Canadian heading to NZ this Oct. Where are all the BEST roads?

[cww1955]

It'll be in the spring time Oct.23 to Nov. 27. Plan was to buy a m/c once I got there and sell it before flying home. Other than that, I've heard only good thing about NZ and the riding is supposed to be awesome. I'd like to see both the islands and drive as much as I can, but I don't want to go all the way there and then not see "The Best Thing Ever" whatever that may be.

So far I've got Hobbiton on my "must do" list, but what I would really love to is drive every single road in NZ that is at least a 7 out of 10 for motorcycle riding. Not sure who knows, is there a list or a book?

Would be a fun challenge I think!

[Ulsterkiwi]

I have no experience of riding in the South Island but I believe its generally rated the best riding.

Personally I have done the following and can recommend them.

Taihape - Napier Gentle Annie
East Cape State Highway 35
Route 52
Forgotten World Highway SH43
Whanganui River Road Loop (includes the Paraparas SH4)

You might consider ordering this book as you will have time to get it. This guy has pretty much done all the research you need for both islands...

http://www.twistingthrottle.com/twisting-throttle-new-zealand.html

[puddytat]

State Highway 6.....& 65 & 7....South Island awesomeness. Starts from Nelson which is top of the South & takes you all the way down the West Coast which can be as wet as the wet coast of B.C.

[tri boy]

In the nth island, do the east,west, and nth capes.
Great rides are made by fine clear days.
Study the local weather systems, ie prevailing wind is westerly etc
Rain radar sites are handy, and metvu.com is your friend.
Enjoy:niceone:

[FJRider]

A few books you can buy online. Well worth the $$$ spent ...

http://www.mcycle.co.nz/books.htm

[Transalper]

remotemoto.com (http://www.remotemoto.com/) has a lot of info on South Island roads/routes, meant more for Adventure riding but contains a lot of tarmac info too. Picture heavy. North Island coming soon... but maybe not in time for you.

[FJRider]

It'll be in the spring time Oct.23 to Nov. 27.

Spring ... ??? :killingme We get snow on a regular basis in november. Be prepared for the worst type of weather and hope for the best. Try not to make hard and fast (prepaid) bookings ... incase the plan changes to suit the weather.

Best to make the final route decisions when your boots are on NZ ground ... and go where the rain isn't ...

[jellywrestler]

It'll be in the spring time Oct.23 to Nov. 27. Plan was to buy a m/c once I got there and sell it before flying home. Other than that, I've heard only good thing about NZ and the riding is supposed to be awesome. I'd like to see both the islands and drive as much as I can, but I don't want to go all the way there and then not see "The Best Thing Ever" whatever that may be.

So far I've got Hobbiton on my "must do" list, but what I would really love to is drive every single road in NZ that is at least a 7 out of 10 for motorcycle riding. Not sure who knows, is there a list or a book?

Would be a fun challenge I think!

if that's your description of being on a motorcycle you'll be wanting a harley, most motorcyclists over ride their bikes.
If you're on a harley roads with shop windows are the best so you can admire yourself while driving.

[puddytat]

Nah ,it wont be a Harley....he likes Hondas.;):yes:

[FJRider]

Nah ,it wont be a Harley....he likes Hondas.;):yes:


Plan was to buy a m/c once I got there and sell it before flying home.

He might be here a while ... :blank:

[cww1955]

I have no experience of riding in the South Island but I believe its generally rated the best riding.

Personally I have done the following and can recommend them.

Taihape - Napier Gentle Annie
East Cape State Highway 35
Route 52
Forgotten World Highway SH43
Whanganui River Road Loop (includes the Paraparas SH4)

You might consider ordering this book as you will have time to get it. This guy has pretty much done all the research you need for both islands...

http://www.twistingthrottle.com/twisting-throttle-new-zealand.html

Great info, thanks! Just ordered the book.

[cww1955]

Nah ,it wont be a Harley....he likes Hondas.;):yes:

and Yamahas

[insomnia01]

all of the above are great ideas & roads :drool: keep a good eye on the weather & ride around it is a good way of making up your mind while on the road once you a have a general idea on what/where you want to go......

[CRM]

Coasts and mountains :Punk:.

Depends on what you are riding but I see you have an FJR1300 so if you are going for that kind of bike here you will have a great time - just ride. If going for an adventure bike there are some great adventure rides in the South Island - not so much in the North.

And don't forget to ride to the top of the North Island - magic beaches, quiet roads and it will be warmest there too.

[george formby]

Coasts and mountains :Punk:.

Depends on what you are riding but I see you have an FJR1300 so if you are going for that kind of bike here you will have a great time - just ride. If going for an adventure bike there are some great adventure rides in the South Island - not so much in the North.

And don't forget to ride to the top of the North Island - magic beaches, quiet roads and it will be warmest there too.

:laugh:Yup. It's 13c warmer now than this time last night.

Op, don't get distracted by the scenery and no matter where you end up, another great road is not far away.

[OddDuck]

Some good or great roads -

SH2, Picton to Kaikoura (or the inland loop)
SH2, Gisborne to Napier
SH5, Taupo to Napier (no petrol anywhere along this one until you're nearly at Napier)
RT52, Waipukerau to Masterton (again no petrol)
The Gentle Annie, Taihape to Hastings (no petrol, fantastic road)
Geraldine to Queenstown
Picton - Takaka - Nelson, and SH6 south

Loads of great B roads around the place as well. Get maps good enough to show sealed / unsealed roads, a lot of the back country roads are dead ends servicing closed off areas, or turn into multi-hour ordeals on gravel.

Also - large chunks of the country close down for the night after 6pm, petrol stations included. Cities are OK, the bigger towns are OK, but this can be a problem in the areas with the best riding. There's a thread on KB listing 24-hour petrol stations, this thread is there for good reason - if you're off the major state highways, aiming to finish the day's riding around 6pm is probably a good idea.

[rambaldi]

Some good or great roads -

SH2, Picton to Kaikoura (or the inland loop)
SH2, Gisborne to Napier
SH5, Taupo to Napier (no petrol anywhere along this one until you're nearly at Napier)
RT52, Waipukerau to Masterton (again no petrol)
The Gentle Annie, Taihape to Hastings (no petrol, fantastic road)
Geraldine to Queenstown
Picton - Takaka - Nelson, and SH6 south

Loads of great B roads around the place as well. Get maps good enough to show sealed / unsealed roads, a lot of the back country roads are dead ends servicing closed off areas, or turn into multi-hour ordeals on gravel.

Also - large chunks of the country close down for the night after 6pm, petrol stations included. Cities are OK, the bigger towns are OK, but this can be a problem in the areas with the best riding. There's a thread on KB listing 24-hour petrol stations, this thread is there for good reason - if you're off the major state highways, aiming to finish the day's riding around 6pm is probably a good idea.

Can you give me more details for the Picton to Kaikoura route? I only see the SH1 through there unless I am being a complete muppet. Not the canadians in question but trying to put together a bunch of routes through out the country for future exploration.

[Racing Dave]

Can you give me more details for the Picton to Kaikoura route? I only see the SH1 through there unless I am being a complete muppet. Not the canadians in question but trying to put together a bunch of routes through out the country for future exploration.

You're not a muppet - I suspect finger trouble at the keyboard; there's no SH2 in the South Island, as you note, it's SH1.

[Bassai]

It'll be in the spring time Oct.23 to Nov. 27. Plan was to buy a m/c once I got there and sell it before flying home. Other than that, I've heard only good thing about NZ and the riding is supposed to be awesome. I'd like to see both the islands and drive as much as I can, but I don't want to go all the way there and then not see "The Best Thing Ever" whatever that may be.

So far I've got Hobbiton on my "must do" list, but what I would really love to is drive every single road in NZ that is at least a 7 out of 10 for motorcycle riding. Not sure who knows, is there a list or a book?

Would be a fun challenge I think!

I concur that Forgotten World Highway SH43 is a must.

Your not going to get over all the roads! I have lived here most of my life and still havent been over half of them and I get out a lot. The very best roads are off the beaten track.

A road I really like is North of Dargaville through the forrests to Opononi SH12. Also the Tutukaka coast up to Russell.

I have lived ourseas and fuck.. anywhere in NZ is fantastic

[GrayWolf]

I concur that Forgotten World Highway SH43 is a must.

Your not going to get over all the roads! I have lived here most of my life and still havent been over half of them and I get out a lot. The very best roads are off the beaten track.

A road I really like is North of Dargaville through the forrests to Opononi SH12. Also the Tutukaka coast up to Russell.

I have lived ourseas and fuck.. anywhere in NZ is fantastic

Absolutely agree, I lived 'down south' 14yrs, and have done two 'touring trips' back down in the last 2yrs ...
Forgotten world highway really is a 'must' for the north island. :first:

Down south?
Certainly the west coast ride, if possible up to Milford sound.. spectacular ride if the weather is kind.
Te Anau to Invecargill, but on the 'southern scenic route' going via Manapouri, Tuatapere, Riverton... rather than the direct SH route. Queenstown?? Avoid like the plague, it is now nose to tail tourists on the road {march this year}. ride Wanaka to Arrowtown and if possible ride BOTH mountain routes/roads into Q/town {just dont go into it, itself}
Central Otago is great riding......
Lumsden to Gore road as an option to Invers.
The Catlins/Chaslands ride.
If you decided to go direct Invers to Dunedin? Take the 'back road' from Mataura to Clinton.
Henry Cole's 'worlds greatest motorcycle rides' NZ is a 'must see'.... Allow the bulk of your riding to be down south, you'll regret it if you dont.

As mentioned above I lived in Europe till age 32, and NZ has 'everything' packed into two small islands.