South Island recommendations required

[grubbytech]

I'm going to be riding around the South island in January & would like some recommendations for bike hire, accommodation, roads to ride that sort of thing.
Also if you'd like to meet a Brit biker & his lovely wife whilst we're touring that'd be great too.

[southern_blade]

Hi, there are a number of options, personally I would suggest flying into queenstown, plenty of places to hire bikes there (google search : queenstown motorcycle hire). As for roads from Queenstown, head up over the crown range, through wanaka, lake hawea and up the west coast. Depending on your time frames from there I would suggest two options:

Option 1:
You could either carry on up the coast over to Nelson, around through blenheim and back down the east coast to Christchurch. From there head inland to Darfield and then down the centre of the Island through Geraldine, Lake Tekapo, Twizel down to Cromwell then back through the gorge to Queenstown or

Option 2:
If you are limited for time, skip the top of the South island and from the west coast head over Arthurs pass to Darfield and follow the same route as option 1 back to Queenstown

There are so many variables though, you might want to head south from queenstown and check out Milford etc then follow the Southern Scenic Route around the bottom of the south and back up to Dunedin, you could go anywhere. But as far as seeing some awesome scenery, a fantastic mix of twisty road with wide open straights in massive valleys, my best advice would be the route I suggested!

Good luck

[Jantar]

For the roads to ride I would strongly recommend this book http://www.twistingthrottle.com/twisting-throttle-new-zealand.html . It has most of the best roads and is written in a light hearted way.

[unstuck]

Heaps of awesome roads, heaps of awesome places to stay, heaps of awesome people to meet up with. In summer accommodation may prove to be a little trickier to obtain, but there are lots of places away from the crowds to choose from. :Punk::Punk:

[grubbytech]

Well part one is done & dusted, flights booked! Next step bike hire & accommodation. Enduro Touring looks favourite for bike hire, I take it they're ok?

[Jantar]

Before you confirm any accomodation bookings post your intended route and itinery on here. Many of us have spare rooms available that you are welcome to use when in the the area.

As long as I'm not working night shift when you are in Central Otago you and your wife are welcome to stay at our place.

[grubbytech]

Hi Jantar
That's really kind of you. We'll give that some consideration.
The bike is now booked, a DL1000 from Te Wapounamu. Really easy folks to do business with it would seem so far.
Now all I need to have is some information from my stepson as to what he's going be up to (He's working in Queenstown) so we can plan our itinerary.
Getting quite excited now:2thumbsup

[Gremlin]

Also have a look in this sub-forum, as many visitors ask for some route advice: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/forumdisplay.php/63-Coming-or-Going-or-Visitors-in-NZ

[the oldstuff]

Just rode cheviot to culverden via random spur road. An absolute must when you are here. Free stay in Oxford

[grubbytech]

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better I get an Email from Te Wapounamu & they've upgraded me for free onto a Triumph Tiger. Happy ain't the word. It must be a god omen cos the last bike I hired in the States was also a Triumph (Sprint) & it felt great to Brits on a Brit bike abroad.:yes:
The accommodation's all done, the route's all sorted & we'll be there in a few days now.........Definitely getting excited now.
Here's my route...
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=212644426044149155396.0004ec2c29b18e6e218e a&msa=0

[BMWST?]

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better I get an Email from Te Wapounamu & they've upgraded me for free onto a Triumph Tiger. Happy ain't the word. It must be a god omen cos the last bike I hired in the States was also a Triumph (Sprint) & it felt great to Brits on a Brit bike abroad.:yes:
The accommodation's all done, the route's all sorted & we'll be there in a few days now.........Definitely getting excited now.
Here's my route...
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=212644426044149155396.0004ec2c29b18e6e218e a&msa=0


suggest you go inland at Kaikoura.
OR Do you have any interests in back country gravel roads .There is a public road which is all gravel and quite narrow that passes through New Zealands biggest farm.The landscape is something else!.Google Molesworth Station,you basically travel from Blenheim to Hamner springs,that is a destination in itself if you like a dip in hot springs

i made a wee map too,see the red line! http://goo.gl/maps/zOYCD,dont worry about the walking its just an easy way to make the line follow the road(the blue line is another back road route but likely a bit rougher)

