NZ tour planning etc help

[Reido]

hi all,
well i've had the brilliant idea of touring our beautiful county on my little 250 :cool: Im planning to do this in the xmas holidays after my exams.
one of my friends is hoping to come along on his bike too. Im wanting to go all the way down to the bottom of the South Island :2thumbsup

first off, storage/carrying my stuff. i dont exactly want to be riding with a bag full of stuff strapped to my back. ideas please, pack rack? sissy bar? for my CBF250?

2nd, any suggestions on places to go/see etc

any tips about touring in general

what did you do for accommodation? or tips etc

any never tour without items?

anything i've forgotten?

thanks guys & girls
Reido

[Bikernereid]

Good for you. Just got back from Europe trip and learnt some lessons for sure. Learn by doing but GET UP EARLY for long rides, keep hydrated and have fun!!

Always pack:

1) waterproofs!!!!!!
2) maps
3) 2 copies of details for the places you are staying at
4) puncture repair kit
5) carrier bags for protecting clothes from getting wet and very stinky
6) cameras, cell phone & chargers (in plastic bags)
7) small medical bag
8) plenty of clean socks (inless you have no sense of smell):sick:
9) pair of trainers
10) tools to adjust chain

Don't take:

1) hair dryer
2) lots of clothes
3) anything you can't lock up that may get nicked

[scootnz]

ear plugs!
kidney belt.
spare gloves (for when one pair gets wet). Are you including the West Coast in your itinerary?
An open mind. Stop in small towns for a break and be willing to talk to people.
Don't have a huge meal just before you ride (eg breakfast).
Warm up and stretch before a long ride.

Stay in some of the smaller towns (North and South Canterbury rather than in Christchurch) - Oamaru for example.
Try and stretch your budget to have one or two nice places to stay rather than always going the ultracheap way.
At least once, stay two nights in one place when you find somewhere you like.

[CB ARGH]

I want to do the same thing, except on a CBR250. I asked around and they pretty much stated the obvious things to bring, but one thing that really stood out is this:

New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas

Looks bloody brilliant I must say. Dad thinks it's rubbish, but hey, he's not a KiwiBiker :second:

[davereid]

-Take your time.
-Don't just blast from A to B. Stop heaps. Look around, go for a bushwalk. ---Check your oil level EVERY time you get gas.
-Don't let your brain tell you the engine sounds different or that the frame is bending on left hand corners. (But don't assume it's not!)

Have fun, wave at bikers and ride safely.

[HenryDorsetCase]

get a cheap set of throwover saddlebags from tardme. or even new: I think my ones were ~$120. then put a bag on the passenger seat and thats your luggage sorted. I dont like tankbags (big ones anyway) so i use a little GIVI one I got off tardme. its basically my purse when out on the bike: chapstick, earplugs pen and paper, sunnies, celly, wallet,

take a cap for off the bike. (a sunhat)

my other tip: stay off SH1 as much as possible. (picton to amberley is OK: blenheim to kaikoura is sublime.

take some condoms (you never know, you might get lucky)

[Bikernereid]

+1 for saddle bags. That is what we took and we got expandable ones that you could ram loads into. Just make sure that if you have either plastic bags inside and/or waterproof covers to protect everything.

+1 for chapstick- we forgot ours- schoolboy error

suncream as it aint fun when you are in and out of leathers and you have painful sunburn

aftersun to stop the nasty unsightly peeling which may eliminate the use of advised condoms


get a cheap set of throwover saddlebags from tardme. or even new: I think my ones were ~$120. then put a bag on the passenger seat and thats your luggage sorted. I dont like tankbags (big ones anyway) so i use a little GIVI one I got off tardme. its basically my purse when out on the bike: chapstick, earplugs pen and paper, sunnies, celly, wallet,

take a cap for off the bike. (a sunhat)

my other tip: stay off SH1 as much as possible. (picton to amberley is OK: blenheim to kaikoura is sublime.

take some condoms (you never know, you might get lucky)

[Slyer]

Hey! You're from hibiscus coast! Where abouts?
I'm from hatfields beach, going to be getting my first bike in a few months.
I'm looking forward to doing some tours once I'm experienced. :)

[Reido]

Hey! You're from hibiscus coast! Where abouts?
I'm from hatfields beach, going to be getting my first bike in a few months.
I'm looking forward to doing some tours once I'm experienced. :)

Im out in Gulf Harbour,
Hatfield is near orewa isnt it?

thanks for all the tips guys
*takes notes, and continues planning*

[BIHB@0610]

Hiya - this isn't from experience as I've never toured on a bike for longer than a couple of days - but I think a good idea would be one of those emergency cellphone chargers, like are at www.cellshot.co.nz - others might be better but I think I'd be taking one of some type!!!

Trip sounds awesome by the way :niceone:

[P38]

To save on storage

Go to the Warehouse and buy a cheap six pack of undies, wear each pair two days then dump them in the bin. Saves space and doing the washing.

Take only one change of clothes and a few basic tools.

To save on costs

Get a list of all your rellies and friends and all you mates rellies and friends who live along your route , especially the ones you haven't seen for ages.
Ring them up and bludge a bed for the night. Most are always more than happy to see you.
Dont forget to turn up before dinner too,
Then you'll get fed for nothing as well as the possibility of a free beer or two after and Breakfast in the morning. Also a good chance to get the clothes washed.

Use their shower in the morning and you'll smell the better for it too.

Works for me :apint:

[BIHB@0610]

Don't take:

1) hair dryer
2) lots of clothes
3) anything you can't lock up that may get nicked

Oh I so totally agree with this - especially number 2!!! Not taking clothes is a great excuse to go shopping. So I suppose I'd be adding ...

4) Credit card ...... :banana: