A bit bored in Basel

a quick correction - to still be able to get the license straight one has not to complete three basis courses this year, only has to get the learner's permit before the end of this year.

Sauce: https://www.moto.ch/toeff-fuehrersch...hein%20braucht

I fully disagree.

My friend is getting her license. I showed her the basics and got her comfortable enough to ride around the country lanes and through her local villages. We've done quite a few parking lot exercises, but there is no way that I can teach her what she needs to know for the actual test. She completed her minimum course class and on the last day the instructor gave her an earful on what she needs to improve in order to pass the test.

Congrats! Let me know when you're ready for a riding partner

Also, off road is scarce as hens' teeth around here, so if that's your only reason for a dual sport, then I'd go with a nice Scrambler or Bonneville. However, I will say that having a dual sport is handy when it comes to rough roads, sheer comfort of riding, and the various aftermarket goodies that make traveling comfortable.

My husband and I try to take at least one dedicated motorcycle vacation a year and love our GSs for it.

nice crash-bars on the red F800, what is the make?

Parking lot exercises - I think you're talking car? I agree with you on car.

On a bike it's practice, practice, practice. Emergency brakes for example, strangely enough they did not test me on that at the exam but I sure needed it a few times irl - car drivers changing lanes - almost into me - without looking.

Good idea to do a few of those every time you change bikes as well.

I guess here "parking lot" is meant as an area to practice on, not exercises that relate/serve the purpose of operating at the parking lot in real life - if that was your question.

2 areas in Basel that I use for my practice are

- large paved area near Fossil at Erlenmatt (but only when kids are not playing there of course)

- industrial area behind St Johann train stop (which is also used by instructors when you are doing the course; and you have enough runway to try emergency braking as well)

Those were also where I taught a newbie friend of mine all the basics + course exercises, before she even took the course.

@Theoslimm, if you need a hand / some initial tips while you are waiting for your course, drop me a note, happy to help.

LOL, I see.

Those are from Touratech. Good bars. I haven't tested them extensively, but they fit great and are holding up well (about 5 years now)

This is exactly what I meant, yes.

My friend lives in Flüh, so we found the lot at Mariastein very convenient for her - but not on Sundays!

And the same goes for me. Although be warned: I can talk about bikes and motorcycle traveling for an extensive amount of time

Isolation blues are no excuse for not replying sooner to your warm messages of support and help. So thanks especially to the Dame and dbucar - I can only offer humblest apologies for my tardiness.

I completed the courses on the rented Ducati but found the lack of bike to practice on between courses was really tough. I was definitely at the back of the class on part 3 with the others having their own bikes. Some dodgy moments and had to bail out on a bend which widened the instructors eyes a little - knocked my confidence so hoping I can get back in the saddle at some point this year.

Also completed my isolation quarantine today after returning from Blighty, so now I'm free to continue not going out, hurrah.

Thanks again!

Tim

Fondue is a great medicine for blues.

All good things come to those who wait

My friend bought a cheap 650 to learn on, take the classes on, and then take the test on. I think that it was good for her to have the consistency of the same bike throughout (she still needs to take her test, but that will be later this summer)

I certainly hope so! My husband and I are going to take the bikes out for a short ride this afternoon. You know: rotate the air in the tires and shake out the cobwebs

Had some last night, fondue bis tonight!

Tom

My daughter is on her way here on her CBR600RR to put it in the garage and have lunch.

She did the course last month, so has a year to do the test. No passenger on the back for the test here.

Tom

Hmmmm, not sure 'fondue for one' is allowed by the Geneva convention?

Instead, I made a cheese sauce with mature cheddar and childish English mustard to go with some massively over-cooked cauliflower. It gave me a taste of home and I did feel a little better - although that might have been the tea and Tunnocks I had for pud.

I've finished my last couple of upcycling projects which I was using to stave off the demons, but the bleak mid-winter is stretching its chilly fingers so I need something new....

IF ANYONE IN THE BASEL AREA NEEDS SOMETHING MENDING please message me. If I can help it would be my pleasure (if not, it's already broken right?)

Tim

I kept look-out for cheap second-hand bikes during the autumn but they'd already been mopped up. The bike shops were telling me it was because of the law change, hence the mad rush. Probably your friend is far more organised and much better prepared than me i.e. a female.

Congrats on what sounds like an awesome cauliflower. I need mending so many things, including soda machine, light cable, broken florescent fixtures and screwing Ikea bed/shelves together since I have to say my brothers did not let me learn and did all by themselves . But Basel is another galaxy.

C'mon MC, for someone who's both reprogrammed and doctored, those all sound pretty straightforward. Putting wheels on and turning it into a jet-soda machine might also be fun?

I'm not sure about "organized", but I was able to use my connections to find her a bike - and she was lucky

And yes, that's the same story all over: people rushing to get their license before the rules change. But surely by now you're able to find a bike? Need some help?

My screwdriver skills need an improvement.