Auckland to Rotorua and Back on a GN250?

[Choco]

I ended up turning down the Pihia trip due to other commitments but I may be doing a slightly longer trip in the near future... More L-plate touring in the future folks!

[Chill]

Good stuff on your GN tour. I've gone Wellington - Northland and back a couple of times on mine. Stayed off the main roads as much as possible - went around the back of Tongariro National Park, and up through the King Country. Great biking country! Also less police, and I was on my learners, but never used the L plate because I think the 70kph rule is dangerous on the open road. (granted that the intention may be to keep you off the open road)

Never had any problem holding speed on main roads, I keep the chain tight and lubricated and the bike holds 100-120 no problem (without a head wind mind you). Been over the Rimutaka hill 20 times now too, and the GN still owns 99% of cars on that.
Only other bikes will be flying past you!

Hoping to do the East Cape and Coromandel this summer. 17,000 km and counting. Go the GN.

[Lucy]

Good stuff on your GN tour. I've gone Wellington - Northland and back a couple of times on mine. Stayed off the main roads as much as possible - went around the back of Tongariro National Park, and up through the King Country. Great biking country! Also less police, and I was on my learners, but never used the L plate because I think the 70kph rule is dangerous on the open road. (granted that the intention may be to keep you off the open road)

Never had any problem holding speed on main roads, I keep the chain tight and lubricated and the bike holds 100-120 no problem (without a head wind mind you). Been over the Rimutaka hill 20 times now too, and the GN still owns 99% of cars on that.
Only other bikes will be flying past you!

Hoping to do the East Cape and Coromandel this summer. 17,000 km and counting. Go the GN.

Good stuff fellow GN owners! Nice to hear them getting out and about. I have a firm belief that most learning is done on long rides, and that beginners who spend ages going around the block in their neighbourhood would be far better off in terms of confidence and skills, by getting off the main drags and going for a two or more hour jaunt. I was riding to and from work for a bit, but it wasnt until one day I said "stuff it, I'm going to Whangarei" (from Aucks) that I really started to feel at one with the bike, and that I belonged, and had every right, to be on the road with everyone else.