Hi,
I'm looking for some info and advice on buying and legally riding a motorbike and just general bike touring through Australia on a working holiday visa...
I am an all year biker here in England, snow and sun. Own a Honda Africa Twin and a good old C90. I enjoy bike touring camping and have done 3 short tours round parts of Europe in the past few years, wouldn't call myself "well travelled" but am definitley not new to being in unknown territory with just my bike and essentials. Really I'm hoping to hear some stories, tips and advice fro m anyone who has travelled Australia by motorbike...
Firstly buying a bike in Aus, browsing gumtree and Ebay.au for second hand bikes (Honda Xr 400 or 600 ideally) I'm looking to budget around $3500 AUD / £2000 , has anyone picked up a similar bike ideally 1998 at the oldest in good ready to go condition? Does my budget sound sensible? I will be looking to purchase the bike in the North East, round Cairns or Brisbane, the motorcycle dealers that I have looked at so far are very steep.
Insurance, I have struggled to find how my circumstances as a traveller will effect the cost of getting covered to ride in Queensland, New South Wales, Southern Australia and Western Australia. can my no claims bonus's from the UK be used in anyway to save some money? As a 25 year old on a working holiday visa Im hoping to not have to pay much more than 500 dollars to insure an enduro tourer type bike 400cc plus, what do you think? If anyone has any useful links to good bike insurance companies in Aus that they have used that will be much appreciated! Breakdown cover will also be necessary I think!
With a years visa, I won't be in any major hurry to keep moving. Though the aim is to make it to Perth eventually as I have a couple of friends living there. I plan on working along the way and hopefully finding 3 months regional work to help get my visa extended if I decide that is what I want to do. Anyone have any advice on the regional work stuff? I hear fruit picking is a popular one?
To keep cost's down I aim to be using travellers hostels, hoping safe storage for the bike will be available but well see.... Coach surfing and Craigslist, or any other popular versions of these used in Australia? Any ideas?
And ofcorse I will be packing a tent, sleeping bag and mat! I know there will be times where I get caught out and need to find a place to sleep so wild camping will be the one. I am well aware of the many forms of wildlife that could seriously harm or kill me and I am really hoping for some advice from people who have done this. Any good tips for staying safe, finding the best spots to camp, judging the weather, dealing with the bugs, handy things to carry that you wouldn't think of...the list is endless. Any stories of your wild camping with your motorbike through Australia, or is this something that I should try and avoid doing!?
So yes, I have so many questions but don't wont to write too much on my first post. Any tips and advice from people who have done a similar trip will be greatly appreciated!
Many thanks
Brad, Sheffield, UK