Biker and new to New Zealand

[Zyre]

Some on here may give you the impression that our roads are poorly maintained goat tracks with a hazzard around every corner. Henry Cole of 'Worlds Greatest Motorcycle Rides' fame called New Zealand 'Motorbike Heaven'. If you like twisty roads and great scenery you'll love it here.

Made me laugh I've already scouted a few roads on Google Maps, and they twist and turn just the way I like.

[oneofsix]

Made me laugh I've already scouted a few roads on Google Maps, and they twist and turn just the way I like.

Welcome. Looks like you have been getting some good advice. The problem with Wellington is getting to the end of the motorway to do some real riding.
You'll love being able to ride for the whole 12 months of the year, based in Wellington you might want to be sure you can handle the wind gusts

[nathanwhite]

Mate...you're so far out of touch it's not funny. In actual fact, most trade me sellers now ask as much as most dealers, but can offer absolutely no after sales backup and or warranty. Have a look for your self.

I did. Generally dealers will cost more because they offer brand new bikes whereas trademe sellers have second hand bikes. The second hand bikes are all valued differently because of variables eg km's, wear and such.

Besides 'asking price' is always coupla hundred higher then what they want.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I did. Generally dealers will cost more because they offer brand new bikes whereas trademe sellers have second hand bikes. The second hand bikes are all valued differently because of variables eg km's, wear and such.

Besides 'asking price' is always coupla hundred higher then what they want.

Ahhh...hate to tell you this, but 99% of dealers in NZ survive with used bike sales far more so than new bike sales. It's their bread and butter as it were. And nowadays, most punters are asking near normal retail for their bikes on TM without being able to offer the safety net a dealer can.

[FJRider]

Some on here may give you the impression that our roads are poorly maintained goat tracks with a hazzard around every corner. Henry Cole of 'Worlds Greatest Motorcycle Rides' fame called New Zealand 'Motorbike Heaven'. If you like twisty roads and great scenery you'll love it here.

Maybe not all roads in all areas ... but the assumption that all roads are in good condition, and always suitable for/at highway speed limit speeds ... will lead to problems. As assumptions usually do.

Road works/maintainence can occur in all/any area. Most road works are well signed ... some not that well ... with little indication in the signage to say how serious the road works are. (or length of the road works) Some roads in some conditions ... are just plain bad.

New Zealand has a lot of roadways ... some very remote. With no cellphone coverage. And often some distance from a city/town/house. And if you "fall off" the road by even a few metres (in many places) you will not be seen. Even on very busy roads. If travelling alone ... it pays to tell somebody your intentions (and timeframe). So if you don't arrive in the advised time ... somebody will start looking.

[nathanwhite]

Ahhh...hate to tell you this, but 99% of dealers in NZ survive with used bike sales far more so than new bike sales. It's their bread and butter as it were. And nowadays, most punters are asking near normal retail for their bikes on TM without being able to offer the safety net a dealer can.

Very well then. but for new bike sales.
BTW where does this info come from? your observations on trademe, working in a dealership, general experience?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Very well then. but for new bike sales.
BTW where does this info come from? your observations on trademe, working in a dealership, general experience?

25 years in the industry in 5 different shops both here in NZ and Brisbane. Buying and selling my own personal bikes and some I import from time to time as well. I have a pretty good idea of what things are worth. I do dozens of pav's for various insurance companies every year too.

[Maha]

25 years in the industry in 5 different shops both here in NZ and Brisbane. Buying and selling my own personal bikes and some I import from time to time as well. I have a pretty good idea of what things are worth. I do dozens of pav's for various insurance companies every year too.

mmmmmmmm I like pav'....Wellington MC's should give one away free with every new bike sale...

[nathanwhite]

25 years in the industry in 5 different shops both here in NZ and Brisbane. Buying and selling my own personal bikes and some I import from time to time as well. I have a pretty good idea of what things are worth. I do dozens of pav's for various insurance companies every year too.

fair enough then

[Crasherfromwayback]

mmmmmmmm I like pav'....Wellington MC's should give one away free with every new bike sale...

