Bike hire in Australia vs shipping your own bike over

[Eddieb]

For anyone considering doing an Australia trip, while in Melbourne last week I found this outfit that rents out bikes, they have both short and long term rates.
This can give a reference to the cost of renting vrs shipping your own bike over.

Garners Hire Bikes: http://www.garnersmotorcycles.com.au

I note however under the Adventure bike section they state:
"Dual Purpose Bikes - 99% Sealed Road - 1% Smooth Gravel Hwy - No forest or rough dirt road Riding"

[Waxxa]

I hired a bike down in Southport (Surfers Paradise), cost me $180 per day including insurance (suzuki 650).

Some places were charging $260 for a harley and you couldn't ride it, you had to be a passenger...

[warewolf]

In 2006 we hired an R1150GS from Clubman Motorcycle Rentals in Sydney. 8 days cost NZ$1334. Did lots of gravel & some forestry and they didn't care at all, actually their website suggests outback touring. Crappy web site/s but great to deal with via phone & email. They also have riding kit & luggage for hire, most of it (all?) is free.

Cheap when you consider we didn't have a suitable bike to ship over

[Hitcher]

I have hired an FJR1300 from Garners three years ago and am doing so again in November. Outstanding service and impeccably maintained bikes. I recommend them highly.

[Padmei]

I've found it hard to locate any dual sport bikes up north tho. They seem to keep them down south so noone takes them up Cape York.

[Hitcher]

I've found it hard to locate any dual sport bikes up north tho. They seem to keep them down south so noone takes them up Cape York.

Eddie Garner says he will arrange for a bike to be delivered for you anywhere on Prawn Island. I don't know what he charges for such a service.

[CrazyFrog]

They guys are pretty good too, and the relocation deals are good if you have flexibilty with flights. Makes it a cheaper option, for distance touring, ie. Perth to Sydney etc.

http://www.bikeroundoz.com/special_offer_page.asp

[clint640]

For a data point on the shipping side, it cost us about $2K per bike to get them there & back last year, including everything. Air over, sea back. That was 2 bikes in 1 crate so add a few hundy if just taking one. Then it looked like if going for 3 weeks+ shipping your own was by far more economical, 2 weeks or less you'd just hire.

If you are in the SI Get Routed ex Chch is worth a look, a bit more expensive & you have to fit in with their dates, but less hassle, no crate required.

Cheers
Clint

[Filterer]

I have hired an FJR1300 from Garners three years ago and am doing so again in November. Outstanding service and impeccably maintained bikes. I recommend them highly.

+1 for Garners - borrowed a 900 for a day trip in Melbourne while over there for work.
Excellent personal service and would happily rent from them again

[shards]

I have hired an FJR1300 from Garners three years ago and am doing so again in November. Outstanding service and impeccably maintained bikes. I recommend them highly.

Have rented from Garners twice now and always had good service.

These guys are in Noosa, have used them also twice. Dave the owner can have "bad" days (and his GS1200 fleet is/was a bit old and "tatty") but mostly a good experience.

http://www.aussiebiker.com.au/