Moving from UK - a few questions

[KTMRob]

Hi all!

So - after spending 8 weeks travelling round both the North and South Island, I've decided to come and work (most likely emigrate) to NZ later this year. The biggest reason is the lifestyle - I love the outdoors - obviously riding bikes being the main one! I'm doing Romaniacs this year - and then will look at moving across - I was wondering if anyone knows how easy it is to get bikes into NZ? I've got a KTM 200 EXC 2014, KTM 250SX 2013 & Gas Gas 250 TXT Pro 2012 - I also have a Yeti SB66Carbon and a VW T5 Transporter that I obviously want to bring with me. I guess my question is - will it be do-able to get all these bikes in (I hear there are strict rules on vehicles being steamed etc) - or would it be better to sell my bikes over here, and buy new when I get out?

Also - what's the Enduro scene like in NZ - mainly South Island? Are there many races/clubs?

Thanks in advance!

Rob

[noobi]

Also - what's the Enduro scene like in NZ - mainly South Island? Are there many races/clubs?


Don't know about the import situation.

Most National events are run in the North Island, with maybe one or two South Island rounds.
Heres the 2014 Enduro schedule, http://www.mnz.co.nz/news/news-detail/2013/10/16/2014-new-zealand-enduro-championship-dates , Christchurch is the only South Island round.

[kinger]

Importing is a piece of piss.
Just clean the bikes before shipping. DIfferent for dirt bikes, but mine just got a good wash.

[ktm84mxc]

Your best bet will be bring every thing with you get the bikes professionally cleaned up to new condition eg spotless same for the VW, bring as meany spares as you can keep all receipts , get a declaration to the values of said bikes and van.
You'll find the Off road scene here a world away from the UK in being able to find places to ride , we will appear to be so laid back and nonchalant it will ask the question why didn't you do it sooner.
If your Sth Island based make your self known to local shops for KTM Superior MC in Christchurch are very good as in the KTM shop in Nelson.
Look up www.silverbullet.co.nz it's a web site for all events in NZ MC's there are always other events as well such as trail rides set up by local shops and rural schools.

[Jay GTI]

I imported a car from the UK in 2012, was really simple, with the bonus that I was far, far from the first, so it wasn't hard to talk to people who knew what I needed to do. The van just has to be Euro 4 emissions compliant, which is on the V5.

For the bikes, I'd imagine even more simple. Just give them a really good clean and get them put in a crate. If they do need an extra clean, MAF will do it for you and just pass on a fee. I also brought a Commencal Meta 5.5 over last time I moved back, it was clean but MAF felt like then needed a bit more revenue and hit me up with a steam clean, was about $70 from memory.

If you need any specifics on bringing the van over, I can probably still remember most of it, PM me if you're stuck on anything.

[F5 Dave]

Um. . . Can you fit them all in the van? Even wheels off? used to be able to do that.

[KTMRob]

Guys - thanks for the replies!

Sorry I haven't replied sooner - I thought it would alert me when someone replied to the thread, maybe I missed a ticky box somewhere!

So are you saying there's loads of trail riding to be done - I don't mind that as long as it's all pretty gnarly (think Wales for those from the UK!) - but would be cool to still do Enduro races :)

Yep - I can fit all my bikes in the van - but I'm guessing they still all need to be spotless etc? The main reason for coming to NZ is for the lifestyle - so want to make sure I can ride all the damn time!!

Has anyone done training with Chris Birch? Was thinking that would be a good thing to do on a regular basis....might have to drop a mail on his website.

Cheers again - can't wait to get across now :D

[Jay GTI]

Just double-check putting the bikes in the van, I was told my my shipping company that I couldn't put anything inside the vehicle, as the Customs/MAF guys didn't want to unpack and repack them for inspection. I'd heard of others putting loads of parts and whatnot in the boot of cars etc, so was a little dubious, however I was just importing a car, so was all good for me.

