North Island motorcycle touring?

[blb198]

hi there me and my wife are looking at doing a north island tour on our FZ1 road bike but need some information on what some good places to ride are (non gravel) and some good places to stay with off-road parking and if anyone is interested let me know as i just bought a seat upgrade for it so if anyone wants to see some pics ill post them up
cheershttp://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/icons/icon14.png

[Maha]

The San Marino Motor Lodge at Coopers beach is an outstanding place to stay...25 of us stayed there for two nights on a recent trip up north.
All bike were under cover.
Dont worry about the rates, mention that you know us and the owners will see to it that you are looked after.
http://www.sanmarino.co.nz/

[Pedrostt500]

I normaly pick up a copy of the Back Packers hostel book, BBH world traveller acomadation, NZ, free at most back packers, it will tell you wich ones have off street parking, rates each back packers on a percentage rating, 0 very bad to 100% very good.
You may also meet some interesting people.
Pick roads that are not state high way 1.

[pritch]

The New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas cost less than $40.00 last time I looked but is worth its weight in gold (so to speak).

There are reports of many North Island rides hereabout, some quite recent. :whistle:

[grbaker]

Pick roads that are not state high way 1. +1

Highways 36, 50, 27, 3-45-3, 57-56-54,

Other rides:

Masterton to Riversdale or Castlepoint (book a house or caravan a day or 2 before hand).
Opotiki to Gisborne by the gorge SH2... great ride.. so is Gisborn to Napier.
Forgotten Highway off HW3.



Nice towns to stay in: (we like the quiet places to stay even it if means taking our own beer)

MataMata on hw 27 (nice selection of resturants and clubs)
Bayview Motor camp in north Napier.
Ohope Top Ten (off season only cos its mental there any holiday period)
Whatuwhiwhi Top Ten



Other must see:

Paua Fritter from Nuhaka Fish&Chip shop... best I have ever tried.... ever.
Mahia Beach after you have had Fish&Chips from Nuhaka.
If you are staying in Whatuwhiwhi then pop in to Mangonui for Fish&Chips and for the famouse feeding of the fish show at night.