90 Mile Beach question

**scrubs** · 10th January 2008, 18:19

Hi,

I'm Contemplating iding up 90 mile beach tommorow on an XT600
I have heard mixed advice on whethe it's a wise thing to do or not.
(i'm not from NZ) I'm currently packing pretty heavy too (I've posted a photo so you can gauge it better) so wondered what you guys reckoned. I'm woried about the deep sand access roads too because I know if I drop the thing I aint gonna be able to pick it up again by myself. Should I sack it off and stick to the road?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...alandSF184.jpg

**James Deuce** · 10th January 2008, 18:50

You'll be fine, just watch out for the lunatic tour operators in their 6 wheel drives and modified Unimogs.

Bear in mind that all the rules of the road apply and stick to the speed limit.

**warewolf** · 10th January 2008, 19:42

I can't add anything personally, but you might get more responses in the Adventure/Dual Purpose Bikes forum.

**The Pastor** · 12th January 2008, 15:32

I went down 90 mile beach on my cbr 250, (currently for sale) It was a total blast.

Sand is rock hard.

Easy beach to ride down on.

**99TLS** · 12th January 2008, 19:55

heaps of bikes and cars do it every day you will be sweet as imho

**kneescraper** · 13th January 2008, 12:03

Whats the big attraction on this beach?

**scrubs** · 13th January 2008, 12:10

Cheers Lads, I made it there and back with no probs and had a great time.
Not often you get to ride so far down an open beach, bloody brilliant.

**jade** · 13th January 2008, 15:46

On a related note I just drove from auckland to kaitaia (ahipara) and back, 4 hours up there, 3.5 back (took sh 16 both times to wellsford)
was a good ride but has anybody experienced the mangamuka gorge about 20minutes before kaitaia >??
This is motorcycling nirvana, 17km of 35k corners !!!!!! I LOVED IT
specially with the chemical brothers blasting on my ipod

**90s** · 13th January 2008, 17:41

Originally Posted by jade

On a related note I just drove from auckland to kaitaia (ahipara) and back, 4 hours up there, 3.5 back (took sh 16 both times to wellsford)
was a good ride but has anybody experienced the mangamuka gorge about 20minutes before kaitaia >??
This is motorcycling nirvana, 17km of 35k corners !!!!!! I LOVED IT
specially with the chemical brothers blasting on my ipod

Yeah that is a really great road - just watch local traffic and campervans way over the centreline!

As for the beach, I am more of the play safe mind. There are areas where the coach drivers pull over as the sand is dangerous and has pipi beds under which will throw you, and to my eyes they look the same. If you start at the KeriKeri end and ride up the 'exit' is to ride through a stream, which I would not do.
Finally, even on the sand your bike will get a good coating of salt. This will badly corode your pride and joy unless you make sure you give it a good hosing asap.

I went on the beach a few months ago - but not on the bike. Within 1k of the KeriKeri entrance was a mitisibishi that stuck in the sand the day before and it was already stripped out by the sea. Makes you think.

Anyway, have a good day if you do it anyway.

**90s** · 13th January 2008, 17:43

Having said that, when I had a beach racing TSX I would have gone for it without thinking. You pic is pretty nice and you'll probably have no worries on your rig.
Guess I'm a lot more cautious than I used to be about these things - but the TSX went in '89.

**The Pastor** · 13th January 2008, 17:43

the stream is the best bit about riding down 90 mile beach.

**scrubs** · 13th January 2008, 21:14

I must admit i was shitting myself especially at the quick sand stream
the curse and blessing was there wash hardly anyone around on the way back
saw about two other vehicles the whole way so I was shitting myself thinking
If i got stuck in the quick stand in the stream I would be up shit creak, So I urge anyone who's a bit in two minds whether to go to give it a shot. It's not that bad, Just keep the momentum moving, revs high - slipping the clutch
for best traction.

I hit some deep dry sand at about 80 kph within the first 10k of the main beach and the back end went all over - my arse went, but dident drop it, other than that it went as smooth as.

+1 on the Mangamuka Gorge. Went through there yesaterday from
Kaitaia to Corromandel.

**F5 Dave** · 14th January 2008, 10:43

Cool,glad you enjoyed it. It is so barren it's nice to cruise, but I went up the stream & went to the tip & just back the normal way. One direction is enough.

The stream is quite easy, I did it on my old GS1100 suzi 2 up no drama, it just looks worse than it is but isn't very deep.

**90s** · 14th January 2008, 11:50

Originally Posted by scrubs

I must admit i was shitting myself especially at the quick sand stream
the curse and blessing was there wash hardly anyone around on the way back
saw about two other vehicles the whole way so I was shitting myself thinking
If i got stuck in the quick stand in the stream I would be up shit creak, So I urge anyone who's a bit in two minds whether to go to give it a shot. It's not that bad, Just keep the momentum moving, revs high - slipping the clutch
for best traction.

I hit some deep dry sand at about 80 kph within the first 10k of the main beach and the back end went all over - my arse went, but dident drop it, other than that it went as smooth as.

+1 on the Mangamuka Gorge. Went through there yesaterday from
Kaitaia to Corromandel.

Thanks for putting the update on - great to know you did it and got through with no worries. Now you've got me thinking I'll try it myself next time ...