As China's top motorcycle producer, the southwestern municipality of Chongqing has long been hailed as the country's motorcycle capital, with a reputation built on deep local culture and enthusiasm, a comprehensive supply chain, relentless innovation, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.
The mountain city of Chongqing drew global attention in March when Chongqing-based ZXMOTO made history with a record-breaking victory at the Portuguese round of the Superbike World Championship. After decades of growth, Chongqing's motorcycle industry is going global on the back of its fully integrated supply chain and rich cultural roots.
At Laodingpo, one of the largest motorcycle parts markets in southwest China with a history of nearly 30 years, enthusiasts and industry veterans have witnessed the entire arc of China's motorcycle evolution.
"When we were young, we loved off-road biking. Back then, there were not many options. Today, there are plenty. Homegrown bikes have become really good, with massive improvements in design and performance. Everyone is striving for better quality in a healthy competition," said Hu Hao, a moto shop owner with three decades in the business.
His store displays more than 200 motorcycles, and he knows the specifications and backstory of every single one. Many discontinued vintage models sit among them, which, in Hu's eyes, are treasures that carry the motorcycle spirit of an entire generation.
The old market is also home to master mechanics. With Chongqing's enormous riding population, Liu Shuai, widely regarded as the best technician in the market, repairs more than a dozen bikes a day during peak season.
Liu says virtually every motorcycle component can be sourced in this market. With that kind of complete supply chain backing him up, even the toughest repairs are solvable.
"In Chongqing, you can find about 80 percent of domestically-made spare parts. Most repairs can be done in three days. Without parts, no matter how good your skills are, you cannot fix a single bike," Liu said.
Beyond repairs and sales, Laodingpo has also become an incubator for new products, fresh ideas, and emerging motorcycle-related businesses. Supported by a full-fledged local industrial chain and logistics network, even a small street-side shop can profit in the global market.
Young entrepreneur Wang Fugui has carved out a niche in fully customized motorcycle seats. Thanks to his bespoke approach, his products are not only selling briskly across China but have also landed sizable overseas orders.
"Sales are booming every day. A while ago, overseas clients ordered over a thousand units from us," he said.
Wang says his inspiration came from the passion for motorcycle culture in local riders’ chat groups, while his product's success rests on the region's complete industrial chain.
"Talking with people in the riders’ chat groups sparked the idea of making custom seats. I experimented step by step, communicated with various manufacturers, tested more than 300 materials, and went through nine generations of upgrades," Wang said.
Bolstered by a complete industrial chain and continuously upgraded product offerings, motorcycles in Chongqing have evolved from a pragmatic necessity born of the city's hilly terrain into a distinctive local industry, a way of life, and a tradition carried forward through generations.
"I have been riding for 20 years. Because of Chongqing's geography, motorcycles are simply more convenient. I own three bikes, and this one was made right here in Chongqing. When I was young, if you wanted a large-displacement bike of this kind, your only option was an expensive import bike costing over a hundred thousand yuan (about 15,000 U.S. dollars), which was completely out of reach. Now our domestic brands can produce bikes with the same large displacement and excellent performance, yet at a much more affordable price. It is truly a dream come true from my younger days," said rider Xu Shengcheng.
Full supply chain and innovation drive Chongqing's motorcycle revolution
