NZ riding trip, keen but clueless

**Blackbird** · 1st August 2007, 20:18

Originally Posted by KoroJ

Excuuuuuse please!!......(and you'd be living in the heart of a plethora of good rides)!!!....shame on you Mr Blackbird.

There's the Awakino Gorge (SH3), Napier-Taupo Rd (SH5), Turangi-Taumaranui (SH41), Waioeka Gorge (SH2) & East Cape Rd (SH35), Paraparas (SH4), Several options between Mangaweka & Ashhurst, Waipuk' - Masterton (and you get to see the longest place name in the world), to name a few and not to mention a few more around Coromandel and North of the Bombay's. As I recall, there was a thread about a certain Northland Rd being reputed to be the best ride in the world???

A visitor should endeavour to explore/enjoy all of Godzone.

No shame required

. There are indeed magic rides in the NI, including the Coro Loop which is literally outside the front door of my bach. I merely meant that that 3 weeks wasn't enough to do justice to both islands and do a few attractions too. Have already PM'd him with an offer of accommodation if he wants to do the north, either as part of this trip or a subsequent one. I had a mate from the UK do the south island this year and he said a fortnight wasn't enough.

Get my drift?

**mbazza** · 1st August 2007, 20:26

Hi Greshaki, great place to ride. Agree with Blackbird that in 3 weeks the S.I. would be a great choice. In that time you can't do both islands justice, may as well do the better half of Paradise. The V-strom would be a great choice for the S.I. (I am biased!) Available from "Backroads" hire in Dunedin.
Are you into bike rallies? If so give me a PM and I'll give you a list of S.I. ones in March. Ride safe and enjoy our world. Cheers.

**greshaki** · 2nd August 2007, 13:57

Gotta say Im blown away with the hospitality shown here. You dont know me from a bar of soap and Ive had offers to stop round, crash on floors etc. Sincerely thank you! Im about halfway thru Blackbird's SI report and its giving me lots of ideas for things to do as well (love the whale watching and jet boat, great ideas). Mbazza I dont mind bike rallies but with the time I have there, I think I'd be best just pushing on around the country. Am looking at the v-strom 650 because it's pretty affordable to rent, comfortable and carries a lot. I won't be fanging it much, can't risk a stack in the middle of nowhere. Gonna be a nice scenic cruise I think, at least thats how these things always start!

**Blackbird** · 2nd August 2007, 14:13

Originally Posted by greshaki

Gotta say Im blown away with the hospitality shown here. You dont know me from a bar of soap and Ive had offers to stop round, crash on floors etc. Sincerely thank you! Im about halfway thru Blackbird's SI report and its giving me lots of ideas for things to do as well (love the whale watching and jet boat, great ideas). Mbazza I dont mind bike rallies but with the time I have there, I think I'd be best just pushing on around the country. Am looking at the v-strom 650 because it's pretty affordable to rent, comfortable and carries a lot. I won't be fanging it much, can't risk a stack in the middle of nowhere. Gonna be a nice scenic cruise I think, at least thats how these things always start!

Being a small country compared with Oz, and Kiwi Biker being the major biker website, when someone needs a helping hand, it really is like family. For me, that's the greatest thing about the KB website.

**mbazza** · 2nd August 2007, 21:14

What Blackbird said! Cheers.

**clint640** · 8th August 2007, 11:14

If you're getting a 'Strom, have a look at my trip report from last year - lots of good road & dirt road riding - a lot of the tracks we did are easily tackled on a V-Strom, do the Molesworth & Hakataramea at least.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...ghlight=gerbil

Cheers
Clint

**BMW** · 8th August 2007, 17:09

try and get to a bike rally like the cold duck ( is that on that time of year?)

**puddytat** · 9th August 2007, 23:15

Make sure youve got plenty of tear-offs for the visor as the sandflies are thick down South....& the wetas are bigger too

**shafty** · 10th August 2007, 05:46

Originally Posted by BMW

try and get to a bike rally like the cold duck ( is that on that time of year?)

The Cold Duck would be a fantastic inclusion, but unfortunately is in MAY each year. Welcome to Gods Zone, enjoy your ride; Good advice given so far - conisder taking an extra week and DO the Coromandel loop also!!

Otherwise you'll be leaving after 3 weeks saying "I'll be back" and "I see what they mean now"