Riding from Palmerston North to Auckland... Should I?

[Stella]

Ok, I have a dilemma. I have a week off, in 1.5 weeks time. I was supposed to be riding to Auckland with a friend to see some people. He can no longer come and I can't cancel the time off.

I have a GN250, have been riding since February last year, done 5000km. I have done most of that on the open road. So far my longest rides have been to Hastings and Wellington, and I did the Rimutakas (badly, but upright). I do NOT have a car license therefore this is the only driving/riding experience I really have.

I would do the trip in two bursts, staying the night halfway and finishing the trip the next day. I would then have five nights in Auckland and come back the same way.

The thing is I don't know the roads and if anything goes wrong I am totally stranded on my own.

Every so often I get keen to do it but then I have a biker friend say I am nuts, mostly about doing it on a 250 but I have never ridden anything bigger so I don't know the difference (you know, once you upgrade you can't go backwards). Also the being alone if something goes wrong thing concerns them. But then I get keen again.

I *DON'T* WANT LOTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!! I need some sound advice please :) I have no idea what to do.

[Mom]

Go to my user note. My cell phone number is on there. If you get in the shit txt me. I am camping then and have no PC. I can however txt someone, who will put a thread up on here and there will be a member that can come to your aid! Easy!

As far as riding up to Auckland goes....GO FOR IT!

[Str8 Jacket]

Just do it! But take lots of oil and check it reguarly! Trust me, once you've actually done it you'll be both stoked and proud with yourself! Trust me, Ive had the same dilemna and just done it. Will NEVER regret it, ever!

[Usarka]

Do you want to do it?

[Trudes]

Bugger, if I was still on holiday then i'd offer to come along for the ride. Mom's got the idea though, tons of kbers along the way that'll probably ride with you for a bit if you want some company, and if you don't then help is only a text msg away. Good luck, oh, and go for it chick!

[C_A]

do it. jsut take a few breaks on the way, have a decent feed before you set off, and a mean sleep. will only take you like 6 hours of riding if that, if you're at 100kph as much as possible. long distance motoring's a piece of piss.. 'tis only a shade over 500km from palmy, too.

plus, go through feilding and up through rewa/vinegar hill on the way. the first part of the palmy-auckland trip is insanely boring. rewa mixes it up a bit.
also not sur eon condition of the desert road at the moment, so national park might be better, plus if you stay on that western access to ngaruawahia or perhaps futher north if possible, you save a buttload of time and see alot less traffic

[jtzzr]

GO FOR IT!there are heaps of guys/girls who would redily help you on your quest should you need help ,and there are alot of people who would ride with ya along the way or parts of the way.Have fun:clap:

[chanceyy]

Hi Stella

deep breath ... you will be fine .. make sure you stop if you feel weary, and drink plenty of water take food on board regularly but nothing to heavy .. am sure someone can offer you a bed if you want to do the trip over two days ..

I rode to chch by myself several months ago (just after i got restricted) and loved it ..(once i was on the road no prob)

If you want my cellie number pm me .. I have a master list of ppl up north that we can call if you get stuck, break down or so forth .. & you may find others could accompany you part of the way if your passing through their town

after watching you ride on the newbie ride the other week you will not have any probs you ride extremely well just take your time & have fun :D

[99TLS]

is there any palmy riders on here that you know who can ride part way with you ?? would that make you more comfy?

[Mumbles]

Don't worry about the 250 thing, I've done Auckland to cold kiwi fully loaded on a 250 and back

The main issue is to believe that you are capable of the ride, keep to the main highway do the speed limit and stop to rest your butt often, great idea splitting the trip up and do it in 2 half's.

If your worried about if the bike can do the distance then ask a local mechanic to take a look at it. (check your tire pressure and fluid levels before you head off)

Do a few more rides before you go, esp if your going to load you or your bike up, everything acts a little differently when your carrying extra weight.

Fully charge ya phone and enjoy the ride :drool: , its nice and boring for a bike, but after this trip you can find all the other cool ways to go :yes:.

