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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 21 Oct 2011
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Minimum Speed Limit - Australia
I was just told there is a minimum speed limit of 110 kph on paved (sealed) highways in Australia. Is this true?
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  #2  
Old 21 Oct 2011
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On the major highways in Victoria such as the hume freeway its 110.

Most sealed roads are just 100.

Not 100% sure about the other states.

I would def not travel the Hume from say Melbourne to Sydney. Fast but very boring ride. Take the coast route or through the mountains.

cheers,

James
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  #3  
Old 21 Oct 2011
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Aplogies didnt read your op properly.

The maximum speed is 110. Your not going to get pulled over if your not doing 110. Maybe if your doing 60 !
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Old 21 Oct 2011
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Thanks realmc26. I am in the beginning stages of mapping out a large trip around Australia (see map). A primary criteria is to stay on paved roads as much as possible. Another criteria is to do it on a small displacement (150cc) scooter. I plan to purchase the scooter in Sydney after I arrive from the States. The small engine means slower speeds, which is what I prefer.

I know I have many options in the eastern part of Australia and fewer, or perhaps only one option, for paved roads in the northwest. So I am tentatively asking questions and searching Google Earth.

Thanks for your assistance. - Fabini (aka John) Moto Fabini
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  #5  
Old 21 Oct 2011
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Up in the Northern Territory it's 130 km/h.

Nice one NT ! ..

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Old 21 Oct 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith1954 View Post
Up in the Northern Territory it's 130 km/h.

I've read horror stories by bicyclists of being out on an isolated road and having a large tractor multi-trailer rig blow them into the next territory. That's my fear of traveling slowly on a scooter at say, 60kph. - Fabini
P.S. That looks like lovely seal on the highway.
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Old 21 Oct 2011
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Originally Posted by Fabini View Post
P.S. That looks like lovely seal on the highway.
Fabini – that particular stretch of road is the Barkly Hwy just after crossing the state border (east to west) into NT from QLD at Camooweal; about 100-200 metres west from this location:

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Old 21 Oct 2011
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Fabini, there are no MINIMUM speed limits in Australia.

But do you seriously want to limit yourself to 60km/h? It's a big country!
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Old 22 Oct 2011
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Fabini are you buying the scooter new or used?

I commute on a 150 SYM scooter. It will sit on 85km all day if you wanted to with fairly light luggage. Would definitely keep off the freeways which it sounds like your going to do.

Can recommend the SYM's, made in Taiwan not china with a 4 year warranty.
Mine has not skipped a beat in the 9,000 km I have done on it so far.

BUT if I were you I would pay the extra and go up to the 200. The HD model.
The 150 with on road costs are about $4,000. The 200 an extra $1,000.

I would really be reluctant to do country roads of any size on my 150 but hell thats just me. Good luck to you if thats your plan but maybe consider at least the 200cc. If you have a lazy $10,000 or so you could get the Vespa 300cc and go in style!

Cheers,

James
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Old 22 Oct 2011
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Thanks for responding
Keith1954 – I shall look for that sign as one of my photo ops. Did you ride two-up or does your partner have a bike out of sight?

Flying Biker – "But do you seriously want to limit yourself to 60km/h? It's a big country!" I hear what you are saying. My type of touring has always been slow. I once bicycled through the American Plains, experiencing day after day of sunflower fields, wheat fields, and tumble weeds. I never wanted to see a sunflower, tall grass, or dusty open land again. So much for romantic notions. That experience and others, has not diminished my desire to go slowly and take in the landscape around me. I enjoy feeling what arises inside me as I travel: good, bad, and indifferent. I also like to take photographs as I travel.

Lastly, 60kph for 8 hours over 4 days is 1,930 kilometers. Not bad, as the saying goes, 'slow and steady wins the race' (or at least gets you to the finish line eventually.)

Realmc26 – First, I do not have a lazy 10K :-) but I may have some hard earned cash for a new scoot when I arrive. The SYM 200HD looks like a good machine. Its true displacement is 172cc with 15hp. That's 50% more horse power than I ride now. Sounds good. I will do more research. Thanks for the suggestion.

I appreciate hearing from everyone. Thanks. - Fabini
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Old 22 Oct 2011
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Originally Posted by Fabini View Post
Keith1954 – I shall look for that sign as one of my photo ops. Did you ride two-up or does your partner have a bike out of sight?
Two-up all the way mate.

btw - don't forget Tasmania; it's Australia's best kept secret ..

Good luck with your planning.

.
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  #12  
Old 29 Oct 2011
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min speed limit not really a problem
Hi

Cant speak for other states but in WA there is min speed limit 10km/hr lower than the limit on outside lane of freeway. If speed limit is 100, then you cant go slower than 90 on outside lane.

There isn't exactly a lot of freeway here anyway and your more likely to suffer from speeding tickets for breaking the speed limit here. Enjoy the trip

Regards
Steven
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Old 29 Oct 2011
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That's interesting Steven. Haven't heard of that rule before. Is it something recent?

In NSW there are penalties for hanging out in the overtaking lane if you're not actually overtaking (on roads where the speed limit is above 80km/h).

Frankly, I don't understand why anyone would want to travel below the speed limit on a motorway. They're usually very uninteresting roads to ride or drive on.
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Old 2 Nov 2011
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In WA there is no minimum, except on the freeway (which is only in Perth), and I think you have to do at least 80km/h. Might be 70 though.

As for riding slowly, thats great, but I would want to go a bit faster just for my own safety. Trucks here can be a tad larger than what you may be used to. Think a normal tractor and trailer, add another full size trailer, and maybe a half trailer. Then imagine that passing you at 100km/h, and you trying not to get blown into the wheels. Doesnt sound like fun to me! And most of WA and the NT will have bigger and longer trucks again. I would want to do 90-100km/h myself, just so you can stay out of trouble.
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Old 2 Nov 2011
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Fabini - riding from Camoweal,QLD to the Stuart Hwy, NT is mind numbing boring, I have done it about 10 times over the past 5 years and all it is flat and boring, but don't forget the wind, that does not include a 3/4 trailer road train full of cows passing at high speed, not fun, so take my advice, get off the road and put your feet down.
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