I was thinking to buy a motorbike in case I find a job where I'd need it to commute (because I already found something but I have no transport to go).
I've got few idea about motorbikes. I've got my B license from my country and I read that I need to take two courses (6 or 8 h) to get the A1 driving license, which allow me to drive motorbikes up to 125 cc.
Therefore, what I'm looking is a 125 cc to to drive at 60-80 km/h on roads, but I don't plan to drive on Autobahn. Something with cheap maintenance and easy driving. So, I've got few questions.
1-Is it really hard to drive in winter?
2-Do i need to change the tyres?
3-how much can cost the insurance?
4-What about a old motorbike from the mid-90s?
5- what should I write or look on the ads on internet?
I must say that I've always found chopper/custom motorbikes appealing. Here there is an example of what I was asking for.
1 - It is cold. Get good gear, heated grips. Snow is tricky, special tires exist. Ice is dangerous unless you have spikes. Salt might have a negative effect on longevity.
2 - Yes, when the profile is less than 1.6 mm anywhere on the tyre you must get new ones. No special winter tyres needed, but recommended.
4- It is an old motorbike. Reliable, cheap in operation but lacks ABS.
5- Look for motorcycles, those have two wheels and a handle bar.
The Honda CM is a classic. But has only a drum brake on the front. You might also have a look at the VT 125. But be warned that you might soon want more than you have.
1. Depends on the route, for me it would be impossible to drive a motor up or down the street when there is snow due to the elevation.
2. I find it to be advised when using the bike a lot in winter.
3. Dunno.
4. Cheap and when properly maintained can still go a long way, also there are a lot of bikes on the market with very low mileage.
5. basically see that is has what you want, if you are not in the position to check the state of the bike yourself you could pass by a garage or bring somebody along.
Experience with a shifted 110cc tells me you'll be really slow, much slower than the equivalent with a CVT automatic. Especially in the city with the traffic lights... A SH125 for instance will be much quicker than your desired custom, plus have under seat storage for emergency rain suit, lock etc.
5- what should I write or look on the ads on internet?
1 - No, unless you're on snow, then a lightweight 125 is a far better bet. With the cruiser styling you're also closer to the ground when you do slip.
2 - ASITUS says yes and I'll go with whatever he's saying. I've never seen winter specific tyres (short of studs)
3-Comparis for indications.
4 - Cheaper yes, but I honestly do not see the nostalgia attached to carbed bikes. Fuel injection is gift.
5 - motoscout24 would be where I'd start and filter by the usual year and capacity. As for looking at an older bike there are tons of old buying guides around on the interwebs in order to spot crash damage and warps. Crashed does not mean worthless though, just a bargaining point.
Thanks for the replies, they are very useful, specially the tips to looking for bikes.
The bike that I posted it was an idea because it was cheap, I didn't mean that I only wanted that kind of bike. I'd rather something not so old actually. I am concerned about safety over what I'd like to have.
What is a lightweight 125? something like Yahama ibr125?
In honesty I've not seen many 125's I wouldn't consider lightweight. But for your basic super reliable commuter bikes, the CG125 and YB125 exist for a reason.
I just looked at the price of them here and Switzerland will never seize to amaze me.
Under the 2000 mark if you don't want a scooter you've the options of a CBF125 or a YBR125,
I can only assume you're crap at changing gear, this is simply not true, not even slightly true-ish, for anyone who knows how to ride.
There are faster and better 125 motorbikes thank the one mentioned, but as the OP clearly wants something with some sort of style, suggesting a step-thru or scooter is ridiculous.
Whether you or I agree with his style choice is not important, the fact that he wants a proper motorbike is.
OP, have you looked at the Cagiva Raptor? Reasonably quick and good looking too.
Talking about style, have you seen the Supercub 125c ?
Ive only been motorbiking for 31 years now so yeah, am not an expert with gears. 8hp where you need 3rd to hit 50kph (at high revs), how can that be slow ?
It's a step-thru. It looks just like the C50 my dad used to ride 50 years ago. It's not a proper motorbike.
