Auckland to Taranaki and back on a GN250?

[Choco]

Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, more L-plate touring with the GN250!
Again this post isn't really about the trip, but more about what I learned from it, so lets set the scene again...

Last year through various contacts I managed to procure a summer job down in Taranaki that offered me the chance to earn quite a large amount of money in a short period of time (coincidently, this money was later used to buy my GN250). The only catch with the job was (A.) The distance to get there and (B.) I would be working for a month in the middle of nowhere with little contact with the outside world and no mode of transport to get out of the valley I was working in.

This year I was invited to go again and I was determined to take the bike with me! So equipped my gleaming Suzuki GN250, a sexy High-Vis vest and a manly L-plate strapped on the back, I followed my amazingly supportive parents in
the car yet again, though this time me and my old man (ex-biker himself) took shifts so I wouldn't fall asleep in the saddle or do something stupid due to fatiuge. We decided to take a route taking SH1 to Hamilton and then going along the coast on SH3 (if you haven't ridden it; the windy bit is just :gob: ) and then cut across down towards Hawera and the valley I would be living in.

In the time I was in the valley I used my trusty GN on sealed roads, dirt roads, gravel roads, as a farm bike, off road, I even conquered a a stupidly steep grassy farm track with road tires on it! It performed exceptionally well over all, I was able to take my road bike into places even cars couldn't go. :D

So time for the bullet pointed tips for other riders:


Hi-Vis Vests; for long distance trips when you might start making mistakes I think they are vital. They are also great for bad weather conditions when black gear will not show up!
The GN250 fuel economy, though it goes down with 100km/h speeds, still owns cars for KM/L
The windy mountain pass type stretch of SH3 is amazing. I left my parents for dust and caught up with a wannabe rally driver in a fancy black holden who had a 4min head start. Bikes Rock.:rockon:
windy, sealed, single laned valley roads which you have to commute on are great fun! just watch out for sheep, farmers, cows, falcons, dead possums etc etc etc
You CAN scrape feet/pegs on a GN250!:bleh:
My personal rankings for crappy surfaces: 3rd, gravel. 2nd, sand. 1st Pine cones. You down know scary till you've done pine cones.
For long distance rides, if you start off by sitting on the pillion seat and then shuffle onto the actual seat when your ass gets sore, you get double the distance before you are forced to stop due to ass-ache! (Hamilton to Auckland on my own (parents had to bugger off) without a break, no probs!)
Mud/gravel dust gets EVERYWHERE, I haven't even tried to tackle the task of cleaning my bike yet.
I got recommended chain wax instead of chain lube/oil because half my commute to work would be on gravel/dirt/sand/pine cones and dirt would get everywhere. The chain hasn't snapped yet so I assume it worked!
I could never have done this trip(s) without the support of my parents. If you want to start riding longer distances, ask if you can ride your bike behind the car instead of sitting in the car next time your going on holiday. Explain to the driver/s that you may be slower or faster in some places, where your weaknesses are and most importantly; Agree to both pull over if there is a problem or if you get separated.
Have regular breaks or do shifts with another rider (like I did). Accept the fact that you are still on your learners and you cannot go all day with your ass planted on the bike. stop, eat, drink, rest. This also helps you enjoy the trip a lot more and thats the reason your riding the bike anyway isn't it?
The GN250 can travel in the fast lane without holding traffic up! Just find a fast moving people mover and stay behind it at 105+ or get a tail wind.
Lastly, I have traveled over 3500km in three months at 100km/h on the motorway/open road, proudly bearing an L-plate on the back of my motorcycle. I still get waved at by other bikers, get respected by other motorists and have never been pulled over for breaking the stupid 70km/h learners speed limit. Think twice about abandoning it before you get your restricted.


Thank you for reading and don't underestimate the power of the GN250 for your first bike!
C-W
P.s Pictures may come soon.

<<UPDATE>>
I have a few pics, though I'm not sure where the ones of the valley road are... :confused:

1. A prune tree. This is what I was actually doing out there.
2. My baffle lost 3 of its rivets and VERY nearly fell off! No.8 wire to the rescue!
3. This is that steep grassy bit I was talking about. The picture doesn't really show how damn steep it was.
4. My office. :D

[Soul.Trader]

Great post - looking forward to pics!

[Gubb]

Good on you mate, it's awesome to see someone else that is trying to learn everything that they can, rather then doing stupid shit on the roads.

Keep it up!

[Choco]

Great post - looking forward to pics!

They will come as soon as I can find the camera again!


Good on you mate, it's awesome to see someone else that is trying to learn everything that they can, rather then doing stupid shit on the roads.

Keep it up!

I like my bike and I like riding it; why would I go doing stupid stuff and possibly doing one of those two things damage? :P I'm always ATGATTing and caring for myself and my baby :)

Thanks for the comments!

[EJK]

Can you please stop doing a trip around the Nth Island mate??? Cause I'm getting really jealouse :bleh:

I hate you! lol

I'll soon post up Auckland to Wellington and back on *my new bike*

[Choco]

Can you please stop doing a trip around the Nth Island mate??? Cause I'm getting really jealouse :bleh:

I hate you! lol

I'll soon post up Auckland to Wellington and back on *my new bike*

Keen for a road trip? :bleh:

[EJK]

Lets do it! lol

[Hitcher]

It's great to see L-plated riders putting in the kilometres. Well done. Riding your bike in as many different conditions as possible is the best way of learning to ride.

Over-confidence is amongst bikers' worst enemies. It comes in many guises, including flouro vests. Remember that car drivers can't see you, and when they can they just want to kill you. Especially if they hate flouro vests...

[Grub]

Great post, well crafted and delightfully informative. Such maturity almost certainly means that you are in the wrong place here.

[Steve 555]

Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, more L-plate touring with the GN250!
Again this post isn't really about the trip, but more about what I learned from it, so lets set the scene again...

Last year through various contacts I managed to procure a summer job down in Taranaki that offered me the chance to earn quite a large amount of money in a short period of time (coincidently, this money was later used to buy my GN250). The only catch with the job was (A.) The distance to get there and (B.) I would be working for a month in the middle of nowhere with little contact with the outside world and no mode of transport to get out of the valley I was working in.

This year I was invited to go again and I was determined to take the bike with me! So equipped my gleaming Suzuki GN250, a sexy High-Vis vest and a manly L-plate strapped on the back, I followed my amazingly supportive parents in
the car yet again, though this time me and my old man (ex-biker himself) took shifts so I wouldn't fall asleep in the saddle or do something stupid due to fatiuge. We decided to take a route taking SH1 to Hamilton and then going along the coast on SH3 (if you haven't ridden it; the windy bit is just :gob: ) and then cut across down towards Hawera and the valley I would be living in.

In the time I was in the valley I used my trusty GN on sealed roads, dirt roads, gravel roads, as a farm bike, off road, I even conquered a a stupidly steep grassy farm track with road tires on it! It performed exceptionally well over all, I was able to take my road bike into places even cars couldn't go. :D

So time for the bullet pointed tips for other riders:


Hi-Vis Vests; for long distance trips when you might start making mistakes I think they are vital. They are also great for bad weather conditions when black gear will not show up!
The GN250 fuel economy, though it goes down with 100km/h speeds, still owns cars for KM/L
The windy mountain pass type stretch of SH3 is amazing. I left my parents for dust and caught up with a wannabe rally driver in a fancy black holden who had a 4min head start. Bikes Rock.:rockon:
windy, sealed, single laned valley roads which you have to commute on are great fun! just watch out for sheep, farmers, cows, falcons, dead possums etc etc etc
You CAN scrape feet/pegs on a GN250!:bleh:
My personal rankings for crappy surfaces: 3rd, gravel. 2nd, sand. 1st Pine cones. You down know scary till you've done pine cones.
For long distance rides, if you start off by sitting on the pillion seat and then shuffle onto the actual seat when your ass gets sore, you get double the distance before you are forced to stop due to ass-ache! (Hamilton to Auckland on my own (parents had to bugger off) without a break, no probs!)
Mud/gravel dust gets EVERYWHERE, I haven't even tried to tackle the task of cleaning my bike yet.
I got recommended chain wax instead of chain lube/oil because half my commute to work would be on gravel/dirt/sand/pine cones and dirt would get everywhere. The chain hasn't snapped yet so I assume it worked!
I could never have done this trip(s) without the support of my parents. If you want to start riding longer distances, ask if you can ride your bike behind the car instead of sitting in the car next time your going on holiday. Explain to the driver/s that you may be slower or faster in some places, where your weaknesses are and most importantly; Agree to both pull over if there is a problem or if you get separated.
Have regular breaks or do shifts with another rider (like I did). Accept the fact that you are still on your learners and you cannot go all day with your ass planted on the bike. stop, eat, drink, rest. This also helps you enjoy the trip a lot more and thats the reason your riding the bike anyway isn't it?
The GN250 can travel in the fast lane without holding traffic up! Just find a fast moving people mover and stay behind it at 105+ or get a tail wind.
Lastly, I have traveled over 3500km in three months at 100km/h on the motorway/open road, proudly bearing an L-plate on the back of my motorcycle. I still get waved at by other bikers, get respected by other motorists and have never been pulled over for breaking the stupid 70km/h learners speed limit. Think twice about abandoning it before you get your restricted.


Thank you for reading and don't underestimate the power of the GN250 for your first bike!
C-W
P.s Pictures may come soon.
Damn write about the power of a GN I took it over the Kaimais on saturday and man what fun on the twisties it rocks. Keeps up with traffic fine. Don't discount them whatever people say.

[Steve 555]

P.s Pictures may come soon.[/QUOTE]
Damn write about the power of a GN I took it over the Kaimais on saturday and man what fun on the twisties it rocks. Keeps up with traffic fine. Don't discount them whatever people say.

[ynot slow]

Which valley,Tangahoe? by Hawera,bugger would've been good to catch up with you.Great trip was had eh?Next time try the forgotten highway back home,gravel doesn't bother you,and heaps of twisty bits.

[Choco]

Lets do it! lol

Got any ideas for where/when? I also see that Deano is planning a 250 corro loop soon....


It's great to see L-plated riders putting in the kilometres. Well done. Riding your bike in as many different conditions as possible is the best way of learning to ride.

Over-confidence is amongst bikers' worst enemies. It comes in many guises, including flouro vests. Remember that car drivers can't see you, and when they can they just want to kill you. Especially if they hate flouro vests...

If they hate flouro vests then its the road workers that should be watching out! I wear my flouro vests on long trips because, though it might not do a whole lot, every little bit counts when your a newbie. As for over-confidence; I'm a learner. I accept that and thats why I dont do long trips on my own. I did the hamilton - aucks stretch on my own because the situation was such that I kinda had to. Thats the longest distance I have ever ridden without back up of some kind.


Great post, well crafted and delightfully informative.

Thanks for the compliment!



Damn write about the power of a GN I took it over the Kaimais on saturday and man what fun on the twisties it rocks. Keeps up with traffic fine. Don't discount them whatever people say.

I love my Ginny! Up hill with a head wind can slow them down a tad :P I agree with you about the twisties though!


Which valley,Tangahoe? by Hawera,bugger would've been good to catch up with you.Great trip was had eh?Next time try the forgotten highway back home,gravel doesn't bother you,and heaps of twisty bits.

Nah, Waitotara, between Waverly and Wanganui. I would have posted that I was in town and keen for a ride but I didn't have any internets :(

[Ixion]

Well done. I think we have a true biker coming up here. Touring on small bikes can be enormous fun. The fact that you are free of the tyranny of 'going fast' means you can enjoy the ride and the scenery.

[fireball]

good to see you are home was beginning to miss you!
soon you will be escorting me home :lol:
and about that ride... once this cast comes off (and i can use my clutch better) we will be doing a loop somewhere got a nice bit of road and twisties to try that GN on!:banana:

[ynot slow]

Recall going up the Waitotara Valley Rd years ago,seemed to go on for ages,place we stopped at had to go over the river by flying fox,great views.

[Hitcher]

Recall going up the Waitotara Valley Rd years ago.

The Waitotara Valley Road is the longest no-exit road in the North Island. From memory it's just over 60km from the township to the gate at the end.

The South Island's longest no-exit road is from Te Anau to Milford, at just over 120km.

[Rosie]

Awesome! Great to see other people doing longer trips on their 250's :sunny:
How did the mighty GN manage on the gravel? If you can get comfortable with short stretches of well maintained gravel (even if you're only doing 30km/h) it opens up a lot more interesting back road options.

[Choco]

good to see you are home was beginning to miss you!
soon you will be escorting me home :lol:
and about that ride... once this cast comes off (and i can use my clutch better) we will be doing a loop somewhere got a nice bit of road and twisties to try that GN on!:banana:

KEEN!:Punk:


Recall going up the Waitotara Valley Rd years ago,seemed to go on for ages,place we stopped at had to go over the river by flying fox,great views.

I know OF a flying fox across the river but I don't think you could put a bike on it :P About 45km of it is sealed, single laned and after that its all gravel. GREAT road to commute to work on for a month :yes:


The Waitotara Valley Road is the longest no-exit road in the North Island. From memory it's just over 60km from the township to the gate at the end.

The South Island's longest no-exit road is from Te Anau to Milford, at just over 120km.

I remember someone telling me that a while back! I've probably ridden it about 20 times :P


Awesome! Great to see other people doing longer trips on their 250's :sunny:
How did the mighty GN manage on the gravel? If you can get comfortable with short stretches of well maintained gravel (even if you're only doing 30km/h) it opens up a lot more interesting back road options.

My GN was fairly good on the gravel actually, on the straights you can speed up a bit but I was fairly careful on the corners (Bin on that road and you might have a problem). I got bored one evening on went off on one of the side roads which ended up being a twisty 40km trip all on gravel (some better bits better than others) and the only bits that particularly freaked me out were the wildlife and corners that camber down towards the river! :shit:

[Swoop]

A very good write-up!
Well done on your trip and I hope you learn't heaps from it as well as earning heaps from it!:yes:

Just one small thing:


Hi-Vis Vests; for long distance trips when you might start making mistakes I think they are vital. They are also great for bad weather conditions when black gear will not show up!

