GoChen Motorcycles
403, HeNan Rd., Sec. 4
(04) 2259-7185, 0987-170-607
(Donny Chen)
Hours: 9 am-9 pm
(closed Sundays)
www.gochen.com.tw

Zhong Zhi United Large Motorcycles
321, DaDun 11th Street (by corner of
WenXin Rd); (04) 2251-0937
Hours: 10 am-9 pm
(closed Sundays)

Suzuki World
(04) 2296-6277
265, WenXin Rd., Sec. 4
Hours: 9 am-9 pm
(closed Sundays)
Nantun: 49, NanTun Rd., Sec. 1
Hours: 9 am-7 pm
(closed Sundays)

Big motorcycles hit the streets

-- By James Su & Douglas Habecker Translated by Ann Lee

Increasingly, large-displacement motorcycles can be seen roaring through the streets of Taichung as locals discover the excitement of these vehicles along Taiwan's scenic roadways, from the seaside to the high mountains. This trend should grow after Taiwan's legislature last month amended laws to give motorcycles larger than 550cc the same road rights and speed limits as a small-scale automobile. This means that big bikes will be allowed onto high-speed expressways, although they will still be banned from national freeways.

GoChen Motorbike shop sells BMW's motorcycle line-up, such as the F800s (NT$639,000) and K1200GT (NT$1.159 million), designed with safety and easy maneuvering in mind with features like the anti-lock braking system (ABS) installed in every new model. In addition to motorcycles and accessories, GoChen also has a service center that provides a free vehicle when you send your bike for maintenance. Plus, roadside service is available for all BMW series motorcycles.

Zhong Zhi United Large Motorcycles shop is well-known as Taichung's official dealer of Kawasaki and Triumph motorcycles. This place boasts a beautiful assortment of both new and second-hand cycles from the two above brands as well as Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki. Bikes start in the 250cc range with the likes of the Honda Hornet (NT$258,000) and Yamaha TW250, and range up the world's largest-displacement production cycle, the monstrous, six-cylinder 2,300cc Triumph Rocket III (NT$1.12 million). Other stunning sport bikes include the Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja (NT$558,000) and Triumph Daytona 675 (NT$549,000). The shop also sells parts, riding suits, gloves, helmets from Soumy, Shark and Arai and other items. Big-cycle owners can join their free club and receive discounts and weekly text messages about group cycle rides.

Suzuki World is another reputable local dealer which, as the name implies, is the official local Suzuki dealer. Large cycles here range from the relatively small and reasonably-priced Suzuki Grasstracker 250 (NT$130,000) up through mid-weight streetfighter GSR 600 (NT$320,000) to Suzuki's top-of-the-line sports bikes, the GSX-R 1000 and awesome Hayabusa 1300--reportedly the fastest production bike on Earth (currently discounted to NT$480,000).