New to NZ

[RainMan303]

I am in the process of negotiating for a 3-year assignment in NZ - I will be primarily located in the Wellington/Hutt area, and I'm trying to figure out the local moto scene. Although currently I ride a 2005 KTM 525 EXC off road and on track days with a motard setup (some rare commuting also), I'd probably be looking for a 690 SMC or an enduro (dual sport) to expand on the ability to go on/off-road. I used to ride a 690 SM, and the on-tarmac fun factor of an SMC might make me compromise on the off-road capability.

Alternatively I might consider a 990 SMT or SMR, although I have never ridden a KTM twin, I heard they are a blast. Either way, I'd like to purchase used as I will have to resell in about 2.5 years, and shipping back to the USA will probably be pricy. Of course there is also option of shipping the bike from USA for the duration, but that seems like a pricy proposition as well.

Anyway, I am hoping for some insight from the forum into the Kiwi riding scene.

[husaberg]

OK first things first.
NZ is pretty crap at riding motor cycles in general, So as a foreigner you will clean up over here no mater what you ride.

If you are moving over here you should consider bringing a women with you, as the the local female population are a bit feral over here.
In fact bring along one just in case the kiwi women turn the first one feral on you.......;)

One event you must do is the Golden Nuggets at Waipuna, NZ's Best MX event.

Most say that Wellington is exactly not unlike New Mexico btw

[Ocean1]

OK first things first.
NZ is pretty crap at riding motor cycles in general, So as a foreigner you will clean up over here no mater what you ride.

If you are moving over here you should consider bringing a women with you, as the the local female population are a bit feral over here.
In fact bring along one just in case the kiwi women turn the first one feral on you.......;)

One event you must do is the Golden Nuggets at Waipuna, NZ's Best MX event.

Most say that Wellington is exactly not unlike like New Mexico btw

Yeah, all true.

But the women here are less expensive.

And bikes are twice the price they are there.

So fill a container with bikes and we'll pay you for any excess baggage in women when you get here.

[Tazz]

www.trademe.co.nz is where you want to be looking for used bikes ;)

[husaberg]

Yeah, all true.

But the women here are less expensive.

And bikes are twice the price they are there.

So fill a container with bikes and we'll pay you for any excess baggage in women when you get here.

Don't be so quick to judge.
He is in New Mexico so he has access to the south of the border
From watching American movies I now know for a fact that all Mexican women look like Selma Hayek.
One thing I should have added was that although Wellington looks like San Francisco.
Lower Hutt is more or less more like Detroit only far more dangerous.
So make sure you always carry a large handgun preferably concealed.

[Ocean1]

Don't be so quick to judge.
He is in New Mexico so he has access to the south of the border
From watching American movies I now know for a fact that all Mexican women look like Selma Hayek.
One thing I should have added was that although Wellington looks like San Francisco.
Lower Hutt is more or less more like Detroit only far more dangerous.
So make sure you always carry a large handgun preferably concealed.

Well if he's used to heading south for women he's in for a shock when he gets here ain't it?
Wellington only looks like San Francisco 'cause of the trams, and they don't work most of the time.

And anything you can stick up yer jumper is going to be next to useless in Lower Hutt, he's up for a 12swg at minimum. Which at least he can carry, nothing short of a 25mm chain gun is going to do the job with the sandflies down south.

[husaberg]

Well if he's used to heading south for women he's in for a shock when he gets here ain't it?
Wellington only looks like San Francisco 'cause of the trams, and they don't work most of the time.

And anything you can stick up yer jumper is going to be next to useless in Lower Hutt, he's up for a 12swg at minimum. Which at least he can carry, nothing short of a 25mm chain gun is going to do the job with the sandflies down south.

Really the trams, I thought it was because of the stupidity of building a city on a fault line and all the friendly sailor type blokes.......
As for the southern women I don't think any American could understand the raw sexual appeal of a women flannel and moleskins and Doc Martins.

[RainMan303]

Man, I'm beginning to feel right at home already - I can see I'm gonna love this place! BTW, we like to say around here: there's a whole lot of Mexico in New Mexico!


