Invercargill Motorbike Museum

[Old Steve]

Landed in Invercargill last night, bit cold but today is a lot better. Got picked up and driven passed the big shopfront in the main street where the Nelson motorbikes are going to be relocated. They're working on the interior now, big double frontage two level building. First trucjload of bikes from Nelson arrived last week apparently.

It's good to know the Nelson collection wasn't split up, and it'll be good for Invercargill too. Being right in the main street will mean that visitors are more likely to stop and buy something in town, even if just a cup of coffee and a bun, rather than go to the museum and then pass on through. I'll have to get down here on business again later in the year.

And some great motorbike riding around here too, up to Cromwell, Wanaka and Queenstown, and the Caitlins. You see a lot of touring bikes on the roads, and little traffic too.

[russd7]

Landed in Invercargill last night, bit cold but today is a lot better. Got picked up and driven passed the big shopfront in the main street where the Nelson motorbikes are going to be relocated. They're working on the interior now, big double frontage two level building. First trucjload of bikes from Nelson arrived last week apparently.

It's good to know the Nelson collection wasn't split up, and it'll be good for Invercargill too. Being right in the main street will mean that visitors are more likely to stop and buy something in town, even if just a cup of coffee and a bun, rather than go to the museum and then pass on through. I'll have to get down here on business again later in the year.

And some great motorbike riding around here too, up to Cromwell, Wanaka and Queenstown, and the Caitlins. You see a lot of touring bikes on the roads, and little traffic too.

ok, its adds like these we don't need down ere :no:, don't want to many peoples knowing stuff like that. ya been for a wander through E Hayes yet. enjoy ya stay and all the warm weather

[russd7]

I think a better location would have been near the motor racing museum in Cromwell to get Queenstown tourism traffic.

fuck off back to your hole and stay there, the motor sport park at cromwell does not do and will never do bikes. the collection was bought by the Bill Richardson museum trust in Invercargill.

for fucks sake dont bother coming this way

[MIXONE]

I was talking to the transporter who was shifting a honda xl350 in excellent original nick down there.It's going to be a great museum and just another reason to go down to the Burt.

[russd7]

I suggest you fuck off to Cromwell and you will see bikes in the museum there as I have been there myself last September. They were mostly old race bikes. Sorry to disappoint you fuckwit.

no they won't race bikes there fuckwit.

[russd7]

I was talking to the transporter who was shifting a honda xl350 in excellent original nick down there.It's going to be a great museum and just another reason to go down to the Burt.

exactly. gonna be bloody awesome

[EJK]

You dont seem to understand that Cromwell "Highlands Park" is not just a race track but a museum and my posting has been that they would be better exhibited there due to the business that Queenstown tourism would offer. You are the only one thinking they have been bought by the new Invercargill owner for the purpose of racing although the media reporting has said they will be put in a museum there which does not mean "RACING"!! Maybe go into your hole and come out when you have grown a BRAIN!!

You sure you been there? Good luck fitting 100+ bikes in there. Also Tony Quinn doesn't like bikes (although there is a Ducati 916 displayed in the so called "museum").

[caseye]

As usual IT is talking Bullshit. I wish IT would just fuck off completely!
Been South of the Ditch twice now, in 40 plus years, going to go look for a long time sooner rather than later, naturally on a bike.

[russd7]

You dont seem to understand that Cromwell "Highlands Park" is not just a race track but a museum and my posting has been that they would be better exhibited there due to the business that Queenstown tourism would offer. You are the only one thinking they have been bought by the new Invercargill owner for the purpose of racing although the media reporting has said they will be put in a museum there which does not mean "RACING"!! Maybe go into your hole and come out when you have grown a BRAIN!!

you are not worth it

[granstar]

You dont seem to understand that Cromwell "Highlands Park" is not just a race track but a museum and my posting has been that they would be better exhibited there due to the business that Queenstown tourism would offer. You are the only one thinking they have been bought by the new Invercargill owner for the purpose of racing although the media reporting has said they will be put in a museum there which does not mean "RACING"!! Maybe go into your hole and come out when you have grown a BRAIN!!

Queenstown overrated, bloody expensive to do anything and like jaffaland have major traffic issues, the place is for ski bunnies and orientals with dosh and no particular place to go. Let them keep the fluffy lamby slipper and plastic tiki sales, we'll keep the bogan side of things for the bogan visitors with Teretonga and Oreti Park Speedway, and some great motorcycling roads.
Cromwell is for the boaties and wine sippers and the only good roads are to and fro (Lindis Pass, Crown Range)

BTW if you are down here and have the time try the Waiauahiri Jet, it eats any Quenstown putput boat ride to pieces ( fastest river and awesome native scenery) :Punk:

[granstar]

There was about 10 bikes there when I visited last Sept so the owner must have developed a liking for bikes since you were there. I never said anything about fitting the Nelson bikes in there but said if they were shifted to Cromwell they would benefit from those interested in the Highlands Park museum and tourist day trips from Queenstown which I think would get more tourists visiting than Invercargill. With this being a private museum unlike a council one that is propped up by ratepayers who knows maybe down the track the new owner will shift to Cromwell to capitalise on traffic from Queenstown.

Doubt it, truck museum is a raging success.

If your cruising Manapouri to Tuatapere route by motorcycle check out the cafe at Orepuki...recommend both.

[Tazz]

Great spot where it is. Good work. It is an asset for Invergiggle =)

[EJK]

There was about 10 bikes there when I visited last Sept so the owner must have developed a liking for bikes since you were there. I never said anything about fitting the Nelson bikes in there but said if they were shifted to Cromwell they would benefit from those interested in the Highlands Park museum and tourist day trips from Queenstown which I think would get more tourists visiting than Invercargill. With this being a private museum unlike a council one that is propped up by ratepayers who knows maybe down the track the new owner will shift to Cromwell to capitalise on traffic from Queenstown.

I was there last weekend? There were only a handful of bikes. Also what's wrong with Invercargill? I think it'll pay better homage to NZ motorcycling culture. I don't know about you but I don't think this collection is for tourism money making but care and preservation of a culture.

[Berries]

There was about 10 bikes there when I visited last Sept so the owner must have developed a liking for bikes since you were there. I never said anything about fitting the Nelson bikes in there but said if they were shifted to Cromwell they would benefit from those interested in the Highlands Park museum and tourist day trips from Queenstown which I think would get more tourists visiting than Invercargill. With this being a private museum unlike a council one that is propped up by ratepayers who knows maybe down the track the new owner will shift to Cromwell to capitalise on traffic from Queenstown.
I doubt it. Bill Richardson was Southland through and through and the chances of his family putting a collection in Cromwell ahead of Invercargill are zero.

The truck museum is a world class attraction and a destination in itself, people travel to Invercargill to see it. I am not sure a collection of motorbikes will reach the same level but they sure don't need to rely on day trippers from Queenstown.

[jellywrestler]

I think a better location would have been near the motor racing museum in Cromwell to get Queenstown tourism traffic.

buy it yourself and do that then, then tell us how good you really are.

[jellywrestler]

Also Tony Quinn doesn't like bikes
i suppose you also beleive that hampton downs was built to go the other way, fuck off with your propaganda.

[granstar]

Ya can keep the right hand driving tourists, tour buses, and freedom campers well away from the deep South TYVM :niceone:

[jellywrestler]

I just thought as it was a tourist attraction in Nelson the Invercargil owner would have purchased it for the same reason. Chances are Invercargil locals would be unlikely to visit more than once. Time will tell I guess how well it goes and you may be right in saying it may have just been a hobby purchase rather than a new business venture.

i saw nelson as a nice place, but when people hit town there's the wearable arts with classic cars and the odd bike and the bike museum, one museuam is enough for a lot, especially extensive ones, i still see the same in invers, truck or bike? one or the other each trip...., still, on a skifield closed day it will be a worthy trip for some once the word gets out.

[skippa1]

I suggest you fuck off
How can you say that? You clearly dont know what it means or you would have by now

[Black Knight]

When myself and mates rode down to the Burt a couple of years back we went to Hayes every day,a museum within its self,fascinating.I am sure that on our next visit it will be to see the bike museum,probably a couple of times at least.
I have mates who saw it in Nelson and raved about it.
Jeez, Katman is a cunt isn't he?

[Black Knight]

oops sorry Katman-I meant Cassina-I need more coffee.

[Kickaha]

oops sorry Katman-I meant Cassina-I need more coffee.
You were right the first time round

[EJK]

i suppose you also beleive that hampton downs was built to go the other way, fuck off with your propaganda.

OK fine, there's no word written anywhere he "hates" motorbikes but clearly is not interested, as much as he's not interested in Ferrari.

[Old Steve]

One thing I notice down here, well two really. The low traffic volumes and the number of Motorbikes on the road, even in winter.

Great riding roads, I'd love to ride through the Caitlins, and through the gorge heading for Cromwell from Dunedin and passed where Sam Neill has his vineyard. There must be a lot of other great motorbike riding roads in the greater lower South Island, but those two really bring out the "One Day!" in me.

[ellipsis]

...the swedes are good too...

[JATZ]

...the swedes are good too...
For cattle fodda....

[ellipsis]

For cattle fodda....

...I may be sitting in a cold shed, friesian, but I still like my swedes...

[Moi]

...the swedes are good too...

especially in Sweden... ;)

Both the truck museum and now the bike museum are on the bucket list...

[jellywrestler]

OK fine, there's no word written anywhere he "hates" motorbikes but clearly is not interested, as much as he's not interested in Ferrari.

he chose not to include bikes at Cromweel track as the run-off requirements etc were not financially viable, he also looked at the size of bike meetings here and realised that it wasn't commercially viable too, this and maybe bikes garking the track with footpegs? he now has hampton downs, and bikes are welcome, i think it's simply tall poppy syndrome that because of the top two things people use the word hate.

[russd7]

swedes are for starving stock and should only be consumed in the recycled form i.e steak or roast.

as for the museum, people from far and wide make a point of coming to invercargill to visit E Hayes shop. i do believe that they will also come to see the new bike museum.

Old Steve, you are correct there are a lot of awesome bike roads round these here parts and not all of them well known to even locals.
we do have low traffic volumes, especially in the winter time.


i feel a bit ashamed having been sucked in by a troll but even tho i am an import myself, I now consider Southland my Home and therefor get hellish annoyed at Fuckwits who know nothing about Southland making Crass statements against us.

the Truck museum is a roaring success and has just opened a purpose built building and the Bike museum will also bee a huge success.

as for fuckwits, they can just stay in Christchurch and continue to fall off on those dead straight roads, remember Motorcycling can kill you

[PrincessBandit]

...the swedes are good too...

Yeah bought a 5kg swede back to Auckland having paid only 50c or suchlike for it!

Took heaps of photos at Hayes when we were there a few years ago on our big SI ride. Thought I'd put the pix up in an album but would have to check... If not then I'll need to get my A into G before another three years go by!

[GrayWolf]

swedes are for starving stock and should only be consumed in the recycled form i.e steak or roast.

as for the museum, people from far and wide make a point of coming to invercargill to visit E Hayes shop. i do believe that they will also come to see the new bike museum.