[bigreddog]

The Molesworth would be great on a Triumph Tiger....Love that place.:rolleyes:

[grubbytech]

Much as I'd love to ride on the gravel tracks the bike shop would have a shit fit if they found out, so as they've been so good to me (And trust me they've been superb) I'm not going to take their shiny Tiger onto beaches or gravel tracks.
It's a shame I know & I'm sure there's plenty of you that are probably shouting at your computer screens saying bloody chicken shit pommie but I have respect for the people at Te Wapounamu & that means more to me than an excursion down a dirt road..
Thanks for the tip though BMWST it does indeed look like a good ride & it's one I'd seen in Twisting Throttle already & had earmarked to ride until Te Wa said no off road stuff.:weep:

[BMWST?]

Much as I'd love to ride on the gravel tracks the bike shop would have a shit fit if they found out, so as they've been so good to me (And trust me they've been superb) I'm not going to take their shiny Tiger onto beaches or gravel tracks.
It's a shame I know & I'm sure there's plenty of you that are probably shouting at your computer screens saying bloody chicken shit pommie but I have respect for the people at Te Wapounamu & that means more to me than an excursion down a dirt road..
Thanks for the tip though BMWST it does indeed look like a good ride & it's one I'd seen in Twisting Throttle already & had earmarked to ride until Te Wa said no off road stuff.:weep:

have you specifically asked about molesworth?.Its a road.Its not a track.Ask.Otherwise as i said when you get to kaikoura i would go on the inland route When are you coming?

[grubbytech]

We pick up the bike on 17th Jan & the schedule is pretty tight for us to get around the whole of the South Island as we want to see our son who is working in Queenstown for a couple of Days. He's a biker too so hopefully he'll have his shit together & will have sorted out a bike by the time we get there. we're actually posting out his kit for him the week.:niceone:

[BMWST?]

We pick up the bike on 17th Jan & the schedule is pretty tight for us to get around the whole of the South Island as we want to see our son who is working in Queenstown for a couple of Days. He's a biker too so hopefully he'll have his shit together & will have sorted out a bike by the time we get there. we're actually posting out his kit for him the week.:niceone:

make sure to include wet weather gear.!Summer is absolutely no guarantee of weather inn NZ!

[grubbytech]

No need to worry on the waterproofs front we always pack waterproofs. In fact most of our motorcycling touring holidays we seem to be wearing them non stop. For example on a trip to Scotland in mid July it rained for 10 out of the 14 days we were touring, In California when we were there in January a few years ago the weather was so bad that California declared a state of emergency!
You get the picture?
You guys are probably in for the worst weather in January in history this year knowing our luck!

[Frodo]

You guys are probably in for the worst weather in January in history this year knowing our luck!

So that's who to blame... Been miserable in central NZ - wind and rain.

[grubbytech]

Just checked the forecast for our first 3 days on the bike....Rain, rain & rain....Bollox!

[BMWST?]

Just checked the forecast for our first 3 days on the bike....Rain, rain & rain....Bollox!

Dont bank on any forecast in nz

[grubbytech]

Did a run from Queenstown to Milford Sound yesterday & it tipped it down all the way there & til about 20 miles after the tunnel on the way back. Proper rain too that turned my waterproof kit into non waterproof kit!
Still worth the 340 mile round trip just for the ride back if for nothing else plus I managed to outfox the local old bill who thought I hadn't seen them. Always a joy that.
Waiting for my boy to get his GSXR through it's wof so we can ride to Dunedin together.
So far I'm enjoying your country, really "awesome" vistas & I've learnt that you should always blow on the pie!

[BMWST?]

So far I'm enjoying your country, really "awesome" vistas & I've learnt that you should always blow on the pie!

