See our books pages: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/books/books2.shtml#N

Grant

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I think Grant may have directed you already....anyway his name is Peter Mitchell.......Could you enllighten me on the "buy back deals " you have struck up!

Roland

Hi Grant
Not sure how I missed it the first time I went to the book pages.........couldn't see the wood for the trees I guess http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Anyway I've just purchased the book through Amazon via this website, so I hope it helps the cause!

Cheers,
Paul

Hi Roland,
Thanks for the speedy reply, as you can see from my message to Grant, I have now ordered the book.

As for the bike buy-back, I have been dealing with a company called Car Connection Australia who are based near Melbourne. Their website is www.carconnection.com.au

I discovered them from the Lonely Planet Australia book but their bike tours company also gets a mention on this site. The address for the tours company is www.biketours.com.au

Although it's a buy-back scheme in name it's effectively a long-term rental agreement but with you being solely responsible for the bike during the period of usage. They have been in business for 20 years now, so they must be doing something right, and the dealings I've had with them so far have been very professional. Alternatively if you are flying to Melbourne anyway you can organise a true buy-back deal with one of the shops on Elizabeth Street. If you walk down this street and trip-over you'll probably fall into a motorcycle shop! Also I can highly recommend the hostel Toad Hall on the same street so everything is nicely in walking distance.

I haven't arranged anything for New Zealand yet as I'm still not sure how long I will spend in Oz. However I can point you in the direction of the company New Zealand Motorcycle Rentals, website www.nzbike.com , who seem to be a good outfit (also mentioned in Lonely Planet New Zealand and on this website I think). See the article "Pure Fun" in June's Trail Bike & Enduro Magazine - TBM, NZ Motorcycle Rentals supplied the bikes. This article alone will get you in the mood for the NZ leg of your trip.

If you have anymore questions feel free to contact me directly by email via the link on this page.

Cheers,
Paul

thanks Paul, every little bit helps!

for future ref - at the top of every page - search the site or HUBB - it's a great search engine, very good results, sorted by relevance, all sorts of options available.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi guys. I know this is late and may be out of date, but a friend of mine, Oliver Kams has just gone thru the process of registering his bike in NZ after riding from Germany to here. The cost was close to NZ$450 but it depends a lot on the GST (Goods & Services Tax) which is 12.5% of the value of the bike including shipping from the last port to NZ. The inspection fee and registration fee is around NZ$330. This gives you six months registration which also includes the ACC personal accident insurance levy (not the bike insurance which is not compulsary).
There have been others I know who have used the buy-back schemes. Most of the bigger dealers will arrange this for you and will be much cheaper than hiring a bike but you will have to come up with more money up front and be prepared to foot any repair bills. It is YOUR bike while you ride it after all.
As a rule of thumb, allow 1/3 of your time in the North Island and 2/3 in the South (unless you are here in the height of winter which makes parts of the south uncomfortable unless you have really good riding gear) and also make sure you drop by and see us. We are near Christchurch in the South Island and have hosted many motorcycle travellers including The Bike Brothers and the Ratays.

Kind regards

Nigel & Kitty

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Hi Nigel
Thanks for the information on costs. The advice I've received from various sources leads me to believe that my decision to arrange buy-back deals in both countries was the right one.

I'm fortunate that I have no real time restrictions to my trip so I can enjoy bike shopping without any pressure to buy quickly.

It's the easy life for me from now on http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Cheers
Paul