Paying a visit for a few weeks

[halfast]

Hi Gents (and ladies),

I'm introducing myself here, because I'm going to be a tourist. I spontaneously bought a ticket to Auckland for later this month. I'm coming in from the bay area of California. I'm hoping to buy a bike for around $3K NZD (have been checking out trade.me) and tour around the islands for about 5 or 6 weeks. I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions as I do more research , but already this site has proven to be invaluable for route suggestions. Great stuff!

A couple of questions right of the bat:

Your insurance is quite a bit different from what I'm used to, does anybody have any suggestions for a decent carrier and a policy that would be good. I reckon I probably want to carry a fair amount of liability coverage.

Does anybody have a suggestion for a tourist phone or sim card, from what I gather both vodaphone and 2degeesmobile are the main players, is one better over the other? I'll probably be using more data than actual calls and texts.

I'm thinking about picking up a light two piece textile suit for your variable weather, as opposed to bringing my leathers or bulky winter suit, does that seem right? Are textile suits track day legal? Doubt I'll do a track day, but you never know.

Me: Been riding for about 15 or so years, old enough to know better but dumb enough to still get in trouble.

I've been spying a few different bikes on trade me, vtr 250's, a dr350 and the kid in me is kind of lusting after a NC30 down in Christchurch, the old man in me is telling me I'd regret that…or at least my body would.

Many thanks in advance and really looking forward so seeing y'all on the road. This has been a dream of mine for quite some time.

Cheers,
Matt

[Smifffy]

Welcome!

2degrees & vodafone use the same network, are ok around cities and larger towns. Coverage can be sketchy out in the boonies. Spark has possibly marginally better coverage.

There's a couple of insurance threads on here, and one company that sponsors the site that seems to have a good rep.

Have fun, and when you're around Rotorua, hit us up.

[mossy1200]

If your doing longer trips there is probably better value and buying a bigger bike.

[sidecar bob]

You may not be aware that insurance is not compulsory, so the choice is yours.
I not saying it's a good idea not to be insured, just saying.
I'd be going for a bike that can maintain 100+ kph with absolute ease day after day without harming itself.
Personally, I'd be going an older BMW F650 for value for money & fitness for purpose.

There ya go, fugly but practical & cheap.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1006941031.htm

[Cloggy]

The insurance company being referred to is Kiwibike insurance.
Give them a call / email, a friendly bunch, like most of us.
Having been over your way and been through the process of buying a vehicle for travelling the USA on holiday, I can assure you that you will find buying / selling and possibly insuring a vehicle much simpler over here in NZ.
All three major players in the mobile phone industry are much the same when it comes to cost for services provided. You will find you won't get anywhere near the mobile data allowance you might be used to. And buying extra data is fairly expensive. The advantage of Spark is the possibly better coverage (although that much depends on where you are) but also that they have WiFi hot spots (usually on public telephone boxes) around the place where you can get 2GB of data per day for free. This is on their pre-paid $19 / month plan.
As for textile gear, this is all I wear and I have used it on a track day. Do a bit of research on costs. Gear may still be cheaper over there than here. It certainly was two years ago. But with the current exchange rate working within your favour this may have changed.

[Waihou Thumper]

Welcome to NZ matey!
For a few pennies, you can have my number for a few weeks.
Your current balances

Your spend since last bill
0.00 $NZ


Carryover minutes(10 mins will expire on 17 June 2016)
2123 mins


NZ and Aussie Texts
Unlimited Text*


Pay Monthly Plan Data(5120 MB will expire on 17 January 2016)
37654.2 MB


I have approx 35Gb of data and unlimited calls/texts etc...(no International calls please though)
If you want to use it, feel free to PM me.
It is going to waste.

[Waihou Thumper]

I have a DR650/DR800 or a VStrom 1000 with panniers.. in my garage here...
Do you want to rent one? You get it legal, pay for the Registration and a few bucks a week, you can borrow it...
They are in tip top condition...ready to tour.

[nodrog]

Keep left.

_____

[WristTwister]

I was told that leather one piece or zipped together 2 pieces were the only acceptable track day gear.

Which bike to ride?
I'd rent if I were you, you get a late model bike such as the Honda NC750. NZbike rates include;
Side Panniers and Top Box
Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance
Road Side Assistance
Unlimited Kilometres
Surplus Luggage Storage
Assistance with Route Planning if Required

[halfast]

Thanks for the info everybody. I'll definitely check out kiwibike insurance, reckon I'd prefer to be covered and more importantly carry the liability just to be safe. Same goes for checking out Spark.

