Crap, here comes another American.

[Harvey Mushman]

Don't worry good Kiwis, I'm only visiting. You're already stuck with my brother who came to Nelson and never left. I joined your forum on his suggestion.
Let me start with my heartfelt condolences over your losses in Christchurch. I hope and pray that it is a one time event for your beautiful country.
My wife and I are hoping to visit for roughly 3 weeks next February/ March. We really don't have plans as of yet. We are NOT city people and likely will only visit the south island. There is a chance that we will rent a camper for 2 weeks, a car for 1, and then maybe I will stay an extra week to rent a motorcycle and have some solo fun. I've owned most every kind of motorcycle and honestly love my FJR1300 more than anything else I've ridden. I'd love to have the same bike there. I might consider camping with a tent while on the bike. If I do this alone I am not afraid of higher mileage days. I know that I won't get to visit often so I'd like to see as much as can be enjoyed reasonably. I'm looking mostly for suggestions on where to rent from at this time. Mark rides a Tiger over there so I assume that he should know most of the decent roads to play on, but I'm certainly open to suggestions. I'm sure to be picking your brains over the next 11 months.
Thanks you for your time,
Harvey

[Motu]

Welcome Harvey - see you on any Sunday.

[Harvey Mushman]

Thank you. Good to see someone get the screen name right away.

[shafty]

Hi Harvey and Welcome!

You probably know this already, but you'll wish you came for longer!

One of your Countrymen has just left after 6 weeks riding my ST13 around (see http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/133231-Coming-to-New-Zealand-for-a-6-week-tour-(Jan-Feb-2011) )

I agree the FJR is one heck of a bike.

I'll be doing a South Island trip about then, may bump in to you.

All the best

Pete

[Ocean1]

Hi Harvey.

The North Island isn't exactly wall to wall city, dude, but with the time you've got I'd be spending all of it down south too.

Plenty of wordz here in the forem of SI tour reports. Read. Ask.

See you then.

[davebullet]

Welcome Harvey. I know you will have an enjoyable time.

PS: We're a pretty helpful lot if full of shit most of the time. It's just our way (British sarcasm mostly). If any Kiwi's don't treat you right, tell them I will kick their arse.

[Harvey Mushman]

Wow Thanks to all for the advice and links. It looks like I've got lots of reading to do today with the links within the links. I've already spotted a 8 day south island loop that I want to study.
Ocean1- I do realize the north island isn't all city. I'm still a working guy and have to budget my time. Riding and scenery is what I want this to be about. Oh yeah, a beer with my brother would be OK too.
Shafty- Your posts here and in some links are very helpful but your avatar seems to be a bit distracting to me. Maybe it would help if they bounced up and down?:blip:

[Ocean1]

I'm still a working guy...

Ah yes, the curse of the drinking class.


Riding and scenery is what I want this to be about.

One got-to-do: Te Anau-Milford-Te Anau.

Milford's a dead end, and there's no alternative return. You get to piss around admiring the scenery on the way in and enjoy the ride on the way out. I tried doing both at the same time but it doesn't work too good.

[Metastable]

Welcome Harvey - see you on any Sunday.
:D
Damn, McQueen is ALIVE!!!!! Check the link below. Is that bitch'n or what? Dude had an FIM licence.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jw4HovR5F6s/TEsIQeLhUsI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/YxBPe7QL6ZM/s1600/McQueen_license.jpg

Anyhoo, if you get the chance to ride, do so. I visited in the winter and was wishing for a bike. Don't discount the North Island because of too many people..... although time might make it a constraint for you.

Also, keep in mind that the time it takes for you to cover distances in NZ is a bit different than on I-90. We would often stay in a Bach or Batch .... which is like a cottage, often near the beach and they were reasonably priced. We didn't bother with the camper, we just had a little Toyota rental and we were traveling with our 10month old at the time.
http://www.bookabach.co.nz/ was a great resource for us.

Oh also keep in mind MOTELs in NZ usually have cooking/fridge in the rooms.
http://www.jasons.co.nz/ was a link give to me by a member of this site.

[ADKiwi]

Hey there, big brother!

Great to see you on here, planning for the trip. I'm really looking forward to seeing what sort of advice you get on here.

I think the advice on renting baches is a good one that I wouldn't have come up with.

Thanks to everyone in advance for their help. It'll be a great to be riding around here with "harv" again. Too bad brother #1 isn't coming out with him. (The big dork)

[Harvey Mushman]

That's 'cause the oldest brother is a Harley pirate. Too busy chasing the local wimmins. Who knows. maybe I can talk him into it by then. I'll be dragging his sorry arse (See, I'm learnin' Kiwi!) for a couple thousand miles down the BRP next month. Right now I'm busy readying a bunch of bikes to sell. I have to build up the travel fund.
Thank you to everyone for the help. Keep them coming...

[Metastable]

Hey I'm pretty far from an expert in Kiwi travel, but if you have any questions shoot them over..... things are still fresh in my head since we went this past August.... but things fade fast ya know. :D

BTW - I don't feel sorry for you/your brother doing the BRP because it is a nice ride, but tell him it is a disappointment compared to the roads in New Zealand. I saw a guy ripping it up on a Sportster in the Coromandel (North Island).... it was cool.... I was jealous. Dunno if you guys done the BRP before, tell him to watch out for the giant turkeys.... they're big. Are you guys starting off at Skyline Drive?

Also - if you like doing trackdays, we usually hit up Mid-Ohio once a year. If you are interested let me know and I can let you know when we head on down. I'm about an hour and a bit from Buffalo.

Here is my trip recap with photos.... fyi you will need to scroll up a bit to read the recap:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/127238-Wow-man-you-guys-have-an-awesome-country!?p=1129834320#post1129834320

[jasonu]

Eat some snapper (fish) and chips and a meat pie or 2. Try the local (proper) bacon too. You'll never leave!