I am one of those people thinking about it for the last 20 years, and living in Switzerland (Basel) is pushing me to jump the step and get my license and motorbike. Seeing all the nice roads etc...
I did my Google research exercise and I still have 1 or 2 questions, at least.
1. I understand here in CH you need your own motorbike or rent it to go to lessons and exam. Renting is not cheap, at all. However on the other end, since I never drove a motorbike, I would be able to buy one, but not capable to bring it back home. So, I would value your experience and advises ? And maybe you know some cheaper plans than the page 1 google offers on moto rentals.
2. I may have missed the detail, but can I pass my exam anywhere I want in the country, or does it have to be in my canton ? The detail matters since I am a French speaker and German not. Would make sense I understand the examinator
I think that the theory test can be done in other languages, not sure.
The course here was done in multiple languages, as at least one guy in my wife's group spoke with the instructors in English.
I'd buy a used bike, and have a friend ride it home, or the seller deliver it. I rode my wife's home for her.
My wife paid CHF 800 for her 125, with fresh MFK (done after she bought it, the guy taking it in was included in the price). Larger bikes will cost more.
What a coincidence. I am in exactly the same shoes as you are.
After a lot of hesitation, I actually bought a motorcycle yesterday evening in Lausanne. I agreed with the seller that he will drive it to my garage next weekend.
I am meanwhile exchaning my driving license and arraning insurance for the bike.
I have set up a private lesson (2 hours) with an instructor from a local Moto Ecole next week. The instructor will meet me in my garage and we take it from there.
After I am comfortable enough riding the bike, I will enroll for the required group lessons (3 x 4 hours).
I therefore suggest you to speak to your local driving school to see how they can arrange it with you. A lot of driving schools have teachers that speak more than one language.
sl2lemans, I plan to pass Class A, I am over 25 and got a regular car license already.
I will check to get help bringing the beast home.
I am thinking to go cheap and get a second hand CB 500 or something similar.. Since my goal first is to learn. A friend advises me rather a CBF 500 or any with ABS, shall help in some situations he said. All in all, the price will talk into my choice.
donpiedro,
Glad I am not alone . Sounds a good idea if an instructor can come to me instead (like the car basically).
I remember the day when I bought a brand new motorbike, paid in cash, but was too scared to ride it home because I only had a learner permit and I never rode a full size motorcycle before. And the bike was a super sport.
So I left it in the dealer parking lot and returned after they closed so I can practice in the parking lot.
After I got my confidence up I took it on the road and the first time I accelerated to 35mph I had the biggest adrenaline rush... the sound, the speed, seeing the pavement move so fast in front of my eyes and the vibrations between my legs...
then on the Ride home I had to get on the highway for 5 minutes. I was holding on so tight that My forearms and legs were absolutely exhausted...
priceless memories
here some motivation for you from the Swiss Moto Messe ZH. 2013
approximately 18 miles. I remember that I had to stop and rest 2 times because my forearms were absolutely exhausted and also due to my lack of experience at smoothly controlling the gas on the super-sport moto I would make the mistake of accelerating too hard followed by an overdone engine braking which would send me and my testicles into the gas tank. Was a painful experience until I learned a smooth control of the 1st gear...
This is the way to go. Get a nice lightweight bike with an upright seating position. If you get something like the above, you'll end up spending much less than when renting. The rental can easily run you 1500-2000 CHF for a month, just a bit more can get you a nice bike that you can then sell for more or less the same price. Moreover, rentals usually come with an insurance where you are liable for the first 2 grand or so of damages, so if you just drop it in a parking lot, you can easily be 4 grand out in total. Not good. Get a bike for <3000 CHF and even if you crash it, you might be able to recoup some of the loss by selling it for scrap.
I agree with this too - just perhaps one word of caution: if you go with the Ducati Monster route, get an older one. The more recent versions (post-2012) run on a leaner mixture and the bike struggles particularly between 1st and 2nd gears. The 25-40kmh speed range is rage inducing as neither the first nor the second gear work well and you have to constantly slip the clutch. I started with the 796 and in the end had to get the rear sprocket changed to downgear the bike and alleviate the issue somewhat. I loved it to bits though. Dat 2 cyl roar put a smile on my face every time! I'm a sucker for Ducati exhaust sound!
bigfujitsu: your motorbike looks really nice but I wonder it is a recommended one for beginners. How does it drive, compared to recommendations from Tom and others ?
donpiedro: nice your hornet. Did you find it online (Ricardo etc..)? Or just going to a local garage ?
I will check tonight bit all recommendations.
Is not the Ducati Monster a 1 sit ? Which would not make it usable to pass the exam.
Monster is definitely bi-posto, but the turning circle is a joke and no experienced rider I know recommended one for taking the exam.
CB, ER, SV, and GS are some of the best bets for beginners bikes. I went with a bargain of an ER6f with ABS about a week ago and haven't looked back.
@bigfujitsu:
you're a brave one, ain't ya? Supersports with their riding characteristics and (especially) their gearing are the worst thing possible for a beginner rider I think.
I've done about 3-4k Km of riding and I wouldn't want to get an SS in CH. Jail is such a real risk here it's not even funny. Maybe in a playground of a country like GR, IT, FR, etc, I can understand some people doing it, but still...