Deus exmachina

For motorcyclists the machine feels like an extension of themselves, he says, and they can feel all the sensations as the wheels run along the road.

One highly popular destination for motorcyclists in China is Tibet, and every year tens of thousands of them from all parts of the country converge on the region, drawn by its natural beauty.

Many choose the Sichuan-Tibet highway, which in some parts is prone to being littered with debris during the rainy season from August to September, but for some riders the very risks that this poses are a challenge, Wang says.

"Facing hardship on the way, feeling the greatness of nature and the raw relationships between friends and strangers, and finding meaning in life are all a kind of initiation ritual," Wang says.

"That's something you will not feel if you go by car, air or train."

Other popular destinations for motorcyclists are Qinghai, Yunnan and Hainan provinces and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Fixing routes beforehand is a must, because many Chinese cities ban or restrict the use of motorcycles on certain urban roads or on highways.

Weather also needs to be taken into account, Wang says, citing Tibet as an example. Anyone riding there ought to avoid doing so in August and September when road conditions are precarious because of possible landslides and debris on the road, he says.

He also strongly advises riders to wear protective clothing and stick rigidly to speed limits and other road rules because the slightest miscalculation or unforeseen circumstance can have fatal consequences.

"Regular maintenance and check-ups before long-distance travel are another must."

Dealers in big-brand motorcycles such as BMW, Harley-Davidson and Ducati regularly organize motorcycle tours, and some motorcyclists organize trips after getting to know one another through online forums.

"There are relatively few motorcycle clubs in China," Wang says, adding that he believes motorcycling will become increasingly popular, especially in big cities, despite the present restrictions.

One attraction is that it is easier to learn to ride a motorcycle and get a riding license than to learn to drive and get a driver's license, he says.