Need advice on a bike to tour NZ.

**FkNAmerican** · 11th June 2007, 05:41

So I figure I've been on this forum long enough for many of you to know me a bit but not so long that you've all decided Im a total fuckwit and ignore my threads........but just in case.....a little history:

First bike: Ninja 250R
Second bike: CBR600RR

The Deal: Im gonna be coming to visit you nutters, maybe even stay a long long while (in Christchurch) and Im gonna be selling my CBR before I go. I've been doing lots of long distance trips on weekends just seeing how many miles I can rack up in preperation for NZ. In the past few weeks I've done some 500 milers (day trips) up in the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain and such.

Last time I was in NZ I spent about 6 months travelling around and such by car, train, bus, and shuttle. This time I want to stay just a wee bit longer and do the whole thing on a motorcycle.

The plan: Land in Auckland and head south, hit every big city and landmark I can on the way down to Wellington,see some old mates along the way, then to Picton and over to Nelson to see some more peeps, then all over the south island until I end up in Christchurch which is where I'll be for the most part. Im planning about 3-4 weeks total time between landing at Auckland and setting up in a flat in Christchurch.

The Question: Im partial to sports bikes but Im a bit worried about spending 4weeks touring NZ on one. So Im debating getting a sports tourer to do the trip and then switching to a sports bike ounce I get my flat in chch or just doing the whole thing on whatever sports bike I buy in Auckland. At the moment Im really thinking of picking up a Triumph Daytona 675 in Auckland and doing the trip on that.....whadaya think ?

**dogsnbikes** · 11th June 2007, 07:43

Originally Posted by FkNAmerican

The Question: Im partial to sports bikes but Im a bit worried about spending 4weeks touring NZ on one. So Im debating getting a sports tourer to do the trip and then switching to a sports bike ounce I get my flat in chch or just doing the whole thing on whatever sports bike I buy in Auckland. At the moment Im really thinking of picking up a Triumph Daytona 675 in Auckland and doing the trip on that.....whadaya think ?

Firstly how much gear do you intend on carrying with you? and do you intend to stick soley to the main road's ? and your budget

Really it depends on what your comfortable with but something like the 675 is rather nimble and would be good for the twisties

or you could go to more of touring bike like a sprint or similar....everyone will give you advice....but what ever you choose be sure to call in and catch up with the Manawatu crowd

**Paul in NZ** · 11th June 2007, 08:51

Originally Posted by FkNAmerican

At the moment Im really thinking of picking up a Triumph Daytona 675 in Auckland and doing the trip on that.....whadaya think ?

You can tour on anything and if a 675 takes your fancy - why not... BUT - that would not be my choice by a country mile - fantastic sports bike but crippling tourer and leaving it in the street while looking around a town or tourist attraction?? And the fuel economy? EGAD!

Older CBR600 or a Transalp or something would be better - hard luggage - better still..

**riffer** · 11th June 2007, 08:51

I think a 675 would be awful. Do you want to see the REAL New Zealand?

You would be better off trying to find a second-hand Triumph Tiger, Honda Transalp, BMW F650, Aprilia Pegaso or something similar in an adventure bike type range.

Depending on where you want to go you will find that New Zealand roads can go from tarseal to gravel pretty quickly. Go up the Wanganui River and you've got at least 65kms (40 miles) of gravel. A road bike is going to have no paint on the front of it by the time you are finished.

Here's some ideas:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...8097&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...0258&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...0758&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...7644&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...5900&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...5458&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...6572&key=43592

**Swoop** · 11th June 2007, 09:20

I'm sure Big Dave will be along shortly to suggest a Buell... which would be a good choice!

**Hitcher** · 11th June 2007, 09:46

Did somebody mention an FJR, or an older FR1200, or perhaps an ST1100/1300? Or are these perhaps too homosexual for an American in a hurry?

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th June 2007, 09:57

Originally Posted by riffer

You would be better off trying to find a second-hand Triumph Tiger, Honda Transalp, BMW F650, Aprilia Pegaso or something similar in an adventure bike type range.

Yep! Or maybe a 1200 Bandit?

**sels1** · 11th June 2007, 10:04

Originally Posted by riffer

I think a 675 would be awful. Do you want to see the REAL New Zealand?
You would be better off trying to find a second-hand Triumph Tiger, Honda Transalp, BMW F650, Aprilia Pegaso or something similar in an adventure bike type range.

What he said. As much as I like the 675, it wouldnt be my choice for touring.
Something with a more relaxed riding position, and a bigger front wheel would be better...(and I wasnt thinkin HD!)

or this:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...7174&key=87084

**86GSXR** · 11th June 2007, 10:33

Gidday mate

What they've said! A lot of the best roads could be pretty uncomfortable on a sports bike, it depends on how strong your wrists are and how much gear you've got.

