Melbourne

[Scouse]

So I have just arrived back after spending a week in Melbourne what a great city. This was my first ever trip across the Tasman and got me thinking about a couple of things.

1/ Bikes are allowed to park on the footpath I know I should have taken some photos as examples but I did'nt.

2/ As an Aucklander I felt embarassed because of the way our leaders both reigionaly and nationaly go into a frenzy when the people from tourist guide organisations rate Auckland as say the tenth international city in the world,and our Mayors and city councilors get all upset because they used to be in second place. Our leaders particularly at the civic level need to take a good look at citys like Melbourn to realy see what a city of tourist excelence looks like. For a start we have no infastructure or realy any hope of having a world class public transport system, we realy have missed the boat on that, also our city council is approving the tearing down of what little biuldings that we have left of any historic value sad realy. Melbourn is a fine example of how historic and modern buildings can co-habitate the landscape and enrich the city.

3/ Some motorbikes are a lot cheaper than here, acouple of examples
a/ New KTM RC8R for $25,000
b/ New FZ1 for $12,000
c/ New M V Augusta Brutale 1090RR for $22,000
d/ New M V Augusta F4 for $25,000

[merv]

I love Melbourne too and have posted a few pics in the past:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/297-I-like-the-way-they-park-bikes-in-Melbourne? (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/297-I-like-the-way-they-park-bikes-in-Melbourne?highlight=park+footpath+melbourne)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/39491-I-still-love-Melbourne-but!? (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/39491-I-still-love-Melbourne-but!?highlight=park+footpath+melbourne)

[HenryDorsetCase]

same, and we've got family that live there. After the earthquakes (when the phones came back on) they were all like "So, when you moving over here?"

I love it to visit, but you need a lot of money to live well there. Kind of like anywhere.

But yeah: apartment in St Kilda or Brighton within walking distance of the bay, of music venues, of a hundred excellent restaurants, of great shopping yadda yadda, public transport to the CBD, and fantastic riding roads.

now I am thinking......

[HenryDorsetCase]

Plus last time I was there I saw a NOrvin. Just parked in the street. Guy was just riding it around because he had had it since his youth. I posted a pic and everything.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/84763-It-s-not-every-day-you-see-a-Norvin?highlight=norvin

[FJRider]

... Some motorbikes are a lot cheaper than here, acouple of examples
a/ New KTM RC8R for $25,000
b/ New FZ1 for $12,000
c/ New M V Augusta Brutale 1090RR for $22,000
d/ New M V Augusta F4 for $25,000

Would it be similar pricing if you converted those prices to NZ $$$$

[Jackal]

I loved it as well. It was great that all the bike shops in the CBD were all within a stones throw in and around Elizabeth Street, (Even a Guzzi dealer!)

[G4L4XY]

For a start we have no infastructure or realy any hope of having a world class public transport system, we realy have missed the boat on that

My bus ride to Taka this morning was completely full which included the aisle completely full too...ridiculous

[Crasherfromwayback]

I love Melbourne too. My sis has lived in St Kilda for 20 years and I love the place. Couldn't afford to live there though. I like getting over there for the GP as often as poss.

[Scouse]

Would it be similar pricing if you converted those prices to NZ $$$$No These prices would still be lower than NZ prices

[Crasherfromwayback]

No These prices would still be lower than NZ prices

I know our Harleys are often the same or cheaper mate.

[Scouse]

I know our Harleys are often the same or cheaper mate.Yes you are absolutely corect the Harley and Triumph prices matched NZ prices AUS dollar for NZ dollar so this would make those brands more expensive to buy over there

[FJRider]

No These prices would still be lower than NZ prices

A shorter distance to there from country of export ... ???

[Crasherfromwayback]

A shorter distance to there from country of export ... ???

Nah. The distributors simply price them for whatever they feel the local market will handle. Hence the diff with HD's here and there.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Nah. The distributors simply price them for whatever they feel the local market will handle. Hence the diff with HD's here and there.that explains a lot. Like why a nightster was 16500 and a 48 is 18495. Esp vs the US price

[HenryDorsetCase]

The other point is that in Vic anyway there is tax on a new vehicle sale (stamp duty) which is added to the sticker price

[SPman]

Would it be similar pricing if you converted those prices to NZ $$$$But - we arn't earning NZ dollars - we're earning Aus dollars and about 40% more than for the same job in NZ.......so, believe me, they are cheaper.

[rustys]

Next time you visit, go out to "RingWood" thats where all the Bike shops are, Elizabeth st has bugger all bike shops there now.
Yes Melbourne is nice, but its so hard to keep off those toll roads now.

[Crasherfromwayback]

But - we arn't earning NZ dollars - we're earning Aus dollars and about 40% more than for the same job in NZ.......so, believe me, they are cheaper.

Things must've changed from when I was living/working there then. No fucking way I earnt any more there than I do here for doing the same thing. And living the same style of life cost more. As do houses. Then you have to travel for fucking miles to get anywhere. And you're surrounded by Australians. Yep...much happier here thanks.

[Muppet]

Things must've changed from when I was living/working there then. No fucking way I earnt any more there than I do here for doing the same thing. And living the same style of life cost more. As do houses. Then you have to travel for fucking miles to get anywhere. And you're surrounded by Australians. Yep...much happier here thanks.

You've summed it up brilliantly! Went to Melbourne for MotoGP twice in 2003 and 2005, been there, done that, seen the bike shops. Just been to Brisbane and Surfers last school holidays. Visited wife's ex work colleague and her family who moved to Tweed Heads a few years ago 'for a better life'! None of them are happy, they work just as, if not harder than they did here. It's crowded, hot and like you said - full of aussies!

