To buy a motorcycle for roundtrip

[jang]

Hi folks

I am Jang, a biker from Switzerland and looking for a roundtrip in NZ at April '06. My plan is to pick up a motorcycle nearby Auckland and do a journey through the whole countryside during ca. 1 1/2 month.
Now I got a few questions to every skilled biker of this terrain. I would be very pleased to receive any answers of you.

Is it difficult to buy a cheap bike at the beginning of April (Enduro or something else >250ccm)?
Do you know any confidential dealers I need to know?
Is it ordinary to do a contract about buyback (with dealers)?
What's about the weather at April? Is it a good time to do the journey?

Thanks a lot for every response.

Kind regards
Jang

[marty]

classic. now THAT bought a smile to my face.

welcome Jang.

there's plenty of bike shop guys on here. i'm sure the'll be happy to discuss your requirements. you'll have a great time, meet loads of awesome people, and be shown every back, twisty road there is to show, not to mention watering holes on the way.

what sort of bike are you after? a v-twin cruiser? a VFR800-type? a BMW? a dual purpose dakar-type?

[zooter]

G'day Jang, yes April is a good time of year to be buying, more sellers than buyers then. The weather isn't so nice as late summer but the days are still reasonably long and the weather settled and not overly cold. It could still piss with rain for a week at a time mind you.
As far as buyback deals go I have no idea but someone will probably hook you up a deal.

[jang]

It doesn't matter what kind of bike it is.
The only terms it must have are:
- comfortable seat for an upright body (for long trips)
- perhaps an attachment for cases
- power is not so relevant (at least not for my journey in NZ.....) but at minimum a 250ccm machine and 4-Takt Gasoline (do you know that? Oil and gasoline not in a seperate tank)
- best would be a enduro. for streets and country roads

Greatz and thanks
Jang

[terbang]

Guten Tag Jang,
Welcome to New Zealand you will be OK in April in NZ if you are a CH rider as the temperature won't be too cold for you. NZ has a great variety of riding and I suggest you ride both Nord und Sud islands. NZ is much larger than Switzerland. The speed limit here is 100 KM/H and I think that maybe 400cc (say Suzuki Bandit or similar) would be a better minimum for touring here (your choice though). I have lived (Basel) and toured Switzerland on a motorcycle myself and enjoyed the experience and I know you will find NZ much different with a lot of open spaces. If you want a contact in NZ then PM me as Frau Terbang and I would like to return hospitality to Swiss people.

Mit friendlichen grussen
Terbang

[airplane]

Welcome, Jang. You will enjoy riding here, though be prepared for rather more wind than you are used to in Switzerland! April is generally not too bad; however, over a month you will get some bad weather including rain and wind all mixed up together.

I have ridden in Switzerland and really enjoyed it; great roads and nice weather (at least when I was there). Get in contact when you are here; would be very keen to catch up. If you need a place to stay in Wellington, you will be welcome.

[Posh Tourer :P]

There are some places selling cars with buy-back deals, dont think that there are any for bikes though.

If you buy from a dealers you will obviously lose some money on the buy-back, and depending on how much you want to spend, you may be better renting a bike.

Try www.motorcycle-hire.co.nz, www.nzbike.com, www.kea-motorcycles.com/bikerentals.asp

Otherwise, you could buy privately and then sell privately, if you dont mind waiting a bit for the bike to sell. It may be hard to sell, as you will be selling at the start of winter...

[shadow]

april ok feb march proberly the best, bmw f650 would be a great bike for nz roads.

[Mad Max]

You will have a great time in NZ, the riding here is some of the best anywhere in the world. We have a lot of gravel roads which take you to some of the most beautiful places. Since you have around 6 weeks in NZ something like an XT 600 could suit you, there are very reliable, can cope with the gravel roads, are reasonably comfortable and have a sit up straight riding position so don’t miss any of the scenery.

Check out Trade Me, for bikes for sale in NZ, this should give you a good idea of what’s available and also pricing.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/l...der=expiry_asc

Motorcycle trader is also a good site

http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/po...opDefault.aspx

When you get to NZ buy some 262 series Topographical maps, these are great they are 1:250,000 scale so show all the Main highways and backcountry roads. They are available from specialist map shops in the main cities

http://www.linz.govt.nz/rcs/linz/pub...ndex/index.jsp