Road Trip to South Island

[LBD]

Now listen Berries you do what you want but for gods sake do not ride if there's ice around Ok?.

My fav winter time gauge on the bike is an ambient thermometer....below 5 C ease up and be cautious in the shade. Other than possible ice threats, winter is great....roads are quieter.

Other thing to watch is grit on the roads, spread in ice and snow conditions.

[sleemanj]

July is cold, no question. But you'e not going to be riding on some long forgotten off the beaten track dirt road through mountainous terrain. You'll be fine. Open your eyes, and enjoy the trip at a leisurely pace.

Dress warm. Even just a scarf will do wonders. Make sure you have some GOOD wet weather gear, or at least don't ride in the rain, cold is ok, bracing, refreshing even... but cold and wet is just plain unmitigated misery.

Winter riding with good weather is great riding, big blue skies, a bracing chill to the air. Fuckin' A.

[unstuck]

July is cold, no question. But you'e not going to be riding on some long forgotten off the beaten track dirt road through mountainous terrain. You'll be fine. Open your eyes, and enjoy the trip at a leisurely pace.

Dress warm. Even just a scarf will do wonders. Make sure you have some GOOD wet weather gear, or at least don't ride in the rain, cold is ok, bracing, refreshing even... but cold and wet is just plain unmitigated misery.

Winter riding with good weather is great riding, big blue skies, a bracing chill to the air. Fuckin' A.

Fuckin A. +1.

[Berries]

Now listen Berries you do what you want but for gods sake do not ride if there's ice around Ok?

Ok, thanks Mum.

[Flip]

Now listen Berries you do what you want but for gods sake do not ride if there's ice around Ok?

And never mind what these hogsters say. As for the above comment, half you buggers take your hogs down to the Brass on a trailer then go and stay at a motel nearby. You also can't ride without a support vehicle carrying your gear, nor can you ride for longer than 20 km without having to make a badge that says "I-went-to-the-pub-and-back-Run 2012".

Unlike some sports bike riders here, who seem to think it is fun to go back and forward over the same piece of road, over and over again as fast as possible until they finally get their knee down, I use my bike in all weather and are not afraid of the road conditions. If I parked my bike up because there was the possibility of ice in Otago it would be off the road for 6 months of the year.

The most icy trip I ever did was in 05 or 06 when we left the Brass and came back over the Hast pass in the frost after a big snow storm. There was about 80 km of solid ice roads. It was very slow going, all 4 bikes made it ok, nobody got their knee down on that trip.

If its really iced up I can take the side car see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a10oI4uPyuw

[LBD]

Unlike some sports bike riders here, who seem to think it is fun to go back and forward over the same piece of road, over and over again as fast as possible until they finally get their knee down, I use my bike in all weather and are not afraid of the road conditions. If I parked my bike up because there was the possibility of ice in Otago it would be off the road for 6 months of the year.

The most icy trip I ever did was in 05 or 06 when we left the Brass and came back over the Hast pass in the frost after a big snow storm. There was about 80 km of solid ice roads. It was very slow going, all 4 bikes made it ok, nobody got their knee down on that trip.

If its really iced up I can take the side car see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a10oI4uPyuw

... yup, winter riding is neat

[Twosixty]

If you make it down here I'll do a day or two from Blenheim with you.

[JATZ]

... yup, winter riding is neat

can be hard work though

[Nzpure]

Dude im a newby rider got my licence in winter and headed for the hills. Winters brilliant to ride in, Means your not sweating your balls off in your leathers. As long as you ride sensibly, be careful of grit they put on the roads in the most unpleasant places. Purchase a belaclaver or however the feck you spell in and a scarf, wrap up warm and go for it. skip amberly to ashburton its straight as a die and boring as shit lol. But if you do come by the broken city give us a yell and we can go for a boost over the peninsula. Ignore those pussies who say its too cold or snowy they are just that pussies. If the road is snowed in to the point its inpassable noones going thro. Its farking pretty down these ways mate you'll love it. Just get out there and

[DODO``]

I've done one in my old hyosung gt250r. to welly couple years ago.

Hey Guys,
I am thinking of doing a road trip from Auckland to Queenstown on my Kawasaki ninja 250 around end of July.
I would like to know:
Is it a good idea? If yes, why. If no, Why?

Definitely yes, because its fun!

Have you done it before and what are your thoughts? any regrets? what would you do differently?

not to queenstown but to wellington and back. only regrets I had was not taking any photos!!! I didnt have the 12v jack on the bike so my phone batt kept dying on me, lot of things I had to improvise as I go, buy things as I go, Id say go with others if possible, have some basic tools and important contact handy in case something goes wrong, have the right warm gear especially rain gear, service your bike before setting out and enjoy the open road!

What route do you recommend (rough itinerary please) ?

I just took the biggest motorway right across the middle of the country down, and sort of zig zaged the way back up. if you divide the trips into many days its pretty easy really.. make frequent stops and you will be fine.

How many days should i do it in?

I know some people do auckland to wellington in a day but I took it slow and done the whole thing (ak to welly to ak) in a week. stopping at many many many places and spending 2 nights in welly.

I have no time restrictions. I am very flexible on everything.

I realize its going to be middle of winter then, so may be its not such a good idea to do it in July???

I dont mind biking one way and flying my bike the other way. Should i ride both ways or only do one way?

no comment on snow ride as Ive never rode on snow, but as for the both or one way, i guess it depends on your time and budget really. take it slow and dont schedule everything too tight thats the key.

Please share your views/thoughts/experiences.

ended up with bugs ALL over me.. not a biggy, arm-ache, backache, cramps,, on that sports bike.. use go cruise throttle control if you can on motorways, bigger bike than 250 would be less vibration etc etc more comfortable.. my mate told me he almost fell asleep so yeah ride fresh, take it easy slow, I remember lot of pain here and there haha.. have top box or saddle bags,, Id say do it, its fun, and if you want to enjoy the trip stop by at lots of places rather than sticking your head down and riding straight to the destination.

[LBD]

can be hard work though

Ooooo yea...Arthurs Pass when closed to vehicals without chains make for some very nervous riding and VERY cautious braking... The MOW guy who wanted to check if we had chains for our bikes was a little challenged...

[sleemanj]

The MOW guy who wanted to check if we had chains for our bikes was a little challenged...

[JATZ]

Ooooo yea...Arthurs Pass when closed to vehicals without chains make for some very nervous riding and VERY cautious braking... The MOW guy who wanted to check if we had chains for our bikes was a little challenged...

You should probably have a look at this RR.... http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/arti...coast-ride.php winter riding at it's best

[FJRider]

Ooooo yea...Arthurs Pass when closed to vehicals without chains make for some very nervous riding and VERY cautious braking... The MOW guy who wanted to check if we had chains for our bikes was a little challenged...

Chains on bikes have been fitted in NZ ...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ke-snow-chains

[LBD]

Okay....can I have tomato sauce with my hat when I eat it?