I've also done a bit of riding in Wales and sorry, it's good over there, but just good. NZ has some of the best riding on the planet, not only is it great riding, but it's easily accessible, very varied and very, very much encouraged. One of the reasons I left the UK last time was because I just couldn't find the kind of riding I wanted over there, yet it's on my doorstep here. If riding is one of your main reasons for living, come live here (it is for me and it's why I live here).

[F5 Dave]

I knew someone who'd bought a bike that had been imported in the 90s "everything from Japan grey is good" days that was brought over inside a van, but I guess they got bored of that & tightened up in customs over the last 20 years.

[scott411]

the national enduro series starts in feb, and goes though to about may, with one a month, their is also a extreme enduro series now two which includes a couple of enduro x's and some very tuff riding,

Motorcycling NZ is the governing body here, and here is the enduro homepage,

http://www.mnz.co.nz/enduro/home

[ktm84mxc]

There's a couple of Guys here in Auckland who import Horse Trailers/box's from the States/USA they have been known to fill the space with Off Road MC's most are still in there crates think 011/012/013/014 year models mainly KTM,KAWA,Yam etc. They see it as a added value in using up extra space and making the costs more affordable by spreading the load.
Many a Car parts supplier is doing the same filling in the gaps in containers with parts to sell to mates/friends.

[Jay GTI]

There's a couple of Guys here in Auckland who import Horse Trailers/box's from the States/USA they have been known to fill the space with Off Road MC's most are still in there crates think 011/012/013/014 year models mainly KTM,KAWA,Yam etc. They see it as a added value in using up extra space and making the costs more affordable by spreading the load.
Many a Car parts supplier is doing the same filling in the gaps in containers with parts to sell to mates/friends.

Yeah been doing a bit of googling since this morning and it would seem to be freight company specific, not a MAF requirement, some allow it and some don't.

[KTMRob]

Jay GTI - Cheers - exactly what I wanted to hear in regards to the riding! My main reason is the riding - I only mention Wales, as that's the best you'll get over here - still pretty decent if you know where to ride, but the terrain is nothing compared to what you guys have - just didn't know how free you were to ride on it. I'm off to Romaniacs this year, and just about to sign up for the Six Days Crazy Job in Bulgaria - so want to keep a good level of riding up :)

So - next question - do you need your bikes to be road legal - in which case, is it best that I get mine registered over here - or is it easy to do once I'm in NZ?

My plan was to stuff my van as full as possible - like you say, it seems I'll just have to ask whichever company I decide to go with :)

Cheers for all your help! Awesome :D

[scott411]

Jay GTI - Cheers - exactly what I wanted to hear in regards to the riding! My main reason is the riding - I only mention Wales, as that's the best you'll get over here - still pretty decent if you know where to ride, but the terrain is nothing compared to what you guys have - just didn't know how free you were to ride on it. I'm off to Romaniacs this year, and just about to sign up for the Six Days Crazy Job in Bulgaria - so want to keep a good level of riding up :)

So - next question - do you need your bikes to be road legal - in which case, is it best that I get mine registered over here - or is it easy to do once I'm in NZ?

My plan was to stuff my van as full as possible - like you say, it seems I'll just have to ask whichever company I decide to go with :)

Cheers for all your help! Awesome :D

none of the bikes have to be road legal for off road events, motocross bikes are comman at enduro events, you dont even need working lights,

[KTMRob]

What about for riding trails etc though?

[kevfromcoro]

nah,, trails are fine...anywhere off road, that is not deemed as a public road is ok to ride,
in my enduro days we had to cross the road several times,
had to get off and push our bikes, once in he other side.. away we went.
enjoy....................

[scott411]

What about for riding trails etc though?

all trail rides are completly off road, so nothing required,

their are some adventure rides that require rego, but these are normally also done by bikes like KLR650's, BMW's etc, not full off road, but back country roads, with some basic trail riding on farm tracks etc,

if you did need to go though the rego process here, as long as you can prove the bike is up to standard, and you have the import documents, it will be possible to register it here, it would be easier if it was rego'd overseas first tho,

[Jay GTI]

One of the issues I had, trying to ride dirt bikes in the UK, was unless you went to one of the Yamaha Offroad Experience days (or something similar), which required a whole weekend to trek into deep Wales for a guided ride, the only real riding available was pottering about on greenlanes (with the necessary good behaviour required) or riding in competitions and events. Plenty of MX tracks in the UK, but if that’s not really your thing (it isn’t mine, I’m a trail rider), there was feck all choice for a casual hobby rider.

