The 100 Cups of Coffee tour...

[Ramius]

Hi there fellow bikers.
How are we all keeping out there?
Here is my little story. A few months ago, I asked on how to break a promise and go back to Motorcycling without breaking a little 4 year olds heart. Well, after deliberating, we have made a compromise.
Next year, I am going to embark on an ambitious plan, in two stages. The first stage would be a tour around the North Island on a motorcycle. The second, a tour around the South Island.

A bit more about both...
Stage 1: Departing Wellington and travelling around the North Island clock wise, up to Cape Reinga and round Gisborne etc. Time frame is 14 days, in the 14 days, the plan is to stop at 100 places to have Coffee (hence the name of the tour) Almost 10 cups per day.

Stage 2: Travel over Nelson on the big boat (Mind block is stopping me from writing Fairy because it doesn't look right) and go around the island in 21 days.

Quite basically, this will be my last hoorah on a motorcycle, until the day she wants one and I can say,"well, that would be mean for you to have one and me to not" That is about 10 years away.
When: I am looking at either early 2006, or if I miss summer, it will be late 2006. I want this to be so well planned and prepared that this is to be the journey of my life on a motorcycle.
I guess though, the first thing I need to do is get a motorcycle. Hmm..could be the biggest hinderence. Second, I have to nut out where I am going to go.
What I am asking here is, I have a Learners Motorcycle licence. What is a good reasonable bike to use for this trip? It doesn't need to be flash, just do the job I want it for because it will be retired at the end of the trip anyway. Much is the shame.
Second, do you know of a good place to have coffee, or is there a place you have heard about that you would love to know what the coffee tastes like. Well, I am interested, I would like to hear about these places so I can start planning.

Any suggestions, comments, craziness is welcome, as you, the biker community are the ones whose opinions I value the most, as, we all share a common interest.

Kind regards
SeanP :dodge:

[Dadpole]

1st tip - start training your bladder now. 10 cups of coffee a day can cause a lot of pit stops.

2nd tip - Ride where the weather points you. That is what I have always done. You can get to the places you want eventually and stay dry.

I suspect you will not have to wait too many years for her seal of approval. My son is 10, and thinks that a bike is just what I need - and wants his own.

[SPORK]

For why is a 4 year old a problemo? I am missing out on muchos needed information.

Also, as Dadpole said, you're gunna piss over everyting. So get one of those things we were all laughing about (tube thing that makes the piss go out hte end of your trouser leg :( ) and you won't have to worry about anything!

Other than that, just make sure it's not on a GSX250...

[Ramius]

For why is a 4 year old a problemo? I am missing out on muchos needed information.

Also, as Dadpole said, you're gunna piss over everyting. So get one of those things we were all laughing about (tube thing that makes the piss go out hte end of your trouser leg :( ) and you won't have to worry about anything!

Other than that, just make sure it's not on a GSX250...

Ah, here is a link for some of that much needed info

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=14600

Basically, I made a promise not to ride a bike again after the accident where I wrote of my evil GSX250.

Where would I find one of these piss down my leg things?

[SPORK]

Ah, here is a link for some of that much needed info

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=14600

Basically, I made a promise not to ride a bike again after the accident where I wrote of my evil GSX250.

Where would I find one of these piss down my leg things?
The real solution is telling the FourYearTerror that the only reason that the GSX made you hurt is because it was possessed by space robots, and that they may or may not visit her if they don't have another bike to live in!

As for the leg pisser, fuck, I'm not that perverted! Use the blimmin' search function!

Search > "Leg piss disgustorama" > click

[What?]

The real solution is telling the FourYearTerror that the only reason that the GSX made you hurt is because ...
Or be honest.
Better to teach said 4 yr old that living is all about calculated risks. People get hurt in cars and 40 Ton trucks, too.

[RiderInBlack]

Never mind about the 4yr old, let's start planing your trip.
Are You still on your learner's? Have you got enough time to upgrade your licience (I do that before "giving-up" cause it will not get cheaper). I have toured on a GSXR250 with an 80L Backpack strapped to it (did the job, and still had a top of 160KPM). I wouldn't put the L pate on but.
Cafe's: There's a real good one on the junction between SH1 and SH10 up at Awanui (just past Kaitaia) and you can't go past Mangonui without stopping at their World famious (In Northland) fish and chip shop:devil2:
If you plan the trip right I may feel inclined to ride with you as a Northland tourguide:devil2: and show you some of our best roads (this is as longas I can fit it into my time-off plans, self-employed so as long as I have enough warning I can much some time).

