All round recommendations wanted!

**nicola_a** · 26th June 2014, 22:25

Hi guys

I'm 27 and planning a 2 month motorcycle tour of NZ this coming summer (December/January). I'm wicked excited! It's the early planning stages but I have some questions. I've done some of my own research as well but I wanted some others opinions also. So I've tried to order the questions in order of relevance to the forum.. the later questions are more like, if you have an opinion, please share!

Just a bit about me: I'll be going solo and wanting to spend a small portion of the time (maybe 2 weeks) in the north island and then most of the rest in the South Island near Queenstown. I'm particularly keen on outdoorsy type stuff so I want to do some hikes, some kayaking, some mountaineering, and all of the standard bungee-skydive-hangglide type stuff that you do when you visit NZ as well. So it's not JUST all on the bike - I'll be staying in the same place for decent chunks of time (probably Queenstown for about 3 weeks over Xmas/NY and into January).

OK! Questions.

1. Is TradeMe the best way to get my hands on a bike? I figure it would be best to buy one over there and sell at the end. Might this take too much time up at either end? Should I go dealer or private sale?

2. Any suggestions on a model of bike? Thinking maybe a KLR? I have a small bike here in Australia and don't want anything TOO bulky because I won't be used to handling it. I'm used to having my feet on the ground. Budget is about $5000 and I'd like something about 600cc. I don't care much what it is as long as it's reliable, moderately comfortable and can easily fit luggage racks.

3. Should I purchase a bike whilst still in Australia so I know what kind of luggage racks and bags I need to get in advance? Should I try to get a bike already set up with luggage?

4. Ideally I'd like to do a mix of wild camping and hosteling. Is wild camping possible/legal in NZ? Is it easy to find spots each evening?

5. Anyone have any MUST-DO road suggestions?

6. Anyone have any MUST-DO non-motorcycle related activities? Like hikes, climbs etc.

Thanks so much everyone!!!

Nicola

**Joemac** · 26th June 2014, 22:45

'Wild camping' is generally known as freedom camping here, and, whilst mostly legal, can be a bit of a minefield. Find out about each place before you set up your tent. Also, we get a bit of rain in NZ.

Come on down to the South Island, skip the North altogether.

**Akzle** · 26th June 2014, 23:10

Originally Posted by nicola_a

6. Anyone have any MUST-DO non-motorcycle related activities?

the sex is excellent 'round my place.

**unstuck** · 27th June 2014, 06:04

Buy a bike on trade me, sell it when you leave. Heaps of good deals around.
Must do road is the west coast of the south island.
Not a lot of freedom camping around Queenstown area. Better book any accommodation in advance for that time of year.
There are plenty of walks/ hikes, but most are busy. I can point you in the direction of some lesser known ones if that is your thing.
Skydiving I would recommend you do in Franz Josef on the way down the west coast.
Have a heap of fun while you are here.

**neels** · 27th June 2014, 10:05

Should be no problem finding a bike to buy fairly quickly, selling at the other end could be more of an issue, unless you have a dealer or friendly someone to look after it for you.

Plenty of places to stay if your carrying a tent with you, although it gets pretty busy around the southern lakes over December/January holidays. If you're not looking for too much in the way of facilities then there are DOC campsites along the way http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...tes-by-region/

For most of the adventurey activities the best thing would be to drop into the local information centre wherever you end up, they'll point you in the right direction.

Whatever hiking you want to do the local DOC office can point you in the right direction, or have a dig around on their website, plenty to do that's easily accessible in the south island.

As above, the west coast of the south island is worth the trip (as long as you don't mind a bit of rain), north to south then queenstown via haast pass, wanaka and crown range is great fun.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 27th June 2014, 10:17

Originally Posted by nicola_a

1. Is TradeMe the best way to get my hands on a bike? I figure it would be best to buy one over there and sell at the end. Might this take too much time up at either end? Should I go dealer or private sale?

Nicola

Hey there Nicola,

We can always do a buy back deal should we have a bike in stock you'd like. Had (until yesterday) a good wee SV650 for 4k. I'll keep an eye out for a similar bike.

Pete

**nicola_a** · 27th June 2014, 11:21

Thanks all for your feedback

Originally Posted by unstuck

Buy a bike on trade me, sell it when you leave. Heaps of good deals around.
Not a lot of freedom camping around Queenstown area. Better book any accommodation in advance for that time of year.

Thanks for the heads up - will book for the busy time now and play the rest by ear.

There are plenty of walks/ hikes, but most are busy. I can point you in the direction of some lesser known ones if that is your thing.

Yes please!

Skydiving I would recommend you do in Franz Josef on the way down the west coast.

Thanks! Great recommendation.

**nicola_a** · 27th June 2014, 11:22

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Hey there Nicola,

We can always do a buy back deal should we have a bike in stock you'd like. Had (until yesterday) a good wee SV650 for 4k. I'll keep an eye out for a similar bike.

Pete

Hi Pete, sorry - I take it you are a dealer in Wellington?? It's unlikely a buyback option would work for me because I almost certainly will end up in a different place to where I started, but maybe I can work it if a good deal comes up?

**nicola_a** · 27th June 2014, 11:24

[QUOTE=neels;1130738851]Should be no problem finding a bike to buy fairly quickly, selling at the other end could be more of an issue, unless you have a dealer or friendly someone to look after it for you.[QUOTE]

Hmm would it be best them to perhaps make an arrangement with a dealer ?

Plenty of places to stay if your carrying a tent with you, although it gets pretty busy around the southern lakes over December/January holidays. If you're not looking for too much in the way of facilities then there are DOC campsites along the way http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...tes-by-region/

I'm definitely going to stay in accommodation in Queenstown but was more thinking of the camping for when on the road before and after. Thanks, I'll look into DOC!

As above, the west coast of the south island is worth the trip (as long as you don't mind a bit of rain), north to south then queenstown via haast pass, wanaka and crown range is great fun.

Great, thanks for this. Is there much rain in the south island in December/January? I suppose I could look at some weather stats haha.

**awayatc** · 27th June 2014, 11:25

Originally Posted by Akzle

the sex is excellent 'round my place.

She is coming for 2 months

Not just for 2 minutes........

**TheDemonLord** · 27th June 2014, 11:51

Originally Posted by awayatc

She is coming for 2 months

Not just for 2 minutes........

I dunno - 2 minutes with Azkle would probably feel like 2 months

**Crasherfromwayback** · 27th June 2014, 12:04

Originally Posted by nicola_a

Hi Pete, sorry - I take it you are a dealer in Wellington?? It's unlikely a buyback option would work for me because I almost certainly will end up in a different place to where I started, but maybe I can work it if a good deal comes up?

Yeah sorry Nicola...should've said. I'm at Wellington Motorcycles. The buy back bit is easy enough though if it works for you, as we could always just get you to drop it off at a bike shop where ever you are before you split.

pmcdonald@wmcc.co.nz

**Paul in NZ** · 27th June 2014, 13:27

Or there are quite a few good people on here who would let you stick it in their shed if you bought it early OR put you up for a night or two if you asked but be warned - there are a few dodgy buggers as well.

OK - thats not much help is it?

The North Island is great - yes the south has the better mountains for the mountaineering but swiming in an ocean thats above -20 is nice too... Once you have found your bike people here can recommend nice roads for the riding off.

Other things to know...

Queenstown is expensive....

Avoid the school holidays (last week of dec to end of jan) as accomodation is difficult and the place is infested with (shudder) children...

You don't need a huge bike - we have few motorways...

Cheers

**MIXONE** · 27th June 2014, 14:01

Contrary to popular belief there are actually lots of good coonts here in NZ.Some of them are even kb members,

, who will put you up,feed you and show you the local sights whilst expecting nothing in return.
Then there's the "Ass,gas or cash,nobody rides for free" types of which we have plenty.
Listen to guys like Crash,Paul etc. who will make sure you meet up with the former.
The West Coast of the South Island from Karamea right down through the Hass Pass to Central Otago is just one of the many must ride in your lifetime roads.

PS.If you buy a bike at Wellington Motorcycles stay away from the coffee!