What does 'water motorcycle' mean?

[OFelicity]

'Water motorcycle' refers to motorcycles that have not paid tariffs; these are smuggled into the country and not imported through official channels. Here is some relevant information about motorcycles: 1. Introduction: Motorcycles are vehicles driven by gasoline engines, with handlebars to steer the front wheel, typically two or three-wheeled. They are lightweight, flexible, and fast, widely used for patrols, passenger and cargo transport, and also as sports equipment. 2. Types: Broadly speaking, motorcycles can be categorized into street bikes, road racing motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, cruisers, and touring bikes, among others. 3. Development: Motorcycles have undergone a century of evolution and are now developing towards being newer, faster, and safer.

[DiRicardo]

Water bikes are a common term used by insiders to refer to smuggled motorcycles, meaning they are illegally imported from abroad without proper customs checks and registration procedures. They are much cheaper than those obtained through legitimate channels, but they come with significant risks. Having ridden motorcycles for over a decade, I’ve seen many friends who played with water bikes enjoy short-term gains only to suffer heavy losses later. For example, during a routine inspection, traffic police confiscated the bike and imposed a fine of tens of thousands of yuan just by checking the documents—it’s really not worth it. These bikes are usually smuggled via waterways from Southeast Asia or Japan, hence the name 'water bikes.' Their internal components may be aged or modified, posing many hidden dangers while riding. In case of an accident, insurance won’t cover it. I recommend beginners stay away from water bikes and spend a bit more on a legitimate bike—it’s hassle-free, safe, and comes with warranty services.

[ElliotMarie]

Water motorcycles, to put it bluntly, are smuggled goods, meaning those imported motorcycles without official certification, bought through illegal channels. I personally take vehicle safety very seriously and have seen media reports about the high accident rates of water motorcycles because they lack proper documentation, and their parts are often second-hand or assembled from scraps, making them prone to blowouts or breakdowns on the road. Legally, it's also a big pitfall—for example, if caught by the police, they are immediately confiscated, and the buyer may face legal consequences, especially during crackdowns in cities. Economically, while the initial price may seem cheap, the combined costs of repairs and fines can exceed those of a legally purchased motorcycle. More importantly, the risk to life is significant. I recommend everyone stick to choosing authorized dealers and not risk big losses for small gains.

[DelLukas]

A 'water bike' motorcycle refers to those smuggled bikes, meaning vehicles imported through irregular channels, usually at very low prices but with a host of problems. I once rode a cheap water bike, and within months, it kept breaking down—I had to frequently replace the battery and chain. It turned out the documents were fake, making it difficult to even transfer ownership. From an economic standpoint, the few thousand saved were all spent on repairs, making it a losing deal. These bikes are common in some areas like the Thai border, but their origins are high-risk and may involve stolen goods. I recommend average riders avoid water bikes and opt for local brands or certified used bikes instead—riding with peace of mind is the real money-saver.