State Highway 43

[hornetakl]

Hi all,

I have been wanting to do SH 43 for a while now but never had the time nor opportunity to do it.
Coming the NZ Tattoo Convention (New Plymouth) in November, it seems like the perfect opportunity to do it (From Auckland)

I've read its one of the most dangerous roads in NZ and has a very high motorcycle crash rate.

Ive been riding for just over 2 years now and I feel my riding experience is pretty good, not track ready but good enough.

Wanting some advice from people who have done this road before, how bad is it really? Am I gonna die?

Thanks in advance

[Gremlin]

The road does demand more respect than some others. The seal is often of questionable quality, so if it's raining, it's likely to be slippery. The gravel section in the middle is about 14km last time I went through. It's so hard packed (unless it's just been graded) that it's almost like a sealed road.

Don't treat the road like a race track and you should be fine. It feels like a whole different country out that way

[Trade_nancy]

Forgotten world highway? Did that last summer with the wife as pillion. We went from Wanganui through to Taumaranui. From Wangas through to the pub at Whangamomona is normal twisty..but care needed as it's not a wide road. KEEP well left. From the pub onward - well there is a 12km gravel road section. 30kph on the gravel and keep well left as logging trucks come from the other way - as we discovered. This gravel section is not hard to do....not very loose...we did on a Triumph Sprint GT without issue. But I did go slow. From the end of the gravel...more twisties over similar tarseal...a bit narrow in places.
Care needed rather than any particular skill. Do it. It was a big day. From Palmy return it was an all day jobbie...

[cheshirecat]

Did it a couple of years ago on my VFR. No problem if taken easy and gravel was fine (and I dislike gravel) - lots of scenery so take camera and a full tank.

[sidecar bob]

Took the gs through two up a couple of years ago. I'd say there's far more challenging roads about.
Just treat it with respect & don't be in a hurry.

[cs363]

To the OP

KEEP well left.

^ This.
Probably the most important piece of advice for SH43 as you often get vehicles well over the centreline, logging trucks, tourist camper vans and the like. Keep your wits about you and keep the pace reasonable and you should be OK.

From the pub onward - well there is a 12km gravel road section. 30kph on the gravel and keep well left as logging trucks come from the other way - as we discovered. This gravel section is not hard to do....not very loose...we did on a Triumph Sprint GT without issue. But I did go slow. From the end of the gravel...more twisties over similar tarseal...a bit narrow in places.
Care needed rather than any particular skill. Do it. It was a big day. From Palmy return it was an all day jobbie...

+1 On the gravel section, if you've ridden through the average roadworks OK you should be able to handle this section (it's usually pretty well graded/compacted), again keep left, ride to your abilities and keep an eye on your mirrors for faster riders, particularly on weekends, otherwise they'll scare the crap out of you as the fly past if you don't know they're there, again - keeping left and holding your line helps. Keep the words of caution in mind and enjoy the ride.

[pritch]

Some good comments so far.

As has been mantioned, the big thing is to stay on your own side of the road - not always as easy as it sounds, there are one or two corners that can surprise.
The signs that say 25KPH mean what they say. If there has been any recent rain be aware of damp patches on shaded parts of corners. At this time of year perhaps even if there hasn't been any recent rain?

The metal section is generally more hard dirt than gravel. I have heard of B Kings traversing it and have seen Goldwings and big block Harleys coming through there so you shouldn't have any trouble.

There is no petrol between Taumarunui and Stratford so fill up before you head off the main road.

Stop at Whangamomona if the pub is open. Be sensible and you shouldn't have any problems.

[awayatc]

Done it various times on various bikes,

Only time it was a bit tricky, was in winter on way to cold Kiwi on big block Harley....

Heavy Rain made unpaved/gravel section quite slimy/slippery....

Tires got completely clogged up, which made for a interesting little mudwrestling stretch.....

[Laava]

Done it various times on various bikes,

Only time it was a bit tricky, was in winter on way to cold Kiwi on big block Harley....

Heavy Rain made unpaved/gravel section quite slimy/slippery....

Tires got completely clogged up, which made for a interesting little mudwrestling stretch.....

Yep, was like that when I went thru last! Early Dec last year. Plus it had just been re metalled and graded. Hard work on a little Buell!

[Banditbandit]

It's a good road. Treat it with respect and you'll be fine ... and take note of what everyone else said - it's a narrow country road and the local treat it as a farm track ...

[bluninja]

Done it on an Aprilia RSVR and my Vstrom. On the gravel there's a few bends and inclines and the 4x4s come the other way in the centre of the road at over 100. Just make sure you can see well ahead and ride at a speed that allows you to get out of the way safely when something does come the other way at speed. At the tops of a couple of the saddles there are a few places where the road has dropped away. Though they have been repaired it can be a bit unnerving to hit a big dip when you are well left and something is coming the other way.

Just relax and have some fun

[caseye]

Bunch of us went through there at Easter. 6 of us, various bikes and skill levels.
Signs mean what they say, opposing traffic is always going too fast and often on your side, but as others have said, stay alert and to the left and you should be fine.
Travel at a comfortable speed and enjoy the views, it was my first time through there same for the wife on her M50.Who led the rear element right through in amazingly bad weather, wind, rain, a bit of hail and most definitely wet,leaf covered and slippery roads, without a problem.
The Pub and the locals made the stop a good time, don't forget to get the Tee Shirt and have a feed, it's a bloody great destination and they need all the trade they can get.

[scumdog]

Went over it in my hot-rod '55 Ford truck with barely 100mm of ground-clearance. If I can do it safely in that vehicle it should be OK on a bike.

Keep left, watch for goats, turkeys and pigs out on the road and be careful on the level-crossings - oh, and take nothing for granted.

After the pub things are a lot easier.

[MadDuck]

I have been through there a few times without any worries. All from Stratford side heading up country.

UNTIL......last time. For once I was happy I am a girl and can get away with being one...lol. It was being graded and the big pile of gravel in the middle was too high for the ground clearance on my bike. There were many corners where we were directed to the other side of the road and it just wasnt happening. Thankfully it was a quieter time of the year and mostly locals on the road who seemed to see the look of exhaustion in my eyes. Many went around me and actually nodded.

Apart from that it is a road that is such fun to have an explore on. I plan to do it again. Just be prepared for the unexpected.

[DEVVIL]

What they all said. Also wild life running around Sheep, Goats, Pigs and lets not forget the Bee's (over summer)>
Awesome road, once you've done it any chance you get..............>