Some advice on SH35 please

[Ulsterkiwi]

I have some time in September and planning to use a week or so to see a bit more of the North Island on my F650.
I have never been to the East Cape so its very high on my list of places to visit.
I have a couple of questions about SH35 and the whole loop around what is one of the more remote parts of the NI!

How much gravel road is there if I stick to just SH35? I have an F650 but its set up for the black stuff and I have no real experience on gravel.
How remote does it get? I am thinking in terms of a breakdown or off where I need help.
Is fuel an issue? I can do 320kms easy on a tank.
I like the idea of camping any recommendations on campsites?
Any particular sights or spots I should put on the 'dont miss' list?

I wont be pusing hard, want it to be cruisy, lots of stops for photos etc.

thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions.

[STJim]

In answer to your Questions:
1 If you stick to SH 35 it's all tarmac. It a slightly different story if you wish to go out to East Cape.
2 It is remote. I would suggest that having AA membership with the add on to get you vehicle home might be a good idea. I have made use of this once back in 2005 when the bike I had ran a gear box bearing.
3 There is plenty of fuel available during day light hours. Expect to pay a premium price. Fuel at a reasonable prices can be found at Opotiki and Gisborne. The distance is approximately 320 kms. If you are travelling from Opotiki to Gisborne then you should be looking to fill at either Tokomaru Bay or Tolaga Bay. if I recall correctly both have Gasoline Alley's
4 There are plenty of Camp Grounds around the coast
Enjoy your trip.

[Gremlin]

State Highway 35 is a sealed highway. However, you are extremely likely to come across roadworks somewhere, but that's the only gravel. I went through on Easter Weekend, and tidying up from slips after the storms was the biggest issue. If you see an "Uneven Surface" sign, in that part of the country they really mean it. Expect to have both wheels of the ground a few times if you're maintaining your pace. Drops and rises of a few inches is normal on the road (well, I've gone through several times over the years and there has always been uneven patches).

Remote? hmm, not that remote compared to the high country in the South Island, where it's possible you won't see any vehicles in a day, but also, it's not a high traffic area. Everyone uses the Waioeka Gorge if going from Gisborne to Opotiki, so you're on that road for somewhere out there (or a biker). Also, the drivers do act like no-one else is on the road, so be careful. Any assistance if needed usually comes from Gisborne or Opotiki, usual delay and expense there.

Fuel, 330km ish from Opotiki to Gisborne, if you can do that, cool. If you need gas, places like Tolaga Bay, Te Araroa and Ruatoria do have gas, but not always Premium for example and it's expensive. I have enough range to cover the 330km so I've never filled anywhere around East Cape. Never camped, cover more than that a day, so go straight through. Gisborne and Opotiki do have backpackers and camping if you want to stop either side.

Sites, pretty much the entire ride is fantastic

[Berries]

How remote does it get? I am thinking in terms of a breakdown or off where I need help.

Der der der der derrder derder der.

[Ulsterkiwi]

thank you, I appreciate the replies.........and the video

[nerrrd]

Bit late I see but I did this last year on my old f650cs over Queens Birthday. I had a great run thanks to the weather, but it was very bumpy in places and there were some gnarly road works as well. Also a fair amount of wildlife around (a duck and a suicidal stray dog IIRC for me). The landscape is fantastic if you like remote and rugged.

No problem filling up at the self service petrol pump in Te Araroa with an eftpos card, although you may have to queue. Oh and beware of trucks on the one way bits, they don't appear to want to slow down for anyone so be ready to give way if you can (or make yourself very thin if you can't).

[MarkH]

Have fun!
I'm also planning on touring the NI a bit this summer and then doing a decent SI ride the following summer.

[Ulsterkiwi]

Well I had a great week! The weather was not wonderful the whole time I was away but the fun factor and just being away from it all for a few days was great.
I did make some changes to the original plan. I changed my bike about two weeks before I went away, probably not the best timing but it worked out well.
I also covered a bit more ground than I planned.

Kapiti - Wairarapa - PN - Taihape via Vinegar Hill - Wanganui via Ohakune and Raetihi - New Plymouth - Stratford - Forgotten Highway - Taumaranui - Tauranaga. (A stop to visit McDonalds Motor Trimmers) - Whakatane - Opotiki - Hicks Bay - Gisbourne - Napier - Taupo - Slight detour to Waikato to visit family then home via Desert Road and SH1
2800kms, 7 days away 6 actually on the road.

East Cape had the worst weather but a warm welcome. The advice offered was spot on. The temptation is to keep the speed up but pot holes, slips, diesel, log trucks, sheep, horses and wet weather meant I wound right back. No worries though, I had time to look around. Definitely someplace to visit again.
Yes the dearest 91 I have ever bought! Feel sorry for the folks having to pay that all the time.

We are fortunate to live here, an awesome country and the saddle of a bike is probably the best way to see it!