Blog Comments

Don't you have enough lights as it is?
I mean after the 5 minutes it takes you to switch them all on, it's already brighter than daylight infront of you. (and nothing but glare in my mirrors)
You'll need to wire all of them into something like this soon

If you want a GPS, the best to buy (but not cheap) is the Garmin Zumo 550. The newer 660 still doesn't seem to be quite as reliable as the 550.

At the very least, buy a Garmin, then I can show you all about the free maps for NZ.

So many neat things! Wantwant! *is searching through GPS units*

cool! i like that BMW on the pics... it has better looks than my buell... and also i think its parts is not as hard to find as the Buell Parts... right now im trying to find sites for some parts of my bike..

Just another atypical road trip with you Gremlin, when will you do something surprising like just have a "normal" ride without life or death situations in a humourous way happen?

But big ups for for the write-ups and at least you rode! You also owe TOTO big time! (if only just for the laughs!)

You learn from everything I guess. And yes... I posted a thread once trying to discuss whether corners or straights were more dangerous. Had one or two agree with what I was saying, but most laughed. I still reckon straights are more dangerous. You hear police blaming fatigue, but was the fatigue brought on by the straights?

Either way, next time (diamond or not, have to view the route), I know 3200km in 40 hours isn't a problem pace wise, so more time down the start, maybe make Friday a lay day, just sleeping and relaxing, a 2 hour nap in the middle around midnight, 1am, and it should be much better.

Aaahh! So it happened because you were riding too slow and came out of 'the zone'!?

I was really disappointed to hear about the off, knowing all the work and prep' that had gone into this endeavour...and to see you doing so well and being so far ahead of schedule. In fact, I was expecting you to beat us to Yaldhurst.

A big Thumbs-up to Toto too....mind you....he's not all there for attempting the ride on a ginnie and had obviously had enough anyway.

You should try Affiliated Insurance Brokers in Wgtn. They wouldn't have answered the phone 'cos I was at Jantars, but you could have rung the 0800 for Roadside assist.

Y'know, it all reads normal until that bit where you bin it ...

Kudos to TOTO for assisting above and beyond the call of duty, I would have left you languishing in the field as revenge for past cornfield abuse!

Glad to hear you got off lightly that night, the devil looks after his own!

Originally Posted by Gremlin

........ no black lakes lurking around corners when it starts getting hotter, but my impression was that the road quality was going downhill since my previous visits? Any opinion on that KoroJ?

Down South, just a lack of signage. Getting to and from on SH1 is a different story altogether and I am extremely happy NOT to be heading to the SX today. The Kaikoura coast road is treacherous in the wet and returning the other day, I was aprehensive on parts of the Hunderlees ....and it was dry as a bone. That road doesn't have tar-snakes....it has the occasional piece of chip!!!

Originally Posted by KoroJ

I don't really like that mottled chip they use down south because it's so hard to read and I'm pleased it wasn't just me. Does one get used to that stuff or what? The other problem I had with it was there never seemed to be a clearly defined rut to stick to....or I'd be riding the rut, knowing the hump was OK....but it might not be.

I commented on this to sarahtvet as well.... its possibly a north island rider thing. As you say, grey chip to north islanders means holy shit, watch out, this is brand new with loose stuff everywhere. Down south it was a mixed bag, especially heading out to Glenorchy. Some grey was solid, no loose stuff and easy riding. Then you would round a corner and find yourself sliding from the middle to a wheel track, no warning, no ability to see the loose stuff.

I do like the fact they appear to know how to build a road... no black lakes lurking around corners when it starts getting hotter, but my impression was that the road quality was going downhill since my previous visits? Any opinion on that KoroJ?

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

Your English teachers would be so proud of you now! Writing fantastic ride reports with clarity, hilarity and using witticisms sprinkled through your missives!

I daresay my work is done!

Yes well, I know who's bloody fault it is that I now write like that... you can even see the change in the mainland invasion thread from beginning to end

I encountered a healthy twitch (almost a slide) on the Catlins and became a bit more conservative after that but you obviously weren't too phased by a bit of slip-sliding away. I don't really like that mottled chip they use down south because it's so hard to read and I'm pleased it wasn't just me. Does one get used to that stuff or what? The other problem I had with it was there never seemed to be a clearly defined rut to stick to....or I'd be riding the rut, knowing the hump was OK....but it might not be.

Good going.....so far!

Your English teachers would be so proud of you now! Writing fantastic ride reports with clarity, hilarity and using witticisms sprinkled through your missives!

I daresay my work is done!

Originally Posted by Shiny side up

All the way to Dunedin on a GN250?!?!
Not sure if I'm highly impressed or seriously worried for the guy.
Have fun and stay shiny side up.

I believe a bit of both... stay tuned, in a blog or two I follow him back to Auckland... its ah... interesting to follow a GN on a 1.2L BMW.

All the way to Dunedin on a GN250?!?!
Not sure if I'm highly impressed or seriously worried for the guy.
Have fun and stay shiny side up.

Good ride report, been a while since I rode around the East Cape!

Typical of you always being late to your own ride! I think this bike is the zenith of your riding career - there is no other bike out there now that you can skip across to! Glad to hear you are loving your new ride, but sheesh, getting a bit soft in your old age? 1000km?

Well lets hope one day you get to see the cape in the daylight!

Originally Posted by BMWST?

whats the issue with removing the tank???

I have no idea... guy at shop looked at me like I had crept out from under a rock when I asked how to remove it. I don't think you're meant to work on BMW's unless you're factory qualified?