On road costs in NZ

[Lostin...]

Hi mates, we are going to visit your beautiful country soon for 1-1,5 months to travel south and north islands across. As for now, I got a plan to buy used motorbikes in Auckland (I think it is the best place to buy because of great choice). So, I am looking smth like Suzuki GN125 or Yamaha scorpio 225 and etc. Could you please give me the piece of advice regarding next questions:

1) When buying used motorbike from resident of New Zealand with valid WOF what would be on road cost to make bike registration, insurance and plates on my name? Or I can leave old plates? Is it possible to give me approximate on road costs for Suzuki gn125?

2) In Russia I ride DR650 because we got a lot of off road and even sealed roads are not very good quality so good suspension is a must, but as far as I understand you got excellent roads and such simple bikes as gn125 or scorpio would be enough for sightseeing and travelling with speed lower than 90 km/h all over two islands in NZ, am I right?

3) Which bike is better to buy in order to sell it at the end of our journey? I mean which model is very popular in NZ in order to sell it as fast as possible? I see that there is a lot of GN125 on trade.me, is it a good choice?


Excuse me for my English in advance.

[Thaeos]

Well rego for 3 months is $102.01. When you buy a used bike you only have to pay $10 for the change of ownership. Insurance is not required (would recommend you at least get 3rd party though), it's not too expensive anyway a quote from state for full comprehensive was less than $20 a month for a GN250 for a full licence holder, not sure how that works with international licences though.

I'd recommend the scorpio over the gn125 simply as it would be less frustrating on the open road.. depending on what you paid either one shouldn't be too hard to sell back, would probably still pick the scorpio for resale as well though.

[Lostin...]

Well rego for 3 months is $102.01. When you buy a used bike you only have to pay $10 for the change of ownership. Insurance is not required (would recommend you at least get 3rd party though), it's not too expensive anyway a quote from state for full comprehensive was less than $20 a month for a GN250 for a full licence holder, not sure how that works with international licences though.

I'd recommend the scorpio over the gn125 simply as it would be less frustrating on the open road.. depending on what you paid either one shouldn't be too hard to sell back, would probably still pick the scorpio for resale as well though.

Thank you for prompt reply! I think Insurance (3rd party) is a must to avoid unneccessary risk. I also like scorpio more but there is a lot of used gn125 and 250, it is simpler to buy them, nevertheless we would see how it would go. Now I understand how much it cost, thank you_)

[FJRider]

Buy a bike with Rego already covering the time you will be needing it. And with a current Warrant of Fitness. Only change of ownership required. Just ensure you have an International license that includes motorcycles.

Plenty of cheap larger cc motorcycles around .. that will handle NZ terrain/roads better. And in the time frame you require. NZ DOES look small on any international map.

[Lostin...]

We got valid international motorcycle driver license - no problem with this. It is good idea to look for the bikes that got valid rego for our time frame, I was thinking that rego must be made each time new when ownership is changing.

By the way what is the process of buying the bike in NZ? As I understand you got:

1) WOF
2) Rego
3) Plates

Any other documents that shows who is the owner of motorcycle and need to be changed?

[neels]

Registration is the number plate, stays with the bike forever.

Warrant of fitness (WOF) is a check that it is safe to be on the road, expires every 6 or 12 mths depending on age

Vehicle licence is the fee for using the bike on the road, commonly referred to as rego.

All of these are transferred with the bike when the ownership is changed, if the expiry is after the end of your visit all you will need to pay is $10 to change ownership to you.

It's a good idea to ask to see the certificate of registration, and to see the drivers licence of the person selling the bike, to confirm that it belongs to them and they are legally entitled to sell it.

[Lostin...]

Registration is the number plate, stays with the bike forever.

Warrant of fitness (WOF) is a check that it is safe to be on the road, expires every 6 or 12 mths depending on age

Vehicle licence is the fee for using the bike on the road, commonly referred to as rego.

