Visiting AWESOME Australia for a Year! Should I take up Enduro Biking or 4WD?

[KS KaizenMember]

Warmest greetings everyone,

If all goes well, I will be holidaying for about a year in Awesome Australia! I plan to touch down in Melbourne for starters. I might move to another city after six months, who knows. Or I just might stick to Melbourne for the whole 12 months. After which, I would probably move over to NZ for another year.

Heh no, I’m far from being rich. It’s just that I have juuuust enough to do this right now, and having absolutely no commitments or whatsoever in my life right now, if I don’t take up this chance, I might just regret it.

I just really need advice though. Since I’ll be staying here for a minimum of six months, I need transport. So i’ll be using either the bike, or the truck, as my daily commute.

I hope to experience every single thing that Australia has to offer, plus I’ve always been more a biker guy. It’s just the best thing other than having a mighty steed.

But many a times I feel thankful that Im driving cuz, hey, its comfortable. It blocks the rain and sun. Its got aircon. And the ladies, they always prefer the 2 extra wheels.

Theres no denying that 4 wheels offer conveniences that 2 wheels dont.

– Will I be ok with a e.g. 450 over a $7,000 truck/ SUV? Should I take up enduro biking over 4wd?
– Does it rain a lot or is the sun unbearable? I come from a tropical country with daily temps of min 30C high humidity and its unbearable.
– What about parking? And commute? The last thing I wanna do is get caught up in traffic, on holiday! Or pay through my teeth for parking.
– Which would be easier to sell off once I’m leaving? I don’t mind losing a bit of money cuz I’ll be using it for a year anyway..

Truth be told I’d prefer the bike. But I have no idea what to expect.

ON the other hand… http://www.thegallboys.com I wanna try these extended 4WD trips and I imagine, its impossible if you were bringing a bike along.

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/babes-on-board-hilux-sr5-review/xjfw2tr EEEAAAT MEEEE!!

What would you reckon is best for me? Thank you VERY much and I hope to SEE YOU SOON!

[Nick JacksonMember]

Welcome to OBT , you’ll have a ball here in Oz no matter how you travel and I think you’ll find ‘ bike ‘ will be the preferred method on this site
Melbourne is known for it’s changeable weather so be prepared for the lot !! Their is some great trail riding down their and if you get a chance to get up in the High country you will have a heap of fun on 2 wheels.

this country is huge so if your going traveling on the bike plan ahead for fuel , places to stay etc as it came catch you out if you don’t. We spend a lot of time planning adventure rides and don’t always assume that because it says fuel on the map there will be , it pays to ring ahead and check v

Have fun however you do you traveling and let us know what you decide !!

Nick

[Scott SouthwellMember]

The decision may be your $7000 budget. You can get a bike for that money that will cheaply and reliably take you to every corner of this huge country. A $7000 4wd is going to be old with high km and no doubt need more cash injected to make it reliable

[KS KaizenMember]

Warmest greetings!

What I’m really looking forward to are those 1 or 2 week outings where the group has support in terms of a couple of trucks bringing the supplies while the rest are on bikes. Basically camping, fishing, exploring, maybe even rediscovering a thought-to-be-extinct species while on the go.. haha..

I’ll be damned if I found myself out in nature alone for more than 3 days (I only watch Bear Grylls on Youtube) so am hoping to join group outings and the likes. I… don’t think I’m anywhere near prepared to be exploring any end of Australia independently. I really am a total beginner/ amateur when it comes to offroading.

Besides, I really look forward to meeting new people and possibly making friends to remember for a lifetime. Who doesn’t, right?

Yes the $7k on a truck will get me an old one, and possibly a lemon.. Which is a risk that may just be too high to take, since ill only have a year there. I dont wanna spend that time fixing one, or flushing down cash on something i cant even own for longer than a year..

On the other hand, if I went enduro, I’d be wise to buy up the whole suit of armour (chest, elbows, shins, etc) and there will be much more to resell once my visa is up.

Over the night I am thinking that resale value could very well be the top priority given my situation. Which would be an easier sale, the truck, or the bike + all the armour..?

Cheers everybody!

[Nick JacksonMember]

Also look at a new DR650 which at a run out sale your $7k could go close and looked after reasale will be good.

If you get a bike let us know and we’ll try and hook up on an Adv ride.

The DR could also get you round some singletrack too , granted not as fast as those on an enduro bikes but it could serve both purposes well.

Nick

[MattMember]

Hi Mate,
I would say With your Budget, a Toyota Hiace Van with a Honda XR600 in the back of it.
Van is only a 2wd but you can sleep in it. XR600 will take you anywhere.

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