Wellington to Cape Reinga via the Coromandel

[GTRMAN]

Well we have finally started planning our mighty road trip. 6 people, 3 bikes and as many fun roads as we can find in 12 days.

Leaving the end if April, any suggestions?

[dilz]

hey mate,sounds like a choice trip,wish i had 12days spare to come with!
Hey do you or anyone know if the road up to the cape reinga is sealed now?Last time i was up there(about 3years ago) it was still gravel.
good luck with ya trip,peace!

[Meanie]

Mungamoks rock.....Just before you get to Kaitaia
Enjoy but be carefull and watch the coro loop it gets a bit dodgy with all the tourists

[MaxB]

As Meanie's sig says: the East Cape.

It is like the Coro loop on steroids.

[Meanie]

As Meanie's sig says: the East Cape.

It is like the Coro loop on steroids.

Without all the traffic

[insomnia01]

coro roads are GOOD:Playnice: resealed most of the way around over xmas most of the marbles are gone so you have timed it well, don't forget your wets!!!

[Laava]

Seal not finished to the cape yet but must be close. PM when you are closer, I will ride with you a bit if the timing is good.

[GTRMAN]

Seal not finished to the cape yet but must be close. PM when you are closer, I will ride with you a bit if the timing is good.

Will do Laava

[GTRMAN]

Decided that the super spongy front and rear on the Bandit wasn't really up to the task, so thanks to Mr Taylor I replaced the front fork springs. What a difference, no more skipping front wheel on the corners, feels like a new bike.
One problem though, it just made the back feel that much worse, so we swapped the rear shock for a 1200 Bandit model with an Ohlins spring and now we are good to go.

I have to admit that getting everything ready is almost as satisfying as the trip itself.

only 3 weeks before we leave now :)

[GTRMAN]

Well we made it most of the way, rain kept us from reaching the cape but other than that what a great way to spend two weeks. Had a few problems on the way, got water in the tank filling up at a back of nowhere petrol station in the Hokonui, blew out the rear shock twice......

The 1200 shock made it most of the trip but gave out on the way back to Rotorua, lost all preload and was like riding on a hard tail. Got it replaced and the next one made it all the way to Wellington before suffering the same fate, pre 2000 Bandit shocks are just crap.

So after a lot of reading I have but a 99 Hyabusa rear shock on the old girl, lifts up the rear by about 100mm but the centre stand still works and I finally have the correct amount of sag. Have to say that it feels like a new bike now as the spring rates seem to match front to back, feels much more balanced.

One downside of the dodgy suspension is that I have completely destroyed a brand new rear tyre, 4000Km and it has gone kinda triangle shaped, stuff all wear on the centre but munted on the outside.

We completed just under 3500Km in 12 days and loved every minute of it, other than getting caught in Auckland rush hour traffic, at a standstill from Manakau to the bridge, then again the lane splitting was fun.

will post up some pics when I can

[carver]

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[Mschvs]

Eventually, Ndorfn and I would like to take some time off and 'GO DOWN ON AOTEAROA' ...

Start in Cape Reinga and zig zag down the country, cross over to the South Island, maybe go down the East Coast, back up the West Coast then back across and zig zag our way back up the North Island .... once he has a bigger bike that is. I'm not going pillion on a ride like that!

[GTRMAN]

sounds like a plan..

[Mschvs]

sounds like a plan..

Totally want to get some comm's and helmet cam's for it, if possible!!

And get a crew together.

Need to get a good flipp face helmet too at some stage. I hate not being able to have a quick yarn at stop signs! haha

[Highlander]

We completed just under 3500Km in 12 days

That is a pretty leisurely trip, plenty of time for taking photos.

[GTRMAN]

for the first time trying any touring it felt fairly epic to me, have got a taste for much more though....

[Highlander]

for the first time trying any touring it felt fairly epic to me, have got a taste for much more though....

No disrepect intended.

Get out there and take a look around. :2thumbsup
There is more to motorcycling than outright speed.

[GTRMAN]

I agree, one of the best days was riding slowly in the rain through the Kauri forests, was just awesome

[shafty]

Well done GTRMAN - lookin fwd to ya pics

[GTRMAN]

here are some