NZ motorcycle laws explained to a german moving to NZ

**johnnydanger** · 28th December 2013, 03:05

Hey everyone,

I´m John from Germany and I´m moving to Napier in July 2014.

Right now i´m riding a Yamaha FZ 750 in Germany but I want to buy a low-budget Enduro/Off-road/Dual-sport bike for NZ.
I would like to know how the street regulatins for these bikes are. In Germany they´re very strict so I´m asking you guys for a little support.

If i look up on motorcycletrader.co.nz for the bikes i like (i.e. this one. http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/de.../rmx250/107549) it only says Class

ff-road. Are these bkes street-legal? Or can they only be used on farms, etc.?

Thank you guys very much in advance. I´m really looking forward to my move to NZ.

John

**Akzle** · 28th December 2013, 06:31

we're fairly loose down here.

anything with a "warrant of fitness" and "registration" can be legally ridden on NZ roads. knobblies or no.

anything else can be ridden too, just dont get caught.

**johnnydanger** · 28th December 2013, 06:38

Originally Posted by Akzle

we're fairly loose down here.

anything with a "warrant of fitness" and "registration" can be legally ridden on NZ roads. knobblies or no.

anything else can be ridden too, just dont get caught.

Hey Akzie, thanks for the quick reply. So, you think it´s normally easy to get a WOF for these bikes? How much do they charge on an average WOF test or check if the bike i buy has no valid WOF?

**Jantar** · 28th December 2013, 07:49

Geting a WoF for an RMX would cost you more than buying the bike. If a bike is already classed as suitable for the road, then a WoF is simple and cheap, but in the case of a bike that is designated Off Road then it would need to have a special inspection and modified vehicle certification. You would need to fit things like lights, indicators, horn, brake switches (front and rear), speedometer etc.

You would be much better off getting something like http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-677538908.htm

**johnnydanger** · 28th December 2013, 08:30

Originally Posted by johnnydanger

You would be much better off getting something like http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-677538908.htm

Yep, already saw this one. How much would it approx. be to get everything done for a WOF. Rough numbers are good enough, just need to get a feeling on prices in NZ.[/QUOTE]

**Jantar** · 28th December 2013, 08:42

Originally Posted by johnnydanger

Yep, already saw this one. How much would it approx. be to get everything done for a WOF. Rough numbers are good enough, just need to get a feeling on prices in NZ.

[/QUOTE]
If you were prepared to do the work of fitting it all out yourself, then it would be around $800 for the Vin, 1 year's registration and WoF.

If you bought a bike that was already up to road standard then a basic WoF would cost you $40.

**Akzle** · 28th December 2013, 08:52

Originally Posted by johnnydanger

Hey Akzie, thanks for the quick reply. So, you think it´s normally easy to get a WOF for these bikes? How much do they charge on an average WOF test or check if the bike i buy has no valid WOF?

varies regionally, not more than 50$.
To save the headache, buy a bike that already has a wof. (valid 6 or12 months)

trying to wof a bike that is unregistered is a big pain in the ass.

The kind youre looking for will be listed as 'dual purpose' or 'adventure touring' types.

**johnnydanger** · 28th December 2013, 09:05

So how long does a WOF last in total, 12 months? Does that mean i have to get a new WOF every 12 months, wheeew that would be twice as often as over here...

Speaking of overhead costs: How much do you pay for insurance and tax? Any additional costs i don´t know about?

**Jantar** · 28th December 2013, 09:28

A WoF depends on the age of the vehicle, but unless you are getting a bike that was built prior to the year 2000 then you only need a WoF every 12 months.
Insurance depends on your riding history, size of bike etc. Insurance is not compulsory, and 3rd party (covers damage to other people's property only) is around $150 per year. Comprehensive insurance is not too expensive, and depends on your riding history, size of bike etc. I pay around $900 per year for two bikes (1250 and 650 cc).
Annual registration (includes ACC levy) is just under $500 per year for under 600 cc and just under $600 per year for over 600 cc. The ACC levey is the compulsory 3rd party insurance that applies in most other countries.

**johnnydanger** · 28th December 2013, 09:52

Nice overview, that will help for the beginning. Thank you guys very much for your help.

**pratik8890** · 28th December 2013, 10:48

Originally Posted by Akzle

we're fairly loose down here.

anything with a "warrant of fitness" and "registration" can be legally ridden on NZ roads. knobblies or no.

anything else can be ridden too, just dont get caught.

+1 for your advice

Originally Posted by johnnydanger

Nice overview, that will help for the beginning. Thank you guys very much for your help.

Welcome to NZ in advance.