Road Trip to South Island

[Berries]

I wouldn't worry about snow. If it is bad then cars won't get through. In July it is more than likely going to be cold, ok for half an hour, but if you are doing 3+ hours in close to freezing temps you will suffer. Ice is the other issue, especially when it has warmed up enough to make you feel confident then you hit a shaded patch.

But I'd say definitely do it, especially if you have no time constraints. You can sit out any really bad weather and to be honest, there are only a handful of days a year where you wouldn't get your bike out. You'd be pissed if you flew down to 20 degrees, which can happen.

[FJRider]

If you have to ask, you are already doubting it.

Many inexperienced riders/travellers ask ... if they haven't done the distance before.

[whowhatwhere]

You'll be fine. Just make sure you keep warm and watch out for grit.

[jafa21]

I've been down there a few times, great roads, but I was advised to stay near the coast in winter; avoid the mountain passes.
The West Coast Highway is magic but you need good kit. I had good kit and still got soaked last time.

Don't plan to do too many Ks in a day. If your schedule is too heavy you'll get home with a limited idea of where you've been.

If you're quick you could still catch Henry Cole's "World Greatest Motorcycle Rides" jaunt down there last year. Currently on the Travel Channel.

Hey, when you say too many Ks, how many kms you consider too many?
whats a good number of Kms in a day?

[FJRider]

Hey, when you say too many Ks, how many kms you consider too many?
whats a good number of Kms in a day?

Ask Gremlin ... and he'll tell you about 1600 km's is a good day ... BUT ... It's what YOU can do and be comfortable about it.

[jafa21]

Ask Gremlin ... and he'll tell you about 1600 km's is a good day ... BUT ... It's what YOU can do and be comfortable about it.

Hey, i have done 350 kms in one day before. We went to raglan and back. So had more than an hour break in the middle.
That was ok. But doing it continuously everyday, would be different
As i havent done it before, how would i know if i am ok with it or not.
The reason i want to know before hand is so i can plan my trip accordingly.
Or should i just wing the whole thing. Just get on the bike and stop as and when i like.

[FJRider]

Hey, i have done 350 kms in one day before. We went to raglan and back. So had more than an hour break in the middle.
That was ok. But doing it continuously everyday, would be different
As i havent done it before, how would i know if i am ok with it or not.
The reason i want to know before hand is so i can plan my trip accordingly.
Or should i just wing the whole thing. Just get on the bike and stop as and when i like.

Do a few regular rides ... at around a tank of gas on each leg. The initial "big" ride it the hard one. You do get used to the miles. The next one's get easier.

Even a trip "out" ... a coffee and/or a feed. Then gas up and home. Don't race ... go at your pace.

Stop whenever YOU like. For a photo/rest/pee/eat/drink/gas ... whatever ...

You will get into the routine of what you need "on tour" ... very quickly.

[Ollie.T]

I've done Ohakune - Wellington, Ohakune - Auckland, Wellington - New Plymouth and Wellington - Christchurch (about 3 times) on a GN250, mostly in winter.

Its definitely doable (though almost impossible to overtake anything). Plan your fuel stops, grab a bite to eat at the same time, use some ear plugs and don't do it in stupid weather.

[FJRider]

Its definitely doable (though almost impossible to overtake anything). Plan your fuel stops, grab a bite to eat at the same time, use some ear plugs and don't do it in stupid weather.

There's bugger all traffic in the south island ... and if the ninja can't pass a campervan ...

[Ollie.T]

There's bugger all traffic in the south island ... and if the ninja can't pass a campervan ...

Seems like whenever I ride/drive anywhere long distance down south, there are always heaps of those Juicy Rental camper vans, driven by fucking muppets. Could just be bad luck I guess, or perhaps there are not actually that many, but they piss me off enough so I remember them!

Though I agree, N.I. definitely has more traffic.

[Flip]

Yes the curse of the FCV, thats Fucking Camper Vans.

Dress Appropiately amd ride to the conditions and you will be fine. Heated handle bars would be a good investement. You also probably want to start getting used the the taste of Speights and if you can find some os the clothes they wear in the Speights 'good on ya mate' ads so you don't look like a dorklander when you get down here.

There are a couple of roads to watch out for because of ice, Lindis pass, Gibbston highway the road into queenstown, Hast pass. Ok any road in the hills will have ice.

After a while down here you will be pleased to ride in grit because there is a fuck of a lot more traction in it than compacted snow or ice.

Anyway if you get unstuck I have a 4WD and a trailer.

[240]

I regularly travel to Christchurch, and in July there would be no fucken way I would ride,there is ice all over the place.
The place is as cold as fuck in winter.
Wait till Summer mate and the long,empty roads are amazing, you will love it.

[Muppet]

I regularly travel to Christchurch, and in July there would be no fucken way I would ride,there is ice all over the place.
The place is as cold as fuck in winter.
Wait till Summer mate and the long,empty roads are amazing, you will love it.

Yep 240, you're right, leave it til summer. I live here in the Garden City and have ridden all over the country in all weathers and mate it ain't no fun riding in the cold. You can't see any of the scenery etc and it can be quite dangerous. If there's ice then there's grit. There can be black ice in the shadows which lasts all day. Seriously, leave it 'til at least October.

[Flip]

I have done 28 Brass Monkeys mostly from Wellington. Only had one problem in the ice going into Naseby one trip, you just have to expect slick roads and ride to the conditions.

You sports bike riders need to take a big harden the fuck up pill.

[FJRider]

I regularly travel to Christchurch, and in July there would be no fucken way I would ride,there is ice all over the place.
The place is as cold as fuck in winter.
Wait till Summer mate and the long,empty roads are amazing, you will love it.

Yep 240, you're right, leave it til summer. I live here in the Garden City and have ridden all over the country in all weathers and mate it ain't no fun riding in the cold. You can't see any of the scenery etc and it can be quite dangerous. If there's ice then there's grit. There can be black ice in the shadows which lasts all day. Seriously, leave it 'til at least October.

Well ... you guys stay safe on your warm couch over winter ... The roads wont go anywhere ...

I've found the thought of ice scares a lot of car (and bike riders) drivers away from this area. So much the better for me. LESS traffic on the roads. Good gear worn ... and you'll have no issues with the cold.

Dickheads that try to ride in winter ... the same way (and speed) they do in summer (with the same gear) will always have issues. And in such times ... perhaps it's BETTER they stay the hell out of the area. Less work for the emergency crews that would have to pick up the pieces of their idiocy ..

I've spent the last 20 years riding around these parts ... winters included. I haven't came adrift on ice yet. I've had a little slippy-slide ... low speed and but not an off. The ice prone spots are pretty well marked (signposted) for extra care. Over the Lindis pass to Mt Cook for a late lunch is a damm fine ride in July. Heavy traffic flow on the main roads gets rid of the ice (if it existed at all) pretty quickly. My count is 16 Brass monkey rallys ... at least 5 of those involved below zero temperature rides to and from the rally (it's more dangerous AT/ON the rally site) ...

After a frost ... a sunny day usually results. And from 10 am untill about 4 pm ... it's a bloody good day for a ride.