Over here, it’s completely different. If you were to live in Auckland, you have the Sandpit an hour’s drive out of the city, MotoX Central about an hour and a half away, Dome Valley about the same away again, Thundercross similar distance (although apparently not being maintained anymore). These are all dedicated, commercial ride areas/parks, where everything is marked, directioned and run properly (maybe not so much Thundercross at the moment, but the others are). Most are seasonal, due to the impact of riding wet clay/soil during winter, but then the Sandpit comes into it’s own, being sand-based and the best riding out there is in the winter. So all year round, commercial/professional riding access. Entry is usually around the NZ$30 mark, give or take, for the full day, ride as much as you want.

On top of that, you have bike shops and guys in the industry putting on rides, like Mr Motorcycles family trail rides (if you get the chance, the Waikeratu ride is the best I’ve ever been on), the Spectro farm ride series, Power Adventures rides, WMCC rides, Epic Events in Taupo (a trek from Auckland, but definitely worth it!)... these are all rides where the organiser has access to a forest, or farm and sets up trails specifically for the event, people rock up on the day, pay the fee and ride as much as they want until the day is over.

Then there’s the charity rides, similar to the professional events above, but usually run by a rural school as a fund raiser (Waikeratu is one actually), which a local farmer (or farmers) will open access to some pretty choice riding for the day and again, pay your fee, ride until you can’t ride anymore. For accuracy, Waikaretu is the only guided ride I’ve been on in NZ, but honestly, the lead riders were so quick I didn’t have a hope in hell of being held up... but you do get a great bit of beach blasting in for your efforts, as well as riding in scenery so beautiful, it hurts to look at it.

All of the above are offroad only and so no reg required. In fact take those lights and indicators off, you’ll only break them! I’d say 80-90% of trail riding in NZ is done on a MX bike, enduro bikes are actually a bit of a rarity, beyond the popular 300EXCs...

Youtube everything I mentioned above, that will give you an idea of what’s here and like I say, it’s encouraged in NZ, it’s popular, it’s not a constant fight against some local rambler’s club or bird watching organisation to even potter along at 20mph on a local byway or greenlane... after your first big ride here (you can get 800 bikes at the bigger events!), you’ll be kicking yourself for not doing sooner!

[scott411]

O
Youtube everything I mentioned above, that will give you an idea of what’s here and like I say, it’s encouraged in NZ, it’s popular, it’s not a constant fight against some local rambler’s club or bird watching organisation to even potter along at 20mph on a local byway or greenlane... after your first big ride here (you can get 800 bikes at the bigger events!), you’ll be kicking yourself for not doing sooner!

800 is average at a Mr Motorcycles or Epic event ride,

big ones are now 1300 plus riders,

[raglanash]

The TTBRC rides down in Te Teko over winter are well worth the drive too.

[scott411]

The TTBRC rides down in Te Teko over winter are well worth the drive too.

if you are into wet like wales, Riverhead or Maramurua in winter would be your kind of fun

[raglanash]

if you are into wet like wales, Riverhead or Maramurua in winter would be your kind of fun

Nah that Te Teko volcanic dirt is primo in the winter. The 3 times I have been in there were epic.

[Jay GTI]

...and if it's not obvious yet from all the above posts, there is the only real problem with riding dirt bikes in NZ. It's not trying to find somewhere to ride, it's deciding where to ride.

There's so much choice, it's ridiculous.