Stay safe :scooter:

[Swoop]

I would do the trip in two bursts, staying the night halfway and finishing the trip the next day. I would then have five nights in Auckland and come back the same way.
Sounds good. You already have a rough idea where you are staying for the overnight bit, so it makes "finding" a route a little easier.

The thing is I don't know the roads and if anything goes wrong I am totally stranded on my own.
This is normal for all bikers. If something happens you have a cellphone and you also have a bike on the side of the road - the international brotherhood of bikers will see this!

Every so often I get keen to do it but then I have a biker friend say I am nuts, mostly about doing it on a 250 but I have never ridden anything bigger so I don't know the difference (you know, once you upgrade you can't go backwards). Also the being alone if something goes wrong thing concerns them.
Doing it on a 250? Pah! It has been done on lots smaller than that. Ride what you have. What's this "once you upgrade you can't go back" crap? Plenty of bikers out there who have purchased a "smaller" bike after owning or still owning a larger one.

No encouragement needed. You have the pieces of the puzzle, so put them together.

[smoky]

How confident a rider are you on the main roads?
What condition is your bike in?

A GN250 should handle a small trip like that.


But take lots of oil
Why?

[Lucy]

Yes do it, you will love it. If you want you can stop in here for a break on your way (Raetihi - pm me for phone number etc), and you will only be two hours away from home so if you have changed your mind or anything, you can head home, or phone someone. If I am free, not sure of the dates, I'll ride on with you for a bit, would be good to ride with another GN!

As far as advice goes? Hmmm. Check all your oil, tyres, CHAIN, etc before you leave, don't forget your wallet and licence, and list of phone numbers. Join the AA. Take a water bottle, you'll get thirsty. Take an Auckland map.

[chanceyy]

This is normal for all bikers. If something happens you have a cellphone and you also have a bike on the side of the road - the international brotherhood of bikers will see this!

Doing it on a 250? Pah! It has been done on lots smaller than that. Ride what you have. What's this "once you upgrade you can't go back" crap? Plenty of bikers out there who have purchased a "smaller" bike after owning or still owning a larger one.

No encouragement needed. You have the pieces of the puzzle, so put them together.

you are so right swoop .. I managed to run outta gas twice & both times within minutes a biker in a cage stopped to ask if i was ok .. gotta love bikers :Punk:

I did my first tour on the RZ350 .. everyone was suprised I was doing it on a two stroke .. :lol:

where are you planning to stay overnite stella ?? if its around taupo there are a few generous kbers who will look after you :D

[99TLS]

where in akld are you heading? if you want a escort from hamilton and its the weekend give me a txt if im free i will escort you, send me a pm and i will give you my cell #

[Ocean1]

A 250 is perfectly capable of a cruise like that, no worries there.

Question is are you? We can't answer that. If you feel seriously threatened by the idea then consider saving it for another day.

Having said that, if you post a route and a rough timetable I'm sure you'll get company for some bits, or at least for the odd coffee stop.

That should help break the ride up into manageable sized bits, it's also a good way to get intelligence about local conditions.

PS: I've got FAR more regrets over things I didn't do than those I did. Good luck.

[Str8 Jacket]

Why?

GN's can use ALOT oil. Looks like its full one min and then empty and BANG the next. I know of a couple of people its happened to with GN's on long distance travels so I like to warn people. It may not be a prob for Stella at all though!

[davereid]

Your bike is quite capable of the trip, and you are too !

I have taken a 50 cc bike all around NZ, and it was a suzuki, so your 250 will blittz it. (People ride smaller bikes around the world.)

Check tyre pressures, oil amd the basics before you go.

If you have a reason to come to Levin call in at my workshop, and I will check them all for you.

And you as a learner ?

Of course you must have your brain in the ON position. Let the 1/2wits in the Subarus pass. Keep around the spped limit when you can, keep well left if you can't without inviting camper vans to own your bit of the road.

Just check your oil every time you get gas.

It wil be a great trip, try not to get worried about it.

Put a Mods ph No in yer Ph, Chancey is a good chick and she has suggested her number.

Get a flattie ? Txt her. Worst case - you meet another KB rider.

You will get caught in the rain. You will wish you had got gas at the last gas station. You will hear noises from the engine that are not there.

And you will be sure the bike is handling funny, and check your tyres again.

And when you get back you are a real biker.

You don't need a Harley or a Hayabusa to be a biker. Ride around the world on a 250 sherpa - dozens have done it. That makes you a biker. Ride a GN250 as a learner the length of NI and back - you are a biker.

Ride a $40,000 to the Hog meeting ? Ask me again later !

But remember... you are in a community, even if you ride alone, there is a KBer close but most of all.. DO IT... HAVE FUN... BE SCARED... LOVE IT !

[Stella]

Wow, you guys are amazing!!! The offers of help just blow me away :) I very much like the idea that a txt to one person can start a thread on here and get help on its way. Such a cool idea.

I do feel quite able to do the ride. I also feel grown-up enough to take breaks etc and not try to get there in the shortest time. It is just the unknown things: what if I come off etc. of course that is always a risk but I would be far from anyone I (actually) know who could come and save me.

It could be cool meeting a few of you along the way. :)

[chanceyy]

Wow, you guys are amazing!!! The offers of help just blow me away :) I very much like the idea that a txt to one person can start a thread on here and get help on its way. Such a cool idea.

I do feel quite able to do the ride. I also feel grown-up enough to take breaks etc and not try to get there in the shortest time. It is just the unknown things: what if I come off etc. of course that is always a risk but I would be far from anyone I (actually) know who could come and save me.

It could be cool meeting a few of you along the way. :)

that is why I have started a phone list from kbers all round the country .. never know when someone might need a hand .. & esp with the reg riders from the manawatu area

to anyone around the country if you do not mind your details being held I have started quite a comprehensive phone list for the manawatu riders .. if you wish your number to remain private .. no problem only myself & two others have access to the master list & we can be contact by cell pretty much 24/7 and we would contact you directly with the bikers details for you to contact them .. or if you do not mind your details showing we have a list that is handed out to regular manawatu riders ..

only details I hold is first name & any phone numbers you wish to provide (cell or home phone etc)
so PM me if you want to add your details to the "list"

[Swoop]

It could be cool meeting a few of you along the way. :)
Now you're getting the idea!

[Rockbuddy]

stella what days are you looking at, sounds like an adventure maybe I or someone can come down from aucks and do the ride back with you, e.g say come down on the sat and do the ride back to aucks with you on the sun, it will only take 6-8 hours including fuel and food stops. I did auck to welly and spent 10 hours doing it on my 250 no sweat

[rainman]

go through feilding and up through rewa/vinegar hill on the way.

What tyres do you have on the GN? If it's wet, vinegar hill could be a bit "interesting" with the stock plastic ones.

'Tis a good ride though - I picked up my Marauder from down that way and rode it back home to Auckland over two days, with a stop in Tauranga. I'd been riding a GN for a while but it was the first time back on a bigger bike for a long while. Vinegar Hill was quite a bit of fun, good lookout on the way - you can see about half the country from there on a clear day.

The only bit of the trip I didn't like was the last stretch into Tauranga, because it was late, there were roadworks all over the place, and I came in on a road I wasn't familiar with (the 36 into Pyes Pa)...

[cowboyz]

you will be fine. Auckland is not as far away as you might think and doign it over 2 days you will be fine. A little common sense and not being afriad to ask for help will get you 99% of the way there. If I didnt have so much work on I would escort you up there. Have fun and dont stick too much to any timetable. Just enjoy the ride.

[Nagash]

Good luck for the trip,

I've done it before on my 250 except I was in a train with a few cagers but I reckon you wouldn't be hard pressed to find others around to help you.

I live up in Auckland so I won't really be able to assist you but I can wish you the best of luck and agree with most of the things already said.

Take it bit by bit, if you get tired or sore there's nothing stopping you from pulling into a cafe for a coffee. And yeah.. you will think there's something going wrong with your bike or it will feel different or whatever whatever but that's just because you haven't ridden the poor thing sucha distance before.

Good luck and have fun with it

[crashe]

Stella - just go for it..... have faith in yourself and you will be fine.

Before you set out, check that all is well with your bike. (Tyres and oil etc etc)
Also make sure that your luggage is really secure on the back.
Make sure that your cell ph is also fully charged before you head out.
When you stop to refuel the bike, have a wee stretch and grab a bite to eat or have a drink.

I rode my virago 250 from Auckland to Palmie North in Dec 2006 in one day and stayed overnight before heading to Wellington for Bruce's (Loosebruce) funeral.

It was easy as, that ride..... I did stay on SH1 all the way.
Keep an eye open for roadworks along the way and stick to the speed limit on the tight twisties when going throu the Desert Rd.

What day are you likely to be heading north....?
Maybe a few can also escort you up from Hamilton up to Auckland throu the motorway traffic to whatever area you are heading to in Auckland.

All the best on your trip north.

[tri boy]

send me a PM, I will pass on my mob#.
Chancey will vouch for Kanny and myself.
Got a fold out couch in Hamtown, some reasonable bike knowledge if it's needed, and have access to a trailer if the Ginny throws a hissy fit.
Te Kuiti to Huntly, we got ya back.:msn-wink:
(if Kanny is available, Bumble the Volty might be ya waikato wing man)

[chanceyy]

send me a PM, I will pass on my mob#.
Chancey will vouch for Kanny and myself.
Got a fold out couch in Hamtown, some reasonable bike knowledge if it's needed, and have access to a trailer if the Ginny throws a hissy fit.
Te Kuiti to Huntly, we got ya back.:msn-wink:
(if Kanny is available, Bumble the Volty might be ya waikato wing man)

yup totallly vouch for both tri-boy & kanny .. (pm me ya cellie Brent I can add it to me weeeeeeeee big list) :lol:

[tri boy]

PM sent.......

[chanceyy]

PM sent.......

Cheers matey .. got ya details down .. :D see you both again soon :whistle:

[Squiggles]

Why?


Always find myself with a bike that shouldnt have lost any oil in the middle of nowhere, always helps to get a 500ml container and take it with you, as well as a spanner, screwdriver and a few other wee bits to tighten chain/doup/undo/secure something or rather.

Careful though, you'll get addicted and find yourself in some of the most out of the way places in the world :)

[NZsarge]

you will be fine. Auckland is not as far away as you might think and doign it over 2 days you will be fine. A little common sense and not being afriad to ask for help will get you 99% of the way there. If I didnt have so much work on I would escort you up there. Have fun and dont stick too much to any timetable. Just enjoy the ride.

+1......................

[NZsarge]

Always find myself with a bike that shouldnt have lost any oil in the middle of nowhere, always helps to get a 500ml container and take it with you, as well as a spanner, screwdriver and a few other wee bits to tighten chain/doup/undo/secure something or rather.

Careful though, you'll get addicted and find yourself in some of the most out of the way places in the world :)

Not bad advice at all, but the most important item of all, yourcell phone:niceone:

[Switch]

My partner and I + Warr and TerminalAddict done Palmy and back to hamilton, was a sweet ride and the road from hamilton to auckland is very basic. Im sure you will be all good, but if not, i sent you a PM just incase. Good luck :Police:

[Stella]

Wow, you guys really are incredible. Still undecided but feeling a lot more confident becasue of this.

The dates I would be travelling are to start on Saturday 19th Jan and to be home on Sunday 27th Jan.

Sometimes I feel doing the whole trip in one day would be feasible, but maybe I should definitely cut it in half on the way (don't want to be navigating through a different city at the end of a six hour trip) then see what I think for the way back.

Am late for work, will reply to a few more questions tonight.

[chanceyy]

My partner and I + Warr and TerminalAddict done Palmy and back to hamilton, was a sweet ride and the road from hamilton to auckland is very basic. Im sure you will be all good, but if not, i sent you a PM just incase. Good luck :Police:


and the palmy crew will see you & lauren on some regular rides soon :yes:

[chanceyy]

Wow, you guys really are incredible. Still undecided but feeling a lot more confident becasue of this.

The dates I would be travelling are to start on Saturday 19th Jan and to be home on Sunday 27th Jan.

Sometimes I feel doing the whole trip in one day would be feasible, but maybe I should definitely cut it in half on the way (don't want to be navigating through a different city at the end of a six hour trip) then see what I think for the way back.

Am late for work, will reply to a few more questions tonight.

I am working the 19th .. but we could arrange a ride to met you on the way home :cool:

If you decide to do the ride, as posted here you will have riders who will come met you & escort you back into aucks to your destination .. as long as you have a cellie girl you will be fine..

when I travelled I took a tool kit as well (that now sits on bike permanently along with first aid kit) I may not know how to fix the bike, but i have the tools to do it :lol:

[imdying]

Should you? Well, beats walking :lol:

Seriously though, you aren't going to get lost... it's all highway riding, they've sign posts every now and then, and the sun is always keeping your internal sense of direction pointed in sorta the right direction :yes:

Check your tyre pressures before you go and go do it!!

[Reckless]

I agree with the others too. The bike should do it fine. As long as its in good nick mechanically a puncture is small possibility. So get yourself a tyre pando and make sure your bike has a tool kit. Even if you cannot use it a passer by might be able to check a plug for you or tighten something coming loose. But lets not get carried away with "what if". As long as the bike is ok you should be fine.

The offers from KB'ers are great but if you want to be guaranteed of being able to get someone if you are in trouble in the middle of nowhere. Join the AA, they are pretty good at roadside assistance and you know they will always be available anywhere in the country. Just an idea!

Good luck!

[Colapop]

Wow, you guys really are incredible. Still undecided but feeling a lot more confident becasue of this.
The dates I would be travelling are to start on Saturday 19th Jan and to be home on Sunday 27th Jan.
Sometimes I feel doing the whole trip in one day would be feasible, but maybe I should definitely cut it in half on the way (don't want to be navigating through a different city at the end of a six hour trip) then see what I think for the way back.
Am late for work, will reply to a few more questions tonight.
You've got the right idea. Give yourself two days to ride up there. Then you can take it as easy as you like. Once you've done the trip you can decide whether you want to do the return in a day. Travelling at 100kph it takes approx. 6 1/2 hours to get from Wellington to Hamilton (what it took me), then it's a little over an hour to get to Aucks from there. I had a break whenever I felt like it, kept the fluids and food intake up and made sure I was well rested before I left. I ended up doing 1400 miles that trip!

There are plenty of KBers between there and Aucks who'll help if you need anything so as long as you sing out if you need a hand, you'll be fine.
Cheers
CP

[Usarka]

It is just the unknown things: what if I come off etc. of course that is always a risk but I would be far from anyone I (actually) know who could come and save me.

Plan your route and try to remember it (especially if you go off the beaten track). Carry a phone on you or the bike in a place it's not likely to be landed on. Have a map that shows the main roads you'll be taking - doesn't have to be too detailed (get one from the AA Center at 185 Broadway Ave).

That way if something does happen you can give a reasonably accurate location to whoever you phone.

PS - take a phone charger for the return journey....

[Blue Velvet]

Wow, you guys really are incredible. Still undecided but feeling a lot more confident becasue of this.

The dates I would be travelling are to start on Saturday 19th Jan and to be home on Sunday 27th Jan.

Sometimes I feel doing the whole trip in one day would be feasible, but maybe I should definitely cut it in half on the way (don't want to be navigating through a different city at the end of a six hour trip) then see what I think for the way back.

Am late for work, will reply to a few more questions tonight.

:niceone:

I'd ride up to Palmy on the Friday night/Saturday morning (18/19th) to ride up norf with you. PM me if you are interested.

I'm serious.

Always keen for a road trip.

[Bass]

Be aware that the weekend of January 26, 27 & 28 is Auckland anniversary weekend and the traffic in this part of the country could be diabolical - especially Friday evening and Saturday morning.

There are some "how to avoid the worst" back roads that we can show you however, if you feel nervous about that.

If you are also nervous about finding your way around Orks, contact me. We live on the south side, our house is easy to find and about 30 seconds off the motorway. Could go pilot for you or help out with easiest routes.

[Lucy]

Always find myself with a bike that shouldnt have lost any oil in the middle of nowhere, always helps to get a 500ml container and take it with you, as well as a spanner, screwdriver and a few other wee bits to tighten chain/doup/undo/secure something or rather.