Best of luck,

Doug

[skelstar]

Dude this looks awesome. Are you looking for comrades on this trip? Im not sure that the 100 cups of coffee would improve your (ones) riding skills though...

I can recommend the Hyosung 250 comets for a good 250. It would probably have to be bought new $6K. I havent any issues with mine and plan to do the Sth Isl this xmas.

Anyway, I watch with interest
SeanK.

[Mental Trousers]

Sounds more like the 100+ piss stops tour to me. And doing it on a 250 is less than ideal as well.

Try checking some Colostomy gear. That's the sort of thing you want so you don't have to stop every 5k's.

[Hitcher]

It's good to know you're ready to get back on a bike. The trips you've got planned sound enviable...

[Ramius]

Never mind about the 4yr old, let's start planing your trip.
Are You still on your learner's? Have you got enough time to upgrade your licience (I do that before "giving-up" cause it will not get cheaper). I have toured on a GSXR250 with an 80L Backpack strapped to it (did the job, and still had a top of 160KPM). I wouldn't put the L pate on but.
Cafe's: There's a real good one on the junction between SH1 and SH10 up at Awanui (just past Kaitaia) and you can't go past Mangonui without stopping at their World famious (In Northland) fish and chip shop:devil2:
If you plan the trip right I may feel inclined to ride with you as a Northland tourguide:devil2: and show you some of our best roads (this is as longas I can fit it into my time-off plans, self-employed so as long as I have enough warning I can much some time).

Best of luck,

Doug

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am still on my learners. I am able to upgrade to my restricted. If I were to take the trip at the end of next year I would be able to get my full licence.
At this stage, a new motorcycle is not what I am after, I mean, what is the point if it is only going to be used for a total of about 35 days. And yes, I do realise you never mentioned anythinga bout a new motorcycle, I was just travelling on a tangent.

As for the two spots you mentioned, I will mark them on my map. Well, I will be getting the maps later today (so great to know someone who is an AA member, FREE MAPS)

I am certain there will be plenty of forewarning for my trip.
Most daunting task, is organising the bike in my opinion. Pretty much have everything else, except for a helmet which got damaged earlier in the year.

[Ramius]

Dude this looks awesome. Are you looking for comrades on this trip? Im not sure that the 100 cups of coffee would improve your (ones) riding skills though...

I can recommend the Hyosung 250 comets for a good 250. It would probably have to be bought new $6K. I havent any issues with mine and plan to do the Sth Isl this xmas.

Anyway, I watch with interest
SeanK.

Howdy.
I think the trip would attain another level of surrealism if it weren't just me taking the trip. And, I don't really know is surrealism is the word, but either way, yes, comrades would be good.
Ahh, now I remember why I went of on a tangent about buying new - At this stage, a new motorcycle is not what I am after, I mean, what is the point if it is only going to be used for a total of about 35 days.

Will keep updating as time goes by.

Plan 1 - Get a bike

[Ramius]

Sounds more like the 100+ piss stops tour to me. And doing it on a 250 is less than ideal as well.

Try checking some Colostomy gear. That's the sort of thing you want so you don't have to stop every 5k's.

Meh, Naysayer!

[ben444]

GPx, GPz, ZZR 250's... Comfy and engines will go forever and ever... should be able to found one be cheapish...

[crashe]

Ramius - Good on you for coming up with a compremise with the 4 year old..
Now you will need to get it sooner than the days of the trip...
You will need time to practise riding again *wink wink*... you have been off bikes for ages now.

As to what type of bike you will need, I will leave that up to the others to recommend.. but it will need to be very reliable and be able to carry a bit of weight ie: luggage.

Maybe a quiet sounding bike as well, so the 4 year old can start to get used to the sound of bikes again - since loud sounding bikes have scared her in the past.... and this is part of the reason why she made you make that promise.

Let us know when and we can all join you on your travels... like we all meet you at a town near where we live and travel part of the way with you.. the next lot can then join on.... make it a wonderful trip for you with KBers joining in and helping you out. You will then get to meet lots of KBers as well.... and then you will get some great pics too.
I am happy to meet up and travel part of the way with you...

hey go and sit your restricted as soon as you can.... borrow a bike for the day... or hire it from a shop to get the next step done.
Not sure how soon after you get your restricted that you can then get your full... but I would do it when its time to... so that when you eventually come back to riding bikes you will have your full. I dont think the 4 year old would object to that.

