North and South Island Tour this summer

[Macstar]

Hey guys & gals

I'd like to bring the much talked about NZ tour forward a little by starting a thread now so that people can start saving $$, getting their bikes mechanically ready and planning time off work etc.

Here's the rough idea:

What: A non-rushed tour of NZ (2-3 weeks)
When: Dec or Jan
Who: Anyone with a bike really but officially a SMC club ride.
Why: Could be my last chance to see NZ before moving overseas, and like many other Kiwis, I've never done this before.

*I reckon up to 3000-4000kms could be travelled on this trip.
*My bike costs 30 cents per km on average to run 900cc (all expenses including gas), so there's around $1000 in bike costs for me, others may be less.
*Return ferry ride $100?
*Accom $300 (campgrounds)
*AA membership $150
*Food and beers etc 700 ish.

Total: $2250 approx (riding one up)
or Total: $1750 (Bike fees can be cut in half if you take a passenger).

So, who's keen and when?
Any cost saving tips for the trip?

[bomma]

hmm didnt think itd be that expensive aye....ill prolly rack up a few more hundie in petrol costs on the kwaka than your rf.....

mayb i shud take her in for servicing and hope i get a moto guzzi as a replacement bike

dnt know if i can make that one but ill sure as hell try my best!!!

and what you mean you are moving overseas?!?!?!

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

When: Dec or Jan
Who: Anyone with a bike really but officially a SMC club ride.

So, who's keen and when?
Any cost saving tips for the trip?

Well I am sure some of the dunedin crew will do a day ride with you... some maybe even further... also depends what else is on and all that blah blah blah

Let me know when and if you come to Dunedin...

[klyong82]

Keep me updated. Could follow you if you make it during Christmas New Year's time.....but I am keen

[doc]

Suggest you check www.interislander.co.nz the fare has gone up quite a bit in the last couple of months . Lots more that the CPI anyway. Think you might be under estimating a lot of the cost of the trip, unless you can stay at a lot of KB'rs places, who will offer you accomodation. But its still an awesome place on a bike.

[feral1]

Budget wise, it depends on how you wanna do it... but $ seven hundy on piss and food for two to three weeks... not likely...
The boys went for a 6 day Tour of Southland with my motorcycle club. one chewed set of tires on the R1 and an easy seven hundy + in six days pissed up against the wall. not really that hard, when your talking buying breakfast, lunch, dinner and a couple of drinks..

Anyways. Go for it fellas. Touring NZ is fantastic and something we don't end up doing enough of as kiwis.

Cheers
Feral

PS. if coming down the west coast (which is a must while your in the Sth Islnd) drop us a PM and I'll ride with ya's.

[jafar]

Hey guys & gals

I'd like to bring the much talked about NZ tour forward a little by starting a thread now so that people can start saving $$, getting their bikes mechanically ready and planning time off work etc.

Here's the rough idea:

What: A non-rushed tour of NZ (2-3 weeks)
When: Dec or Jan
Who: Anyone with a bike really but officially a SMC club ride.
Why: Could be my last chance to see NZ before moving overseas, and like many other Kiwis, I've never done this before.

*I reckon up to 3000-4000kms could be travelled on this trip.
*My bike costs 30 cents per km on average to run 900cc (all expenses including gas), so there's around $1000 in bike costs for me, others may be less.
*Return ferry ride $100?
*Accom $300 (campgrounds)
*AA membership $150
*Food and beers etc 700 ish.

Total: $2250 approx (riding one up)
or Total: $1750 (Bike fees can be cut in half if you take a passenger).

So, who's keen and when?
Any cost saving tips for the trip?

Did this trip earlier this year & sad to say but your figures are out.
2 weeks around the south island (ex auckland) = 6,000 k

Ferry crossing was $99.00 one way (Bluebridge non transferable) $125.00 Interislander tranferable. The interislander gives the option of changing your crossing time if something unforseen happens & you are not penalised provided you give them a bit of notice.

