Belgian biker visiting NZ at the end of the year

**Tagger** · 4th February 2013, 05:27

Hey guys !

I am currently in the first stages of planning a trip to NZ at the end of the year (november/december?), so i still have a heap of questions. I hope to find some answers in this great place.

I am a 29 year old guy from Belgium wanting to go to "the other side of the world" for a bikeride for a while (going from 1 to a couple of months, still figuring that out as i go) in this beautiful country ! I will most likely be starting this trip on my own.

for now i see 3 options with pro's and cons.

Renting a bike:

+ easyest solution.
+ no headache in pre-planning.
- i can only rent it for a short while before it gets too expensive
- "forced" to ride it all the time and not take a day off to see a city to get the most value for my money (a rented bike on a parkinglot seems a shame)

Shipping my bike:

+ i can completely trust this bike, know it's character and driving history.
+ i can (hopefully) ship my gear along with it while i'm at it so it arives at the same time etc. (?)
+ If there would be any damage along the way, i don't have to answer to a rentalcompany.
- Is the cost of shipping worth it?
- will the bike arrive at the time i want it too or stuck at see for 2 weeks later then planned.

Buying/selling a second hand bike:

+ It's my bike so i can get to know it.
+- (?) does it come out more cost-effective ?
- paperwork hassle
- getting it sold in time (dealer ? ... and see if the loss i make on it outweighs the other options)

so i'm still juggling some plans around. Did any of you either come from europe or made a trip to europe (logistic problems probably beeing similar) that can make me any wiser ?

Is it possible to sell a european registered bike in NZ (combining plan A and B, shipping my bike and then getting rid of it afterwards, 'value-price of shipping it back' would be lower then a kiwi getting a good deal on it) ?

Anyways, i hope i can clear some stuff up the comming months, really looking forward to this trip !

**unstuck** · 4th February 2013, 05:59

Gidday and welcome. Personaly I would buy a bike here and sell it on when you leave. You will know heaps of cool people by then that will help you out. Good luck.

**MSTRS:Me** · 4th February 2013, 06:06

I wouldn't recommend bringing your own bike...too high a risk of not arriving or damaged, plus very expensive.

Hiring for what you want is also costly.

What I would recommend is trying some of the bike shops (if there are still any that haven't shut their doors

) for a buy-back deal. You buy a bike off them and they guarantee to buy it back off you when you are done with it.

**Bald Eagle** · 4th February 2013, 08:09

Get hold of Nobby on here, he recently came over and did NZ with his own bike.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ng-Kiwi-Bikers!

**Tagger** · 5th February 2013, 21:23

Cool, i'll send nobby a pm shortly, thanks for the tip.

"risk for not arriving or damage" ... i hope there is insurance to minimise that risk.

The renting option i am least keen on (and only concider as a last resort). The other big plus on shipping offcourse is all the small stuff. For instance i can pre-test/bring my luggage-gear, i can fit my gps on there, 12v plug ... all costs in comfort which do add up to the cost of buying second hand.

Hope to get the boring parts of the planning cleared out in my head soon, then i can concentrate on the fun :P

**Tagger** · 6th February 2013, 00:45

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Your site involvement insn't enough to use the Private Message system

**MSTRS:Me** · 6th February 2013, 08:26

Keep posting. I think 10 will do it.

**Monkfish** · 8th February 2013, 13:25

By that stage (Nov/Dec) you might even get a few of us to join you on your explorations for parts of you journey.

I know from experience when I road-tripped with mates from the UK, that when you experience you own country with somebodey that is totally new, you gain an immence appreciation of where you live.

**unstuck** · 8th February 2013, 16:59

Originally Posted by Monkfish

By that stage (Nov/Dec) you might even get a few of us to join you on your explorations for parts of you journey.

I know from experience when I road-tripped with mates from the UK, that when you experience you own country with somebodey that is totally new, you gain an immence appreciation of where you live.

Yeah, I get a kick out of that too, some of my English and Irish mates get pretty blown away by some of the places I take them. It does make you realize what we have in this country.

**Tagger** · 10th February 2013, 08:08

If i have a chanse to meet some of you guys and/or if you're willing to show me your favorit places in your area, that would be a great plus to my trip.

**FJRider** · 10th February 2013, 08:56

A few Biker visitors come to New Zealand to tour NZ on their bike. Quite a few of these continue their travels in other countries. So no immediate need to ship their bike home after their tour. (or sell it)

One or two have arranged to do a "Bike swap" with a Kiwi. With the Kiwi visiting their country and doing a tour there. No shipping/buying/selling involved. (just insurance)

Buying your own bike (even months ahead) will save a lot of problems. As far as "trusting" your own bike ... a traveler touring NZ now has suspension problems (broken linage) that no amount trust or care could have prevented. Shit does happen on the road ...

There are plenty of capable and qualified people on here that could check out a bike prior to purchase, and arrange sale afterwards if required. (a small % for their trouble maybe) It would be a cheaper option than shipping your bike prior to ... and afterwards.

**FJRider** · 10th February 2013, 09:03

Originally Posted by unstuck

Yeah, I get a kick out of that too, some of my English and Irish mates get pretty blown away by some of the places I take them. It does make you realize what we have in this country.

Even some (all) of the Kiwi travelers get a kick out of roads/scenery in my area. Even some of the roads that are "Ho Hum" for us. The vast difference in type of roads in a short space of time/distance appeals to many. (Locals and visitors alike)

**unstuck** · 10th February 2013, 09:10

Originally Posted by FJRider

Even some (all) of the Kiwi travelers get a kick out of roads/scenery in my area. Even some of the roads that are "Ho Hum" for us. The vast difference in type of roads in a short space of time/distance appeals to many. (Locals and visitors alike)

Yeah, a lot of my mates in auckland are jealous of the different places we get to ride and or 4x4 down this way.