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Buy / Rent a HD in Austrailia

  • UltraClassic03
    UltraClassic03
    1 year ago
    Hey everyone,
    Planning to make an extended trip to Australia in the next year or two. Have a daughter that’s going to school near Melbourne. Looking to stay a month or two and would like to travel around on a Harley. Rentals seem pricey so I’d like to know if buying a used bike, touring with it, and selling when I leave is a reasonable option. But I don’t know how licensing works as well.
    Any of you guys showing up for Bike Week in Dayton Beach, FL USA this year? It would be great to buy you a beer, meet and talk about riding in Australia.
    Thanks very much.
    Ed K

  • OlChesnut
    OlChesnut
    1 year ago
    You've probably already seen the high prices HD motorcycles go for in Aus compared to the U.S.  Although if you are spending US dollars you'll receive a bonus from the exchange rate to AUD.  Renting one for a long period won't be worth it.  Buying as you've suggested would be the best way to go.  

    I'd try to strike a deal with an Australian Harley dealer on a used bike.  You could buy it from them then trade it back in when you leave on an agreed price.  You should be able to get an international driver's license from the U.S before you leave.  That would allow you to drive on the roads here.
  • diomac
    diomac
    1 year ago
    When I go to the US I get a dealer demo bike on an extended basis, or one of their trade bikes not sure how insurance works coming the other way but my travel insurance covers me for any vehicle I ride / drive when I travel internationally.   I would email some of the dealers around Melbourne and see what they say?

    You won't need an international license, Australia like the US recognises your license as a  'visiting driver' if you are here under 90 days.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    1 year ago
    Quoting diomac on 02 Feb 2023 11:03 AM

    When I go to the US I get a dealer demo bike on an extended basis, or one of their trade bikes not sure how insurance works coming the other way but my travel insurance covers me for any vehicle I ride / drive when I travel internationally.   I would email some of the dealers around Melbourne and see what they say?


    You won't need an international license, Australia like the US recognises your license as a  'visiting driver' if you are here under 90 days.

    What is the name of your travel insurance you use internationally.
  • keith
    keith
    1 year ago
    Quoting diomac on 02 Feb 2023 11:03 AM

    When I go to the US I get a dealer demo bike on an extended basis, or one of their trade bikes not sure how insurance works coming the other way but my travel insurance covers me for any vehicle I ride / drive when I travel internationally.   I would email some of the dealers around Melbourne and see what they say?


    You won't need an international license, Australia like the US recognises your license as a  'visiting driver' if you are here under 90 days.

    Quoting paulybronco on 03 Feb 2023 08:53 AM

    What is the name of your travel insurance you use internationally.

    What's the names of the dealers who offers extended basis loan/ hire arrangements? Interesting reading your take with the insurance arrangements also?

  • Retroman
    Retroman
    1 year ago
    I bought vehicles in the US quite a few years ago (near 30!), and if the seller left "the tags" and the number plate on the vehicle then I could drive it prior to export out of the US.

    If you buy a used HD here in Western Australia for example, it will be "regoed" and that transfers to you. Transfer fee has to be paid to licenscing or "DMV" to you, (other name "stamp duty"). You do not need further insurance as the rego covers you for 3rd party injury cover. NOT for damage to other vehicles etc ,ie no collision insurance , you take a chance on that.

    I went to Daytona Bikeweek in 2011, trip of a lifetime really. One of my travelling mates bought a brochure bike, a 2011 Ultra limited from Klockwerks at their Daytona display stand, and rode it over to LA docks taking 6 weeks to do so, then shipped it back to Australia. All on the Klockwerks number plate at the time.

    Buying then selling a bike you will be subject to market forces at the time, and right now Harleys are easy to buy and slow to sell.
    Relatively speaking compared to past boom/bust cycles.
  • keith
    keith
    1 year ago
    Quoting Retroman on 03 Feb 2023 02:05 PM

    I bought vehicles in the US quite a few years ago (near 30!), and if the seller left "the tags" and the number plate on the vehicle then I could drive it prior to export out of the US.


    If you buy a used HD here in Western Australia for example, it will be "regoed" and that transfers to you. Transfer fee has to be paid to licenscing or "DMV" to you, (other name "stamp duty"). You do not need further insurance as the rego covers you for 3rd party injury cover. NOT for damage to other vehicles etc ,ie no collision insurance , you take a chance on that.

    I went to Daytona Bikeweek in 2011, trip of a lifetime really. One of my travelling mates bought a brochure bike, a 2011 Ultra limited from Klockwerks at their Daytona display stand, and rode it over to LA docks taking 6 weeks to do so, then shipped it back to Australia. All on the Klockwerks number plate at the time.

    Buying then selling a bike you will be subject to market forces at the time, and right now Harleys are easy to buy and slow to sell.
    Relatively speaking compared to past boom/bust cycles.

    Your tags may be valid yes, but without insurance, you will have the registration suspended. That is gospel. Attached notice.
    What you or I did 30yrs ago is ancient history. If you want firsthand experience with the USA justice system, try it without insurance.


    P1030044.JPG
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    1 year ago
    Every USA/Canada trip we hired from Harley Dealerships and paid for the full comp insurance cover. The only benefit we had from our travel insurance was the reduction of a zero excess in the event of a claim should we either damage the bike or someone else's property.  Our credit card also has the same benefit provided you use it to book the hire bike/car.
    I searched long and hard to even find a travel insurer who would cover us on motorcycles over 50cc?...and ended up with World Care so i am very keen to find out the name of diomac company he uses.
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