South Island Passes Ride 2008

[NordieBoy]

PS Anyone want to clean my bike?

You got it dirty again?

Do they do a waterblaster that'll fit in a saddlebag and run off an accessory socket?

[warewolf]

Do they do a waterblaster that'll fit in a saddlebag and run off an accessory socket?

Be easier to carry a snorkel and mask and $6 for the car wash...

[timg]

Well said

Its an awesome adventure and I hope I get to do the whole thing next time.

Sure a fair portion of seal is riden but Jantar had added twisty bits and gravel fixes between the passes.

A mix of bikes can take part.The DR did just fine,no screen and stock seat.I was well pleased with how she went(only missed the old GS occassionally......)

Yup, I'd agree with that whole heartedly. All sorts of adventures for all sorts of folks, and this one suited me & my bike. I really enjoyed this ride. Interesting mix of roads, mostly interesting regardless of them being seal or gravel. The only boring bit really was Thompsons Track across the plains, but you gotta cross 'em somehow or take more time avoiding them. I'll be back again for more. Cheers.

[mbazza]

Great ride and write ups, thanks. Wish I could have been there!
Jack, the Yammy looks good and would have appreciated getting out there!
Cheers.

[cold comfort]

Definitely suitable for big bikes - we had a Tiger, a V Strom 1000 and a GSA1200 on the trip last year. The two of us on the 650's had them working pretty hard on the highway sections!!!
Your big KTM will be ideal, in fact I wish I had one because its probably the perfect bike for a trip like this. If I manage to trade up before then it will be to a Tiger probably.

Just emerged from a mountain of bike mags/reviews to conclude a Tiger is on the "must have" list. Providing i can sell my Bandit and cough up another $10k for the purchase, can i come too Bruce?

[Jantar]

A bandit did the 1st passes ride.

[Ruralman]

Just emerged from a mountain of bike mags/reviews to conclude a Tiger is on the "must have" list. Providing i can sell my Bandit and cough up another $10k for the purchase, can i come too Bruce?

I presume you're talking about the new model at that price Mark? - its not really a gravel / backroad bike any more but a great bike in all other respects going by the reviews.
You might be interested in a 2001 Black Tiger like mine in at MCR at the moment - its only got 19000km on it and looks spotless. It doesn't have panniers but then the price is only around $11K

[helenoftroy]

Just emerged from a mountain of bike mags/reviews to conclude a Tiger is on the "must have" list. Providing i can sell my Bandit and cough up another $10k for the purchase, can i come too Bruce?

Woo hoo -another convert maybe??

There are some ever so exciting bikes out there - Tiger, KTMs,Africa Twins etc etc

Lifes for living....

[cold comfort]

I presume you're talking about the new model at that price Mark? - its not really a gravel / backroad bike any more but a great bike in all other respects going by the reviews.
You might be interested in a 2001 Black Tiger like mine in at MCR at the moment - its only got 19000km on it and looks spotless. It doesn't have panniers but then the price is only around $11K

Yeah, cheers for that Bruce. I saw that while browsing the net for Tigers. Plan to test ride when i get a chance as have been away until today. The new one would still handle the gravel better than the Bandit or the Multistrada by all accounts.