Dihao’s motorcycles are marketed under the brand “Huoniao” and “Haotian” meaning “Firebird” and “Bold sky”. Motorcycles are exported throughout the world.

Jiangmen Dihao Motorcycle (http://en.dihaomotor.com)

Beijing Dragons MC member Phil McKinnon’s Yamaha TDM850 (Yellow +
Silver color) with Hebei license plates CJ045 was stolen in Beijing
last week.

please get in touch with us directly in case you see the Yamaha TDM850
in China.

A few interesting point about it that I wanted to find out.

1. A 850 bike registered in Hebei. Can motorcycle larger than 250cc be registered at all in China?
2. Can motorcycle register in a province be rode outside the province?
3. How effective is reporting stolen bike over a rider network like forum, mailing list?

Wish him good luck in finding the motorcycle!

Here is another company that got acquired. This time by motor Group Qianjiang which is a corporation located in southeast China at Wenling, 480 km from Shanghai.

I should find out more of this Qianjiang group. It is amazing how many big China company stayed unheard of, especially one that brought an Italian motorcycle brand.

Have a read of the vision by Benelli’s President Mr Lin.

Benelli (benelli.com)

I spotted them appearing on the Adsense ads. Since I was surfing around motorcycling touring sites, I though they deserve a mention as well.

They cover quite a lot of places around the world. I particularly interested in the China tour. Can I ride the tour without a China license? Prices look pretty steep.

Might give it a try when I can afford.

Started in 1963, the company is the largest scooter manufacturer in Taiwan.

To understand what’s the deal of being the largest scooter manufacturer in Taiwan, check out this photo. It is not exaggerating to say that every Taiwanese know how to ride a scooter.

Kymco also produces motorcycle in China (Changzhou, Jiangsu) as Changzhou Kwang Yang Motor Co.,Ltd (常州光阳摩托车有限公司).

(kymco.com)

Let’s pick a few interesting quotes.

In addition, many Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, ban motorcycles from city centre streets and highways.

…
In Shanghai, officials citing safety concerns ban motorcycles with 250 cc engines or above.

This will prevent Harleys, which have engines of between 883 and 1450 cc, from being licensed and hitting the Shanghai streets.

As far as I see it, this is unlikely to change. But who knows, money solves problem, especially in China. And money is what people who buys these machines has.

However, at prices up to 90 percent more than in the US due to Chinese customs duties and other taxes, only the very rich can afford the bikes, which cost between 100 000 and 300 000 yuan ($12 300 and $37 000) each in China.

Following comments however are more interesting.

Zhao believes Harleys will be loved by Chinese people for the same reasons as Americans: “because they represent freedom”.

This this supposed to be an irony or is he trying to stretch the idea of freedom a little too far.

“With time, there will be gangs of leather-clad Harley drivers cruising through the streets of China,” Zhao said.

But unsure how Chinese people will take to the Hell’s Angels image of Harleys, Zhao imported only accessories with discreet depictions of the Harley trademark — the skull.

Hell Angel image? Is this really what Harley plan to conquer China with?

That very much sums up the prevalent China business thought. Imports into China junk culture that people are trying to rid elsewhere – as long as there is money to be made.

The excitement may soon be forgotten as they come face to face with the reality of China. Do not expect to see any people cruising around China on a Harley very soon except for some crazy lauwai willing to fork out the ransom.

Ask BMW. They are apparently handled by the same distributor, FHL, the only one that is smiling to the bank.

More news around the motorcycle blogsphere and the net:

• Harley-Davidson Ready to Roar into China
• Harley-Davidson to Open First Chinese Dealership
• Harley-Davidson plans to open its first dealership in China next month
• Harley-Davidson to open first dealership in China since WWII
• Harley-Davidson to open its first dealership in China