[Calo]

This is why I never make promises...cos they'll only bite you in the ass. :killingme :rofl:

[Ramius]

I know I can think for myself, but because I have some commercial aspirations for this venture, in your opinions, do you think it would be worthwhile approaching companies for sponsorship type stuff? For example, and I stress, this is an example only; there are a hell of a lot of BP's around the country, what about a tour to try and rate coffee at X amount of BP facilities at first in the NI and then in the SI?

Would be worthless with McCafe as there are only 30 locations NZ wide.

If I were to write a proposal to these companies, what sort of info would I give them?

Your thoughts?

[skelstar]

Ramius: I imagine you would have to demostrate some sort of expertise in the tasting of cofffee.

[Ramius]

Ramius - Good on you for coming up with a compremise with the 4 year old..
Now you will need to get it sooner than the days of the trip...
You will need time to practise riding again *wink wink*... you have been off bikes for ages now.

As to what type of bike you will need, I will leave that up to the others to recommend.. but it will need to be very reliable and be able to carry a bit of weight ie: luggage.

Maybe a quiet sounding bike as well, so the 4 year old can start to get used to the sound of bikes again - since loud sounding bikes have scared her in the past.... and this is part of the reason why she made you make that promise.

Let us know when and we can all join you on your travels... like we all meet you at a town near where we live and travel part of the way with you.. the next lot can then join on.... make it a wonderful trip for you with KBers joining in and helping you out. You will then get to meet lots of KBers as well.... and then you will get some great pics too.
I am happy to meet up and travel part of the way with you...

hey go and sit your restricted as soon as you can.... borrow a bike for the day... or hire it from a shop to get the next step done.
Not sure how soon after you get your restricted that you can then get your full... but I would do it when its time to... so that when you eventually come back to riding bikes you will have your full. I dont think the 4 year old would object to that.


Hey Crashe. Long time no talk.

Yes, it was important for me to show the value of compromise (my excuse for wanting to give it one last go before I hang up my shoes)
It would be great to meet ya'll on my venture around NZ. Providing I can get the finances, I want to depart so that my trip finishes on the 3rd of February 2006 (the one year anniversary of crashing this year) That would be my ideal. I certainly do not want to be doing this trip in 2007 as I am off to flight school mounting up huge student loans.
I was thinking about the whole, "drinking so much coffee is going to make you a urinal," upon thinking about it, I already drink about 20 cups per day, so whats the difference? And yes, I do manage to sleep on that many.

Your thoughts, as always, are very much appreciated. You would be the scarecrow of the kiwibiker community. Now, where is Toto?

[Bonez]

And doing it on a 250 is less than ideal as well.
For fuck's sake you can tour on anything. Know of a person who did a South Island on a Hyosung 250 no problems. Cycle inner tube will do the trick for pissing.

[Dadpole]

Cycle inner tube!!
What you need is a proper "Mobile Bladder Evacuation Device" TM
Go to your local hardware shop and get one of those rubber shower sets that fit on to the taps. You better check the "slip on" size before you buy. Just keep your back to the counter. Use 1 tube down your leg, but PLEASE make sure it is long enough to avoid the warm boot syndrome.
You may find it slips off on a cold day. Whatever you do, DO NOT use duct tape to hold it on (don't ask me how I know).

Happy planning

[Ramius]

Ramius: I imagine you would have to demostrate some sort of expertise in the tasting of cofffee.

Expert coffee taster here. Comes from years of coffee addiction.
However, I was using it as an example.

[Bonez]

Cycle inner tube!!
What you need is a proper "Mobile Bladder Evacuation Device" TM
Go to your local hardware shop and get one of those rubber shower sets that fit on to the taps. You better check the "slip on" size before you buy. Just keep your back to the counter. Use 1 tube down your leg, but PLEASE make sure it is long enough to avoid the warm boot syndrome.
You may find it slips off on a cold day. Whatever you do, DO NOT use duct tape to hold it on (don't ask me how I know). Big Dave's majalicle WD40 helps one remove duct tape a bit easier :drinkup: Had a friend with bladder probs who used a inner tube very susessfully :yeah:

[limbimtimwim]

Hi there fellow bikers.A bit more about both...
Stage 1: Departing Wellington and travelling around the North Island clock wise, up to Cape Reinga and round Gisborne etc. Time frame is 14 days, in the 14 days, the plan is to stop at 100 places to have Coffee (hence the name of the tour) Almost 10 cups per day.
Stage 2: Travel over Nelson on the big boat (Mind block is stopping me from writing Fairy because it doesn't look right) and go around the island in 21 days. You want comrades eh? Sign me up. Early 2006 is what I was planning too. I was actually going to start a thread on here once the new years leave sheet came up at work for battle. Looking for a few others to go around the SI for a couple of weeks. I plan on going to the Big Day out on the 20th of Jan (MARS VOLTA YEAHHHHHHHH) so after that.

I'm not to interested in the North Island trip again, but I'd happily join you on the ferry to the South Island. Oh, and 10 cups of coffee a day.. I might pass on that too.

My extreme bias will say get a VTR250. I rode mine all around the country alone in early 2004 and we coped. They are not cheap though, I was unlucky enough to buy a banged up one for quite a bit less than the $6500+ dealers want for one though. The predecessor, the VT250 Spada thingamy are much cheaper and just as good.

[Ramius]

You want comrades eh? Sign me up. Early 2006 is what I was planning too. I was actually going to start a thread on here once the new years leave sheet came up at work for battle. Looking for a few others to go around the SI for a couple of weeks. I plan on going to the Big Day out on the 20th of Jan (MARS VOLTA YEAHHHHHHHH) so after that.

I'm not to interested in the North Island trip again, but I'd happily join you on the ferry to the South Island. Oh, and 10 cups of coffee a day.. I might pass on that too.

My extreme bias will say get a VTR250. I rode mine all around the country alone in early 2004 and we coped. They are not cheap though, I was unlucky enough to buy a banged up one for quite a bit less than the $6500+ dealers want for one though. The predecessor, the VT250 Spada thingamy are much cheaper and just as good.


Hmm..If all this goes according to plan, I wouldn't mind tagging along through the SI. Certainly want to accomplish that task as well.
Must start looking for bikes. Because of the length of time I want the bike for, I am looking at around about 2.5k.

[Ghost Lemur]

My suggestion would be get an adventure bike. Cheaper (comparatively) than a sportsbike, more options on particular bike.

Then there's the real reason, think of all the extra amazing "roads" you can explore on one.

[RiderInBlack]

My suggestion would be get an adventure bike. Cheaper (comparatively) than a sportsbike, more options on particular bike.

Then there's the real reason, think of all the extra amazing "roads" you can explore on one.Bloody good idea that:niceone: Macus from Austria had a ball touring NZ on the TDM. You'd be able to take it on 90Mile Beach as well:devil2:

[marty]

Hmm..If all this goes according to plan, I wouldn't mind tagging along through the SI. Certainly want to accomplish that task as well.
Must start looking for bikes. Because of the length of time I want the bike for, I am looking at around about 2.5k.

apparantley FROSTY has a tidy bandit 250 for sale.... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=6307

[RiderInBlack]

apparantley FROSTY has a tidy bandit 250 for sale....What another one? The one that he sold Ant goes sweet. Ant even takes Jess 2up on it, Whangarei-AK and return:niceone:

[Mental Trousers]

For fuck's sake you can tour on anything. Know of a person who did a South Island on a Hyosung 250 no problems. Cycle inner tube will do the trick for pissing.

Less than ideal doesn't mean it's complete crap. It's means it's not ideal. Of course you can tour on anything. But if there's a choice, a 250 isn't high on the list of bikes to tour on.

[Ramius]

apparantley FROSTY has a tidy bandit 250 for sale.... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=6307

Now that sounded like a pretty sweet ride!

[Ramius]

Maps, maps and more maps! I have maps coming out of my ears (not an easy achievement getting them in my ears) So, what is the recommendation of what to see and where to go?

[Hitcher]

Travel organically. Go where the mood and the weather takes you. Boldly go where none have gone before!

[Dadpole]

Travel organically. Go where the mood and the weather takes you. Boldly go where none have gone before!

That there is good advice.

[DingDong]

I have a coffee for you in Tauranga...

[Zapf]

VT250 or VTR250 will be nice (make sure u get a screen)... or a GSX250 again for that matter... a Twin will be nice for the hills. Advanture bike good idea... will just be harder work on the open road being a 250 (single?) How about a KTM950? :P

Will be more than glad to join on part of that tour... I love going around the islands....

and remember you need the riding fitness too... so don't wait till the start of the trip before u jump on "a" bike again.

[Sparky]

Hey Ramius, cool to see you're not put of bikes, I drink lots of coffee but I would love to share some when you're up this way.
Got an old friend of yours here who would like to say HI too.