SI tour, can I do this with only 400km range?

[sgtp]

Hi all,

I have a plan to do an epic solo south island tour on my little 250 ninja. Heres a map: http://goo.gl/maps/3L4BI but to summarize, I plan to this in 9 days:
1- picton to hokitika
2- hokitika to wanaka
3- wanaka to queens town
4- queens town to te anau
5- te anau to milford to te anau
6- te anau to mt cook nat park
7- nat park to chch
8- chch to hamner springs
9- hamner to picton


My only reservation at the moment is cutting things too tight on fuel between my destinations. I know I can go 400 kms on a tank, and sections of my plan that I am not so sure about are between:

Hokitika to Wanaka (over 400kms, and fuel stops on the way?)
Te Anau and Mt Cook National Park (over 400km, but passing thru queenstown on the way there. is there fuel at Mt cook? never been there)

Has anyone done this on a little bike? I am used to long rides, but am curious how others did on 250's.

[scumdog]

Hmmm, off the cuff I'd say you would be OK - my wifes Sporty only has a 200km range on a tankful and we have got around all over the South Island.

[Jantar]

You could manage this trip with only a 240 km range.


1- picton to hokitika
Depending on your route, fuel available at Nelson or St Arnaud, Murchison, Westport or Reefton, Greymouth and Hokitika.

2- hokitika to wanaka
Fuel available at Ross, Franz Joseph, Fox, Haast, Makarora, Hawea and Wanaka.

3- wanaka to queens town
A short trip this one. Fuel at Frankton (Queenstown)

4- queens town to te anau
Fuel at Kingston, Mossburn and Te Anau

5- te anau to milford to te anau
The longest stretch without fuel. Fill up at Te Anau, no fuel until you get back to Te Anua (240 km)

6- te anau to mt cook nat park
Fuel at mossburn, Kingston, Frankton, Cromwell, Tarras, Omarama, Twizel. No fuel at Mt Cook. Suggest you fill up at Omarama whether you need to or not.

7- nat park to chch
Fuel at Tekapo, Fairlie, Geraldine, Mayfield or Asburton, Rakaia, Rolleston, Christchurch.

8- chch to hamner springs
Fuel at Amberly, Culverden, Hanmer.

9- hamner to picton
Fuel at Kaikoura, Ward, Blenheim, Picton.

[Grashopper]

No one ever told me the Ninja has a fuel range of 400 km
Both of my 250s have a range far less then that. The GN has about 200 km on fumes, the Spada probably a bit more. But good to know that it is not a problem to tour the SI with them.

But even with such a good fuel range I would still recommend to get petrol at about every 200 km just in case.

[Paul in NZ]

Well - you probably wont get ALL around the south island with only 400km range. But if you stop and refuel occasionally you should be OK...

If I can do it on an old Guzzi LeMans with a 300km range you should be OK...

[Gremlin]

I'd double check you can safely get 400km to a tank? Sounds like quite a bit. Don't factor reserve in, that's your safety buffer (unless you prefer pushing).

Jantar has covered fuel. Important things to note, is that through Haast Pass, gas is expensive, probably the most expensive in the country. Even Franz Joseph prices are above the norm. Avoid Makarora, unless you want to set a new record for costing you a fill (arrive empty if you wish). You should be able to stretch over the pass, as said, Hawea has gas etc. But decide on whether you're doing detours. Other long section is out to Milford Sound and back, no gas en-route.

A mate did a bit of touring the South Island on a GN250... but he's crazy.

[Jantar]

... Important things to note, is that through Haast Pass, gas is expensive, probably the most expensive in the country. Even Franz Joseph prices are above the norm. Avoid Makarora, unless you want to set a new record for costing you a fill (arrive empty if you wish). ....

I normally fill at Fox then again at either Hawea or Cromwell, depending on which bike I'm on. Fox to Wanaka should be easily manageable.

[unstuck]

I like my tank to stay as full as possible when traveling between Gore and Franz, so I stop and fuel regularly. I only do this so that if I meet someone out of gas, they can have some of mine. But then Im odd. Only needed to do that twice, but it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and I like feeling warm and fuzzy.

[scumdog]

Important things to note, is that through Haast Pass, gas is expensive, probably the most expensive in the country. Even Franz Joseph prices are above the norm. Avoid Makarora, unless you want to set a new record for costing you a fill (arrive empty if you wish).

FFS, it might make a difference of a whole $3...

[T.W.R]

Did most of that planned route on a XT250 nearly 30yrs ago, lot less opportunities for fuel back then but as a rule of thumb fuel up when possible. Don't worry about chasing what range you can get; better safe than sorry. Calculated range doesn't allow for up hill climbs, headwinds, extra load on the bike, and other bits n pieces that pop up when on tour. All said though the wee Ninja will eat the trip

[Gremlin]

FFS, it might make a difference of a whole $3...

It adds up, especially if you're filling a tanker, and it needs premium

Also, (more if you need premium) stations can run out in the more isolated areas... hell, even in town I've had it.

[sgtp]

Well, to be more fair to my range, for 100% highway riding speeds, I can get to 350-360, and then I hit the reserve and try to fill up asap. I have only taken it to 400kms on a tank when I forgot to fill up before crossing the rimitakas and turned around to refuel. The tank on the bike is about 18 liters, so its just around 35-40 to fill when nearly empty...I am not to concerned about rich man fuel prices.

Awesome info Jantar, thanks for that! I did some of these roads in a car, but I dont remember all the areas for fuel. Well thats all I needed to know. Next up is working out the deatils for the ferry and lodging, and hope I can get the time approved by work

One last question, any major differences in weather to consider from sept to december? The rain gear is coming no matter what, but wonder if there is any major weather shifts for this time period.

[unstuck]

When in the south Island, or whatever the hell they want to call it now, be prepared for any weather. The warmer months are usually the flood months along the west coast.
Dont forget to visit Gore, you will kick yourself if you do.

[skippa1]

Well, to be more fair to my range, for 100% highway riding speeds, I can get to 350-360, and then I hit the reserve and try to fill up asap. I have only taken it to 400kms on a tank when I forgot to fill up before crossing the rimitakas and turned around to refuel. The tank on the bike is about 18 liters, so its just around 35-40 to fill when nearly empty...I am not to concerned about rich man fuel prices.

Awesome info Jantar, thanks for that! I did some of these roads in a car, but I dont remember all the areas for fuel. Well thats all I needed to know. Next up is working out the deatils for the ferry and lodging, and hope I can get the time approved by work

One last question, any major differences in weather to consider from sept to december? The rain gear is coming no matter what, but wonder if there is any major weather shifts for this time period.

Pick which side you go down and back with the weather map a few days out. The west coast is awesome my fav ride is from Westport right through to queenstown on a good day....or two depending on your rush. Re gas....you'll be sweet with that range

[Mushu]

If you know your route, plan your fuel stops, then it's easy, I did most of that ride a few months ago on my R6 with a fuel range of about 250km and had no problem at all, just use the trip meter to keep an eye on your range.

The ferry's easy, timetables are all online, a bike is relatively cheap to get on and as far as accommodation just make sure you call ahead if you're going to be getting there late, a couple of times I got into town just as the motels were closing so it was a mad dash to find one to stay at.

Finally, just make sure you give yourself safety margins with everything, organize to get to places ahead of time and don't push your fuel range too much, how close you cut it is up to you but it kills some if the fun if your rushing to make a ferry or get to a motel and there's nothing worse than wondering if your going to make the next fuel stop (except for not making it of course)