[matdaymon]

Apart from the fact my older brother (+sister in law) live there, Melbs is the only part of Aus that I would consider packing up ship and moving too. Then again, the fish try to kill you, the lizards try to kill you, the jellyfish try to kill you, the spiders try to kill you... yeah all that stuff is still there. Kill all the nasty critters and melbs is a sure thing!


oh and don't forget how every few years victoria likes go catch fire spectacularly!

Would still live there if the paycheck was good enough though, and if I leave it wont affect the "brain drain" either :stupid:

[Matt_TG]

We were there in April and my wife got tired of me going on about how bike friendly the place was. Every street corner was like an impromptu bike show.

[Muppet]

Apart from the fact my older brother (+sister in law) live there, Melbs is the only part of Aus that I would consider packing up ship and moving too. Then again, the fish try to kill you, the lizards try to kill you, the jellyfish try to kill you, the spiders try to kill you... yeah all that stuff is still there. Kill all the nasty critters and melbs is a sure thing!


oh and don't forget how every few years victoria likes go catch fire spectacularly!

Would still live there if the paycheck was good enough though, and if I leave it wont affect the "brain drain" either :stupid:

:killingme:killingme

I spoke to a woman at my local park who'd just moved back to Christchurch from Melbourne. She moved there 30 years ago. When I asked why she came back she told me it was the heat and the flies.

[Brett]

Heading over in October for the first time. Been to other towns, never Melbourne. Heading over to watch the MotoGP and also to 'investigate' the city as a potential new home.

[merv]

I'm always gobsmacked over how cheap the public transport is over there especially in the weekend. A very large area is covered by two zones and in the weekend a day ticket or if you use a Myki card costs something like a whopping A$3.30 to travel all day - trains, buses and trams. Zone 1 weekdays is only A$6.56 or Zone 1&2 only A$11.08 http://www.myki.com.au/Fares/Metro-fares

Network maps here http://ptv.vic.gov.au/maps-stations-stops/metropolitan-maps/

Then of course as we have seen from the pics of bikes parked on the footpaths it is clearly an easy city to commute on a bike in as well - so take your pick - ride in on a good day, public transport otherwise. Carparking is usually expensive so avoid that unless you have a job with park provided.

[BoristheBiter]

I went last year for the GP and are going again this year.
Yes I liked the place but could not get over how expensive everything was. At least 1 to 2 dollars more for everything. $9 a pint (for a decent beer not the Aussie crap)
All the bikes I looked at were the same prices as here so if you convert then they were more.

Nice place to visit but i wouldn't move there.

But the dim sim's rock

[Crasherfromwayback]

Heading over in October for the first time. Been to other towns, never Melbourne. Heading over to watch the MotoGP and also to 'investigate' the city as a potential new home.

First GP? If so...you'll wet yourself!

[Brett]

First GP? If so...you'll wet yourself!

Indeed, first GP! Been hanging out for it something serious. In fact...it was the Mrs idea! She knows how much I love the MotoGP and so suggested we head over this year...meant to catch it when we were in Europe a couple of years back, but never got around to it, haven't had a chance since...until now. I don't get excited too easily, but this has got my little heart jumping!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Indeed, first GP! Been hanging out for it something serious. In fact...it was the Mrs idea! She knows how much I love the MotoGP and so suggested we head over this year...meant to catch it when we were in Europe a couple of years back, but never got around to it, haven't had a chance since...until now. I don't get excited too easily, but this has got my little heart jumping!

Awesome! Hope you have a fat old time. I'm going over to see my BF off too. Rach is working for the med team at the supercross there...which is an added spectator attraction this year. Gonna be an fantastic meeting! Take ya wollies and wet weather gear.

[pritch]

I like everywhere I've been in Australia, there is a lot to like. Having said that, I'm always pleased to get home.

As Henry Cole observed Australia is something of a Police state. When we were in Vic for the GP there were all these super flash sportsbikes, all doing 100kph or less. If they got stuck behind a truck they just sat there. Seemingly the locals were just not prepared to exceed the speed limit.

Not sure about the comparison of bike prices regarding KTM. There is an Australasian agent, but if you check their website most road models are marked "Australia only". All of which could make any New Zealand price moot. Must ask Gregg Boyd wassup?

[Headbanger]

Can't say I have ever been to Melbourne, I'm in Brisbane at the moment, and this blazing sunshine and 45 minute commute to the job site are making me miss my damn bike something shocking.

Almost to the point of buying another bike just for Aussie......

[Ocean1]

Got back from 2 weeks in Tasmania last night. Stayed mostly around Hobart but spent a few days touring up around the east coast and back down the middle. Not dissimilar to much of NZ, except for the obvious gums everywhere.

Bit brisk this time of year, similar to ChCh. Very few bikes on the road, in town or out. Not much industry, and in fact they're significantly funded by the GST redistributed from WA and Queensland. Lots of property for sale.

[pritch]

I got home from Townsville Wednesday. Plenty bikes there, the temp is in the mid twenties every day at this time of year. The Harley riders were dressed like Harley riders, the others mostly seemed to be wearing vented protective kit. I did see just the one guy in T shirt, shorts and jandals.

There are three infantry battalions nearby and I guess the lads have accumulated cash while in Afghanistan because bikes seemed well represented around the barracks of the battalion I visited, some nice collectible Australian cars too. (If yer into that sort of thing?)