What's the Craic down here then? (Nearly Homeless Nick)

[Nearly Homeless Nick]

If you do get stopped just speak German. The chances of finding a cop who understands you are slim and they may just give up


The cat may get out of the bag when they ask for ID and see an Irish Name, aint too many krauts called Patrick O'Malley

[FLUB]

If you do get stopped just speak German. The chances of finding a cop who understands you are slim and they may just give up


The cat may get out of the bag when they ask for ID and see an Irish Name, aint too many krauts called Patrick O'Malley

What if you put Herr in front of it?

[Nearly Homeless Nick]

Well if the coppers are daft enough I'll even comb my hair in a side parting

sent from my thingy, using whatchamacallit

[Tazz]

On buying a bike, is there anything else I need to look out for apart from the warrant and insurance

Other than condition checks, maybe money owing? Most stuff under 10k is good, but if it has been used as collateral in a loan that is still being repaid it can be repossed even after you've bought it.

www.carjam.co.nz will give you vehicle reports for a few bucks which includes details on any money owing.

If the WOF is close to expiring it can pay to ask for a new one (I usually say at my cost) just to be sure.

Otherwise it is pretty straight forward here.

Last thing is the change of ownership form, it's about $25 to put it through for a buyer from memory, free when you're selling. That can be done online at www.nzta.govt.nz

[Erelyes]

www.carjam.co.nz

x2 on carjam.co.nz, once you are serious about buying a bike, get one of these reports.
Also x2 on getting something with a fresh WOF. Depending on your mechanical aptitude you may want to take it for another after buying to be sure - they're usually only $35ish. Peace of mind.

Bikewise, check the WOF is up to date. It will last for a year (vehicles under 6yo) or for 6 months (vehicles over 6yo)
Licencing is $200-250 every 6 months so factor that into your pricing. (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/regi...s.html#licfees).
In this country everyone calls licencing 'rego' even though 'registration' only happens when you first get the vehicle on the road and get it plates.
Speedwise, there is a 10kmh grace except on the odd public holiday (5kmh). Getting clocked at 140kmh or more will see you walking home.
Ridingwise, I have been the length of the country and the South Island is where it's at, particularly the west and the south bits.
I'm sure you've ridden a heap so get something you'll enjoy with at least a pack rack (and maybe panniers / pannier racks) and a halfway decent tank. You can stick to sealed roads and have a ball, but there are also some gems down gravel roads too.

Climatewise - well, NZ is a whole ton of different climates scattered around the country. Auckland etc is humid, Wellington's windy, the west coast (of the SI) / fiordland is rainy, Nelson is the sunshine capital, Central Otago goes from one extreme to the other, (farkin hot then farkin cold).... just take what comes really!

Must do's are - Coromandel (take it easy, the bends have claimed lives). Napier (Art Deco capital). Satay Kingdom in Cuba Mall, Wellington (days bay pizzeria too, for that matter). The whole of the West Coast, Fiordland (do the ferry), Central Otago, Caitlin's coast (i.e. most of the South Island).

Get a refundable ticket.... you may just want to stay
And gizza headsup when you're comin through!

[russd7]

firstly, and i cant believe someone else hasn't picked this up, but, if the bloody germans don't want ya then should we
that said, freedom camping can still be done but not in a tent, enough tourist shit left around as it is, and it does carry some hefty fines in some areas if you get caught, you can tent if there is a toilet facility available to use.
best thing to remember leave nothing except footprints behind
get really pissed off when i stop at a rest area to stretch me legs and all ya see in the bushes is bloody shit, toilet paper, sanitary pads and dirty nappies. nothin bloody worse havin to put up with seein all that when ya go for a leak

[Nearly Homeless Nick]

Thanks for the tips, making a tick list of questions.

And a fekking long list of things to do.

sent from my thingy, using whatchamacallit

[FuzzG]

Hey, it might be worth looking at the the ferry crossing as a lot are aleady sold out as one of the ferries is out of service