Longest 250 journey people have done?

[DarkLord]

Sorry if this has been asked a million times before,

But I'd love to hear what people's longest journeys on 250cc bikes are. I'm planning to take the Hyo GT250R down to Wellington next month and I live in Auckland. I'm insured and registered with AA and will take down a few tools just in case I need them. I've done Auckland to Taupo in 1 day before and been fine, but I'm feeling a bit daunted as it's my longest solo ride ever, as of yet.

Would love to hear any advice/comments/stories from any of you about your long journeys on 250's, and to see if there is anything I should be aware of. The bike has just had it's 5000k service, and I keep a close eye on my fuel guage so I don't see how that could be a problem, but I'm still a bit nervous.

Any thoughts are welcome.

Cheers,

JG84.

[gijoe1313]

Well I've ridden my little ol'hornet to all parts in the North Island (just a couple of spots for me to get around to)

Just make sure you are well prepped for the ride, carry some tools, a can of chain lube for every 500km or so. Spare cash, warm clothes and a fully charged cell phone is a must.

Take your time getting used to the bike, after 30 minutes it will really warm up and be getting into its groove. Plan for fuel stops and take a stretch now and then, get some light food into your stomach and use the toilet as needed.

Generally, you will get into a rhythm and will enjoy the ride immensely, take time out to glance at sights but always, and I mean always keep your concentration on the task at hand!

If you really want to look, stop the bike and pull over for a good gaze...

Every time you stop for fuel, do a visual check around the bike, check to see if all is good and well, make sure baggage is still secured, check up on maps, ask the servo people about condition of road/weather ahead ...

I don't know about most people, but I find I can keep pootling on and on and on by doing these basic things!

If you need some more info. just drop me a PM! Always happy to help

And good on ya for planning a big ride! I think I was in my 2nd month of riding when I rode down to the KB ride in Wellington!

[BOGAR]

Used to have a 250 and went every where on it. Nearly the whole way round the south island a few times, did 120ks in only a few years (chch-coast to west-coast, chch to nelson and back, and a few times doing the Brass Monkey back via west coast to chch). Never had any worries as long as i kept the bike in good repair, chain oiled, regular maintenance, correct tire inflation etc. Anything can go wrong but in all i would say is how much trouble have you had with it and what shape do you think it is now?
Other wise good luck and have fun, don't wear a pack on your back put it on the bike and keep the load to a minimum.

[DarkLord]

Thanks for the advice guys

Over all the bike is in good shape, the only problem is that the left fork seal is currently leaking but I plan to get that fixed before I go down. Have had a couple of other little niggles but nothing major. I keep the chain clean and lubed and tightened it the other day. I always keep a close watch on how many k's I've done as I find that more accurate than the fuel guage. I check the tyre pressures regularly and overall I keep the bike in pretty good nick.

So hopefully it all should go well..good to hear others have done similar journeys and had them go well

YZF R6 - 120,000 k's! very impressive!

[Squiggles]

Rode my RGV250 to chch and back from aucks, you say you have an aa membership, is that the plus one? (i think its plus/adventurer where they'll sort you 100k+ from home)

[Rosie]

A couple of weeks before Easter I spent a week in the South Island (almost 3000k's total), getting as far south as Christchurch. The longest single day would have been riding Wellington to Rotorua. Long stretches on main highways get a bit tiring (and boring), but otherwise I had no problems at all. I have to stop for fuel fairly frequently, but that gives you a chance to have a stretch and walk around.

If you aren't used to long trips, make sure you stop for breaks fairly frequently. Have a walk around, drink some water, and maybe have a little snack if you are hungry. If you are starting to feel a bit cold/hot/hungry/tired etc while you are riding, stop as soon as you can to rectify the problem. I get hungry very suddenly, so I carry a couple of OSM bars, so I can have a bit to eat, even if I'm in between towns. Be aware of distances between towns, and your fuel range. If you are going down SH1 there will be plenty of fuel stops, but for peace of mind, it's nice to have a vague fuel plan.

[firefighter]

Whenuapai to Kaukapkapa, through to Wellsford up to Whanagarei,continued onto kaeo, good ride! Needed something to clean my visor was my main issue, iv'e got a perfect little bottle with cleaner and a little squeegie on it but I didn't take it and regretted it.

[Lucy]

I rode from Auckland to Raetihi overnight last winter on a GN250. My biggest problem was my waterproof hiking boots didn't stay waterproof in the three hours of rain and so my feet got cold. When you get cold and wet it gets hard to get on and off the bike in a graceful manner, I found out anyway, having luggage on the pillion seat meant hoisting my cold stiff leg over the seat by sticking it out in front of me, at one point I toppled over backwards and looked really stupid falling over/off bike in the garage forecourt!

So make sure you are warm, and it sounds as though you will be fine, take your time, don't rush, and if you find yourself losing concentration and daydreaming about other stuff TAKE A BREAK.

Long trips are fun.

[RiderInBlack]

Did my first Whangarei ta South Is trip on a 1991 GSXR250R with a 80L backpack strapped to it and didn't ride it all road legal speeds ether Whangarei to Haast across to Dunedin and back. Was riding about 400-500km a day. I also used it to shift to Tuaranga from Whangarei loaded will as much as I felt safe to carry on it (and still got a tick for 120+kph in a 100km zone).

Do the same maintenance as you would with any bike on a long trip.
Regularly check:

1. Ya fluid levels (yours too).
2. Chain tension (lube every 500-1000km). If it has a clip joiner, then check that the clip is still there (my GSXR would throw them regularly).
3. Tyre wear and pressure (at least daily).
4. Brake Pads (daily is the smart thing).

There other things that I should add to this list but they have slipped my mind right now. Ya bike should be up to it. It could do a GC (1000miles/1600km in 24hrs) if maintained well.

[yungatart]

Zukin and Mrs Zukin did 7000 k (from memory) around NZ in Feb last year on 250 trailies, raising money for the Cancer Society.

[Dodger]

I'm plaining on going down to the Burt Munroe rally in November.
If I don't have a new bike by then it will be on the Hyosung GT250, 1800km round trip.

[deanohit]

One woman has ridden around the world on her 250.
Another called Lois on the loose (I think) rode Africa on hers.

Me, I like to keep days down to about 500-600kms, makes for relaxing riding.
Took my bike down welly from Tauranga last year, that was a boring ride down!

[DarkLord]

I don't expect it to be a super quick ride, more of a relaxing cruise so I probably won't find it too boring, I kinda enjoy that sort of thing especially when I need a break, as I do now.

Around the freakin' world....now THAT is a feat and a half.

[deanohit]

here you are then mate:
Lois on the loose, she's done all of America and Africa, great reading:
http://www.loisontheloose.com/

The woman who rode around the world, I think her name was Maki, and she did it on an XT250.

This guy rode to Alaska on his Ninja 250:


Hope you enjoy these inspiring stories mate, should psych you up for your trip!

[SPman]

Did an Auckland-round the South Island trip and back with a mate on CB100 & CB125 Hondas, (well - almost adds up to 250 cc), in '69. It was leisurely, but no great drama!