Auckland to Rotorua and Back on a GN250?

[Choco]

Now this post isn't really about the trip, but more about what I learned from it (it being my first semi-long distance trip) so first, I let me set the scene:
My Aunt and Uncle were coming over from Ireland for a bit of a holiday, and we decided to take them down to Rotorua on the 19th and then come back to Auckland for Christmas. I was asked by the parents if I wanted to tag along... On my bike. So, armed with my shiny Suzuki GN250, a sexy High-Vis vest and a manly L-plate strapped on the back, I followed the parents in the car.

Now, what did I learn from my trip/Advice to other Newbies?
-The best way to start doing longer distance trips is following someone in a car who knows the way and is aware of the fact you might be slow and/or over cautious and will pull over if you get separated. Parents work well.

-Hi-Vis Vests = people see you more.

-I traveled about 500km on open roads with an L-plate on the back, traveling at a reasonable speed/ or with traffic: Didn't get pulled over and cagers treated me like a car with an L-plate on. Did I pass a nice convention?

-Clean bikes don't stay that way after a tank of gas on open roads.

-In the wet just slow down until your comfortable, screw anyone else around you and/or just pull over.

-Without wind GN's can get to, and go (slightly) over 100kmph and even pass cars!!!! Don't ignore them when looking your first bike, they are a great learner bike IMHO.

-sitting on a GN thats doing 6.5 thousand rpm for more than an hour /hour and a half solid means ass ache.

-Parents just kick ass. Honestly. Especially ones that pay for your fuel so they can get the flybuys points.

Thats about all for now; might be doing this again in a week or two going up to Pihia so there might be a few more tips from that trip too.

Ride safe and Learners wear your L-plates with pride!
Mike

[merv]

Mate, great trip and a good learning experience. Keep it up and Merry Christmas.

[Choco]

Thanks, Merry Christmas to you too!

[99TLS]

sounds like you learnt lots, keep up the good work

[Choco]

Thanks for the comment and trust me, I'm not going to be stop riding anytime soon!

[Matt_TG]

Well done, and good on your parents for letting you have some distance touring experience with their backup.

[Choco]

Well done, and good on your parents for letting you have some distance touring experience with their backup.

From their point of view its a good deal too; they can see how/what I'm doing and can help if it go south.

[MaxCannon]

I'm reluctant to take the GN out of town due to it's lack of top end speed.

I might cruise at 100 on the flat but hills give mine the shits
With a headwind it stuggles to hold 80 on any significant gradient.

As you say - they are great to learn on, very user friendly.

[Colapop]

Hahaha farken legend! Everyone should do a trip like that on whatever they can get their hands on. They might actually learn something. Ride everything you possibly can - all bikes have something to offer even the most experienced rider. Awesome - you too can become the next Gijoe1313 (look him up)

I'm reluctant to take the GN out of town due to it's lack of top end speed.

I might cruise at 100 on the flat but hills give mine the shits
With a headwind it stuggles to hold 80 on any significant gradient.

As you say - they are great to learn on, very user friendly.

Do whatever you're comfortable with - and extend yourself from time to time. You get comfortable with what you know then add to it. If you are doing the same thing again and again you're not learning.

[blue eyed savage]

good one, also

STAY OFF THE PAINT. especially when it wet
dont run wide just crank the bike over and go for it. (thats got to be beter than a head on or god know what)
and wear warm gear.

Keep up the good work

[HTFU]

From their point of view its a good deal too; they can see how/what I'm doing and can help if it go south.

Mate they could just check out kiwibiker and the camera shots of that corner you Aucklanders all have on your profiles.

But seriously good on you getting out on your own and doing some distance riding. You will learn a shit load more doing that than playing silly buggers with a bike/camera/corner.

Get some straighter bars on the GN and it will solve the sore ass problem. I did plenty of 500km rides on mine and the bars made a big difference. The GN also goes well on the gravel roads out South West of Auckland / Waikato so give them a go when you been riding a bit longer (just don't grab to much front brake). Gravel riding on the GN gives you some good skills on a motorbike.

[Ixion]

I'm reluctant to take the GN out of town due to it's lack of top end speed.

I might cruise at 100 on the flat but hills give mine the shits
With a headwind it stuggles to hold 80 on any significant gradient.

As you say - they are great to learn on, very user friendly.

Y'know there's a whole world out there that you don't need to (and shouldn't) do 100kph.

Stay off Sh1 Sh2 Sh5 and motorways. The back roads are more interesting, have better scenery, the pople are nicer (yes, you actually meet them!), and you don't need to (or want to) go more than 80kph. Just get a map, and work out a route using the little roads. Odds are you'll go all day and hardly see another vehicle.

You will see wildlife, birds, friendly (usually) famers (slow down and say hi), interesting little towns, breathtaking scenary.

It's relaxed, it's fun, and you CAN do it on a GN. Hell, I've done it on a 4bhp Bantam.

[Choco]

Stay off Sh1 Sh2 Sh5 and motorways. The back roads are more interesting, have better scenery, the pople are nicer (yes, you actually meet them!), and you don't need to (or want to) go more than 80kph. Just get a map, and work out a route using the little roads. Odds are you'll go all day and hardly see another vehicle.

You will see wildlife, birds, friendly (usually) famers (slow down and say hi), interesting little towns, breathtaking scenary.

We mostly did back roads going there and back and they are much more interesting than the motorway! Also for most of the trip there was barely anything else on the road.

On that note; I will probably end up going to Pihia in about three days; anyone know any good roads/ have any advice for that area?

Thanks for all the comments
Mike

[Wiki Drifter]

Good stuff, two of my fairly experienced riding mates with good bikes has never ridden further than from Auckland to Hamilton.

[fireball]

Mate they could just check out kiwibiker and the camera shots of that corner you Aucklanders all have on your profiles.

if you see my profile pic it it the legend GN250 Chinese wheels going around that corner!

but good onya mike bloody good effort! im free 2mrw if you keen for a ride!