pics. Bigger font please. :)

Jamie

bigdamo · 12-10-2008, 12:30 PM

Sounds great.

Waiting to see more.

Thanks Brice

achesley · 12-10-2008, 02:32 PM

Very Neat. Bring it on. As Jamie said, " Bigger letters". Please!

JoeyBones · 12-10-2008, 02:43 PM

I am REALLY looking forward to the rest of this one!

And yes, bigger font for us old farts please...

"subscribed"

Well. Middle-aged maybe. Not ready for "old" yet.

VampyreMP · 12-10-2008, 03:24 PM

This is looking like it will be a great RR. You mentioned that bikes are forbidden on highways. Tell us about that, please.

Brice · 12-10-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie Z

Bigger font please. :)

Jamie

Oops, under Linux it was fine. Should be ok now.

Brice · 12-10-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VampyreMP

This is looking like it will be a great RR. You mentioned that bikes are forbidden on highways. Tell us about that, please.

Highways are forbidden to light vehicles in all provinces but one or two. I can understand the reasoning if they want to avoid the taxi guy with his 125cc loaded with 2 or 3 passengers at 30km/h.

Brice · 12-10-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyBones

I am REALLY looking forward to the rest of this one!

And yes, bigger font for us old farts please...

"subscribed"

Well. Middle-aged maybe. Not ready for "old" yet.

Based on your profile, you are only 2 years older than me.

chinaV · 12-10-2008, 11:25 PM

Brice,

Forgot to send this picture to you, so I figured I throw it into your report. This was the morning you picked up the bike, just look at that devilish grin.

Keep it coming, the story is great so far and I know it's just going to get better and better.

Cheers!
ChinaV

Brice · 12-10-2008, 11:52 PM

You caught me fully ATGATT Chinese style here, I got an helmet and shoes for once

I'll publish few pics and comments every 2 or 3 days, I have to work a little too...

LUNLUNZAI · 12-11-2008, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinaV

Brice,

Forgot to send this picture to you, so I figured I throw it into your report. This was the morning you picked up the bike, just look at that devilish grin.

Keep it coming, the story is great so far and I know it's just going to get better and better.

Cheers!
ChinaV

Was it taken in Dongguan?

ac_elite · 12-11-2008, 09:15 AM

I am in for the ride

bigdamo · 12-11-2008, 12:52 PM

I am waiting on the story of " Police hold motorbike until hospital fees paid"

According to your google inter active map.

I presume your OK because your back.

I hope

12-10-2008, 02:16 AM	#1
Brice ^OP Long time no see Joined: Dec 2007 Location: South China Oddometer: 282	Few weeks in South West China In July 2009, my Family and I will leave China after 4 years. There are so many countries and places to visit and live in that we have few chances to come back before long. This November, I took the opportunity to do a solo ride in some areas that I enjoyed during past trips with my 4WD. The journey is the destination, I visited very few touristic places, just wanted to ride and experience South West China, its landscapes and its people in an another way and different season than in a cage. The trip lasted one month, 6500km and crossed 5 provinces anti clockwise in South West and South China (GuangDong, GuangXi, GuiZhou, Sichuan and Yunnan). I have no precise itinerary to follow, the idea is to reach Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province then to head west on the Tibet-QingHai plateau then to go back by Yunnan. I'll try to avoid most of the big cities. To see the interactive Google map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en...04b481987f42cd The bike is a QingQi QM 200 GY, a Chinese production that uses a copycat Suzuki DR200 engine. This is one of the best and most reliable dirt bike made locally. 200cc could seem small for western riders but considering the roads here it was good enough most of the time for me and my 30kg bag. Check this thread to know more about the QingQi range. This specific bike was owned first by CrazyCarl then ChinaV, two fellow members of this forum. When I bought it, it was better than a new one, ChinaV has reviewed and upgraded whatever might failed based on his experience during a previous trip in Yunnan and Sichuan with Carl. Being a local production, this bike shares many parts with the armada of 125/150cc basic Chinese bikes available everywhere plus Suzuki (HaoJue in China) has a huge network of resellers/mechanics so finding common parts should not be a big issue. Here the bike when I bought it from ChinaV. The objective of the first day was to leave as quick as possible GuangDong Province or at least the Pearl River Delta which is a crowded and industrial area. First stop, 80 km from the departure, I took a small ferry to cross one of the numerous rivers of the delta. Highways being forbidden to motorbikes I couldn't use the huge bridge behind the two folks. For the locals to see this kind of bike and a foreigner is always an event, they are curious about the price, where I'm going and where I come from. My Chinese being very limited, the conversation turns short often after few sentences. Ting Bu Dong (he doesn't understand), is always the last thing I hear... Cost of passage is less than $US1. Lot of traffic on the Delta. Rivers are used to carry goods and raw materials between factories and cargo ships. Like on the road, size matters here, the bigger has always priority. Another bridge just before Wuzhou my first stop at the end of the day. The water is clear which is a big change from the Delta, one of the most polluted regions of China. Wuzhou is less than 300km from my hometown, on good tarmac/cement roads my average speed is around 60/70 km/h. It seems slow compare to Western countries but roads here are full of hazards so being cautious is the best way to stay safe (more to come on this subject later). For this trip, I have a big bag which weight less than 30kg plus a small tank bag for papers, maps and electronic devices (GPS, camera, phone). The 200cc engine will carry me (100kg) and the bags for the coming month unabated, only the clutch then suspensions will suffer later on dirt roads. On the opposite side of the exhaust, you can see a black cylinder, this is the toolbox made of a sewer tube. No plate on the bike, it is legally registered and insured but the plate was lost during a previous trip, Police never mind of this. The side stand is a little bit short specially when the bike is loaded with the bag. I have to check that the road is flat. More to come, stay tune... __________________ Brice Ride report - Few weeks in South West China Brice screwed with this post 02-08-2012 at 05:29 PM Reason: Missing pic link

