Help noobs buy bikes that can tackle the South Island

[GrayWolf]

Ain't nothing wrong with puddling around on a GN if you have to, but with a 3.5k budget why would you?

it's 1750 each, wants TWO bikes.

[Tazz]

it's 1750 each, wants TWO bikes.

Ah, that explains it. Senior moment over here. GN250 territory for sure.

[caspernz]

it's 1750 each, wants TWO bikes.

Ah, that explains it. Senior moment over here. GN250 territory for sure.

And even at that we're not sure whether the budget mentioned was just for the purchase of said two wheeled toys, or if this also included the slush fund for the trip itself...

Maybe we've scared the OP off...

[Oakie]

Did none of you old bastards ever head off into the wild blue with nothing but a pile of shit connecting two wheels, a slightly used line 7 jacket and a marmite sammich?

Fuckin killjoys.

Did Oamaru to Balclutha and return two up on an XL175 back in the day.
And you know ... sometimes I think it's the guys who do rides on bikes ill-suited for the purpose are the real bikers among us. Incidentally ... West Coast is best done slowly anyway. It really is about the journey ... not the destination.

[Yandog1987]

Gee thanks everyone for your replies, very helpful. Some nice bike suggestions too.

it's 3.5k each and our slush fund was sorted way before this turned into a bike trip, worst comes to worst ill just start battering the old credit card.

Got a few viewings lined up so pretty excited to be getting the biked finally sorted out and on the road.

I've head west coast is Beast, will be going down west and up east Coast I think.

Not bothered about getting on the open roads with just my bhs. Slightly different but I have spent a few days in rural Vietnam cruising around on a scooter so, do have a shred of experience. should be a good laugh anyhow and great way of seeing New Zealand

Thanks again

[Banditbandit]

Before you even look at bikes, buy a brand new, good fitting helmet. Buy a waterproof textile jacket and pants. Buy some comfortable boots, also preferably waterproof. Buy a set of gloves.

What ever money left over is your budget for a bike.

Yeah .. I just know that's exactly how YOU did it .. NOT ..

...you learn a hell of a lot more in shorts and a tee shirt...

If you survive ..

Line 7 jacket and a marmite sammich?
Fookin looookkksharrrry!

My first overnight adventure wasn't quite that grand but the extent of my planning was a packed lunch, a tank of gas and hoping the weather held.

Turns out it didn't. So had a blast.

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I didn't even take the packed lunch - there's always petrol station pies ..

[Big Dog]

Not if you have no money and you do have access to a well stocked larder.



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[neels]

Good on you for giving it a go, as long as you know your limitations and take your time, life gets very boring if you spend it waiting until you're 'ready' to do stuff.

You're on the money with your route, through Nelson and down the west coast is some of the best (although at times wettest) riding, and back over whichever of the passes suits your time frame.



Looks like you could get almost a matching pair of bikes with some spare cash for installing pack racks.....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-975159505.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-971838822.htm

[ellipsis]

...third time I have related this on here...a young French bloke I met out my way was traveling the SI on a Yammy dirt bike, I'm sure it was a 125 but it may have been bigger but under 200cc... I commented about his choice of tourer, his reply, " your country is so beautiful, why would you want to ride past it and not see it"...he had a pack rack and a screen...before all the 'gear', came along, how the fuck do you think we did it...denim jacket, jeans and a jersey or two and 350 k trips on such things as Honda SS90's...a lot seem to be caught up in the glossy world of advertising and peer pressure, much like teenage girls...

[Banditbandit]

Not if you have no money and you do have access to a well stocked larder.



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How do you have a well-stocked larder and no money ??? (Yeah ... I know - spend all the mopney on the larder ...) Carrying food adds weight to the bike .. a EFTPOS card is much lighter ...

Send from my basic keyboard on a work computer using fingers ...

[Big Dog]

Bum student living at the parents house?

Details are a little fuzzy. Not sure how I procured other food, lodgings or the fuel for the return trip home but I didn't have an EFTPOS card yet.
I think there was a lawn mower and the kindness of strangers involved.


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[Tazz]

...third time I have related this on here...a young French bloke I met out my way was traveling the SI on a Yammy dirt bike, I'm sure it was a 125 but it may have been bigger but under 200cc... I commented about his choice of tourer, his reply, " your country is so beautiful, why would you want to ride past it and not see it"...he had a pack rack and a screen...before all the 'gear', came along, how the fuck do you think we did it...denim jacket, jeans and a jersey or two and 350 k trips on such things as Honda SS90's...a lot seem to be caught up in the glossy world of advertising and peer pressure, much like teenage girls...

You mean you don't map your entire route and sort out which corners you're going to lift a cheek and fart on? That's just reckless. What if one gets trapped on the inside layers.

[husaberg]

...third time I have related this on here...a young French bloke I met out my way was traveling the SI on a Yammy dirt bike, I'm sure it was a 125 but it may have been bigger but under 200cc... I commented about his choice of tourer, his reply, " your country is so beautiful, why would you want to ride past it and not see it"...he had a pack rack and a screen...before all the 'gear', came along, how the fuck do you think we did it...denim jacket, jeans and a jersey or two and 350 k trips on such things as Honda SS90's...a lot seem to be caught up in the glossy world of advertising and peer pressure, much like teenage girls...

That reminds me of those old-timers that tell the stories of the walking 3 miles to school in the snow with no shoes only wearing wool sacks for clothes.

so you had a Honda SS90 ya flashy buggar you. post a pic

[Virago]

That reminds me of those old-timers that tell the stories of the walking 3 miles to school in the snow with no shoes only wearing wool sacks for clothes....

Yeah, it was tough alright - it was uphill both ways. If we were really lucky we would find a fresh cow-pat to warm our feet.

[Oakie]

You mean you don't map your entire route and sort out which corners you're going to lift a cheek and fart on? That's just reckless. What if one gets trapped on the inside layers.

Happened to me once. Farted lustily into my bike pants when I arrived in the work car park and when i took my pants off at my desk 3 minutes later it jumped out and tried to choke me. Sneaky bastard!