[scott411]

Nah that Te Teko volcanic dirt is primo in the winter. The 3 times I have been in there were epic.

i agree with ya, best riding at tarawera,

[KTMRob]

Sounds spot on tbh - I don't particularly want to put all my front light/electrics back on - as I always strip my bikes down when I first get them :)

The riding sounds insanely good - but aren't most of the places mentioned North Island? I'm looking at South Island, Canterbury area.....I would've thought with the terrain, south island would have no end of riding available? :)

So - next question (sorry!) - is it worth me bringing over as many spare parts as possible...or are KTM/GasGas parts all easily available...I'm guessing they are....how about tyres....do you guys get GoldenTyre GT216X tyres (proper sticky ones)..

[scott411]

Sounds spot on tbh - I don't particularly want to put all my front light/electrics back on - as I always strip my bikes down when I first get them :)

The riding sounds insanely good - but aren't most of the places mentioned North Island? I'm looking at South Island, Canterbury area.....I would've thought with the terrain, south island would have no end of riding available? :)

So - next question (sorry!) - is it worth me bringing over as many spare parts as possible...or are KTM/GasGas parts all easily available...I'm guessing they are....how about tyres....do you guys get GoldenTyre GT216X tyres (proper sticky ones)..

http://www.goldentyre.co.nz/

parts will be cheaper at home for sure, small market, end of the world, frieght is not cheap,

most of the places we are talking about on here are mid to upper north island, but there is plenty of riding in the south island as well, but it tends to be more open and rocky,

[KTMRob]

Ah crap - you can't get the 216X off the GT NZ site.....that's a shame cos it's an awesome tyre for rocks...will have to do some searching :)

I can't remember how much it was to take the ferry across to North Island....but it would probably be worth going up for a week to do some riding there by the sounds of it!

I guess I'll just see how much space I have in the crate(s) - and start stockpiling extra parts/tyres :D

[BoristheBiter]

Has anyone done training with Chris Birch? Was thinking that would be a good thing to do on a regular basis....might have to drop a mail on his website.


I have done 2 lots of training with Chris. So worth the money (not all that much). You can either do a group or private session.
Just email him or look at his website.


800 is average at a Mr Motorcycles or Epic event ride,

big ones are now 1300 plus riders,

You missed Off Limits that had over 1600 at the tussock buster last year.


if you are into wet like wales, Riverhead or Maramurua in winter would be your kind of fun

Riverhead tomorrow :woohoo:


Nah that Te Teko volcanic dirt is primo in the winter. The 3 times I have been in there were epic.

The whole central area is best when it's pissing down, except maybe desert storm.

[Jay GTI]

The riding sounds insanely good - but aren't most of the places mentioned North Island? I'm looking at South Island, Canterbury area.....I would've thought with the terrain, south island would have no end of riding available? :)



Yeah all my examples are North Island and while there's maybe not as much in terms of the commercial bike parks in the SI (we are a bit spoilt in Auckland), there's still plenty of stuff to ride down South. One of my work-mates is based in the Christchurch office, he rides and has plenty of fun. Bonus for him, he gets to play in the snow during winter...

[KTMRob]

I'm more a fan of natural terrain, if it's decent, so South Island sounds spot on :)

I've been talking a bit with Mark from Golden Tyre NZ - and he can get the X tyre - and reckons there's good riding in the Canterbury area....so I'm happy :)

Has anyone done Romaniacs - flying from NZ etc - what was the price if you don't mind me asking?

[scott411]

I'm more a fan of natural terrain, if it's decent, so South Island sounds spot on :)

I've been talking a bit with Mark from Golden Tyre NZ - and he can get the X tyre - and reckons there's good riding in the Canterbury area....so I'm happy :)

Has anyone done Romaniacs - flying from NZ etc - what was the price if you don't mind me asking?

talk to Mark again, he has done it, dont think anyone on here has tho,

[Jay GTI]

11 Kiwis entered this year, so shouldn't be too hard to find someone to talk to about it.

[p.dath]

This Wiki article has some info about importing used bikes.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Importing_a_used_bike

[thepom]

Go to dual purpose thread and look at christchurch adventure rides for some of the riding we did this weekend...stunning....