Buying a bike in New Zealand

[DaveK]

Could anyone point me in the right direction on info all about this? Im from the UK and looking at the prices of shipping my bike there, carnets and all that crap i think i would be better just buying something there.

Really fancy touring around new zealand for awhile and then spending some time working etc for as long as i can. Wouldnt be for a year yet tho

Cheers, Dave

[Whynot]

It's pretty easy really, compared to the UK.
best place to start looking is Trade Me – New Zealand online auctions and classifieds. Browse, buy and sell online on trademe.co.nz

Bikes cost more than the equivalent in the UK but they last better so older bikes are generally in good condition.

Also try Kiwi Biker - NEW ZEALAND MOTORCYCLE NEWS for more info.

[clintnz]

Yep, it's easy for a visitor to buy a vehicle over here, you just need some ID & a local mailing address (a friend, hostel whatever) to change ownership. The bike needs to be licensed (rego) & have a current warrant of fitness safety inspection tag. Have a look at:

NZ Transport Agency | NZ Transport Agency

You don't actually need a carnet for NZ, & the requirements for importing a vehicle are not too bad compared with some countries, but if you are coming for a year or so buying something here does make sense.

Cheers
Clint

[DaveK]

Hiring a bike for 3 weeks looks to cost over $3000 so buying would pay for itself pretty much straight away. It will obviously depend on how long I want to stay, whether it is just tour and come back to the UK or tour and perhaps stay and work for a while.

Do bikes usually sell pretty quickly in general in NZ? Would be good if it could get sold within a week or 2 if i wanted to return to Scotland.

Cheers, Dave

[Whynot]

You shouldn't have any trouble selling it again, however it would obviously go quicker in Auckland or one of the other cities.

You should find most things quite cheap as you will be spending £s but be careful on the open road, the cops are quite hard on speeding.