Coming to New Zealand for a 6 week tour (Jan-Feb 2011)

**olegeezer** · 13th January 2011, 09:56

I will be coming to your fine country in less than a week to do a motorcycle/camping tour of (as much as I can) both islands. I will be riding on a swapped Honda ST1300 that I arranged with a fellow who plans to tour the US this summer (July) on my own ST1300. I currently live in West Virginia (almost heaven) which is south of the Mason Dixon line nearer to the east coast of the US. I am getting quite anxious about leaving and getting started (a good kind of anxious I might add). I will pick up the bike in Taumarunui and don't really have a fixed plan for the tour. I do want to ride the "Forgotten World Highway" to Stafford? Any suggestions on events to attend, roads to ride, etc would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Joe

**Edbear** · 13th January 2011, 10:18

Well, where do we start? Any road you take is going to be a great ride to anywhere! I'm sure many members here will advise on the best biking roads around. If heading North, the Waipaua Forest is a "must"! It loops left from the Brynderwyn's through Dargaville, through the forest to Opononi with a fabulous view and down the East Coast to Whanagrei. The Coromandel loop is also a "must do" and fantastic biking! From Thames, going back to Sth Auckland via Kaiaua up the West side of the Firth Of Thames is a nice ride too. The East coast has fabulous scenery and biking roads all the way down and on the West side, a trip down through the King Country, or up if leaving from Stratford, (not Stafford, but that's okay) is beautiful as well.

The South Island is Nirvana and all I can say is that no matter where you go, you'll leave NZ with your return trip already planned! Or you may decide never to leave at all, it's that kind of a country!

If you do come up this way and want a bed for the night, PM me. Orewa is 2miles of nice beach with a country town atmosphere, very close to Auckland!

**Quasi** · 13th January 2011, 10:30

Ther are some great rides through the Hawkes baya nd Wairarapa that will take you on your way to Wellington. I have spare beds if you need to rest your weary head for the night on route

**Paul in NZ** · 13th January 2011, 11:48

No spare beds at our shack but happy to meet up or shout you a feed.

**olegeezer** · 13th January 2011, 12:46

Originally Posted by Edbear

Well, where do we start? Any road you take is going to be a great ride to anywhere! I'm sure many members here will advise on the best biking roads around. If heading North, the Waipaua Forest is a "must"! It loops left from the Brynderwyn's through Dargaville, through the forest to Opononi with a fabulous view and down the East Coast to Whanagrei. The Coromandel loop is also a "must do" and fantastic biking! From Thames, going back to Sth Auckland via Kaiaua up the West side of the Firth Of Thames is a nice ride too. The East coast has fabulous scenery and biking roads all the way down and on the West side, a trip down through the King Country, or up if leaving from Stratford, (not Stafford, but that's okay) is beautiful as well.

The South Island is Nirvana and all I can say is that no matter where you go, you'll leave NZ with your return trip already planned! Or you may decide never to leave at all, it's that kind of a country!

If you do come up this way and want a bed for the night, PM me. Orewa is 2miles of nice beach with a country town atmosphere, very close to Auckland!

Edbear, thanks for the consideration for a bed. I may come by to see you and meet a few Kiwi riders. My first bike (after a long time of not riding) was a 2001 Suzuki Volusia. I put 50,000 miles on her and she treated me very well. Took it all over the US and to Alaska. I still have the bike. My garage is getting cramped with the addition of the ST. I tried to PM you but the site said I was "forbidden"? Oh well, such is life..... ride safe.....

**olegeezer** · 13th January 2011, 12:49

Originally Posted by Quasi

Ther are some great rides through the Hawkes baya nd Wairarapa that will take you on your way to Wellington. I have spare beds if you need to rest your weary head for the night on route

thanks Quasi, I do think I will be near, as I assume one catches the ferry to Picton at Wellington. I do love those ferry rides on a "parked" motorcycle.
Cheers,
Joe

**Edbear** · 13th January 2011, 13:27

Originally Posted by olegeezer

Edbear, thanks for the consideration for a bed. I may come by to see you and meet a few Kiwi riders. My first bike (after a long time of not riding) was a 2001 Suzuki Volusia. I put 50,000 miles on her and she treated me very well. Took it all over the US and to Alaska. I still have the bike. My garage is getting cramped with the addition of the ST. I tried to PM you but the site said I was "forbidden"? Oh well, such is life..... ride safe.....