Accommodation will cost more as you are travelling @ peak times & getting into a camping ground will be a mission & discounts will not apply. Also camping means a lot of extra equipment to carry. Tents, cooking equipment, sleeping bags, E.T.C.

AA membership? As I recall the AA isn't interested in bikes, would pay to check with them before you part with your money.

Food & beers for 2 weeks will set you back more than $700.00 per person unless you plan to cook everything & steal your beer.

Missing from your 'budget' is costing for emergencies & mishaps, as these are an unknown a Mastercard or Visa to take with you is a good backup.

Cost saving tip:
Don't do this trip in the peak period. School holidays are not only a pain in the arse but expensive times to travel in.

[Macstar]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Well, judging by the above - we could be up for a few more dollars than hoped...

I would plan to buy cheaper supermarket food where poss instead of restaurants and takeout 3 times a day and wasn't gonna drink a doz a day, just a few beers to unwind each night, but yeah may need to up the food and bev budget.

Accomm, I'd take a tent and sleeping bag so mixture of campgrounds and wherever... KBer front lawns maybe!!

Holiday traffic: yes didn't think of that - good point.

Is there anything in the SMC club kitty?
Maybe I/we can sell something along the way to earn a few dollars...

[motorbyclist]

i'm way too poor for the trip, and would hate all the traffic anyway...

besides, we could do several smaller, easier rides in that time, and i plan to build a bike these holidays

[scumdog]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Well, judging by the above - we could be up for a few more dollars than hoped...

Accomm, I'd take a tent and sleeping bag so mixture of campgrounds and wherever... KBer front lawns maybe!!...

A front lawn and more available here should you get that far...

[Highlander]

Your ferry crossings are quite likely to cost a bit more than that.

If I were doing it I'd look here for accommodation options:

http://www.top10.co.nz/top_10_club.html or
http://www.bbh.co.nz/listings.aspx

Depending on what you wish to eat and how many beers you want to wash it down with the $700 can be made to work ($700 for 21 days is $33 each day, I could eat for that with out resorting to 2 minute noodles).

Go to it, great way to see the country.

[Zapf]

I am looking at doing a tour between Nov and Dec. And also rolling it in with this
South Island - 2007 Chatto Creek 1000 miler -
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=55535

the event starts on the 1st Dec, so I'll be looking at parting Auckland at around about the 24th of Nov, and no later than the 28~29th Nov.

I am happy to cook for most dinners and stay at backpackers. My breakfast would be bread & spread, and lunch the local bake house. I have done about 3 South island trips over the last 3 years, they lasted from 1 1/2 weeks to 3 weeks.

At the moment I am in the planning stage, if everything looks good then it'll be a goer.

Macstar, let me know ur thoughts and we can have a chat u are keen.
.
.

[EJK]

Put me up on the list! lol I'll join you on the North Island tour only tho lol
If that's alright with you

I'll start saving now!

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Save accommidation by staying at friends, families (there may be a few offers from other KBers) where you can. and at the camp sites. Heck I have camped in between the cities before and set up camp at various rest areas just out side of town. (make sure you have your own supply of loo paper )

Buy some small camp cookers and cooking gear, http://completeoutdoors.biz/category/75/ (make sure you have enuough gas) use them some of the time will save you on food and eating out all the time. Make your own lunches where you can sandwhiches or when you can using the cooker... people fall into buying their lunch every day that can be a big saving

Not much can be saved on the running costs, other than if you open up for that long long straight even a little then you are chewing more fuel and tread etc which equalls $$$... not only that you miss the main reason why you are doing the tour in the first place... travelling in a group can slow the pace which means saving etc... and is more fun anyway

Take as much with you as you can, buying bits an pieces on the trip adds up especially when you have whatever at home already.

[scumdog]

Courier/post clean clothes to one or two locations ahead, that way your on-board load is smaller and you don't have to do so much laundry.

(And post the pongy clothes home for a happy 'welcome home' atmosphere!!)