Careful though, you'll get addicted and find yourself in some of the most out of the way places in the world :)

The GN should have it's own onboard tool kit under the right hand cover, under the battery. Saved my ass when my chain came off - it meant the nice bikerman (in a cage) who stopped to help me could do all that needed doing!

[ynot slow]

But wait there's more,on the way back after heaps of confidence,you can travel back via forgotten highway(sh43) and then boring sh3 through wangavegas.

[banditrider]

is there any palmy riders on here that you know who can ride part way with you ?? would that make you more comfy?


Wow, you guys really are incredible. Still undecided but feeling a lot more confident becasue of this.

The dates I would be travelling are to start on Saturday 19th Jan and to be home on Sunday 27th Jan.

Sometimes I feel doing the whole trip in one day would be feasible, but maybe I should definitely cut it in half on the way (don't want to be navigating through a different city at the end of a six hour trip) then see what I think for the way back.

Am late for work, will reply to a few more questions tonight.

If you want some company on day 1, I may be able to swing it (and maybe some more of the Palmy crew?). Say follow you up to wherever you decide to stop for the night, then head home.

Doing the Chateau to Plateau on the 27th so not available for the return leg.

I'm sure the GN will be fine. :scooter:

[Cache Wraith]

Go for it. I did Auckland Wellington Auckland on my 250 when I had my restricted. Best thing I ever did. Got my confidence right up and totally enjoyed the trip, particularly the Desert Road.

[Stella]

I have decided I will definitely do the trip!!! :) :) :) Will have a good think tomorrow about quite how I am going to do it.

Thanks everyone so much for the support!!!

[Str8 Jacket]

I have decided I will definitely do the trip!!! :) :) :) Will have a good think tomorrow about quite how I am going to do it.

Thanks everyone so much for the support!!!

Awesome chcik, you will not regret it!

[Bikernereid]

Once you have done it it will really enhance your confidence and the world will be your oyster. I have found the KB crowd the be amazing kind (for the most part) and I am sure that they will help you as much as they can. MOM is really cool by the way and is a lovely lady!!


Ok, I have a dilemma. I have a week off, in 1.5 weeks time. I was supposed to be riding to Auckland with a friend to see some people. He can no longer come and I can't cancel the time off.

I have a GN250, have been riding since February last year, done 5000km. I have done most of that on the open road. So far my longest rides have been to Hastings and Wellington, and I did the Rimutakas (badly, but upright). I do NOT have a car license therefore this is the only driving/riding experience I really have.

I would do the trip in two bursts, staying the night halfway and finishing the trip the next day. I would then have five nights in Auckland and come back the same way.

The thing is I don't know the roads and if anything goes wrong I am totally stranded on my own.

Every so often I get keen to do it but then I have a biker friend say I am nuts, mostly about doing it on a 250 but I have never ridden anything bigger so I don't know the difference (you know, once you upgrade you can't go backwards). Also the being alone if something goes wrong thing concerns them. But then I get keen again.

I *DON'T* WANT LOTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!! I need some sound advice please :) I have no idea what to do.

[chanceyy]

I have decided I will definitely do the trip!!! :) :) :) Will have a good think tomorrow about quite how I am going to do it.

Thanks everyone so much for the support!!!



great decision Stella .. you will be chuffed at your accomplishment .. preparation is the key ... if you need any help just ask :yes:

and make sure you take my cellie number .. you can reach me by text 24/7

[scrubs]

I'm virtually living off my bike travelling around NZ for 4 months
I will still be in north Island then and have tools etc so if you get stuck
just email me and I'll ride out to wherever you are and give you a hand.

Enjoy yourself. An count me as one more to add that the 250 is perfectly capable -
as are you. Have fun and drop me a line if you need anything.

[EnzoYug]

I *DON'T* WANT LOTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!! I need some sound advice please :) I have no idea what to do.

Just do it. Even if you did break down it'd be good for you. You have to do everything once and if you break down in the middle of nowhere, have to enlist the help of strangers, hang out on someone's couch for a night and wear yourself so thin you think you'll never ride again....

Then you'll know you've seen it, done it and survived. If you chicken out now you'll never have the guts to truely go it alone.

Which is what real motorcycling is about... fearless independence.

[SlowHand]

Just remember, going around the square 14.5times, then going on bunch of detours, heading towards feiling, then turning around to aim for wanganui and ending up sth of bulls, is not the right way.

I saw it on wises *ahem*

on a bit more cereal note, even I found my way back home, so you should be fine with directions. I've done it couple times now, and they're my fav on-bike experiences. Not sure if someones mentioned it, but you could contact someone before hand of your plans for the hour/2hrs, and tell em to come bring you some lollies if you dont text back.

Don't mean to put the fear in, but if you are worried in anyway, that should keep your mind off worrying about the near impossible.

Have fun!

[Blue Velvet]

Just do it. Even if you did break down it'd be good for you. You have to do everything once and if you break down in the middle of nowhere, have to enlist the help of strangers, hang out on someone's couch for a night and wear yourself so thin you think you'll never ride again....

Then you'll know you've seen it, done it and survived. If you chicken out now you'll never have the guts to truely go it alone.

Which is what real motorcycling is about... fearless independence.

Hear hear :Punk:

[Her_C4]

Wow! There is some absolutely fantastic help, support and encouragement in this thread - along with some VERY practical advice.

:niceone: KB'ers.

I just wanted to add that if you want to 'talk' to someone that has completed some pretty massive trips on a 250 then you might like to PM CSL (Celtic Sea Lily) or Jazbug and find out first hand from them on the type of problems they encountered....

Here is just one of their adventures on 1983 Honda CB250RS (CSL)....http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=130784# and a GN 250 (Jazbug) to Auckland from Wellie.

Have an AWEsome trip :banana: wish I could come with you....

[Stella]

Of course now I decide that I am going for sure and my friend who I was originally going with (who then pulled out and started the whole worry about going solo) says he now will ride with me to Hamilton!

He has friends there he will catch up with then come back on the monday. Meanwhile I will ride up to Auckland on the Sunday (20th) morning. If someone wants to ride with me for that stage they are most welcome, but I feel quite confident now so it is not a huge concern :)

The plan for the next weekend return is still being nutted out.

Stella

[quickbuck]

Okay, now that you have decided to do it, well, firstly, well done on the decision.

Personally I used to commute from West Auckland to here every second weekend, and never had an issue. As for carrying oil like somebody suggested... WTF?
I mean if your bike uses more than a couple of ml of oil in 7 hours of riding, then it needs to be seen to.

Honestly, you will enjoy the trip, no matter what way you go.

For me personally, I head to Waiouru, then hang a left to Ohakune. Then take the right on SH4 onto National Park. Keep going through Tauramanui, then to Te Kuiti. Hang a left at Otorohanga, and head up through Whatawhata and keep to the left of the Waikato river. Take the back road all the way past Huntly, and all the way to the end. Cross over on the one lane bridge.
Then enjoy the expressway, and Motorway to Auckland.

Hope this helps.

As I say, it doesn't really matter.
And all routes are within a couple of K of each other.

As I say, I've commuted it heaps, and tried them all.

The one I described has the least traffic.... Thus quickest.
Honestly I only stuck to 100 :Police:

Oh, and as your friend is going to hamilton, say "See You" at Otorohanga.

It really isn't worth spending 1/2 an hour riding through Hamilton... unless you really want to.

[Stella]

I am travelling with my friend to near-Hamilton, we are staying there at the same place, then I will head up to Auckland, avoiding Hamilton by going through Ngaruawahia. Oh and on the way up we will go via National Park and to the left of Lake Taupo.

On the way back I will go the most obvious can't-get-lost route through all the big towns.

I am needing a place to stay on the way back. At the moment I am imagining this will be circa Taupo general area/district etc. Either a recommendation of a cheap place to stay or a couch/spare bed in the home of a rare kiwibiker who is both relatively sane and non-creepy ;)

Stella

[davereid]

a kiwibiker who is both relatively sane and non-creepy ;)
Stella


Ahh... now that may the first problem you have discovered for which there is no solution !

[chanceyy]

I will send a pm for you stella ...