Help noobs buy bikes that can tackle the South Island

[Yandog1987]

Hey guys as thread title suggests me and my pal have organised a trip down South Island over Christmas, both very new to this.

Looking for a cruiser type bike, 250cc minimum is required I have been told ?

Found 2 possible bikes both 2008

Suzuki intruder VL250

Suzuki classic lc vl250

My budget is around $3.5k which I guess is a stumbling block in itself. Any input as to what make and models to look for ? Glad imfound this place as I almost bought a gn 250l ast week

Really appreciate any help guys

Thanks !

[skippa1]

You should start more threads about this

[ellipsis]

...I did big Sth Island trips on a Honda SS90 and even, Triumph Bonnevilles, I'm sure you will cope...

[husaberg]

Posing cruiser type 250 bikes are not actually more comfortable to ride on the open road, go for a more practical configuration and size bike of the lams list.
If you shop around you should be able to find a pair of Hosungbag 650's for that sort of coin each, if it only $3500 in total you will have to settle for Hosungbag 250's.

[Akzle]

one thread would do there, billy.

Also. Search some shit. For fuchs ache.

[AllanB]

Post pictures of fit looking topless women and I'll help.

[Akzle]

do it on a gn. Pussy,

[ryanstev]

My first bike was a VT250C, a 250cc Cruiser.

I kept it for 2 months before trading it in on my 400. Don't get a 250.

[haydes55]

Before you even look at bikes, buy a brand new, good fitting helmet. Buy a waterproof textile jacket and pants. Buy some comfortable boots, also preferably waterproof. Buy a set of gloves.

What ever money left over is your budget for a bike.

[Scubbo]

could do it on a scootah :scooter: was thinking of doing this, just take a while is all :P

[awa355]

Not another "which bike should I buy" thread?. :brick::brick::brick::brick::brick::brick:

[EJK]

Hey guys as thread title suggests me and my pal have organised a trip down South Island over Christmas, both very new to this.

Looking for a cruiser type bike, 250cc minimum is required I have been told ?

Found 2 possible bikes both 2008

Suzuki intruder VL250

Suzuki classic lc vl250

My budget is around $3.5k which I guess is a stumbling block in itself. Any input as to what make and models to look for ? Glad imfound this place as I almost bought a gn 250l ast week

Really appreciate any help guys

Thanks !

On the other thread you stated that you just got your BHS certificate. Are you comfortable with open road riding?

[nodrog]

On the other thread you stated that you just got your BHS certificate. Are you comfortable with open road riding?

who cares?

Get a k6 gsxr 1000.

[Grubber]

I can see now this is going to end bad!:argh:

[caspernz]

I can see now this is going to end bad!:argh:

Oh c'mon now, I for one admire the optimism of planning a south island trip when one doesn't even have a bike as yet...:devil2:

[Grubber]

Oh c'mon now, I for one admire the optimism of planning a south island trip when one doesn't even have a bike as yet...:devil2:

True. I guess there is certain amount of adventure involved. Haha haha who am I kidding!

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[OddDuck]

Second the advice about gear first.

Any standard riding position Japanese bike made in the last fifteen years should do this easy - as others have said, try for a 400.

[ellipsis]

...you learn a hell of a lot more in shorts and a tee shirt...

[haydes55]

Insurance, roadside assistance and a strong hitch hikers thumb if all turns to shut.

Spare dosh will be needed for tire repairs, buying new shut because something fell off etc.

Allow a couple hundy for gas, do an oil change and filter before even starting. Back packing is cheap... but can you park your bike safely over night? Camping is cheaper again... but you need to haul more shit. Ferry crossings? Want to do any tourist stuff while there? $$$

Gear to get ready $1000
Gas for the trip $200
Food $100
Insurance $500/year
Roadside assistance $150?
Oil and filter $80
Accommodation $100/night

How much left in the budget for a bike?

