Guangxi China ~ New bike break in weekend

Discussion in 'Ride Reports - Epic Rides' started by Supersignet, Mar 30, 2008.

  1. Supersignet

    Supersignet Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2008
    Oddometer:
    241
    Location:
    Guangzhou, Red China
    Update!! My bike now has 3200 trouble free Km on it. Here are my thoughts of owning and riding the bike

    I live in a small town in Guangxi China named Qinzhou. I had posted a report about riding around the city on my little Chinese built 50cc bike earlier in the year. Here is one of my pics of the city from the pther ride report.

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    This is a great place to live. Good people, nice weather and a lot of nice riding destinations that can be done in a day. The only real problem for me is I wanted a new bike and being in a small town in the south of China makes a decent size bike hard to come by at best. Most people here all ride Suzuki GS125 clones or old Honda 125 clones. There is no market for any type of dual sport bike here due to the fact that they are more expensive than some of the bikes but more due to the fact that you'd be hard pressed to find a person in the south of China that could touch the ground while sitting on a tall bike. This left me with a dilema of having to try to find a bike online and buy it sight unseen and unridden. I toyed with the idea of buying an imported gray market jap bike but the legal issues and lack of part support quickly scared me off. Also a few of my coworkers ride Qingqi dual sports like CrazyCarl and Beemerboy have, but there were a few things I didn't like about the bike. Them mainly being the unomfortable seat, lack of kickstart and the little rack resting on the back of the bike.

    I usually ride 2 up. My Chinese wife is becoming more interested in getting her own bike and ridding along side with me, but it is going to take some more time and a little more convincing before it really happens. I needed a bike that could hpefully carry both of us along with enough crap to hold us over on a semi-long to long trip. After weeks of searching and reasearch I decided on a new Shineray XY200GY-7 Long March. I sent the factory my money and was told I'd have the bike the first week in March. :clap

    Sadly my bike was 28 days later than had been expected, due to an error at the factory and the person I was dealing with. :cry I really can't think of anything worse than waiting for a new bike to come after you've paid your money and are dying to get out on the road and take in some of the countryside.

    After 7 weeks of waiting the bike finally arrived in a box at the local shipping company. I got the call when I was at work in the morning and decided to push my luck and try to get the bike put together during the lunch break.

    When I got to the shipper I volunteered to help unload the truck to speed things up and luckily there was a bike mechanic right across the street who could help me assemble the bike and get me back to work ontime. After opening the box this is what I saw.

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    The factory had sent me the colour I wanted but was told couldn't have due to issues with the Chinese military. The factory told me the sent this bike to me to save face and that if I had any trouble platting it that they would help me out:clap Now the wait didn't seem like such a bad thing after all.

    After about 1 hour of unloading a truck and 1 hour of bike assembly I was ready to ride back to work.(lunch hours in China are usually 2.5 hours)

    All put together the bike looks like this

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    The wife bought me the camo shirt to go with the bike.:rofl

    The bike itself was based on an old Honda XL185, but cames with quite a few improvements over it's older brother. Most notably were the perimiter frame, 21L/5.6 gallon fuel tank, box aluminum swingarm, huge front and rear racks, 200cc engine, a redunant CDI system (this bike has 2 complete CDI systems on it incase one fails) and front and rear disk brakes.

    Here are some more detailed pics of the bike's goodies...

    naked from my HID install
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    Sorry about the mud:wink:

    The bike itself seems great. The gas tank is great and so are the racks. The seat is wide and soft and doesn't strain your ass on long rides. My only beef about the bike would probably be the height of the thing. I'm 6' and have a 31" inseam and have trouble standing flat footed on the ground.
    #1
  2. Supersignet

    Supersignet Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2008
    Oddometer:
    241
    Location:
    Guangzhou, Red China
    Well now that I had my new bike I had to take it for it's first ride. I wanted to start slow and I was teaching one of our friends from England to ride a bike for the first time in his life. He had been learning on a 50cc China bike and was doing well enough to ask if he could ride along with us for the day. We agreed but realized that with the little 50 coming with us we would be taxed for speed and would have to take things slower than possible, but that was ok. It's always great to have friends ride with you and this was his first ever longish ride.

    We set out for the beach at 11:00am. Myself on my friend Dan and his girlfriend on one of our 50ies, my friend Scott on his Qingqi and myself on my new Shineray. The ride down was smooth and uneventful. We had chosen new roads with less traffic so Dan could build his confidence on the bike with out being horrified by normal Chinese traffic. I didn't take any photos on the way down as I was more worried about Dan getting to beach safely and happily than taking pictures.

    My new bike worked flawlessly. No problems on road at all. The bike was smooth, the seat was comfortable and the bike swallowed up the miles with no trouble. I was really happy, but I was also wondering if my choice of the super knobby tires was the right one. If I was going to spend most of my time on the roads what would be the point of the reduced grip and extra noise.

    We arrived at the beach after taking a quick stop to pick up some cold beers, some water and some snacks. The hammocks were set up quickly and we were soon relaxing in the tree line looking down on the water while drinking a few cold beers.

    Scott in one of the hammocks

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    Dan's 50
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    Scott's Qingqi
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    My Shineray
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    My wife likes to have fun by making me dress up in some camo gear to take pics with the camo bike.

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    And a pic of what the beach looked like after my Kenda knobbies rolled over the sand.

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    We stayed on the beach for about 4 hours. Sitting there in our hammoks taking in the warm weather, enojying a few beers, talking and playing crib. After a little time in the water and just as the sun was starting to get low in the sky we decided to leave and head home. (Riding in China at night is never fun and we had a first timer with us) We put cleaned up our mess, strapped it to the bike threw our buckets over our brains and hit the road again.

    The ride home was much of the same, easy roads and minimal traffic. Perfect for a new rider to lose his virginity. We arrived home just as dusk was upon us. Covering 120km round trip.
    #2
  3. Supersignet

    Supersignet Been here awhile

    Joined:
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    Oddometer:
    241
    Location:
    Guangzhou, Red China
    On Sunday we were expecting rain and my wife and I decided that if we woke up and the skies were clear we would head out on a 2 up single bike trip into the mountains. One of our friends had been raving about this waterfall and swimming hole he had found up in the mountains and we had wanted to go take a look for ourselves.

    When we woke up the weather report was still calling for rain but the skies were sunny and extremely humid. We decided we'd try the smartest thing anyone can do and try to cheat mother nature.

    We decided to try to make good time to the mountain and thought that if we made it there and the weather was still good we'd snap the pictures of the route on the way back.

    The ride out is on a nice 4 lane road that goes to one small town and then turns into a nasty weaving one lane road until we get to another small town and turn onto the worst road I have ever ridden in my life. The road was nothing but rough stones fused into the hard packed clay underneath. The road went on like that for a good 45 minutes and was so bad and jarring that the screen on my cell phone actually cracked. :eek1 It was in my pocket and not banging on anything. I guess it broke from the stress on my pants being constricted by the shitty road. If I had to do anything to test the build and suspension of the bike I think this was it. I was happy to have my knobbies and I was happy my bike was reasonably comfortable over that road from hell.

    The road was hell but it was trough some amazing valley scenery and took us up into the mountain.

    When the road finally got better my camera came out and we started to take some pics of the bike and the views.

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    The mountain is also used as farm land. Most of southern China is mountainous and people end up farming the sides of the mountains. Slash and burn agriculture is the norm here and the some of the mountain was on fire when we were there. China isn't really a place with any real safety regulations, so we were able to ride right up the mountain on the farming roads trough the burning bush.

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    It's hard to tell how high we actually got. I really need to get a good altimeter and a GPS unit

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    And a pic of my beautiful wife. She's really starting to itch for a bike of her own and at 5'9" she should be able to ride one along with me. She can ride the Shineray with little problems but still isn't really comfortable with the weight of the bike.

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    Just when we were really starting to enjoy ourselves the temperature dropped quickly and the wind picked up. We decided not to try and cheat the weather any longer. We put the camera away and started to make our way down from the mountain through the road from hell.

    When we hit the pavement again the skies were starting to look angry and being only 45 minutes from home we decided to push on home. With about 10km left the skies opened up and we managed to make it home with out getting totally soaked. It was a good day. The only disappointments were we didn't get to find the waterfall and we didn't take enough pics.

    The bike however has performed with out a hitch. The bad road did wiggle a heat shield bolt loose but didn't cause and problems that would make me think I didn't purchase the best bike I could have for the money. I am extremely happy with the bike and I hope my happiness isn't short lived.

    Next weekend we have a 4 day trip planned to the western edge of Guangxi province. I'm confident the bike will work perfectly as a travel companion.
    #3
  4. Steez

    Steez Prior USMC Infantry

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Nashville / Chattanooga, TN
    That's a nice looking bike! If I could get one by me I would soo do it!

    I'm jealous of your riding area too!
    #4
  5. njyang

    njyang Been here awhile

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    Hum, looks like it's a perfect weapon for urban assult and commuting, love that matt finish military color as well. Wise I can get one of these in the US as a dirt training bike.

    If it's ok, can I ask how much in RMB does it cost?

    And more pixs of your adventures please, south western China may be one of the last least spoiled region of the country.

