Hi Pete,

I'll try and answer some of your questions:
- No prerequisites (other than cash) to own a bike.
- Since you are starting in Sydney make sure you buy one with current New South Wales registration. The NSW registration includes the legally necessary basic insurance included. The bikes paperwork will show date registration runs out - there will be nothing on the bike itself - so its important to check this carefully. The basic insurance which comes with the rego covers you for hitting people - it does not cover other persons property. If that worries you you can buy "property damage insurance" from various private companies but it will cost you $300+ dollars for a year policy - though you can cancel at the end of the trip and get most of this back.
-Do not buy a bike without current registration as you will waste a few days of your time organising it and it will cost many $. Ditto don't buy a bike with registration for any state other than NSW - the transfer process is a pain and time consuming, which is why they sell at a discount
- After buying it you need to transfer the bikes registration to yourself. To do this you need to go to a local Roads and Maritime Authority (RMA) office with photo ID, your driving licence (with English translation if not in English). These offices are in most suburbs so it won't be hard to find one. Process is painless, but you will watch a hundred dollars or so disappear from your budget (the exact amount depends on how much you paid for the bike so that is the reason most people understate it on the forms, do that with some caution the staff knows it happen and don't like the total mickey being taken. Note if you research on the web you will find lots of references to the RTA - its the same place they have had a recent name change.
- you will be able to sell a NSW bike in Perth (Western Australia) but you will take a substantial extra discount and it may slow down the sale.
- For $3000 you will be able to find something suitable to travel on, but I wouldn't be worrying about popularity, given you want to buy in a hurry its about what is available on the day. Best place to look is usually "Gumtree", and Ebay. Sometimes good buys turn up on the Australian regional forum Advriders.
- You should be able to buy basic helmet, gloves, jacket for around $400 from most bike shops

__________________
Martin

finally back on the road again


http://awayonmybike.blogspot.com/