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[Ocean1]

I thought it was because of the stupidity of building a city on a fault line and all the friendly sailor type blokes.......

Well it wasn't the fault letting rip when you were last here availing yourself of some of those sailor blokes.


As for the southern women I don't think any American could understand the raw sexual appeal of a women flannel and moleskins and Doc Martins.

Mate, god doesn't understand them, that's why they're filed under "All that useless shit out west".


Man, I'm beginning to feel right at home already - I can see I'm gonna love this place! BTW, we like to say around here: there's a whole lot of Mexico in New Mexico!

Best you leave it there, I don't think it runs the same operating system as down here.

[clint640]

Hi Mate, sounds like you have the choice of bike well thought out, LC4 Enduro or SM are both good rigs for NZ. I'd go Enduro for the extra versatility, still plenty fun on the tarmac. It would be worth checking into bringing something over - they'll be a lot cheaper in the US & permanently importing a used bike into NZ is not too much drama.

Another option might be to get a roadbike for a year or so of checking out the tarmac then swap to an adv machine. KTM twins are good fun, here's one (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-769428837.htm) that used to belong to a friend of mine, has been very well cared for.

Cheers
Clint

[Banditbandit]

here's one that used to belong to a friend of mine, has been very well cared for.

Cheers
Clint

How good a friend is he???? Would you lie to help him sell his cycle???

[RainMan303]

Hi Mate, sounds like you have the choice of bike well thought out, LC4 Enduro or SM are both good rigs for NZ. I'd go Enduro for the extra versatility, still plenty fun on the tarmac. It would be worth checking into bringing something over - they'll be a lot cheaper in the US & permanently importing a used bike into NZ is not too much drama.

I emailed Bidrider (got their name from another post on KB), but got no response. Any others for recommendations on importing a bike to NZ?



Another option might be to get a roadbike for a year or so of checking out the tarmac then swap to an adv machine. KTM twins are good fun, here's one (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-769428837.htm) that used to belong to a friend of mine, has been very well cared for.

Thnx for the pointer to the 950 - I might take a look at it once I get there and get settled if it is still available.

BTW, I was poking around the NZ Transport Agency and got to looking at the license fees. Am I reading it correctly that rego for a big motorbike is almost twice that for a car? $521.51 for motorbike for one year vs. $280.55 for a car. What is the rationale behind this? I would think motorbikes should be less (less wear and tear on the roads, less pollution, less parking, etc.). Am I reading this correctly?

[Tazz]

I emailed Bidrider (got their name from another post on KB), but got no response. Any others for recommendations on importing a bike to NZ?




Thnx for the pointer to the 950 - I might take a look at it once I get there and get settled if it is still available.

BTW, I was poking around the NZ Transport Agency and got to looking at the license fees. Am I reading it correctly that rego for a big motorbike is almost twice that for a car? $521.51 for motorbike for one year vs. $280.55 for a car. What is the rationale behind this? I would think motorbikes should be less (less wear and tear on the roads, less pollution, less parking, etc.). Am I reading this correctly?

Mainfreight is a great shipping company. You should bring a container of them haha :cool:

Rego is outrageous. Welcome to NZ.
They justify it by saying medical expenses are higher than cars when we get hit by inattentive drivers in em, basically.
Diesel ute rego is disgustingly expensive too, not sure where the blame lays on them though.

[BigAl]

BTW, I was poking around the NZ Transport Agency and got to looking at the license fees. Am I reading it correctly that rego for a big motorbike is almost twice that for a car? $521.51 for motorbike for one year vs. $280.55 for a car. What is the rationale behind this? I would think motorbikes should be less (less wear and tear on the roads, less pollution, less parking, etc.). Am I reading this correctly?

Yep you are reading correctly, basically motorcyclists are a minority, prime for the government to rape at will.

[ellipsis]

Yep you are reading correctly, basically motorcyclists are a minority, prime for the government to rape at will.

...or... a majority can be minority here, if that's the way the govt. wishes...and it's not just us motorcyclists who are getting raped by the bastards...whole swathes of the population have their pants down in readiness and encourage the govt to fuck them, it seems...come on down...you'll like it...

