Touring lower half NI to Entire SI, recommend a bike and some gear sub $5k?

[TD675]

Im on a totally budget as Ive been ill for 4 years.

But its either now or never, planning to leave mid November.

Im not really a 1000cc guy, prefer 600s due to manoeuvrability. Always been a naked bike guy, never owned a dual sport. Presuming 250cc is too light weight?

So questions

What bike for about $4k bought in Auckland?

Do I need a dual sport?

Which tent/swag would you go with?

What luggage gear recommended on a budget? side bags and just a backpack stand on the back?

What safety clothing? Flappn just sold my gloves, helmet, boots, summer jacket, the lot as they sat around for 5 years, all bought new lol.

Are there any guides to touring the SI already for bikies?

I have a platform in mid Canterbury to launch my lower SI Assults from and take respite ever week or so. I really want to camp and get to know places.

Any dodgy towns to avoid?

Ive never done the BOP side of NI down, is Napier down a good ride?

How many KMs per day is too many for an unfit person who does suffer back issues at times? (hence the launch points to take respite in a proper bed for a week or so)

[johcar]

Good luck and have fun!

Can't really comment on prices - have a look on TradeMe. Dual sport would be my preference especially if you are nursing a bad back, since you won't be in a fetal position like you would on most sports bikes.

Around East Cape is an amazing ride (in good weather) - Whakatane to Gisborne is doable in a day, but you might want to stop and camp at East Cape or Tolaga Bay.

How many km is too many, I imagine you'll have to discover for yourself. If you're carrying a tent, that makes stopping for the night an easy choice...

[Whynot]

Are there any guides to touring the SI already for bikies?

get the NZ Motorcycle Atlas and plan a route then decide what kind of bike you need and go from there.

[Whynot]

What luggage gear recommended on a budget? side bags and just a backpack stand on the back?

Ive never done the BOP side of NI down, is Napier down a good ride?

Soft bags are generally the cheaper option, maybe just look for a waterproof roll bag for the rear seat instead of ventura style backpack racks.

East cape to Napier is good.
Napier to Wellington isn't much better than the other side, bit quieter, maybe try to stay off the main roads?
Rimutaka rd is good, when not windy (not often).

[Whynot]

Im not really a 1000cc guy, prefer 600s due to manoeuvrability. Always been a naked bike guy, never owned a dual sport. Presuming 250cc is too light weight?

What bike for about $4k bought in Auckland?

Do I need a dual sport?

How many KMs per day is too many for an unfit person who does suffer back issues at times? (hence the launch points to take respite in a proper bed for a week or so)

$4k
600cc
dual sport (ish)
easy to ride/comfortable

look for a pre 2012 V-Strom 650

[rambaldi]

$4k
600cc
dual sport (ish)
easy to ride/comfortable

look for a pre 2012 V-Strom 650

OP has a similar set of requirements to what I am thinking about for my first big boy bike. Sort of decided on a V-Strom as well, is there anything I should be aware of to look out for on those bikes?

[Whynot]

OP has a similar set of requirements to what I am thinking about for my first big boy bike. Sort of decided on a V-Strom as well, is there anything I should be aware of to look out for on those bikes?

not much that I know of to be honest, depending on your height you might get a lot of buffeting off the stock screen, so maybe look out for an aftermarket one. givi airflow is popular.

[Maha]

Napier to Masterton...all this is sealed. Obviously you'll need a map but well worth it.

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/dir/Na...40.9511118!3e0

On something like this for all day riding https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/mot...1431397929.htm

Cute little road side tavern at Wimbeldon.

[awayatc]

NZ isn't a very big country....
You won't need a huge bike.
having an as big a range as possible is however a HUGE advantage..(BMW comes to mind..)
In some of the more interesting parts down south fuel stops aren't always handy.

500 km in the seat is a big day for a holiday,
plan to arrive at your stops around mid afternoon...
gives you time to settle in...
plus gives you some leeway
A lot of camping grounds have cheapish wee cabins..
beats setting up a fuckin tent

enjoy

[Oakie]

A lot of camping grounds have cheapish wee cabins..beats setting up a fuckin tent

And often the most basic are not a whole lot more than the price of a campsite.

[Ntoxcated]

I've got some gear I inherited from a neighbour you are welcome to have if it fits.

The-hand-me-down-thread

[clint640]

NZ isn't a very big country....
You won't need a huge bike.
having an as big a range as possible is however a HUGE advantage..(BMW comes to mind..)
In some of the more interesting parts down south fuel stops aren't always handy.

500 km in the seat is a big day for a holiday,
plan to arrive at your stops around mid afternoon...
gives you time to settle in...
plus gives you some leeway
A lot of camping grounds have cheapish wee cabins..
beats setting up a fuckin tent

enjoy

Well said. If you've never been down south before you don't need to be fussy about the bike. You'll have a ball on whatever. Get something in your budget that is comfortable & not too shagged, ideally with luggage capacity already as that can be expensive to add. Decent range is definitely a plus. A 250 dual sport will go anywhere but not fast especially when loaded for camping. Good if gnarly adventure routes are on the menu but you can always leave the offroad stuff for a future trip on a different bike, It'll take you a while before you run out of great places to go on a road bike.

Having the grunt to nip past traffic makes the touring experience much better IMHO but you only need to go to a basic 650 single like a DR650 to gain adequate zip for that.

We love camping, get the details on all the DOC sites as they can be pretty cool (& cheap!). Camping in the rain sucks though so our strategy is often to keep an eye on the forecast & call ahead to book a cabin if it looks like the weather's going to crap. Tourism is going crazy at present though so some places can get crowded, that's where dual sport capability can be good as the campsites that are off the beaten track a bit are often the best ones & not so busy.

Following the east coast down is a must if you haven't been past the BOP. East cape then hwy 2 to Napier, then divert off on route 52 after Napier. Great fun.

Cheers
Clint

[JATZ]

Nothing wrong with one of these ... https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/mot...1431318750.htm
Fuel range is pretty limited though, you'd want to carry a bit of spare. East cape is a must do, some cool roads, both seal and gravel in the wararapa too. Take a tent !! Gives you way more options
I've got a jacket/pants I can donate to the cause if you fit an xxl. Might even be able to rustle up a pair of road boots too if you fit a sz 12

+1 on

[Whynot]

Nothing wrong with one of these ... https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/mot...1431318750.htm

apart from the seat!

[pritch]

When I did a tour of the SI a few years back I was conservative almost to the point of thinking it was a bit soft. The Ducati riders club were doing their "tourismo" at the same time and I kept bumping into them so they were doing about the same distances as me. Later, with one notable exception, I found that the Honda Riders Club planned their days similarly. Basically it's ride a couple of hours, stop for lunch, ride a couple of hours, then stop for the night. This gives you time to go for a walk and have a look at the place where you are staying the night.

Don't plan "big" days back to back, and most people plan to stay two nights somewhere near the bottom of the SI as a rest day/laundry day or whatever.

You need to start with good tyres because a trip like that will pretty much cut out a set of tyres.