Can I prak here?

**SlowHand** · 4th December 2012, 20:51

G'day all, got myself a DT230.

Where are some good roads to get myself used to the bike around Kumeu area? Most gravel roads I know have slowly been paved out.

**R650R** · 4th December 2012, 21:07

Welcome to the forum. google earth is your friend. Hey aren't you right on the doorstep of woodhill forest there, plenty of ride sessions in there?

**cave weta** · 4th December 2012, 22:24

I still love those DT230s

But I had an affair for a while with one o dem TDR 350s- grrrrrrrr!

**Akzle** · 5th December 2012, 06:32

get down to whatipu.
8km of some knarly gravel. then, if you're keen, you can thrash it out to the beach/caves. + the road as far as huia is pretty tight.

**Crisis management** · 5th December 2012, 12:56

Originally Posted by Akzle

get down to whatipu.
8km of some knarly gravel. then, if you're keen, you can thrash it out to the beach/caves. + the road as far as huia is pretty tight.

The road to Whatipu is ok but lots of (admitedly scenic) seal to get there, access to the beach is not allowed so please don't.... If you want to ride beach, either take the bike to the Sandpit (good tyres required) or simply on the beach at Muriwai (when the tides out is easier) and head North getting off at either Rimmers road (where the Sandpit is) or Wilsons road near the Kaipara south head (more fun & better riding).
Get yourself an AA map which clearly marks sealed and unsealed roads, there is 6 to 8 hours riding on gravel between Kumeu and Dargaville with only a few interconnecting sealed parts, link a few together and have fun. If you want a bit of a challenge try Boatshed hill road after it's been raining....

Try hooking up with Sue & Jim with Auckland Gravel riders (or whatever the name is, look at the thread on this page) for easy social rides that cater for all skill levels, they have a lot going on and are commonly held in your area.

If you want a decent days ride head south down the west coast from port Waikato to Raglan and back, most of it can be done on gravel with a bit of planning.

**george formby** · 5th December 2012, 15:24

Just thrash the knackers off it up & down scenic drive!!! I absolutely adore ours, particularly when your giving it the berries in the twisties & you don't bother slowing down when the road turns to gravel. You can drift them on tarmac with a moto x rear tire but carry spare under cracks.

Can't help you geographically but they are easy to ride & go like little banshees if your throttle happy or just plod along, gently sipping petrol if your not.

I'm jealous, I really need two in the garage.

Cave weta, a TDR 2 fiddly shirley. All I need to complete the yamaha full house! FUN!!!

**Akzle** · 5th December 2012, 15:57

+ puhoi valley road up to tauhora (ish) and matakana valley road up to mangawhai (ish) or out to pakiri

**SlowHand** · 7th December 2012, 18:12

Cheers for that. Yes, woodhill is very close, but I got this bike to save on changing tyres. I will have to do it sometime though.

I will have to get myself an AA roadmap. I've also just been reminded I have a NZ motorbike roads guide book.

So far the thing's done 20mins in 2 weeks. Life gets in the way sometimes!

**BMWST?** · 9th December 2012, 14:46

Originally Posted by SlowHand

Cheers for that. Yes, woodhill is very close, but I got this bike to save on changing tyres. I will have to do it sometime though.

I will have to get myself an AA roadmap. I've also just been reminded I have a NZ motorbike roads guide book.

So far the thing's done 20mins in 2 weeks. Life gets in the way sometimes!

how far do these things go on a tank?

**trustme** · 9th December 2012, 17:49

Like Crisis said, get an AA road map . For AK & north try Waitoki on to Krippner road through to Puhoi then over the hill to Woodcocks road , up to Kaipara Flats then try the Kaipara Hills road then back to the Kaukap pub via the Makarau valley for a ginger pop, that's a couple of hours well wasted. Get an AA map check out all the gravel bits & make up a loop.