motorbike qn

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shirt

Original Poster:

23,448 posts

208 months

Saturday 13th November 2021
quotequote all
quick one.

what are the main swiss classifieds for buying cars/bikes?

would it be cheaper to import a bike from uk, or is the red tape not worth the hassle/cost?

lastly, is it possible to get insurance as a non resident?

friend is moving over in the new year. they'll be wanting a bike and have said i could also keep one there if i'd like to, which i very much would!

florian

297 posts

281 months

Saturday 20th November 2021
quotequote all
shirt said:
quick one.

what are the main swiss classifieds for buying cars/bikes?

would it be cheaper to import a bike from uk, or is the red tape not worth the hassle/cost?

lastly, is it possible to get insurance as a non resident?

friend is moving over in the new year. they'll be wanting a bike and have said i could also keep one there if i'd like to, which i very much would!
Hi there,

the main platforms for buying used motorbikes are:
motoscout24.ch
motorradhandel.ch
ricardo.ch

But it's also worth to check the free auction platforms (very popular in Switzerland):
tutti.ch
anibis.ch

Regarding import from UK: Possible, but you will have to pay import tax and most likely VAT, my guess would be approx. 10% in total. Check the customs website (www.ezv.admin.ch) and the website of the MOT of your canton ("Strassenverkehrsamt") for details.

Regarding insurance: Insurance is only possible if you have a local Swiss number plate. And that you can only get if you are a resident in one of the cantons in Switzerland. For no frills insurance check www.smile.ch for online quotes. Also remember that road tax varies quite a bit in Switzerland from canton to canton. Some are very expensive (e.g. Geneva), while others are quite affordable (e.g. Zug).


shirt

Original Poster:

23,448 posts

208 months

Wednesday 20th April 2022
quotequote all
Thanks Florian,

I parked this for a while but now need to pick it back up again but now have more queries.

My friend moved to Lausanne, is it possible for her to rent a 50cc moped or even an e-scooter using a foreign car-only license and IDL? She's pretty bummed out having to use public transport to get everywhere at present, a moped would make getting around to view apartments etc. much easier.

I plan to visit next month. I have a foreign unrestricted bike licence and IDL. Will I be able to rent something decent?

On the bike ownership front, I'm planning to build us a pair of bikes and then import to Ch. Longer term though, guess I need to read up on the regs to pass inspection.


eyebeebe

3,178 posts

240 months

Saturday 30th April 2022
quotequote all
Probably worth asking the questions on www.Englishforum.ch I don’t know much about bikes generally or in Switzerland, but my gut feeling is that it will Beile cars and roll your own or modifications and Switzerland generally aren’t compatible. Everything needs type approval and ridiculous amounts of paperwork.

Your friend can also ask the local road transport office (no idea of the actual English name or the French translation. In German it is the Strassenverkehrsamt) what is allowed. Bureaucracy in Switzerland is generally pretty helpful and staffed by competent people.

Pete102

2,127 posts

193 months

Monday 2nd May 2022
quotequote all
Facebook market place is also a decent source for bikes, I often find myself getting tempted!

speedfr0g

45 posts

155 months

Tuesday 31st May 2022
quotequote all
I am based in Vaud and can tell you quite categorically to forget the idea of building your own bike and importing it !
The relevant authority is here (in French only but gTranslate should work)
https://www.vd.ch/toutes-les-autorites/departement...

When inspecting a vehicle they are looking for stampings on parts to check it matches with factory equipment.
For example, you have a car with 4 pot calipers and put AP Racing brakes with 6 pots .... they will not accept it (although you have improved the vehicle's braking performance).

Good luck

Kind regards

speedfr0g