Belgian biker visiting NZ at the end of the year

**dogsnbikes** · 10th February 2013, 09:36

Hi Tagger

Welcome and cheak out Frank and Simones adventures http://www.krad-vagabunden.de/

**Tagger** · 11th February 2013, 21:31

Originally Posted by dogsnbikes

Hi Tagger

Welcome and cheak out Frank and Simones adventures http://www.krad-vagabunden.de/

aaah, what a life ... i'm jealous :P

**arkeo** · 16th February 2013, 13:12

Just come back home yesterday after one month in NZ, two weeks on bike...

My mate and I didn't bring our bikes with us for several reasons, but as in such cases everything depends on the personal context. I am not too wealthy, to say the less, and I could not afford the great cost for temporary import/export, let alone several other problems in such cases, like the time needed to fix little annoyances - and it is likely to meet some when importing a bike. On the contrary, I am happy with what we have done. In other words a local and very reliable agency in NZ that provided everything at a reasonable cost and we didn't lose a single day. I planned this travel for a couple of years and of course I considered cost vs days in NZ - it came out that it would have been cheaper to bring my bike for about more than 40 days on bike, but we had 4 weeks only and we wanted to tramp on the Routeburn. But IMHO it would a pity to spend all the time in NZ on bike because is a country unique in the whole world. This is particularly true for those who live in the overcrowded Europe and by no means I regret the schedule we planned. There are a lot of things to see and to do.

As you can imagine, each guy is a story. You may be very wealthy and at the same time you could be the kind of person who enjoy only his own bike... So, the global evaluation would be different. Also, what can one expect and find with respect to everything one is used to? From my point of view, the routes I enjoyed and I found similar to those in Italy are clustered in not too many zones such as Otago and CHCH peninsulas, some passes among the mountains, the magic Forgotten World Highway and so on. From my point of view most part of the km we made were on routes not conceived for bikers. In fact, we met much more bikers on Harley and similar with respect to much less sport bikes. Of course all this is not a critic for bikes like HD, simply it is impossible not to note the differences from one's own environment and I am sure I would have appreciated an HD or similar bike if I had one at hand.

There are several other things that I could say but, as above, there are too many personal issues and factors to make sense writing general rules in the stone. Surely you too have your ideas clear as I had mine when planning.

I am sure that any European will be pleasantly stunned by the country and the people, as happened to me. It was with great sorrow I had to leave.

Bye!

Apx.

**Tagger** · 19th February 2013, 01:58

Originally Posted by arkeo

You may be very wealthy

I wish

Unfortniatly just an average joe like most on this forum. This is going to be a "once in a lifetime" thing so i have some money set aside... but all quite modest so that's why i need to calculate the "big expenses" as soon as possible so i can deal with that. You are right, everybody's story is different. This is exactly why i want as much different input as possible so i can make up my own mind. Thanks for your story.

I managed to get in touch with Nobby in pm and he has been very helpful as well

**aklmotohire** · 20th May 2013, 14:25

Can I just offer an opinion on renting? A 4 week rental in November/December on something like a Suzuki 650 V Strom is going to cost you around NZ$3360.00 total (NZ$120.00/day). This will include the insurance, a full set of hard luggage and roadside breakdown assistance. You will also not need to worry about insurance, on road licensing, safety certificates, tyres or other maintenance headaches.

There will be an insurance/security bond which you could lose if the bike is badly damaged or stolen, but from my experience this is very rare. You will also have a bike ready and waiting for you when you arrive, rather than having to deal with people selling their bikes who have an inflated opinion of what their bikes are worth.

A 650 V Strom is a fantastic bike for touring NZ. Easy to ride with good handling (for it's purpose), handles our conditions well (is fine on gravel), comfortable and has a good fuel range.

**Jjgres** · 22nd May 2013, 01:56

Buying then selling when you leave is a good option. Look into something like a cheap Suzuki DR650. I bought one in Perth (2008) new for $7800 AUD rode it 5 weeks/ 14,000K and sold it in Melbourne for $5000 AU cash.

Cheap rent and the bike was reliable. I posted the thing for sale while I was closing in on my leave date. Work the forums. Most people on forums are honest.

Buy from a dealer and they handle the paperwork, you just hop on and go.

**Jjgres** · 22nd May 2013, 02:06

Also- we'll be there Nov 10th for 3 weeks. I'll keep an eye out for Tagger. (Even though it tends to dry out)

**BigB** · 22nd May 2013, 12:49

Hi Tagger

Welcome to the site.

Where in Belgium are you from? I only ask as my wife and I lived in Brussels for 9 months in 1999 - 2000 and had a great time. You will find riding in NZ a bit different that's for sure....

