Coming To Australia In April/may And I Want To Rent A Bike.

Hello,

The wife and I will be travelling to Australia for 3 weeks in April/May this year and for the first week she will be on course. This leaves me looking for a bike rental. Right now it looks like we will be staying at the "Park Hyatt Canberra" in downtown Canberra. Can anyone make any recomendations on to who/where I would be a able to rent a bike for the week?

Thanks very much,
Nick

I'll check it out for you, but I dont think there are any in Canberra. A couple I know of in Sydney require something like a $2500AUD bond sad.gif

AB-Oz, Feb 25 2007, 01:26 AMI'll check it out for you, but I dont think there are any in Canberra. A couple I know of in Sydney require something like a $2500AUD bond sad.gif

Thank you! by a "bond" you mean a deposit?

Nah, bond as in if you dont bring the bike back they keep the money.

+ Insurance is on top of that...

This is web site but you would have to travel to Sydney to hire which is only about 2hrs away from Canberra.

http://www.bikescape.com.au/default.htm

AB-Oz, Feb 25 2007, 03:40 AMNah, bond as in if you dont bring the bike back they keep the money.

+ Insurance is on top of that...

Do they want cash, or can i use my Visa etc?

zRoYz, Feb 25 2007, 04:19 AMThis is web site but you would have to travel to Sydney to hire which is only about 2hrs away from Canberra.

http://www.bikescape.com.au/default.htm

These guys look pretty good but 28+ to rent a VFR sad.gif . IM only 25. Thinkin the next best chioce might be the Yamaha FZ6?

Here's another mob:

http://www.garnersmotorcycles.com.au/

and:
http://www.2wheeltravel.com/Motorcycle%20H...alia%20Hire.htm

and this might give you some ideas:
http://www.bikeroundoz.com/default.asp

Hi Nick,

You may want to check out the 'buyback' option that some companies have...they'll 'sell' you the bike and will buy it back from you when you have finished...usually for longer term rentals though...

Are you planning to base yourself in Canberra or travel around the country?

AB, sounds like a good excuse for a meet-up...I might be convinced to bring the rolling lounge chair for a tour rolleyes.gif

Beasty mate, We're not riding all day in first gear just for you! Get another bike already!!

aubeasty, Feb 26 2007, 05:51 AMHi Nick,

You may want to check out the 'buyback' option that some companies have...they'll 'sell' you the bike and will buy it back from you when you have finished...usually for longer term rentals though...

Are you planning to base yourself in Canberra or travel around the country?

AB, sounds like a good excuse for a meet-up...I might be convinced to bring the rolling lounge chair for a tour rolleyes.gif

A meet up would be terrific! Show off some of the roads down under smile.gif

After speaking with Mark at BikeRoundOZ it looks like my trip will be as follows;

April 26th, 2007 - Depart Toronto (Canada)
April 28th, 2007 - Arrive in Sydney (about 7am), My wife will continue on to Canberra, but I stay and pick up the bike (5th gen VFR, from what i've been described)
April 28th, 2007 - RIDE from Sydney to Canberra to meet up with the wifey, check into the hotel (Hyatt Hotel Canberra)
April 29th, 2007 - Sleep in then RIDE with the wife smile.gif
April 30th, 2007 - RIDE
May 1st, 2007 - RIDE
May 2nd, 2007 - RIDE
May 3rd, 2007 - RIDE
May 4th, 2007 - RIDE
May 5th, 2007 - RIDE from Canberra to Sydney. My wife will check out of the hotel and FLY with the luggage to Sydney, check into the hotel ?????? (dont know which one yet)
May 6th, 2007 - RIDE 2up with the wife
May 7th, 2007 - RIDE 2up with the wife - return the bike for 5pm (FLY to Alice Springs)
May 8th --> 19th, 2007 - .....I wont bore you with the rest of the trip but there wont by any more biking.

Let me know what you all think,
Nick

ps. does anyone have any experence with "BikeRoundOZ", with a rental im slightly worried about condition of the VFR etc...

Sounds like great fun.

I can map out some day trips if you like, coz it only takes 1/2 day to do the roads in Canberra/ACT itself.

Duuno about condition of the bikes at that place sorry.

Errrrr.
You do know that you will be riding on the WRONG side of the road, Dont-Cha??
That is no small thing...........

Flailer, Feb 26 2007, 05:39 PMErrrrr.
You do know that you will be riding on the WRONG side of the road, Dont-Cha??
That is no small thing...........

Flailer, I am quite aware of this, and have ridden on the wrong side of the road a few times in Scotland. I dont expect it will take me long to pick it back up. Unless there is something different about driving Down Under?

AB-Oz, Feb 26 2007, 05:36 PMSounds like great fun.

I can map out some day trips if you like, coz it only takes 1/2 day to do the roads in Canberra/ACT itself.

Duuno about condition of the bikes at that place sorry.

That would be terrific. 1/2 and I have 6 days in Canberra, I dont mind doing a few 100KM if its worth it, for some sights, or twisties.

I may have to chuck a sickie or two and play tourguide...

yikes, Feb 27 2007, 12:43 AMI have snipped bits out....

After speaking with Mark at BikeRoundOZ it looks like my trip will be as follows;
April 28th, 2007 - Arrive in Sydney (about 7am), My wife will continue on to Canberra, but I stay and pick up the bike (5th gen VFR, from what i've been described)
ps. does anyone have any experence with "BikeRoundOZ", with a rental im slightly worried about condition of the VFR etc...

Well, according to their website they partner with Bikescape for rentals in Sydney - I bought my 1st VFR from them - it was a 2000 model with 107,000km on it - it looked used (like you'd expect - stone chips and scratches on all fairings) but it ran well and was always maintained. You should be OK with the rental smile.gif

AB-OzBeasty mate, We're not riding all day in first gear just for you! Get another bike already!!

I won't 'own' another bike by then, but will most likely be on the GPX.... smile.gif

aubeasty, Feb 26 2007, 07:31 PM

yikes, Feb 27 2007, 12:43 AMI have snipped bits out....

After speaking with Mark at BikeRoundOZ it looks like my trip will be as follows;
April 28th, 2007 - Arrive in Sydney (about 7am), My wife will continue on to Canberra, but I stay and pick up the bike (5th gen VFR, from what i've been described)
ps. does anyone have any experence with "BikeRoundOZ", with a rental im slightly worried about condition of the VFR etc...

Well, according to their website they partner with Bikescape for rentals in Sydney - I bought my 1st VFR from them - it was a 2000 model with 107,000km on it - it looked used (like you'd expect - stone chips and scratches on all fairings) but it ran well and was always maintained. You should be OK with the rental smile.gif

AB-OzBeasty mate, We're not riding all day in first gear just for you! Get another bike already!!

I won't 'own' another bike by then, but will most likely be on the GPX.... smile.gif

Thats good to hear, the gentelman I have been dealing with through email has also been very pleasant. I am hoping for a good result. I know its winter during my travelling days, but is it rainy cold, or will it be 15'C and sunny smile.gif

Thanks,
Nick

yikes, Feb 27 2007, 09:58 AMFlailer, I am quite aware of this, and have ridden on the wrong side of the road a few times in Scotland. I dont expect it will take me long to pick it back up. Unless there is something different about driving Down Under?

Yeah, we all ride at 10/10ths goofy.gif

Riding with the locals is a good way to get comfy with being on the other side of the road.

Some of our best bike roads are within 1-3 days of Canberra!

The Phantom, Feb 26 2007, 08:43 PM

yikes, Feb 27 2007, 09:58 AMFlailer, I am quite aware of this, and have ridden on the wrong side of the road a few times in Scotland. I dont expect it will take me long to pick it back up. Unless there is something different about driving Down Under?

Yeah, we all ride at 10/10ths goofy.gif

Riding with the locals is a good way to get comfy with being on the other side of the road.

Some of our best bike roads are within 1-3 days of Canberra!

Two words;

"TARGET FIXATION"

Two more words

Hook Turns