Say the phrases “postie bike” to an Australian, and you may conjure an immediate wave of very particular nostalgia. You see, whereas the Honda CT90, CT110, and comparable path bikes discovered their area of interest in different markets, the Australian Post adopted them as official work autos again in 1971. 

Prior to signing up with Honda as their official postal automobile provider, Australian postal supply employees used quite a lot of strolling and common bicycles, additionally known as ‘pushbikes.’ As you’ll be able to think about, adopting a fleet of motorized postie bikes made their jobs so much simpler (although some postal employees may additionally have loved getting paid to train).

They won’t be the quickest straight out of the field, however that is not what you need in the event you’re making frequent stops and traversing uneven, unsure terrain, anyway. You need stable, reliable autos that may carry a good quantity of publish of their saddlebags and high containers. Bikes like Honda CT110s and CT90s, which gained reputations as stable farm bikes everywhere in the globe for very comparable causes. 

Then, Postie Bikes Were Retired

Thus, postie bikes grew to become a typical sight throughout Australia for the next many years. Then issues began to alter in 2017, when the nationwide Australian authorities issued a brand new, legally binding Vehicle Standard for bike and moped braking methods.

Under the phrases of the brand new regulation, all new fashions that hadn’t beforehand been bought in Australia from 2017 on would require two-channel ABS (entrance and rear) fitted as commonplace tools. By November 2021, the statute broadened to incorporate any new bikes bought within the nation, together with new variations of current fashions. That, after all, included showroom-fresh variations of the basic Honda postie bikes.

By the time that regulation prolonged to current fashions in 2021, the Australian Government had already chosen a new plan for postie bike evolution. In 2019, it introduced a plan to undertake three-wheeled electrical supply trikes as an alternative.

As is commonly the case when a serious change is made, not all Australian residents were on board with the plan. Still, the truth that the brand new trikes may carry fairly a bit extra publish at a time (particularly packages, which have solely develop into extra common with the rise of on-line buying) was a critical level in favo(u)r of the EV trikes. Some alleviation of rising environmental issues was additionally seen as a profit.

Postie Bikes Weren’t Totally Outlawed; They Just Couldn’t Be Sold New

Your native used bike market will differ drastically relying on the place you reside on this planet, for a number of causes. A fast go searching at on-line used bike marketplaces like Gumtree and Bikesales in Queensland, Australia reveals a variety of outdated postie bikes on the market. They all have varied mileage, and a few are newer than others. Prices may vary from $1,500 Australian as much as over $3K AUD (or about $990 US to someplace north of $1,990). 

It won’t precisely be pocket change, but it surely’s fairly shut for a functioning, nearly unkillable bike.

So, Do Honda CT110s And CT90s Make The Best Adventure Bikes?

In this video, three guys from the overlanding and tenting Australian YouTube channel True North Adventures get a trio of outdated postie bikes and begin flogging them on a few of their favourite terrain in Cape York, Queensland, Australia.

Two of the blokes have ridden earlier than, whereas one man hasn’t. In truth, he simply acquired his motorcycle license a couple of days forward of taking pictures this video, as he mentions towards the start. You can see that two of the blokes have correct motocross boots, whereas the opposite man is simply sporting a pair of on a regular basis work boots. 

None of that basically issues, although, as a result of all three look to be having an absolute blast. They’re exploring terrain they already know nicely from their earlier four-wheeled adventures, however in a brand new approach. They’ve divided up the objects they wish to carry among the many three bikes, and so they’re simply off having a great time collectively on their bikes. 

At the top of the day, is not that what journey driving is all about? Getting out, having enjoyable with your mates, and most significantly, not being wired?

I imply, there is a stable argument to make for a easy, trustworthy, uncomplicated bike that is simple to repair (or to be taught to repair) with a couple of primary instruments. It’s the polar reverse of fancy and complex, however that is all a part of its allure. You will not be doing the Erzbergrodeo on one among these bikes, however laborious enduro is a little more hardcore than path driving together with your buddies, anyway.

Advantages to planning adventures on path bikes like these (whether or not you name them ‘postie’ or not) embrace:

• Used ones will normally maintain working in the event you give them primary upkeep, and are easy to work on or be taught on.
• They’re typically low cost. As with most used bikes, they will be cheaper the extra work you need to do, so simply watch out to not chunk off greater than you’ll be able to chew, wrench-wise.
• Because they’re low cost, the price of entry is so much decrease than it’s for an enormous, correct ‘journey bike.’
• Because they’re low cost, you AND your mates can have a neater time all getting your personal so you’ll be able to go do foolish issues collectively.
• They’re lighter, much less highly effective, and simpler to deal with than greater bikes, in order that they’re excellent for anybody studying tips on how to be snug doing this sort of driving.
• They’re decrease to the bottom, so most riders will really feel extra assured and have a neater time holding themselves upright and shifting ahead.
• They’re inexpensive to repair than greater bikes, and components (each new, used, and new-old inventory) are plentiful.

What do you suppose? Have you bought any grand path bike journey plans brewing with your mates for 2024? Let us know within the feedback!