Would like to rent motorcycle for 10-12 days Dec 27 - Jan 12

[vivekk]

Hello,

I live in California, USA and am planning to visit New Zealand this December / Jan. It's been my dream for many years to travel New Zealand on a motorcycle (solo).

So, I wanted ask if anyone might be willing to rent their motorcycle to me for around 10-12 days? I am an experienced rider with over 15 years of riding under my belt. Ideally I'd like a Sport touring bike like the Honda ST1300, but I'm flexible about the bike. I'm short (5 feet 6 in), so a tall bike like the BMW R1200RT may not be the most comfortable. Also, I may be camping half the time so some kind of luggage rack / box would be great.

I'd, of course, be willing to put down a deposit of some sort while I borrow the bike, as well as pay a daily rate for renting. The reason I'm posting here is because most motorcycle rentals I've found so far from companies are exhorbitant (~$180 a day)!

I have not decided on whether to do the North or the South Island yet, but am leaning slightly more towards the South island. However, if someone offers to rent their motorcycle to me, I will pick the island they're on.

If anyone has any other suggestions / recommendations on what I might be able to do to get a low-priced motorcycle rental, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Vivek

[Ocean1]

Bikes aren't as cheap here as they are in the US. $180/day sounds expensive, but given the purchase prices and that probably 10% of renters are going to drop their ride it's possibly not completely unrealistic.

It's a conundrum many visitors face, a lot of those planning longer visits look at buying and re-selling. Losing $2000 on a deal makes it a valid comparison, yes? Which would be about right for a $10k to $15k purchase. Either way this might be of interest: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes

Good luck mate, enjoy your visit.

[F5 Dave]

Remember to do the calculations, your $ is worth a lot more so $180 becomes about $113.

South island no doubt. Coming from a north islander. But don't tell them I said that.

[Madness]

I have not decided on whether to do the North or the South Island yet, but am leaning slightly more towards the South island. However, if someone offers to rent their motorcycle to me, I will pick the island they're on.

1. If it has to be just the one, do the South Island.

2. As Ocean suggested, buy a bike and then sell it at the end of your trip. Some bike shops will give you an agreed buy-back price.

3. Don't let your decision around point number one be driven by which island you score a bike from. Sounds a bit like promising to marry the first chick that gives you a blowy.

4. Buy a DR650 / KLR650 / XT600 style of bike for under $6,000 and you'll get most of your money back.

5. Welcome to KB.

[Swoop]

Dec - Jan.

Please remember that late December to mid Jan is our main holiday period.
Apart from places being booked up in advance, there will be more kiwi drivers infesting the roads during that time.

[marmel]

There would also be issues around insurance, as soon as you enter into a commercial agreement by renting your bike to someone your insurance policy gets ripped up. Arranging a separate policy as a one off would be extremely expensive.

So unless you were going to be leaving a deposit for the full value of a bike it probably wouldn't work.

[Ocean1]

There would also be issues around insurance, as soon as you enter into a commercial agreement by renting your bike to someone your insurance policy gets ripped up. Arranging a separate policy as a one off would be extremely expensive.

So unless you were going to be leaving a deposit for the full value of a bike it probably wouldn't work.

I forgot about that. In the US your own insurance is expected to cover any rental.

I wasted a fair bit of time trying to organise cover to drive an Auburn in Vegas. Wasn't do-able.

[tamarillo]

As others I'd buy and resale.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-967596972.htm

Start Auckland but head south and cross to Picton within 2 days. Head south, inland after Christchurch to head up through Mckenzie country (tekapo road) then south to lakes, Te anau, Milford sound, back north through haast pass up west coast to punekiaki etc, through Buller gorge, to Nelson.

Then either back to Auckland quickly, put advert on trademe in advance. Lose a grand. Sweet bike for trip.

Ps no insurance is needed here if it's yours, just current registration licence fee, and current warrant of fitness (due 12monthy before yr 2000, 6 /12 after 2000. Buy with warrant no more than 28 days, if you get it done week before you arrive it will still be less than 28 days old when you sell.

If your stick on how to sell it leave it here with me in Nelson and put it on $1 reserve auction.

[tamarillo]

Terrific tourers, remember we have strictly controlled 100km (62mph) limit.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-968740599.htm

[JayDNZ]

Probably not the bike you're looking for, but I have a 2015 KLR 650 that I could sell with a guaranteed buy back, I live in Christchurch. Message me if interested, cheers!

[Hads]

It is a pity you aren't coming down later, I actually have a spare bike I'm hanging onto until after New Years that I'd happy rent for low money. It is a 250 cc Chinese bike that gets about 500 - 600 km on a tank, not particularly fast but who needs fast anyhow?

[Hads]

Oops looked at date of first post, that was a long time ago.

[jamieharnett]

Probably not the bike you're looking for, but I have a 2015 KLR 650 that I could sell with a guaranteed buy back, I live in Christchurch. Message me if interested, cheers!

hiya

i would be interested in buying with a buy back as i want to travel NZ via motorcycle, do you still have the bike?