Hello All - apologies beforehand if the information is elsewhere on the site.

For the next year I'll be travelling to Australia, New Zealand then Chile (Santiago) and finally back to London via Argentina (Buenos Aires). As I'll be in Australia for several months my current intention is to buy a second hand bike in Sydney and sell it before moving on to NZ. I don't foresee any problems with this as local bike dealers are happy to sell to tourists with many offering buy-back schemes. However, I'm also open to the possibility of buying new in Australia, transporting the bike to NZ then South America and back to the UK, where I'd register it as a UK vehicle. I would transport the bike by sea each time.

As in many ways this a more attractive proposition I'm keen to know the potential pitfalls as a UK citizen transporting an Australian registered bike into NZ then South America.

I assume there isn't a problem temporarily importing a bike into New Zealand, other than making it clear I'll be taking the bike out of the country, i.e. a carnet would be unnecessary. For South America my assumption is I'd need to apply for a Libreta – from previous posts I gather a carnet isn't required – would the Australian bike/UK licence & passport cause problems?

I’d be grateful for any advice and clarification.

Regards,

Huw

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I travelled on an NZ passport with a US registered bike through pretty much all the Americas. No carnet, no libretta and the registration was *never* an issue; many, many other people have done this, too.

Have fun,
James

[This message has been edited by JamesCo (edited 20 February 2005).]

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James Courtier

Thanks James,

That puts my mind at rest.

I just don't like the idea of riding a bike for 5 months, getting attached to it and having to sell it on.

Cheers,

Huw

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what sort of bike you after ,watch some of the big sydney shops ,they will try and rip you off being a tourist ,try the trading post or justbikes magazine ,bikes hold a good secondhand value in oz ,so don,t expect a bargain ,you may find them from other travellers but expect lots of km,s no africa twins here and only early super ten,s xtz 660 good choice for oz

This sounds like me, only I'm a septic.

I bought my bike in Australia and I'm now in NZ. To get the bike shipped, I forked over money that will be refunded when I leave. So carnet is required.

I'm not sure how legit this is, as I went through a shipper instead of doing it myself. Which means, I haven't talked to NZ government and the money will be refunded in Australian dollars from the shipper.

--Dave

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Trying to ride (and work) my way round the world on a 1965 Ducati 250cc. In New Zealand now. Japan in April. http://nokilli.com/rtw/

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Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw

Have a look at the "Air or Sea?" link on left, and shipments by travellers also before committing to shipping by sea.

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Grant Johnson

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

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I've had a look at dealer sites in Australia and the following used bike sites:

http://bikes.carsales.com.au/pls/bikesales
http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au

Bikes certainly seem to hold their value much better than in the UK, helped no end I suppose by the dry climate and not having the British allergy to high mileage bikes.

My original intention was to buy and sell in Australia so at first I looked at bikes like the Dominator and XT600. However, as I’d like to ship the bike out of the country I'm now prepared to invest a bit more in the first place (possibly buying new) so my focus has switched to the F650GS, particularly the Dakar.

Either way I want something I can pick up without resorting to a crane - that tends to mean 1 cylinder.

Having read some of the shipping experiences in more detail there do seem to be more problems encountered by people shipping by sea than air! I'll definitely look at all the options available to me when the time comes to move on.

Huw

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Hi Huw,
I'm interested to see how you get on. I've been living in Australia for a year but I'm moving to NZ soon with my Dominator. I have had shipping quotes of $350 to $500 to send the bike to NZ. The company, Hermes in Melbourne, has been used by a couple of RTWers that I've met while I've been here with good results.
I'd also like to put a vote in for the Dominator. I've riden the F650 (heavier, more complicated) and the XT600 (very dependable, very good off road, very agricultural on road) a bit here but I think the the Honda is a good combination of the things you'll need for a trip round South America or anywhere else for that matter.
All the best,
Ewan.