Andrew Clark reports

Having recently announced a motorbike ban on some streets, Beijing is now buzzing to the thundering revs of Harley-Davidsons and the like.

Packs of bikers cruising the tarmac are now an increasingly familiar early-morning sight on the outskirts of Beijing.

Polished chrome and leather

At weekends, the bikers make the most of the light traffic to take to the highways and head downtown.

Once there they meet to show off their own bikes as well as inspect the others on show - among them Harley Davidsons, Honda Goldwings and Vulcans.

The bikers attract their fair share of groupies as well.

Beautiful bikes

Hog heaven

"I think the bikes are magnificent, just beautiful. When I see people riding bikes, I think they look so handsome," says admirer Guo Cihuan.

Like the western counterparts they are emulating, they take great pride in their machines - almost to the point of single-minded obsession.

"Motorbikes are the ultimate toy," says Goldwing owner Wang Ding. "There's nohing better than a motorbike to play with, there's nothing that can make a man happier."

The bike boom has also led to an increase in the number of shops catering for leather-clad bikers. Beijing now has its own Harley shop.

Open highway dreaming

There, the city's budding Hells Angels can get their fill of heavy metal t-shirts and skull and crossbone accessories.

The store is run by self-made entrepreneur, Qin Huan.

As China becomes more open and multi-cultural, he is not surprised that young Chinese would want to buy such an obviously American icon as the Harley Davidson.

Harley culture

Accessories to be seen with

"Beijing is a large international city, each culture takes roots here. A lot of young people love heavy metal music. So it's not strange that the Harley culture would take roots here," Qin says.

Across China there are 20 biker clubs - Beijing Feichi Club alone has over 500 members. The classic American cult is certainly taking root in the city.

Most of big bike owners are self-made business people. Some are nightclub owners or other members of Beijing's nouveau riche although though there are also a sprinkling of government officials.