East Cape. Anybody rode it? Why not as popular as Coro?

**pritch** · 16th November 2007, 12:45

Some good advice in this thread and a search should reveal more.

I've been around the cape twice and think Auckland-Gisborne-Auckland would ruin a good ride.

Last time I did it I left Gisborne late(ish) afternoon and headed back up the Waioeka Gorge. Showers had turned into pissing rain of biblical flood proportions. I'd had all the fun I could handle and still had hours of riding to go, and then there were miles and miles of roadworks.

Next time I'd like to take longer and stay overnight somewhere like Hicks bay or Te Araroa to take a closer look. But then I'm old.

**Mental Trousers** · 16th November 2007, 12:54

Originally Posted by BarBender

Furthermore, get an AA membership or similar... there are no towies bewteen Opotiki and Gizzy so be prepared to wait a couple of hours for a tow...maybe a little longer in the weekends.

AA won't do anything if you're on a bike. Honda Riders Club are a much better bet.

**Bonez** · 18th November 2007, 09:20

Originally Posted by Zukin

It is brilliant

Just a long way between stops

There's a dairy (and I do mean a dairy-no other stores in site), sorry can't remember the name of the place as I was toodling along quite rapidly, north of Gissy. And a servo a fare way east of Opotiki, a fare bit west of Te Kaha. Met a few gents visiting locals on the walk up to the lighthouse. Apperently the rellys had just had power put on

.

Mind you if you're on a GB400 fuel stops are a non-issue for a bit. Went out to the tip on the last trip I did. If your worried about fuel carry a 4ltr container, just in case. If you're that worried have a support vehical tag along........

Contry to popular belief the locals are freindly and you wont end up in a pot with the puha.

**banditrider** · 18th November 2007, 10:30

The pumps are gone from Hick's Bay but there are some at Te Araroa which is about half way. Watch out for emus: http://banditrider.blogspot.com/2007...east-cape.html

**Blackbird** · 18th November 2007, 13:16

Anyone know whether the pumps are still at Waihou Bay? I know they were there for the Southern Cross in 2005.

**McDuck** · 18th November 2007, 13:24

I dont know. I guess the bottel of gass could be the trick....

**BarBender** · 18th November 2007, 20:36

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Anyone know whether the pumps are still at Waihou Bay?

Still there.
91 only and they take eftpos.

**McDuck** · 18th November 2007, 21:08

Some octane booster for the newer bikes then?

**Blackbird** · 19th November 2007, 09:18

Originally Posted by BarBender

Still there.
91 only and they take eftpos.

Many thanks, will be passing through on Sunday. 91 is fine for the 'bird.

**Tonka** · 25th November 2007, 08:40

It sure is a great ride McDuck, PM me if you are keen to do a run. Myself and a few others do the roads frequently. Either quick trips from Whakatane out to Te Kaha or Te Araroa or to Gizzy for lunch.

Just a word of warning though to those heading through over the next few weeks - Fulton Hogan normally do Pre-summer road works around the cape so watch out for new seal. Not all the road are swept either after road markings are down so be alert....and some have been known not to be signed.

Just did a run through to the Waioeka Gorge to Matawai on Friday (23/11)and there are road works - lots of new seal.

**Matt Bleck** · 26th November 2007, 15:50

I prefer the east cape to the coro loop, less traffic and you rarley see the the fuss out and about.

**Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)** · 26th November 2007, 16:00

Originally Posted by Mcduck5n

Well who here has done it and what do you think? I recon it should be about as good as the coro loop, what do you guys think?

FAR BETTER than Coro loop - done the east cape loop many times - never get sick of it - love it.

I was not impressed with the Coro loop - mind you I rode it during the xmas period. Still over-rated tho. Too many cages

**Blackbird** · 26th November 2007, 16:19

Coro Loop is great if you exclude riding it at weekends, I do it a fair bit in the week. However, some other KB'ers and I got back a couple of hours ago from doing East Cape - 3 Blackbirds, 1 Honda X11 and a V-Strom. Met up with some of the Auckland boys and one from Wellington in Rotorua Sat lunchtime, and went to Ohope via Murapara and Matahina. Only hit rain in the last few k's. Yesterday, we went round the Cape from Ohope to Gisborne. It was absolutely breathtaking and the roads were excellent with only a few minor spots of poor road surface. This morning, it was back through the Waioeka Gorge. There was one stretch of about 1/2 km of metal, but easy to ride through. However, until about 3/4 through the Gorge, there were numerous road works and loose metal which meant that it was hard to get a roll on. However, after that....

One of the Auckland contingent called it "Coromandel on Steroids". An apt description