Road Trip to South Island

**jafa21** · 1st April 2012, 18:36

Hey Guys,
I am thinking of doing a road trip from Auckland to Queenstown on my Kawasaki ninja 250 around end of July.
I would like to know:
Is it a good idea? If yes, why. If no, Why?
Have you done it before and what are your thoughts? any regrets? what would you do differently?
What route do you recommend (rough itinerary please) ?
How many days should i do it in?

I have no time restrictions. I am very flexible on everything.

I realize its going to be middle of winter then, so may be its not such a good idea to do it in July???

I dont mind biking one way and flying my bike the other way. Should i ride both ways or only do one way?

Please share your views/thoughts/experiences.

About me:
Bike - 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250. 7,000Kms.
Average Riding experience
Full Licence holder.
Never been to South Island.

Thanks

**Madness** · 1st April 2012, 18:39

Originally Posted by jafa21

I dont mind biking one way and flying my bike the other way. Should i ride both ways or only do one way?

Did you buy a Lotto ticket in Te Kauwhata last week by chance? You do know it snows down there aye?

**GingerMidget** · 1st April 2012, 18:39

Have you any real experience with riding in snow? It tends to snow properly in July down that way. The desert road is a nasty one in winter too. Can you delay it until maybe October?

**nzspokes** · 1st April 2012, 18:40

Originally Posted by jafa21

I dont mind biking one way and flying my bike the other way.

Wish my bike could fly....

**FJRider** · 1st April 2012, 18:40

How much time ... and money, do you have/want to spend ... ???

The bike shouldn't be an issue. There are plenty of threads on this subject. Read a few.

**jafa21** · 1st April 2012, 18:43

Originally Posted by Madness

Did you buy a Lotto ticket in Te Kauwhata last week by chance? You do know it snows down there aye?

Haha. I wish.
Yes i know it snows there. Thats why i was asking if its a good idea or not?

**jafa21** · 1st April 2012, 18:44

Originally Posted by GingerMidget

Have you any real experience with riding in snow? It tends to snow properly in July down that way. The desert road is a nasty one in winter too. Can you delay it until maybe October?

No experience in snow at all.
I have to go to queenstown end of july.
So thats the reason i want to go at that time.

**GingerMidget** · 1st April 2012, 18:45

If you have to ask, you are already doubting it.

**FJRider** · 1st April 2012, 18:45

Originally Posted by GingerMidget

Have you any real experience with riding in snow? It tends to snow properly in July down that way. The desert road is a nasty one in winter too. Can you delay it until maybe October?

Only a few roads are snow affected. Plenty of alternitive routes if some are closed.

**jafa21** · 1st April 2012, 18:45

Originally Posted by FJRider

How much time ... and money, do you have/want to spend ... ???

The bike shouldn't be an issue. There are plenty of threads on this subject. Read a few.

Time is not an issue. I dont mind spending 2 weeks getting there.
I will read some threads. Thanks

**FJRider** · 1st April 2012, 18:47

Originally Posted by jafa21

No experience in snow at all.
I have to go to queenstown end of july.
So thats the reason i want to go at that time.

Just DO IT ... Plenty of backpacker accomidation available.

**FJRider** · 1st April 2012, 18:49

Originally Posted by jafa21

Time is not an issue. I dont mind spending 2 weeks getting there.
I will read some threads. Thanks

Maduck did a south island trip recently. Read her thread.

**pritch** · 1st April 2012, 18:49

I've been down there a few times, great roads, but I was advised to stay near the coast in winter; avoid the mountain passes.
The West Coast Highway is magic but you need good kit. I had good kit and still got soaked last time.

Don't plan to do too many Ks in a day. If your schedule is too heavy you'll get home with a limited idea of where you've been.

If you're quick you could still catch Henry Cole's "World Greatest Motorcycle Rides" jaunt down there last year. Currently on the Travel Channel.

**FJRider** · 1st April 2012, 18:59

Originally Posted by pritch

I've been down there a few times, great roads, but I was advised to stay near the coast in winter; avoid the mountain passes.
The West Coast Highway is magic but you need good kit. I had good kit and still got soaked last time.

Don't plan to do too many Ks in a day. If your schedule is too heavy you'll get home with a limited idea of where you've been.

If you're quick you could still catch Henry Cole's "World Greatest Motorcycle Rides" jaunt down there last year. Currently on the Travel Channel.

The higher passes ... it pays to wait a few hours after sun up ... but mostly it's fine. Different weather patterns in different months ... it varies so much. Even in winter.

The New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas is reccommended kit for a traveller ... it shows all (most) of the good roads. 300-500 km's in a day capable riders, should have no worries. Most that are not learn fast.