Waikaremoana on a road bike?

[crash99]

Hey guys - thinking of ticking the Lake Waikaremoana Road off the list - whats the road generally like in terms of surface and condition?
Cheers

[Jantar]

I did it in 1973 on a GT380. It was in very good condition, hard packed with good gravel and only moderate corragations. May have changed a bit since then.

[Ender EnZed]

I went through at Christmas. It's easily do-able on a road bike; just look out for loose livestock and boat-towing 4wds all over the road.

[Kickaha]

Well in 1987 it was an easy ride on a BMW R75/7, the road surface may well of changed since then

[paturoa]

Post a question in this thread. They should know.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/149712-Minginui-Matawai-Motu-Midwinter-Madness-Ride-28-29-July-2012?highlight=minginui

[duckonin]

Well back in 1952 !!!

[jellywrestler]

i've done it on an RF900 was a tough ride but well worth, the hornet is more upright riding position so should be a breeze

[Voltaire]

Watch out for terrorists...:rolleyes:

[Crisis management]

I do this ride (the MMMM ride) every winter and the road varies considerable dependant on what they have laid down and how much rain & snow there has been, however it's a public road so why not do it? I would readily take a road bike over it but expect paint chips, mud and a few arse puckering moments, just like any other gravel road.

[Laava]

I did it 2up, no sweat, on the V Strom bout 4yrs ago.

[fridayflash]

i've done it on an RF900 was a tough ride but well worth, the hornet is more upright riding position so should be a breeze

+1

ive also done it on an rf900 two-up with luggage and it was fine
ive done it on a variety of chook chasers over the years too
ranging from road tyres to full knobs...no dramas either way
interestingly the fastest guys ive seen riding thru there was
neil on a katana 1100...gotta love those 19" fronts huh!

[MarkW]

It's a public road, narrow and very winding in the central part. Condition depends on when the grader last went through, the weather and traffic.

I've done it on a Suzuki GT550, a Honda CB750/4, a Suzuki GS450, a BMW K100RS, a Suzuki RG500 and at least twice on a Honda NTV600 with no problems at all.

The price of gas at the Waikaremoana store may make your eyes water so fill up in Wairoa or Rotorua before you do the ride.

The scenery is spectacular.

Enjoy.

[Shadowjack]

Done it twice over the last three years in the TDM850 - thoroughly enjoyed it. Great piece of road.

[CookMySock]

Upright bike should be alright if you are prepared to dawdle along for hours and enjoy the scenery. Anything with low bars won't be fun at all.