What to do with a CBR1000RR in Wellington?

[Josh]

Hey guys,

I'm South African, immigrating to NZ, hopefully Wellington.
Considering that in NZ the average speed limit is 50km/h, most of the highways I travelled on were 70km/h, and out in the middle of nowhere on the South Island the limits were 100km/h... thats significantly less than South Africa...
So I initially just assumed I'd sell my bike before I come to NZ, then buy a 50cc scooter.
But now I saw on social media, someone took their bike with them in their container...

So I did a little search for superbikes on trademe, and was shocked to find loads of superbikes for sale.

So here is the big question... What on earth do you guys do with your superbikes in NZ?
Please don't tell me you just wax them and rev them?

Do you ride these machines on public roads?
And if so, how do you justify the discomfort of riding a superbike at 50km/h

Then secondly, are there any racetracks with trackdays in NZ (hopefully near Wellington)
If so how much would a typical trackday cost?

Thanks :)

[caseye]

Hey guys,

I'm South African, immigrating to NZ, hopefully Wellington.
Considering that in NZ the average speed limit is 50km/h, most of the highways I travelled on were 70km/h, and out in the middle of nowhere on the South Island the limits were 100km/h... thats significantly less than South Africa...
So I initially just assumed I'd sell my bike before I come to NZ, then buy a 50cc scooter.
But now I saw on social media, someone took their bike with them in their container...

So I did a little search for superbikes on trademe, and was shocked to find loads of superbikes for sale.

So here is the big question... What on earth do you guys do with your superbikes in NZ?
Please don't tell me you just wax them and rev them?

Do you ride these machines on public roads?
And if so, how do you justify the discomfort of riding a superbike at 50km/h

Then secondly, are there any racetracks with trackdays in NZ (hopefully near Wellington)
If so how much would a typical trackday cost?

Thanks :)

Really??????????:facepalm::facepalm:

[Hugo Nougo]

Plenty of good riding around wgtn, manfield 2hrs away look up chris amon circuit and motott, Wairarapa less than 1 hr away,south island a 3 1/2 hr boat trip. Too many numpties on big sports bikes here already, your money would work better for you if you sold up and bought here.

[WALRUS]

Really??????????:facepalm::facepalm:

I think so...

[Temporary-Kiwi]

yeah were backwards here mate, got awesome roads, with relatively few vehicles on them, were allowed to buy superbikes, but apparently not allowed to ride them as they were designed and developed over years of research and development - cause apparently speed kills ! .....
so you'll have to do what some of us do , but a radar detector , ride backroads, or if you can afford - ride it on racetracks.

[sidecar bob]

Maybe do some research on our speed limits & come back to us.

[tigertim20]

Hey guys,

I'm South African, immigrating to NZ, hopefully Wellington.
Considering that in NZ the average speed limit is 50km/h, most of the highways I travelled on were 70km/h, and out in the middle of nowhere on the South Island the limits were 100km/h... thats significantly less than South Africa...
So I initially just assumed I'd sell my bike before I come to NZ, then buy a 50cc scooter.
But now I saw on social media, someone took their bike with them in their container...

So I did a little search for superbikes on trademe, and was shocked to find loads of superbikes for sale.

So here is the big question... What on earth do you guys do with your superbikes in NZ?
Please don't tell me you just wax them and rev them?

Do you ride these machines on public roads?
And if so, how do you justify the discomfort of riding a superbike at 50km/h

Then secondly, are there any racetracks with trackdays in NZ (hopefully near Wellington)
If so how much would a typical trackday cost?

Thanks :)
If this isnt a pisstake, youve been severely mis-informed.

[layton]

Sell the cbr, buy a 4 stroke 50cc scooter and never worry about speed limits again!

[sidecar bob]

If this isnt a pisstake, youve been severely mis-informed.

Yeah true, you will need at least a 125 scooter.

[GazzaH]

Save some money for the man with the red flag walking ahead of your iron horse.

[jellywrestler]

https://www.google.co.nz/search?source=hp&ei=wx9hXJyOJZPe9QO6h6GQCQ&q=gay+bars+wellington&btnK=Google+Search&oq=gay+bars+wellington&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l2j0i22i30l6.213132.223175..224162...0.0..0 .707.8171.2-2j10j5j1j2......0....1..gws-wiz.....0..0i131j0i67.ydQr2NeDDOI

[AllanB]

We have speed limits?