[ellipsis]

Insurance, roadside assistance and a strong hitch hikers thumb if all turns to shut.

Spare dosh will be needed for tire repairs, buying new shut because something fell off etc.

Allow a couple hundy for gas, do an oil change and filter before even starting. Back packing is cheap... but can you park your bike safely over night? Camping is cheaper again... but you need to haul more shit. Ferry crossings? Want to do any tourist stuff while there? $$$

Gear to get ready $1000
Gas for the trip $200
Food $100
Insurance $500/year
Roadside assistance $150?
Oil and filter $80
Accommodation $100/night

How much left in the budget for a bike?


...your life must be really exciting...:rolleyes:

[caspernz]

Insurance, roadside assistance and a strong hitch hikers thumb if all turns to shut.

Spare dosh will be needed for tire repairs, buying new shut because something fell off etc.

Allow a couple hundy for gas, do an oil change and filter before even starting. Back packing is cheap... but can you park your bike safely over night? Camping is cheaper again... but you need to haul more shit. Ferry crossings? Want to do any tourist stuff while there? $$$

Gear to get ready $1000
Gas for the trip $200
Food $100
Insurance $500/year
Roadside assistance $150?
Oil and filter $80
Accommodation $100/night

How much left in the budget for a bike?

That bus ticket with Kiwi Experience must be starting to look real purdy...:eek:

[Ocean1]

Did none of you old bastards ever head off into the wild blue with nothing but a pile of shit connecting two wheels, a slightly used line 7 jacket and a marmite sammich?

Fuckin killjoys.

[Madness]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=966410956

[pete-blen]

Did none of you old bastards ever head off into the wild blue with nothing but a pile of shit connecting two wheels, a slightly used line 7 jacket and a marmite sammich?

Fuckin killjoys.

:drool:.... marmite sammich....................................

[T.W.R]

https://touch.trademe.co.nz/motors/listing/view/967645458

[Big Dog]

Did none of you old bastards ever head off into the wild blue with nothing but a pile of shit connecting two wheels, a slightly used line 7 jacket and a marmite sammich?

Fuckin killjoys.
Line 7 jacket and a marmite sammich?
Fookin looookkksharrrry!

My first overnight adventure wasn't quite that grand but the extent of my planning was a packed lunch, a tank of gas and hoping the weather held.

Turns out it didn't. So had a blast.

Sent via tapatalk.

[Tazz]

Fark yeah! I'm jealous as. Money is better spent on experiences than being ink on your monthly statement for sure.

Focus on what is available to purchase rather than what you wish was for sale. That said definitely get something you want that suits you, not what someone on the internet said suits them best.

And now, as someone on the internet I suggest you get a duel purpose bike instead of a cruiser for a trip like that :laugh:

It is not hard to buy and sell things anyway these days, so whatever you get you can flick on if you don't like it no worries.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-960894923.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-962055279.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-952514419.htm

I don't know why people are so anti riding without 'experience'. You will have more experience coming back from a trip like that than months of riding around at home.

[GrayWolf]

OP nothing wrong with a 'ginny',
Just to put into perspective, one of the fitters from work has just gone 'doon sooth' for a bike trip, on a GN125, he is a bit of an 'oddball' though,,, ' and ther was a guy who did the 1000 miler, thats 1600km's in 24 hrs on a GN250...
a steady 90km's an hour and a ginny will get you anywhere you want to go. Been around since god was a recruit, plenty of cheapo spares, bits carried in just about every breakers/bike shop anywhere in the country....

[Scubbo]

from the facebook trader group is a "2007 Suzuki gn250 great runner. Has rego and new 12month wof. has new pirelli tyres front and back $1600 or swaps west auckland"

looks pretty good for the price / reg/wof a bonus -- 40thou kms

[Tazz]

Ain't nothing wrong with puddling around on a GN if you have to, but with a 3.5k budget why would you? :scratch:

[GrayWolf]

Ain't nothing wrong with puddling around on a GN if you have to, but with a 3.5k budget why would you? :scratch:

it's 1750 each, wants TWO bikes.

