New Member: Blair (Auckland) and a few questions (blairnz)

[blairnz]

Hi folk,

I'm an Aucklander that's recently moved back to New Zealand from living mostly in the UK most of the last 13+ years with bits of time in other parts of Europe and India.

I rode a Suzuki GSX600F as my first bike in early 2000, and my last bike in the UK was a Suzuki GSX R 600 before it was stolen as what seemed to be a precursor to the UK riots and the decision for me to return to New Zealand for a better 'quality of life'.

I picked up an old 1998 Honda VFR 800 yesterday for cheap from someone that had dropped it and was now a family man and wasn't allowed bikes anymore. It needs a bit of loving.

A few things as I recently returned and I never rode in NZ before:
1 - Registration here is double that of my car - what's up with that? It was a small fraction of the cost of a car in the UK.

2 - I'm going to get a replacement fairing for the bike on the dropped side. Race Evolution looks good and fairly priced. Any feedback from anyone on it? http://www.raceevolution.co.nz/16/parttpl/shopproduct_details/6251

3 - Parking in the CBD. Can someone point me to a guideline of what I can and cannot do, and where I can and cannot park?

4 - Where's the best place for a full service in Auckland (I live central and work out near Mt Wellington)? I want to get the bike in a trustworthy state for a long ride ASAP but I won't have any free time to work on it for a month.

5 - Does anyone here kite board/kite surf?

Thanks for your time. :)

[iYRe]

1. ACC levies.. no matter if you havent had a bike accident in 30 years, you are responsible for costing the country money.
(note, even though you pay more than anyone else, doesnt mean you'll get paid out in event of an injury - they refuse to cover my 14k's woth of shoulder surgery *sigh*)

2. No idea

3. I work in the CBD and I have no idea.. I get tickets in places it seems i shouldnt, and none in places I thought I would..

4. Motorcycle Doctors (http://www.motorcycle-doctors.co.nz)

5. not me.. I do a bit of cycling though (powered and non)

[gonzo_akl]

You can park for free in the auckland city parking buildings - there are also designated on street car parks
see this link
http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/moving-around/parking/WherecanIpark/Pages/Motorcycle-Parking-CBD.aspx

[blairnz]

Thanks everyone.

I have used Motorcycle Doctors a few times to get the old bike ready to ride and they have been awesome. They definitely gave me the cheapest quotes and came out and did things at my home at good times for me.

After all the work has been done, including importing new tube forks sent over from the USA, I'm ready to go get the Warrant of Fitness and Registration tomorrow and finally ride my VFR!

[f2dz]

You can park for free in the auckland city parking buildings - there are also designated on street car parks
see this link
http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/moving-around/parking/WherecanIpark/Pages/Motorcycle-Parking-CBD.aspx

You don't mean buildings like Wilson's when you say that though do you?

I park in the same building for work every weekday and that's the Chancery St carpark, entry from Bacon's Lane. Other than that, I've only ever parked behind a line of park cars in a pay and display area but I'm a bit hesitant to make a habit out of that in case someone knocks my bike over.

Can't help you with those other points sorry, but welcome back to NZ anyway! Hopefully see you at SASS tomorrow. :)

[blairnz]

I'll keep the non-Tournament, non-Wilsons car parks in mind in the CBD. I often do dance and language lessons in Durham Street East in town in the evenings after work. I look forward to taking my bike in to those rather than my car now. :)