You buy a bike off me mate and I'll give you more than a pav!

[Crasherfromwayback]

fair enough then

So if you're ever looking to buy a bike, be it privately or through another dealer, feel free to get hold of me for an honest opinion of it's worth. More than happy to try and help.

Pete

[nathanwhite]

So if you're ever looking to buy a bike, be it privately or through another dealer, feel free to get hold of me for an honest opinion of it's worth. More than happy to try and help.

Pete

I'll take you up on that later this year when i'm looking to get my big boys bike

[GrayWolf]

Hi!

I'm 25 year old guy from Sweden that is coming over to live in beautiful New Zealand this summer. I'm staying for approx 12 months in Wellington and since I'm a biker I don't know if I can go without riding motorcycles for that long plus I love exploring the countryside and I can't think of a better way than doing it by bike.

A few questions for you guys (tried the search function but it gave nothing):

1. I'm planning on spending around $4200, can this get me a decent bike that can handle the roads in NZ

One of the great things here is often you can buy a 15+yr old bike with minimal milage, EG: I bought an immaculate ZZR1100 1993 D3 model with only 20,000 miles for 5.25k If you are intending to go off the beaten track and explore, then a dual purpose like a GS650 beemer or a KL, DR etc would do well.

2. What are the roads like?

Difficult to answer, I am English so my comparison is that much of the State highways here are a mixture of mainly B class and some A class (english road classification). I always wondered why Kiwi's I met in the UK were so bloody good round country roads, now I live here I understand why.

3. For exploring the countryside, what bike would you recommend?

Any 650 upwards adventure/dual purpose bike will be fine. An older BMW800GS would give you pillion option over distances at highway speeds

4. I've read something about an extremely expensive levy(tax?), what's that about?
Road tax basicaly, a govt levy to allow you to ride the road, THEN an additional compulsory accident insurance levy that is the expensive part

5. Best site for buying used bikes? TradeMe?
Yes TM is a good option, but there is a few good sized dealers in the Wellington/Hutt area, TSS red baron, Motorad, Wellington motorcycles to name a few.

6. What are the insurance fees like for someone my age? Good and cheap insurance companies?
Insurance here is NOT compulsory, but I would recommend it, price as normal will depend on age, experience, endorsements (speeding tickets etc) and value of the bike insured.

Alot of questions, but it would be really helpful if you could answer at least a few of them. Thank you!!

NZ roads are like riding european country roads in most cases. THe surface finish is pretty good overall, but you will always find parts where the surface is deteriorating, loose gravel and/or areas of black tar coming to the surface, slippery as snot when wet. One off main roads NZ IS a farming country, be prepared for, sheep on road side, cow/sheep shit on the road from stock crossing, oh and to find said beasties walking along the road.
however taking all that into account NZ truly is a motorcyclists paradise, I have ridden europe, UK then NZ for a total of almost 38yrs.... If you condensed all the road types found in Europe from alpine roads, to english country roads.... into 2 small islands? thats NZ.

[MSTRS:Me]

All this talk of how bad the roads are. Anyone would think NZ is some sort of banana republic. I resent that, since bananas don't really grow here. We are actually a 3rd world country...

[5150]

I'm thinking a 600cc or similar. I currently own a 2008 ER6n and a 1999 SV650 and love them both. I'm selling the SV650 and will be looking to buy a bike on NZ for those money, maybe a bit more. Right now I'm leaning towards a similar bike but I asked since I don't have a feel for the roads, maybe an offroad tourer is better suited for exploring? I know the basics of mechanics and what to look for, but I don't want a bike that needs any fixing. Any work on the bike would have to be done at a repair-shop. Renting is quite expensive, the point of buying is so that I can ride during my whole stay.

Thank you for the answers, more input is certainly welcome!

There are dealers here that will offer you a buy back deal. You buy a bike off them and as long as you come back with it in descent condition, they will buy it back off you when you leave again. You will loose few dollars but at least you have a way out when you leave. And you will also have a warranty that the bike is in good working condition