Superbike, supercar pop down ya money and off ya go.

[Hoonicorn]

Hey guys,

I'm South African, immigrating to NZ, hopefully Wellington.
Considering that in NZ the average speed limit is 50km/h, most of the highways I travelled on were 70km/h, and out in the middle of nowhere on the South Island the limits were 100km/h... thats significantly less than South Africa...
So I initially just assumed I'd sell my bike before I come to NZ, then buy a 50cc scooter.
But now I saw on social media, someone took their bike with them in their container...

So I did a little search for superbikes on trademe, and was shocked to find loads of superbikes for sale.

So here is the big question... What on earth do you guys do with your superbikes in NZ?
Please don't tell me you just wax them and rev them?

Do you ride these machines on public roads?
And if so, how do you justify the discomfort of riding a superbike at 50km/h

Then secondly, are there any racetracks with trackdays in NZ (hopefully near Wellington)
If so how much would a typical trackday cost?

Thanks :)

There's a race track near Wellington, it's call the Wairarapa :sweatdrop

[Scubbo]

enjoy sweet pieces of road like this one (https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-39.2646866,175.3880929,3634m/data=!3m1!1e3)

[Temporary-Kiwi]

I remember a awesome little "track" in wellington, a mate of mine introduced me to the thrill of a velodrome track up on mt victoria, we snuck in when no one around, hooned around chasing each other, he had a titan 500 Suzuki, I had a gs450
you could easily put your head on the grass at each end due to the angle track, plus the slide that eventuated as it became a near level straight, excellent fun, one day while we were fanging around, some riders (cyclists) arrived and were watching us .

[jellywrestler]

one day while we were fanging around, some riders (cyclists) arrived and were watching us . i remember being six years old once and writing in my school journal too.

[Josh]

If this isnt a pisstake, youve been severely mis-informed.
Yes, I do enjoy exaggerating slightly for dramatic effect.
I would get at least a 125cc :D

But seriously, what part was I misinformed about?

A NZ friend of mine said "don't bring that bike to NZ, you'll get deported."
(a piece of my heart got deported when I heard that)

So yeah. A rather dramatic piece of (serious) advice that I received.

Not that I'm a speedster. I've never exceeded the speed limit intentionally. But these machines can do it quite quickly, then you're like britney spears "Oops, I did it again"


Maybe do some research on our speed limits & come back to us.
I drove around Wellington, Auckland and the north half of the South Island. I saw the signs with my own eyes.
If I said something that's not correct, please enlighten me?


We have speed limits?
Superbike, supercar pop down ya money and off ya go.

Is this just a fantasy joke that you wish was true? What are you actually saying?


but a radar detector , ride backroads
No laser?? Oldschool...

[pritch]

Speed limit in town is 50kph, although some town centres are 30kph and that's usually plenty fast enough where it applies. Once you leave town the limit is mostly 100kph, although there is a current fad for an 80kph limit in some places. Additional taxation may accrue if you ignore these, but many do. Time and place etc...

[Blackbird]

No laser?? Oldschool...

Wrong. NZ Highway Patrol on the move and camera vans use microwave radar. Laser jammers don't work on them. Hand held lasers are a bit less common in terms of use by the police over here. As an aside, I recently saw that a UK motorist got absolutely hammered for using a radar jammer as the judiciary charged him with perverting the course of justice.

I didn't bother to re-fit my detector and screamer when I bought the current bike 3 years ago and it's just sitting in the shed. As Pritch says......... "time and place"

[pritch]

As an aside, I recently saw that a UK motorist got absolutely hammered for using a radar jammer as the judiciary charged him with perverting the course of justice.


That's creative. I always understood that the charge would involve making an unlicensed radio transmission.

[Blackbird]

That's creative. I always understood that the charge would involve making an unlicensed radio transmission. Have found the original article. A fine of 1500 pounds and 3 months jail - that's a pretty serious deterrent : https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6691991/Michael-Twizell-Dewsbury-jailed-tricking-speed-cameras-jamming-device-BMW.html . Using a detector is one thing but actively jamming is another. British systems seem to predominantly use lasers and time/distance systems rather than microwaves.

The whole business of jamming is a bit of a minefield if you read independent tests as there are a bunch of them which don't actually work. The ones which do work are pretty expensive toys which suggest you've got to be a serious serial speeder, a pretty dumb one or both. I guess it's partially age and my position with IAM but I get a bigger kick from riding well on the road and leaving serious speeds for the track.

[tigertim20]

But seriously, what part was I misinformed about?

A NZ friend of mine said "don't bring that bike to NZ, you'll get deported."
(a piece of my heart got deported when I heard that)

...

you need better friends, that one sounds like a fuckwit.

bring your bike or sell and buy a replacement the same when you arrive if its cheaper that way with importing etc.

Fuckin heaps of great roads that are a lot of fun on a 1000cc bike in NZ. wherever you live youll not need to travel more than about half an hour to find somewhere that offers a great ride.

[caspernz]

Have found the original article. A fine of 1500 pounds and 3 months jail - that's a pretty serious deterrent : https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6691991/Michael-Twizell-Dewsbury-jailed-tricking-speed-cameras-jamming-device-BMW.html . Using a detector is one thing but actively jamming is another. British systems seem to predominantly use lasers and time/distance systems rather than microwaves.

The whole business of jamming is a bit of a minefield if you read independent tests as there are a bunch of them which don't actually work. The ones which do work are pretty expensive toys which suggest you've got to be a serious serial speeder, a pretty dumb one or both. I guess it's partially age and my position with IAM but I get a bigger kick from riding well on the road and leaving serious speeds for the track.

Crikey, reading your post and then agreeing with it makes me feel older than my 59 years Geoff :eek:

The guys I rode with today have a newfound appreciation for bendy roads :niceone::devil2: and one of them belongs to our pet food company as well :2thumbsup

[Blackbird]

Crikey, reading your post and then agreeing with it makes me feel older than my 59 years Geoff :eek:

The guys I rode with today have a newfound appreciation for bendy roads :niceone::devil2: and one of them belongs to our pet food company as well :2thumbsup

This one of the days you feel 59 Rob?:bleh:

Yep, being able to properly nail a bend sequence is far more rewarding than belting down a straight :shifty:

[caspernz]

This one of the days you feel 59 Rob?:bleh:

Yep, being able to properly nail a bend sequence is far more rewarding than belting down a straight :shifty:

Hahaha, nah more like 39 when I'm sniffing fresh country air from my helmet :niceone:

[caseye]

Ahhhhhhhhh, you guys, stop it! Fresh? Country air, where the hell does that come from?, whats ahelmet?
How do you speed? Corners,! Yeahhhhhhhhhhh, mush more fun a big ol Nonda Twin, OK, not so old.
Riding is for all ages, I guess some ages just don't get it aye guys.:laugh::laugh::laugh:

[Josh]

Thanks for the replies guys


Speed limit in town is 50kph, although some town centres are 30kph and that's usually plenty fast enough where it applies. Once you leave town the limit is mostly 100kph, although there is a current fad for an 80kph limit in some places. Additional taxation may accrue if you ignore these, but many do. Time and place etc...

IIRC my mate said if you go more than 20 or 30km/h over the speed limit you're in big doo doo. Bike and license confiscated etc, big fines and more etc.
(That could happen accidentally, while overtaking :rolleyes:)

Not true?

[Temporary-Kiwi]

it just fines, demerits till you go over 140kph
after that you better hope you get lucky and a reasonable cop pulls you over, as they can suspend your license for 28 days on the spot, it's up to the cop wether they seize /impound your bike, and how fast and silly they think you were riding.
if your inclined to hit the gas and run , and they get your no. plate , they will prosecute you as severely as they can.
but if they don't catch you , then they still have 6 months to track you down and charge you, after that they're out of luck , and you have gotten away with it !

[Murray]

Yes, I do enjoy exaggerating slightly for dramatic effect.
I would get at least a 125cc :D

But seriously, what part was I misinformed about?

A NZ friend of mine said "don't bring that bike to NZ, you'll get deported."
(a piece of my heart got deported when I heard that)

So yeah. A rather dramatic piece of (serious) advice that I received.

Not that I'm a speedster. I've never exceeded the speed limit intentionally. But these machines can do it quite quickly, then you're like britney spears "Oops, I did it again"


I drove around Wellington, Auckland and the north half of the South Island. I saw the signs with my own eyes.
If I said something that's not correct, please enlighten me?



Is this just a fantasy joke that you wish was true? What are you actually saying?


No laser?? Oldschool...

Just staY at home. We have enough of you lot out here moaning during their passage to Aus!

[IronPawz]

I ride a blade and work in Wellington. No point in having such a bike to ride just in town but surely that is true of any first world city (at least where you are not likely to get 'bike jacked'). Bit of a good for SA speed limits gets me

"The general speed limits in terms of the South African National Road Traffic Act, 1989 and its regulations are: 60 km/h on a public road within an urban area. 100 km/h on public road outside an urban area which is not a freeway; and. 120 km/h on freeways."

There are both 70 and 80 km areas (but I am sure that must be the same not everything is 60 or 100/120 in SA). So you have 120 in some areas to compare to 100 (not much in that on a Blade). Realistically everyone is fine at 60 in town (so go wild and ride as you apparently do back home in town).

Sure you could buy a scooter (if you only ride in town why not). If you ride into town expect some serious filtering too (good luck doing 120 in the filter). Manfield is 2 hours ride from Wellington and does regular track days, Taupo is maybe 5.5 hours (another excellent track).

Most of us with such bikes speed a little and take the risk. The details are not hard to find for fines etc.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1NHXL_enNZ816NZ816&ei=o0ZyXMWfHpre9QOItZDoBw&q=speeding+demerit+points+nz&oq=sppeding+de&gs_l=psy-ab.3.0.0i13l10.514490.518479..520951...2.0..0.271. 2315.0j12j1......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i67j0i131j0j0i10j0i8i13i30j0i8i13i 10i30.XOZJmXskFhs

Perhaps do the 5 minutes of research before trolling the locals. And good luck not getting jacked I hear that happens a lot in SA at least you have a fast bike to get up to 60 in town so you can get away. :laugh:

[Josh]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.
The rude ones were ...interesting.

I apologize for not making a decent effort of searching for trackdays etc in NZ.
And sorry if my messages were perceived as trolling. I was just poking a bit of fun, but I see speed limits are a sore spot, which I totally understand (I've dealt with the inner-conflict too)

So anyway, I've come here to close the circle.
I've decided to sell my blade in SA.

The issue of speed limits and enthusiasts' fast machines, and opportunities to enjoy them isn't specific to NZ of course, it's a fairly general issue around the world; so don't take it so personally.
I simply referred to NZ because that's of course what my decision relates to.

If you simply google SA speed limits, you won't have an understanding of the vibe of riding superbikes in this country. SA is not run as well as NZ so don't assume you can imagine how it is if you haven't ridden superbikes here for a long time.

Again, I realize I'm touching a nerve so I'll repeat no harm intended with anything I've written.

Basically I had a good look at my situation. Trackdays are currently too expensive for me. I've got to support my family with a single income. Trackdays involve fees, petrol, oilchange (some do), burning through tyres and brakes, and god-forbid you drop the bike, that gets very expensive.

And I did some introspection. As much as I've tried to ride superbikes slow. I just can't do it and be happy about it sustainably. It's too uncomfortable. When you open up and are moving around the bike like a monkey then it's either not uncomfortable anymore, or I don't notice it cos I'm having so much fun.

Also if you speed a little and think it's fast, may not be what feels fast/fun to me. Again I'm really not trolling. The penalties are huge for riding the way I'd like to ride a superbike.
(Disclaimer: I'm not suggesting I would ever do anything illegal in any country, no sir, but some of you implied it's an option. So for me it's definitely not)
Having it and holding myself back constantly would make me very sad.
It's a weird thing, because I actually enjoyed my VFR400 more than the CBR1000RR in some ways. I don't enjoy holding back. And on the 1000, you have to hold back a lot more, for various reasons.

So basically I've realized that when I have the financial means to burn money at the track one day, that's what I'll do.

Moving to NZ represents a greater shift for me that you may not understand. SA is a country where not much works and there's so much corruption all the way from the top down. A lot of people kind of just do what they want because the dysfunction and corruption is so wide-spread.
Moving to NZ is a breath of fresh air. Where I don't have to watch my back constantly and people are decent and things work. A much lower level of stress.
You guys have no idea what it's like to try get your work done when suddenly the power goes off, or you've made plans, spent money on them, and then the gov says they're going to turn off the water, cos they're too incompetent to manage the resources, etc etc etc.
So I actually just want to be law abiding and drive at the speed limits, in comfort on a scooter even though part of me thinks they're seriously (lets say wussy), or maybe a touring bike. Call me crazy if you like.

All the best guys, see some of you on the track, hopefully sooner than I expect!