Pure luxury ya decadent b-stard.Originally Posted by Virago
Anorak
Pure luxury ya decadent b-stard.
Kinky is using a feather. Perverted is using the whole chicken
Mr. Responsible
That's exactly what I did, except I didn't buy riding pants til after I had the bike... That's why I ended up buying a $1300 '89 FZR250.
Bogeyman
Never trust a fart!!!
Go soothingly on the grease mud, as there lurks the skid demon
I'ma get medieval on your ass!
Soz to interrupt youse guys but back to the OP:
For a first trip around the Mainland, you don't want to go fast. Enjoy an m/c paradise and take your time. Frankly I think a modern 250 is plenty of bike to enjoy yourselves.
Back in the day (1970s) I did plenty down here on a Suzuki TS185 and never even thought it was tough. Back and forth Dunedin to Invercargill as a student. Warehouse type rain gear and plain helmet. And gumboots. Easy.
Funny old thing about life: its the hard stuff you enjoy most and remember. I suspect you already understand that as a motorcyclist.
Anarchic Wild Child
I had jeans and an army greatcoat (which both still hang in my garage) .. and steel cap work boots borrowed from work ... and a Triumph Thunderbird ... (Meridan 650 for you young fellas ...)
"So if you meet me, have some sympathy, have some courtesy, have some taste ..."
Forum whore
hell yeah
Hardcore Biker
I did (pile'0'shite- marmite sandwich- army coat- nob nails, and beers) and suffering these days for it hence quote...(if I had to do it all again i'd leave the marmite sammie at home).
Definitely waterproof boots and gloves (goodluck), consider 'rainoffs'.
Then there is the gear and sleeping arrangement options (depending on how you want to do it, iv'e done it in couple days- bloody good ride didn't see much, a set of Oxford panniers for the wet gear and my Xmas prese, tent or money for hotel-motels or beers for the mates youv'e crashed in on (all bout same value), avoid eye ripping out bungee cords.
Whatever you get, something that will pass a sheep truck and trailer or milk tanker and trailer with safe ease would be ideal.
Some good old reliable classics out there, XV, XJ Yamaha's wouldn't sneeze at for touring plodders at a good price.
Honda Hornets, good round town on open road, and can be flogged....apparently.
Good tyres a must.
Few places worth a stop but there in that is another thread to start to keep this on-topic.
Last edited by granstar; 8th November 2015 at 15:06. Reason: just because
"If you ever need anything please dont hesitate to ask someone else first.
Anyhoo don't forget to add to calendar 19th May, 27th July, and 31 August.
World whisky day, International whisky day, and Scotch whisky day.
L-Plate Rider
Having not ridden on the road for fifteen years, I bought a DRZ400 SM in August and rode it from Thames down to CHCH over a weekend. Unfortunately the weather involved rain, hail, sleet and snow. Not really the ideal bike for such a journey but I loved it and gained more experience on that trip than I would have done in a month of commuting. So what if you don't have any experience. The only way you're going to gain any is time with your arse on the seat, however uncomfortable it may be!!!
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L-Plate Rider
Went for this beast in the end, apparently it's a classic bike so insurance works a bit differently and it's harder to get spare parts... I couldn't resist though
Cheers for all the replies , lots of good advice and nostalgia ITT
FUN LOVIN CRIMINAL
Treat it with a bit of respect and it'll take you all over the country without a hiccup; a straight forward bike that had a reasonable model run without changes (just colours & minor details to keep up with styling trends of the day). Parts are out there, just got to know what you're looking for.
Hardcore Biker
Good wee allround bike CB 400, should be as reliable as for a round S.I trip with a good once over, check all electrics are good nick, battery, tyres, chains etc.
Over years Iv'e owned 2 x CB 175's, a 550, and now 919, all good fun cheap to run bikes.
"If you ever need anything please dont hesitate to ask someone else first.
Anyhoo don't forget to add to calendar 19th May, 27th July, and 31 August.
World whisky day, International whisky day, and Scotch whisky day.
L-Plate Rider
i have a few of the gn250s and would think any single 250 would be the same
to tell the truth i dont think they are heavy enough to command the road
and the engine i think revs too high -- trademe has plenty of good looking
500 600 cc bikes twins etc saying all this if you had to a small 250 could
do it , --- if you do long trips buy two spare spark plugs and a coil lead
ou will need top quality gloves at lest dont buy sh-t gloves
Forum whore
I had one for a couple of years. It had Oxford panniers and a small Givi topbox. Holeshot called it the "touring version".
Longest single trip I did on it was Auckland to Rotorua. While it wasn't going to break any speed records it certainly did the job.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin (1706-90)
"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending to much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it." - Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
"Motorcycling is not inherently dangerous. It is, however, EXTREMELY unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence and stupidity!" - Anonymous
"Live to Ride, Ride to Live"
Registered User
Budget is always going to be a limiting factor. I watched Baron von Grumble - a youtube motovlogger - travel through the Swiss alps along the Susten Pass on a BMW GS1200, that looks like an awesome touring machine. All the panniers to carry all my crap I must take with me
Fair weather rider
So how did the trip go? Or, how is it going?
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