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Looking for a garage/adventure bike shop in Switzerland. Looking for a garage/adventure bike shop in Switzerland.
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Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 7 Jul 2020
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Join Date: Jun 2020
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Looking for a garage/adventure bike shop in Switzerland.
Hi all!

I'm at the beginning of my preparations for a 2022 RTW trip and I'm looking for info in Switzerland.

I'm based around Vevey/Montreux and would love to find a trustworthy and adventure experienced garage where they could do the following:
  • Help me Buy a Honda CB500x
  • Order some of the RR parts
  • Build the RR set up, and if I can learn some stuff would be great.
  • Preparing the bike to be full adv spec for the next 2 years.

I guess, I just want to find a nice garage where I can spend days setting up that trip. Looking for people experienced in ADV , nice with common interest yadda yadda yadda.

Doesn't have to be next to my house, I'd be happy driving a 1 or 2 hours to get there if needed.

I'm maybe asking too much but I went window shopping to the closest Honda shop and the dude wasn't at all interested nor pro-active. Didn't know about RR, didn't have a CB500 in store. Didn't try at all to make me a customer.

I'm looking for something a tad more personal.

Thanks a ton!
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  #2  
Old 26 Jul 2020
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: East Sussex, England
Posts: 173
Assuming rally cockpits, bespoke racks, engine mods aren't planned .. I don't think you need a specialist adv workshop. Just a reliable/dependable mechanic or even a competent DIY home mechanic.

Would you consider buying privately? I've a seen some very nice CB500Xs advertised in the UK months ago. Not much use to a Suisse resident but you have the French and German markets on your doorstep.

[Edit] To clarify: I was thinking you might find a second-hand one with some mods already completed if you cast the net wider. I know of some buyers who found what they want in Germany for import to IRL and UK.
Last edited by Two wheels good; 30 Jul 2020 at 13:50.
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  #3  
Old 28 Jul 2020
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
I've used Honda Motos Zurich West for almost 20 years, to care for my Canadian-plated Honda when I am in Europe.

They are not a dealer that specializes in the ADV market, but they are competent & honest and pleasant to work with. I can recommend them without hesitation. Not too close to where you are, though.

There is also a HUGE Honda moto dealer in Thun. Again, not exactly close to you, but it is a massive dealership, like a medium size Migros. They have done occasional service for me (tire changes, etc.) and they did a good job. Might be worth a visit if you are in that neighborhood.

Michael
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  #4  
Old 5 Aug 2020
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 20
cb 500
why not buy your bike in home country and then ride to rally raid and collect and fit parts ,sent all the old parts back home simple , you could fit every thing in a couple of days and try out your new project on the way home .
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  #5  
Old 9 Aug 2020
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 30
Thanks for all the replies ! I went and checked the Honda garage/dealers in my areas and found one in Lausanne. Spoke with them for a while, told them my plans and they were really great.

They're more than fine with mounting the RR parts and it looks like the labour cost is way less than I anticipated.

I'll also check with them if I can learn a thing or two during the process and get some basic mechanics courses.

Only issue is the CB500x being hard to get by at the moment. I don't think I'll get mine before December.
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