Invercargill to Kerikeri in three weeks on a cheap bike

[CRM]

Nice ride! Tried to leave Invercargill early as I had an appointment in Dunedin at 2:00 and needed to get organised and tidied up before that, so left Invers about 7:45 intending to do the Catlins Road. Unfortunately I missed the turnoff and nearly made it to Bluff before realising I'd gone too far . Besides that my fingers were freezing off so I stopped to check the map. By now the sun was blazing (but not a lot of heat) - see pic 1 below. I turned around and after getting lost back in Invercargill finally got on the right road about 40 minutes late.

The first bit is okay but a little dull - especially the sun in your eyes and frozen fingers. Finally stopped at the Catlins sign where you first see the sea and put my other gloves (by dirt bike ones) underneath the leather gloves. Warm but a little hard to bend your fingers (appreciate the one-finger hydraulic clutch on the Magna - reminds my of my old Gas Gas).

It just gets better from there! Amazing views and amazing road. It warmed up real nice too by about 10:30. These were the first real tight corners I've done on the Magna - getting confidence on her now - she's starting to feel like an extension of me - that's what we ride for eh? The best roads are like roller coasters - sweeping downhill turns; tight s-bends; roads that flow with the land rather than cut through it.

So now I'm back where I started in Dunedin - 700 miles on the Magna so far. I head to Timaru tomorrow.

I got some earplugs from a Chemist in Balclutha - they help a lot with wind noise. Will get some phones when I find a Dick Smith maybe tomorrow.

[Laava]

If you get a chance, buy some icebreaker merino gloves. Ultra thin to go under your normal gloves and very warm. Oh and don't have too much fun. You are supposed to be working!

[Korumba]

Fantastic ride, I grew up (figuratively speaking) in Invercargill and from the age of 15 went riding every point on the compass on a bike... you should have so carried on to Buff CRM, ....and up the hill. if you get enough speed you land in the South Seas Hotel carpark.
Go hard, good to see the Norf in the Souf!

[CRM]

A shorter ride today so didn't have to leave until about 9:00. Weather just couldn't be better! Last time I did this road it was snowing as we came into Dunedin (in a car fortunately). The road up to Oamaru in particular is great. I stopped a couple of times for pics - pulled in at Moeraki and found 'Fleurs Place' - just a fantastic cafe/restaurant right on the water - even though I was running a bit late couldn't resist stopping for a coffee. See pic below.

[CRM]

Great ride today over Lewis Pass. Yesterday the trip from Timaru to Christchurch was a bit of a non-event. I was running late, thinking about how to not lose my licence and didn't have time for interesting diversions plus the weather was kind of plain too. No pics. Today I left Chch at 6ish, got to Hanmer around 7:30 - thought I'd get some gas as I wasn't sure if there was any more before Murchison (as it turns out there was). So while I waited for the gas station in Hanmer to open thought I'd do some trail riding (see pics below). That was kind of fun really .

Finally set off over the pass - what a great ride that is. Been experimenting with cornering techniques on the Magna. Slight opposite steer and she lays down and corners like she's on rails (I call her 'Ruby on Rails' - software geeks will understand). If you go into a corner like you are setting up for a power slide - opposite steer and keep your body slightly upright even better - even have to drop the knee sometimes.

They told me cruisers have issues with cornering clearance but haven't found that with the Magna - I think they are more of a sports/cruiser. Or is it that I really do just ride like a nana?

What sort of tyre pressures should I be running? - it seems fine as is with about 26 in the front and 33 in the back. The back feels a little soft to me with the big pack i'm carrying - I've bottomed it a couple of times but thinking that's a shock adjustment issue (but can't figure how to adjust them) anyone know?

I'm really enjoying the Magna - she's 21 years old but feels like a new bike - obviously been well looked after. Reliability has been 100%. Only thing I've noticed is a little noise from the rear brake - that's all I can fault about it.

Saw lots of riders today going the other way over the pass - most were friendly enough to wave. If the weather is good tomorrow may take a trip out to the spit. I'm crossing over to the North Sunday night.

[Highlander]

Been experimenting with cornering techniques on the Magna. Slight opposite steer and she lays down and corners like she's on rails (I call her 'Ruby on Rails' - software geeks will understand).

That would be this countersteering that there is pages and pages of dsicussion about within this website.

What sort of tyre pressures should I be running? - it seems fine as is with about 26 in the front and 33 in the back.

I run 32 front 34-36 rear seams to work ok.

The back feels a little soft to me with the big pack i'm carrying - I've bottomed it a couple of times but thinking that's a shock adjustment issue (but can't figure how to adjust them) anyone know?

Check if there is a "C" spanner in the tool bag under the seat. It should allow you to adjust the preload on the springs a little, by moving the ring at the top of the spring around a notch (if it is the same as mine there are about 4 steps it can go to).

When loading your bike up try to put as much of the weight as you can within a triangle whose points are where the wheels touch the ground, and the top of your head. It helps with the ballance.

I'm really enjoying the Magna - she's 21 years old but feels like a new bike - obviously been well looked after. Reliability has been 100%.

Welcome to the world of touring. Contrary to wide held belief it doesn't need to be a whizbang, flash Harry, streak of lightning, second mortgage machine to get out there and enjoy the ride. Good for you

Enjoying the read and photos.

[CRM]

Thanks Highlander - good stuff. I read some of the countersteering threads and they were helpful. Seems to help me (coming from dirt biking) to think of it as setting up for powerslide, but then weighting the outside peg which keeps the bike more upright. Started scrapping pegs so must be getting a bit more confident now.

I did the great road from Nelson to Picton yesterday afternoon, stopping off at the Rai Valley A & P show - fantastic! What a great old-NZ atmosphere. Then I kept going past there out to Tennyson Inlet - beautiful spot, lots of tight corners!! Then went through the Queen Charlotte drive to Picton to cross on the Bluebridge ferry. Met some fellow KiwiBikers for a good time hanging out on the amazing warm smooth crossing, then rode up to Palmy arriving a little cold at tired after midnight. Just a perfect day of riding although the last bit in the dark I could have done without.

No riding today... spending time with my daughter. Back to Welly tomorrow for the day.

[CRM]

Well finally made it to Napier. I did an early morning ride from New Plymouth up through Te Kuiti then across the top of Lake Taupo then down to Napier. I loved the Taupo / Napier road - it had warmed up by then.

Tuesday afternoon I rode from Palmy to New Plymouth via Wanganui and the Surf Highway. It was horribly windy and then it rained - not great riding conditions. The sun came out momentarily by the river when the paddle steamer went past.

The Magna continues to impress - never missed a beat. I've got another early morning trip tomorrow morning up to Gisborne by 9:30 - I hope it's not so cold as this morning. I had all my warm gear on - thermal gloves, thermal underwear - but it sure didn't feel like it!

[CRM]

I had another early start this morning from Napier - had to be in Gisborne by 9:00 so had a nice fast trip. The weather was good apart from one shower and reasonably warm. Loved the road - especially up to Wairoa. There was a guy in ute who obviously knew the road well that I followed until it got light then once I overtook him he pushed me along - opening it up on the straights - nice!

I got new helmet in Palmy - a Shoei flip front one. It was great in the shop but began to hurt in the front after about 45 mins riding so yesterday I nipped the seam out where it was creating pressure and its much better now. Nice and quiet with whisper thing on the bottom.

The pics below are from yesterday - some frozen valley where I had to stop while I still had fingers and the second is in Pio Pio getting a hot chocolate to try to get some circulation back (showing my new helmet). Too much of a hurry today to take pix.

Tomorrow East Cape - a whole days ride!

[EJK]

Awesome! Theres nothing like touring alone discovering New Zealand

[CRM]

What a great day and a great ride - Gisborne to Whakatane around East Cape. The road is amazing - just goes on and on and gets better and better. It's a little rough in places - reckon I got air a few times - but just super fun to ride .

I thought I'd found the last Moa when I came around one corner - no idea where it came from but seemed quite friendly (but thought I'd leave my helmet on in case it decided to take out my eyes!) Is it an ostrich??

Just too many good photo opportunities on this road but i couldn't resist taking about 70 photos. A few of the best below.

[CRM]

Well I got home last night - 2640 miles in 2 weeks and three days. It was a fantastic ride - mostly good weather - only three days that were actually unpleasant for riding - the rest were good to amazing!

The bike performed absolutely flawlessly. I wish I could afford to keep her but basically I'll just show all the mates and go on a few rides with them then sell her. I've already got a friend who has offered me what i paid for her.

Final pics are coming into Whangarei as the sun was setting and back in my driveway.

[Highlander]

Well done. A good ride and a good read.

Got the hankering for a bit of touring or got it out of your system?

[Xaria]

Brilliant write up. Sounds like you had an awesome time

[CRM]

Well done. A good ride and a good read.

Got the hankering for a bit of touring or got it out of your system?

Thinking maybe I could do it again in the spring - maybe on more of an adventure bike like a Transalp so i could take in some more gravel back roads. I'd love to take my XR600 down south and do some of the hard-core adventure trails but don't think I could combine that with work so easily!

I guess I'd also like to do a tour with a group of mates sometime as I imagine that would be a totally different experience. Pluses and minuses i guess.