North Island Tour

[Blackbird]

There's nothing like the south island for touring by bike but some mates and I were due to attend a conference in Porirua late last month and decided to turn it into a tour of some of the north island's back roads whilst we were at it. I haven't toured for over 5 years and it was genuinely good for the soul. We had an absolute ball and were amazed just how little traffic there was on the roads at this time of the year if you pick the route with a bit of care. We also met some awesome people all the way round, from gas station attendants to cafe and motel staff and so on. Overall, we shouldn't lose sight of what a neat bunch of people live in this country.

For what it's worth for riders who are looking for places to go at this time of year and also to keep our memories of the trip alive, I've posted some narrative and lots of photos of our trip here:

https://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-green-badge-tour-part-1.html

https://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-green-badge-tour-pt-2.html

https://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-green-badge-tour-pt3.html

My Duke 790 turned out to be a really competent touring machine, travelling light. Have owned it for just on a year and it's turned out to be the perfect choice for this old fella - makes me laugh every time I throw a leg over it!

Cheers,

Geoff

[Navy Boy]

Good reads all of them Geoff. I enjoyed those.

I managed to ride to the summit of Mount Patriarch here in the Mount Richmond National Park yesterday. A lovely ride it was too with the DR650 proving to be the ideal tool for the job. Lovely and supple in the trickier off road bits but still good fun on the twisty tarmac roads leading there too.

[Blackbird]

Good reads all of them Geoff. I enjoyed those.

I managed to ride to the summit of Mount Patriarch here in the Mount Richmond National Park yesterday. A lovely ride it was too with the DR650 proving to be the ideal tool for the job. Lovely and supple in the trickier off road bits but still good fun on the twisty tarmac roads leading there too.

Thanks Lee! Although I enjoy my own company, there's something special riding with great friends that you trust implicitly. The DR650 is an underrated bike and so easy to maintain. I'll seriously look at either a DR650 or WR 250 for pootling about on the Coromandel gravel roads in due course.

[Stylo]

Thanks Lee! Although I enjoy my own company, there's something special riding with great friends that you trust implicitly. The DR650 is an underrated bike and so easy to maintain. I'll seriously look at either a DR650 or WR 250 for pootling about on the Coromandel gravel roads in due course.

Nice work, you've obviously spent some on putting that all together. 10 points.

Been a couple of years since I've taken the Suzuki anywhere ...

I feel like a rat in a cage right now. as we all probably do. I've put it on top of list when they open the door to freedom.

Road trip.


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[caspernz]

Nice write-up Geoff, especially now we're all cooped up. Makes me think we lucked out with national AGM.

[Blackbird]

Nice work, you've obviously spent some on putting that all together. 10 points.

Been a couple of years since I've taken the Suzuki anywhere ...

I feel like a rat in a cage right now. as we all probably do. I've put it on top of list when they open the door to freedom.



Thanks Stylo. I know what you mean. I ride a lot but a decent tour is pretty special. I'll try and make the next one less tha 5 years away ! Good luck with planning a decent run somewhere! :2thumbsup


Nice write-up Geoff, especially now we're all cooped up. Makes me think we lucked out with national AGM.

Thanks Rob, a bugger being cooped up :weep: Doing a write-up does help a bit, re-living it. We'll have to organise an IAM weekend away next Spring!

[caspernz]

Thanks Rob, a bugger being cooped up :weep: Doing a write-up does help a bit, re-living it. We'll have to organise an IAM weekend away next Spring!

There'll be plenty of room in the usual tourist hot spots for a while I'm guessing. Yes we'll look forward to doing our bit to revitalise the economy, and having a decent ride in the process :woohoo:

[Navy Boy]

Count me in for a trip to the AGM next year :yes:

That's if you chaps will have me!

[caspernz]

Count me in for a trip to the AGM next year :yes:

That's if you chaps will have me!

Best we start planning then :2thumbsup

[Navy Boy]

Now then - Which bike to take... :laugh:

[caspernz]

Will bring a 4 bike trailer for the support crew to tow, so you can bring all of 'em :laugh::confused::shit::innocent:

[Blackbird]

Will bring a 4 bike trailer for the support crew to tow, so you can bring all of 'em :laugh::confused::shit::innocent:

Nowhere enough capacity :innocent:

[Navy Boy]

Nowhere enough capacity :innocent:

What he said! :bleh:

[caspernz]

Nowhere enough capacity :innocent:


What he said! :bleh:

Nobody likes a showoff :banana::clap::rolleyes:

[Navy Boy]

Nobody likes a showoff :banana::clap::rolleyes:

Hee-Hee Rob. I've been called worse :niceone: