Biker and new to New Zealand

**release_the_bees** · 13th March 2012, 13:00

If you want to have a look at the quality of some of the roads, you can use Google Street View. A lot (but not all) of the NZ roads are in there.

**_Shrek_** · 13th March 2012, 20:46

Originally Posted by nathanwhite

I'll take you up on that later this year when i'm looking to get my big boys bike

I live a wee way sth of welly but bought my last bike from Pete, he doesn't squeal when you

"HOW MUCH" but when the deal is done every one is happy

**Zyre** · 14th March 2012, 04:49

Lots of good information, thank you!

I'm thinking a Third Party insurance including fire and theft would be sufficient for a bike in my price range. If I can get a good buyback deal I might go for a more expensive bike. Going to send e-mails to a few dealers and see what they have to say.

After checking a few of the more "remote" roads it seems like they are quite similar to the country roads here in Sweden. I think ours might actually be a bit worse cause of the frost we get in the winter.

About gear. At home I usually ride with a 2-piece Berik leather set, but I'm thinking textile would be more comfortable in NZ (the textile clothing I do have is low quality). Haven't found many websites that sell motorcycle clothing around Wellington which makes it hard to compare prices, unsure if I should buy in Sweden or NZ. I'll probably bring my helmet, gloves etc.

What's the tempo like on the roads? In Sweden it's pretty calm on the roads, but I've also been in countries like France and Portugal(Azores) where it can be pretty chaotic at times.

**nathanwhite** · 14th March 2012, 06:13

Depends on where you are. For country roads and non-main highways, most people stick to, or just above the speed limit. About 20-30% of drivers will go slower then the limit prompting you to overtake. That said on those kind of roads there is not a lot of people around to begin with. Once you get onto main highways (eg, SH1) the speed stays the same but the traffic volume intensifies to the point where there will always be cars around you. You have to watch out there because some people pull really rude/arrogant/dangerous maneuvers.

**MSTRS:Me** · 14th March 2012, 07:32

Originally Posted by nathanwhite

Depends on where you are. For country roads and non-main highways, most people stick to, or just above the speed limit. About 20-30% of drivers will go slower then the limit prompting you to overtake. That said on those kind of roads there is not a lot of people around to begin with. Once you get onto main highways (eg, SH1) the speed stays the same but the traffic volume intensifies to the point where there will always be cars around you. You have to watch out there because some people pull really rude/arrogant/dangerous maneuvers.

Doesn't sound like any place in NZ...
Zrye - the speed limits on NZ roads often bear little resemblance to the type of road. Open road limit is 100kph, but few people seem to travel at that anymore. The de facto speed limit is more likely to be 90-95. Our 'main' roads are numbered (State Highway 1, for instance, and is the major road from one end of the country to the other)), but that is not an indication that it is well-maintained and in top condition. But then it does carry the most traffic, tends to have the heaviest police presence, and is boring...to be avoided if at all possible. The higher the number, the more likely it is to be a road a biker would want to ride. And if the road is named, rather than numbered, even more so as a rule.

**Zyre** · 14th March 2012, 07:52

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Doesn't sound like any place in NZ...
Zrye - the speed limits on NZ roads often bear little resemblance to the type of road. Open road limit is 100kph, but few people seem to travel at that anymore. The de facto speed limit is more likely to be 90-95. Our 'main' roads are numbered (State Highway 1, for instance, and is the major road from one end of the country to the other)), but that is not an indication that it is well-maintained and in top condition. But then it does carry the most traffic, tends to have the heaviest police presence, and is boring...to be avoided if at all possible. The higher the number, the more likely it is to be a road a biker would want to ride. And if the road is named, rather than numbered, even more so as a rule.

The country roads in Sweden are usually limited to 70-90 km/h and on these roads I usually stay 10-20 km/h above the limit, depending on the road of course. Don't get me wrong, I like speed but above 140 km/h it only gets annoying since I ride a naked bike

I don't mind lower speeds, it's the twists and turns I enjoy the most.

**MSTRS:Me** · 14th March 2012, 08:07

Originally Posted by Zyre

T... it's the twists and turns I enjoy the most.

We've got them in spades...
Here's a taste.

KBs very own Cowboyz...stay on your side Lance.

**nathanwhite** · 14th March 2012, 08:54

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Doesn't sound like any place in NZ...
Zrye - the speed limits on NZ roads often bear little resemblance to the type of road. Open road limit is 100kph, but few people seem to travel at that anymore. The de facto speed limit is more likely to be 90-95.

Hmm, funny because most people for me are at 95-100. Maybe my speedo's out somewhat.....

**oneofsix** · 14th March 2012, 09:04

Originally Posted by nathanwhite

Hmm, funny because most people for me are at 95-100. Maybe my speedo's out somewhat.....

There will be no maybe about it, it will be out and how much will depend on things like tyre wear.

But the speed most people travel at depends on the road, time of day etc. Wellington motorways you generally fight to maintain a reasonable pace even when there is space due to the way people spread themselves across the lanes but pick the right time and everyone will overtake you if you are doing 95k (speedo 100k)

**Zyre** · 15th March 2012, 03:55

So far all of the dealers I've contacted can offer buyback deals. Anyone with an idea how much it will cost me?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 15th March 2012, 06:51

Originally Posted by Zyre

So far all of the dealers I've contacted can offer buyback deals. Anyone with an idea how much it will cost me?

Yep. I answered that in the email I sent you.

Pete

Wellington Motorcycles

**Zyre** · 15th March 2012, 07:12

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Yep. I answered that in the email I sent you.

Pete

Wellington Motorcycles

Yeah $2000-3000 seemed fair. Never hurts to check several sources though

**Crasherfromwayback** · 15th March 2012, 07:20

Originally Posted by Zyre

Yeah $2000-3000 seemed fair. Never hurts to check several sources though

Correct! I have an ER6 here at the mo too!

**Zyre** · 20th June 2012, 08:39

Since I don't want to be limited to paved roads I decide I'm going for one of these bikes: Yamaha XT660R, Suzuki DR650, Kawasaki KLR650 or BWM F650GS. I'm haven't done much offroad before so I'll be learning as I go. Any thoughts on these bikes? I won't be getting anything older than 2000.