Left a perfectly servicable helmet back in the UK thinking that it would not be legal over here. Just picked up a copy of the Drivers Handbook and on page 77 it states that an approved helmet marked in accordance with the 'Standards Association of Australia' or the 'British Standards Institution' must be worn. Had already just bought a new helmet over here (to go with the new bike of course) but I am glad I put my BMW system helmet in the container as it was only a year old and I wasnt going to throw that away.
So pack the helmet and save yourself a few bucks.

Ride safe :cool shake:

Graham

Thanks Graham I was wondering about that though could do with replacing my lid soon anyway. As a matter of interest what are the prices/availability like for bike kit ? What bike did you end up getting ?

Lee

Hi
my husband would like to take his BMW to Aus with him, what do you think?

Hi Lee, not too sure about price comparison and availability of kit over here as I got all my kit from the dealer I bought the bike from as I needed the bike asap due to me starting my job the following week. I still need to get myself some boots and a winter jacket so will start looking around in a bit.
Tha bike I ended up with was a (dont laugh) Honda Trans Alp, for the past 25 years I have had BMWs, but feel that I am getting a bit old for them now so decieded to go for a change. I choose this particuler model for a couple of reasons, 1, I am not exactly built for speed (if you see what I mean) and 2, the bike will be mainly used for commuting into work and back so I didnt want a sportsbike. 3, with the amount of unsurfaced roads round here I thought it would be better to use when going out looking for photograph opportunities. I considered a Harley for about 5 minutes as they are very popular round here, but doubted I could grow a beard in time for when it arrives as all Harley riders seem to have a full growth of hair under there chin even if they have none on top.
What do you ride in the UK, was very surprised about the lack of motorcycles you see on the roads here, until we went to Glenelg the other weekend with some friends and saw the bikes lined up for the toy run, thousends of them.

Ride safe
Graham

Hi there Mrs Atkins family, I would say that it depends how attached he is to that particuler bike. If you read through the threads you will see that it as a bit of a pain to get a bike shipped over, really only do it if the bike is a rare model or you are particulaly atached to it. I left my K1100LT at my mothers in Nottingham and am currently trying to sell it from over here, it wasnt worth bringing it over as it is a bit tatty with over 135,000 miles on the clock, although very reliable (used it 12 months of the year commuting from Lincoln to Nottingham for the past 5 years).
BMW s keep there price over here same as in Uk, I looked at some secondhand ones before settling on the bike I perchased (see reply above) but amonst other things decieded I didnt need a big fairing in front of me in this climate (although it has only just stopped raining). The GS range dosnt seem as populer over here, but then again as I mentioned before you dont seem to see many bikes on the road anyway.
What does your husband ride ?, I bet you will miss the run down to Rutland water on a sunny sunday morning wont you, as well as the Pork Pies, cant seem to find them over here yet but we are still looking.

Cheers
Graham

Hi Graham
The transalp is a very good choice tried and tested and certainly should do you proud.
I ride a cb 750 f2 but hanker after something off-road style ish maybe xt660 next time round. Where did you buy your bike ? from looking on the net there seems to be a few dealers in Adelaide any worth a mention ?

Saw photos of last years toy run it looked pretty impressive.
Happy riding
Lee

Hi,guys as a biker I thought I would just ask. I ve got nothing flash, a Kawasaki GPJ 500s but I have had it for some time and know what its like. Ive been considering taking it purley because its not worth anything here (about £700) and I thought I might be able to bung it in the countainer and just pay some import tax and it would save me all the hassle of having to buy another one!
What are your experiances and what do you think about bringing it? I use to commute here and would do the same there.
Jase :D

Sorry should be GPZ 500S for the perfectionists amounts us :D

Haven't a clue on the bikes - but pork pies I can help with!!!

When Christmas silly season is over (or otherwise try about 2am during 24 hour opening) pop over to Marion Mall. There's a stall immediately outside Woolies which sells pork pies among other familiar things (eg Marmite). Also, Woolies have started selling them inside recently. But it's not worth the queue in Woolies unless you are also doing the rest of the week's shop at the same time.... ;)