NZ-wide road trip...

[tbone]

Thanks for the comments!

For any newbie riders reading this, if you're still thinking of getting a bike - do it! I've got no regrets (the bike is my sole transportation - thought if I had a car as well, I might be lazy and take the car on rainy days!) Bit of a pain getting groceries, but people adjust and adapt!

The biggest thing I was worried about during the whole trip (after I was comfortable with getting the bike on the ferry) was riding through the motorway in Auckland. I had never ridden in heavy traffic before, and although I found myself aware of traffic to the left and right, backwards and forwards, it wasn't as worse as I expected.

If you're thinking of getting a 250 and never ridden a bike before, don't get the most powerful 250 on the planet! Get something you're comfortable on - doesn't matter how confident you are driving a car, when you're on a bike - that all goes out the window!

Anyways, my 2 cents on learning really! Can't wait to do the same ride in summer now! (or maybe next week )

[glice]

Thanks for the comments!

For any newbie riders reading this, if you're still thinking of getting a bike - do it! I've got no regrets (the bike is my sole transportation - thought if I had a car as well, I might be lazy and take the car on rainy days!) Bit of a pain getting groceries, but people adjust and adapt!

The biggest thing I was worried about during the whole trip (after I was comfortable with getting the bike on the ferry) was riding through the motorway in Auckland. I had never ridden in heavy traffic before, and although I found myself aware of traffic to the left and right, backwards and forwards, it wasn't as worse as I expected.

If you're thinking of getting a 250 and never ridden a bike before, don't get the most powerful 250 on the planet! Get something you're comfortable on - doesn't matter how confident you are driving a car, when you're on a bike - that all goes out the window!

Anyways, my 2 cents on learning really! Can't wait to do the same ride in summer now! (or maybe next week )

those are some good tips.

how much did that whole trip cost, if you dont mind me asking?

[fergie]

great report, whats next?

[ajturbo]

you basted!!!

make us ALL jealous!!!!!!!

reminds me of my first trips on the "ER 125"....

[tbone]

Hey,

The cost of the trip is probably another interesting story. First I thought, "Why not just camp out at places?". So I bought myself a tent and sleeping bag, and then the date rolled around when I kick off the trip, and I looked at the weather down there. Didn't seem the best to be stopping at a campground with a little tent!

So looked into motels (backpackers were suggested, but I'm not exactly the best socializer so I didn't think I'd want todo that).

Didn't have enough money after forecasting how much it would cost, so ended up selling alot of my belongings (the trip meant that much to me!) and raised the funds.

A rough breakdown is this:
Gas - $500
Food - $400
Accomadation - $1300

So not exactly the cheapest of trips, and could have spent a week in Tahiti for that same amount, but then it's not the same as forcing yourself through some miserable weather and seeing what you're capable of! I suppose I could have just saved up, but what I sold were just material things so it's not a biggie!

I'll be doing the same trip (but zig zagging across the passes in the South Island) in summer, but camping this time. Probably take a little longer as I want to see more of the country than what I did this trip.

Next trip will be a small one, probably just the East Cape and maybe the Coromandel. Next totally new trip (in about 2 or 3 years) will probably be Australia - but doing that trip means you're out in the middle of nowhere and help, if I need it, is more sparse. And I need a bigger bike and more experience.

[ajturbo]

. Next totally new trip (in about 2 or 3 years) will probably be Australia - but doing that trip means you're out in the middle of nowhere and help, if I need it, is more sparse. And I need a bigger bike and more experience.

HTFU... go NOW...



good thinking bat girl!!
but the bigger bike?... have read about the people who took a scooter around aussy??...

hope to see/meet you on a road some where

[sinfull]

Nice read dude, well done !! Been a long while since i rode the southern roads ! Burt munroe is on the callender for this year ! Cant wait !
Bling to ya !~!

[Zukin]

Good ride
Nice photos too

Reminds me of ride we (my wife and I) did 18 months ago

My wife had only been riding motorbikes for about 3 months too, she was an expert in the end

We met some amazing people on that trip and are they are what we will call friends for life, as well as the amazing memories we have and still share
You too will enjoy the memories well after actual ride has faded

Here is a video of it

[P38]

Awesome ride TBone.

9 hours on a 250 virago is pretty good going.