And have wets

[unstuck]

Yup, thats real rain over there. You may be lucky enough to hit the west coast on some good days, if not, you know what to expect now.:2thumbsup

[oldman_rider2013]

I've learnt that you should always blow on the pie!

292741

safer communities???:not:

[grubbytech]

Rode from Greymouth to Murchison today & we did the ride from Fox Glacier to Greymouth the day before. The weather was lovely & sunny & I've been loving the coastal roads & rainforests. This country has some of the best roads in the world, no arguments about that. The road from Westport to Murchison reminded me of a ride that I did from Chang Mai to Mae Hong Song many year's ago as it's so similar in that it's very jungle like. The road however is far better as you don't come around a corner to be faced with half the road missing & a couple of red & white painted oil drums to let you know that it's not there any more....Oh & no snakes in the road or buses on your side of the road either.
Well I'm off for a bit to eat at the Cowshed restaurant. Catch you all later.

[unstuck]

Glad your enjoying it, may be heading back up to Franz joseph myself next week, all going to plan. Awesome roads up there allright.:Punk::Punk:

[grubbytech]

Forgot to mention in this thread about the Bella Vista motel in Wanaka. Seriously good place to stay. Paul, who runs the place is a biker & couldn't be more helpful. Really top bloke & the motel is spick & span.

[grubbytech]

Yet another wet day but we're now in Pohara & it's sunny & I've got the door open & I'm listening to the sea on the beach, lush.
Have had some fun with you Kiwi's who seem a bit perplexed about how quick a fully loaded two up Triumph can go round corners in torrential rain. Riding all year round in the UK gives you a feel for this sort of thing, just look at Cal Crutchlow in the rain!
Off to Blenheim tomorrow so the twisters I've just done in torrential rain are going to get a beasting tomorrow if it's dry.

[FJRider]

...Oh & no snakes in the road or buses on your side of the road either.


Buses on your side DO happen ...

No snakes ... but Opossums/rats/horses/sheep/cattle (assorted heritage)/campervans ... are commonly found on your portion of roadway ...

BEWARE of vehicles with rental Co stickers on the back window (usually center bottom) usually overseas visitors (present company accepted) with NO idea of local Law/road rules ...

[grubbytech]

I know exactly what you mean about the camper vans. Now I'm not fascist, can't stand 'em actually, BUT what the deck is going on with the Asians in the camper vans?!? :shit: I mean Jesus Christ they really don't have a friggin clue do they. I feel for you hugs having to put up with them turning your roads into semi lethal mobile chicanes that can be on any side of the road at any given moment.
Mind you having said that the only camper that was on the wrong side of he road today coming my way on the Queen Charlotte highway (Brilliant road by the way) was driven by a Westerner. Luckily I allow myself a good braking margin & plenty of roadspace to allow for these sort of problems, bit like riding in Thailand!
I think today's ride from Pohara to Blenheim has to be the twistiest ride so far, good fun with superb views too.....Apart from Richmond, that's a shithole.:laugh:

[FJRider]

... bit like riding in Thailand!


I lived in Singapore for a few years ... Myself and 5 others did a ride To Chang Mai and back ... 5 weeks it took us.

[grubbytech]

Now that's an adventure!
We're now in Kaikoura, lovely place. I've got a great sea view from my balcony at the Aspen Court motel. It's a great place, I'd recommend it for peace & quiet, bit of a way from the town but Robbies do breakfast at a good price next door. Whale trip tomorrow then back to Christchurch via Hanmer.
Looking forward to a good last day's ride then it's hand the Triumph back to Te Waiponamou. It's been a great bike & has coped well with carrying everything but the bloody kitchen sink. The only criticisms I have of it are that the screen needs to be 3" taller & the handlebars vibrate a bit, which a set of grip puppies or foam grips would sort out.
Thanks for your help to the people who PM'd me & thanks for the fun to the guy who we rode with to Pohara in Golden Bay, you can ride mate!:cool: