China BMW Rider Blog: The First Ride Report

Hello.

Well, my F800GS is no longer in Purgatory and the BMW folks in Shanghai have been a huge help. My motorcycle has been registered and licensed; the first F800GS in China. Exciting times indeed.

On Saturday morning I put on my riding jacket and boots and grabbed my helmet and took the 25min taxi ride to the northern part of Shanghai where the BMW motorcycle dealership is located. I was nervous and excited. Loads of emotions running through my veins.

I ordered my bike back in August 2009. It took basically 5 months to arrive from Germany and pass through customs, it took another 1 month to be properly registered and licensed; all at great expense. And now, I was picking it up for the first time. After signing a few forms and collecting the registration and looking over the bike I put on my helmet and gloves and drove it right out of the store; it, and I, had arrived.

The BMW riding experience is as lovely as any and my first 30 minute ride from the shop to my house was heavenly. Why was I only out for 30 minutes? Because it was 2C and I didn't have any warm riding gear. But gear changes were smooth, the handle bar warmers were essential. The balance and weight of the bike was perfect. Accelerating was fast and smooth, not jerky.

So yes, I know have the first F800GS in China. So, the best question remains: What am I going to do with it? The answer is complex. I don't want to just be a city rider. The F800GS was built to ride across Tibet, so naturally that is where I should take it. Fingers crossed for summer 2010. Until then, day trips and perhaps multi-day trips. I am hoping to be able to integrate the bike in to some of my photography work as I often need to make small trips to the suburbs of Shanghai or secondary cities near buy. I've bought a helmet camera. Lots of documentation coming soon.

Watch this space.

Ryan Pyle
Photographer / BMW Motorcycle Owner
Location: Shanghai, China
Email: ryan@ryanpyle.com
Website: www.ryanpyle.com
Mobile: +86 137 9521 9650
BMW China: BMWCHINA

China BMW Rider Blog: My Bike is in Purgatory

Hello.

Well, I thought I needed to update the blog even though I have almost nothing report. Why? My bike is in Purgatory.

Is my bike in Shanghai? Yes. It's at the BMW dealer. But the customs paper work is still in Beijing. The reason why? I've got the very first F800GS in China and the government needs to create a new "product entry" for it. Once I get my customs forms saying I've paid my 100% luxury tax - ouch!!! - then I'll be able to get my license plate and starting riding around.

The good news is that it's filtering with 0 degree Celsius in Shanghai at the moment and I don't have much interest in riding. If we were in May, I'd be losing my mind. I'm hoping to have the bike licensed and ready to go next week.

As for the BMW folks in China, their doing a great job; just dealing with the government takes ages. They are slow moving. And so we wait. I'll be sure to keep everyone posted.


Ryan Pyle
Photographer / BMW Motorcycle Owner
Location: Shanghai, China
Email: ryan@ryanpyle.com
Website: www.ryanpyle.com
Mobile: +86 137 9521 9650
BMW China: BMWCHINA

China BMW Rider Blog: It has Arrived

Hello.

Well I'm pretty excited at the moment. My F800GS has arrived in China, see above picture I took this afternoon.

It has been seriously delayed and the process has been incredibly difficult, but mainly because I am a pretty impatient person. BMW China have done their best and delivered me with my motorcycle of choice, a brand new BMW F800GS 2010 model. Wow, I almost have to pinch myself.

Now, the bike is in the shop at BMW Shanghai, but at the moment I can't ride it. It'll take a few more days to register, insure and properly license. So all I could do today was sit on it and play with all the buttons. But it was still a moment of euphoria.

The BMW F800GS overs up a lot of options and I thought here would be a good chance to explain a little about exactly what I purchased. I opted for the heated handle grips, ABS Breaks, Onboard Computer and I paid a little extra to get a modification to my engine that will allow it to drink really poor quality petro or gasoline; for when I am riding across Inner Mongolia.

I can't wait to get it out of the shop and on to the streets. Stay tuned for more blogging. It seems that we've really made a step forward today. It is really happening.

Ryan Pyle
Photographer / BMW Motorcycle Owner
Location: Shanghai, China
Email: ryan@ryanpyle.com
Website: www.ryanpyle.com
Mobile: +86 137 9521 9650
BMW China: BMWCHINA