Notes of Riding a Motorcycle to Tibet

Notes of Riding a Motorcycle to Tibet – Itinerary and Best Season

To help the motorcycle enthusiasts, there are four recommended highways lead to Tibet, they are respectively cost-effective and convenient Qinghai-Tibet Highway, deserted and dangerous Sinkiang-Tibet Highway, exotic and beautiful Yunnan-Tibet Highway, breathtaking and amazing Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Even thought all the highways are opened to traffic as of now, both of Sichuan-Tibet Highway and Yunnan-Tibet Highway are acceptable to Tibet by way of eastern Tibet – Bome County. Some natural disasters happen frequently from early June to late August in eastern Tibet, such as debris flow and collapse, etc. The road condition is not as good as usual. Neither of Sichuan-Tibet Highway nor Yunnan-Tibet Highway opens to traffic during that time.

The performance of motorcycle is required higher on Sichuan-Tibet Highway, as the absolute height difference is relatively larger.

On the other hand, Sinkiang-Tibet Highway is more dangerous as the elevation rises fast after entering Tibet. The acute mountain sickness may let tourists in danger. There are lots of motorcycle tracks along Sinkiang-Tibet Highway, which sometimes make expert drivers lost. In addition, the filling station is not always available on the way. As there are full of rivers and streams without bridge along Sinkiang-Tibet Highway, it is more difficult for motorcycles to conquer Qinghai-Tibet Highway individually.

By contrast, Qinghai-Tibet Highway is more safety and convenient. It is approximately 2800 kilometers far from Xian City to Lhasa City, which most of the sections are asphalt roads. Both of the accommodation and filling stations are available and easily found along Qinghai-Tibet Highway. And that is why many intercity buses from Chengdu City to Lhasa City would like to drive on Qinghai-Tibet Highway.

The best time to travel along Qinghai-Tibet Highway is the early period of July, with the vast green scenery and comfortable climate on plateau grassland. When comes to the late period of August, the rainfall becomes heavier. The early winter already comes to the plateau grassland. The temperature could fell quickly. The prairie changes into golden color, which looks like very deserted. It is really not a good time to travel there.

Notes of Riding a Motorcycle to Tibet – Preparations for Motorcycle

In general, the displacement over 70 ML of a motorcycle is suitable to drive to Tibet. For the motorcycle type, the one with higher seat is better than the other one with lower seat. Some sections of the road are so bumpy that may make your waist and back hurt. What's more, the motorcycle with wide rear wheel is easier to cross the grassland, shoals, sand, and swamp, etc.

Due to reduce the troubles on the midway, you are highly suggested to make sure the safety performance of your motorcycle. Some components and parts should be changed the new ones before you start your Tibet tour.

In addition, another important note is that take the engine oil in advance. Even though you could buy it in Golmud, the engine oil quality is not as good as in other domestic cities of China.