Dunno, that's not what i said. You said an auto scooter would be faster than a proper motorbike. It wouldn't. I don't care how long you've been riding, if you think a manual geared bike is slow you're clearly not doing it right.
So not to create a new thread, I hope to recycle this one, if anyone has an advice.
I am contemplating on buying 1st motorbike with full A license (so over 35kW, something like Yamaha MT07, Kawasaki Z650, etc.). Preferable not too old, with MFK and etc. However, probably because of changes in licensing from Jan 1st, COVID (all wants to ride a vehicle rather than public), off season and etc. - there is not much of a choice on motoscout or motorhandel, and even those which are there have prices very close to new retail (i.e. only 1k SFr less for 5 years old???). Of course, dealers do not have much in stock or on occasion either - off season, model changes, etc. So the question - how much in reality the prices on motoscout or motorhandel or even new at dealers are negotiable? Shall I take advertised prices as close to reality or they are usually inflated like in car market? Many thanks in advance!
PS. Also if anyone has any other advice on buying...?
I bought two used motorcycles here in CH. My opinion was somehow the opposite of your: for the size of the market there is very big offer of moderately priced bikes in very good condition. Yes, there are always some laughable offers, but so too many to have influence on market.
both time I paid the asked price as I am not exactly a negotiator. I just avoid people who put a lot of custom equipment on bike and than expect that such a personal investment would be repaid.
My first bike had custom exhaust (legally changed by original owner) and on the first Mfk the guy was complaining it was too loud, so I just changed it back. Luckily I had it in my basement.
Owning bikes I found that good servicing is not so expensive but it is vital. Comparing to cars, parts are cheaper and work easier, but usually parts wear faster. So, a well serviced used bike is priority to one with shinier paint. I bought both off my bikes with less than 10.000 km and now they are both closing to 80.000 and still working without problem. But yes, they are not as nice as when they were new.
Last but not least, two bikes are better than one.
btw: one of my bikes, a very light enduro has Heidenau K60 Scout M+S, which are winter tyres. And great longevity.
the prices are definitely negotiable, depending on how good the initial offer is 10-15% is real. If the price has already been set good i.e. lower than similar models, then it can be also the selling price.
I have seen a V-Strom 2012 with 7.000km, initially advertised for 5.400.-, sold for 3.600.-
Or 2019 V-Strom with 1300km advertised for 6500.- sold for 6300.-, with a few mods.
If you are new to the game it is easier to limit your search on a few models you like and laser-focus your seeking on those. In a few weeks you will know for sure what's a good offer is like for this particular model/year/mileage/service combo. Do not hesitate to ask sellers if the bike was serviced by themselves or at the official garage.
The mods are almost always a good thing, except may be the most common one - the exhaust(new cost is ridiculous, loud sound is not everyone's cuppatea), the rest like guards, sliders, mudguards, heated grips, chain protection, LED lights/blinkers, panniers and topcases, larger windshields, comfort saddle, tankpads certainly add comfort and protect the bike, so should not be disregarded. At the end installing them on your own will cost you parts and labour.
I maintain Motoscout is mostly populated with garagist, where you clearly see their margin being added. I find second-hand market on Tutti, Anibis and Facebook Marketplace offer better deals from private sellers.
Thanks a lot everyone for replies and advises - really appreciated! Surely, continuously monitoring ad sites makes help, and yes - I've settled on certain models, hence the observation. That Z750 looks interesting, even if mileage or age is a bit more than I was looking for. What is the average "acceptable" mileage per year for a motorcycle - as I have no idea, only for cars?
I’m in the same boat (or bike) - just put down a deposit on a Z650 which I’ll test ride coming week. I think the price is a steal as it’s only 8 months old and it was a demo model, so all the paperwork and history is there. It does have a few scratches and dings, but I don’t mind that as with my luck this would have happened in my care as well... and that for CHF 1500 below the market price!
You have to wait a bit, and you might get lucky. Also don’t forget that new/updated models are being announced right now, so that might drive down the price a bit as well.