Thanks from a Canadian!

[Atmonauti]

Thanks so much you guys! Im a solo canadian thats gonna buy a 250 dual purpose (i think) and try to do the whole country. I have been just eating up all these suggested routes in this section of the fourm and have been highlighting my map

my tent and sleeping bag in tow on the back of my bie. and a bag of luggage sent in the post from skydiving dropzone to dropzone with my parachute and skydiving gear.

I am going to be touring around for close to a year or longer. I am thinking more and more about seeking longer visas here in NZ

anyways just wanted to express my gratitude for all the tips!

I am pretty much planning to do the entire coast of both islands. But its nice to see inland options as well

I am going to be reading up in the adventure section as well!

You guys rawk!

Dan

[Dino]

Sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun with a heap of time to do it in.

I'm sure if you post up your ride plans there will be guys on here who will want to catch up with you and show you some of their favorite local rides.

Hope you have a ball.

[Atmonauti]

Thanks! I am a bit worried I am going to be wishing I had my 600 F4i the whole time im going around these coastal routes. big winding up hills and down i assume?

So on a bike like a early 2000's XT 250 ish 4 stroke type bike when im used to ripping around twisties... i just wonder if it will diminish my experience seeing the country of my dreams on two wheels.

[kiwi cowboy]

Thanks! I am a bit worried I am going to be wishing I had my 600 F4i the whole time im going around these coastal routes. big winding up hills and down i assume?

So on a bike like a early 2000's XT 250 ish 4 stroke type bike when im used to ripping around twisties... i just wonder if it will diminish my experience seeing the country of my dreams on two wheels.

just think how mutch more you will see poootling along on a 2fiddy as opposed to rippin it up on a bigger bike
Dont forget to tour central south island

[Atmonauti]

heheh thanks for the reply! though my head is still stuck in this quagmire heh

dont worry I plan on taking the whole country in

[MaxB]

Just a question. Why are you limiting yourself to 250s?

The 250s are our learner bikes and so hold their prices. Things like the DR650 go really well here. Even bikes like the BMW F650 will go just about anywhere with the right tyre choice. IMHO if you can handle a CBR you will have no worries with a larger dual purpose bike.

[Atmonauti]

the price is the limiting factor.
so the more i use for the bike the quicker i'll have to work to make money and the less buffer i have for cash if something comes up goes wrong.

[yungatart]

If you find yourself in Hawkes Bay and in need of accomodation, there is plenty of room here. A PM will sort it.
Cheers

[JMemonic]

the price is the limiting factor.
so the more i use for the bike the quicker i'll have to work to make money and the less buffer i have for cash if something comes up goes wrong.

Firstly welcome and I hope you do get to enjoy a tour of NZ.

I suspect you may have missed the point re the price of bikes, currently the upper limit on anyone learning to ride here is 250cc, (this is proposed to change in the future), hence there is a constant demand for this class which has held the prices up, you can often purchase a larger rated bike for less money, case in point was recently you could buy a used Bandit 250cc or a Bandit 600cc the only difference in some cases was the cc rating, this has changed a little but not that much eg example 1, and example 2, it would be possible to spend around the same money for a larger bike and have that little bit more comfort they offer on longer runs.

[Atmonauti]

I follow ya there. The problem is 3k is kind of the ceiling. well its the new ceiling :S as I was hoping to find a bike for 2k.

The higher the price of the bike the more I have invested in it the more I rely on reselling it when/if I leave.

And thanks so much for the offer for accommodation!

I am going to do the cape loop for sure. Hoping I dont get stranded for gas. But I'll let ya know when im heading that way anyways just in case I do wanna break it up over more then a day.

You folks are amazing!

[MSTRS:Me]

I follow ya there. The problem is 3k is kind of the ceiling. well its the new ceiling ... as I was hoping to find a bike for 2k.

Good luck finding a bike that is reliable etc for that sort of money...
Thought of hiring something? Or if you are here for months, then maybe someone on KB can point you at a buy-back deal?

[Atmonauti]

I am here for 9ish months. then i'll probably buy a sports bike if/when im still here extending my visas and seeking residency

[MSTRS:Me]

Then you need to spend some time trawling thru TardeMe...it will at least give you some ideas as to values etc
www.trademe.co.nz

[Jimmy B]

I follow ya there. The problem is 3k is kind of the ceiling. well its the new ceiling :S as I was hoping to find a bike for 2k.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=241634

Something like this would be better than a 250.

[JMemonic]

I understand a bit better now what your requirements are, as MSTRS suggested trademe will be your friend, its the best place to find cheaper bikes. When are you heading out ? And where do you land ? I am guessing Auckland, and looking at this it would be ideal http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=322466, any questions please don't hesitate to ask.