Good day friends!
Planning a trip around Aus, starting Feb 2014. I'm a student (Architecture), from India, would like to see Australia. Experienced in motorbike traveling, looking to buy a motorbike/trial bike for under $3000. Could you please advise on possible bike under that budget?

* Would Postie bike an option? speed is not an issue.
* Would like to put aluminium panniers.
* Not attached to labels. (fan of Honda though!).
* Motorbike Auction an option? advise pleas on Repairable written-off
* Budget is under $3000
* prefer 250cc to 450cc
* Is rental is an option? - anyone like to rent/loan/lend/borrow their motorbike? (Assurance provide)

Thank you in advance for your advise. as i'm not used to models and makes here in Aus, i highly appreciate your advise and help.

Raj
0423 488 437

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I advise against getting a 'repairable' bike - you spent time (money in accommodation+food) and money for parts .. possibly tools ... not worth it.

Bring your luggage with you - cheaper from home.

Rental? depends on how long your going to take .. longer tours usually get a cheaper rate but it still adds up.

Have a look at ADV website. Plenty of bikes for sale, but you need to keep your eyes open for the bargains under 3k. Inmate Qute said he had a Dominator for sale for 2.5k (not advertised).

Gumtree is also a good option.

Postie bike will take you most places, but you have to be mechanically inclined if you're planning to go remote/outback. And you'll need extra fuel- roadhouses are upto 300km apart in some places. Some of the 'less traveled' roads, you'll need fuel ranges of 600km or more.

Renting is an option, but as far as I know it'll cost you around $100/day for the cheaper options. The longer you plan to tour, the more cost-effective it is to buy.

Just remember on top of the purchase price is licensing/registration fees and insurance.

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Squily

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...001-sale-73879

Im sure you could twist these guys arms to sell at 3000?

Hi folks,
well, mate of mine was selling his 1998 Tenere, for my budget. It's all rebuilt engine with loads of extras, what i needed for the trip.
After taking 600km trip across Victoria, my feelings are divided.
beautiful machine, lots of power, very nice to handle on road. however, i'm too short for it. Bit too heavy for me. Dropped twice, at low speed. Picking up was a task!...even with lifting with back facing the bike.
so, thinking of changing to bit smaller bike...height and CC...lets see.
i'm 5'7 and 67kg with slim build.....big ambition!

any advice...
thank you

Picture..
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When saying "too short"- do you struggle to reach the ground when sitting on the bike? I understand how this takes a lot of confidence away from people if they constantly feel they're going to fall over when stopping. Apart from various options for lowering the bike, which include lowering links and a cut seat, you could consider changing your riding style?

I've seen a lot of people riding bikes like you do a bicycle: they start sidesaddle, and when pulling off, lift their one leg over the bike. Stopping is the reverse. This is just a skill to learn and works well off-road.

Will you get used to the handling of the bike and thus drop it less? I bought my Tenere from a Swiss gentleman about the same size as you, and apart from a lowered seat, the bike was standard. But me thinks was an experienced rider and used to the machine.

As for weight of the machine: you'll be very limited there and almost only option would be to go for a newer/lighter/smaller machine, which might not fit in with your budget ideas (e.g. new CRF250L Honda is about 50kg lighter, and lower, but $3000 more)

Going for hard panniers on your beast might assist in picking it up: if the bike lies on the panniers, it'll be at a lesser angle to the vertical than your soft luggage and thus the centre of gravity is higher and easier to lift.

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Squily

I know nothing about picking up heavy bikes but we had a cool demo at the QLD HU meeting... where a 68 year old, 5ft woman picked up her Sherpa with the aid of a custom built brace.

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Postie Notes - "you're not seriously going around Australia on a postie bike??"

Good work.

But the images display exactly what I'm talking about: being equipped with hard panniers, the handlebars sit 6-12 inches higher off the ground before you start picking up the bike, and that 1st 6 inches are the hardest.

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Squily