ChCh to Auckland Bike Recommendations?

[BigDave]

Hi guys,

I'm helping some mates move to ChCh over Christmas, so figured I'd throw my bike in the back of the truck and spend a week touring the South Island and then another week riding back to Auckland. As much as I love my Renaissa, it's not really suited for the job and has zero carrying capacity - even I can't last for a couple of weeks without at least a change of undies and a spare T-shirt! And I'm also too protective of it to take it on unsealed roads.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent, comfortable (and reliable!) bike that'll be ok to take on unsealed roads and stuff? Here's the tricky bit; I'll still be on my restricted at the time, so it will need to be a 250! I had my eye on a Honda Spada as they seem to have a good rep for reliability and I like the style of the bike and the slightly better ground clearance than most cruisers will be handy. Are they suitable for fitting saddle bags etc to though?

I'm a bit of a newb to the whole bike scene (but loving it!) so any help greatly appreciated!

Cheers guys,
Dave :niceone:

[Rosie]

Depending on how much gravel you want to do, and how tall you are, a 250cc dual purpose bike could be a good choice.

I did a trip from Rotorua to Christchurch (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=322254) and back on my 250 in March.

[BigDave]

Cheers Rosie, that might be worth considering. The vast majority will be sealed though, with probably just the occasional bit of unsealed. How are the dual purpose ones comfort wise on a long run?

Dam, can't see the pics on that link from work. Will have a look this evening from home. Sounds good.

Cheers

[boomer]

Gsxr1000 .

[kiwifruit]

zx10r .

+ 1

[Rosie]

A dual purpose bike won't give you armchair-like comfort, but not many other 250's will either.

I've added more foam to the seat on mine, and put on higher bars, but otherwise it's pretty standard. I find it pretty comfortable, I can go from Rotorua to Wellington without getting too sore.

The upright seating position is nice for long trips, and you can stand up for 50k zones, roadworks etc to give yourself a bit of a stretch. The long seat means that you can shift your seating position, which stops your rear from getting sore. Like any bike, moving around every few minutes, and stopping for regular breaks before you start to get tired and sore will increase your comfort a lot.

The lack of windscreen can be a bit tiring on your arms, but at the sorts of speeds you'll be doing on a 250, it's not really a problem.

[xwhatsit]

Nothing wrong with the SRV250 for doing what you want. Fit a packrack, side bags, tank bag too if you really want. Spada isn't really going to be that much better -- not like it comes with luggage, ground clearance isn't much higher.

I wouldn't be worried about taking it on unsealed roads either; maybe put some gaiters on the forks if you're planning on following trucks too closely, but it's not like there's fairings to get stone chips in or anything.

[BigDave]

A dual purpose bike won't give you armchair-like comfort, but not many other 250's will either.

I've added more foam to the seat on mine, and put on higher bars, but otherwise it's pretty standard. I find it pretty comfortable, I can go from Rotorua to Wellington without getting too sore.

The upright seating position is nice for long trips, and you can stand up for 50k zones, roadworks etc to give yourself a bit of a stretch. The long seat means that you can shift your seating position, which stops your rear from getting sore. Like any bike, moving around every few minutes, and stopping for regular breaks before you start to get tired and sore will increase your comfort a lot.

The lack of windscreen can be a bit tiring on your arms, but at the sorts of speeds you'll be doing on a 250, it's not really a problem.

Cheers Rosie,

I think my mate at work has a dual purpose so I'll see if he'll let me take it for a spin to see how it feels. :scooter:

[BigDave]

Nothing wrong with the SRV250 for doing what you want. Fit a packrack, side bags, tank bag too if you really want. Spada isn't really going to be that much better -- not like it comes with luggage, ground clearance isn't much higher.

I wouldn't be worried about taking it on unsealed roads either; maybe put some gaiters on the forks if you're planning on following trucks too closely, but it's not like there's fairings to get stone chips in or anything.

Hi xerxesdaphat,

My initial plan was to take the SRV, but the tail is really flexible so I could see it being an issue for mounting saddle & tail bags as I wouldn't want to tighten them down for fear of damaging the tail (all the bags I've seen generally lash around both the tail and frame). I lashed my sleeping bag to it the other day, using the proper tie down tabs, and was worried about damaging the tail as it squashed right down and deformed a fair bit.

[BigDave]

boomer & kiwifruit,

Are those bikes just big engined? Done a quick google and they seem to be out of my range at the mo (I can only do up to 250 at the mo).

Cheers,
Dave

[jrandom]

boomer & kiwifruit,

Are those bikes just big engined? Done a quick google and they seem to be out of my range at the mo (I can only do up to 250 at the mo).

They're both taking the piss. Ignore them.

What you want is a GSX1400.

[BigDave]

They're both taking the piss. Ignore them.

What you want is a GSX1400.
Ah, that's much more like it ;)

[jrandom]

Ah, that's much more like it ;)

Seriously, though, what's wrong with your SRV, a magnetic tankbag, and a pair of throwover panniers?

Plenty of folk have toured around the country on GN250s, and your SRV goes a fair bit better than a GN.

Big bikes just encourage you to go fast, anyway. And that's illegal.

[BigDave]

Seriously, though, what's wrong with your SRV, a magnetic tankbag, and a pair of throwover panniers?

Plenty of folk have toured around the country on GN250s, and your SRV goes a fair bit better than a GN.

Big bikes just encourage you to go fast, anyway. And that's illegal.

Hmm, maybe I should look a little harder for some bags that'll fit the bike without causing problems with the tail. It would make sense I guess.

I think I just like a good excuse to buy toys :o

[jrandom]

Hmm, maybe I should look a little harder for some bags that'll fit the bike without causing problems with the tail.

If you can't find throwover panniers that fit the bike, get a big rucksack or generic sturdy waterproof bag of some sort and use one of those six-hook bungy nets to secure it to the pillion seat just behind your backside.

That, plus a magnetic tankbag, will see you through your trip just fine.

Me, I'd be quite happy to tour on an SRV250. Nowt wrong with 'em.

[FJRider]

Seriously, though, what's wrong with your SRV, a magnetic tankbag, and a pair of throwover panniers?

Plenty of folk have toured around the country on GN250s, and your SRV goes a fair bit better than a GN.

Big bikes just encourage you to go fast, anyway. And that's illegal.

What he said, go with what you have. Any gravel you find, just take slowly. Visit a few bike shops to see what you CAN get in the way of carrying gear... then find the same second hand.

[jafar]

Hmm, maybe I should look a little harder for some bags that'll fit the bike without causing problems with the tail. It would make sense I guess.

I think I just like a good excuse to buy toys :o

Ventura rack & Oxford saddlebags for the back & a Tank bag, problem solved :woohoo:
250 is plenty to tour on & you get to see a lot more when your travelling @ a conservative pace. Take your time & enjoy the ride. :yes:

[xwhatsit]

Hi xerxesdaphat,

My initial plan was to take the SRV, but the tail is really flexible so I could see it being an issue for mounting saddle & tail bags as I wouldn't want to tighten them down for fear of damaging the tail (all the bags I've seen generally lash around both the tail and frame). I lashed my sleeping bag to it the other day, using the proper tie down tabs, and was worried about damaging the tail as it squashed right down and deformed a fair bit.

If you get a pack rack, these attach to little brackets that join to proper mounting points, like the shock mounts and subframe. Then you attach the pack rack to these (so it's removable in a hurry). No worries about deforming the tail.

Soft panniers -- you can get throwover ones that drape across the pillion seat. You'd have to check them out with your bike first, see that the don't tangle in the rear wheel or shocks or whatever.

Tank bags sit on your tank, which is hopefully fairly strong. The worry with these is that they can scratch the paint on your tank, but you can get clear protector material (cut to size) if you're stressed about it.

SRV250 would be luxury compared to this (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/photopost/data/500/sp2P1040005.JPG) :laugh:

[BigDave]

Cheers for all the advice guys, really appreciated. I've certainly been swayed back towards taking the SRV - I do love that bike!

I'll see what I can get for it, luggage wise, and take it from there.

Cheers,
Dave :niceone:





SRV250 would be luxury compared to this (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/photopost/data/500/sp2P1040005.JPG) :laugh:

That looks pretty uncomfortable! Hats off to the guy (or gal!)!

[FJRider]

Remember... when you are touring, if ya can't carry it... ya don't need it...

[clint640]

Soft panniers -- you can get throwover ones that drape across the pillion seat. You'd have to check them out with your bike first, see that the don't tangle in the rear wheel or shocks or whatever.
:


Soft panniers are my favourite, Since you're travelling solo the panniers can sit well forward & keep the bike well balanced. A packrack puts the load about as far from the bike's centre of gravity a possible, & especially on smaller machines this often screws up the handling a bit.

Some bikes will need some side rails/brackets to fit panniers, but any light engineering shop (or mate with welder) should be able to make something up for similar $ to a packrack.

Cheers
Clint

[-easy--rider-]

when would you ever need to go on shingle anyway? a tank bag would be the go get one off trademe but make sure its a good size one and if you cant get a pack rack get someone to make you a rack for saddle bags with peices down the side so the bags dont go into the wheel. i have some bags you could probly borrow or buy if you wanted. where are you planing on going? i plan to go away for a bit my self around that time