We are based in Auckland on the north shore so if you need a place to crash you are more than welcome. We have been all over NZ so can give you some idea's re place's to go and travel time lines

any way look forward to hearing form you.

cheers

Brian

**Tagger** · 27th May 2013, 20:03

Currently, in my head right now i have a 2 month trip planned, roughly 1 month north island and 1 month south. (or 5 weeks-3 i don't know) leaving the first and last week to get my affairs in order (Doing the sightseeing-touristy stuff). Renting does get expensive that way, and i have seen that on trademe there are some reasonable bikes (the NZD beeing 1.6 to the EURO helps a lot, let's hope it stays that way).

a DR650 did look like something that would fit my needs the best (or an old bmw 650gs, but i would have to look out for a good deal)

I will be doing a lot of riding but some hiking etc. as well.

I think the date i aim for will be arriving +- the 1st of december and leaving +- the 3rd of februari. Going to book early july so i will have my dates sorted out by then.

Jigres: With these plans it looks like we will JUST miss each other, but who knows, maybe we'll bump into each other at the airport :P But if you're still in the country or if would be there earlier, i would be very interested to hear your experiences !

BigB: I am from Ghent ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghent ), but i work in Brussels so i know that city rather well, nice to hear that there will be somebody there who will understand my craving for waffles, beer and chocolat when i'm there :P
Nice of you to offer the place and the stories, i will keep you informed on how my plans evolve. And if you're ever back in Belgium, just let me know so i can redo the favour!

**OlisQ** · 28th June 2013, 23:21

Hi Tagger,

brought my own Dakar to for three weeks in January. The reason was quite simple: I took part in the DB1K, which I probably wouldn't have been able to with a rental bike. Even more: searching and reselling a suitable bike in three weeks time would've been a hard job.
It was a great thing to have my own bike, which I'm knowing inside out.
But, first of all: it was ridiculously expensive and I had some trouble getting the bike within schedule. The way home was also... let's say... challenging
I prefer calling it extravagance to calling it idiocy

From my experience: try to buy a bike, prepare yourself before regarding insurances. There are a lot of nice mates here in the forum, who can surely help you.

If you're intrested in pics of the trip: www.betriebsfarbe.wordpress.com

Oli

**Tagger** · 1st July 2013, 07:48

Ok, big step today and booked my flight! i will be arriving 30th of november and leaving the 5th of february. Hope to meet a lot of you guys in those two months...

Nice looking blog, OlisQ !

**Ratti** · 30th July 2013, 19:36

You dont want to get an old beemer here, they are horribly expensive to fix should something go wrong. I like the Wee Strom for comfort and handling. Bald Eagle and I are in Wellington. Close to the ferry you will need to use to get from North Island to SOuth Island. Happy to offer you a couch and Ratt Poison ( aka home made spirits ) should you need a bed going either way. WE do it for a lot of riders, both locals and foreign visitors. We have a huge shed and room to put stuff. Keep us in mind. We hosted Nobby for a night each way, he is a really neat chap.

cheers
Also willing to show you a cool road between Whanganui and Raetahi, as long as you are comfortable on a rough surface that gets pretty loose in places, what the heck, if BE can do it on a Suzuki Boulevard then you can sure do it on the Wee Strom.

**Tagger** · 6th August 2013, 02:52

Originally Posted by Ratti

You dont want to get an old beemer here, they are horribly expensive to fix should something go wrong. I like the Wee Strom for comfort and handling. Bald Eagle and I are in Wellington. Close to the ferry you will need to use to get from North Island to SOuth Island. Happy to offer you a couch and Ratt Poison ( aka home made spirits ) should you need a bed going either way. WE do it for a lot of riders, both locals and foreign visitors. We have a huge shed and room to put stuff. Keep us in mind. We hosted Nobby for a night each way, he is a really neat chap.

cheers
Also willing to show you a cool road between Whanganui and Raetahi, as long as you are comfortable on a rough surface that gets pretty loose in places, what the heck, if BE can do it on a Suzuki Boulevard then you can sure do it on the Wee Strom.

I like the way you think

i will contact contact you within the next couple of months to work something out.

**Tagger** · 7th October 2013, 08:37

put my bike up for sale over here in Belgium... if i do that, it means i will know my budget for a bike once i get to NZ... exciting times !

**Paulo** · 7th October 2013, 17:16

hey Tagger i see you want to do a bit of hiking (we call it tramping here) , I would suggest when you 'go bush' you find a local person who can store you bike while you are tramping /camping. as great as NZ is there are a lot of thieving bastards who will happily stuff you bike into the back of their van or truck, if they see it parked at the head of a trail. I'm not trying to put you off just would hate you to have your trip ruined. if your in Wellington send me a P.M if you need a hand with anything. : )