[QUOTE=jmmk;Thanks mate.
But I've done all those things, cafe, pubs, etc. Met a few cool riders and ridden with afew but in general like I said.[/QUOTE]
Mate sorry but if you have had that experience? I would look to yourself, and I dont mean that in a nasty way. Kiwi's are a funny bunch, they appear standoffish to some, they are just sussing you out. Getting in their face? (loud, up front) is the sure way for them to decide your a F**kn whinging Pom etc, and they then treat you accordingly.
Ok 6 weeks in and stuck in motel in Nelson cause of rain storm. I have now spent 3 weeks on each island andI would like to dispel the myth that south is better then north. Did north island first and would hear about 10 times a day how the south island is so much better and friendlier. Absolutely not true.
BOLLOX, did you ride the Southern Scenic route? Did you do the Catlins? Central Otago? the ride to Te Anau via riverton, tuatapere? All I can see is you rode the tourist roads. Before you call me a bloody kiwi? I'd accept it as a compliment, I am ENGLISh by birth, KIWI by choice and lived here over 20yrs now. I've ridden both islands east/west coasts and centrally. Down south there is a lot of Scots/Dutch influence, understand that culture and you'll be sweet! I have seen kiwi's welcome complete strangers into their homes to stay, or for a good evenings beer and barbie; just because that's how kiwi's are.
First off both island are just as nice just different and the people aren't any more or less friendly on either island. In fact I have come to find most Kiwis in general very standoffish and almost impossible to get out of their motel rooms to have a drink and a chat, with a few exceptions. The people I have had the most fun with have come from somewhere else i.e Dutch, Brits, Germans, Aussies and even met and had good time with some Finns and Belgians.
I will say that there is obviously less traffic south island and the roads in general are in better condition but by far the more fun motorbike roads are on the north island unless of course you like to sometimes go in a straight line for hours at a time like many areas of the south.
Also many effin bad Kiwi drivers who for some unknown fucking reason like to cut lanes even on blind corners. Lost count how many times this has happened and caused me an off by Raglan as I was going into a 35km blind curve and some punk came the other way doing about 70 halfway in my lane.
No different to France, Italy etc. THe roads here are narrow, treat them as you would an English country lane... just kiwi's are used to them and drive quicker, trust me I would LOVE to re ride some of the old country roads I used to having lived here. But saying that I do agree that not all Kiwi drivers are considerate of other roads users.
Anyways nice country and mostly good rides and heading back north island for duration of trip to ride the more fun biking roads. And my favorite ride so far is hands down the Coromandel Loop.
Let the debate and inevitable bashing begin. <<< YUP whinging POM, fuck off home
LaterNowhere in this thread did I say I haven't had a good time. Just some general observations and it's been 90% good. I like to do stuff as well as ride and on nice days after have a drink or 2 outside room and meet and talk and learn about other people and places and have some laughs but most Kiwis and some others you couldn't drag out of their motel rooms with a team of horses.
JMMK to be honest mate what you have said there is exactly what will make the average Kiwi treat you as just how they did, either a bloody whinger, or, too bloody loud and in your face. Try having a quiet beer and a chat and let the Kiwi's 'make the first move' so to speak. I think you'll have a very different experience.
I went walking and swimming and flew a Gyro copter at Mt. Manganui, flew a stunt plane and skydived Abel Tasman, cave rafting by Westport, swam with dolphins and sea kayaked in Kaikoura, hot pooled at Mauruiya Springs, swam in lakes by Alexandra (my favorite town on south island)and other stuff and have zig zagged across both islands covering about 80% of NZ. Only part I haven't been is SE corner of south island, cut out because too much long straight boring roads. Don't take offence it's just my observations and like I said 90% good
. Really dont know what to answer here, mate I rode Europe, Ireland, UK plenty for 17 yrs then moved here to NZ. Yes Europe has some amazing rides and scenery, but NZ hads it all in one small country. No other country can you be riding in Fiordland and 4 hrs later be riding through countryside similar to Cornwall, then into valley's, mountains, and the plains like Europe, all within hours of each other without using Autobahns and Motorways. I dont know what your expectation was or is of NZ, almost seems to me that you have an expectation to be entertained and amused and if not? it's a shit holiday. Well it would be, coz kiwi's dun work like that.
I have never been back and have no inclination to go back (UK)...... But I would absolutely disagree with your summation of New Zealanders as a people, and I would as a Motorcyclist tell anyone NZ is GODZONE for riding, especialy the roads down south.
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