Suggested routes - Wellington to Tauranga

[Mike.Gayner]

I'm flying to Wellington next weekend to pick up a bike, and riding it home to Tauranga. Because I'm arriving in Wellington around midday I'm going to make it an overnight trip. I've spent hardly any time down that end of the country, so don't really know the roads at all. I want to take the long way back home, so I'm interested in hearing about the best roads between there and here.

Currently considering the Forgotten Highway (which has been on my to-do list for a while), but it has been suggested that road might be slightly sketchy this time of year. Other possibilities are SH2 out to Hastings, or possibly up the middle to check out the Desert Road.

Any advice welcome. Cheers.

[Flip]

The road from Napier to Opotiki is motorcycle heaven. 4 hrs via the gorge and 6 hours via east cape. Napier to Wtn is 4 hrs and a nice ride. There is a spare bed at my home in Gisborne if you need one.

[Maha]

1:Wellington/Wanganui/National Park/Taumarunui/Kuratua Junction/Western Access to Whakamaru/Tokaroa/Okoroire/Kaimais/Home.

2:Wellington/Wanganui/National Park/Taumarunui/Te Kuiti/Bennydale/Whakamaru/Tokaroa/Okoroire/Kaimais/Home.

3:Wellington/Wanganui/Stratford/Forgotten Highway/Taumarunui/Kuratua Junction/Western Access to Whakamaru/Tokaroa/Okoroire/Kaimais/Home.

A couple of variations of a similar route but awesome riding on any bike.

[OddDuck]

SH2 to Masterton.

Route 52 to Dannevirke (gas up first). It's very remote, there's a pub at Wimbledon and another at Pongaroa but that's really it, don't do it if you aren't sure of the bike.

Then you could do SH2 to Napier and SH5 north.

[Ender EnZed]

SH2 to Masterton.

Route 52 to Dannevirke (gas up first). It's very remote, there's a pub at Wimbledon and another at Pongaroa but that's really it, don't do it if you aren't sure of the bike.


Better yet, skip Dannevirke and head right the way up through Porangahau to Waipukurau. (https://goo.gl/maps/fyXhc4ur86z) Assuming a Speed Triple can manage 200km on one tank? There'll be more sheep on the road than cars the whole way.

The Napier-Taihape road (https://goo.gl/maps/gSczqLbxKjG2) (Gentle Annie) is also excellent.

[caspernz]

Plenty of ways to run Welly to Tauranga, starting point being to avoid SH1 for the most part. Tricky part is the bike, reliability and fuel range?

My vote would be: Rimutaka Hill (SH2) then over Pahiatua Track, head for Wanganui then up the Paraparas. Raetihi to Ohakune, Waiouru, backtrack a little towards Taihape, head over the Gentle Annie to Napier, then Gisborne for the overnight. Next day Gisborne to Tauranga via either Waioeka Gorge or East Cape, whatever you fancy or the weather suggests...

[Mike.Gayner]

Thanks for the tips. Tank range on this bike should be around 220km.

[5ive]

Thanks for the tips. Tank range on this bike should be around 220km.

Bugger, that's not very far at all.

[nzspokes]

Bugger, that's not very far at all.

You will find once you get into bigger bikes, thats not uncommon.

[nzspokes]

We did the Forgotten Highway last weekend. Its fine. Gravel section is in great condition and is very easy riding.

214ks from Stratford to Te Kuiti for fuel.

Enjoy.

[Maha]

You will find once you get into bigger bikes, thats not uncommon.

I would get 320+ out of the CB

[nzspokes]

The road from Napier to Opotiki is motorcycle heaven. 4 hrs via the gorge and 6 hours via east cape. Napier to Wtn is 4 hrs and a nice ride. There is a spare bed at my home in Gisborne if you need one.

I would like to do that ride, hopefully this summer. Enjoyed Gentle Annie last weekend. Nice region to ride in.

[5ive]

You will find once you get into bigger bikes, thats not uncommon.

That was the joke :niceone:

[nzspokes]

That was the joke :niceone:

Wait until you ride with a group of Harleys. Owners bladders only last 100ks...

[Crasherfromwayback]

You will find once you get into bigger bikes, thats not uncommon.

Most biggies would go closer to 300 I'd say.

[Tazz]

There is nothing at all exciting about the Desert Road, compared to other options anyway.

Enjoy your shopping!

[Bikemad]

i'd go for the old wanganui river road over the forgotton hwy.........

[nzspokes]

i'd go for the old wanganui river road over the forgotton hwy.........

Is that the one that goes to National Park? I dont know the area very well.

[nzspokes]

Most biggies would go closer to 300 I'd say.

Depends on the style I guess. I tend to ride with more sportier types and closer to 200ish is the norm. My old Bandit is anywhere from 230 to 270 depending on how far I twist the throttle before reserve. My old Hornet was 230 to the red light. But a mates Busa is 300k which surprised me. And another on a Concours is 400k. :crazy:

[Bikemad]

Is that the one that goes to National Park? I dont know the area very well.

you take the same road outta wanganui heading for the wangaparas.....but about 10ks out just past upokongaro hang a left,follows the river past jerusalem to pipriki where you have to go right and you end up in Raetihi.......quite narrow......great scenery........all sealed.......hardly any traffic

[Bikemad]

then if you have the time head north to Horopito and wander round the wreckers yard there......Smash Palace was filmed there years ago

[5ive]

Wait until you ride with a group of Harleys. Owners bladders only last 100ks...

Haha, is that why the diehard Harley riders have very large panniers?

I already get bored waiting for other riders with my 450-500km range, and the faster they go, the more frequent the stops.

[Mike.Gayner]

Tank range ranks about the middle of my list of priorities. Unfortunately nothing that fulfilled the top of my priorities had good tank range. I can get 330km out of my 750.

The smallish tank range of the Speedy will be a pain in the ass, but the rest of the bike will make up for it.

[JATZ]

Another vote for H/way 52. Watch it on the wooden bridges if it's wet :gob:
If you do head round East Cape there's fuel at Te Araroa, 91 only... unless your bike runs on diesel :D

[Mike.Gayner]

This is my plan at the moment:

Day 1: Wellington to Hastings via Route 52 (https://www.google.co.nz/maps/dir/Wellington/Hastings/@-40.42454,175.9638379,8.25z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m15!1m1!1s0x6d38b1fc49e974cb:0xa0 0ef63a213b470!2m2!1d174.776236!2d-41.2864603!3m4!1m2!1d175.7281639!2d-40.9368372!3s0x6d4123a08eb22499:0x1300ef6106aa3f60 !3m4!1m2!1d176.559036!2d-40.3737833!3s0x6d423851d4604eb9:0x1300ef6106a84a71 !1m5!1m1!1s0x6d6851486a538aeb:0x500ef6143a29918!2m 2!1d176.8392322!2d-39.6395783!3e0).

Day 2: Hastings to Taihape via Gentle Annie, to Tauranga via 32 (https://www.google.co.nz/maps/dir/Hastings/Tauranga/@-38.7760305,175.780959,8.5z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m15!1m1!1s0x6d6851486a538aeb:0x50 0ef6143a29918!2m2!1d176.8392322!2d-39.6395783!3m4!1m2!1d175.6855747!2d-39.5183671!3s0x6d6a5e9eb4082e2b:0x1300ef6106ffd5b0 !3m4!1m2!1d175.7217728!2d-38.6296094!3s0x6d6b8692f53aa01f:0x1300ef61069d4260 !1m5!1m1!1s0x6d6e76e77bd464e5:0x500ef6143a39926!2m 2!1d176.1651295!2d-37.6877975!3e0) (will mix it up a bit after that, but just showing bare bones on the map).

[reasonable]

Mike , I did route 52 on my Dl650 a couple of weeks ago .
It's been a few years since I've owned a bike & this f**kin put a smile on my dial .
I'm originally from the Waikato & it was great to get out of the Wgtn traffic .
Also great to unleash the capabilities of the little Strom .
If you've got time don't forget to stop at the Wimbledon country pub .
Envious

[jellywrestler]

i'd go for the old wanganui river road over the forgotton hwy.........

is it open after the floods earlier this year, there was a lot of damage to it

[Mike.Gayner]

is it open after the floods earlier this year, there was a lot of damage to it

Quick Google search indicates the road is still closed.

[Banditbandit]

My favourite route from Wellington to the Bay of Plenty is:

Wellington to the Wairarapa

Over the Pahiatua Track and on to Ashurst.

Ashurst to Taihape via the Pohangana Valley and Apiti and Rangiwahia ... (brings you out just north of Mangaweka)

Over the Desert Road to Turangi (I like the Desert Road - but avoid the cops)

Turangi to Taupo via the Western Bays Road around the lake

Taupo to Rotorua (there are quite a few ways) then up Pyes Pa Road to Taurangi.

When I'm coming Home I turn left at Rainbow Mountain and go through Murupara and then down the river to Whakatane ...

[Old Steve]

If you've got time don't forget to stop at the Wimbledon country pub

Try the Pirongahau Pub and ask about the yard glass on the wall.

I was at a wedding at Pirongahau back in the late 60s/early 70s and drank two yard glasses in the one evening. My mate cleaned up betting with the locals that I could do it. I have been given free drinks on the couple of times that I've visited the pub since then.

[Mike.Gayner]

After much agonising on which direction, I've decided to go Welly to Hastings visa route 52 (or part of it at least, we'll see), stay overnight in Napier, then over Gentle Annie and home via the west side of Lake Taupo. Departing Wellington at around 1pm, hence the short day 1.

Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/oyQVF7ELVH12

Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/GVHPKikip2r

[reasonable]

Sounds good .
Let us know how you get on , the forecast is good for the weekend

[Ender EnZed]

After much agonising on which direction, I've decided to go Welly to Hastings visa route 52 (or part of it at least, we'll see), stay overnight in Napier, then over Gentle Annie and home via the west side of Lake Taupo. Departing Wellington at around 1pm, hence the short day 1.

Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/oyQVF7ELVH12

Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/GVHPKikip2r

I suggest you take SH50 into Napier instead of that last leg of SH2. It's a bit quicker, can be tempting to make it a lot quicker but there are cops along there sometimes.

[tri boy]

Parapara is average at the moment due to slips etc.
Old Wanganui river road will be closed for a very long time, (unless your on knobblies:banana:)

[Mike.Gayner]

I suggest you take SH50 into Napier instead of that last leg of SH2. It's a bit quicker, can be tempting to make it a lot quicker but there are cops along there sometimes.

Thanks, I've made that adjustment.

[Banditbandit]

After much agonising on which direction, I've decided to go Welly to Hastings visa route 52 (or part of it at least, we'll see), stay overnight in Napier, then over Gentle Annie and home via the west side of Lake Taupo. Departing Wellington at around 1pm, hence the short day 1.

Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/oyQVF7ELVH12

Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/GVHPKikip2r

Good choice - you'll have a blast ...



I suggest you take SH50 into Napier instead of that last leg of SH2. It's a bit quicker, can be tempting to make it a lot quicker but there are cops along there sometimes.

Not necessarily true that it is faster - I've used both and found it depends on the traffic, wether etc ... SH50 is cetainly more fun if you are not familiar and bored with the route ...

[thehovel]

Parapara is average at the moment due to slips etc.
Old Wanganui river road will be closed for a very long time, (unless your on knobblies:banana:)

I did The Paraparas on the way to Cold Kiwi on a cruiser (vt750) no problem. A few one way sections and a couple of one way bits that have lights other than that the road is good(the mud has washed away). Keep it quiet and the cars will stay away!!!! Regards Richard

[Mike.Gayner]

Day 1 done with, heading over Gentle Annie today. Good god that route 52 was a good suggestion, incredible road. Headed back onto the highway at Danniverke because I was well behind schedule.

The Speed Triple is something else. I was a bit disappointed during the initial ride out of Wellington through typical Welly burbs, the bike felt very ordinary. But on the open road and twisties it's a very special bike.

Foggy cold morning in Napier this morning.