Can I ride from Auckland to Tauranga on a 250cc?

**ajturbo** · 2nd April 2011, 22:58

Originally Posted by cooky1975

i was thinking of taking a road tripfrom auckland to tauranga on my 250cc suziki marauder - will it take it. i been riding about three months i comute to work getting about 2 hours a day riding. i dont want to blow the bike up though. can it take it, is any one keen to come along - advice is appreciated

back in 82, i rode my 125 from nelson to auckland via both sides of the island (to and from)... made it easily...

**MSTRS:Me** · 3rd April 2011, 09:52

Originally Posted by matdaymon

Handy tip: oncoming Big ass trucks on state highways tend to have a killer wind gust which can be a bit frightening the first time you hit one

Extra handy tip:
Move well to the left of your lane when any large vehicle, esp those with flat fronts, is approaching. That way, you miss most of the buffeting when it passes.
Also, if there is a wind blowing at all, this changes the dynamics of said buffeting...ie if the wind is coming from your right, the buffeting will be worse. But negligible if coming from your left.

**marty** · 3rd April 2011, 09:58

Originally Posted by Smifffy

If he wasn't fuckin insane when he left, he would have been by the time he arrived.

or completely drained.

**Gremlin** · 4th April 2011, 04:15

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Extra handy tip:
Move well to the left of your lane when any large vehicle, esp those with flat fronts, is approaching. That way, you miss most of the buffeting when it passes.
Also, if there is a wind blowing at all, this changes the dynamics of said buffeting...ie if the wind is coming from your right, the buffeting will be worse. But negligible if coming from your left.

Just to add to that, if I do detect trouble from the approaching truck, just before it passes me, I steer towards it rendering most buffeting null... even on the far left of the lane you can get buffeted, and then you have nothing to your left to steer on to...

**cooky1975** · 4th April 2011, 08:38

im thinking in a couple weeks

**The Singing Chef** · 4th April 2011, 17:37

Originally Posted by cooky1975

im thinking in a couple weeks

Any paticular days in mind, if all goes to plan i will have a wed and thursday off, so could leave on tue arvo if you wanted to ride with me?

**sinned** · 4th April 2011, 17:47

My first bike was a Francis Barnett 200. Rode that from Wellington to Havelock North and return on a few occasions. They were slow and tiring trips but when those are your only wheels you do what you have to do.

**CookMySock** · 4th April 2011, 21:21

Shit yeah. The concern is more about your endurance than its'. Take regular breaks, drink plenty of water, keep stress free, don't tailgate or speed, etc etc.

**ellipsis** · 4th April 2011, 23:06

...theres nothing better than going for a ride on your bike...it aint fast ...stick to the recommended speed...it actually gets you there as fast as a twat chopping up cagers...dont be freaked by shit...you are in control, and only you can let that control drift...if you want to piss, stop...take wet weather gear and use it before you get wet..dont let your surroundings intimidate you..be aware...theres far worse places to be than on the road...hum and sing into your visor...coffee is over rated...fish and chips or a pie work wonders...say hello to strangers and you dont have to wave to every biker on the road...

**ajturbo** · 5th April 2011, 07:06

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Shit yeah. The concern is more about your endurance than its'. Take regular breaks, drink plenty of water, keep stress free, don't tailgate or speed, etc etc.

sorry to come across as a dick-head...

but the whole trip to TGA from Auckland should only take 2hrs... one tank of gas.. and that is on my 14lt tank....

he should not have to stop......

**MSTRS:Me** · 5th April 2011, 08:30

Originally Posted by ajturbo

sorry to come across as a dick-head...

but the whole trip to TGA from Auckland should only take 2hrs... one tank of gas.. and that is on my 14lt tank....

he should not have to stop......

Not for us 'old hands'.
We've perhaps forgotten just how much energy is consumed in the act of riding, because we have developed familiarity with what we encounter and automatic responses to to everything. Which means we no longer get tired as easily.
But for a newbie, 2 hrs would be a very draining ride. It's good advice to take frequent stops and eat/drink (not alcohol) something at those times.

**CookMySock** · 5th April 2011, 08:32

Originally Posted by ajturbo

sorry to come across as a dick-head...

but the whole trip to TGA from Auckland should only take 2hrs... one tank of gas.. and that is on my 14lt tank.... he should not have to stop......

If he's a learner he should at least have the awareness to stop if he "should". Many people don't recognise the "I should take a break" signs either, and theres lots of them.

Sure, you or I can ride hard for 4 hours and not skip a beat. "Should we?" is a valid question though.

**ajturbo** · 5th April 2011, 08:45

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Not for us 'old hands'.

Thems fighting words... i have a sharp stick.... come any closer............

**cooky1975** · 5th April 2011, 08:47

hey guys im looking at taking that run down on the 7th may which is the sat after easter weather depending of course

i'd love a group ride, it'll be cool to get some old hands out there and also some new bies like me