Howdy All,

My plans for freedom from work tyranny and excessive sunburning across Australia are progressing and I was wondering something -

What should I bring? I am planning on picking up a bike over there (anyone have a used bike they want to sell?) but am wondering if it would be cheaper for me to buy protective gear/camping equipment/sunblock (joke) in the U.S./Canada or just wait until I get to Oz?

I hope that this isn't too dumb a question, it's just that I am now living in England (mucho expensive) and have realized just how different prices can be between countries. As I am hoping to take as much time off as possible, I am going to have to make my savings stretch as far as possible.

Thanks for any hints/suggestions.

Mike

My suggestion? Don't forget to pop over the ditch and visit New Zealand as well!
Cheers!

Nigel Marx

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"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page"- St Augustine

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Things are generally cheeper in the US than 'ere. And you have more variety of choice in products too. But I think our insect replent works better on our insects :P

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

Nigel - Of course! I just figured that people knew when I said I was going to Australia that I would be visiting NZ as well. Isn't it a province of Australia or something?

Kidding! I figure that as a Canadian I get to make jokes like that - tell me if I am wrong.

Frank - Whoa. You have insects? That's it, I am not coming over anymore. Next thing you are going to tell me that there are lizards and stuff. Ick.

One particular question I had was what sort of jacket/pants do you all wear for the super duper heat? Will I just boil in an Aerostitch Darien jacket? I would rather be hot and safe than cool and dangerous, but I figure that there has got to be riding clothes down there that are suited for the local conditions - any suggested brands I can check out on line?

Local riding gear designed especially for the heat can be seen often enough, but I don't know if I'd wear it: rubber flip flops, nylon running shorts and a blue singlet. Why do they bother with the skid lid?

Other than that, it's just like anywhere else: leather, waxed cotton, Dririder, fluoro motoX and any combination of the above. You just get used to the sweat.

Mike, check out BMW and Rukka Airflow suits - amazing ventilation, but both are pricey - and worth every penny imho. I LOVE my Rukka Airflow. Cool, and waterPROOF liner you zip in when needed.

There are many copies, cheaper, becoming available in the US and Europe as well.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Canadianmike, Don't forget that it can get cold here too! Not Canada cold, but still cold enough on a bike depending on the time of year and where you go. Inland areas, particularly desert areas can be very hot during the day and drop below freezing at night - like most desert areas. But at least this usually occurs with clear skys and low humidity - ie no rain. The southern parts of the country and alpine areas can be cold and wet and snowy. Just so you don't think its always hot.... although its bloody hot and humid here in Queensland at the moment, not at all comfortable on the bike unless you use the gear recommended by Carlos....

Having said all that, there is a lot of flow through mesh gear available now - for the hot weather of course! BMW gear is great, the best IMO, but expensive. Here is a link to a recently released Dririder jacket that is very good for the price (about $300A), not as good as BMW stuff, but not too bad and at 1/3 price its good value I think. Its a mesh air-flow type, comes with removable waterproof liner and other features you can check yourself. I am considering getting one.

Skillo


http://www.mcleodaccessories.com.au/...allycross.html

[This message has been edited by SKILLO (edited 19 January 2005).]

[This message has been edited by SKILLO (edited 20 January 2005).]

You do get used to the heat. It is a dry heat in most places - except in the tropics during the monsoon season (when everyone sweats so you won't be alone).
I've had a look at the new dryrider jacket - don't like the protection at all - one fall and the jacket will be damaged - no good protection on the external surfaces. Also no matching pants. There may be alternatives to it coming out in a month or two. I'll wait and use my old jacket and pants till them. RJays IIRC.
Think you will find something suitable can be had for less in North America.

__________________
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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Frank Warner:
There may be alternatives to it coming out in a month or two. I'll wait and use my old jacket and pants till them. RJays IIRC.

mmm ineresting Frank, do you have some secret inside info, or is it well known? Come on let us in on the secret - we wont tell - honest. Seriously though I am in the market, so what is it?

[QUOTE]Think you will find something suitable can be had for less in North America.

Yes, I would be surprised if it was cheaper here in Oz.

Skillo

Howdy, I just did a lap round Australia.

Darien was fine for me as long as I was moving. When I stopped, I'd pull it off before the helmet. I bought Aerostich pants and a jacket off eBay which was cheaper than Australia. I'm happy with the Aerostich stuff.

My best purchase was a 3 liter generic Camelpack. A backpack that holds water with a straw that goes under the helmet. It's great in the outback.

Every Australian town with a population of 2 has a camping store (the other guy runs the pub). I'd buy camping supplies and insect repellant here unless you can get good stuff cheap where you live. Hit the garage sales and used gear stores.

Australian customs checks over stuff but when I showed up, it was a 30 second check. I said I had a tent but didn't spot it right away. I told her I'd used it once so the lady said nevermind.

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Trying to ride (and work) my way round the world on a 1965 Ducati 250cc. Australia, New Zealand and Japan are first. http://nokilli.com/rtw/

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Not Ted Simon since 1970!
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by chimpo13:
My best purchase was a 3 liter generic Camelpack. A backpack that holds water with a straw that goes under the helmet. It's great in the outback.

Ah yes, the Camelback and now also numerous immitations - I have used them for years for dirt bike riding and now would not ride anywhere here in Oz without one.

Funny how you take some stuff for granted, I didn't think to mention it. You can dehydrate really quikly in the heat with riding gear on, but keeping up fluids becomes second nature when you live here. Plenty of colder climate visitors run into problems because they aren't used to drinking enough (water) frequently enough.

Sunburn and Surf both fall into the same category (sort of)- all seem to regularly catch out our northern visitors, sometimes with very unpleasent consequences. Caution with all these is usually drumed into aussies at a young age.

Have a great ride.

Skillo

I went to a store to look at that jacket (and a new hat too) and expressed my view on the jacket. The sales person said if I was prepared to wait a new one from another manufacture should have an alternative out in a few months. I can wait. Particularly when the offered jacket may protect you from one fall. But in doing so it will be damaged - so for a multiple fall trip (any multi day trip in OZ has the potential to be a multi fall trip) you need a better jacket. I require something better than that jacket. I suppose I'd like the bm jacket but cheaper without the bm name. I don't like the zip in waterproof lining either - that leaves the jacket wet - and with evaporation clod - not good in snow. And yes I've ridden through snow to get to the desert. In Australia.

__________________
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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Based on your responses, I am going to dig around for some good used gear here and in the U.S., but if I don't find anything I'll wait until I get down there.

Nice to know that I'll find some snow along the way - save me the trouble of trying to make sandmen and have sandball fights.

Don't worry, most of the time chances are there'll be plenty of sand, soil, grit mixed up in that snow anyway. Generally a lot like snow fall around Vancouver. It doesn't fall very thickly and doesn't stick around very long unless you actually get into Kosciusko National Park and the surrounding "Alpine Region".

Hi everybody. Im going to Oz this July..
In hot days I will ride with a Dainesse protetion jacket (the mesh thing with back, shoulder, elbow protection) and a long sleeve sweather over it.. What do you think abouth that? Will it be any god?
Plenty of air and ok protection..I think..