I believe there is a seperate thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=66347)for this.

[Choco]

A very good write-up!
Well done on your trip and I hope you learn't heaps from it as well as earning heaps from it!:yes:

Just one small thing:

I believe there is a seperate thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=66347)for this.

yeah, I know about the tread. Thanks for the comment!

[Swoop]

yeah, I know about the tread. Thanks for the comment!
I imagine the standard tread would have been challenging on the farm paddocks?

[Rosie]

My GN was fairly good on the gravel actually, on the straights you can speed up a bit but I was fairly careful on the corners (Bin on that road and you might have a problem). I got bored one evening on went off on one of the side roads which ended up being a twisty 40km trip all on gravel (some better bits better than others) and the only bits that particularly freaked me out were the wildlife and corners that camber down towards the river! :shit:

Always look where you want to go. On the straights you want your weight back, and have a fairly loose grip on the bars. On the corners, scoot your weight right forward and hold onto the bars firmly. Lean forward and stick your elbows up in the air as well, if you want to look like a pro :D

[Choco]

I imagine the standard tread would have been challenging on the farm paddocks?

It was actually pretty good on grass! There hasn't been any rain down there recently so it was dry.


Always look where you want to go. On the straights you want your weight back, and have a fairly loose grip on the bars. On the corners, scoot your weight right forward and hold onto the bars firmly. Lean forward and stick your elbows up in the air as well, if you want to look like a pro :D

...weight back... ...loose grip... ...elbows up to look pro.... Got It! :)

[Blue Velvet]

This is that steep grassy bit I was talking about. The picture doesn't really show how damn steep it was.


It was actually pretty good on grass! There hasn't been any rain down there recently so it was dry.

Nice write up, and nice office! Respect to you for taking the GN off road :)

Your steep grassy bit reminds me of this time I was riding off road with a few mates. We found a residential development that had lots of tracks winding off into nothingness/gorse/long grass. One track was a steep, rutted, piece of shit goat track with large gorse bushes growing on/beside it (yay, prickles), and at the bottom it opened up a bit and the rutted dirt turned into long, wild grass.

One evening we decide to go back. Had some oarsome laughs when the DR650 my friend was riding was too heavy to get up the damn track and ended up in the gorse. Then it starts to get dark and we all get frustrated trying to get up this steep, grassy slope which is now wet with dew. Farking hell. We all got out, but steep grassy slopes covered in dew are not FTW. Heh.

[Choco]

Nice write up, and nice office! Respect to you for taking the GN off road :)

Your steep grassy bit reminds me of this time I was riding off road with a few mates. We found a residential development that had lots of tracks winding off into nothingness/gorse/long grass. One track was a steep, rutted, piece of shit goat track with large gorse bushes growing on/beside it (yay, prickles), and at the bottom it opened up a bit and the rutted dirt turned into long, wild grass.

One evening we decide to go back. Had some oarsome laughs when the DR650 my friend was riding was too heavy to get up the damn track and ended up in the gorse. Then it starts to get dark and we all get frustrated trying to get up this steep, grassy slope which is now wet with dew. Farking hell. We all got out, but steep grassy slopes covered in dew are not FTW. Heh.

Yeah, I knew that if it rained while my bike was parked off road I wouldn't be able to get it out, so I had some rope and stuff so I could make a Bivouac if the worst came to the worse :P

[deanohit]

Awesome effort man! Have you seen this Thread? (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=62494)
Basically a GNwith different body work, could be some ideas for you now you've found how fun gravel is! :niceone:

Got any ideas for where/when? I also see that Deano is planning a 250 corro loop soon....
Come along, the 250 rides are always fun. :cool:

[Just beGiNing 250]

Wow Great post.

Im buying a GN250 hopefully this weekend, first time ever riding on the open road. Youre an inspiration:niceone:

[YellowDog]

Hats off to Chocolatewheels - Top man!

[Choco]

Wow Great post.

Im buying a GN250 hopefully this weekend, first time ever riding on the open road. Youre an inspiration:niceone:

Wow thanks! Maybe we can organize a GN ride sometime as your in my area :D
Enjoy your GN, I sure have!



Hats off to Chocolatewheels - Top man!
Thanks for the comment YellowDog!

Just in case anyone is interested, I might end up doing a 250 Corro loop with Deano on Saturday, "Corro Loop and back on a GN250?" may be born due to it :P Still going to have the L-plate on too!

[deanohit]

Yea, do it man, the mighty 225 Scorpio handled it all easy as does the 200 Zongshen, so the GN with that big block 250 in it should be awesome!:headbang: