Please help me plan a 1-2 week holiday for May/June 2013?

[nerrrd]

Just noticed this thread, crikey, you don't do things by halves, do you!

A couple of things which may or may not have been mentioned (sorry bit of a skim-read):

A pinlock insert for your visor - means you can keep visor down regardless of weather conditions (rain/cold) and still see where you're going without fogging up.

Groovy weather-protection handguards like mine (barkbusters storm) might be a good non-powered option for cold/wet gloves and hands? Can't vouch for how well these work as it basically hasn't rained since I put mine on, but I'm told they can make a big difference. (Actually I've got another set of "universal-fitting" handguards I got off Trademe which didn't fit my bike which I'd be happy to see the back of if you wanted to try some...may not fit your's either though...)

Something called "bone-dry", which you put on leather stuff to help waterproof it. I got some of this for my cheap boots and gloves (again it hasn't rained since I put it on, so can't comment on effectiveness yet).

Basically would agree that waterproof things that go over the top of your other gear are the best option for staying dry in proper rain (unless your gear is high end stuff with gore-tex liners maybe).

Sounds like it could be an awesome trip! I'd love to tour the SI one day...

[sinfull]

^^^^^^^^^^
That nerrrd makes good sense, gloves will last ten times as long in the rain with bark busters on, pin locks are a must, as is a full wet suit (just get one that clips at the ankle so ya can A/ get em on over ya boots and B/ clip tight to stop as much osmosis as possible from happening, a roll of tape is a must as are bread bags for over ya socks !) in case you're forced to travel in torrential for an hour or more cause it will get in ! Once it's wet, it could take days to dry out !

Are you tied in to the day you have to leave, or can you have it floating through those two months ?
Be nice to be able to watch the weather patterns and say "right i'm off next week" Watch the moon phases and what the weather is doing down south for a few months and you'll see what i mean !

As for where down south, again watch the weather patterns and pick a side ! West is best in my opinion, but it can be horrid if the weather is pounding that side !

Personal locator beacon ___Yes

KB contacts for emergencies ___Yes (my number and recovery vehicle available for the lower north if required)

AA plus ____Yes , for around 150 notes it gives ya the reasurence of pick up/delivery even a motel on them in emergencies !

Perhaps even courier a couple of parcels around the country with ya girly bits/dry gear which aint hard to courier on overnight to the next planned stop if it aint needed (so you can have the kitchen sink with ya and not have to carry it)

The rest is a gimme, enjoy !

[bosslady]

* Can I get a charger for my phone to attach to my bike?
* Should I take some kind of jump start battery/charger/thingy whatsit?
* Also any idea on snacks/food/beverages and how to carry these things i.e. water?

[_Shrek_]

Something called "bone-dry", which you put on leather stuff to help waterproof it. I got some of this for my cheap boots and gloves (again it hasn't rained since I put it on, so can't comment on effectiveness yet).

"bone-dry" this works realy well, "But" don't put it onya gloves or boots if they have goretex in them,

Why!!! it turns them into gumboots, & they do not breath when it's hot, so start to smell realy bad

did this with my last pair of gloves

[bosslady]

as for accom there are heaps of KBers that would put you up along the way, that encludes mrs S & myself & others we know

That's very kind of you What part of the SI are you in? I will have to put you on my list haha

[sinfull]

* Can I get a charger for my phone to attach to my bike?
* Should I take some kind of jump start battery/charger/thingy whatsit?
* Also any idea on snacks/food/beverages and how to carry these things i.e. water?

Yes Dick smith for usb male end for ciggy lighter adaption
No
Backpac and pockets for high energy snacks or just a water bottle in ya bag lol

[bosslady]

And go to Nelson and Golden Bay. Stop at the Abel Tasman National Park, maybe do some kayaking there for a change. Although it is winter, so maybe not. Golden Bay has one of the most beautiful beaches ever. Wharariki Beach https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=wh...w=1234&bih=897, deep white sand and a big rock arch. But it is 20 minutes or so on the gravel road to get there.

Damn that beach looks beautiful!

[bosslady]

Just noticed this thread, crikey, you don't do things by halves, do you!

Already you know me so well... lol

A couple of things which may or may not have been mentioned (sorry bit of a skim-read):

A pinlock insert for your visor - means you can keep visor down regardless of weather conditions (rain/cold) and still see where you're going without fogging up.

What is this exactly and where do I get it?

Groovy weather-protection handguards like mine (barkbusters storm) might be a good non-powered option for cold/wet gloves and hands? Can't vouch for how well these work as it basically hasn't rained since I put mine on, but I'm told they can make a big difference. (Actually I've got another set of "universal-fitting" handguards I got off Trademe which didn't fit my bike which I'd be happy to see the back of if you wanted to try some...may not fit your's either though...)