All of these are transferred with the bike when the ownership is changed, if the expiry is after the end of your visit all you will need to pay is $10 to change ownership to you.

It's a good idea to ask to see the certificate of registration, and to see the drivers licence of the person selling the bike, to confirm that it belongs to them and they are legally entitled to sell it.

Ok, I got it, in Russia is nearly the same process but with small modifications. Thank you for reply!

[Berries]

No jokes about ukraine your neck on a GN125 or we have low crimea.

[FJRider]

We got valid international motorcycle driver license - no problem with this. It is good idea to look for the bikes that got valid rego for our time frame, I was thinking that rego must be made each time new when ownership is changing.

By the way what is the process of buying the bike in NZ? As I understand you got:

1) WOF
2) Rego
3) Plates

Any other documents that shows who is the owner of motorcycle and need to be changed?

WOF and rego if current ARE transferable ... no forms need be filled out to keep them both. (if both are up to date)

If WOF and rego ARE up to date ... ONLY the change of ownership (and insurance) is your responsibility. I can't recall if it is the legal responsibility of the previous or new owner to pay ... I just like to know it HAS been changed. for $10 ... I don't really care ...

Plates go with the bike. With motorcycles that have rego "On hold" ... you pay rego from the time YOU rego it. (AFTER you change ownership)

The change of ownership is done at any Post shop (Office) ... and they will give you a small certificate to show you ARE the Registered owner of that vehicle.

In the case of a private sale ... an agreement of sale from the previous owner may be a good idea. With their (and your) signature on it.

[Lostin...]

No jokes about ukraine your neck on a GN125 or we have low crimea.

hmmm...do not understand you, sorry. You want to speak about Ukrain?

[Lostin...]

WOF and rego if current ARE transferable ... no forms need be filled out to keep them both. (if both are up to date)

If WOF and rego ARE up to date ... ONLY the change of ownership (and insurance) is your responsibility. I can't recall if it is the legal responsibility of the previous or new owner to pay ... I just like to know it HAS been changed. for $10 ... I don't really care ...

Plates go with the bike. With motorcycles that have rego "On hold" ... you pay rego from the time YOU rego it. (AFTER you change ownership)

The change of ownership is done at any Post shop (Office) ... and they will give you a small certificate to show you ARE the Registered owner of that vehicle.

In the case of a private sale ... an agreement of sale from the previous owner may be a good idea. With their (and your) signature on it.

Valuable info - thanks!

[haydes55]

Speed limit is 100km/h on the open road. Most places out of town/cities is 100km/h. 50km/h through towns.

For touring the country, you will spend most of the time at 100km/h, so a scorpio would handle that a lot better than a gn125.

Before you leave, sell your bike on trademe for $1 reserve auction. Set the auction to finish the day before you fly out. If the sale falls through, you could leave the bike at someones house off this forum until it sells.

[SMOKEU]

If you want to do a lot of touring around the country, then I suggest buying something bigger than a 125cc or 225cc. If you like riding a DR650, then there are many of them available here for a reasonable price, and it will be much nicer than riding a small bike for long distances.

[Jantar]

I would also recommend something a bit bigger than a GN or a scorpio. New Zealand is a mountainous country, and the open road speed is 100 kmh. If your bike can't cruise at 100 uphill while fully loaded then you are putting yourself at risk.

[FJRider]

I would also recommend something a bit bigger than a GN or a scorpio. New Zealand is a mountainous country, and the open road speed is 100 kmh. If your bike can't cruise at 100 uphill while fully loaded then you are putting yourself at risk.

Ignore him ... (a suzuki rider)

People ride the roads of New Zealand on a bicycle ... and seem happy (going downhill) doing so.

Every kilometer you don't have to push or peddle it .. is a good one. Small motorcycles are better than bicycles.

BY FAR ...


Enjoy the ride ... an adventure to be had for sure ... just remember to post pic's and stay in touch here on KB. Beds/help/advise are here if you want it ...