I am going to australia in july and I am just trying to get some feed back on if I should buy my dual sport bike in canada(since I don't have one yet) and ship it to Oz. Or if I should buy one over there and save myself the energy of transporting it. Then sell it if I decide to come back.
thanks
:confused1:

Buy one there. Importing a bike into Oz is a PITA, even on a temporary basis. If you want to import one that you have owned for less than 12 months permananently it is a major PITA, if not impossible.

Cheers
Clint

ok that was what I was thinking
thanks
cheers

If it helps, the cost of transporting a bike from the West Coast of Canada to Australia would likely be about $2,000 CAD each way. I often ship my motorcycle from Toronto to Europe (a route that has motorcycle-specific services available), and it generally works out to about $1,500 to $2,000 each way.

So... that means likely $4 to $5K round trip. Might be worth the cost if you already have the bike, and you have already done quite a bit of work to customize it exactly the way you want it... but if you don't have a bike, then I just can't see any way the math would work to support buying one in Canada.

Hope this helps.

For slightly over $3000USD you can get one of these:

You have to add you're own turn signal kit and take it in for street licensing. These are mighty tough little bike and a great value.
trojan - 2009 - two-wheel-farm - off-road - Suzuki Motorcycles, Motorbikes & ATVs Australia

Jeepers, what Bush Pilot said pretty much makes the decision easy. You could buy one of those bikes (and the turn signals), ride it in Australia, throw it away when you leave, and it would be cheaper than the cost of moving a Canadian bike back and forth between Canada and Oz.

Michael

I was in Australia in 2005, and it was cheaper to buy a bike in Australia than shipping my own bike from Belgium to Australia. I bought a BMW R80 for 3.750$AU and shipping my own cost me at least 4.000$au, so it was cheaper to buy one there.
Chris.

Hi Cdntraveller,
Sounds like it's going to cost your around $4000 to get your bike over to OZ, you should be able to buy a half decent bike for around that (few years older model) and problably a fairly good second hand one with a couple of grand more. You should also be able to get most of that outlay back when you sell it and you may be lucky and get some registration in the deal. If looking to buy over in Oz check out these sites for used/new bikes.
Motorbikes For Sale – Search New & Used Motorbikes For Sale – BikePoint Australia
Used Motorcycle For Sale - Buy and Sell Motorcycles Australia - bikesales.com.au
Trading Post - Buying and Selling Goods Online Australia wide

You can also check with "Getrouted" a motorcycle transport company in OZ that ships to the west-coast of USA and back, i believe they have a couple of shipment dates in your summer to and from the states. Maybe a cheaper option if the cost is okay.
best of luck.

Scoop

awsome feedback thanks for all the replies. Going to check some of the idea's out.
cdn traveller

Used SUZUKI DR650SE Motorcycles For Sale - bikesales.com.au

Attached link is probably the ticket mate. I did a lot of research into getting a good dual sport bike that would be great on the roads and still able to handle itself off road. Ended up going in a different direction but this machine was reccomended time and time again. Many "experts" in bike shops siad they had guys from o/s buying these touring round oz and selling again with no mechanical probs. Best of luck to you.

Cost me approx. $3400.00 AUD in '06 to ship my bike Bris-Vancouver-Bris
The full detail is in the shipping section of HU

Williams Lake BC is a nice spot, dropped in there on the way to Bella Coola. Then we did the Ferry run down to Port Hardy.

Great memories

Glen

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Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!

I should mention that this was via Sea Freight

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Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!

Are you immigrating or just touring? Different Visas different rules.

It is not possible to permanently import a bike you have not owned for over a year and are a resident (have permanent visa), which means even if you bring it on a carnet you cant sell it in Aus. Tourist visa you cant import anything Carnet is only option.

So buying in AUS is much better:

If you are on a tourist visa then the only problem with buying and registering in your name is you need an "address" to register it to. So you will need to find someone to help there and get some mail sent to that address so you can "prove it"... Depending on the state. 3rdparty insurance is part of your registration, but anything above that could cost a lot as you will not have an AUS licence or history.

If you are going to buy a bike that is not classed as on road (as above). you will have to put it over the pit and make sure it complies with the Australian design rules, easy to physically do, but they you have to get it stamped and all this cost money (of course it is the government). So although the bike above is cheap to start with putting it over the Pits and ADR inspections and related rubbish.. it may end up cheaper to get a used bike that you do not have to do any of that to.

Also, depending on how long you are going for: you may cost out if renting or buying (in AUS) would be cheaper, there are several places that rent.(e.g in melb Garners Hire Bikes - Australia).

I would crunch the numbers.

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2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com