What's it like there

[Zed]

Hi Guys,

This is my first message on your forum but I'm sure it won't be my last. I'm due to move to NZ in the next 6 - 9 months. As a fanatic bike rider I'm wondering what the scene is like there...

Welcome to Kiwibiker, I hope the move over to the Land of the Long White Cloud (Maori saying) goes smoothly for you!

I ride a 2004 R1 and I'm in to trackdays (which are big here in the UK)... I have a few questions...

• Should I bring my bike there or sell it here and buy one down there (Its worth about NZ$17,250 here)

The '04 R1 is a fantastic machine. If it was me I'd have to consider how much I love and appreciate bike, and how much time and money I've invested in modifications, etc before I decide on whether or not to ship it over?

• What is the track day scene like around Auckland ?

There's usually a handful of bikes that turn up to the track days, sometimes up to 30 on a good day. Probably not as popular as in the UK?

• Is Pukekhoe the only track in the area ?

Puke track is about 40mins ride from Auckland city. Check out the calender here for the track day timetable. The next closest track to Ak is in Taupo which is about a 4 hour ride away. There are plans to build another track just south of Auckland in Hampton Downs in the near future, should be awesome once completed!

• What is the road riding scene like - people keep telling me NZ drivers are dangerous...!!

Road riding scene is great IMO. Roads and scenery are spectacular in many parts of this country. There are regular KiwiBiker road rides leaving Auckland most weekends so be sure to get involved when you get settled in, we'll show you the right roads to ride!

[Mort]

Thanks Fellas... lots of good info there....I think I will sell it and buy over there.

Cheap track days sound cool - here they are bloody expensive (average full day cost with fuel/transport/accomodation etc is £200+ ($450 +) and there can be 150+ bikes on a day.... Mind you riding places like Donington is pretty special....

Hampton Downs sounds interesting - lets hope they get that sorted and attract some big races there....

You're a vociferous lot aren't you.!!!... I like that...

[justsomeguy]

You're a vociferous lot aren't you.!!!...

Yes it's winter and we can't ride as much as we like.........

[loosebruce]

Yes it's winter and we can't ride as much as we like.........

Dont know what you're talking about ya pussy, i'm riding every day.

Yes you should sell the R1 and buy a GSXR1000K1-5 as they are all better than what you have.
The track scene is not too bad if you're up for a bit of travel, car and trailer would be a good investment, and plus then you could give dickheads like me a ride to the track and back.
Pukekohe isn't the only track round Akld, SH22 and SH16 is pretty good and the Coromandel loop (SH25) is well worth it, and what makes it better is the latter 2 they dont charge you an entry fee and you don't have to wait 40mins between sessions, only there are these fellas with red n blue lights on there cars that try racing you all the time, don't know whats with that or why they bother they can never keep up, but it doesn't seem to dishearten them as they keep on at it.
NZ has it's fair share of crazys on the road, as does anywhere, dont let that put you off.

[Quasievil]

Mate dont listen to the fool above he is dilusional like many, thinking a GSX is better than most YEAH RIGHT, forget the GSX and go for a Kwaka ZXR636 all the cool guys ride these here in NZ, the pussies generally stick to the Gixxers, not sure why.

But compared to England mate you will love the scene over here look forward to meeting you sometime soon

[loosebruce]

, forget the GSX and go for a Kwaka ZXR636 all the cool guys ride these here in NZ, the pussies generally stick to the Gixxers, not sure why.

Thats cause the pussies like to stay out front ya bald beaver, of course if you'd like to prove that theory wrong, what ya upto in the weekend, the only time i've seen the back of a Kawaka is when i catch and pass the bloody things.

[Quasievil]

Thats cause the pussies like to stay out front ya bald beaver, of course if you'd like to prove that theory wrong, what ya upto in the weekend, the only time i've seen the back of a Kawaka is when i catch and pass the bloody things.

Ya cheeky prick
Nah in Auckland buying a car for the fembot and having a drink or sumfing
the only time I see your rear end is for the milli second it takes you to pass me and disappear around the next corner, one day son one day !!
get on the track on a 400 and I will give ya a run for ya money pizza boy

[loosebruce]

get on the track on a 400 and I will give ya a run for ya money pizza boy

you're on buddy, i'm sure someone will lend me a 400cc, Chris, Sudeep, anyone..........

[Toast]

"There's usually a handful of bikes that turn up to the track days, sometimes up to 30 on a good day. Probably not as popular as in the UK?"

Last time I went to Puke for an open day, 5 was the most bikes there was all day. I got about 200kms of lapping in by the end of it I think. Not bad value for $90, especially compared to $450-ish...Christ that made my eyes water.

[Zed]

Last time I went to Puke for an open day, 5 was the most bikes there was all day. I got about 200kms of lapping in by the end of it I think. Not bad value for $90, especially compared to $450-ish...Christ that made my eyes water.

Excellent value for money eh! I intend on doing more. I've been to Puke when there's been 70-80 bikes, 30 bikes, and small groups of 5 & 6...like it more when there's not too many, but alas, the KB community is growing so rapidly, by the time Hampton Downs is ready to rumble we'll have hundreds of trackday enthusiasts who have 'cut their teeth' on KB rides!! Still hope Puke doesn't close down to track days?

[marty]

.
Pukekohe isn't the only track round Akld, SH22 and SH16 is pretty good and the Coromandel loop (SH25) is well worth it, and what makes it better is the latter 2 they dont charge you an entry fee and you don't have to wait 40mins between sessions, only there are these fellas with red n blue lights on there cars that try racing you all the time, don't know whats with that or why they bother they can never keep up, but it doesn't seem to dishearten them as they keep on at it.
NZ has it's fair share of crazys on the road, as does anywhere, dont let that put you off.

you cad! the coro loop isn't a racetrack! well not officially.....

[justsomeguy]

you cad! the coro loop isn't a racetrack! well not officially.....

You bastard...... Next you're gonna tell me Santa Claus is fake......

[wari]

...
You're a vociferous lot aren't you.!!!... I like that...

YEah ... butt ... we dont like show-offs 'n' BIG werds that I dont knowda meening off ... .. I Gitt dis-com-bobulated ..

DUnno .. wherr have I ben ..

AHh ... herre I was ... :spudwave: .. well-come .. :spudbooge

.. HAv a grreat day mate .. :spudguita

[Mooch]

The weathers shite
The roads are crap
Car drivers are the worst in the world.
People can't ride and all the Kiwi's are moving to the UK.
No point in owning a bike at all in NZ.

But if you do decided to go, tell you what, I'll give you $1000 pounds to take that embarrassment of a bike you've got.

A friend took his R1 back to NZ , Said it wasn't worth while , ended up owing him $28K and had problems selling his immaculate bike because of being imported from the UK. We have the impression that most vehicles that hit UK roads get caked in road salt during winter and are best avoided if they turn up in NZ. With the NZ exchange rate being good, the 1000 cc bikes work out cheap enough not to bother.
Cost of living is very good compared to the UK, and housing is mostly affordable. If you selling UK property then you'll end up with something superior in terms of size and land area (expect for parts of Auckland).

[Lou Girardin]

Yes it's winter and we can't ride as much as we like.........

Yeah, I can only ride mine twice a day.