    Thanks
    Joe
    #5
  6. Supersignet

    Supersignet Been here awhile

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    Guangzhou, Red China
    they're working hard to spoil it:rofl

    the bike cost 8000rmb deilvered to my city in the south of Guangxi. I paid another 300rmb for the H.I.D. light
    #6
  7. njyang

    njyang Been here awhile

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    Not exactly cheap from a local standpoint, but only about $1200 US, I bet it'll sell like hot cakes over here. Just a Japanese scooter with less engine displacement will go for at least 2 to 3 times that amount here.

    I hope it'll bring many miles and many smiles to you and your wife.
    #7
  8. gaspipe

    gaspipe Wandering Soul

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Pickwick Lake, Tennessippi
    That looks to be a great rig for exploring. Thanks for sharing.
    #8
  9. Brice

    Brice Long time no see

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2007
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    Location:
    South China
    Nice bike Supersignet. Good that Shineray agreed to sell you a bike here. I tried that with Apollo which has some very nice 250cc dirt bikes and they said that they don't sell in China, work only for export.

    Did you get the plate?

    Enjoy South China.
    #9
  10. Supersignet

    Supersignet Been here awhile

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    Jan 18, 2008
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    Location:
    Guangzhou, Red China
    I'm still waiting for the recipt from the factory. The don't send the recipt and the bike together because they don't want anyone to steal your bike.
    The recipt should be here this week and the bike will be plated.

    The other cool thing about dealing with the Shineray factory is they sold my bike to me as a 150 even though it is a 200 to aid with ease of registration. Most places that do allow motorcycles in China have a limit on displacement and usually 150cc is the biggest they'll go.

    Thanks Shineray! I'm a happy customer so far!:clap
    #10
  11. Spicy McHaggis

    Spicy McHaggis Darth Peach's cracker...

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    That bike looks awesome!!! I like it!
    #11
  12. kootenay kid

    kootenay kid Lets Ride

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    Very cool Bike and great story. I am curious what took you to China? Oh and you're wifes hot, if you dont mind me sayin.:lol3
    #12
  13. Brice

    Brice Long time no see

    Joined:
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    That's a good trick, I should try that with my unplated 400. Put some 125cc sticker and replace the Yamaha brand with a Chinese one or put a Beijing 2008 logo (it will become sacred). I'm sure they won't notice the 4 exhaust pipes...
    #13
  14. Supersignet

    Supersignet Been here awhile

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    Guangzhou, Red China
    you need a piece of paper from the bike factory and a receipt or you need the previous registration. I think if you have a foreign bike in China and it doesn't have a plate now or and you don't know someone important that owes you a favour you're going to be hard pressed to get it plated. If you're going to be riding around China on it you should be weary about the legality of it.

    If I were you I'd look for a different bike to tour on, just to save you the hassle of being dicked around with by the police and having to worry about the bike being impounded at any time.
    #14
  15. Brice

    Brice Long time no see

    Joined:
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    I don't intend to ride far from my base with this bike. If the Police takes it I don't really care, I'm more worried about getting caught in an accident.

    Do you plan some long distance trip?
    #15
  16. Supersignet

    Supersignet Been here awhile

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    Were going to leave Guangxi and ride north to beijing in late June. I had planned to go west to Xinjiang but It'll have to wait a while to do that trip. I've got a really good job in Beijing for the summer. So it'll be ride to Beijing for the summer then through inner mongolia in August and then to hebei for a new job in September.
    #16
  17. Brice

    Brice Long time no see

    Joined:
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    That's a long ride and a big move. Hebei will be colder than GuangXi this winter but it seems a good place to get a CJ750.

    If you pass by GuangDong before end of June, we have a spare bedroom for you, after we will be on the road up north for at least one month. Zhuhai can be a good stop if you intend to go to Macau or HK.
    #17
  18. Smackit

    Smackit Life Is Good Supporter

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Reno, Nevada & Guangdong China
    Looks like you found a pretty nice machine for a good price. I waited a month for my Bike to come from Hong Kong, so I know how you felt. It's like being 5 years old on Christms eve for an entire month.

    Being that we are neighbors (guangxi / guangdong) we will have to pick a nice spot to meet for a weekend ride.

    Cheers!
    ChinV
    #18
  19. Supersignet

    Supersignet Been here awhile

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    Location:
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    I came to China because I like to travel and wanted to study Chinese and about Chinese Archaeology. Also I liked the alure of a place we were taught nothing about as kids. Something about going into the undiscovered (for me) makes me want to travel to new places and explore as much as I can while learning as much as I can about the culture and the people.
    #19
  20. CrazyCarl

    CrazyCarl The Eternal NooB

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    Go para-mil! She looks like a steady steed with a big ass gas tank...hope to see some long distance reports in the future. Would also like to hear how the plate registration process goes as it likely varies from province to province.

    Didn't realize you were into archaeology, that's a great but difficult field. Better get out there soon before everything is replaced by concerte or submerged in water! Good luck with that and your photography...what an amazing country to capture on "film."

    CC
    #20