Need advice on a bike to tour NZ. [Archive]

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FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 05:41

So I figure I've been on this forum long enough for many of you to know me a bit but not so long that you've all decided Im a total fuckwit and ignore my threads........but just in case.....a little history:

First bike: Ninja 250R
Second bike: CBR600RR

The Deal: Im gonna be coming to visit you nutters, maybe even stay a long long while (in Christchurch) and Im gonna be selling my CBR before I go. I've been doing lots of long distance trips on weekends just seeing how many miles I can rack up in preperation for NZ. In the past few weeks I've done some 500 milers (day trips) up in the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain and such.

Last time I was in NZ I spent about 6 months travelling around and such by car, train, bus, and shuttle. This time I want to stay just a wee bit longer and do the whole thing on a motorcycle.

The plan: Land in Auckland and head south, hit every big city and landmark I can on the way down to Wellington,see some old mates along the way, then to Picton and over to Nelson to see some more peeps, then all over the south island until I end up in Christchurch which is where I'll be for the most part. Im planning about 3-4 weeks total time between landing at Auckland and setting up in a flat in Christchurch.

The Question: Im partial to sports bikes but Im a bit worried about spending 4weeks touring NZ on one. So Im debating getting a sports tourer to do the trip and then switching to a sports bike ounce I get my flat in chch or just doing the whole thing on whatever sports bike I buy in Auckland. At the moment Im really thinking of picking up a Triumph Daytona 675 in Auckland and doing the trip on that.....whadaya think ?

dogsnbikes

11th June 2007, 07:43

The Question: Im partial to sports bikes but Im a bit worried about spending 4weeks touring NZ on one. So Im debating getting a sports tourer to do the trip and then switching to a sports bike ounce I get my flat in chch or just doing the whole thing on whatever sports bike I buy in Auckland. At the moment Im really thinking of picking up a Triumph Daytona 675 in Auckland and doing the trip on that.....whadaya think ?

Firstly how much gear do you intend on carrying with you? and do you intend to stick soley to the main road's ? and your budget

Really it depends on what your comfortable with but something like the 675 is rather nimble and would be good for the twisties

or you could go to more of touring bike like a sprint or similar....everyone will give you advice....but what ever you choose be sure to call in and catch up with the Manawatu crowd:Punk:

Paul in NZ

11th June 2007, 08:51

At the moment Im really thinking of picking up a Triumph Daytona 675 in Auckland and doing the trip on that.....whadaya think ?

You can tour on anything and if a 675 takes your fancy - why not... BUT - that would not be my choice by a country mile - fantastic sports bike but crippling tourer and leaving it in the street while looking around a town or tourist attraction?? And the fuel economy? EGAD!

Older CBR600 or a Transalp or something would be better - hard luggage - better still..

riffer

11th June 2007, 08:51

Swoop

11th June 2007, 09:20

I'm sure Big Dave will be along shortly to suggest a Buell... which would be a good choice!

Hitcher

11th June 2007, 09:46

Did somebody mention an FJR, or an older FR1200, or perhaps an ST1100/1300? Or are these perhaps too homosexual for an American in a hurry?

MSTRS

11th June 2007, 09:57

You would be better off trying to find a second-hand Triumph Tiger, Honda Transalp, BMW F650, Aprilia Pegaso or something similar in an adventure bike type range.

Yep! Or maybe a 1200 Bandit?

sels1

11th June 2007, 10:04

I think a 675 would be awful. Do you want to see the REAL New Zealand?
You would be better off trying to find a second-hand Triumph Tiger, Honda Transalp, BMW F650, Aprilia Pegaso or something similar in an adventure bike type range.

What he said. As much as I like the 675, it wouldnt be my choice for touring.
Something with a more relaxed riding position, and a bigger front wheel would be better...(and I wasnt thinkin HD!)

or this:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=103707174&key=87084

86GSXR

11th June 2007, 10:33

Gidday mate:yes: What they've said! A lot of the best roads could be pretty uncomfortable on a sports bike, it depends on how strong your wrists are and how much gear you've got.

Whatever you do tho, let us know when you get near the Manawatu and we'll ride south with ya.

