Canadian wanting to ride NZ ( Dec - April )

[BToxic]

Hello there,

I'm planning a trip to NZ for a few months and am very eager to buy a dual purpose motorcycle to travel around on.

I was hoping to locate a KLR650 or similar.

I'm 6'9" and close to 300lbs ( without gear ), so smaller is not preferred for obvious reasons. =) I'll also have to strap a 90 Liter backpack to the framework.

I'm hoping to find something around $3000.

I'm also hoping to sell it before I leave in mid-April.

I'll be in Auckland at the beginning of December.

Any help or suggestions on where I could start looking (from Canada ) with this would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks, and good riding,

BT

[Waxxa]

try Mt Eden Motorcycles, I know they have a second hand KLR in store at the moment or Trademe (auction site) or Kiwi Rider magazine

[R-Soul]

Probbaly the best place to look for vehicles - at least as an indication of price - is on www.trademe.co.nz

it is a very popular Kiwi version of Ebay. Dealers also advertise on it.

[BToxic]

Unfortunately I can only look at trademe.co.nz .

I cannot register my account as I'm not a resident of NZ or Aust.
Not the end of the world, but it's always good to know of stores and listings in print.

[Firefight]

hey dude welcum,

do you know waylander ?


F/F

[BToxic]

I was directed here from some other kiwi forums by RantyDave. There are very few people I know in NZ, but the list of people I know *of* is slowly growing =)

[CrazyFrog]

Hello there,

I'm planning a trip to NZ for a few months and am very eager to buy a dual purpose motorcycle to travel around on.

I was hoping to locate a KLR650 or similar.

I'm 6'9" and close to 300lbs ( without gear ), so smaller is not preferred for obvious reasons. =) I'll also have to strap a 90 Liter backpack to the framework.

I'm hoping to find something around $3000.

I'm also hoping to sell it before I leave in mid-April.

I'll be in Auckland at the beginning of December.

Any help or suggestions on where I could start looking (from Canada ) with this would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks, and good riding,

BT

Are you intending spending $3000 Canadian or NZD? You may be hard pushed to find a KLR in that price range, perhaps an XT600E -albeit with higher kms.
KLR's are big and comfy, but also hold their value well, as they were priced very cheap from new here.
There is a few early model BMW F650's around for approx NZD $5000, which are bulletproof and some have panniers with them.
The Suzuki DR650 may be another model to consider. Try this for starters:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-248674487.htm
or
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-250604010.htm
or maybe this beastie....
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-249269452.htm

Like the other guys have said, use Trademe as a market value research tool, and a lot of listings have phone numbers listed, so you can often finalise sales privately (not online). If you need someone local to inspect any particular machine, try posting in the Adventure forum here.

Good luck in your quest, once you've purchased, current registration costs are around $160 (6 months), Cert of vehicle fitness $35 (6 months), and insurance is optional - not compulsory, but obviously recommended. Third party insurance cover is always quite cheap.

You're gonna love riding here BTW.:woohoo:

[kerryhare]

If you are in Christchurch get in touch. :scooter:

[BToxic]

Thanks! those are awesome suggestions that I will follow up on (esp. the insurance), the XRV750 is one of my other choices.

The budget I have set up is a little on the low side, I know, but if I find the right bike I'd be willing to spend a little more. Don't want to spend all of my "having fun" money, but for riding I'll make an exception. =)

I may start a thread on here about where I'll be, so I can take advantage of the local view on roads and paths.

[BiK3RChiK]

Thanks! those are awesome suggestions that I will follow up on (esp. the insurance), the XRV750 is one of my other choices.

The budget I have set up is a little on the low side, I know, but if I find the right bike I'd be willing to spend a little more. Don't want to spend all of my "having fun" money, but for riding I'll make an exception. =)

I may start a thread on here about where I'll be, so I can take advantage of the local view on roads and paths.

Dood, if you are in the Eastern Bay of Plenty area at all, flick us a PM........

