Coming from: Forbes

For Ray Ma, freedom on the open road means riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle behind two police cars through the Chinese countryside. The 53-year-old Hong Kong dental surgeon and members of his 35-bike riding group had to pay 10,000 Hong Kong dollars ($1,290 U.S.) per bike in escort and paperwork fees last fall to make their trip to Guilin city a reality. "We have to follow the rules in the place where they have the rules," Ma said. "And I regard that as free." But Ma said he yearns for the day when he can escape the cramped city for the Chinese mainland without the hassle. "We really hope that we can ride through the border like anywhere else, like in the States or Canada, or Europe," said Ma. "So that we can just plan a weekend trip, three days and two nights in China. That is really the best for a Hong Kong rider." For years, iconic motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc. has pushed hard to find ways to sell its motorcycles in China. Now, the Milwaukee-based company says it plans to announce before summer that it will open its first retail outlet in the country since at least World War II.

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