What next ?

[MadDuck]

Ok some of you guys have met me now and seen my size (or lack of it)

I want to upgrade from the VTR 250 although it has served me well. But Damn I am having probs finding summit for the smaller person (humh) that I can handle without killing myself.

At the moment Cagiva Raptor is looking good ...but one can not have too many ideas

[Motu]

Full license?

[wkid_one]

Try the SV650 - it has one of the lower seat heights of the bikes out there. Also - try Lynda's Monsta - that fecken thing looks like a 250 with a great big engine shoe horned in to it.

Also - the CBR's are good value for the shorter people.....nice low seat heights.

You need to consider the width of the bike as well - as you can get away with a slightly taller bike if it isn't too wide.

SV is good value for money at the mo too.

[MadDuck]

Yes full licence 1980s ....just not as mad as I used to be

[MadDuck]

Ta Wikid ...me always keen for good advice

[SpankMe]

I rode the Raptor 650, and it was a good ride with a lower seat height than the SV650. But of cause I can't recommend the SV enough.

[laRIKin]

MadDuck what sort of bike are you after?
By that I mean, size and type.

[claire]

Hey MadDuck

Being 6 foot tall I didn't have to worry about height when I moved on from my 250 but when I was phoning around the bike shops lots of SalesMEN thought I should be buying a ZZR600 as lots of ladies like them due to a low seat height. I've never ridden or sat on one but it could be something to check out. I also have a friend in the UK who is trying to deciede between an SV650 and a Triumph (can't remember which one) and she isn't very tall and I think shes getting some sort of custom seat to help get her feet on the ground.

Claire

[LB]

Also - try Lynda's Monsta - that fecken thing looks like a 250 with a great big engine shoe horned in to it.

Wkid_one is right, try a Monster - new ones are 620, 800 and 1000cc. Old ones are 600, 750 and 900.

I've got the 800, seat height 770mm, but it's very narrow. I'm getting a 1000 as well, I think the seat height is still 770.

Well worth a try. I LOVE my Monster!!!!!

[Slim]

Don't forget that you can get the ride height lowered a bit and there's always the option of getting the seat customised too.

Good luck with the test rides.

[MadDuck]

Thanks for the advice ...oh and of course you would recommend SV Spankme

Amazing how limited the options are when one is short (5'2') and looking for something not to heavy but with enough power to go over a certain speed limit

I will enjoy the test rides for sure Slim....ummmmm but will the bike shops me wonder.

I am also thinking of riding to Christchurch next summer for cousins wedding...250 is way out of the picture for a long ride like that me is thinking.

Thoughts? How long would you take to do such a long haul from north of auckland?

[RiderInBlack]

Did Whangarei, Haast, Duniden and return to Whangarei on a GSXR250 with a 80L backpack strapped to it and still managed the old 160KPM Trip took less than 10days (about 400-500Km per day)and I would hessate to do it again on a simialar 250. Known someone who's done Christchurch to Whangarei in 2 days in a "can", but don't recommend it. 3-4days OK from Whangarei to Christchurch (3day if you start from Auckland). I'd do Whangarei-Toupo (you could go further starting from HCoast); Toupo-Wellington-Picton-Blenheim; then Blenheim to Christchurch. Check-out different Ferry prices and crossing times (I like late mornings-lunch departures as it gives me a spell between rides, with time to spend on the other side). There is an other company crossing the strait and friends have given good feeedback on how well they treat bikes and bikers.

Have done a simialar trip on the VFR750 (it made mince meat out of the trip) and look for to next year with the CBR.

Hope that helps

[Posh Tourer :P]

Agree with RIB, 250 will be fine over that distance. It'd be like doing it in a 1.3litre corolla.... not a problem. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend travelling on a 250, I did Auckland to Hahei (about 250km) nonstop (apart from petrol) on an old (1980s) 250, quite comfortable. I would also take 3 days, sounds like a good plan RIB, maybe going further then Taupo the first day...

[vifferman]

I am also thinking of riding to Christchurch next summer for cousins wedding...250 is way out of the picture for a long ride like that me is thinking.

Thoughts? How long would you take to do such a long haul from north of auckland?

In '94, I rode from Hamilton to Christchurch on my VF500. I'd only had it a short time, and it was the first road ride of more than a couple of hundred km I'd ever done. I rode to Taupo, stopped for lunch, then carried on to Wellington, spent the night, then off to Chch the next day (took the 7:30 ferry, IIRC, and arrived about 3 or 4 pm). I was lucky in that it was September, and not too cold (no snow!)
Coming back a couple of years later (in December) I rode from Chch to Wellington (via the ferry, of course) in one day, then Wellington to Inglewood to Tauranga the next day.

Seeing you are north of D'Auckland, I'd allow 3 days at least, mebbe 4 if you want to make it less of a trial.

You could do it on the 250, but a bigger bike with more grunt if you strike any wind would be less tiring for sure. Also, something with at least a bikini fairing would help for making you less tired.

If you can make the trip with someone else, it will make it more interesting too. I picked up a VFR rider on the Desert Road, and we rode together for a while (including passing a cop at >>100 kph at Taihape). Then I met someone on the ferry, who was going to Oamaru, so we rode together till Christchurch. Coming back, I was following/leading my family who were in the car - not quite the same thing...

Here's another tip - take your own decent tie-downs for on the ferry, and work out beforehand how you're going to tie it up. Unless things have changed, they supply only pieces of rope, which are invariably manky, salty, and shitty, and not too easy to get your bike tied down with, esp. without marking the paint or damaging anything (even if you're an expert like me).

[MadDuck]

hhmmmm..3 days, thats 3 days going and 3 days coming back with having a good snoop around in between.

Thanks for the comments but not sure about time off work blah blah blah. That ferry crossing now looks like not a good option unless I have BIG bungies.

I obviously have (just a few) months to sort myself out. May even fly done and hire once there so I can just cruise the Sth Island for a while.