From OZ to NZ... We ain't in Kansas anymore!

**oldrider** · 26th March 2008, 20:52

Drought drought drought, it's gonna rain some soon, (everywhere) hope you are not unlucky!

Have a good trip.

Cheers John.

**forkoil** · 31st March 2008, 13:51

You are paying around $850 per day!! Maybe I'm a bit tight arsed, but fark, that sounds alot to me. Accom would account for maybe $150 if good motel style, breakfast maybe $20 (for 2), and the rest is bike hire ($700!!) = Insurance, depreciation, and business costs. say $150 for business, leaving $480 for ins and depreciation. Say Lead Wing costs $35K, and insurance costs $500 for the 11 days (no doubt a hefty excess if you bin it), that makes a depreciation of $35000 div by $435 = 80 days continuous to pay it off. Doesnt sound a bad investment for the tour company.
Maybe I'm just being a curmudgeon but man I wouldnt be keen to pay that... sorry dont wanna pour cold water and all that

**shafty** · 31st March 2008, 15:37

Don't worry about the dollars Mate, you'll have a BALL, some of the worlds best riding is right here waiting for ya. Be prepared for much tighter roads, but the 'Wing is a great choice for your Lady and you'll be perfectly comfortable in April. I did a 4 month Goldwing Tour Stateside a few years back and loved it - bought a brand new bike and Escapade trailer and sold it when I left. I did a pile pile of dough but don't regret a moment of it!!

**Radar** · 2nd April 2008, 08:35

Originally Posted by forkoil

You are paying around $850 per day!! Maybe I'm a bit tight arsed, but fark, that sounds alot to me. Accom would account for maybe $150 if good motel style, breakfast maybe $20 (for 2), and the rest is bike hire ($700!!) = Insurance, depreciation, and business costs. say $150 for business, leaving $480 for ins and depreciation. Say Lead Wing costs $35K, and insurance costs $500 for the 11 days (no doubt a hefty excess if you bin it), that makes a depreciation of $35000 div by $435 = 80 days continuous to pay it off. Doesnt sound a bad investment for the tour company.
Maybe I'm just being a curmudgeon but man I wouldnt be keen to pay that... sorry dont wanna pour cold water and all that

$850 per day!! That IS a lot, but if you have the $$$ and don't mind spending then go ahead. I guess you have to do this because I think you want to take the bike one way from Auckland to Chch, then fly back to AKL and get a car.

BTW, I thought people from Kansas never ever left Kansas and certainly did not travel internationally. Glad to see you are an exception but your friends in pancake flatland must think you are crazy.

**Beemer** · 9th April 2008, 12:21

We had Darren and Cheryl to stay last night and reluctantly farewelled them this morning. They are a lovely and very down to earth couple whose company we enjoyed very much. If you get the chance to catch up with them during their stay, do so.

They were heading to Wellington to catch a plane to Nelson where they pick up the bike. Here's hoping the remainder of their stay is enjoyable and the weather stays fine for them.

**MyGSXF:Me** · 9th April 2008, 18:35

Originally Posted by Beemer

They were heading to Wellington to catch a plane to Nelson where they pick up the bike

Hiya.. were they heading to Nelson today?? or tomorrow??

**Beemer** · 10th April 2008, 23:43

Originally Posted by MyGSXF

Hiya.. were they heading to Nelson today?? or tomorrow??

They left our place in Levin on Wednesday morning (April 9) and I think their plane left at 4pm from Wellington. Not sure exactly when they were picking up the bike though.

**scumdog** · 10th April 2008, 23:48

Originally Posted by ValkRider

I'll gladly trade you three "munchkins" for a pair of hobbits!

Bugger the 'munchkins'!!
For a short while I was living in Scott City in '01, at the Circle 'C' ranch (Ted was the bosses name) and loved the area and would love to go back.

PM me if you want to know more about touring in NZ.

**Beemer** · 11th April 2008, 12:41

They gave us some delicious barbecue sauces and rubs when they stayed with us and we opened one last night - Gates barbecue sauce - oh my god, we have never tasted anything so bloody gorgeous! Forget chicken, for the next month I'm planning meals of steak, sausages and anything that goes with this sauce!

**ValkRider** · 13th April 2008, 08:59

Hello Kiwis!

This morning we leave Wanaka for Lake TeAnu (? spelling) Weather has been a blessing... each morning I expect rain... each morning we are greeted with Mr. Sun!
Roads are perfect for riding... however you ride much faster than I. Not being used to mountainous riding... but I open the 1800cc up on the straight aways!

I managed to blow my knee out three days into our holiday... a combo of old knees, bending for splendid photos ops and driving in a tiny Ford Focus.

The knee is stablizied in a small brace... but allows me to ride the bike and walk fine... using caution with walking however.

Also Cheryl's father suffered a broken leg and now a heart attack... she is torn between staying and flying home. He is doing better and will have heart surgery in a couple days.

However, we did a jet boat ride on the Waitoto river and Roger took us out to open sea, the Tasman.... which he says he RARELY ever attempts. The tide was high and sea was calm... then a special moment occurred. Hector dolphins... a pod of six or more... came to play with us.

We took this a sign from above... you see as we riding we stopped for a quick photo and prayer at a tiny church at the base of the mountain range... Cheryl had asked for a sign to let her know that her dad would fair well.

Cheryls dad has a nickname the Tasmanian Devil (for his red hair)... so we were a float in the Tasman Sea and the dolphins appeared as if to say... look at us "we have no worries".

Thank you dolphins.

Back to biking... we have seen a few bikers... too damn fast to catch though.
Gotta go see you soon... we are at in lake Tenau for two days... tonight and tomorrow!

Darren

**Drew** · 13th April 2008, 09:29

Great country down there man. Watch out for the cops in Twizel though, THEY ARE WANKERS! Have fun, and carry on through to Cromwell then Alexandra for what I think is the best road in the entire country.;

Have fun

**karla** · 13th April 2008, 11:02

Originally Posted by ValkRider

Back to biking... we have seen a few bikers... too damn fast to catch though.
Gotta go see you soon... we are at in lake Tenau for two days... tonight and tomorrow!

Darren

Awesome stuff, and good to hear the weather God is shining on you.
The other lakes - Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are glorious also, with their glacial stoney blue-white colouring, and there is a lovely old stone church (Church of the Good Shepard) in Tekapo which I think is worth a peek in the door.

Sometimes have to travel a bit slower and stop to take in the scenery - we don't quite have the distances to ride through that you do in Kansas. But the Canterbury plains are probably more like what you are used to, if you're feeling homesick

. The inland route from Geraldine to Chch is quite scenic if you're looking at keeping away from the traffic.

Thanks for the update!

**Beemer** · 13th April 2008, 13:04

Here's hoping Cheryl's dad is improving day by day, I really felt for her when she got the news he wasn't in the best of health. Glad the dolphins I ordered came through, lol!

I'm really pleased you're enjoying the South Island - but then we knew you would, it's a really magical place. Wish you could have stayed longer with us, but you're always welcome to come back at any time, as are any friends of yours that visit NZ.

Take care for the rest of your trip and keep in touch.

**chrisso** · 14th April 2008, 18:24

Originally Posted by pete376403

It will be great to have you here but PLEASE note - we ride (and drive) on the wrong side of the road here (in your terms)

Too many people get taken out when a tourist looses concentration and moves over to where they "think" they should be.

a "KEEP LEFT" notice on the speedo should be mandatory in rental vehicles.

What a GOOD idea!!!! follow it up!!!