Thanks from a Canadian!

[CookMySock]

you will have no problem at all re-selling it. Slap it on trademe for $1 reserve and it's gone in a week at market value.. unlikely much less than you paid for it.

DB

[Radar]

Dan - save accommodation $$$ by joining Couchsurfing:
http://www.couchsurfing.com

There are no charges - its free. Legit, legal charitable status in fact.

With the $$$ you save, you can afford to buy a better bike.

You could also try WOOFing. That way you get free food as well.

Good luck and be sure to stop by Masterton for a night or two.

[Atmonauti]

I appreciate the help!!!!

that does look like a nice tourer.. a few kms on it.. but I think a Dual Purpose is what would treat me better hitting the occasional beach and mountain trail... though i haven't ruled out getting a street only bike.

I was half thinking about this. because its getting close to crunch time. i have been at my friends place in Auckland too long and really should just find a bike and get out on the road and out of his hair :S

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=148274446

for 3k

any thoughts? and thanks again!

[CookMySock]

[...] I think a Dual Purpose is what would treat me better hitting the occasional beach and mountain trail...

technically, you cant really take any dual-purpose bike on public beaches or public mountain walking tracks. In fact, if you took that bike up some public walkway, quite likely you would get quite a few pissed-off comments. Different story if it was an open vehicle track, but these aren't that common.

If you were carrying a Paraglider instead of a 'chute, I would say definitely go for the dual-purpose bike, as the access this would give you would be fantastic - even the local paraglider boyz and girlz will look at you with envy if you did this.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=148274446

for 3k. any thoughts? and thanks again!

gee quit thanking us already, it's getting weird ok Kiwis love to talk about what they know, share their fish and chips, let you sleep on their couch, cuddle their wife, show you around, and when they are sick of you they will say so, so relax and enjoy.

I would hesitate at the prospect of travelling all of NZ on that bike. Those knobbly tryes will be quite a handful on our roads.


DB
p.s cuddle other blokes' wives with due care though.. lol..

[Atmonauti]

heheheh sorry I just can't help myself. You all have helped me so much. I just have to express my gratitude somehow!!


Well I heard of some good adventure routes in New Zealand. Ways to see so much more. I was not planning on breaking any laws or making anyone upset at me. There must be some out of the way beaches that aren't public. Like "90 Mile" beach far up north. I heard people can bike along that stretch? am I wrong in assuming that?

hahaha and ya made me laugh aloud about all the "blokes wives" comment. I'll be sure to remember that hehehehe

edit:

i have heard those knobby tires really aren't that bad on NZ roads. Except I was advised I should watch out in wet conditions. But I have dealt with Canadian roads in wet snowing conditions so I know when to take more care.

is the wet conditions what you meant by not handling well on NZ roads.. let me know!

[Atmonauti]

heheheh sorry I just can't help myself. You all have helped me so much. I just have to express my gratitude somehow!!


Well I heard of some good adventure routes in New Zealand. Ways to see so much more. I was not planning on breaking any laws or making anyone upset at me. There must be some out of the way beaches that aren't public. Like "90 Mile" beach far up north. I heard people can bike along that stretch? am I wrong in assuming that?

hahaha and ya made me laugh aloud about all the "blokes wives" comment. I'll be sure to remember that hehehehe

[munterk6]

Hey Dan, be sure to stop in Christchurch too....I can help with accomadation. I can also give you info on the best routes to take in the South Island.
Hope ya have a GREAT tour of our little gem of a country!!! You DA man lol!

[CookMySock]

yeah knobblys on wet seal is not so good. You will be fine if you used to riding on snow + tar seal. Do be careful.

Yes, 90 mile beach is an exception - it is actually a public road. I think you might be fine on beaches perhaps - just amble off quietly out of sight before anyone can say anything..

Looks like there are many more off-road tracks than I thought. You are ahead of me on this. Most of the mountains here are Government Department (Department of Conservation) - and they will take a dim view of off-road vehicles of any type so watch out for the DoC signs.

Yes, camping is tolerated MOSTLY in remote areas. Try to make sure you are not visible from the road. Avoid lighting fires coz it spooks people.

DB

[Atmonauti]

hehe thanks Munter will do!

DB I see you have a Hyosung? how do you find it? Because I see Chinese Copy's like Hummer dual purpose and other entries on Trade me. I wonder if its worth steering clear of those sorts of bikes. out of engine fixing/break downs with no parts anywheres. or resale value to people like me not knowing anything about them and sticking with well known brands.

[CookMySock]

DB I see you have a Hyosung? how do you find it?

I like it very much - It's my first real sport bike. The suspension is quite lumpy etc etc, but overall you turn it and it goes, and its good bang for the buck. I have not put a spanner on it in 6,000kms.

Because I see Chinese Copy's like Hummer dual purpose and other entries on Trade me. I wonder if its worth steering clear of those sorts of bikes. out of engine fixing/break downs with no parts anywheres. or resale value to people like me not knowing anything about them and sticking with well known brands.

I am relieved that you have persuaded yourself already to not purchase one of them. You won't get 20km down the road before some little problem occurs, and that will be the beginning of the end.

Remember that if you buy at a good price, you will easily get your money out of it. Consider also, that you are buying in the off-season (winter) and selling in the summer, so you should, in theory, MAKE money on owning this bike.

If you are in the bay of plenty region, PM me and I will you hook you up with some great spots to camp, and some nice people to get pizza and beers with. Easy to get a bag too if you need one.

best,
DB

[Atmonauti]

Finally have a bike, insurance, roadside assitance and a cell phone! 0273655850

Gonna head up to Whangerei for a bit (scuba diving, surfing, skydiving maybe paragliding) and tour the northland, camp at least one night on the north point.

Anyone up in the northland that wouldnt mind a 400 following them around let me know

Thanks again everyone! and especially Radar! Already tried out couchsurfing and met some amazing people!!!

Dan

[Radar]

Thanks again everyone! and especially Radar! Already tried out couchsurfing and met some amazing people!!!

Dan

Hey, glad you are onto Couchsurfing - some really great people there, and its free!

If you get down near Wellington, PM me and I'll meet up with ya.

Check it out KB'ers:
http://www.couchsurfing.com

[Atmonauti]

Now I am back in Auckland and heading out on my way to tour the rest of this amazing country!!

I am heading east around the Firth of Thames and touring the Coromandel first then along the Bay of Plenty and around the East Cape. '

Depending on weather I'll stop down to Rotorua before I hit the cape or on the way back through after hitting Gisborne/ Wairoa and following back east through Lake Waikaremoana area.

I plan on hitting it all!

Taupo, Napier, Tongaririo, New Plymouth, Taranaki, Palmerson North, Masterton, Wellington. Hitting all the amazing roads and sights I can see.

Skydiving, Surfing, Skiing, Scuba diving every spot I can!



There is a huge skydiving festival in Nelson that I plan on making my way to for the end of August but other then that have no real timeline but plan on hitting the entire country thoroughly.

Anyone that wouldnt mind showing an easy going Canadian around anywheres I would be more then honoured and humbled by your generosity!

Thanks so much for your time and interest in reading this!

Dan

[CookMySock]

Hey Dan,

PM sent, we'll get you into the good stuff down here.


DB

[Atmonauti]

Thanks DB! Forgot to mention my NZ mobile number is 027 365 5850 just in case anyone wants to get a hold of me

Meeting you all let alone being given the chance to get a ride or two in with you on your favourite routes would be a dream come true!