Suggested routes - Wellington to Tauranga

[Tazz]

There is nothing at all exciting about the Desert Road, compared to other options anyway.

Enjoy your shopping!

[Bikemad]

i'd go for the old wanganui river road over the forgotton hwy.........

[nzspokes]

i'd go for the old wanganui river road over the forgotton hwy.........

Is that the one that goes to National Park? I dont know the area very well.

[nzspokes]

Most biggies would go closer to 300 I'd say.

Depends on the style I guess. I tend to ride with more sportier types and closer to 200ish is the norm. My old Bandit is anywhere from 230 to 270 depending on how far I twist the throttle before reserve. My old Hornet was 230 to the red light. But a mates Busa is 300k which surprised me. And another on a Concours is 400k.

[Bikemad]

Is that the one that goes to National Park? I dont know the area very well.

you take the same road outta wanganui heading for the wangaparas.....but about 10ks out just past upokongaro hang a left,follows the river past jerusalem to pipriki where you have to go right and you end up in Raetihi.......quite narrow......great scenery........all sealed.......hardly any traffic

[Bikemad]

then if you have the time head north to Horopito and wander round the wreckers yard there......Smash Palace was filmed there years ago

[5ive]

Wait until you ride with a group of Harleys. Owners bladders only last 100ks...

Haha, is that why the diehard Harley riders have very large panniers?

I already get bored waiting for other riders with my 450-500km range, and the faster they go, the more frequent the stops.

[Mike.Gayner]

Tank range ranks about the middle of my list of priorities. Unfortunately nothing that fulfilled the top of my priorities had good tank range. I can get 330km out of my 750.

The smallish tank range of the Speedy will be a pain in the ass, but the rest of the bike will make up for it.

[JATZ]

Another vote for H/way 52. Watch it on the wooden bridges if it's wet
If you do head round East Cape there's fuel at Te Araroa, 91 only... unless your bike runs on diesel

[Mike.Gayner]

This is my plan at the moment:

Day 1: Wellington to Hastings via Route 52.

Day 2: Hastings to Taihape via Gentle Annie, to Tauranga via 32 (will mix it up a bit after that, but just showing bare bones on the map).

[reasonable]

Mike , I did route 52 on my Dl650 a couple of weeks ago .
It's been a few years since I've owned a bike & this f**kin put a smile on my dial .
I'm originally from the Waikato & it was great to get out of the Wgtn traffic .
Also great to unleash the capabilities of the little Strom .
If you've got time don't forget to stop at the Wimbledon country pub .
Envious

[jellywrestler]

i'd go for the old wanganui river road over the forgotton hwy.........

is it open after the floods earlier this year, there was a lot of damage to it

[Mike.Gayner]

is it open after the floods earlier this year, there was a lot of damage to it

Quick Google search indicates the road is still closed.

[Banditbandit]

My favourite route from Wellington to the Bay of Plenty is:

Wellington to the Wairarapa

Over the Pahiatua Track and on to Ashurst.

Ashurst to Taihape via the Pohangana Valley and Apiti and Rangiwahia ... (brings you out just north of Mangaweka)

Over the Desert Road to Turangi (I like the Desert Road - but avoid the cops)

Turangi to Taupo via the Western Bays Road around the lake

Taupo to Rotorua (there are quite a few ways) then up Pyes Pa Road to Taurangi.

When I'm coming Home I turn left at Rainbow Mountain and go through Murupara and then down the river to Whakatane ...

[Old Steve]

If you've got time don't forget to stop at the Wimbledon country pub

Try the Pirongahau Pub and ask about the yard glass on the wall.

I was at a wedding at Pirongahau back in the late 60s/early 70s and drank two yard glasses in the one evening. My mate cleaned up betting with the locals that I could do it. I have been given free drinks on the couple of times that I've visited the pub since then.