[sugilite]

I'd probably be looking for a 690 SMC or an enduro (dual sport) to expand on the ability to go on/off-road. I used to ride a 690 SM, and the on-tarmac fun factor of an SMC might make me compromise on the off-road capability.


The Wellington (and near by Waiarapa) area in general has superb tar seal, gravel and enduro riding areas, I say getting a "do it all" bike would be a very wise investment :yes:

[Ocean1]

I say getting a "do it all" bike would be a very wise investment :yes:

There's no such animal, I barely get by with three of the fucking things.

200kg dirt bike? I don't think so.

Full comp knobs on the road? OK. Fucking expensive though.

[sugilite]

There's no such animal, I barely get by with three of the fucking things.

200kg dirt bike? I don't think so.

Full comp knobs on the road? OK. Fucking expensive though.

Umm, one of these... an enduro (dual sport) KTM 500 EXC (http://www.ktm.com/us/enduro/500excusa/highlights.html#.U_2dOnhMuUk) with decent trail/road tyres at 111.5 kg's. Sure you won't enter an enduro on those tyres, but a fang from the Hutt over the Mungatooks, no problem, Gravel roads? Bring them on! Give a Buell a fright over the takas? Don't count that out. :bleh:

[Ocean1]

Umm, one of these... an enduro (dual sport) KTM 500 EXC (http://www.ktm.com/us/enduro/500excusa/highlights.html#.U_2dOnhMuUk) with decent trail/road tyres at 111.5 kg's. Sure you won't enter an enduro on those tyres, but a fang from the Hutt over the Mungatooks, no problem, Gravel roads? Bring them on! Give a Buell a fright over the takas? Don't count that out. :bleh:

I have a 525 EXC for exactly those fangs through the Mungatooks on a fine summer afternoon to see the bro in paraparaumu. Far better than the Buell through there, which is the preferred route mostly 'cause the bro usually serves a dram or two.

It might even keep the XB12 in sight over the Takas if I put some 17" wheels on, but not for an hour or more of it, and it wouldn't go near the 1125 at all.

[avgas]

From watching American movies I now know for a fact that all Mexican women look like Selma Hayek.
On a serious note - if you ever get the chance - watch Spanish/Mexican/South American soap opera's....

You will know when your on the Spanish channel, even if its on mute.
( . )( . )

[avgas]

Man, I'm beginning to feel right at home already - I can see I'm gonna love this place! BTW, we like to say around here: there's a whole lot of Mexico in New Mexico!
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In NZ there is another saying.

"There are fast women in NZ, but the clap is faster."

[haydes55]

These messages are brought to you thanks to Tourism NZ

[RainMan303]

Are tinted visors allowed in NZ? Also, how much does a WOF cost on average?


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[Ocean1]

Are tinted visors allowed in NZ? Also, how much does a WOF cost on average?


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Yes.

Can't remember. Can't have hurt too much. Under $50?

[RainMan303]

Anybody know if I can bring the motorbike in for a year as a "tourist" (keep my USA plate) and then officially import it near the end of the year?....or will I be forced to take the moto back out of the country at that point?

[clint640]

I think you can do that with a temporary import paying the GST deposit up front. (you couldn't if you brought it in on a carnet) You still have to get WOF & rego I think so not sure if there'd be much point.

Cheers
Clint

[avgas]

Be careful with the import - they might get you to change the headlight (to point the other way). But not sure which bikes are affected with that problem (but the Z1000 and FZS1000 had it)

[ellipsis]

...and as an aside, repeat this little mantra before closing your eyes at night...'They drive on the left, they drive on the left, ..............................................'

[RainMan303]

...and as an aside, repeat this little mantra before closing your eyes at night...'They drive on the left, they drive on the left, ..............................................'

Yeah, I know. I did pretty well in the UK until I was cookin' around a round-about (aka traffic circle) one early morning and came around to find a huge dump truck about to enter the circle on, what appeared to me, the wrong side of the road. Of course he was exactly where he should had been and there was no problem, and my brain clicked after that.

[RainMan303]

So I was poking around the Google Maps around Wellington, and I noticed an interesting road near the Karori Golf Club of South Makara Rd: Oteranga Bay Rd. When I switched to Street View, I noticed the road (Oteranga Bay Rd) is blocked off - why would that be? Is it common for roads to be off-limits to general public, or did I just happen to pick one? Just curious - wanting to get to know the place and local laws/customs.

[Tazz]

http://wams.org.nz/wams_desktop/index.aspx

WAMs is your friend. It will show you where formed and unformed legal roads are. A lot of roads that look public are actually private, and also vice versa (which can get tricky if the locals think otherwise).
As people have access to more and more public info with more ease, and as the population grows, access has become more of a problem in some areas.
If you're unsure it is best to go home and have a look at WAMs maps, compare them to LINZ? maps to make sure you are in the right regarding access.

From a quick Google of the road names that area has an legal unformed road, otherwise a lot is private bach access. Friendly word in the right ear usually opens things like that up, finding the ear is the hard part.

There is also the easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission route, and if you are not a dickhead or and haven't been rarking things up you shouldn't get shot for having a nose in some areas where legal access is 'questionable'. Just use common sense where it applies =)

More often than not, none of this is a problem, but it is good to know just incase some tard tries to charge you a toll for a public road (some private roads/farms have small tolls. Sometimes it is just some booze.).

[sugilite]

So I was poking around the Google Maps around Wellington, and I noticed an interesting road near the Karori Golf Club of South Makara Rd: Oteranga Bay Rd. When I switched to Street View, I noticed the road (Oteranga Bay Rd) is blocked off - why would that be? Is it common for roads to be off-limits to general public, or did I just happen to pick one? Just curious - wanting to get to know the place and local laws/customs.

Prob a wind farm access road.

[RainMan303]

Okay, things are coming along nicely now. My job has been confirmed - departing for Wellington in October. Arranging for my KTM 990 Adventure shipment right now, but probably won't get there and be road-worthy until November-December. Any recommendations for places of particular interest for the Adventure and me to explore when we get on the road (or better yet when we got onto the NZ dirt)? Looking for some good places to ride around Wellington for starters (it'll take a while to settle in and venture out further).

[Ocean1]

Karapoti park gives you a bit of space and everything from gravel roads to actual trials stuff. If my 525 and my aging carcase are both behaving themselves when you get here give me a call and I'll take you out there and point you at the good bits.

You're supposed to have a special permit from the regional council and it's worth at least making an effort. I'll see if I can find a link later...

[RainMan303]

You're making me think twice about leaving my 525 in the US now. I think the 990 will be a better bike for exploring the islands, but I know I'll definitely miss my 525.


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[RainMan303]

Been in NZ for about a month now, and loving it. Heading back to the U.S. to close on a few things, and be back mid-December with family in tow - the 990 should also be in the country by then. So far been to Wellington, Auckland, Akaroa, Palmerston North, Castlepoint, and Ohakune. Must admit, I haven't had much chance to get out and find much KTM 990 territory, but I'm keen on doing so once the 990 gets here.
Question: I see locals riding with a metal rack that's essentially L-shaped to which a back pack get be bungeed. Where is a good place to get one at a reasonable price (local shop or Internet)?
Also, are there any recommended independent Moto shops in the Wellington/Hutt area? In the US, Moto dealers are typically good for new bikes, but much higher priced than "generic" shops that are not associated with an OEM. Is it same in NZ?

[Big Dog]

Any good dealer can sort you out with a Ventura pack rack. The L brackets are model specific the rest is quite modular.
The brackets will have a number on them ( mine is 12 most common seems to be 14) as long as the top frame had the same number it fits. Sport racks for lower profile, grab rails, pack racks etc.
Ventura bags are expensive but very good.
Google Ventura fitment guide to get to the website with better data.
I can't say I know of any generic shops that are not associated with any marquees other than on line shops.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Paul in NZ]

Here

http://www.ventura-bike.com/

Have fun...