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View Full Version : Auckland - Wellington 250cc Trip --Tips for a newbie--



Disco Dan
2nd November 2006, 16:40
Planning a long distance bike ride with a friend of mine, Auckland to Wellington after my university exams finish sometime after 13th Nov.

Planning to spend at least a week for this trip, depends on weather, bike, fatigue and most importantly $$$$.

At the moment may stick along the east coast, through Tauranga, Gisbourne, Hastings etc etc untill Wellington then maybe west coast it back?

Never done anything like this before, any advice would be much appreciated!!

Will be ruffing it, tent, basic cooking gear and a zzr250 motorbike ;)

* Any particular roads/routes that i should take?
* What should i take with me? tools? first aid?

Thanks in advance!

MattRSK
2nd November 2006, 16:45
Don't forget your hell's pizza condom!

James Deuce
2nd November 2006, 16:58
A week?

I commuted between Wellington and Auckland every weekend for 3 months on my RG250. Up to Auckland on Friday night, back to Wellington on Sunday.

I got the trip down to 7 hours with two stops.

It should take you a maximum of 18 hours if you go via East Cape, then across to New Plymouth, and then down to Wellington.

limbimtimwim
2nd November 2006, 18:53
Do/Enjoy East Cape.

That's all I can suggest.

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 09:53
Would it be worth me taking extra tools in addition to the bikes factory tool kit?

Never been to Wellington before either, only driven as far as hamilton and as north as Parakai! Been in Auckland for 9 years now and thats all ive seen of NZ!

Anyone suggest a good route to take?

crashe
3rd November 2006, 10:10
Are you doing this trip two up or on two bikes?

If two up thats a long haul for your baby..... :whistle:

The route you have said in your first post is a good one as you will see lots of NZ.
I believe that the road from Gisborne to Hastings/Napier is a very windy road and can take you a fair while to get there.
Hastings/Napier to Wellington is a good road..... just be careful in the Manawatu Gorge of the car drivers as they love to cut corners :whistle:

Others in their area can tell you about the roads near them....

Take your time and enjoy the trip...... and ride safe.

Here is a list of some KBers on your travels should you need help:
Waylander in the Tauranga area
BabyB in Gisborne area
Mstrs/yungtart/hxc in Hastings/Napier area
Hitcher/PaulinNZ and many others in the Wellington area
Beemer in Levin
Sunhuntin in Wanganui
Sensei in Taranaki/New Plymouth
Quasievil in Hamilton

yungatart
3rd November 2006, 10:29
You HAVE to do East Cape to Napier - it is just stunning! Petrol is scarce and expensive along there tho - you can get it at Te Araroa at a price. Napier to Wgtn via HW 50 - not HW 2 (even I find that boring) -then through the Rapa over the Takas.
If you are sick of roughing it when you get to Napier, we have spare beds, just PM me/Mstrs/hXc for details.
Enjoy your ride

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 10:37
You HAVE to do East Cape to Napier - it is just stunning! Petrol is scarce and expensive along there tho - you can get it at Te Araroa at a price. Napier to Wgtn via HW 50 - not HW 2 (even I find that boring) -then through the Rapa over the Takas.
If you are sick of roughing it when you get to Napier, we have spare beds, just PM me/Mstrs/hXc for details.
Enjoy your ride

Cheers, thanks for that.

Petrol expensive there? dont understand that one!

Depending on how long it takes us to get to Wellington via 'the scenic route' we may even extend it and continue onto south island! would be fantastic!

Anyone know how many KM to Wellington from Auckland? ...is the south island really worth going to look at??? Auckland is pretty choice compared to scenery in England, whats south island like?

McJim
3rd November 2006, 10:42
Petrol expensive there? dont understand that one!

.............is the south island really worth going to look at??? Auckland is pretty choice compared to scenery in England, whats south island like?

Supply and demand - people NEED petrol - if there's only one petrol station they will charge more (costs more to take the petrol there too)

South Island Scenery...ever been to Scotland? Imagine that...but the mountains are 3 times the height AND IT DOESNT RAIN ALL THE TIME!

Farking spectacular mate - if you can go to the South Island then go - you won't wanna come back.

The_Dover
3rd November 2006, 10:45
Auckland is pretty choice compared to scenery in England, whats south island like?

what the fuck are you on?

England has some stunning scenery if you get off your arse and leave the confines of London or whichever shithole you lived in.

Str8 Jacket
3rd November 2006, 10:50
...is the south island really worth going to look at??? Auckland is pretty choice compared to scenery in England, whats south island like?

The South Island is beautiful. It also seems that the further south you go the more relaxed and friendly the people are. IMO.

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 10:51
what the fuck are you on?

England has some stunning scenery if you get off your arse and leave the confines of London or whichever shithole you lived in.

Lived in Kent, went all over and saw some stunning scenery, best would be Scotland though! Doest quite beat NZ though :done:

Bit of a city kid, never travelled very much when I was old enough to remember!!!

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 10:53
The South Island is beautiful. It also seems that the further south you go the more relaxed and friendly the people are. IMO.

yeah sounds like i may have to extend the trip to include the south island now!

Route so far:

Auckland - Tauranga - Gisbourne - Napier - Palmerston North - Wellington.

So what parts shouldnt i miss in the south island?

McJim
3rd November 2006, 10:53
The South Island is beautiful. It also seems that the further south you go the more relaxed and friendly the people are. IMO.

The exception proves the rule...Scumdog lives in the far south doesn't he?

:rofl: Grumpy old Glaswegian...there's a few of them around eh?

The_Dover
3rd November 2006, 10:55
I'd say that a lot of scenery in Scotland is easily the equal to anything I have scene in NZ, but without the glaciers.

The west coast of scotland and parts of the lake district would have to be some of my favourite places in the world and I can't wait for the day I take a GSXR around them, roll on.

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 11:00
Wont be gunning it too much, just taking the time to enjoy the trip and the scenery!

Would be great to meet some KB members on our travels!

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 11:11
South Island:

East coast roads or west? or are both so good, best to do 'the loop' ?

What cant i miss in the South Island folks???

limbimtimwim
3rd November 2006, 11:15
Auckland is pretty choice compared to scenery in England, whats south island like?The South Island is the best.

I tell every foreigner I meet that if they only have a limited time in the country, don't bother with the North island. The South Island is where is it at. If you must go one place in the South Island, Milford Sound is it. Also that means you can go down and up the West Coast, which is a close second.

And no, I am not a southerner, never lived there.

McJim
3rd November 2006, 11:21
I'd say that a lot of scenery in Scotland is easily the equal to anything I have scene in NZ, but without the glaciers.

The west coast of scotland and parts of the lake district would have to be some of my favourite places in the world and I can't wait for the day I take a GSXR around them, roll on.

I've promised gijoe1313 that we will ride the Trossachs and West Coast of Scotland afore the clay covers us. Be pretty cool if you were able to be there too Dover - not for a few years yet though - when the children are old enough to make the journey.

The_Dover
3rd November 2006, 11:24
<img src="http://www.motorcyclenews.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/47-236274-3421839-81040/DSCI0561%20(Large).JPG">

James Deuce
3rd November 2006, 11:25
Wont be gunning it too much, just taking the time to enjoy the trip and the scenery!

Would be great to meet some KB members on our travels!

Sorry should have said: That will be time in the saddle. Take your time man, and if you can get to the South Island do it.

No traffic, fantastic roads, great scenery, really angry women that won't put out, but look great while shouting and throwing things at you, blokes with bowl haircuts wearing walk shorts, socks, and sandals - just brilliant.

The_Dover
3rd November 2006, 11:30
what the hell happened to my picture?

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 11:31
Sorry should have said: That will be time in the saddle. Take your time man, and if you can get to the South Island do it.

No traffic, fantastic roads, great scenery, really angry women that won't put out, but look great while shouting and throwing things at you, blokes with bowl haircuts wearing walk shorts, socks, and sandals - just brilliant.

will talk to my friends and see if they are keen to continue on to south island, would luv to do it. Shame my bikes not bigger, would make trip easier!

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 11:32
what the hell happened to my picture?

did you tick the little "nude" box or something?

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 11:33
<img src="http://www.motorcyclenews.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/47-236274-3421839-81040/DSCI0561%20(Large).JPG">

WOW :gob: :gob: :gob:

and thats the south island?!

...Disco Dan is going on a road trip!! off to explore NZ on my trusty zzr250!!! ahaha!

The_Dover
3rd November 2006, 11:35
that's scotland

MSTRS
3rd November 2006, 11:37
Anyone know how many KM to Wellington from Auckland? ...

Farkin heaps if you do it proper-like

Disco Dan
3rd November 2006, 11:39
weeeell ive just got to get out of Auckland ay, going to try and pick up a GPS unit for the trip (i get lost in carparks) and go exploring!

Has anyone else done this sort of trip before? what sort of probs did you run into etc? thinking, mechanical, accomodation, food, petrol etc??

'hillbillies' ?? :innocent:

gijoe1313
3rd November 2006, 11:50
I've done the SI in a cage - I will be going back to do it all again on a bike! Once the school year is over, I will be planning my bike travels.

Sounds like you have the time - just need to gather the petrol funds together and enough to keep the soul alive (generous offers from fellow kbers notwithstanding!).

If you can, grab a copy of The Motorcycling atlas for New Zealand - good place to start! Start scrounging good gear from your mates for the trip and practice getting it all stowed and packed onto the bike!

Damn, I'm jealous! Sounds really good you young'uns getting the cobwebs cleared out of your headspace...

Oh yeah, check out the tour forums, loadsa good threads there for general touring advice.:rockon:

McJim
3rd November 2006, 11:51
that's scotland

I'd agree that Cumbria is nice too but it's so much busier then the West Coast of Scotland.

Cornwalls alright.

The_Dover
3rd November 2006, 12:05
the more exposed parts of exmoor and dartmoor would be fucking good on a sprotsbike too I reckon....

most of rural UK would be good on a bike though.

pritch
3rd November 2006, 12:16
South Island:
East coast roads or west? or are both so good, best to do 'the loop' ?


Better to do a figure eight? For instance: Picton to Greymouth / Greymouth to Christchurch via Arthurs Pass / Christchurch to invergiggle via the Caitlins (sp) / Invercargill to wherever on the West Coast then across the Lewis pass and up through Kaikoura and back to Blenheim..

Of course a South Island trip involves many more dollars than a trip around the North.

Squeak the Rat
3rd November 2006, 12:39
* What should i take with me? tools? first aid?


Duct tape.

quack

McJim
3rd November 2006, 13:23
the more exposed parts of exmoor and dartmoor would be fucking good on a sprotsbike too I reckon....

most of rural UK would be good on a bike though.

The bit that would be naff is round ol' London town. A lot of the towns and villages in the home counties are only 1km apart so you barely get to open the throttle but you're back in a 30mph zone.

The great thing about the South Island on a bike is the lack of traffic. Personally I'd try to avoid "Helen's Drag Strip" down the East Coast - it's loooooong and straight (south of Ch'ch)...not fun on a bike and there are a lot of stock trucks on the road so be prepared to get sprayed with nervous cow shite. In short - avoid the plains and stick to the twisties.

Disco Dan
5th November 2006, 18:17
further updates of my tour of New Zealand can be found here now:

http://homepages.woosh.co.nz/dsoutham/tour_of_new_zealand.html

sunhuntin
7th November 2006, 19:18
im lookin at heading south later this month for burt munro's rally in invers. what are the petrol stations like, distance wise, down there? im worried about running out! LOL. i know for milford sound to fill up in te anau, cos m.sound charges heaps.

dan...if you come to wanganui, im at bp by the swimming pool. if your coming down from new plymouth, ill be the second bp you see. always happy to have a yak with kber's.:sunny:

centaurus
7th November 2006, 20:33
Planning a long distance bike ride with a friend of mine, Auckland to Wellington after my university exams finish sometime after 13th Nov.
...............

* Any particular roads/routes that i should take?

Between Auckland and Wellington, on the west coast I would really recommend the motorway/road no. 3: Hamilton - Otorohanga - Te Kuiti and then directly towards the coast (Awakino), then on the coast through New Plymouth to Wanganui (keep west of mount Taranaki) and then Wellingon.

Between Te Kuiti and Awakino you have a natural reserve (read extraordinary views) and at Awakino where you reach the sea, if it's a sunny day it's just like a small paradise.
From New Plymouth to Wanganui (on the west coast) it's motorcycle country - the road is winding, and full of hills and valleys. If it's sunday chances are you will see a lot of bikers on the way.
From Wanganui you exit into the main way - road gets boring.

On the East coast, from Napier to Wellington, I strongly recommend a detour between Waipukurau and Masterton: keep east of the main road. There is at least one alternative route: narrower (between farms) but sealed and in good shape. The road is windy and the scenery is extremely beautiful. Allmost no traffic at all, however there are a few places with high risk of animals on the road (it's a secondary road). You don't have to keep east all the way to Hamilton. Somewhere along the way you can rejoin the main road.

And yes, if you're coming to Wellington, don't forget to try the Rimutaka road (if you're coming from/to Masterton, you will pass the Rimutakas anyway :D)

Wish you a good trip with lots of sun and no accidents. I like traveling miself. There is nothing else better than traveling. :rockon:

Disco Dan
7th November 2006, 22:55
im lookin at heading south later this month for burt munro's rally in invers. what are the petrol stations like, distance wise, down there? im worried about running out! LOL. i know for milford sound to fill up in te anau, cos m.sound charges heaps.

dan...if you come to wanganui, im at bp by the swimming pool. if your coming down from new plymouth, ill be the second bp you see. always happy to have a yak with kber's.:sunny:

cheers for that, will do :yes:

Whats the Burt Munro rally? loved that movie, very inspiring do you have any more details??

sunhuntin
8th November 2006, 10:46
here ya go dude. :yes: http://www.burtmunrochallenge.southlandnz.com/burtmunro/theStartLine/
everythin you need to know. lol

just to add....the road between wangas and hawera [new plymouth road] was very windy the last 2 times ive been up...first time was on the bike...even the two up beemer in front was being blown sideways. and last time was as a car passenger. so watch the wind along there. i have ridden in worse, but it is tiring, and youll need to be alert.

and every last sunday the local triumph club has a ride, so chances are youll run into some of them!

slimjim
8th November 2006, 18:36
did eight weeks around thee main land on a CD175, but helped as i was living in lower takaka, O those were the day's(nope after ww2) haha

Disco Dan
12th November 2006, 12:13
Route updated...

http://homepages.woosh.co.nz/dsoutham/

TLDV8
13th November 2006, 08:17
...................

...and thats the south island?!

It's not just the scenery....Small town NZ is the way it used to be...Kiwiana...The smell of fresh baking and pots of tea...Woollen vests,smiling faces and cherry greetings.
South Island and the Mainlander's. :niceone: :niceone:

frogfeaturesFZR
13th November 2006, 10:20
Mate, anywhere out of the'big smoke' is great. It's a fantastic country, pity most people don't experience it.

clint640
13th November 2006, 11:12
Looks good, you'll have a ball, a couple of points:

I'd stay on hwy 2 down into Welly, you don't want to miss the Rimutakas do ya? Going down the east side of the South, consider a bit of a loop inland between Chch & Timaru if you have the time, it's pretty flat & boring going down the coast. Hug the coast from Dunedin to Invercargill, the recently sealed Catlins route is damn good.

Nice work on the website too BTW!

Cheers
Clint

Disco Dan
14th November 2006, 12:44
Looks good, you'll have a ball, a couple of points:

I'd stay on hwy 2 down into Welly, you don't want to miss the Rimutakas do ya? Going down the east side of the South, consider a bit of a loop inland between Chch & Timaru if you have the time, it's pretty flat & boring going down the coast. Hug the coast from Dunedin to Invercargill, the recently sealed Catlins route is damn good.

Nice work on the website too BTW!

Cheers
Clint

yeah, i keep hearing about the 'rimutakas' ? enligten me !
route can be changed of course, i just saw that loop on my map and followed it around with a black pen!!!

xxblackbirdxx
16th November 2006, 14:35
Hi Disco Dan,
Howz it ? So this SI stint, Is it with aaran or someone else.
Havent seen you around off late, Just thought i'd say hello.
PS: I am doing the SI trip. From the 27th of Jan to the 14th of Feb.
Tag along if you wish.
You know who this is.

Disco Dan
17th November 2006, 11:37
Hi Disco Dan,
Howz it ? So this SI stint, Is it with aaran or someone else.
Havent seen you around off late, Just thought i'd say hello.
PS: I am doing the SI trip. From the 27th of Jan to the 14th of Feb.
Tag along if you wish.
You know who this is.

if he gets his new bike in time and he can get time off work etc etc..

otherwise i wouldnt mind doing the "lone ranger" styles and getting some decent relection goin on :rockon:

Someone please tell a nieve aucklander where the smeg the rumatikas are???? :dodge:

MSTRS
17th November 2006, 13:06
if he gets his new bike in time and he can get time off work etc etc..

otherwise i wouldnt mind doing the "lone ranger" styles and getting some decent relection goin on :rockon:

Someone please tell a nieve aucklander where the smeg the rumatikas are???? :dodge:

When you find out, tell the rest of us. We are dying to know.

MSTRS
17th November 2006, 13:08
The Rimutaka's are the hills between Featherston and Kaitoke (north of Upper Hutt). Welly bikers seem to like them.

Disco Dan
17th November 2006, 13:09
And yes, if you're coming to Wellington, don't forget to try the Rimutaka road (if you're coming from/to Masterton, you will pass the Rimutakas anyway :D)



yeah yeah... alright...

close enough... still havent a smeggin clue ay... :mellow:

Disco Dan
17th November 2006, 13:12
The Rimutaka's are the hills between Featherston and Kaitoke (north of Upper Hutt). Welly bikers seem to like them.

Hills? oh choice :scooter:

thanks for that... :innocent:

thats in the north island? oh.. i was waaaaay off!! hahahaha!

jumma
17th November 2006, 13:48
Here you go disco dan.