And
Waihou Thumper, Holy Cow! That is an incredibly generous and appealing offer! Many thanks. My only real apprehension is that I'm a little wary of borrowing some else's baby. I'd hate to bin a bike that isn't mine. Can you give me a couple of days to mull that one over? Renting from you would certainly make things easier.

[halfast]

It seems I'm too much of a newb on this site to send out PM's.

Waihou Thumper, can you shoot me an email at matthewbaze at gmail.

Thanks

[Hads]

Currently looking at selling my Kinbo bike in Chch for around $3500, has 41000km on the clock and can do 600km on a tank. It is a 250cc, but can do 100km/h ok, but won't overtake. I could also rent it to you and handle the insurance for you if you like, currently has full insurance with $100 excess.

[Paul in NZ]

Sing out when you have dates - most folks here are decent.... well.... semi decent.... well.... good for a night on the couch... some of them wont even molest you...

[halfast]

Thanks Paul in NZ, good to know that I probably won't get molested! The plan, as it stands today, is to get a decent map, twist the throttle and get lost. The way I see it, NZ is, arguably, one of the most breath taking countries on the planet with some of the best twisty roads anywhere. Getting lost doesn't sound so bad.

And thanks Hads, I'll keep that in mind. As others have pointed out, a bike with a bit more oomph may be better for traveling the whole country. So, I'm starting to look at bikes with a few more cc's at the moment.

Now, I would ask about everyone's favorite beer/ale, but I'm afraid that might be like asking what is the best oil.

[mossy1200]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/177400-2006-GSF1200S-Bandit

Bargin. Probably well under 3k usd and comes with luggage.

[Tazz]

If it happens to be my DR350 on tardme you were looking at I can get it to Hamilton as an excuse to visit my niece, or possibly Auckland if I'm flying back ;)

Whatever you end up with there is possibly a place for you to crash in Picton on your way through, and depending on days/work I'm always keen for a blat :D

[halfast]

Hey Tazz, it was your bike and I think I must have seen the ad here, best ad ever. Even if I can't ride dirt, reading your ad made me think I could.

I still can't PM members yet, can you shoot me an email at matthewbaze at g mail

thanks, I've a few questions.

[Hawkeye]

Hi Halfast,

Just get a few more posts up and you will be able to PM.
Once you have dates, flick me a msg and there's a bed for the night as you pass through Wellington.
I've had two or 3 of your countrymen call in on their travels.

[FJRider]

I still can't PM members yet, can you shoot me an email at matthewbaze at g mail

thanks, I've a few questions.

He can PM you though ... and you can reply to his PM's ...

[halfast]

Edit: Looks like I can PM folks now. I think hawkeye gave me some kind of rep that popped onto my screen for a second. Cheers and thanks.

Thanks for the tips and forum know how.

And Hawkeye many thanks the bed offer!

[halfast]

Okay, see you guys in a few days. Starting in Auckland and heading south. I should be looking a few of you up for, at the least, a beer. I'll be riding a hired a dr650.

Cheers

[seanmhor]

Hi,
Just joined this forum ,I will be coming to NZ in October,renting a bike in Auckland,and hopefully putting as many miles on it as I can in two weeks or so !
Are there any recommendations for definite do's or don'ts ,? I'm fairly flexible in my schedule ( read that as no fixed plans !) and any help regarding weather, accommodation, I think most of my time will be in the South Island, but who knows !!

thanks,

John.

[haydes55]

Hi,
Just joined this forum ,I will be coming to NZ in October,renting a bike in Auckland,and hopefully putting as many miles on it as I can in two weeks or so !
Are there any recommendations for definite do's or don'ts ,? I'm fairly flexible in my schedule ( read that as no fixed plans !) and any help regarding weather, accommodation, I think most of my time will be in the South Island, but who knows !!

thanks,

John.
Can you delay coming to new zealand until November? Burt Munro rally/speedway/circuit/street/beach/hill climb/motocross week is an experience.

[halfast]

Hi,
Just joined this forum ,I will be coming to NZ in October,renting a bike in Auckland,and hopefully putting as many miles on it as I can in two weeks or so !
Are there any recommendations for definite do's or don'ts ,? I'm fairly flexible in my schedule ( read that as no fixed plans !) and any help regarding weather, accommodation, I think most of my time will be in the South Island, but who knows !!

thanks,

John.

Hi John,

First off, New Zealand is super easy. The Kiwi's are warm, welcoming and laid back. The roads are great and the scenery is spectacular.

Some things that I did and that come to mind:
Bring Froggs Toggs or the like, it can rain at any time. I brought winter gloves too. Don't let the Froggs Toggs touch a hot exhaust though :(

I rented from Auckland Motorbike Hire, guy's name is Randal. Nice guy, picked me up from the airport at midnight. I recommend.

I used the New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas as my map guide, it's pretty good, though I didn't always agree with the author's fun rating system.

I had a piece of tape on the L mirror that said "curb" with an arrow pointing to the left and a piece of tape on the R mirror that said "look" with an arrow pointing to the right. It helped until I got the muscle memory.

Tie down straps for the ferry. I was told the ferry will supply, but I didn't see that and brought my own.

Make sure your rentals headlight is adjusted properly. Those tunnels are dark. I'm not sure where my headlight was pointing, but it wasn't towards the ground. The most harrowing part of my trip was going through the Milford sound tunnel and the Forgotten world highway(?) tunnel, it was like riding with my eyes closed. Didn't help that I'm not very smart and had sunglasses on too.

I brought a wee tent and sleeping bag and camped a fair amount.

Unlock your phone, if you want to use it. I bought a sim card at the airport, I think it was Spark.

With all that said, you could show up with nothing but a credit card, rent a bike and go where the wind blows you and you'd have a great time. It's that easy.

I wish I was preparing to do the same trip, I want to do it again.

Have fun.

[clint640]

Hi,
Just joined this forum ,I will be coming to NZ in October,renting a bike in Auckland,and hopefully putting as many miles on it as I can in two weeks or so !
Are there any recommendations for definite do's or don'ts ,? I'm fairly flexible in my schedule ( read that as no fixed plans !) and any help regarding weather, accommodation, I think most of my time will be in the South Island, but who knows !!

thanks,

John.

Have fun! Avoid SH1 between Christchurch & Timaru, it's about the only really boring bit of road in the country :laugh:

Tourism is booming here at present so even though we're a way off peak season I'd still try & book accommodation a day or 2 ahead in the main tourist towns on weekends, otherwise you shouldn't need to plan too much. Staying in country pubs is usually good but pack your earplugs in case your room is above the bar. Cabins in campgrounds are also a good option if you want something cheaper than a motel.

Go where it isn't raining is a good strategy this time of year. Good advice above about being ready for rain & a range of temperatures. If the weather is good to the East when you start out head for Coromandel then right around East Cape. Don't miss the South Is West Coast & the road to Milford.

Cheers
Clint

[aws]

You definitely want to spend a decent amount of time in the SI, but the NI also has some good riding to offer. Hopefully the weather comes right by the time you arrive - it usually does sometime in late September or October. It's been rubbish lately, but let's hope that is just the final death throes of winter.

Definitely visit the Queenstown area and Milford Sound. I've not ridden in the SI, but if I did, I'd ride thru from Nelson to Golden Bay and the Takaka Hill. I also liked the road from there down to the West Coast. You just have to get your timing right with the West Coast, as it rains a LOT. I also like the Lindis Pass area and the Mackenzie Country. The Glacial rivers through there are spectacular. Two weeks isn't a lot, but if you have the time I'd also make the trip up to the Mount Cook village.



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[seanmhor]

Can you delay coming to new zealand until November? Burt Munro rally/speedway/circuit/street/beach/hill climb/motocross week is an experience.

Bugger !! that sounds like a blast, but I had to book up !!!

[seanmhor]

Thanks for the replies, I'm originally from Scotland so I usually prepare for sun sleet snow and rain !! I expect to spend most of my time in the South Island, but I'm flying in and out of Auckland so I expect a few days there as well.
really looking forward to this trip, I havnt heard a bad word about riding in N,Z, !!

John.

[Old Steve]

Thanks for the replies, I'm originally from Scotland so I usually prepare for sun sleet snow and rain !! I expect to spend most of my time in the South Island, but I'm flying in and out of Auckland so I expect a few days there as well.
really looking forward to this trip, I havnt heard a bad word about riding in N,Z, !!

John.

Get a copy of Mike Hyde's "Twisting Throttle - New Zealand" His favourite 50 bike rides (on and off tarseal) in the country. Oh, don't do the Coromandel Loop in the weekend, loads of mad sportsbike riders trying to break the lap record.