Newbie needs advice

[ranarider]

Hey Guys,

First time posting here, just signed up. I live in Australia and I am heading over to Europe in January 2015 for a semester abroad. I will be based in Netherlands but I'm looking to travel everywhere and anywhere I can go! I've got until the end of July to do as much as I can.

Ideally, I would love to do this on two wheels, I have done a bit of mototouring here in Australia. Nothing crazy, just strapping a tent to the back and going for a 3-4 day ride. I'm imagining something like buying a bike when I get there, use it for the duration of my exchange and then sell it on at the end.

What bikes would you recommend and what sites in addition to HUBB could I start trawling? Being on a student budget, I'd prefer a bike that was on the cheaper side, ~1500 euros if that's not being too ambitious :confused1:

Also, i'd appreciate some info on insurance. I'm 22 years old and I have an unrestricted Australian licence which I believe is internationally valid. I'm foreseeing insurance to be crazy expensive due to my age so perhaps I could get just third party insurance (or the equivalent of that in Europe).

Thanks in advance!

Mihir