[Tazz]

it's 1750 each, wants TWO bikes.

Ah, that explains it. Senior moment over here. GN250 territory for sure.

[caspernz]

it's 1750 each, wants TWO bikes.


Ah, that explains it. Senior moment over here. GN250 territory for sure.

And even at that we're not sure whether the budget mentioned was just for the purchase of said two wheeled toys, or if this also included the slush fund for the trip itself...

Maybe we've scared the OP off...:eek5::wacko:

[Oakie]

Did none of you old bastards ever head off into the wild blue with nothing but a pile of shit connecting two wheels, a slightly used line 7 jacket and a marmite sammich?

Fuckin killjoys.

Did Oamaru to Balclutha and return two up on an XL175 back in the day.
And you know ... sometimes I think it's the guys who do rides on bikes ill-suited for the purpose are the real bikers among us. Incidentally ... West Coast is best done slowly anyway. It really is about the journey ... not the destination.

[Yandog1987]

Gee thanks everyone for your replies, very helpful. Some nice bike suggestions too.

it's 3.5k each and our slush fund was sorted way before this turned into a bike trip, worst comes to worst ill just start battering the old credit card.

Got a few viewings lined up so pretty excited to be getting the biked finally sorted out and on the road.

I've head west coast is Beast, will be going down west and up east Coast I think.

Not bothered about getting on the open roads with just my bhs. Slightly different but I have spent a few days in rural Vietnam cruising around on a scooter so, do have a shred of experience. should be a good laugh anyhow and great way of seeing New Zealand

Thanks again

[Banditbandit]

Before you even look at bikes, buy a brand new, good fitting helmet. Buy a waterproof textile jacket and pants. Buy some comfortable boots, also preferably waterproof. Buy a set of gloves.

What ever money left over is your budget for a bike.

Yeah .. I just know that's exactly how YOU did it .. NOT ..



...you learn a hell of a lot more in shorts and a tee shirt...

If you survive ..




Line 7 jacket and a marmite sammich?
Fookin looookkksharrrry!

My first overnight adventure wasn't quite that grand but the extent of my planning was a packed lunch, a tank of gas and hoping the weather held.

Turns out it didn't. So had a blast.

Sent via tapatalk.

I didn't even take the packed lunch - there's always petrol station pies ..

[Big Dog]

Not if you have no money and you do have access to a well stocked larder.



Sent via tapatalk.

[neels]

Good on you for giving it a go, as long as you know your limitations and take your time, life gets very boring if you spend it waiting until you're 'ready' to do stuff.

You're on the money with your route, through Nelson and down the west coast is some of the best (although at times wettest) riding, and back over whichever of the passes suits your time frame.



Looks like you could get almost a matching pair of bikes with some spare cash for installing pack racks.....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-975159505.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-971838822.htm

[ellipsis]

...third time I have related this on here...a young French bloke I met out my way was traveling the SI on a Yammy dirt bike, I'm sure it was a 125 but it may have been bigger but under 200cc... I commented about his choice of tourer, his reply, " your country is so beautiful, why would you want to ride past it and not see it"...he had a pack rack and a screen...before all the 'gear', came along, how the fuck do you think we did it...denim jacket, jeans and a jersey or two and 350 k trips on such things as Honda SS90's...a lot seem to be caught up in the glossy world of advertising and peer pressure, much like teenage girls...

[Banditbandit]

Not if you have no money and you do have access to a well stocked larder.



Sent via tapatalk.


How do you have a well-stocked larder and no money ??? (Yeah ... I know - spend all the mopney on the larder ...) Carrying food adds weight to the bike .. a EFTPOS card is much lighter ...

Send from my basic keyboard on a work computer using fingers ...

[Big Dog]

Bum student living at the parents house?

