Does someone know where to buy Qingqi Motorcycles (轻骑摩托车) in or near Kunming?
I'm grateful for any advice...

I just got my bike from a Honda/Shineray dealer today. Qingqi is 50 meters away from the Shineray dealer. I quickly checked what they stock, but i only saw their low end typical 125cc bikes, and there was one 150cc bike good for offroad. Usually if you are looking for something than 150cc, you have to order it.

Miss. Wu.巫小姐： 官渡区新亚洲体育场云大附中旁边千紫园D7-7#商铺 电话：4162912
I think Qingqi was at building D4.

Thanks! I'll go check it out today.
If you don't mind me asking, but why did you go for Shineray over other brands like Zhongshen, Lifan or Qingqi?

I'd be grateful for answers to a couple of questions from you guys about legalities of motorbikes in Kunming area. I notice more motorbikes around town with proper registration plates as opposed to the smaller 'illegal' (?) motorbikes. Since I live out to the north being able to ride a legal motorbike into town would be a boon.

Other than passing a driving test what are the other requirements and costs involved?

Thanks.

Concerning the other requirements, I'm about to find out.

I've heard that driving a >50cc bike inside the 2nd ring road is illegal, unless you buy a permit, which even for western standards is extremely expensive. So your guess is as good as mine whether all those motorbikes you see actually have that permit.

Thanks, I was quoted the figure once before and was shocked. The sheer number of machines now in and around Kunming led me to the rules had changed.

I have a friend who got caught inside the 2nd Ring Road. Confiscated the bike,no questions, no deposit-no return....just good-bye bike.

Someone, why Shineray? Don't expect to get a reliable Chinese bike, whatever the brand. And you need to be your own mechanic, you can't trust technicians here. Manufacturers that export to the US or Europe, like Zhongshen, Lifan, Qingqi, Galaxy, Shineray... will be better than others. So why shineray? i like the minimalistic look of the bike, less plastic and less stickers. Low profile. have a look i42.tinypic.com/k30pqt.jpg
There are also second hand bikes with number plates for inner kunming, all bikes will be older than 2007. But its too much of a pain restoring a bike in China. Also, most look like a scam. They were asking 20K for bikes that cost 7K brand new. maps.google.com/[...] if you want to look.
The Lifan, Zhongshen, Suzuki and some other Honda Joint venture are also near by.
I have a Z visa, so registration in my name should not be a problem, i will find out Monday.

Have a look at www.mychinamoto.com/forums for more info about bikes in China.
I'll be posting more about modifications to the bike there.

I've had a 125 Zongshen for around two years now and have driven from the outer mongolian border-beijing-chengdu-kunming. i've gotten stopped numerous times, but the official rule is that you have 3 months to change your home license into a chinese one.....so i jive the same story over and over.......of course depends on the cop though.......give 'em face, be charming, say you were unaware that you couldn't be within the third ring road.....but they can take your bike without question and imprison you for up to 15 days legally.......if they feel like it......and if you're not legal, i'd recommend not running over anyone cause you're gonna have a big problem

DaMiao,
can you tell us more what happened with your friend? What were the circumstances? was the bike registered? was he jumping curbs, going the wrong way? Was he hitting on the policeman's girlfriend?
And where inside second ring?
I only drive about 1 km to my apartment inside 2nd ring, i wear a helmet, bike is registered, and in general, i stick to the rules.