12-10-2008, 03:44 AM	#2
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,498	__________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

12-10-2008, 10:37 AM	#3
Jamie Z Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Location: almost Memphis Oddometer: 6,982	Very nice pics. Bigger font please. :) Jamie __________________ I'm the Tent Space Guy Sign up to host fellow travelers here. Budget Travel the Jamie Z Way

12-10-2008, 02:32 PM	#5
achesley Old Motorcyclist Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Jennings, Louisiana Oddometer: 3,146	Very Neat. Bring it on. As Jamie said, " Bigger letters". Please! __________________ An '00 KLR 650, An '07 1250S, An '03 5.3L Chevy Truck + '43 style dude , Simper Fi ;-)

12-10-2008, 02:43 PM	#6
JoeyBones Encouraging Entropy Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Oddometer: 1,052	I am REALLY looking forward to the rest of this one! And yes, bigger font for us old farts please... "subscribed" Well. Middle-aged maybe. Not ready for "old" yet. __________________ - Joe IBA# 48773 www.TheRallyImage.com Motorcycle Courier Adventures Charlotte Ride Planning & 3rd Thursday Pizza-Meet

12-10-2008, 12:30 PM	#4
bigdamo Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Xinjiang,China Oddometer: 159	Sounds great. Waiting to see more. Thanks Brice

12-10-2008, 03:24 PM	#7
VampyreMP Frustrated Adventurer Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Traverse City, MI Oddometer: 153	Moto China This is looking like it will be a great RR. You mentioned that bikes are forbidden on highways. Tell us about that, please.

12-10-2008, 11:25 PM	#11
chinaV Life Is Good Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Guangdong, China Oddometer: 262	Brice, Forgot to send this picture to you, so I figured I throw it into your report. This was the morning you picked up the bike, just look at that devilish grin. Keep it coming, the story is great so far and I know it's just going to get better and better. Cheers! ChinaV

12-10-2008, 11:52 PM	#12
Brice ^OP Long time no see Joined: Dec 2007 Location: South China Oddometer: 282	You caught me fully ATGATT Chinese style here, I got an helmet and shoes for once I'll publish few pics and comments every 2 or 3 days, I have to work a little too... __________________ Brice Ride report - Few weeks in South West China

12-11-2008, 09:15 AM	#14
ac_elite Inspektor Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Just call me Victoria boy Oddometer: 541	Cool adventure I am in for the ride __________________ Work is just the time you have to spend between rides. ST1300A06 GSA08 The motorcycle chronicles of Jackie & Valentino Valentino's 2010 Winter Olympic Run

12-11-2008, 12:52 PM	#15
bigdamo Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Xinjiang,China Oddometer: 159	I am waiting on the story of " Police hold motorbike until hospital fees paid" According to your google inter active map. I presume your OK because your back. I hope

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode