State Highway 38

[The Singing Chef]

Saw this on google maps and thought it would be an awesome ride...just googled it to find out that 100k's of it is unsealed...damn sports bike :crybaby: Imagine if it was sealed...could be the best road for bikers in NZ possibly?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_State_Highway_38

[Big Dave]

Depends - the fact that it's unsealed makes it more attractive to motorcyclists with vehicles best suited to NZ conditions.

Sports bikes are sooo yesterday.

[Road kill]

Nothing nice about that road,,sealed or not.
Wait for it:violin:

[Ender EnZed]

It's just a bit of gravel. HTFU and ride it, you'll be fine on a GSX or ZZR.

[cs363]

Depends - the fact that it's unsealed makes it more attractive to motorcyclists with vehicles best suited to NZ conditions.

Sports bikes are sooo yesterday.

You've been hanging around Vege waaaay too much! :yes:

[Big Dave]

You've been hanging around Vege waaaay too much! :yes:

Nah. I saw the light years ago.
Heavily policed 100 kph limit, road surfaces that wash away or melt, and the best riding places well off the beaten track.
Unless you are a track enthusist - where do you use a 200+ kph machine with a racing crouch?

[Berries]

Unless you are a track enthusist - where do you use a 200+ kph machine with a racing crouch?
Just reverse the numbers and you get State Highway 83.

[cs363]

Nah. I saw the light years ago.
Heavily policed 100 kph limit, road surfaces that wash away or melt, and the best riding places well off the beaten track.
Unless you are a track enthusist - where do you use a 200+ kph machine with a racing crouch?

Oh be all serious then! :p

Though to be honest you do have a point, my bike purchases have been getting a lot more sensible of late, certainly biggest/fastest/latest model doesn't really light my eyes up anymore.
They did warn me that you get sensible as you get older.....

[cs363]

Just reverse the numbers and you get State Highway 83.

Which would certainly be more suitable for said speeds, still wouldn't want to meet up with a traffic cop doing 200+ though, let alone a stray tractor or camper van at those sort of velocities.

[The Singing Chef]

It's just a bit of gravel. HTFU and ride it, you'll be fine on a GSX or ZZR.

Yea gravel is no problem for me, but i would much rather something that is a bit more suited to riding on gravel for such a long stretch of it.

[DR650gary]

Now there's a plan for Christmas holidays. :woohoo:

[Pussy]

[QUOTE=cs363;1130162302] my bike purchases have been getting a lot more sensible of later[QUOTE]

Shame the same can't be said about the one doing the purchasing....

[Kickaha]

I've done that road on a road bike back in 1989, I found it a very nice ride at the time, it was pretty easy despite the shingle

[cs363]

my bike purchases have been getting a lot more sensible of late

Shame the same can't be said about the one doing the purchasing....

Leave my bank manager out of this!

[The Singing Chef]

I've done that road on a road bike back in 1989, I found it a very nice ride at the time, it was pretty easy despite the shingle

That dates back a bit! it looks like it has some nice views, especially the lake!!

[insomnia01]

the alternative is to going from Murupara through the million dollar highway to Kawerau then Opotiki down through the Waioeka gorge turn off at Puketapu & hook up with Tiniroto rd :yes::yes::yes:

[The Singing Chef]

the alternative is to going from Murupara through the million dollar highway to Kawerau then Opotiki down through the Waioeka gorge turn off at Puketapu & hook up with Tiniroto rd :yes::yes::yes:

Yea i was just looking at that route, seems to be a good alternative!! could integrate it into an east cape ride :yes: :scooter::woohoo:

[misterO]

I made this mistake back in '91: "Look, honey- this shortcut will get us into Rotorua in no time". After riding for several dusty hours we finally came onto sealed road and cheered, but it went back to gravel around the very next corner. An hour later, we hit a stretch of sealed road and again we cheered. Back to gravel. Sigh. When at last we found ourselves on a real road there was no celebration. We eventually made it to Rotorua that night but I slept in the doghouse.:facepalm:

[pete376403]

Great bit of road; did that a few of weeks ago as our alternative to going to the cold kiwi (taking the MMMMM route.) Saw some guys on heavy tourers (BMW K bikes) with pillions heading the other way, they didn't seem too bovvered

Does have nice views of the lake, too.

[The Singing Chef]

Great bit of road; did that a few of weeks ago as our alternative to going to the cold kiwi (taking the MMMMM route.) Saw some guys on heavy tourers (BMW K bikes) with pillions heading the other way, they didn't seem too bovvered

Does have nice views of the lake, too.

Hmm may as well give it a go hey :yes:

[Laava]

I recommend you do it! I did it 2up with full luggage and it was a piece of piss! Lovely views as well.

[Ender EnZed]

Hmm may as well give it a go hey :yes:

Just don't run out of petrol in there...

[The Singing Chef]

Just don't run out of petrol in there...

<_< I may need a bigger tank, or a more fuel conservative bike :-) or just carry extra haha

[Kickaha]

I made this mistake back in '91: "Look, honey- this shortcut will get us into Rotorua in no time".

:lol: That was the same mistake I made, still made for a good ride

[Coolz]

Travelled that road in the seventies.There was a roadsign at the beginning recomending 4wd only.It also said cars would possibly not be covered by their insurance companies.Was pretty rough,crater size potholes and large rocks around blind corners.

[trustme]

There is petrol at the Waikaremoana camp ground.
I have done the road a few times, some in mid winter, first time 2 up on a Kawasaki 650 in the early 80's.
It's not that hard, just take your time
Even in conditions like this the road was OK
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