Help a Pom

**scrubs** · 23rd September 2007, 11:18

Hiya This is my first post here.
I'm intending to come over to NZ in December for a 4/5 month
tour of the country by bike. I was just wondering if anyone
had any any information that I may find usefull like places worth
seeing and places to avoid, good places to pick up a cheap bike etc..
Any GPS saved track logs would be fantastic too!.
At the moment I am pretty clueless regarding your country, so any
help would be greatly apperciated.

Cheers

**canarlee** · 23rd September 2007, 11:21

try posting during the week as more people will see the thread mate.

i too am a pom and i live in napier (hawkes bay), when you get here and you are over this way gimme a shout and i will buy you a beer. hell i even got a spare bedroom if you need somewhere to stop for a day or 3.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 23rd September 2007, 11:26

Originally Posted by scrubs

Hiya This is my first post here.
I'm intending to come over to NZ in December for a 4/5 month
tour of the country by bike. I was just wondering if anyone
had any any information that I may find usefull like places worth
seeing and places to avoid, good places to pick up a cheap bike etc..
Any GPS saved track logs would be fantastic too!.
At the moment I am pretty clueless regarding your country, so any
help would be greatly apperciated.

4 or 5 months... With that much time... you have the time to do the whole country... though near the end of your tour you will be entering our autum/winter. Also do you want on or off road as there are heaps of gravel roads in the out back that need exploring

**scrubs** · 23rd September 2007, 11:42

Originally Posted by canarlee

i too am a pom and i live in napier (hawkes bay), when you get here and you are over this way gimme a shout and i will buy you a beer. hell i even got a spare bedroom if you need somewhere to stop for a day or 3.

Nice one mate, Thats very kind of you Thank you. I never refuse a beer

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

4 o0r 5 months... With that much time... you have the time to do the whole country... though near the end of your tour you will be entering our autum/winter. Also do you want on or off road as there are heaps of gravel roads in the out back that need exploring

I'm thinking a majority of off road with some camping thrown in, providing
I'm not so remote that I am well and truly up shit creek if I break my legs etc heheh. I'm thinking of using something like a DR650 - I'd be happy to use
a 250 but I may be packing pretty heavy.

**buggsubique** · 23rd September 2007, 11:58

Originally Posted by scrubs

I'm thinking of using something like a DR650 - I'd be happy to use a 250 but I may be packing pretty heavy.

Mate, drop the idea of a 250, it'll do yer head in on the roads, esp with any gear you're carrying. Just my humble opinion of course! There are plenty of dudes on here that will back the DR 650 with a couple of mods.

**Zukin** · 23rd September 2007, 12:02

Hi there

So are you bringing a bike with you or buying one when you get here?

You can pretty much do the whole country and everything in between

There are plenty off adventure riding to be had, I would suggest you keep an eye on the adventure section of KB (Kiwibiker), the local guys are usually pretty good at helping out with route plans etc etc

In my opinion I would probably fly into Auckland (North Island) and make you plans from there.
NZ is very narrow and small, so you could almost decide to ride with the weather because you are here for so long

Even though I live in the North Island, I would suggest that you should probably spend 70% of your time in the South Island and 30% in the North

The South Island (also know as the Mainland) is much better for adventure riding, less traffic, much better scenery etc, so by starting in the North Island you will think that is pretty cool, but then when you hit the South Island you will get the WOW factor

Also there is a trip planned if you want to ride with a few of the locals, see this post if you are in the South Island by then.
It would be highly recommended to have a look at this trip

Let me know if you need any help with a bike.
Here is a link to NZ's Ebay's equivalent
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...ikes/index.htm

I am currently making .gpx files for some of the major tracks in NZ for those adventure riders that have a GPS, it will be used only as reference and it will be for public access roads only, it is taking a while but should be finished before you arrive.
If you send me a PM here I can send them to you

Cheers and welcome to KB

**Transalper** · 23rd September 2007, 12:14

Heaps of Adventure Riding to be had here (I know more South Island myself). The Rainbow station is worth a look, It is open to the Public from 1 Dec to something like end of March. Only Mentioned that ones times because most the rest of my favourites are open much more of the year. Molesworth is another with a limited season and is still a good run but a little more barren and much more tame as in any car or bike could do it.

Lot's of us like the DR650 for Adventuring now especially as it's pretty easy to pick up by your self when dropped.

Have a look at cooneyr s reply in this thread... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=57575
And that's just some adventure roads in the Nelson reign, Top of South Island.

Us Christchurch lot would love top show you some places in person when you're down this way.

**Crisis management** · 23rd September 2007, 14:28

Welcome to KB! Sounds like you've got plenty of time for a decent explore of the country, as others have said start, in Auckland (biggest market for bikes) and have a ball.
I have to be honest and say I'm not sure a DR650 is the best choice for seriously long trip. I'd look at something with better comfort and fuel range.

Now, let all hell break loose!

As a thought, it may be possible to rent a bike for that length of time but I suspect you may be better off buying. Be worth checking the prices.

Have a good poke through these threads and get some decent maps so you can start to put pictures with places and we will attempt to help / confuse you as much as possible.

**young1** · 23rd September 2007, 14:47

Dont forget to include the "Naki" in your travels (Taranaki - I am in New Plymouth) I am more than happy to show you around here!

**Blackbird** · 23rd September 2007, 16:39

Buy yourself a copy of the New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas by Peter Mitchell ISBN 10:1-877302-32-5. It has routes, photos and "grin rating" for various rides. it's the best book on the market. I think that Amazon UK has it.

**Macktheknife** · 23rd September 2007, 17:58

Also, NZ is a place of great beauty, even the onroad stuff is amazing. Plenty of us on here would love to meet you for an Ale and a yarn, and suggest some good routes to take.
Do you have anything in particular that you want to do/see/experience?
I am assuming you chose NZ as a destination for some specific reasons.... I have a friend from Cornwall who is currently doing his US leg of the world tour and will be back this way in January, he will have some very specific tips for you. Stay in touch.
Mack

**cooneyr** · 23rd September 2007, 20:57

Originally Posted by Transalper

Heaps of Adventure Riding to be had here (I know more South Island myself). The Rainbow station is worth a look, It is open to the Public from 1 Dec to something like end of March. Only Mentioned that ones times because most the rest of my favourites are open much more of the year. Molesworth is another with a limited season and is still a good run but a little more barren and much more tame as in any car or bike could do it.

Lot's of us like the DR650 for Adventuring now especially as it's pretty easy to pick up by your self when dropped.

Have a look at cooneyr s reply in this thread... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=57575
And that's just some adventure roads in the Nelson reign, Top of South Island.

Us Christchurch lot would love top show you some places in person when you're down this way.

Whot he said. The DR is a good mount if you dont mind a 200km fuel range and the seat. 200km is fine in the mainland if riding during the day but after hours can be limiting. Wont be quite as much of a problem in the north island. The seat isnt "that bad" but most seem to want to change it.

If you give me two points in the Sth island I'll hopefully have a reasonable Adv route between them that stays off the seal as much as possible (I'm a bit of a map freak). Your most welcome to join us on a ride from Chch when you are in the area.

Cheers R

**Freebird** · 23rd September 2007, 21:38

Careful, my wife and I did the same thing for 3 months a year and a half ago moved out 1 year ago and loving it. If I get the time I'll post a list of must do's where in Yorkshire are you, we moved out from Preston Lancs. my Blackbird and I spent many a happy Sunday round Yorkshire. When you come out give me a shout when your in the Wellington area and I'll show you around.

**ceebie13** · 23rd September 2007, 23:32

Originally Posted by canarlee

...i too am a pom and i live in napier (hawkes bay), when you get here and you are over this way gimme a shout and i will buy you a beer.

Hey, Scrubs... take my advice mate... Accept nothing more than a beer from this man...if he offers directions, just politely refuse...he'll have you going round in circles and there and back again to see how far it is!!!

He means well though...don't you Lee?

**canarlee** · 23rd September 2007, 23:44

Originally Posted by ceebie13

Hey, Scrubs... take my advice mate... Accept nothing more than a beer from this man...if he offers directions, just politely refuse...he'll have you going round in circles and there and back again to see how far it is!!!

He means well though...don't you Lee?

i have allways admitted i am directionally challenged!

i mean how i ended up here when i was meant to go to india i dont know...........