Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

Can anyone tell me whether crash helmets purchased in the UK, displaying either the BS kite mark or the gold motorcycle sports badge, can be legally used on Australian roads?

Thank you in advance for any responses.

John

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

Legally, not, but I used mine without problems, including having my lid replaced after a crash.
I provided a link to the manufacturers website, and that was sufficient evidence that the helmet was compliant for Australian safety standards.

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

You got lucky then.

Legally your helmet MUST have a Australian Standards sticker on it. If it doesnt you can be fined, and your insurance company can invalidate ALL your cover.

Theres been lots of debate on various Australian motorcycling forums on the merits of trying to buy helmets overseas (US imports can save you up to 50% even after shipping costs) - but the consensus is that for helmets this is not a risk worth taking and we just have to 'bend-over' and take the high local prices.

Sorry for the bad news!

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

Yeah thats what I thought too, Australian Standards...

Agree on helmet prices:eek: ( another nice aussie monopoly :curse: )

Servicing schedules, if anyone is buying a bike, check them out, some are as low as every 4000klms:eek: think that was a Honda, while in warranty you cant do the service yourself and a simple service, oil, chain etc some places want $200!!!! Crazy prices on parts/tyres too.

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

I thought that the law said that the helmet must comply with the Aus standard not that it must have an Australian Standards sticker on it.

I think it's the same concept that applies to Bicycle helmets. Unfortunately with them, only 2 American standards are up to scratch with the Aus standard.

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

I thought that there were no Aussie helmet manufacturers anymore, so all helmets are imported. It's bizarre to describe that as an Aussie monopoly :rolleyes:

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

Oh dear ruffled your feathers again:thumbsup:

I have no idea if they are all manfactured overseas, its certainly not what we were told when buying helmets, aussie made came up at least once.

My guess is most stuff is probably made in china, I know some helmets sold here are half the price in the US. I also know several bike shops here have the same owners so prices are not competitive.

However to put you back the right way up on your perch:lol:, we shall call it a aussie rip off not a
monopoly.

Edit. Just checked $480 helmet, big aussie standards label, and in tiny letters - made in Taiwan, sold by aussie owned shop, probably $99 in Taiwan without aussie standards label.

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

Err... No! Just pointing out the stupidity of the monopoly statement :p

Got you typing in a flurry though ;)

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

Coles and woolworth are a well known monopoly or do you deny that too;), much of their food is from overseas, they still have a monopoly on its price.

As for helmets, you cant wear the exact same one, unless its bought in australia, at aussie prices with the aussie sticker and massive price mark up;).

Airlines, prior to recent airline recession, you had to pay up to twice as much for airfare from OZ to UK as UK to OZ, may have been a overseas airline, but due to taxing/purchase regulations you paid more.

Pretty simple really, whatever you call it.

Lets just leave it at Bloody rip off Australia :rofl: :p

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

I think you've misinterpreted what I said as, there are no monopolies, duopolies or rip-offs in Aus.

I can see that this misunderstanding has caused a certain amount of twisting in your knickers.

But at least you're still laughing ;)

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

I claimed nearly $20K off Swann insurance, so I think if there was any possibilty of getting out of paying, they would have found it. If the helmet is Australian standards standards or higher, then you "should" have no probs. I had a schubert, which are not even available in Oz. I forwarded the link to the assessor, and he was satisfied. In my case the claim was never in doubt, it was purely the extra $500 for a replacement lid that was in doubt.

I agree with you about discussions on numerous forums about the fact wether a lid is legal or not, but I have never heard of a case of the insurance refusing to pay out. You might get a fine for not having the sticker if checked by police, but do you throw away a good lid(s) or take a chance on something that will probably never happen.

you could always buy a dodgy sticker :) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...7034443AAYWilX




I dont think you will get away with it if your lid is one of these :

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/image...e-helmet-1.jpg

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

my hubby will be pleased as hes going to whitmans park on sunday to look at jap motor bikes and is hoping he might get to ride one -


a little boy in the sweet shop springs to mind :rofl:

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

And What's happening in Whiteman park this Sunday?

Keel

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

jap motorbike gathering ? you are asking someone who cares not about bikes - but honda will be sending lots of mb there - so i guess its a bike show of some sorts -

all i know is when hubby was told by his best mate that bm was having to take all the bikes up there hubby almost creamed his pants :rofl:

think its on from 10 -2 pm

Re: Question for the ex pat motorcyclists in Oz
 

Thanks to all for the replies. I guess that I had better play the game and get a new lid over there!

I am a little surprised by the comments about servicing/tyre costs and that it is so expensive out there. I thought that ripping bikers off was an exclusively British thing!

What about the cost of bikes themselves. Having looked at a couple of used machines for sale in Oz, they seem to be more expensive that in the UK. Is it a case that, like cars over there, used machines hold their prices better than in the UK?