Queenstown rides?

[Rhubarb]

We are going to Queenstown soon to hire a couple of Harleys so we can go for a day long ride. We will have the Ladies riding pillion so we won't be racing everywhere.
We get the bikes at 8am and have to return them by 6pm.
Does anyone have any ideas about where we can go for a day long round trip cruise.
I thought we could head to Mount Cook for lunch and back.
We own 750cc sports bikes and have never riden Harleys before so we are really looking forward to it.

[scumdog]

Yep, you suggestion sounds pretty spot on, HOWEVER if you haven't ridden Harleys before you might find it a bit long for that first trip on a H-D.

Just my thoughts.

[Jantar]

I was sort of thinking along the same lines as SD. The Queesntown area is pretty unforgiving for a new type of bike for the first time.

Have you ridden any cruisers before? Or is it just Harleys that you haven't tried?

If you have ridden cruisers, and are used to that foot forward position, then I would suggest Cromwell, Wanaka, Cardrona for lunch, Crown range, Arrowtown, Glenorchy for afternnon tea, back to Queenstown for 6:00 pm finish.

[Rhubarb]

Thanks for your suggestions.What is different about Harley's? We haven't ridden any cruisers before but have been riding all sorts of other bikes for 20+ years. Now that you mention it we haven't ridden anything with a 'foot forward'riding position.
Any tips would be realy appreciated.

[scumdog]

Depending on what model of H-D you get scraping on corners can be an issue :crazy: - and remember, a lot of the H-D range are designed for a relatively plodding pace compared to sprotsbikes.

I find the riding position very comfortable - but I'm use to the feet forwrds position.

[Rhubarb]

We will probably get a couple of cruisers from www.harleytoursnz.com . It might be worth taking a couple of cruisers for a test ride before we go.
The Queenstown/Central Otago ride will be a relaxing cruise and see how we go rather than a balls out race there and back.
Thanks for your tips.

[Hitcher]

You have to do the ride from Queenstown to Glenorchy. If it isn't the best ride in New Zealand, it's in the Top Two.

A longer day ride is in to Milford Sound and back out. If this ride isn't the best ride in New Zealand, it's in the Top Two.

Do the Crown Range Road to Wanaka, then back around through Cromwell and up the Kawarau Gorge. Watch for HPs between Wanaka airport and Cromwell. This is another New Zealand Top 10 ride. (In my opinion, in case Conquistador gets upset)

[scumdog]

You have to do the ride from Queenstown to Glenorchy. If it isn't the best ride in New Zealand, it's in the Top Two.

A longer day ride is in to Milford Sound and back out. If this ride isn't the best ride in New Zealand, it's in the Top Two.

Do the Crown Range Road to Wanaka, then back around through Cromwell and up the Kawarau Gorge. Watch for HPs between Wanaka airport and Cromwell. This is another New Zealand Top 10 ride. (In my opinion, in case Conquistador gets upset)

It's fact Hitch, not opinion!!

Of course I'm a tad blahzay having ridden them scads of times:done::niceone:

[Hitcher]

Another longer day ride from Queenstown worth doing is to Mt Cook (the Hermitage) and back.

Another one would be to Lake Paringa, just up the coast from Haast. If you're not feeling that extravagant, stop for lunch at Makarora instead.

Oh god, I so need to go for a ride (extreme Grand Challenge withdrawal)

[Jantar]

....

Oh god, I so need to go for a ride (extreme Grand Challenge withdrawal)


Chatto Creek 1000 miler coming up soon. Usually covers at least one of those roads. :D

Southern Cross in March, and this one has plenty of time for a western route down the South Island.

[Virago]

The Mount Cook trip is easily do-able, but on unfamiliar bikes with pillions, it is a commitment. The roads across the Mackenzie basin are pretty boring too.

I would second the route suggested by Jantar. Arguably the best riding roads in NZ, with a great variety of riding conditions, and absolutely stunning scenery. No shortage of refreshment / shopping stop options, which should keep the ladies happy, and ensure tired muscles get rested.

Looping around Central Otago will give you a great ride, without being committed to a "there-and-back" long trip.

I hope you enjoy yourselves.

[FJRider]

Chatto Creek 1000 miler coming up soon. Usually covers at least one of those roads. :D



or all of them...

[FJRider]

Down the lake ...Kingston...Gooorrrre...(Gore)...Raes Junction...ALEXANDRA...Q' Town

[scumdog]

Down the lake ...Kingston...Gooorrrre...(Gore)...Raes Junction...ALEXANDRA...Q' Town

Not a bad route - just make sure you cut off at McNab and head through Tapanui - Raes Junction on the way to Alexandra, otherwise you COULD be in for a longer ride than you need.

[FJRider]

Not a bad route - just make sure you cut off at McNab and head through Tapanui - Raes Junction on the way to Alexandra, otherwise you COULD be in for a longer ride than you need.

So the "Riveria of the South" ...Manuka Gorge route, is not a good option... ??? Even the highway one bit, isn't THAT bad...even on a Harley...

[Winston001]

If you have ridden cruisers, and are used to that foot forward position, then I would suggest Cromwell, Wanaka, Cardrona for lunch, Crown range, Arrowtown, Glenorchy for afternnon tea, back to Queenstown for 6:00 pm finish.

Agreed. I know the area well. Personally I wouldn't go to Mount Cook unless you want to spend all day on the bikes. You'll have a more enjoyable time taking Jantar's route, shorter and plenty of variety.

However - might I suggest going to Glenorchy first. The morning sun will be behind you and its a beautiful twisty scenic road alongside the lake. Then back through Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge (YES) - Wanaka - Crown Range - Arrowtown - Queenstown.

That's essentially Jantars route except Glenorchy first, and coming over the Crown Range from Wanaka you get a wonderful view down while looking over the Lakes Basin.

Incidentally I have a mate who hires bikes from Cromwell and works in with the Queenstown rental guys. He'd have ideas and suggestions too. You may in fact end up on his bikes but if you haven't committed yet, send Dave an email.

http://www.comotorcyclehire.co.nz/

[scumdog]

So the "Riveria of the South" ...Manuka Gorge route, is not a good option... ??? Even the highway one bit, isn't THAT bad...even on a Harley...

I was thinking of the distance/time for somebody who has not much experience on a 'crusier'

For me? no worries but him and his partner it may be a different story.:shit:

[FJRider]

I was thinking of the distance/time for somebody who has not much experience on a 'crusier'

For me? no worries but him and his partner it may be a different story.:shit:

They may have to stop in Alexandra for the night... But three hours to Gore (they are on Harleys) plus one to B'Clutha, three to Alex, and another one and a half back to Q'town... at worst , not that long a day.
This should include time for toilet/food etc stops...

[NighthawkNZ]

They may have to stop in Alexandra for the night... But three hours to Gore (they are on Harleys) plus one to B'Clutha, three to Alex, and another one and a half back to Q'town... at worst , not that long a day.
This should include time for toilet/food etc stops...

Going by the OP they only have them for a day...????

[FJRider]

Going by the OP they only have them for a day...????

After an hour on the road... they'll know how far they'll be able to get...
Plenty of Cafe's to park outside...

[Rhubarb]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I'm leaning towards the Glenorchy-Q'town-Wanaka-Cardrona route. I've been on all the roads many many times. We holiday in the McKenzie Country regularly so I can ride to Mount Cook anytime.
The round trip idea will also work out good if the weather turns nasty. It also leaves us lots of stopping options, vineyards etc.
With all your great suggestons we may have to have a repeat trip.
Thanks Winston001. Except for booking the accomodation we haven't commited to the bikes yet so I'll also check out the Cromwell option

[FJRider]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I'm leaning towards the Glenorchy-Q'town-Wanaka-Cardrona route. I've been on all the roads many many times. We holiday in the McKenzie Country regularly so I can ride to Mount Cook anytime.
The round trip idea will also work out good if the weather turns nasty. It also leaves us lots of stopping options, vineyards etc.
With all your great suggestons we may have to have a repeat trip.
Thanks Winston001. Except for booking the accomodation we haven't commited to the bikes yet so I'll also check out the Cromwell option

It might pay to tackle the Crown Range on the way to Wanaka, the veiw isn't as good, but downhill (its a long way up) on a heavy, unfamilar bike isn't fun. The Cadrona valley is good downhill...not that bad. Patches of new seal though... take care.
Bannockburn is a nice stop...nice veiws....
Nasty weather .... in Central...??? doesn't rain down here...
Queenstown accomidation prices are through the roof, often pays to stay somewhere else near there...

[Rhubarb]

After many long weeks of anticipation we finally got to Queenstown.

We picked up our Harleys at 8.30am and went for a familiarisation ride out to Arrowtown then back to Queenstown via Arthurs Point.
Mine was a 2007 Heritage Softail 1570cc. Having never ridden a cruiser before I didn't know what to expect. It instantly felt comfortable and was a very natural riding position. We have been holidaying in the area for over 30 years so we didn't need, or want, a guide.

We picked up our wives and headed to Glenorchy for brunch. The weather got progressively worse as we rode but we figured once we got to Glenorchy we would turn around and ride away from the rain back to Q'town. (The food at the cafe beside the service station was fantastic and cheap) When we came out of the cafe the rain had stopped and the road dried (we were only in there 20 minutes!) The ride back to Q'town was excellent. What a brilliant road. The Harleys were so easy to ride two up.

A quick fuel stop in Q'town then up over the Cardrona Range to Wanaka. A 1500cc Harley with two people going around tight 180 degree corners at walking pace was a little daunting at first but after 2 corners I had it sussed. There are some great fast flowing corners heading down the valley after the summit. Once again the Harley felt easy to ride two up.

A quick stop at the Cardrona pub to remove a bee from my helmet and a sting from beside my eye (My first ever sting. I like to ride with the visor open) and we powered our way to Wanaka. After a quick a drink at the Cheeky Monkey we zoomed off to Cromwell. Is there anywhere in the South Island better than Central Otago on a hot day to ride a motorbike - I think not.

The run through the Kawarau Gorge was a little more congested than we would have liked and was soured by a "cock", on what I think was a KTM, overtaking everthing around the outside of blind corners. He handled his bike really well but his overtaking spots were not well chosen. He may have wanted to prove to these Harley riders that he doesn't really have a small penis.

We dropped our wives at the Gibston Winery and carried on solo to Frankton where we refueled the bikes. I thought we could swap bikes for our last hour of riding so I took the 2005 1450cc Softail for a strop. It had a full windscreen which I hated. The top of the screen was right in my eye line and the side edges were in my eye line for corner approaches. The screen seemed to upset the whole dynamic of the bike and it made my helmet shake violently in the wind as we passed buses and campers! Perhaps a smaller screen that you don't look through but it sends most of the air flow over your head might be a good option.

At our turn around point I asked for my 2007 bike back. Instantly I felt at home once again and headed back to Queenstown.
We returned the bikes with massive grins on our faces and vowed to make this at least an annual event.

To dispell some myths;
1. I found the Harley to go around corners quite well. If the sign said it was a 75km corner we could happily add another 25km to this. (Actually better than my 80's GSX!)
2. We were on Harleys. We waved to everyone and they waved back. Except the "cock" on the KTM. The constant waving debate - get over it and enjoy the ride!!!
3. Harley riders don't wave because they are afraid to let go of the handle bars. Crap, the bike was really stable and comfortable one handed.

My next bike will probably be a big cc cruiser. Perhaps not a Harley, may be a Boulevard.

Ali and Baz from Harley Tours NZ were really helpful leading up to the weekend.

Jo from Harley Tours NZ Queenstown was absolutley wonderful. She is obviously an enthusiastic rider herself and her enthusiasm is infectous. At the end of our day she presented us with a fantastic book about their American Harley Tours. You should buy this book. www.jdsmotorsickletours.com.

We think it was excellent value for money. $385 per bike for 9 hours of fun doing what we love to to do in a location second to none. You could probably get a Bungee jump and jet boat ride for the same price. Bungee = 30 seconds. Jet boat = 30 minutes. Harley = 9 hours.

Thanks Jo. We'll be back.