travel in south island

[itamar]

Hi guys,
sorry if I m posting in the wrong forum, please let me know if I should post it some where else.

So I would like to ask youre advice about my plans, I came to New Zealand as a backpacker a few months ago and traveled around with a campervan but after few months I know that I need a motorbike even if that will be less comfortable I can't be without a motorbike for so long.
I did my driving test and now I have my learner driving license.
Now I need to buy a motorbike and the best option that I thought about from the LAMS approved motorbike is the BMW f650gs, I would really like to know what you guys think about it? and if you think any other motorbikes would be more sutable for me.
The main purpose of the bike will be traveling around the south island by road but i would like to drive off road as much as possible.
I looked online for some general advice and a travel route(map) and didn't find any so if you can help me with that it will be really helpful.
One last thing is finding travel mates for parts of the trip or all of it, do any of you have any idea where I should look for mates?


thanks a lot and have a nice weekend, Itamar

[Akzle]

do any of you have any idea where I should look for mates?


grinder.com

[JimO]

grinder.com
seems it worked for you

[IkieBikie]

Ignore Akzle he ruins most threads.

try these

http://www.bikeroundnz.com/advice_and_information.asp

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/motorcycle-roads/motorbike-rides-in-new-zealand-/north-island--___20904.html

North Island

http://www.newzealand.com/int/article/top-10-motorcycle-rides-in-new-zealand/

http://www.motowhere.com/listpaths/country/178

lots of info on the internet

[Akzle]

seems it worked for you

still sore I swiped left on you eh. iykwim.

[clint640]

Hi Mate, the BMW 650GS is a nice touring machine, very comfortable, fuel efficient, fine on gravel roads, but very heavy for a 650. If you want to take it more offroad you need to be a big strong guy with good offroad skills. If you are not that guy I would recommend a Suzuki DR650 as they are lighter, cheaper, easier to maintain & common in NZ.

Also check out the FAQ's in the NZ section of ADV (http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/the-official-nz-faq-thread-bike-hire-trip-planning-nz-info-etc-look-here-first.712784/) for route ideas & NZ riding info.

Cheers
Clint

[itamar]

Hi Mate, the BMW 650GS is a nice touring machine, very comfortable, fuel efficient, fine on gravel roads, but very heavy for a 650. If you want to take it more offroad you need to be a big strong guy with good offroad skills. If you are not that guy I would recommend a Suzuki DR650 as they are lighter, cheaper, easier to maintain & common in NZ.

Also check out the FAQ's in the NZ section of ADV (http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/the-official-nz-faq-thread-bike-hire-trip-planning-nz-info-etc-look-here-first.712784/) for route ideas & NZ riding info.

Cheers
Clint

Hi clint,
thanks for the advise,
I use to ride the KLX650 witch is also not that light, do you think the BMW would be harder to handle on off road?

cheers
Itamar

[clint640]

Hi clint,
thanks for the advise,
I use to ride the KLX650 witch is also not that light, do you think the BMW would be harder to handle on off road?

cheers
Itamar

Definitely. The BMW weighs 50kg+ more than a KLX650, has more breakable plastic & more basic suspension. Plus if we are talking about the basic F650GS (not the Dakar/Sertao version) then you have a 19" front wheel vs the proper dirt size 21" of the KLX650. The KLX650 would be among the most offroad focused 650cc bikes ever made, whereas the F650GS is one of the most road oriented 650cc Adv bikes.

Cheers
Clint

[Transalper]

Definitely. The BMW weighs 50kg+ more than a KLX650, has more breakable plastic & more basic suspension. Plus if we are talking about the basic F650GS (not the Dakar/Sertao version) then you have a 19" front wheel vs the proper dirt size 21" of the KLX650. The KLX650 would be among the most offroad focused 650cc bikes ever made, whereas the F650GS is one of the most road oriented 650cc Adv bikes.

Cheers
Clint

My thoughts exactly. I'd take the KLX650 if given the choice of those two (BMW vs KLX) or a KLR650 (what I thought you were refering to originally), otherwise DR650 set up with ADV mods. hand guards, big tank, bash plate little screen and an airhawk pillow :niceone:

[Transalper]

Finding people to ride with.... used to be here on Kiwibiker was the place to be, now sadly I would suggest Face Book.... www.facebook.com/groups/AdventureRidinginNZ (http://www.facebook.com/groups/AdventureRidinginNZ)

[clint640]

Have demoed the F650 GS and found it a bit gutless but I am used to more powerful bikes. I would recomend you try the Suzuki 650 VStrom adventure bike which happens to be a popular bike that tour companies hire out in NZ. The Suzuki DR and Kawasaki 650 recommended by the others are quite tall bikes to sit on which may be an issue. .

Really? The V-Strom 650 is probably the only 650cc adv machine that is heavier & more road biased than an F650, great for some no doubt but remember the OP stated: "i would like to drive off road as much as possible"

I would not call a DR650 'quite tall' in it's class. They are much lower than a KLX650 & can be lowered further with basic tools. Being relatively narrow makes it easier to get a foot down too.

Cheers
Clint

[RMOTO]

I looked online for some general advice and a travel route(map) and didn't find any so if you can help me with that it will be really helpful.

Hi Itamar

You may like to have a look at the Mototokens (http://www.remotemoto.com/mototokens/). I am getting an increasing number of emails from adventure riders saying how they are an excellent tool for planning a trip around the South Island and including all the must-see attractions. The Mototokens are free to use, plus you can partake in the social side of Mototoken claiming. It's good fun!

You can check them out here: http://www.remotemoto.com/mototokens/

Best of luck Itamar

Josh

[Madness]

The DR has a very uncomfortable seat too. As we dont know how tall poster 1 is, the DR or KL could possibly be too tall for them for all you know. The BMW is not so tall from memory. With long distance touring I feel the VStrom would be the most comfortable.

Do you understand the differences between a KLX650 and a KLR650?

[Night Falcon]

I'd choose a KLR over a GS because they are more user friendly especially on gravel. The GS is heavy, underpowered, undersprung, less reliable and generally more expensive to buy and maintain than the Kwaka. I'd prefer a well setup DR650 over both but they need lots of add-ons to make them distance friendly whereas the KLR is pretty solid right off the bat....and there's loads to choose from.

[JATZ]

I just spent a bit of time with Itamar over the weekend. He can handle the Dakar pretty well, even though its over loaded and under powered.
If you see him round say g'day and point him to the gnarliest tracks you can find, he prefers "off road"