I got one year - starting on the 14th of october

[charlymelon]

Hey gals & guys,

I'm Charly, living in Germany at the moment. I'm coming to Auckland on the 14th of october with the intention of stayin about a year in NZ and having the best time pssible.
My plan is to get a bike as quick as possible, because I do NOT intend to stay in AKL - just don't like the city that much... Problems could be, that I neither have an idea, how to find a used bike that I can afford, nor know what way I should go from Auckland... Probably headed up north, though, and coming back south to Wellington later. Depends on where I can find a job...
Is here anyone who can give me an advise on getting cheap bikes near Auckland? I know next to nothing about motorcycles. :whistle: Got my licence 6 weeks ago (in germany) and miss riding...
Who wants to help me find an affordable bike?

Thanks, Charly

[Edbear]

Bikes are plentiful here and you're going to get a lot of advice on the best bike.

What work are you looking for?

Are you a Kiwi returning home for a bit? Doesn't quite sound like it but you seem fairly familiar with NZ.

[p.dath]

Check out the New to New Zealand section on the Wiki as well.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Category:New_to_New_Zealand

[Indiana_Jones]

Oh dear, a 19 year old girl on KB.....lol

There's heaps of bikes floating around here in Auckland (and the rest of the country), Good luck with your search and trip :)

-Indy

[Pedrostt500]

Welcome to KB, There will be plenty of young guys along shortly ready to offer you lots of help, check ot Trade Me, its the New Zealand version of Ebay, Figure out what you can afford, how much you want to spend on bike gear, also what type of riding you would like to do.
KB'ers are a friendly lot so you will probably get offers of accomadation up and down the country.

[AD345]

Got bike licence about 6 weeks ago.

"know next to nothing about motorbikes"

Travelling across the globe to a country where they drive on the other side of the road.

Travelling from a country with one of the best driving public in the developed world to one of the worst.

The first thing you want to do is get a bike and travel up one of the worst sections of the busiest highways in a month with the most unsetttled weather....


hey, good luck with that.

[YellowDog]

Hello Charly asnd welcome.

New Zealand is a strange place for a 19 year old to come for a good time :) but as you are heading here, then I am sure you will have a great time.

If you are looking for biking bargains, look in the local newspapers when you get here. However most motorcikes are bought and sold on:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryListings.aspx?mcat=0001-0026-

It's the Kiwi version of eBay.

Just enter the make/model in the search box and see what comes up.

Good luck to you.

[charlymelon]

hey,

thanks everyone.
Just to clarify the specifics: I've been to NZ for 6 months three years ago, and I like it, that's why I decided to come back again. I am not leaving the streets of Germany because I want to ride on worse streets; since I am going to NZ anyways and already got the license, I figured that I could as well get a bike... Uhm, by the way, it's not exactly my fault that I'm 19, not 37 :whocares:
I'm gonna have a look at trademe, thanks for that. Looking for some a small allrounder for newbies, Honda cbf125 for exmple...

Cheers, Charly

[LBD]

hey,

Uhm, by the way, it's not exactly my fault that I'm 19, not 37 :whocares:
Cheers, Charly

Enjoy being 19....you will be 37 soon enough.

I expect you have friends or family to visit over here?

[charlymelon]

I didn't say I'd want to be 37 :lol:

nope, got no family in NZ, except my former hostfamily in christchurch. Two friends are studying in Wellington...

[YellowDog]

Because you are 19 and not 37, you will not have any trouble finding friends :lol:

[Indiana_Jones]

Because you are 19 and not 37, you will not have any trouble finding friends :lol:

What he said lol

I have room in my bed lol ^_^

-Indy

[charlymelon]

Oh thanks indiana,
Guess I'm gonna take all the space in the bed, sure you got a sofa, too :-P

Don't think you find friends easier with 19 than with 37 - you only find more guys who want to share their beds (and bodies) with you
:wari:

One week and one day left. Gotta think about what to pack

[danchop]

if your serious about getting a bike to travel on,im in auckland and currently not working and very bored so if you want i could take you around a few shops to get an idea what might suit you as it will give me an excuse to get off my arse and do something,ive worked in bikeshops a very good part of my life and im quite near that magic 37 year number,but i am gay,pm me if your interested

[Rickie]

Yo,

Nothing wrong with going across the world when you're young...

I stayed in Australia for 9 months when I was 20, travelled there with £1500 with no plans, no friends, no family, no job and just a bag.

Best time ever! Good luck charlymelon!

[Sharry]

Take up danchop's offer as you will need a reliable bike that won't break down on you too quickly. Also if you are touring the country you may be better with a 250. CB or VTR maybe.

Have search of the forum on maintanence to know what to expect on regular maintanence while you'r travelling.

[charlymelon]

Hey danchop,

that sounds really cool (though I seriously don't care about you sexual orientation or your age^^). The only prob is: I can't PM, probably because I'm too new in here or something. Stoopid.
Mayebe someone could tell me what I must do to be able to PM?

@ rickie: Yep, that sounds just like the perfect time to me. live in the day, see what happens. Thanks =)

@ sharry: yep, that's what I was thinking

[Hanne]

Hallo Charly,
Ich habe dir ein Mail geschickt, bin jetzt wieder in Auckland (nicht Freiburg... Schade! Deutschland ist doch so schön!).
Es wäre schön, wenn wir uns treffen könnten :D
Alles Gute,
Hanne

[charlymelon]

thanks, got the PM... check your inbox ;-)

[charlymelon]

Hello, here I am again...

After sailing from Whangarei to Queensland in November I explored it over here a bit.... And really liked it! Travelling seems to be the perfet life for me. Since I still wanna bike New Zealand I'll get back there in about 2 weeks. Gotta start looking for bth, a bike and a job.

See yas soon!

[CookMySock]

I would suggest you bought some newer bike with low km's from a dealer. Hopefully you will have no problems with that.

Kiwis can be a little unreliable to buy an older bike from.

Steve

[charlymelon]

Hey Steve,

I guess yu're right... But I just don't have the financial means to get a new bike. I don't know about the prices in New Zealand, but I am sure II cannot afford anything new and shiny =(
So I just hope to get lucky.

Thanks, Charly

[breakaway]

What's your budget?

[charlymelon]

Depends on how much more money I spend till I get back to NZ, but I guess about 4000 bucks.

[woodybee]

Mate you be careful of the preying men in NZ...................spent 5 years there............back in the UK for a year now, but will be back over to the long white cloud soon enough............dont believe everything they tell you mate

[charlymelon]

Uhm yeah. I know. Thank you but.
Buying ANYTHING in NZ can be dodgy.... But probably that's the case in most countries.
Have fun in GB.

It feels weird to be back in NZ. Just arrived in Auckland an hour ago... Hope to get out of here soon. Just need to find a bike first^^

[charlymelon]

Just to update this - I got my honda CB250F weeks ago, thanks to Danchop for helping me get started.
Left Auckland two days ago. Thanks to Clare and Warren in Hamilton.
In Napier now, heading towards Palmerston North or Woodville today, Wellington tomorrow.... Don't want to go too far on one day, rather take my time and enjoy the places I go.
Next I'll try to fond a job in Welly for a short while, my savings are used up.
Anyone who wants to employ me? I'd do a lot of things^^ Preferably painting houses.... Or gardening.... Or whatever^^

Cheers

[bogan]

Just to update this - I got my honda CB250F weeks ago, thanks to Danchop for helping me get started.
Left Auckland two days ago. Thanks to Clare and Warren in Hamilton.
In Napier now, heading towards Palmerston North or Woodville today, Wellington tomorrow.... Don't want to go too far on one day, rather take my time and enjoy the places I go.
Next I'll try to fond a job in Welly for a short while, my savings are used up.
Anyone who wants to employ me? I'd do a lot of things^^ Preferably painting houses.... Or gardening.... Or whatever^^

Cheers

Welcome to NZ, enjoy the autumn weather :lol:
If the weather is decent (well relatively) when you go from woodville to palmerston, I would recomend the saddle road route, nice windy road with good views, just take it easier as there is often loose gravel on some parts.

[charlymelon]

Thanks, I'm in Woodville right now, but I'll not go to Palmerston.... Head to Masterton instead I think, Castlepoint from there...

[bogan]

I've heard good things bout the castlepoint ride, and I know the rumitakas are good, though I think theres a bit more yellow lines than last time I went. enjoy!