Whatever you do tho, let us know when you get near the Manawatu and we'll ride south with ya.

**FkNAmerican** · 11th June 2007, 10:34

yeah yeah...I know!!! I did enough of NZ roads already (not really bad IMO)....I've done Jamaica too..now THOSE were some BAD roads.....but my desire to do NZ on a sports bike is overpowering my common sense to get some sort of sport/adventure tourer. In a perfect world I'd get a BMW GS-1200 or something and then chuck it ounce I got to chch......BUT.....I've actually been on a Triumph 675 for a good 35 minutes and found it to be only slightly less comfortable then my CBR600......ugh. I really think I could just deal with it. I can hack 400-500 miles in my CBR without too much problem so why not a 675? But yeah, I'd be limited as to what roads I could go on. Maybe I really should just get a used dual sport or something and trade it in ounce I get to christchurch.......

Also, I've done enough tramping around NZ to have seen all the stuff you cant see by car or bike. What Im really looking to do is stay on the tarmac for this 4 week trip. If I wanna see the "real" NZ I can always do what I did last time and get a bunch of mates together and do the Routeburn Track, Abel Tasman, or whatever. The only one Im really itching to do is the Milford and I wouldnt be bringing my bike for that one anyway!!!

. What this trip is about is just riding around on the main roads, meeting up with fellow bikers, and just screwing around and having fun. I kinda did the whole nature thing the first time I was in NZ. Dont get me wrong....Im gonna do plenty of hiking and kayaking and scuba diving again......but for this trip Im just concentrating on hitting the cities..........

Now this bike is interesting. I would consider this one:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...8097&key=43592

And I'd get a KTM but I aint spending $13,000 on something Im gonna ditch for a sport bike the second I get to chch. Nice choice though. I do have a soft spot for KTM.

Not really a fan of the Aprilia though. I've taken a look at them before and havnt really liked the look of them. Kinda the same way I feel about BMW sports bikes. Just too heavy and ungainly looking to my eyes.

Thanks for the links Riffer. Of all the ones you sent the BMW GS650 seems to do the trick best. Im alot more likely to spend $8,500 for a BMW then I am $18,000 for a KTM!!!!!

Thanks again for the links. Its like cycle trader only for NZ. Love it.

**tri boy** · 11th June 2007, 10:36

Originally Posted by riffer

I think a 675 would be awful. Do you want to see the REAL New Zealand?

You would be better off trying to find a second-hand Triumph Tiger, Honda Transalp, BMW F650, Aprilia Pegaso or something similar in an adventure bike type range.

Depending on where you want to go you will find that New Zealand roads can go from tarseal to gravel pretty quickly. Go up the Wanganui River and you've got at least 65kms (40 miles) of gravel. A road bike is going to have no paint on the front of it by the time you are finished.

Here's some ideas:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...8097&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...0258&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...0758&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...7644&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...5900&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...5458&key=43592
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...6572&key=43592

I like Riffers thinking. A large amount of NZ's finest areas are up gravel roads, and back country valleys. This doesn't mean that you have to be Rambo, but most road orientated bikes never get to these places. ie Waikerimoana, Pipiriki etc. And imagine the bragging rights you will have when you show your bike mates at home some photos of such places.(just tell them it was so torturous to get to these places, that no one else will try to invade our best kept secrets)

**FkNAmerican** · 11th June 2007, 10:38

Oh and one more thing. I will most def. be posting up before I go. The whole point of doing this on a motorcycle would be to meet up with as many of you guys and girls as possible and do a little riding together. I'll spot you for lunch/drinks and you point me in the right direction!

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th June 2007, 10:39

Originally Posted by FkNAmerican

Oh and one more thing. I will most def. be posting up before I go. The whole point of doing this on a motorcycle would be to meet up with as many of you guys and girls as possible and do a little riding together. I'll spot you for lunch/drinks and you point me in the right direction!

Point you? Fuck that. We'll take you.....

**FkNAmerican** · 11th June 2007, 10:47

yeah, you guys are right. Fuck it. Im just gonna get a BMW GS650. At least that will give me the option to do gravel if the mood takes me. From looking around the prices on that bike seem pretty reasonable too. I just have to keep saying to myself "thats in NZ dollars.....thats in NZ dollars....thats in NZ dollars" otherwise I'll shit myself at what your paying on these things!!!! I hope to hell the exchange rates are as nice as they were the last time I was in NZ......otherwise I'd be half tempted to ship my CBR over for christs sake. Sheesh.

**riffer** · 11th June 2007, 10:51

Good man.

Remember, they'll cripple you if you try to go too fast in this country.

There's so much more than just the highways.

Glad to hear you're seeing the bigger picture.

As for the exchange rate. Sorry - in the next few weeks its probably going to be around 80 cents US for the kiwi dollar.