What does 'water vehicle' mean? Can motorcycles be licensed?
4 Answers
Water vehicle refers to smuggled vehicles, and motorcycles can be licensed. Here are the relevant details: 1. Purpose of licensing: Although motorcycles are structurally simple and easy to ride, they must still be licensed according to the proper procedures. As a mode of transportation, motorcycles have the potential to cause accidents. Licensing motorcycles also helps prevent their use by criminals, making it difficult to trace them after traffic accidents. 2. Smuggled vehicles: Smuggled vehicles are those imported without going through the country's normal import channels and without paying the required taxes. Purchasing smuggled vehicles carries certain legal liabilities. Licensing a motorcycle must follow official procedures; obtaining one through illegal means is irresponsible to oneself and society, and one should never take the law lightly.
A "water bike" refers to a smuggled motorcycle without proper documentation, typically smuggled from abroad or modified, and cannot be legally registered. I've been riding motorcycles for over ten years and have seen many people run into problems with water bikes, such as being fined tens of thousands of yuan by the police or having insurance claims denied in case of an accident, which is a huge loss. Of course, legal motorcycles can be registered. Whether you buy a new or used bike from a legitimate dealer, you'll receive an invoice and a certificate of conformity. Just bring your ID to the DMV to register and apply for a license plate—the process isn't complicated. From a safety perspective, water bikes haven't undergone national inspections, so their brakes and lights may not meet standards. Registered bikes are much more worry-free. Remember, don’t go for water bikes just to save money—choosing a legitimate channel is being responsible for yourself and others.
When it comes to 'water bikes', we're talking about smuggled motorcycles without official documentation—absolutely impossible to register. Having driven for decades, I know that legally registering motorcycles is standard procedure. When purchasing, you need invoices and vehicle certification materials, and the DMV handles everything in one go. Water bikes come with high risks: illegal operation can lead to major losses if caught, they might even cause fires, and repairs are a hassle. Registered bikes have simple annual inspections, solid insurance coverage, and significantly improved safety. My advice? Stay away from water bikes. In the long run, investing in legitimate bikes is more cost-effective, and you'll ride with greater confidence.
Simply put, a "water bike" is a smuggled motorcycle without legal import procedures, so it cannot be registered. Regular motorcycles can be fully registered, for example, by bringing all purchase documents and identity documents to the vehicle management office when buying, and the process can be completed in just a few minutes. Don't mess with water bikes as they are easily caught and can cause trouble. I've seen a friend who rode a water bike get the vehicle confiscated and fined, which was really unfair. After registration, it's much safer to ride legally on the road, and protecting life safety is the most important thing.