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 10:34

yeah yeah...I know!!! I did enough of NZ roads already (not really bad IMO)....I've done Jamaica too..now THOSE were some BAD roads.....but my desire to do NZ on a sports bike is overpowering my common sense to get some sort of sport/adventure tourer. In a perfect world I'd get a BMW GS-1200 or something and then chuck it ounce I got to chch......BUT.....I've actually been on a Triumph 675 for a good 35 minutes and found it to be only slightly less comfortable then my CBR600......ugh. I really think I could just deal with it. I can hack 400-500 miles in my CBR without too much problem so why not a 675? But yeah, I'd be limited as to what roads I could go on. Maybe I really should just get a used dual sport or something and trade it in ounce I get to christchurch.......

Also, I've done enough tramping around NZ to have seen all the stuff you cant see by car or bike. What Im really looking to do is stay on the tarmac for this 4 week trip. If I wanna see the "real" NZ I can always do what I did last time and get a bunch of mates together and do the Routeburn Track, Abel Tasman, or whatever. The only one Im really itching to do is the Milford and I wouldnt be bringing my bike for that one anyway!!! :). What this trip is about is just riding around on the main roads, meeting up with fellow bikers, and just screwing around and having fun. I kinda did the whole nature thing the first time I was in NZ. Dont get me wrong....Im gonna do plenty of hiking and kayaking and scuba diving again......but for this trip Im just concentrating on hitting the cities..........

Now this bike is interesting. I would consider this one:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=103728097&key=43592

And I'd get a KTM but I aint spending $13,000 on something Im gonna ditch for a sport bike the second I get to chch. Nice choice though. I do have a soft spot for KTM.

Not really a fan of the Aprilia though. I've taken a look at them before and havnt really liked the look of them. Kinda the same way I feel about BMW sports bikes. Just too heavy and ungainly looking to my eyes.

Thanks for the links Riffer. Of all the ones you sent the BMW GS650 seems to do the trick best. Im alot more likely to spend $8,500 for a BMW then I am $18,000 for a KTM!!!!!

Thanks again for the links. Its like cycle trader only for NZ. Love it.

tri boy

11th June 2007, 10:36

I think a 675 would be awful. Do you want to see the REAL New Zealand?

You would be better off trying to find a second-hand Triumph Tiger, Honda Transalp, BMW F650, Aprilia Pegaso or something similar in an adventure bike type range.

Depending on where you want to go you will find that New Zealand roads can go from tarseal to gravel pretty quickly. Go up the Wanganui River and you've got at least 65kms (40 miles) of gravel. A road bike is going to have no paint on the front of it by the time you are finished.

Here's some ideas:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=103728097&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=103440258&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=103280758&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=103227644&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=103095900&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=103225458&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=102416572&key=43592

I like Riffers thinking. A large amount of NZ's finest areas are up gravel roads, and back country valleys. This doesn't mean that you have to be Rambo, but most road orientated bikes never get to these places. ie Waikerimoana, Pipiriki etc. And imagine the bragging rights you will have when you show your bike mates at home some photos of such places.(just tell them it was so torturous to get to these places, that no one else will try to invade our best kept secrets)

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 10:38

Oh and one more thing. I will most def. be posting up before I go. The whole point of doing this on a motorcycle would be to meet up with as many of you guys and girls as possible and do a little riding together. I'll spot you for lunch/drinks and you point me in the right direction!

MSTRS

11th June 2007, 10:39

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 10:47

yeah, you guys are right. Fuck it. Im just gonna get a BMW GS650. At least that will give me the option to do gravel if the mood takes me. From looking around the prices on that bike seem pretty reasonable too. I just have to keep saying to myself "thats in NZ dollars.....thats in NZ dollars....thats in NZ dollars" otherwise I'll shit myself at what your paying on these things!!!! I hope to hell the exchange rates are as nice as they were the last time I was in NZ......otherwise I'd be half tempted to ship my CBR over for christs sake. Sheesh.

riffer

11th June 2007, 10:51

Good man.

Remember, they'll cripple you if you try to go too fast in this country.

There's so much more than just the highways.

Glad to hear you're seeing the bigger picture. :yes:

As for the exchange rate. Sorry - in the next few weeks its probably going to be around 80 cents US for the kiwi dollar.

86GSXR

11th June 2007, 10:54

Yeah, well, don't be too hasty. If you want the Triumph do it, but I'm biased just having got myself a new Daytona - Hell YEAH:yes:

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 11:11

hehe..hell yeah MSTRS. Im def. coming to Napier.....

My tentative route so far:

1. Auckland to Coromandel

2. Coromandel to Hamilton

3. Hamilton to Rotorua

4. Rotorua to Taupo

5. Taupo to Gisborne

6. Gisborne to Napier (where, no doubt, MSTRS is gonna invite me into his home, feed me dinner, have his wife give me a massage, and then loan me his Ford F-350 super duty pickup truck he keeps hidden behind the house so I can haul my bike the rest of the way to chch)

7. Napier to Palmerston North (nah, fack that......Im just gonna ride through Palmerston North.......)

8. Palmerston North to Wellington. Stay awhile in Wellington because I loved it last time I was there and know some peeps.

9. Wellington to Picton. Staying in Picton a few days just because its the most relaxing town in NZ and I wanna stay at this B&B I stayed at last time and say hello again.

10. Picton to Nelson. Staying in Nelson because half my mates seem to have come from Nelson.....no idea why. Which brings me to another odd thing about my last stay in NZ: When I was on the road it seemed that a good third of the people I met were from Invercargill.......no idea why. Maybe everyone was trying to escape the town hehe. Too far south or something.

11. Nelson to Kaikoura. Surfed off Kaikoura and had a blast.....so doing it again.

12. Down to Christchurch to meet all my peeps..cant just pass through without at least saying hello...that would be rude.....then to Akaroa and all around the Banks Pen. because I just love that area.

13. Akaroa to Dunedin (with maybe a side trip to Mt. Cook)

14. Dunedin to Queenstown where Im gonna act like every other dumbass American tourist and spend lots of money doing stupid shit just like I did last time. I never learn.

15. Over to Milford Sound.

16. Whatever route I feel like back to my new home: Christchurch. Then Im gonna relax for about a week, sell my GS650, and get me a nice sports bike and use it to terrorize the people of Akaroa every weekend. :)

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 11:27

Oh by the way: Here are some pics of my test ride of the Daytona 675. I swear I've never had better service from a dealer then I did at the BMW/Triumph place. They gave me a tour of the whole place, including the service dept. downstairs in the dungeon, they gave me a detailed walk around of the bike with a knowledgeable service tech. pointing out all the features, they gave me a free can of soda (Dr. Pepper of course) and a free roast beef sandwich. THEN, to top it off they gave me a 35 minute guided demo tour on the bike which included some back road twisties and a short high speed highway run to get a feel for the wind protection (which, by the way, the 675 doesnt have the greatest wind protection on planet earth).

If I had stopped off there before I bought my CBR 600 I'd prolly be riding a 675 right now!!! BUT, my CBR is more comfortable, it sounds better with the Two Bro's pipe, and its just a wee bit smoother. It also feels just a little faster according to my arse dyno but that could be down to the 675 only having 30 miles on it and my CBR having a few trick bits :) :). Ah well.

Anyway, here are some pics. Before you piss on my shoes again for not being in proper gear I was working that day so relax!!!! I do realize im in jeans and New Balance running shoes alright!!! Again taken with my craptastic cell phone:

clint640

11th June 2007, 11:34

yeah, you guys are right. Fuck it. Im just gonna get a BMW GS650. .

Good choice. Don't forget that you don't have to be on a rocketship to have fun in the twistys, me mate Mike has passed many a squidly sportsbike on his trusty 650GS.

Here's the report of our South Is trip last year to whet your appetite for some fine NZ riding, both on & off the tar:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124655

Cheers
Clint

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 11:38

Woops, here ya go:

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 11:44

Hehe, damn Clint640....that little road trip report was awesome.....great pics.....especially the one of the fish n' chips with a little Speights to wash it all down.......brought back memories of the good ol' times. Ok, Im pretty much sold on a GS650 now. I'd love to do some riding like that....which would be impossible on a sports bike.

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 12:03

And since Im posting pics: Here are some pics from some past trips to the Blue Ridge Mnts. which is where I like to ride in my neck of the woods:

(http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010217sv4.jpg)

[IMG]http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5556/p1010218jd0.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010218jd0.jpg)

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3052/p1010088rr7.th.jpg (http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010088rr7.jpg)

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3212/p1010107tb2.th.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010107tb2.jpg)

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8544/p1010112sn4.th.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010112sn4.jpg)

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/1407/p1010118cn3.th.jpg (http://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010118cn3.jpg)

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6361/p1010123cg8.th.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010123cg8.jpg)

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5530/p1010129iv7.th.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010129iv7.jpg)

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/8374/p1010150eg2.th.jpg (http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010150eg2.jpg)

86GSXR

11th June 2007, 12:06

:Oi: :gob: The road through Palmerston North will be closed that day. But, if you beg real nice we may let you ride with us:rockon: :yes:

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 12:17

shit well I fucked that one up. Oh well...dinner time. I will post some good pics later.

