Maybe visiting and riding

[Hickey]

So my wife really really wants to visit Australia early in 2009.  She is dangling the idea of renting motorcycles while there to get me more interested.  Not that I dislike Australia at all, it is just a very long flight and a pretty expensive vacation.

So anyway, is it feasible to rent a couple of bikes in one city and use them to travel to another city -- perhaps Sydney to Melbourne or something like that?  I imagine we'd only be in the south-east for a week or so at the most.  I'm pushing for a visit to New Zealand as long as we're on that side of the planet -- with riding there too of course.

[Orson]

So anyway, is it feasible to rent a couple of bikes in one city and use them to travel to another city -- perhaps Sydney to Melbourne or something like that?  I imagine we'd only be in the south-east for a week or so at the most.  I'm pushing for a visit to New Zealand as long as we're on that side of the planet -- with riding there too of course.

The good folks at Gotournz.com did this for me in New Zealand. They are in Nelson on the South Island. They had an RT1100 sent to my hotel in Auckland on the North Island. I didn't have to go search for a dealership, no paperwork to process or nuthin.

Just get to my hotel, get some sleep, wake up and start riding  

I rode the North Island, then the South Island, and dropped the bike off in Nelson.

They're a bit pricey but they give you a detailed suggested route, plan & reserve all your hotels for you. Nice friendly people, the Kiwis are  

[Ironchef]

These guys do one way rentals, reputable company, well known here.

http://www.aussiebiker.com.au/

[Lowdcahn]

Gday Hickey,
Early months of the year is end of our Summer and into Autumn and a beautiful time of the year to be riding NSW, over the Snowy Mountains into Victoria, and if your really keen, into Tasmania for the best riding anywhere.
I'd be happy to help you out with a good rental deal. Ask away..

Cheers

[JimWilliamson]

New Zealand - On my top three "places to visit" list

An associate spent the past 2+ months in New Zealand and LOVED the place.

If you visit NZ, watch "World's Fastest Indian" first
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412080/

How much does it cost to "walk on top of the bridge" in Australia?

[Lowdcahn]

How much does it cost to "walk on top of the bridge" in Australia?

It's between $200-$300 subject to time of day. I really should do it one day... http://www.bridgeclimb.com/bookClimb/pricing.htm

In the meantime i just pay the $3 toll and ride or drive over it.

I havent ridden in New Zealand but hear good things about it. For now i'll stick with Tasmania Bring on the February trip!

[Playinthestreet]

The good folks at Gotournz.com did this for me in New Zealand. They are in Nelson on the South Island. They had an RT1100 sent to my hotel in Auckland on the North Island. I didn't have to go search for a dealership, no paperwork to process or nuthin.

Just get to my hotel, get some sleep, wake up and start riding  

I rode the North Island, then the South Island, and dropped the bike off in Nelson.

They're a bit pricey but they give you a detailed suggested route, plan & reserve all your hotels for you. Nice friendly people, the Kiwis are  

+1 on gotournz.com if you do get to NZ

[Hickey]

The trip is very uncertain right now.  The comedian my wife wants to see hasn't yet announced any show dates and we have a few dates this Winter that we need to be home for.  So there might be conflicts that rule out the trip.  Plus this is looking like it would be a seriously expensive vacation...  I'll know more in November.

[srad]

The trip is very uncertain right now.  The comedian my wife wants to see hasn't yet announced any show dates and we have a few dates this Winter that we need to be home for.  So there might be conflicts that rule out the trip.  Plus this is looking like it would be a seriously expensive vacation...  I'll know more in November.

'

What's the name of the Comedian? Must be good to come this far. I know Virgin do direct to Brisbane from LA. But at least we speak English   Well a version of it anyway.

THere are lots of roads without much traffic once you leave the city. You could do a week just riding around the Gold Coast where i am from. (Casey Stoner is from the Gold Coast as is Mick Doohan! )

 I would be glad to show you around for a day if you make it this far.

THere are a number of rental companies, so getting on wouldn't be a problem, Try www.bikeroundoz.com

[Hickey]

The comedian is Tim Minchin.  Pretty funny guy but not a reason in and of himself to visit, just an added excuse.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=98432098

The wife and I have more or less decided to put this trip off for a few years.  This winter we'll probably head for Mexico or Arizona.  I've been wanting to visit Arizona for years and we can get there without a 12+ hour flight.