Hello - new here and know absolutely nothing about bikes (Yandog1987)

[Yandog1987]

Hey guys and girls. My pal and I have planned a trip around South Island over Christmas, the only catch is collectively we know next to nothing about bikes other than how cool we will look when we finally get our hands on one.

Got my basic handling test sorted and soon to pass theory test.

Then comes the fun part of buying a bike capable that isn't going to blow up before reaching Wellington

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Yan

Ps my budget is $3.5k max :s

[caspernz]

Your budget is more suited to bus/train travel

[skippa1]

You should start more threads about this

[ellipsis]

...there are plenty of 3.5k machines around that would get you to, and even beyond the Capital...you seem to fit well here already...jellywrestler is around that area, he's a nice boy...

[Akzle]

half of that will be for safety gear, i'd hope. Which leaves you with shitter bikes. Got a mad gsx i could sell you....

[BrendonF]

That is not enough money for gear and bike. You will spend about a $1k just on gear which does not leave much for a bike. Plus you will need luggage for your bike. you do not want to carry a backpack it will hurt like hell after a couple of hours. I would recommend getting a Ventura luggage set, easy and cheapish and very versatile.
Not sure what bikes you can get on a L plates and can you ride unaccompanied??? or does your mate have a open license?
If you can, get a vstrom 650, or a Aprilia Strada (these are available on the Australian LAMS scheme). You will have to come up with some more coin and these are great small bikes for some distance riding. I would not want to ride a small 250 that far.

my previous bike was a Yamaha FJR1300 sports tourer and I used to do roughly 1000km a day on a trip. My longest day was 1400km in heavy rain which sucked. I recently rode my BMWK1200S (way more sports than touring with a top speed of just over 300kmhr) 980km in 12hrs to get it shipped over here. Also do not forget to buy some tools like a puncture repair kit, spanners, sockets etc etc as that might save your ass one day being stuck on the side on the side of the road. Been there before and it sucked big time.