Old Steve, you are correct there are a lot of awesome bike roads round these here parts and not all of them well known to even locals.
we do have low traffic volumes, especially in the winter time.


i feel a bit ashamed having been sucked in by a troll but even tho i am an import myself, I now consider Southland my Home and therefor get hellish annoyed at Fuckwits who know nothing about Southland making Crass statements against us.

the Truck museum is a roaring success and has just opened a purpose built building and the Bike museum will also bee a huge success.

as for fuckwits, they can just stay in Christchurch and continue to fall off on those dead straight roads, remember Motorcycling can kill you


Have to agree, now in Wellington and have the Wairarapa and Rimutaka's to play on, but lived in Invergumboot for 14yrs. The South/deep south has the most amazing bike roads going. Took the ex down for 2 weeks last year, 3 weeks this year. Looks like we are going again next year too. :msn-wink: The north has some fantastic rides like the 'forgotten highway', gentle annie, {local for me} but some of the lesser know rides down south are 'JUST'.
Last time we were down told a few groups we chatted to to take the Manapouri route to Invers rather than the regular SH, also to try the road from Lumsden to Grrrr. Met one lot by chance in Invers, they were esctatic to have taken the 'Manapouri rd' as they'd been talking to another group who took the 'regular' ride. :devil2:
Dammit I'm getting 'restless' again.

[russd7]

Last time we were down told a few groups we chatted to to take the Manapouri route to Invers rather than the regular SH, also to try the road from Lumsden to Grrrr. Met one lot by chance in Invers, they were esctatic to have taken the 'Manapouri rd' as they'd been talking to another group who took the 'regular' ride. :devil2:
Dammit I'm getting 'restless' again.

yeah but to be fair that road is way better going the other way on a good day, best not done on a bike when one of the gentle gale force breezes are up.

giz a yell if ya get down this way again, if it works out we have spare beds with no kids at home anymore

[Berries]

if it works out we have spare beds with no kids at home anymore
Minnie Dean was from down your way eh?

[russd7]

Minnie Dean was from down your way eh?

nuthin was ever proven :cool:

and anyway she was more winton way and she didn't ride a motorbike

[Virago]

...she didn't ride a motorbike

A hangable offence down south...

[Old Steve]

Think I've mentioned this in another post, but I'm down here in Invercargill on business. The local guy I'm working with, his grandfather sold Burt Munroe the five pound Velocette which is displayed beside the Indian at E Hayes. He's still around, his grandfather that is, I'd love to meet him. Apparently Roger Donaldson spent a lot of time talking to him when he was making "The World's Fastest Indian".

[granstar]

A hangable offence down south...


True, nobody dares not ride a motorsickle down here since the Minnie Dean saga.

[russd7]

Think I've mentioned this in another post, but I'm down here in Invercargill on business. The local guy I'm working with, his grandfather sold Burt Munroe the five pound Velocette which is displayed beside the Indian at E Hayes. He's still around, his grandfather that is, I'd love to meet him. Apparently Roger Donaldson spent a lot of time talking to him when he was making "The World's Fastest Indian".

how long you down here for

[rastuscat]

Dead proud of my old town. Even more reason to visit now that the bike collection is down there.

[Old Steve]

Rusd7, just at the airport to fly out at 4.00. Next time, spent most of my time with my head down, bum up, in fishing boat engine rooms.

[98tls]

Looking forward to going down to invers to see this collection,my uncle worked at the place they were housed in Nelson the lucky bugger...bet hes missing them,got a pic somewhere of him on the Britten when it was there awhile back.

[russd7]

Looking forward to going down to invers to see this collection,my uncle worked at the place they were housed in Nelson the lucky bugger...bet hes missing them,got a pic somewhere of him on the Britten when it was there awhile back.

day trip then?

[98tls]

Probably make a weekend of it,mrs has some relis in Invercargill and ive a couple of good mates in Gore,found the pic of uncle Al on the job,talented bloke,awhile back built himself a beaut Triton.http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92/tlme/image003%20Medium_zpsglvtmkuy.jpg (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/tlme/media/image003%20Medium_zpsglvtmkuy.jpg.html)