Coming from Canada (b1unt3d)

**YellowDog** · 30th August 2009, 09:22

Hi Sean and welcome.

The last time I was in the Edmonton area was in the 1970s, so I can't really comment on the comparable traffic. All I would say is that when compared to European cities, Auckland is a walk in the park. You can get across the city in about 10 minutes, even at the busiest times. The main difficulty is the traffic lights. It is worth travelling a few K more to avoid these as for some reason they are not synchronised. Most cities you go to, if you reavel at 50kph, you will get through all the lights at green. Not in NZ. Your journey time can treble just by missing a couple of sets of lights. Strange but true.

The other strange thing is that when turning left, you need to give way to traffic from the opposite direction turning right across you. This is quite a strong arguament in favour of giving serious effort to not forgetting to cancel your indicator.

Incidentally, I don't know about Edmonton however in most countries; drivers use indicators to give advance warning and an indication of the intended manouevre. In Auckland, car drivers don't indicate. They just use the flashing light to show what they are already doing. Strange but true. The left trun rule may be an explanation for this.

I rode a foreign bike here for six months (great for speed cameras) and never got questioned by Police. I believe that foreign registered bikes can ride here for upto 3 months, but if noone's checking..........

I got a bike from LA to Auckland without a crate for US$495 by utilising spare non quota space. You would also have to get a blank for the left hand road side driving headlight issue (unless you have synchronous beams). So long as it is 'super clean' they will let you have it without any compliance issues. Or you may not want to go throught he hassle.

The roads out here are very light on traffic and quite spectacular. You will have a fantastic time.

Good luck.

**I'm motarded** · 30th August 2009, 09:33

hello and welcome Sean

**b1unt3d** · 30th August 2009, 12:40

Thanks again guys

Certainly a lot more, and friendlier responses than on my local sport bike forum :P

A few more pictures, taken at Hawrelak Park..

**paulmac:Me** · 30th August 2009, 13:04

Welcome, what line of work are you in mate ?

**onearmedbandit** · 30th August 2009, 13:04

*blunted* eh? Welcome to the site.

**b1unt3d** · 30th August 2009, 14:44

I have been a delivery/courier type driver for the last 7 years (basically since I finished high school.) I doubt I would be able to get a job driving there as a foreigner though, eh?

**b1unt3d** · 2nd September 2009, 05:42

Ug, I can't wait to come to New Zealand, if nothing else, for the weather alone. It's been about 30°C for the past few days here, and is supposed to be that hot for the next few days as well. Ad that to the -30° to -40° we can get in Winter (Nov - March).. and the mild temperature of NZ sounds like paradise.

**vifferman** · 2nd September 2009, 10:13

Originally Posted by b1unt3d

I have been a delivery/courier type driver for the last 7 years (basically since I finished high school.) I doubt I would be able to get a job driving there as a foreigner though, eh?

Ack Shirley, many of the couriers seem to be immigrants. All you'd have to do is learn our mental road rules (so you can ignore them), and learn to drive badly (perhaps starting each day with a few beers would help).

**b1unt3d** · 11th September 2009, 02:59

I just realized how stupid my avatar must look, considering you guys drive on the left side of the road :P

**b1unt3d** · 15th September 2009, 06:07

Well, I finally got offered what I am asking for my bike, so I will be selling it tomorrow. It is bittersweet, I love the bike, but I need the funds. I am way closer to coming to NZ in December now

So is my avatar correct now? Slow drivers should be in the left lane there, right?

**b1unt3d** · 15th September 2009, 15:16

everything was finalized and I got the cash today. I feel like such a sell out...

**p.dath** · 15th September 2009, 15:47

Try checking out the "New to New Zealand" section in the Wiki.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Cate...to_New_Zealand

**Maha** · 15th September 2009, 15:54

Originally Posted by b1unt3d

Well, I finally got offered what I am asking for my bike, so I will be selling it tomorrow. It is bittersweet, I love the bike, but I need the funds. I am way closer to coming to NZ in December now

So is my avatar correct now? Slow drivers should be in the left lane there, right?

In some cases here, there are actual slow lanes for people to drive in, they are not long, just enough for a few vehicles to get past. But I hate those drivers that sit in the 'fast' lane on 80-90 kph. Come to think of it, any lane that im in seems to be the slow lane....

**b1unt3d** · 18th September 2009, 10:21

so I sold my bike a couple days ago, and I just found out today that buddy I sold it to let his noob friend ride it, and he already dropped it. argggh. She definitely deserved better than that, and now I feel like a douche bag for selling her.

**cc rider** · 18th September 2009, 22:15

Originally Posted by b1unt3d

.... now I feel like a douche bag for selling her.

....is shitty to hear that happened, b1unt3d, but just remember you only sold her so you could fulfill another dream by going to NZ. Don't feel bad. Your friend will prob. get her all prettied up & never lend her out again.

Keep focusing on the amazing riding you're going to do & meeting some of this bunch along the way.

If it helps, I'm very jealous & hate you......

No I don't, but jealous...YES

cc