HerbMarch 14, 2008 15:53 EST

Great article. A friend of mine and I are avid motorcyclists, and have looked into the Urals one can buy brand new here in Calgary. The drawback is the $12,000 price tag for a bike with a lot of 50 year old technology on it. I wonder what a Changjiang goes for. I see it's a 750, while the Ural is only a 650, which would be nice as the Ural is no speed demon. I smell a little import/export opportunity, although the Royal Enfield from India was tried and failed a few years back.

DavidApril 07, 2008 01:01 EST

I enjoyed the article as I am one of those expat nerds who bought the 50 year old technology and is having a ball with it. It takes me at least an hour longer to go anywhere, as I have to tell the bike's story when I stop. My CJ is red and outfitted with a BMW boxer 100R/6 but does not go too fast. It really is a war machine and should be respected as such. Re. costs: there are many outlets in Beijing that will custom make one for you and ship it for $6000 or less and because of its age, registration is not a problem. Maybe my import company will be "Sidecar Envy Ltd".

mia-motoApril 12, 2008 14:48 EST

Good on Liu Zhidong and his buddies for enjoying motorcycles, and Chinese made ones no-less,

But, I feel like throwing up everytime I see quotes like these by ignorant Harley worshippers:
....the Changjiang is “our Harley . . . Germany makes bikes, Italy makes bikes, but only the Harley has a history.”

The Germans (BMW), Italians (Ducati), Japanese (Honda) marques have incredible heritage - unfortunately the mainstream (as in non moto focused) media cant get past the Harley mania, and do their best to regurgitate baseless comments like the above, that contribute to people paying $30k for 60 year old technology.

KenMay 24, 2008 20:51 EST

I would be interested to see and try one of these if ever imported to Canada . Good article and interesting bike .

richard ALLENJune 20, 2008 14:35 EST

If you guys in the US and Canada are really interested, just Google 'Chang Jiang" for links to owners, clubs and importers in your countries.
Best wishes from a French-based Dragon!

PJ-CJApril 06, 2009 19:10 EST

Ken,
I live in Yellowknife NT. Canada, I've been running my CJ750 (flathead version) for 3 years, Bought it on E-bay in 2006 for 6k, shipped from China to Yellowknife, and that was with 1k in upgrades to the bike.