Foreigner seeking to buy first motorbike

pwuser152351589311 (Kevin Shi) 2018-04-12 11:58:07 +0500 #1

Hello all,

I am a US citizen of Chinese descent. I have been living in Lahore since 8 months. I will be here until end of 2019. I am seeking to buy a motorbike to facilitate local travel as well as travel outside Lahore. I have a few questions that I was hoping people here could help me with.

1) I've only ridden a motorbike a few times in the US, so I will mostly learn here. That means I don't have a motorcycle license. I have a US driver's license. What kind of license will I need to get to ride a motorbike here?

2) I have a valid US driver's license but I lost the physical card. I have a picture of it on my phone. Similarly, should I carry my passport or is a picture of it and my visa enough?

3) How costly is it to send a bike to Europe, either by air or by boat? After Pakistan, I am going to London. If it's really expensive to send a bike to Europe, I will buy a cheaper bike that I will re-sell when I leave Pakistan. If it's not too expensive, I will buy a slightly nicer bike.

IceCold (IceCold) 2018-04-12 13:53:10 +0500 #2

First of all i think you will have to apply for a learners licence based on the length of stay of your visit. It might be a good idea to ask someone local whom you know who can take you to the local licence center in lahore for further information.
2) your 2nd question will be answered with the first one once you visit the local office for further details.
3) It is not advisable to send a Pakistani bike to Eurpoe. I hardly doubt if Pakistani bikes will be allowed on european roads at all due to different emission standards. A cheap Pakistani bike of 70cc costs 69000 Honda new and around 40000 if you buy the chinese version of it also called Chonda meaning chinese copy of Honda. They all look the same.
If you go for a bit highter cc than you have 100 cc again honda and chinese versions. Than 125, 150 and so on.
You can visit these two pages for further information. Alternatively you can visit the motorcycle market situated at Maclor road but i will suggest do that with a local guy.
https://www.atlashonda.com.pk/
https://www.paksuzuki.com.pk/

Hope it helps.

archon2001 (archon2001) 2018-04-12 19:37:46 +0500 #3

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pwuser152351589311 (Kevin Shi) 2018-04-15 14:20:04 +0500 #4

Thank you for your response IceCold.

I am wondering what I will need to bring on the day where I go to buy a bike? I am thinking of buying Honda Pridor 100cc new from official dealer. Will I need my license at the time of purchase? What will I need besides money?

pwuser152351589311 (Kevin Shi) 2018-04-15 14:21:49 +0500 #5

Thanks for your response Archon.

I am wondering how long it will take to get my license equivalent here? I was also unable to find where I can get online verification of my US driver's license. I will print out a picture I had of my driver's license and bring it to see if it'll work.

Will I need to have my PK license at the time of purchase for the bike?

Also, unrelated question but I am wondering in Lahore, which roads are prohibited to motorbikes? I saw that Motorways are prohibited. Is Ring Road prohibited?

archon2001 (archon2001) 2018-04-15 14:39:04 +0500 #6

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pwuser152351589311 (Kevin Shi) 2018-04-15 15:54:35 +0500 #7

I have a California license which is valid through 2020. Maybe you are more familiar with the online resource for validating as I did not drive much in the US (went to a major city for univ and afterwards where I used public transit)

IceCold (IceCold) 2018-04-15 17:52:24 +0500 #8

Ring road is prohibited. YOu cannot take a motorcycle on it. You will not need a license at the time of purchase but an ID is required as Honda will not give an open invoice and at the same they would ask you to get it registered. Pridor is not a bad choice, it offers decent millage and power.

k-four-nine 2018-04-15 18:23:33 +0500 #9

If you want to live then don't ride a bike in Pakistan, period.

Riding in U.S and Pakistan are two widely different things. And I don't think a U.S rider could last a day in Lahore's crazy, INSANE traffic!

Rest is up to you.

mumbojumbo (The_Seeker) 2018-04-15 19:32:23 +0500 #10

my 2 cents....DON'T go for a motorbike. You have lived here for the past 8 months and probably have a fair clue regarding traffic situation. Take it from a doctor who has worked plenty of hours in ERs attending to bike riders with various injuries and fatalities. Get a car ...if you cant afford a big one then go for an older smaller car....but it is way better than a bike.. good luck!