[BToxic]

I have 4.5 months to go anywhere I want.... of course I'll let you know =)

[R-Soul]

You will really enjoy riding here in summer- awesome roads (pretty much all of it twisty) and great views and stunning scenery. A two man tent and a blow up mattress will do for some good camping (although camping vacancies may be scarce in Dec/Jan.

[BToxic]

A blow up mattress seems decadent in comparison to what I was planning; but still a good idea. I was going to do some multi-day tramps as well, and a blow up mattress would be a bit on the take-up-too-much-space side. However, it could stay with the bike.

Anyone have any Hostel experience(s) that I should be on the look out for?

I've asked many groups this question. No good info about hostel's down there, lots of suggestions about Europe though.

[BiK3RChiK]

Backpackers are popular here in kiwiland. I think security may be your biggest concern, with it being your responsibility to make sure all your gear is tucked up tight. Unfortunately, some tourists think that NZ is safe to leave all their stuff just any old where, but, losers abound here as elsewhere...

Any rate, you'd be most welcome to come and visit us if you were in the vicinity, and I'm sure some accommodation could be sorted, even on the spur of the moment.

You'll have fun here.........

edit: Oh, and there's campgrounds aplenty, both of the paying and free variety.

[BToxic]

I thought as much. Canada doesn't have the patent on doushbaggery.... I know a friend who's in Aussieland and had her passport,wallet,and camera stolen. I'd like to do my best to avoid that =)

[YellowDog]

Hey BToxic and welcome.

Secondhand bikes do seem to be expensive in NZ when compared with other countries however: IMO - You can safely increase your budget and et a better bike.

Bikes may be expensive however your accomodation and eating out costs will shock you (in a good way).

So far as security goes, it is all quite relative.IMO - There are fewer safer countries in the world and crime is reletively low. BUT if you don't lock your like up safely at night...............

The Kiwis are as welcoming as the Canadians and if you want someone to check out a bike for you before you get here, just post a new thread.

Good luck.

[R-Soul]

I thought as much. Canada doesn't have the patent on doushbaggery.... I know a friend who's in Aussieland and had her passport,wallet,and camera stolen. I'd like to do my best to avoid that =)

Mate I am an immigrant, and I was amazed when I arrived here to see signs reminding people to lock their car "Remember, unlocked cars tempt crime".

I had to laugh, cause where I am from, anything left remotely accessible is called a "donation".

There are a few opportunists around, but mostly petty crime, and nothing remotely professional about it.

[R-Soul]

I thought as much. Canada doesn't have the patent on doushbaggery.... I know a friend who's in Aussieland and had her passport,wallet,and camera stolen. I'd like to do my best to avoid that =)

Oh and another thing- even in summer, you do get quite a bit of rain - you might want to try and get hold of a bike with a bit of weather protection. In Auckland it is hot (errrm... ok 24 degrees Celsius) and muggy and humid. Its tough to ride with a heavy jacket. Rather bring one with a removable liner.

And far down south (Invercargill is still pretty cold) it is generally colder - although Chiristchurch and Dunedin have been known to have 40 degree Celsius days during summer (but not as humid). More extreme temperature swings there as the land mass influences the weather more.

To sum it up, be prepared for pretty much anything. :cold:

[naphazoline]

Welcome to KB BToxic.:sunny:

[BToxic]

Oh and another thing- even in summer, you do get quite a bit of rain - you might want to try and get hold of a bike with a bit of weather protection. In Auckland it is hot (errrm... ok 24 degrees Celsius) and muggy and humid. Its tough to ride with a heavy jacket. Rather bring one with a removable liner.

And far down south (Invercargill is still pretty cold) it is generally colder - although Chiristchurch and Dunedin have been known to have 40 degree Celsius days during summer (but not as humid). More extreme temperature swings there as the land mass influences the weather more.

To sum it up, be prepared for pretty much anything. :cold:



That's the nice thing about riding up here year round. I have more wet/cold riding experience than I do for hot/dry. The summer here really only lasts 2-4 weeks =)

[Ypawa]

Welcome to KB..BToxic... hope you enjoy your stay when you arrive, ride safe,take care dude...most of all...have a gr8 holiday cos im sure it`ll be a blast for you... :niceone::yes: