China BMW Rider Blog: Looking at the Expo

Hello.

This was a late afternoon cruise by the new China Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo site along the south bund in Shanghai, China. And this afternoon I took my BMW F800GS through one of Shanghai's tunnels in Central Shanghai, to reach the Pavilion site. The construction going on for the new Shanghai World Expo 2010 is a great example of "New Shanghai", full of sky scrappers, modern buildings, and highways. Ryan Pyle. http://cnbmwrider.blogspot.com. www.ryanpyle.com.

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

China BMW Rider Blog: Contour HD Helmet Camera

Hello.

Well, I've bought a lot of gear. And I figured that I might as well share a bit about how I got my gear and whether it is any good or not. To be honest, the contour HD is tiny and light and I didn't have high hopes. But after taking it out a hand full of times I can honestly say that it's a stunning piece of engineering and I was doubtful of the fact that something so small could shoot HD. It's unbelievable.

So basically, I'm no good at giving reviews of gear or kit. But I splurged on this and I've found it incredibly helpful in my two-wheeled documentation of Shanghai. Fun, light, tiny, easy to use and comes with software that makes the editing process "retard-proof", which is the only way I could every manage to cut a video on my own.

More video's to come. Rock and roll.

Contour LINK.

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

China BMW Rider Blog: Elevated Highway Video 02

Hello.

Well, I've just made my second video riding my BMW F800GS on Shanghai's elevated highway and yes, the Contour HD Camera yet again performed lovely. I managed the get the camera looking pretty much straight this time. Still lots more to learn. Lots more to film.

Every weekend morning I like to go out riding in Shanghai, China. And this morning I took my BMW F800GS on Shanghai's elevated highway in Central Shanghai, an expressway that is off limits to motorcycles and usually full of traffic. But this morning, the Chinese New Year's Eve, the road was empty, the police were not around and it was -3C. So I took the opportunity to make a little video and almost freeze myself to death. This is a great example of "New Shanghai", full of sky scrappers, modern and highways.

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

China BMW Rider Blog: A Ride Along the Bund

Hello.

Well, I think I've just made my 3rd video, this time riding my BMW F800GS along Shanghai's historic and famed Bund, and yes, Contour HD Camera yet again performed lovely. Looks like I am getting the hang of this. Still so much more to film.

Every weekend morning I like to go out riding in Shanghai, China. And this morning I took my BMW F800GS along the Bund, or river front in Central Shangahi. The Bund is full of old colonial buildings and at the moment the are being refurbished for the Expo 2010 which is being held in Shanghai. On this particular morning, the Chinese New Year's Eve, the road was empty, the police were not around and it was -3C. So I took the opportunity to make a little video and almost freeze myself to death. This is a great example of "New Shanghai", full of sky scrappers, modern and highways.

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

China BMW Rider Blog: Elevated Highway Video 01

Hello.

Well, I've just made my first video riding my BMW F800GS on Shanghai's elevated highway and yes, the Contour HD Camera yet again performed lovely. I managed the get the camera looking pretty much straight this time. Still lots more to learn. Lots more to film.

Every weekend morning I like to go out riding in Shanghai, China. And this morning I took my BMW F800GS on Shanghai's elevated highway in Central Shanghai, an expressway that is off limits to motorcycles and usually full of traffic. But this morning, the Chinese New Year's Eve, the road was empty, the police were not around and it was -3C. So I took the opportunity to make a little video and almost freeze myself to death. This is a great example of "New Shanghai", full of sky scrappers, modern and highways.

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

China BMW Rider Blog: What Navigator To Get in China

Hello.

Well, since I don't really read any Chinese characters, I know it's pathetic after being here for almost a decade, but I have a real problem getting around. The cities are fine because most signs are written in Pingyin which is the Romanized version of Chinese characters, so life is much easier. But out there in the sticks Pingyin falls away and characters are all that exists. So getting the right Navigator was crucial to properly riding around in a land where I am virtually illiterate.

I ended up settling on the co-branded BMW + Garmin version; the BMW Motorrad Navigator IV. And wow, what an unbelievable machine. The 3D navigation is great. Tons of extra functions, listed below, but for me the most important thing is having those four big buttons on the left side, and the Bluetooth connect-ability of the device; which syncs seamlessly with my iPhone and Cardio headset and Mic in my helmet.

Now I ordered my Navigator online at Sierra BMW, my one-stop online shop for purchasing equipment from China. The device was on my doorstep within about two weeks, which is a great turn around for China.

I've been using this Navigator for a few days now and I'm very pleased. I think the key to the device is that the screen is massive and bright and the touch screen reacts well to taps using big bulky gloves. A full list of the specs of the device can be found on the Garmin website.

Now, the big question is what did I do about my mapping software. There has been a lot of online talk about people brining Navigators from Europe or North America in to China and not having them work, and that may be true but I think I've found the solution. First, I bought my Navigator from the US and had it shipped over. Why, because Garmin in China only sell car models, sad but true. Then instead of downloading the China map from the Garmin website I visited the China mapping experts, Beijing Unistrong.

I found their English website, top right corner, and found their Shanghai office and pitch up with my BMW Naviagator. Not only did they help sort me out with the China NT City Map, they wouldn't let me leave until it was installed perfectly and we even did a little test outside walking around their office building. First class service from the folks at Unistrong, their Shanghai office address is below.

Beijing Unistrong Science & Technology Co., LTD.
FLOOR 4TH. 12 UNIT, NO. 159
TIANZHOU RD. XUHUI DC.
SHANGHAI 200233
Phone: 86 21 51538880
Fax: 86 21 54452060
Website: HTTP://WWW.UNISTRONG.COM

Well, that's how I've navigated this situation. I hope it helps. More on this space.

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

China BMW Rider Blog: My First Video

Hello.

Well, I've just made my first video riding my BMW F800GS through an old Shanghai neighborhood. The Contour HD Camera performed lovely. I just need to bring the camera up a few more degree's and get more action and less road. Lots more to learn. Lots more to film.

Every weekend morning I like to go out riding in Shanghai, China. And this morning I took my BMW F800GS down Da Jing Road in Central Shanghai, an old lane way near the bund. The street was full of local color and offers a great example of what the average Shanghai morning looks like.

If you watch the film keep your eyes pealed for the guy brushing his teeth in an outdoor sink, much of old Shanghai still relies on outdoor plumbing, and a little later a woman carrying two live chickens down the street. Also, I try to squeeze myself through a pretty tight street market at the end and some old lady tells me off. Good fun indeed.

Hopefully when the weather clears up, it's been raining for a while now, I'll get out on some of Shanghai's huge bridges and ride through the financial center with some of the world's largest buildings. Much more video coming soon.

The video is also available at Vholdr's Website, the company responsible for the Contour camera. Follow this link.

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

China BMW Rider Blog: China Motorcycle News Magazine Article

Hello,

I may have mentioned in a previous blog or two but I'm the first BMW F800GS owner in China. And while I've had an absolute blast riding my new bike in Shanghai, although the traffic can be intense, I've received an unbelievable number of stares and odd looks.

Much of the reason behind the shock on my people's face is that they've most likely never seen a "big bike". In China motorcycles are for farmers; and they'll all the 125cc Suzuki or Honda versions or there knockoff's. But when an off-road beast pulls up to them on the side of the road they are often taken back; they must be thinking, "why can a foreigner who can afford a car want to ride a motorcycle?". Don't forget, driving a car and owning a car is a huge status symbol in China, whereas riding a bike is not. Time to turn that opinion upside down.

Anyways, this post isn't so much about the impact of urban riding in Shanghai; but about a recent article in the China Motorcycle News Magazine, which both myself and Lorance An were featured. Lorance is a Taiwanese rider who bought Shanghai's first BMW R1200 RT and so he enjoys the claim as being the first non-Chinese resident in Shanghai to own a bike bike. I'm only managed to finish second in the race, but at least I've got the first F800GS in all of mainland China. Very proud of that fact. Sadly the Chinese Magazine doesn't have a website or I could try linking to it. So instead you'll have to accept my poor quality scan above.

ps. I finally attached a Contour HD camera to my helmet - will begin recording video from riding in Shanghai this weekend. Will post everything here. Exciting times ahead. I may also write a few blogs in the near future about some of the gear I've purchased over the last few weeks. I've got all the insider information about how to get stuff in China and what navigators work and don't. More on that coming soon.

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