Heading North- Sunday 8 January

[cave weta]

Im picking up a brand new bike from the importers next Monday. My aim is to assemble it in their workshop then hit the road and head north. Loose plan is to ride Bayleys Beach, do the Rawene Ferry, play in the sand dunes at 90 mile beach and meet up with as many ADV riders as possible.

who has got some ideas for me?

[Waihou Thumper]

I presume it is gonna be road legal?
Once you have had enough of sand try Babylon Coast Rd, just out of Bayleys Beach, left turn, head through to Omamari Rd to Shwy 12

I was looking at Waiowhata Rd to Pakotai Rd - leads to a trail
Then try Mountain Rd through to Mt Misery which leads to Waima main range track. I don't know if this is navigable?
Some may have an idea on this site?

There are loads of metal roads off to the right of Shwy 12 that will eventually lead you to Kaikohe the long way, from there you can navigate to Rawene.
Off the ferry then head north with a quick left to Rakautapu Rd - stunning blast along this one....all the way to Paponga, then left/right or whatever....Follow Pawarenga Rd, get out to the dunes if you can. Ask some locals....

Go to Mitimiti, then get to the beach.....

There is a load of great roads in the north, you can cover a lot of ground fast as it is narrow Try Houhora, ride the beach, then cross the river by the campground. That is fun...

PS, if you are assembling it, then ride closer to the main roads and carry lots of tools for the loose bolts/screws that will rattle out given that it is new...

[cave weta]

if you are assembling it, then ride closer to the main roads and carry lots of tools for the loose bolts/screws that will rattle out given that it is new...[/I]

The whole point of this is to show to people that Chinese bikes have come of age.
I will assemble it and PD it myself. They are built to the same quality level as Japanese bikes and I have total faith in them. at under $3500 they are the price that a budget adventure bike should be.
I have just made an awesome heavy duty PVC seamsealed ADV bag that will strap to the bike and carry tent sleeping bag tools, food in a horseshoe shape like a giant bumbag for the bike.
I burned the mounting straps on the prototype on the exhaust but v2 now has that fixed and elastic lacing across the top to help it collapse when 1/2 full. Photos soon..

That little itinerary sounds great. Ill be keen to see what others have too
Mount Misery sounds badass!

[Waihou Thumper]

The whole point of this is to show to people that Chinese bikes have come of age.
I will assemble it and PD it myself. They are built to the same quality level as Japanese bikes and I have total faith in them. at under $3500 they are the price that a budget adventure bike should be. fixed and elastic lacing across the top to help it collapse when 1/2 full. Photos soon..

Latest incarnation of the adventure bike? Photos are a must then....

[Waihou Thumper]

The bikes are built to the same quality level as Japanese bikes and I have total faith in them. at under $3500 they are the price that a budget adventure bike should be.

Put that photo up of the ADV bike in its livery, ready to go....At that price, with a large tank (get talking to them engineers over there)
It IS a good entry level bike for our ladies, or juniors or as you said, budget orientated folk....Quite possibly.
Mind you Stu, a 1987 KLR650 at $1800 might sway some also... You offer a warranty though.....

[cave weta]

so where is the Northernmost petrol? Im thinking Awanui?
This bike will only have the 8 litre tank- the ADVspec ones will only come if these sell well.


KLR650!
a 25 year old, top heavy bike with no warranty and $600 rego- I think not!

[Waihou Thumper]

so where is the Northernmost petrol? Im thinking Awanui?

Nope, Turn off to Spirits Bay has some? ..well, did last time I was there only earlier in the year, 2011 that is...
Great Fish and Chips by the way...AND alfresco dining! AND campground right on the side of the road....
Turn right head into Spirits Bay, DOC campground and wicked views of the coast and the beach is.....

I can loan ya a bladder for the go juice.....strap it to the back of the bike...collapsible and can roll up when done. Proven in the field even.

[cave weta]

Nope, Turn off to Spirits Bay has some? ..well, did last time I was there only earlier in the year, 2011 that is...
Great Fish and Chips by the way...AND alfresco dining! AND campground right on the side of the road....
Turn right head into Spirits Bay, DOC campground and wicked views of the coast and the beach is.....

I can loan ya a bladder for the go juice.....strap it to the back of the bike...collapsible and can roll up when done. Proven in the field even.

A photo of your bladder would be good- Im thinking of making one as I have the PVC and welder- just need the cap and collar. But.... if I just fish a couple of 2 litre Coke bottles out of the last gas station's rubbish bins...... they can then be deposited in the northernmost rubbish bin when Ive finished with em!!
If you leave no air gap there is no pressure problem when they get warm
I just googled northern most petrol and it seems that the Waitiki Landing petrol station and fishnchip shop burned to the ground in October!!

[wynw]

Pretty sure Waitiki GAS is up and running now. Let me know if you need a rest stop around Whangarei

[Padmei]

I'm gonna put my hand up as a skeptic & although I really wish you well with them there would be no way in hell I'd bother putting a larger tank on it - that's only gonna take it further away from the trailer.

[cave weta]

I have never had much luck with soft paniers so when I was given a massive OGIO bum bag I started using it on bike trips. Now I have just made my bike a big bum bag too! it is totally waterproof PVC, it holds about 25 litres and it sits well over jumps and mud holes - its only version 1 and needs some refinement but I reckon that Im on to a good design

[cave weta]

Pretty sure Waitiki GAS is up and running now. Let me know if you need a rest stop around Whangarei

Ill be going up via Ruawai- but back your way on wednesday or thursday

[stormtrooper]

The whole point of this is to show to people that Chinese bikes have come of age.
I will assemble it and PD it myself. They are built to the same quality as a chinese hammer and I have total faith in them.

Good luck mine lasted one good solid blow before bending completely in half, protective clothing would be a good idea.

[cave weta]

Good luck mine lasted one good solid blow before bending completely in half, protective clothing would be a good idea.

They have advanced somewhat- obviously. current models are just awesome you need to see them.

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[dino3310]

tidy looingk adv when she's all dressed up, could be the go when my boy gets his license.
couple of rod holders and a fish bin on the back and he'll be in heaven... couple years to go yet though.