Don't suppose you have a link to this so I can have a gander?

Something called "bone-dry", which you put on leather stuff to help waterproof it. I got some of this for my cheap boots and gloves (again it hasn't rained since I put it on, so can't comment on effectiveness yet).

This actually sounds great! I could use it for the boots I have now they're terrible for wet weather!

[bosslady]

Are you tied in to the day you have to leave, or can you have it floating through those two months ?
Be nice to be able to watch the weather patterns and say "right i'm off next week" Watch the moon phases and what the weather is doing down south for a few months and you'll see what i mean !

I haven't booked my annual leave yet, but once I do yup, I will be locked in. I will have to book it and prepare at least a month in advance.

Personal locator beacon ___Yes

I might have someone that will come with me now so wondering if that's really necessary? Also might look into the app someone mentioned where it will text my location to someone every so often.

KB contacts for emergencies ___Yes (my number and recovery vehicle available for the lower north if required)

Oh how do I get this?

AA plus ____Yes , for around 150 notes it gives ya the reasurence of pick up/delivery even a motel on them in emergencies !

I already have Roadside Assistance but it isn't the extensive package, I am going to see about getting it upgraded.

Perhaps even courier a couple of parcels around the country with ya girly bits/dry gear which aint hard to courier on overnight to the next planned stop if it aint needed (so you can have the kitchen sink with ya and not have to carry it)

I guess I could do this in terms of couriering dirty shit HOME. Dunno... will have to think on it...

[bosslady]

Yes Dick smith for usb male end for ciggy lighter adaption
No
Backpac and pockets for high energy snacks or just a water bottle in ya bag lol

How would I do this for my bike though?? No ciggy lighter on my bike.. clearly LOL

As for the battery thing.. I just worry in the cold weather I wonder if my bike will be hard to start?

[sinfull]

Oh how do I get this?

Keep this thread alive and they'll come, ya have one for the lower north now and from the times i've Met Shrek, he'll be good for his area or know of someone !
There is a section on here where everyone who could, have posted contact numbers etc

How would I do this for my bike though?? No ciggy lighter on my bike.. clearly LOL

You can buy the female lighter addaption at super cheap or the like, also a crimping tool kit with the correct fittings to connect to your battery, an inline fuse is a good idea ! Or ask for help setting it up on yr bike !
Me, i have it so it just has two plug in fittings coming off my battery (well insulated) so i just pull them out from under my seat attach the lighter female plug into em and plug my phone in, when i've stopped !

As for the battery thing.. I just worry in the cold weather I wonder if my bike will be hard to start?

So long as your charging system is working, your 250 should be easy to bump start if you flatten your battery (you should replace it if it's tired and giving problems before your trip)

[sinfull]

Oh how do I get this?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...akdown+contact

[_Shrek_]

That's very kind of you What part of the SI are you in? I will have to put you on my list haha

pm sent....

[nerrrd]

Already you know me so well... lol



What is this exactly and where do I get it?

It's a plastic insert for your visor that kind-of makes it "double-glazed" - googled and found this http://www.pinlock.nl/en/. There's 2 kinds, the better kind IMHO which clips on to your visor (so your visor has to have the clips installed already or you might need to get a new one with clips - not always available for every type of helmet and can be pricey, but worth it) or the stick on kind, which I've also tried but can be a delicate operation getting them to stick right first time (was for me - ruined at least one...) see http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rjfogflm.aspx or possibly better http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/fvlensad.aspx.

Don't suppose you have a link to this so I can have a gander?

Don't know how to do pics here but they're basically the same as these: http://www.barkbusters.net/products/storm.html, except a cheap knock-off version with fake carbon-fibre plastics (awesome!). You'll need a bit of spare space on the inside of the handlebar controls for the brackets; they stick out a fair way to the front and may interfere with your fairing when on full lock - wait, this won't happen 'cos your fairing's already mounted on your handlebars anyway. There are probably cooler looking better engineered versions out there but you can have these for real cheap (like nothing) if you want to give them a try.

This actually sounds great! I could use it for the boots I have now they're terrible for wet weather!

Here's the link I think www.bonedrynz.com (wasn't working when I tried it just now). Saw ads for it in various magazines. The actual stuff is a bit like a jar of honey...uh oh, bees!!

[FJRider]

* Can I get a charger for my phone to attach to my bike?
* Should I take some kind of jump start battery/charger/thingy whatsit?
* Also any idea on snacks/food/beverages and how to carry these things i.e. water?

An Auto electrician can make up a ciggie lighter (female) with a bit of lead. Just clips on to the bike battery. More secure methods can be used if you want to charge it as you ride.

While you are at the the Auto electrician ... get him to test your battery. If he gives it the thumbs up ... you should be fine. (just don't leave the bike parked with the lights on)

Snack/drinks etc ... in a tank bag.