Touring tips from KBers?

[jamiey]

Next week i'm off for 4 days round the East Cape. The first time in probably 10 years i've been touring:rockon:

Other than my gear, preparing the bike etc, What pearls of wisdom can you guys share with tips on what to take for a 4 day trip. Maybe little things that are often overlooked but invaluable when your out on the open road??

[Usarka]

Some lube :buggerd:

[FJRider]

A damp rag (in a plastic bag) to clean your visor...and a soft DRY one...

[Cary]

Watch for stock, gravel on the corners, locals!!

It's almost guaranteed you will come across a sheep,goat,horse or some wildlife around the cape. Good road tho.

Plan your fuel stops to.

[sinfull]

Your wallet !~

[gijoe1313]

don't drop your soap in a shower, use soap on a rope ... actually remember duct/gaffer tape, pocket knife, cable ties, small first aid kit, cash (the best one of all!)

And your sense of adventure, daring and flexibility in your riding plans! :yes:

I carry in a fanny pack ...

First Aid Kit
Emergency survival blanket
Pairs of gloves (latex)
Multi-tool (like the bicyclers use)
Cable Ties
Duct Tape
Squeegee bottle for cleaning visor (small one with wiper)
Spare levers
can o'lube (for those moments I often end up riding 500km+ randomly)

In the limited space in the bike ...

Puncture repair kit
Standard bike tool kit
Spare fuses
Spare bulb

Also at the servos when you fill up, ask them about the local road conditions ahead, often they give some good tips (rozzer locations, black spots, nubile young women ...)

I've just done the east cape recently, fill up in Opotiki and if you don't have full range carry a 5 litre gas tank with you ... long way round to Tologa bay! Nice roads, locals are good and generally well behaved on the roads, some nice kodak moments out there, so remember the ol'camera (I forgot to pack mine!)

[Usarka]

I carry in a fanny pack ...

Pairs of gloves (latex)
can o'lube
Duct Tape
Cable Ties
Duct Tape


How about the gimp mask? :rofl:




Oh - visors. Either take two (clear and tinted) or take some glasses of the opposite tint to the one visor you are taking. Eg if you ride with a dark visor take some clear safety glasses in case it gets dark so you dont get bugs in your eyes at 101kph.

[Murray]

Don't forget your toothbrush!!!!

[nodrog]

pack all your clothes in your bag, then go back through and throw half of them out, i guarantee you wont use half of them.

[Maha]

Next week i'm off for 4 days round the East Cape. The first time in probably 10 years i've been touring:rockon:

Other than my gear, preparing the bike etc, What pearls of wisdom can you guys share with tips on what to take for a 4 day trip. Maybe little things that are often overlooked but invaluable when your out on the open road??

We done it two weeks ago, all we really needed was sunblock.
Tolaga Bay Inn!!....great place to stop.
Theres also distances and fuel prices in the link below.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=82836


Watch for stock, gravel on the corners, locals!!

It's almost guaranteed you will come across a sheep,goat,horse or some wildlife around the cape. Good road tho.

Plan your fuel stops to.

Heaps of fuel places around the east cape, in saying that, I made it from Gisborne to Waihau on a tank.




Also at the servos when you fill up, ask them about the local road conditions ahead, often they give some good tips (rozzer locations, black spots, nubile young women ...)

I've just done the east cape recently, fill up in Opotiki and if you don't have full range carry a 5 litre gas tank with you ... long way round to Tologa bay! Nice roads, locals are good and generally well behaved on the roads, some nice kodak moments out there, so remember the ol'camera (I forgot to pack mine!)

The road was in great condition, apart form the bit between Ruatoria and Te Araroa, bumpy as hell, but the signs were there so was no real drama.

Fuel at Waihau Bay/Ruatoria/Te Puia Springs/Tolaga bay...no need to carry extra unless you ride outside bussiness hours. During the day? all good.

[BOGAR]

Cash as a few places DON'T have eftpos. Not good when you need food / fuel.
I hope you enjoy the trip. I am hoping to do a small two day version this year.

[vifferman]

Sounds like everyone's pretty covered everything (especially gijoe - excellent list). The last bike tour I did was 5 days Oop Norf and back, and there was a bit of gravel road riding. I regretted not thinking to put a small aerosol WD40 in, and the chain got very gritty. The local servo had only CRC, which is useless as a chain cleaner/luber.
One thing you might want is a map book: if you haven't got the NZ Motorcycling Atlas, buy a copy. :niceone:

[Hitcher]

Take a Japanese bike. That way you can confidently leave the tool kit and owner's manual at home.

Learn the art of travelling light. Plan to find a laundry every three days, and only take enough clothes for three days.

Buy good wet weather gear, based on the season you plan to be travelling in.

Plan to be spontaneous, and enjoy the experience!

[Maha]

Take a Japanese bike. That way you can confidently leave the tool kit and owner's manual at home.

Learn the art of travelling light. Plan to find a laundry every three days, and only take enough clothes for three days.

Buy good wet weather gear, based on the season you plan to be travelling in.

Plan to be spontaneous, and enjoy the experience!


Yeah thats what I ment to say....:confused:

[MyGSXF]

Watch out for trucks hurtling around corners at you :shit: & stick well to the left of your lane, while going round right hand corners!!!!!!!!!! :yes:

[Maha]

Watch out for trucks hurtling around corners at you :shit: & stick well to the left of your lane, while doing right hand corners!!!!!!!!!! :yes:

Concour.....theres alot of Logging going on North of Tolaga.
But to see only two or three trucks (nothing else) between Napier and Wairoa was unreal!

[buellbabe]

Yep what everyone else said!
Especially carrying basic bike fixin' tools and puncture repair kit...FYI, I carry tools when I'm touring and other peoples bikes ALWAYS need help at some point.
I figure its a matter of 'sods law' now. Carry tools and my bike is sweet, leave them behind and you can bet I would need them LOL!

Also agree with leaving half the clothes you think you need behind... You will most likely wear the same tshirt every day while riding, all ya need is something to change into at the end of the day...

And when packing yr gear take your time, think about what you are gonna want to access during the day, its a bitch if you have to do a complete unpack on the side of the road just to get to one object LOL.

I know it probably sounds anal but even tho I take the same stuff with me every time I still make a list and check stuff off...oh yeah don't forget yr ph and camera chargers...

[kevfromcoro]

pack all your clothes in your bag, then go back through and throw half of them out, i guarantee you wont use half of them.

+ 1..travel light..shit i have carted .around the place and never used.

just take the beer esentials.............

[sunhuntin]

pack all your clothes in your bag, then go back through and throw half of them out, i guarantee you wont use half of them.

agreed. aside from the obvious like socks, i stay in what im wearing on the day i leave. i also take thermals.
CAMERA! you will regret not having it. and batteries as well.

[MarkH]

just take the beer esentials.............

beer is too heavy and takes too much space - find taverns along the way instead. :laugh:

[Wingnut]

pack all your clothes in your bag, then go back through and throw half of them out, i guarantee you wont use half of them.

I agree. Couldn't believe how little I ended up using over a 5 day period.

[Oakie]

If you're using a pack on a pack rack, put a large plastic bag on the bottom of the pack on the inside. If it rains there will be a waterproof cover for your pack but it will probably only cover the top and sides. The plastic bag on the bottom will protect your contents from water thrown up by the rear wheel. Water is sneaky. Trust me on this.