Back from Beijing, China

[Kaizer]

It's been a long 3 months folks! Just got back from China and will be going there soon again. Just wanted to say, congrats, this site is BANNED in China. All over as far as I know. Not sure what you did, but apparently it isn't safe for Chinese general internet viewing. HAHA.  Well other than that, I have MANY motorcycle stories to tell you. First off, motorcycles and mopeds are banned in Beijing, but hell, everyone still rides them there anyway. I got a chance to ride 2 chinese models. REALLY REALLY bad..kinda like driving a souped up scooter. No more than 125 cc. There was one prize that I managed to see in Xi'an...a CBR Honda 1100...solid black. I nearly flipped for joy. A REAL motorcycle exists in China!!!  As for riding and driving...my God! Totally insane. China and other parts of the nether world are THE only places where CHAOS is functional in a parallel universe. Five cars, one lane. no problem! I have seen NO ONE (except a foreigner) with ANY kind of safety equipment. I have witnessed up to FIVE people on one motorcycle. Generally a family with at least 2 infants. Not kidding! You see at least one child under the age of 10 riding with 1 or both parents. No helmet, nothing. Most people ride SIDE saddle. Just incredilble. And very few accidents. The motorcyclists drive like completely insane individuals. Weaving in and out of traffic, going in FRONT of oncoming cars, running red lights, not stopping. And the sad thing is, it works out just fine. Heavy traffic, no rules, no cops. Sounded good to me...until I got hit by a bus on my bicycle. I was fine. Just embarressing as hell. And yes, I was actually following the rules! Oh well. Lesson learned. So, if you think the USA has crazy drivers, you ain't seen nothing yet til you've been to China...or India for that matter. Take care and stay safe!

[reminor]

Watch this hilarious Google video about driving in India. Looks familiar? I think it's some "asian style driving" in general.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2063667852598904740




They do crazy thnigs on foot, too
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4990546052240630165

[Dan02GS]

Cool I cant wait to hear some of those stories, I once looked into a tour there on dirt bikes 250 cc. Your post reminded that it is something I still want to do.

Reminor ummmm who has the right o way in the first vid? Looks like the cars turning right. Rad

[ohgood]

Welcome back Cotter

Hey, if you need a gstwins 'fix' while you're over there, let me know and I'll preach about privoxy (proxy stuff) a little.

[510]

I think there's many people who take driving too casually here in the US. A lot of drivers have no idea what kind of damage their cars can do.

[Kaizer]

Thanks for the videos. Yeah, but in China it is bumper to bumper traffic and it goes EVERY where and yes, the pedestrians pull all kinds of crazy sh#$$! not kidding. They will get stuck between 2 trucks or buses, weave in and out of traffic, etc. I do recommend everyone to go to China to learn how to drive. I must say, it was a learning experience. If I get cut off here or pushed on my motorcycle, I just casually blink. It was a nice desensitization experience! But still, it doesn't excuse piss-poor driving. So be safe out there.