Your best South Island adventure route

[Lonebull]

I'm after single and multi-day stuff. Not the hardcore Motocross/Trials rider stuff that you need to be Josh Coppins to do but those farm trails, gold roads etc. that require a moderate level of skill or may be suitable for a bike with a pillion.

Can we start at the bottom end of the South Island

I've been reading the Adventure Bike threads for about a week now and they contain some great stuff but putting it all together is doing my head in.

As of Saturday I am the proud owner of a new KTM 990 adventure. I have been road riding for what seems like centuries but I am a novice to the Adventure riding game. I have done lots of farm bike riding so I have a few skills but if there is anyone out there who would consider letting me tag along on a ride to learn a bit that would be great.

Meanwhile post those rides...

[98tls]

A good bugger to talk to would be Oldrider,a Tiger rider who does miles aplenty both on and off road, he lives in Otematata.Sweet bike by the way.

[Waihou Thumper]

Nice bike but the briefcase has to go....:niceone:

[Waihou Thumper]

I will be keeping an eye on this one as I am coming down to the South in March. I have also been storing up a few rides and routes....
There is a wealth of information here and the riders have all the knowledge of routes....
Keep browsing and taking notes, there is so much out there but where to start?

[98tls]

I will be keeping an eye on this one as I am coming down to the South in March. I have also been storing up a few rides and routes....
There is a wealth of information here and the riders have all the knowledge of routes....
Keep browsing and taking notes, there is so much out there but where to start? PM John (Oldrider) for some great rides down South,great bloke and a wealth of knowledge on such a subject.

[JATZ]

I'll jump in before cooneyr :bleh:

Check out his website....http://www.advroutes.org.nz/mapsi.html

It's somewhere to start, there is plenty more that arn't on there, also take a look at Ken Siblys books, 4wd routes South Isl. They have a pretty good description of the tracks.

[Digitdion]

Good on you lonebull. You will not be disappointed at all brother. The thing with a bike like that is everytime you ride it you will feel like a million dollars. I got one last Sept. AWEsome.

The key with your bike is to get out and ride it and get to know it. Do not get to full on to quick as its a real beast. At the same time it is forgiven. Its still amazes me what it will do, and do it well.

HAY, there are so many good rides like you are after down this way.Like stated in an earlier response check out advroutes... Forgot the web site sorry. I did pick up a while ago the HEMA NZ motorcycle atlas. Bloody good. A lot of good rides like you want, and all the usual road stuff. WHitcoulls has it.

You can Pm me if you want and we could organize a ride or two if you are keen. I ride an orange one!

[pete376403]

ONes I have done - Hakataramea, Danseys, that other one that goes past the mcKenzie memorial, Thompsons road (?) - comes out in the Ida valley near Oterehua. No doubt thousands more but these are roads i've done going to and from the Brass Monkey. All are excellent

This the sort of thing you have in mind? Thompsons Road, and yes that is a KTM 950 (and a KLR)

[twotyred]

:corn::apint:

[Winston001]

There are tracks and then there are tracks.....the old roads should be fine for a large adventure bike but be aware there are lots of old horse/4wd tracks where the smaller the bike the better. For example, the Coalpit Saddle track to the Nevis Valley. And the two tracks off it into the back of the Remarkables. No place to have a heavy bike slide off the mountainside.

The Ken Silbey 4wd books are excellent guides. Dunstan Trail, Thomsons Track (as mentioned above) Macetown Road, Skippers/Branches Road, Nevis Valley, Whitcombe (Snowpole) Road from Shingle Creek to Waikaia. There is a track over Mount Buster which Oldrider should know about, and another good one east in the Kakanuis. Middlemarch through Nenthorn to Waikouaiti.

[LBD]

Mavora lakes area, Nevis, Lees Valley area Canterbury are all good on a big

[JATZ]

Mt Greenland, in behind Ross, probly not a good one to start on but it's in your neighborhood

:scratch:

[Lonebull]

Good on you lonebull. You will not be disappointed at all brother. The thing with a bike like that is everytime you ride it you will feel like a million dollars. I got one last Sept. AWEsome.

The key with your bike is to get out and ride it and get to know it. Do not get to full on to quick as its a real beast. At the same time it is forgiven. Its still amazes me what it will do, and do it well.

HAY, there are so many good rides like you are after down this way.Like stated in an earlier response check out advroutes... Forgot the web site sorry. I did pick up a while ago the HEMA NZ motorcycle atlas. Bloody good. A lot of good rides like you want, and all the usual road stuff. WHitcoulls has it.

You can Pm me if you want and we could organize a ride or two if you are keen. I ride an orange one!


Will do. Your not wrong about the ride. I rode back from Dunners over the Crown and then the Haast (of course) I couldn't believe how nimble the beast is. Am looking forward to getting out and about a whole lot more

[Lonebull]

Nice bike but the briefcase has to go....:niceone:

Yeah I can see what you mean, not the manliest bag in the world but I don't own a car so she's my shopping trolley too and I get my groceries in Hoki, So the brief case stays. I'm gonna have a rack made to bolt to the top so I can strap my tent and stuff to it for the touring stuff. I also got some panniers and Vance after markets coming for it.

[Waihou Thumper]

Yeah I can see what you mean, not the manliest bag in the world but I don't own a car so she's my shopping trolley too and I get my groceries in Hoki, So the brief case stays. I'm gonna have a rack made to bolt to the top so I can strap my tent and stuff to it for the touring stuff. I also got some panniers and Vance after markets coming for it.


It might also be worth investing in a Touratech plate for the 990A, it bolts straight on and gives a bigger footprint for waterproof bags and such like. I have one on the 640a and it is great, bought the Ortlieb bags and just roll up everything - totally waterproof! :banana:

[Waihou Thumper]

Mt Greenland, in behind Ross, probly not a good one to start on but it's in your neighborhood

:scratch:

Is it a dead end? Or can you ride through somewhere? It looks like an out and back?

[Creeper]

I will be keeping an eye on this one as I am coming down to the South in March. I have also been storing up a few rides and routes....
There is a wealth of information here and the riders have all the knowledge of routes....
Keep browsing and taking notes, there is so much out there but where to start?

when are you heading down south?? Have you got a route planned yet......I leave next Monday 9th for 3 weeks, might be able to catch up

Cheers
Dave

[Waihou Thumper]

when are you heading down south?? Have you got a route planned yet......I leave next Monday 9th for 3 weeks, might be able to catch up

Cheers
Dave


Hi Dave...
I will be planning on going bout the 13th or so, depending on bookings etc.
I would think that 8 days will be enough but will be flexible.
I have to pay for bloody kennels lol....
I am on leave from 13th till 28th or thereabouts....
Yes, we could hook up and explore if you are around. I have no plans but I have ideas, of course the Rainbow and molesworth are definites and Farewell Spit....as well as ALL the metal roads and tracks I can find, Porika, Mangatapu too!
PM me.......:banana:
Mark

[jezzaNZ]

I'm heading down that way on Monday 9th March also for a week, I plan to do a circut down the West coast through Central O and back up the East Coast. Time is limited so I hope to get in the following roads/tracks: Starting from Picton Porika Rd, Breaburn Track, Maruia Saddle, Big River Rd Reefton (if time permits),West Coast, Skippers, Walter Peak Stn to Te Anau (Lake Mavora), Nevis Rd-Hawksburn Rd to Alex, Millers Flat to Lake Onslow and dack down Old Dunstan Rd, Danseys Pass, Haka Pass, McKenzie's Pass-Bourks Pass, then the Molesworth back to Picton.

There I said it. Anyone is more than welcome to tag along if you would like a guide. Cheers Jez:eek:

[Waihou Thumper]

I'm heading down that way on Monday 9th March also for a week, I plan to do a circut down the West coast through Central O and back up the East Coast. Time is limited so I hope to get in the following roads/tracks: Starting from Picton Porika Rd, Breaburn Track, Maruia Saddle, Big River Rd Reefton (if time permits),West Coast, Skippers, Walter Peak Stn to Te Anau (Lake Mavora), Nevis Rd-Hawksburn Rd to Alex, Millers Flat to Lake Onslow and dack down Old Dunstan Rd, Danseys Pass, Haka Pass, McKenzie's Pass-Bourks Pass, then the Molesworth back to Picton.

There I said it. Anyone is more than welcome to tag along if you would like a guide. Cheers Jez:eek:

Thanks, I just also added a couple of extra side trips...:clap:
Shit, there is a lot of country down there....I wish I could get a transfer down south, be there in a minute!! :banana:

[jezzaNZ]

Yeh there is a lot of stuff I have left out due to time constraints and the fact I am riding alone and know the physical effort needed to pull the 950 out of a sticky situation by myself!!!!! Anyway it is a bit of a soul searching, work de-stressing, finding yourself kind of a ride so will just soak up the surroundings and hopully have some great experiences I guess.

Forgot to mention enjoying the Southern hopitality also!!!!!!:headbang:

[Waihou Thumper]

Yeh there is a lot of stuff I have left out due to time constraints and the fact I am riding alone and know the physical effort needed to pull the 950 out of a sticky situation by myself!!!!! Anyway it is a bit of a soul searching, work de-stressing, finding yourself kind of a ride so will just soak up the surroundings and hopully have some great experiences I guess.

Forgot to mention enjoying the Southern hopitality also!!!!!!:headbang:

I will join ya! If we can explore the South on the Katies.. I can lift the big motha out of the mire....:lol:

[Creeper]

Hi Dave...
I will be planning on going bout the 13th or so, depending on bookings etc.
I would think that 8 days will be enough but will be flexible.
I have to pay for bloody kennels lol....
I am on leave from 13th till 28th or thereabouts....
Yes, we could hook up and explore if you are around. I have no plans but I have ideas, of course the Rainbow and molesworth are definites and Farewell Spit....as well as ALL the metal roads and tracks I can find, Porika, Mangatapu too!
PM me.......:banana:
Mark

Hey Mark, I don't think the timing will work by the 13th I plan to be down in Otago or there abouts. Might think abot changing my plans & see if I can hook up with Jezz

[Waihou Thumper]

Hey Mark, I don't think the timing will work by the 13th I plan to be down in Otago or there abouts. Might think abot changing my plans & see if I can hook up with Jezz

Pity we didn't meet up earlier, could of made a road trip of it together...

[JATZ]

Is it a dead end? Or can you ride through somewhere? It looks like an out and back?

Yip it's in and out, 4wd track.

[Padmei]

NOt meaning to hijack the thread but how do you find the big 950-990s. I think in the future I may get a bigger bugger & they may be on the list.

There seems to be many on tardme that aren't selling for about $14k which I didn't think was too expensive considering the new price.

You're gonna have a fantastic trip guys.:crybaby:

[Underground]

Looking forward to the ride report ,we're off down there for a week next month

[Waihou Thumper]

NOt meaning to hijack the thread but how do you find the big 950-990s.



I had one and downgraded to the 640A. Will be looking at the 690A when it comes to NZ, if ever.....(fit a big tank)
FOR an adventure bike, the 990A has a range of 270-290Km, that isn't adventure in my mind. With the HP and the lack of a tank big enough, it is hard to enjoy a big day out.
My two cents worth...

[jezzaNZ]

I will join ya! If we can explore the South on the Katies.. I can lift the big motha out of the mire....:lol:

Sounds good Mark, I am catching the 10:25am Interislander ferry on Monday 9th of March as I have to drop my son to Welly airport for a 9:15am flight that morning. If you need a bed Sunday night you are more than welcome to stay with me in PPram.

In response to the big Katooms, when I first got my 950 (replacing a Super Tenere XTZ750) I thought I had made a bad mistake as I was I tend to ride more technical stuff then just gravel roads. Now I have ridden it for a while I can't wait to get it out of the garage and ride the beast, as some on this site will testerfy I can ride it everywhere the smaller bikes go and even beyound. I'm not blowing my own trumpet here but in my opinion any bike is only as good as its rider.:spanking:

To this end I totally recommend the big KTM's as long as you are a confident rider. In addition I can get about 330-350km's on a tank and have done 60 odd km's on reserve!!!!!! Not bad when you consider she is a big beast.

Mark/Dave, PM me if you are interested in hooking up for the "Southern Loop". Cheers Jez

[Waihou Thumper]

Sounds good Mark, I am catching the 10:25am Interislander ferry on Monday 9th of March as I have to drop my son to Welly airport for a 9:15am flight that morning. If you need a bed Sunday night you are more than welcome to stay with me in PPram.


By join ya I meant somewhere out there on the road, pity I cannot get off work till later in the month.
I will be leaving the 13th or a day later. Might have to catch up in the South.
Thanks for the offer.....
Mark

[jezzaNZ]

By join ya I meant somewhere out there on the road, pity I cannot get off work till later in the month.
I will be leaving the 13th or a day later. Might have to catch up in the South.
Thanks for the offer.....
Mark

No worries Mark, will keep a eye out for you. Have a safe journey. Cheers Jez