Showing posts with label Bike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bike. Show all posts
Friday, April 30, 2010
China BMW Rider Blog: Random Road Construction
Hello.
I was out past the airport a few weeks back and filmed this "road to nowhere" of construction. Because I'm pretty much locked up in the city week in and week out I've thrived at the opportunities on weekends to pop out of the city and randomly search for any kind of adventure or off-road opportunity.
So I head out and cruise construction sites and enjoy getting a bit dirty. Here is a little road construction obstacle course out near the ocean.
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
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Monday, January 4, 2010
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
Friday, November 13, 2009
China BMW Rider Blog: A License Plate & Registration
Hello.
I've just purchased a license plate and properly registered my new F800GS. And what a process.
My motorcycle delivery has actually been delayed until the middle of November, I'm not entirely sure why. But the BMW office in Shanghai has helped me register my motorcycle and I've managed to, as a foreigner, purchase a Shanghai license plate for my bike.
Now what does all this really mean? Well, from the outset of this experiment I've attempted to do everything by the book and purchase and register my motorcycle legally. I knew that this would be a very timely, over three months, and expensive proposition. But I made a calculated estimate of the benefits and given my occupation as a documenter and photographer I feel that there will be a break even point at some stage in the near future. Which is good news, leaving me with less of a "burning money" feeling.
The registration process is actually crucial because it means that the government is actually allowing you to own a big bike. Documents needed for this were actually just a passport, valid visa and a police registration form from your local police office. The process took about four days and the license plate and registration cost around RMB 30,000; or around USD 4K. Why so expensive?
Well a few years back the Shanghai government decided that they were going to charge for car license plates; a system that is in place in many parts of Asia. So the price to purchase a car license plate has risen steadily over the years from "free" in 2004 to around RMB 30,000 to 40,000 today. It fluctuates on a monthly basis depending on demand. The painful thing for me is that the government has tried to "un-officially" discourage the use of motorcycles in the city center and is charging car license plate prices for motorcycle license plates. Like I said, it's never an easy process.
But this process now looks to be complete. I should get my license plate in the coming days. The bike should arrive early next week. As for my motorcycle drivers license. Well, that is being saved for another blog.
Stay tuned, it won't be boring.
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
I've just purchased a license plate and properly registered my new F800GS. And what a process.
My motorcycle delivery has actually been delayed until the middle of November, I'm not entirely sure why. But the BMW office in Shanghai has helped me register my motorcycle and I've managed to, as a foreigner, purchase a Shanghai license plate for my bike.
Now what does all this really mean? Well, from the outset of this experiment I've attempted to do everything by the book and purchase and register my motorcycle legally. I knew that this would be a very timely, over three months, and expensive proposition. But I made a calculated estimate of the benefits and given my occupation as a documenter and photographer I feel that there will be a break even point at some stage in the near future. Which is good news, leaving me with less of a "burning money" feeling.
The registration process is actually crucial because it means that the government is actually allowing you to own a big bike. Documents needed for this were actually just a passport, valid visa and a police registration form from your local police office. The process took about four days and the license plate and registration cost around RMB 30,000; or around USD 4K. Why so expensive?
Well a few years back the Shanghai government decided that they were going to charge for car license plates; a system that is in place in many parts of Asia. So the price to purchase a car license plate has risen steadily over the years from "free" in 2004 to around RMB 30,000 to 40,000 today. It fluctuates on a monthly basis depending on demand. The painful thing for me is that the government has tried to "un-officially" discourage the use of motorcycles in the city center and is charging car license plate prices for motorcycle license plates. Like I said, it's never an easy process.
But this process now looks to be complete. I should get my license plate in the coming days. The bike should arrive early next week. As for my motorcycle drivers license. Well, that is being saved for another blog.
Stay tuned, it won't be boring.
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
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
China BMW Rider Blog: Sitting Idle
Hello.
Sitting idle is downright painful. I'm active, and I've got an active mind. I love traveling and exploring new things; and the one thing I just can't handle is sitting idle or as I like to say "sitting on my hands". I've got two weeks of nothingness ahead of me, and below I explain why:
Well, my bike should be arriving in about three or four weeks, and I've got a boat load of stuff to do before that happens. First thing is that I'm in the process of getting a new "Residence Permit" in China, it's basically an ID Card for foreigners, and it allows a record to be kept of where you live and work. I need to get that card before I can get my Motorcycle Drivers License, License Plate and Bike Registration.
The only problem is that from October 1st to 12th all the government offices are closed. So, I'll get my ID Card on October 13th. Then I need to get my Motorcycle Drivers License (same day service) and then being applying for a license plate, which takes 5 working days. By the time it all comes together my bike should be arriving. There are a lot of moving pieces to be juggled about, but I think I have everything in place; and the folks at BMW in China have been very helpful in assisting me at every step of the process. And yes, I'll blog more about them later.
Now Shanghai in the summer is hot and wet. But autumn is just lovely and November is one of the best months of the year. So essentially I'll be getting my new bike just in time for the best riding season. It'll be dry and clear blue skies. I can't wait.
So, while there won't be much blogging or stuff going on for the next 10-14 days; I'll get a chance to focus on my day job for a few days - photographing China.
Stay tuned.
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
Sitting idle is downright painful. I'm active, and I've got an active mind. I love traveling and exploring new things; and the one thing I just can't handle is sitting idle or as I like to say "sitting on my hands". I've got two weeks of nothingness ahead of me, and below I explain why:
Well, my bike should be arriving in about three or four weeks, and I've got a boat load of stuff to do before that happens. First thing is that I'm in the process of getting a new "Residence Permit" in China, it's basically an ID Card for foreigners, and it allows a record to be kept of where you live and work. I need to get that card before I can get my Motorcycle Drivers License, License Plate and Bike Registration.
The only problem is that from October 1st to 12th all the government offices are closed. So, I'll get my ID Card on October 13th. Then I need to get my Motorcycle Drivers License (same day service) and then being applying for a license plate, which takes 5 working days. By the time it all comes together my bike should be arriving. There are a lot of moving pieces to be juggled about, but I think I have everything in place; and the folks at BMW in China have been very helpful in assisting me at every step of the process. And yes, I'll blog more about them later.
Now Shanghai in the summer is hot and wet. But autumn is just lovely and November is one of the best months of the year. So essentially I'll be getting my new bike just in time for the best riding season. It'll be dry and clear blue skies. I can't wait.
So, while there won't be much blogging or stuff going on for the next 10-14 days; I'll get a chance to focus on my day job for a few days - photographing China.
Stay tuned.
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
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