Details are a little fuzzy. Not sure how I procured other food, lodgings or the fuel for the return trip home but I didn't have an EFTPOS card yet.
I think there was a lawn mower and the kindness of strangers involved.


Sent via tapatalk.

[Tazz]

...third time I have related this on here...a young French bloke I met out my way was traveling the SI on a Yammy dirt bike, I'm sure it was a 125 but it may have been bigger but under 200cc... I commented about his choice of tourer, his reply, " your country is so beautiful, why would you want to ride past it and not see it"...he had a pack rack and a screen...before all the 'gear', came along, how the fuck do you think we did it...denim jacket, jeans and a jersey or two and 350 k trips on such things as Honda SS90's...a lot seem to be caught up in the glossy world of advertising and peer pressure, much like teenage girls...

You mean you don't map your entire route and sort out which corners you're going to lift a cheek and fart on? That's just reckless. What if one gets trapped on the inside layers.

[husaberg]

...third time I have related this on here...a young French bloke I met out my way was traveling the SI on a Yammy dirt bike, I'm sure it was a 125 but it may have been bigger but under 200cc... I commented about his choice of tourer, his reply, " your country is so beautiful, why would you want to ride past it and not see it"...he had a pack rack and a screen...before all the 'gear', came along, how the fuck do you think we did it...denim jacket, jeans and a jersey or two and 350 k trips on such things as Honda SS90's...a lot seem to be caught up in the glossy world of advertising and peer pressure, much like teenage girls...

That reminds me of those old-timers that tell the stories of the walking 3 miles to school in the snow with no shoes only wearing wool sacks for clothes.:cool:

so you had a Honda SS90 ya flashy buggar you. post a pic

[Virago]

That reminds me of those old-timers that tell the stories of the walking 3 miles to school in the snow with no shoes only wearing wool sacks for clothes.:cool:...

Yeah, it was tough alright - it was uphill both ways. If we were really lucky we would find a fresh cow-pat to warm our feet.

[Oakie]

You mean you don't map your entire route and sort out which corners you're going to lift a cheek and fart on? That's just reckless. What if one gets trapped on the inside layers.

Happened to me once. Farted lustily into my bike pants when I arrived in the work car park and when i took my pants off at my desk 3 minutes later it jumped out and tried to choke me. Sneaky bastard!

[husaberg]

Yeah, it was tough alright - it was uphill both ways. If we were really lucky we would find a fresh cow-pat to warm our feet.

Pure luxury ya decadent b-stard. :clap:

[haydes55]

Yeah .. I just know that's exactly how YOU did it .. NOT ..


That's exactly what I did, except I didn't buy riding pants til after I had the bike... That's why I ended up buying a $1300 '89 FZR250.

[Ocean1]

Happened to me once. Farted lustily into my bike pants when I arrived in the work car park and when i took my pants off at my desk 3 minutes later it jumped out and tried to choke me. Sneaky bastard!

Never trust a fart!!!

[Winston001]

Soz to interrupt youse guys but back to the OP:

For a first trip around the Mainland, you don't want to go fast. Enjoy an m/c paradise and take your time. Frankly I think a modern 250 is plenty of bike to enjoy yourselves.

Back in the day (1970s) I did plenty down here on a Suzuki TS185 and never even thought it was tough. Back and forth Dunedin to Invercargill as a student. Warehouse type rain gear and plain helmet. And gumboots. Easy.

Funny old thing about life: its the hard stuff you enjoy most and remember. I suspect you already understand that as a motorcyclist. :D

[Banditbandit]

That's exactly what I did, except I didn't buy riding pants til after I had the bike... That's why I ended up buying a $1300 '89 FZR250.

I had jeans and an army greatcoat (which both still hang in my garage) .. and steel cap work boots borrowed from work ... and a Triumph Thunderbird ... (Meridan 650 for you young fellas ...)

[russd7]

Did none of you old bastards ever head off into the wild blue with nothing but a pile of shit connecting two wheels, a slightly used line 7 jacket and a marmite sammich?

Fuckin killjoys.

hell yeah :Punk:

[granstar]

I did (pile'0'shite- marmite sandwich- army coat- nob nails, and beers) and suffering these days for it hence quote...(if I had to do it all again i'd leave the marmite sammie at home).:sleep:


Before you even look at bikes, buy a brand new, good fitting helmet. Buy a waterproof textile jacket and pants. Buy some comfortable boots, also preferably waterproof. Buy a set of gloves.

What ever money left over is your budget for a bike. Definitely waterproof boots and gloves (goodluck), consider 'rainoffs'.

Then there is the gear and sleeping arrangement options (depending on how you want to do it, iv'e done it in couple days- bloody good ride didn't see much, a set of Oxford panniers for the wet gear and my Xmas prese, tent or money for hotel-motels or beers for the mates youv'e crashed in on (all bout same value), avoid eye ripping out bungee cords.

Whatever you get, something that will pass a sheep truck and trailer or milk tanker and trailer with safe ease would be ideal.

Some good old reliable classics out there, XV, XJ Yamaha's wouldn't sneeze at for touring plodders at a good price.

Honda Hornets, good round town on open road, and can be flogged....apparently.

Good tyres a must.

Few places worth a stop but there in that is another thread to start to keep this on-topic.

[Dr ZSM]

Having not ridden on the road for fifteen years, I bought a DRZ400 SM in August and rode it from Thames down to CHCH over a weekend. Unfortunately the weather involved rain, hail, sleet and snow. Not really the ideal bike for such a journey but I loved it and gained more experience on that trip than I would have done in a month of commuting. So what if you don't have any experience. The only way you're going to gain any is time with your arse on the seat, however uncomfortable it may be!!!


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[Yandog1987]

https://touch.trademe.co.nz/motors/listing/view/967645458

Went for this beast in the end, apparently it's a classic bike so insurance works a bit differently and it's harder to get spare parts... I couldn't resist though

Cheers for all the replies , lots of good advice and nostalgia ITT

[T.W.R]

Went for this beast in the end, apparently it's a classic bike so insurance works a bit differently and it's harder to get spare parts... I couldn't resist though

Cheers for all the replies , lots of good advice and nostalgia ITT

Treat it with a bit of respect and it'll take you all over the country without a hiccup; a straight forward bike that had a reasonable model run without changes (just colours & minor details to keep up with styling trends of the day). Parts are out there, just got to know what you're looking for.

[granstar]

Good wee allround bike CB 400, should be as reliable as for a round S.I trip with a good once over, check all electrics are good nick, battery, tyres, chains etc.

Over years Iv'e owned 2 x CB 175's, a 550, and now 919, all good fun cheap to run bikes.

[P i x D = R]

i have a few of the gn250s and would think any single 250 would be the same
to tell the truth i dont think they are heavy enough to command the road
and the engine i think revs too high -- trademe has plenty of good looking
500 600 cc bikes twins etc saying all this if you had to a small 250 could
do it , --- if you do long trips buy two spare spark plugs and a coil lead
ou will need top quality gloves at lest dont buy sh-t gloves

[swbarnett]

gn250 is ok around town and little further out but dont do a long trip
I had one for a couple of years. It had Oxford panniers and a small Givi topbox. Holeshot called it the "touring version".

Longest single trip I did on it was Auckland to Rotorua. While it wasn't going to break any speed records it certainly did the job.

[WristTwister]

Budget is always going to be a limiting factor. I watched Baron von Grumble - a youtube motovlogger - travel through the Swiss alps (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Junsxm-GfUA)along the Susten Pass on a BMW GS1200, that looks like an awesome touring machine. All the panniers to carry all my crap I must take with me :)

[JayDNZ]

Went for this beast in the end

So how did the trip go? Or, how is it going?