The Yamaha RXS 115 was my first bike.

Excited after receiving my motorcycle license, I went around looking for a cheap motorcycle.

My class C license only permit motorcycles below 200cc. New to buying motorcycle, I wasn’t sure where to look and how to buy. Searching around the classsified ads I eventually settled on the RXS115 because it was really affordable and was one of the few class C motorcycles available.

Each step in the process was a new learning experience. Beside the bike itself there are many other issues to learn around owning a bike. Things like buying insurance, pumping petro, getting a parking permit.

Of course maintenance is something that was never thought in riding school.

How often do you change engine oil? What about oil filter? Do you know that this is a 2 stroke engine and 2T is required? What the heck is a 2T anyway?
It was an interesting start. That was 8 years ago.

It is true, nothing is easy in China, especially for a foreigner who is used to systematic, orderly way go getting things done.

If you are looking for information about getting a motorcycle license, getting a motorcycle, getting a Chang Jiang, join this group.

Here’s what I learnt about getting a D-license in Shanghai for motorcycle. (All foreign licenses are not valid)

• Required documents:
  • Valid Z visa for a year or more
  • Valid license from your country
  • Passport
• Procedure:
  • Get your foreign license translated to Chinese
  • Copies of document
  • Go to Shanghai Vehicle Management Bureau (上海市公安局交巡警总队车辆管理所大柏树考试场)
    1101 Zhong Shan Bei Yi Lu (1101中山北一路)
  • Fill a form, take a digital photo
  • Take a road theory test
  • Produce a medical test result
  • Pay a fee

Should be straight forward if you have all the valid documents but be prepared for the unexpected.

Similar information in chinese.