Motorcycling in Adelaide

[taffgmg]

Are there any bikers on the forum.

Bikes seem to be a lot more expensive out there in Australia from what I see on the web. Is that true. What's the insurance situation like.

I have also heard that Australian Drivers are on the whole much less biker aware. Is that true. (Apologies in advance for such a sweeping statement)

What are the roads like.

Is there much going on in and around Adelaide in regards to bike events etc.

Not looking forward to selling the bike to come out to Adelaide but on the upside looking forward to more opportunities to ride in generally drier and warmer conditions all year round.

Cheers

Martyn

[Richard & Amanda]

Hi Martyn,

I've heard the same about bikes being more expensive out in Oz. Apparantly they're not as bike friendly due to do with the couriers in the cities from what i've read.

Not looking forward to selling the bike, think the firestorm will just take me over the hand luggage allowance.

I'm hoping the roads are going to be clear, twisty, car free and free hehehe

Richard

[dglamoore]

There are quite a few bike clubs over here (not some you would not want to get into ) and lots of bikers about when the sun is out too where we live

Greg specialises in polishing bikes so has come across lots of clubs and enthusiasts on his trips round sorting work. It does seem very popular here but with so many speed restrictions not so much fun ;)

Some info here for you -
http://www.mrasa.asn.au/
http://www.motosearch.com.au/

Lisa

[Devon]

Hi there
We brought the bike across due to the fact it had sentimental value for my OH (sad) He had travelled around Europe on it for two years (good for me I used to get loads of weekends away to go and meet him in various places) then we had it with us in Spain for another couple of years, so he decided that was more important than bringing furniture and shipped the bike instead! We've been here just over a year and the bike arrived in March this year - was quite an easy process except for all the paperwork!
Glad we did as bikes are more expensive here. The rego was $560 and includes third party insurance - if you want to go fully comp then you insure for that seperately - we didn't bother so can't help on the fully comp side. He had to take the bike to the Dept of Transport SA to have the bike checked - to ensure it met Oz rules and regulations ($170) was told to put the original exhaust back on the bike and that he could take it off again after he had the certificate!
Some of the roads are brilliant for riding but as mentioned before sometimes spoilt by speed restrictions/cameras.
There are lots of events for bikes - last weekend was the bay to Birdwood event and each Christmas there is a run to Handorf (each bike in the run takes a toy for children in need) the bike wasn't here but we went and saw them all anyway and was a great day out! Loads of other days like these too.
Some things are actually more bike friendly (no snobbery when you turn up with bike and helmets)! Drivers aren't as bike friendly although before we got the SA plates OH used to get stopped at lights and drivers would say wow you've got UK plates chatter chatter chatter! Not as many other bikers acknowledge you as you're riding as in Uk/Europe but think that is more due to the number of bikes on the road as oppose to them being unfriendly.
Hope this is of some help.
I'm from Exmouth - went for a visit in May and saw the new shopping centre although it wasn't opened yet - looked a bit better than the new one in Plymouth - not so many different styles of building! What's with the new big ball thing in the city centre though!
Good luck with everything sure you'll have no probs with your wife being Aussie

[motlyman]

Hi all,
I had a Harley in the UK and didnt bring it due to the cost. I've heard that imports dont hold their value here. Resale value is considerably lower.They stamp an extra couple of zeros on the chassis number to say its an import or something like that.
I also think bikes are more expensive here too but, you will find that unlike the UK bikes and cars will go for what there worth rather than their age value.
You wont lose 2 grand when you drive out of the showroom like the UK.
I find driving standards here are a lot lower than UK and have had a few "close ones" and roads are'nt all that great. Draincovers always seem to be 2 inches lower than the road service. But there are some good ones.
I ride off road now with a Kawasaki 250 Traily and love every minute of it.
No cars for miles, lots of wildlife and fantastic scenery which you dont always see in a car on the road.
Hope this helps
Colin

[cribber]

Hi Colin,

I was thinking of getting a 250 Traily for commuting and then off-road at the weekends.
What are the restrictions for off-roading? Where can/can't you go?

Would love to get out and explore the bush without a 4x4.

Paul.

[motlyman]

Paul,
I got mine for those reasons, commuting and weekend fun.
We are a bit restricted down here in the south but there still are places to go.
Me and a mate often go to sellicks hill. Its about 30 minutes away. Spectacular views from up there. Once we went all the way to Victor Harbor on dirt tracks. Last time we went we both ended up sat on our arses me with bent set of bars
Happy days.
We have a 4wd too and are hoping to do the Flinders Ranges soon. Thats fairly outback and about 5 hours or so away. Bit of a long weekend for that one but hey we live here now so whats the rush:)

Colin

[stiffsimon]

Are there any bikers on the forum.

Bikes seem to be a lot more expensive out there in Australia from what I see on the web. Is that true. What's the insurance situation like.

I have also heard that Australian Drivers are on the whole much less biker aware. Is that true. (Apologies in advance for such a sweeping statement)

What are the roads like.

Is there much going on in and around Adelaide in regards to bike events etc.

Not looking forward to selling the bike to come out to Adelaide but on the upside looking forward to more opportunities to ride in generally drier and warmer conditions all year round.

Cheers

Martyn

Hi taffgmg

Am also keen to hear what biking is like in Adelaide. Am waiting for my Visa to come through and Adelaide is my favoured destination. From my point of view I'm selling my Speed Triple with a view to buying a KTM 990 SuperDuke or 1050 Speed Triple when I get out there. I also am looking forward to riding a lot more than here in the UK. I live in the far North coast of Scotland and the wether is usually crap up here.
What sort of bike have you got.

Simon

[taffgmg]

Hi Simon,

My wife is an Australian and we have literally just started applying for a visa via the Spousal Visa route after talking about it for a couple of years. Not sure how long its going to take but like you am very keen to find out about biking in Adelaide as hopefully it will be my "safety blanket" whilst getting used to a new country, new job etc. Hopefully a good way to make friends as well.

Until just before my son was born (13 months old now) I had a BMW 1150GS which I absolutely loved and had for about 5 years. Unfortunately it went to fund a bigger car etc before Harry was born. Luckily though a bonus at work and some money left over has allowed me to indulge once more, just recently with a 1997 Triumph Sprint which I would have loved to have had when they first came out but never had the cash. Dont get out on it too much but its there in case I do.

Whilst the OH went back to Oz with my son in early September to see her family I stayed at home and tested the triumph out on a trip to the Isle of Skye. All I can say is you are a very lucky man as the roads, pretty much without exception were fantastic and I had a very enjoyable week riding and staying in youth hostels. Would love to do it again before we leave. Weather wasnt brilliant but it didnt seem to matter, saying that it wasnt snowing or blowing a gales like I'm sure it can up there. Glencoe was something else and the road to Skye from Fort William was amazing, made you feel very small and insignificant on a bike in the middle of nowhere.

Once we get to Adelaide we will be much closer to family or my wifes family anyway so I am hoping I can get out on the bike much more as well. From a couple of holidays out there I have never seen very many bikers and the roads I have been on have been really boring and straight but I'm sure there must be some "twisties" somewhere.

Like you I'd probably be up for another Triumph or if the budget would stretch another Beemer. One thing I did notice was their bike magazines werent as good as ours but many of the newsagents did stock the brit magazines as well although they were somewhat more expensive.

If I do get an feedback I'll make sure I pass it on.

Good luck with your application and I hope it all goes well.

Martyn

[stiffsimon]

Hi Martin

Likewise if I get any feedback will pass it on. My visa is a 136 going in on the Skills in demand list so am looking at about Feb-May next year before it(hopefully) arrives.
Know what you mean about Glencoe. It makes 100mph seem like 60mph. Absolutely awesome roads and scenery.
Good luck with all your paperwork and application. Unlike you I've never actually been to Oz so it's all going to be a steep(but hopefully fun) learning curve. I'm hoping I'll be there in time for the Moto GP at Philip Island and see Roossi perform magic before he retires.

Simon