You can email me on ed@yhp.co.nz if you like.

I "returned" to biking in '03 with a GSX600F, (Katana), and had that for three years but the Missus wanted more pillion comfort so we got the Boulevard. Unfortunately I couldn't have two bikes so reluctantly sold the 600.

**pete376403** · 13th January 2011, 19:28

We have spare beds and are located about 30kms from Wellington ferry terminals. Quasi's accomodation is a little further north, (but with one of NZs best hill roads to compensate).

Depending on what time your ferry sails might determine where you stay. ie if you're on the 0830 boat reporting time is supposed to be 0700, so it could make for a pretty early morning start. There are mid and late afternoon boats as well
http://www.interislander.co.nz/Timetable.aspx

(The forbidden PM thing is probably becuase your post count isn't high enough)

**dogsnbikes** · 13th January 2011, 20:24

Originally Posted by olegeezer

I will be coming to your fine country in less than a week to do a motorcycle/camping tour of (as much as I can) both islands. I will be riding on a swapped Honda ST1300 that I arranged with a fellow who plans to tour the US this summer (July) on my own ST1300. I currently live in West Virginia (almost heaven) which is south of the Mason Dixon line nearer to the east coast of the US. I am getting quite anxious about leaving and getting started (a good kind of anxious I might add). I will pick up the bike in Taumarunui and don't really have a fixed plan for the tour. I do want to ride the "Forgotten World Highway" to Stafford? Any suggestions on events to attend, roads to ride, etc would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Joe

Depends on where you will be and when,

There is the woodstock rally at the end of the month http://www.special-solutions.net/bik...lly__2011.html or the national Triumph rally the 2nd weekend of Feb http://www.tomcc.co.nz/rallys.htm,

We are heading too http://www.wings.org.nz/ next weekend on the bike so your welcome to join us and we can show you some of the back roads,

The doors always open if you need a bed

**Smifffy** · 13th January 2011, 20:41

have sent you a PM

The Moll is from that part of the world too, except further south, and possibly further east.

**olegeezer** · 14th January 2011, 04:34

Thanks to all for your suggestions and offers. I have been out shoveling snow this morning, which makes New Zealand sound even better!! Still can't PM till I get my post count up..... so I'll try to keep posting.

**olegeezer** · 14th January 2011, 04:58

Just curious, what does L-Plate Rider mean??

**Edbear** · 14th January 2011, 06:21

Originally Posted by olegeezer

Just curious, what does L-Plate Rider mean??

It means you are a newbie here. Your label changes over time and post count. An L-plate here is a yellow and black label affixed to a car or bike that tells everyone they are a learner driver/rider and hopefully the other road users will give them a bit of consideration.

**Highlander** · 14th January 2011, 06:30

When heading to the Eastern side of the North Island, I would suggest doing the Waioeka Gorge (SH2 between Opotiki and Gisborne) and the alternate route between the two points via the East Cape (Highway 35). Fuel can be a bit scarce depending on time of day and day of week around there but Mr Shafty's ST should do that on a tank without issue.
Gisborne to Napier is well worth doing while you are in the neighbourhood.

In General If it were me I'd be looking to spend as much time as I can off State Highway 1.

**Smifffy** · 14th January 2011, 07:33

Originally Posted by Highlander

When heading to the Eastern side of the North Island, I would suggest doing the Waioeka Gorge (SH2 between Opotiki and Gisborne) and the alternate route between the two points via the East Cape (Highway 35). Fuel can be a bit scarce depending on time of day and day of week around there but Mr Shafty's ST should do that on a tank without issue.
Gisborne to Napier is well worth doing while you are in the neighbourhood.

In General If it were me I'd be looking to spend as much time as I can off State Highway 1.

Completely agree, although State Highway 2 has some lovely sections.