[Skinon]

Come to Queenstown for the winter best place to b during winter! can hook u up accom n stuff, and before you think im being dodgy, well actually who am i kidding? im dodgey as heeeeeell! :spanking:

[charlymelon]

yeah, castlepoint was good, though the wind was quite annoying...
I'm in Wellington now, trying to find a job.


Queenstown.... yeah, sooner or later I will be there! Dodgey is always better than boring, so see you there :-D

[Rickie]

Hey charly,

How'd you find getting work there? You been to Auckland?

From my experience checking hostel notice boards is always helpful for casual cash in hand work.

Best of luck.

Rickie

[charlymelon]

It absolutely sucks. I've been to Auckland but didn't really look for work there.
Been in Wellington for almost 3 weeks now, just doesn't seem to work. Every time I think I'll get the job, something happens and it doesn't work out. Or they first seem really keen and then tell me no when I call back.
Pretty much gave up Welly now, going to Nelson or somewhere in that direction on thursday or friday. Hopefully I'll find something there. Maybe work in a vinyard or something.
I found,that putting up notices in supermarkets is quite helpful.... Hostel notice board often only have only sales jobs.
I wanna paint houses.... Or do gardening.... Or do anything, but I'd prefer not to have to talk people into buying shitty products that I'd not buy myself^^
Thanks, I hope I find something very soon, need cash for tyres!

Charly

[MyGSXF]

pm sent Charly :yes:

[charlymelon]

pm sent Charly :yes:Thanks!


Yeah, looks like I'm not gonna stay in Nelson for long,heading on to Kaikoura. Will be in Nelson on sunday though.....And I'm not sure, if there's a good job opportunity coming up in Nelson, I'm gonna grab that and be very happy. Otherwise, Kaikoura....

[charlymelon]

Hi,

I ended up not going to Nelson, things changed.
Now I'm staying north of Kaikoura for a while, in Kekerengu, then go down to Christchurch.
MyGSXF thanks for trying to help me out!!! Maybe on my way back I'll be able to meet you, would be nice.

[Warr]

......, in Kekerengu......
Nice cafe .. Is there really anything else there ? :)

[Rickie]

Hey Charley,

So have you bought your own bike then? If so what is she? :)

Sounds pretty cool what you're doing!

In a bit,

Rickie

[MyGSXF]

No worries chick.. keep my number in your phone:niceone:

Hope you've got somewhere warm to stay.. Winter seems to have arrived!!!! :cold::crazy:

Take care!! :hug:

[charlymelon]

Hey Charley,

So have you bought your own bike then? If so what is she? :)

Sounds pretty cool what you're doing!

In a bit,

Rickie


yep, cbf250 have had it for a while.... its a "he" though, I think, pretty unusual for a bike ;-)

[charlymelon]

yeah, kekerengu has about 3 houses apart from the cafe..... Stayed there and helped putting a roof on the house of my freinds father's house.
Now I'm in Kaikoura till tomorrow, then a day or so in Hanmer and then, finally, Christchurch. Looking forward to seeing my friends there and hope I can finally find paid work....
YEah, it's freezing and wet all the time, but oh well. I will survive.

[Neshi]

too bad I found this thread this late.. Could have showed you around in welly!

Nice choice on the bike, got the same one (although its a 2008) and it's a great bike to get around on.

[charlymelon]

Sweet.
Yeah, I like Wellington...

News:
Rented a van in CHristchurch with my friend, exploring the South now.
Went the typical touristy ways: Akaroa, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Cannibal bay (ok, not so typical maybe), Invercargill, Bluff, Te Anau, Milford sound, Mossburn (had to stop because the gas station was closed...), Queenstown.... And that's where we are now. It's cold.
But very pretty.
Will go back to Christchurch to bring van back and get my bike - I already miss it heaps.
I will have to sell it soon though, because I wanna go to Australia enjoy the warmth for a change =)
All depending on whether or not I find a job though....

So long CHarly

[charlymelon]

Selling my bike.
298264864 on TradeMe.
I'm sad...

[MyGSXF]

All the best on your travels chick.. :wavey: come back again in the warmer months.. much nicer on a bike! :scooter:

[charlymelon]

thanks.
yeah maybe if I can afford it.... But Asia is on top of my to-do list now.
Auction finishes in a couple of hours, I'm excited. My little baby bike is gonna leave me.... But I'll be ok.