FkNAmerican

11th June 2007, 12:19

LOL 86GSXR.......I know I moan about how crappy Palmerston North is.......but Im sure it would be a whole lot better on a motorcycle with some riders from KB to show me around. First time I went through there I didnt know anyone and I came by train. That mighta had something to do with my negative first impression ;)

Monkeyboy

11th June 2007, 12:39

I've toured NZ on a CBR600F2, R1, VTR1000 and a Fireblade. The Firestorm (VTR1000) was the best "tourer" of the bunch. My two cents worth.

When you get to Christchurch don't forget to go to Akaroa and have lunch at Bully Hayes, tell the ladies working there the Muffin Boys sent you!!!! (it's a long story)

Big Dave

11th June 2007, 13:09

I'm sure Big Dave will be along shortly to suggest a Buell... which would be a good choice!

Steady on - I'm not that biased - It works outstandingly well for me, but if you fit well on a 675, an XB12X ain't for you.

The Buell has other niggles too, many of which don't bother me a jot - I like the way it shakes, some people think it's a joke. There's other things too.
It's also $20K.

What Riffer said, actually.

I've done 2 big 'all over' tours on a Tiger and it were grand.

FJR1300 would be my choice for a 2-up road tour.

(after the Ulysses)

MSTRS

11th June 2007, 14:00

hehe..hell yeah MSTRS. Im def. coming to Napier.....
Och nooo....

6. Gisborne to Napier (where, no doubt, MSTRS is gonna invite me into his home, feed me dinner, have his wife give me a massage, and then loan me his Ford F-350 super duty pickup truck he keeps hidden behind the house so I can haul my bike the rest of the way to chch)

Oi...you know something I don't?? Anyway - you wrong, boy...no Ford's allowed at mine.....

7. Napier to Palmerston North (nah, fack that......Im just gonna ride through Palmerston North.......)

Best thing to do with that place....some of the people there are OK tho

LOL 86GSXR.......I know I moan about how crappy Palmerston North is.......but Im sure it would be a whole lot better on a motorcycle with some riders from KB to show me around. First time I went through there I didnt know anyone and I came by train. That mighta had something to do with my negative first impression ;)
Nah - you right first time.
Hint: - turn left at Woodville....

Woops, here ya go:
You a bit big for that 600 ?

Reckless

11th June 2007, 14:23

I've toured NZ on a CBR600F2, R1, VTR1000 and a Fireblade. The Firestorm (VTR1000) was the best "tourer" of the bunch. My two cents worth.

Ye i had a storm as well! Twin is strong and the bike is good natured and a good ride. Was quite a good balance between being ok for the longish hauls and still awesome for a good fang when required.

Another bike which is a bit boring makes a brillliant sport tourer is the VFR800. Which has a really good riding position for touring and can still handle quite well.

That is if most of your milage is gonna be on tarseal (or crappy punched through the tar coarse chip that we have over here).

Kinje

11th June 2007, 15:05

I've just finished 2 weeks around the South Island on a CBR600RR. Went really well and while we weren't covering huge distances (prob about 350km avg per day) I was always pretty comfortable. It does restrict you to the sealed roads, but sounds like your going for the beamer so you can get offroad when ya want. Check out my trip report (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=51451)here for some SI ideas.

Enjoy your trip :yes:

Zapf

11th June 2007, 21:37

So I figure I've been on this forum long enough for many of you to know me a bit but not so long that you've all decided Im a total fuckwit and ignore my threads.

I have done 3 big tours, as in around SI. On SV650S / CB900 Hornet / CBR1100XX.

If you'll be carrying hard luggage SV1000S's would take Givi hard luggages. And it is ... more sports bike than tourer.

Otherwise I have a 04 CBR954 in good condition with 8'000kms looking for a new owner :)

86GSXR

12th June 2007, 01:54

86GSXR

12th June 2007, 02:01

Oi...you know something I don't?? Anyway - you wrong, boy...no Ford's allowed at mine.....

Best thing to do with that place....some of the people there are OK tho

Nah - you right first time.
Hint: - turn left at Woodville....

Why thank you, nice Ford too :yes: