Touring NZ on sportsbikes?

**Taz** · 19th December 2007, 14:52

Originally Posted by jrandom

Doesn't mean I can't be one.

Anyway, you were being smarmy and cuntish to one of my favourite people. Feel free to slap me if skidMark's your best mate...

Na skidmarks a prat

......

**madmal64** · 19th December 2007, 15:13

You could do a tour around NZ on what you got without too many problems. If you are looking for a decent cheap bike for touring why not buy the good old RF900. Cheap as chips, goes for ever, handles luggage and miles with ease, plenty of power and built like a tank. When you have done the tour you could/would sell it for probably the same money you paid for it at the start!
As for a time frame well thats your call. You can make it as long or as short as you like. Is it the ride? Or is it more about discovery and spending some real time in other parts of NZ?

**skidMark** · 19th December 2007, 16:56

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

what do ya need a friend for? i went solo... much better. nice to be able to do what you like, when you like. also nice to pick up riders along the way for short periods.

it's a case of it would be good to spend time with my mate/ mates

and the fact of general safety, if i arse off in the middle on no where or something on some country backroad i'm screwed.

also a case of safety in numbers i spose

i am concerned about staying at backpackers though, due to just leaving the bike outside some backpackers for the night.

in saying that i don't really want to be out in a tent.

Originally Posted by madmal64

You could do a tour around NZ on what you got without too many problems. If you are looking for a decent cheap bike for touring why not buy the good old RF900. Cheap as chips, goes for ever, handles luggage and miles with ease, plenty of power and built like a tank. When you have done the tour you could/would sell it for probably the same money you paid for it at the start!
As for a time frame well thats your call. You can make it as long or as short as you like. Is it the ride? Or is it more about discovery and spending some real time in other parts of NZ?

it's a bit of both really, i love riding, exploring new twisty roads, but i'm also a scuker for scenery, and checking some other places in nz out, even spending a day in taupo in taupo and at the racetrack puts me in the best mood, same with the whangamata road, good scenery amazing road, couldn't be happier.

i won't be doing this just yet, but probably mid 08 or maybe early 09.

thanks for all the help guys got me wanting to do it even more!

**White trash** · 19th December 2007, 17:02

Mark, you're having delusions of adequecy again. Go back to sleep.

**MSTRS:Me** · 19th December 2007, 17:15

SM touring NZ?? Will someone please make sure that the gate at the Bombays is closed.

**sunhuntin** · 19th December 2007, 20:09

depending when in the year you do it, id be happy to tag along for a day or so [say wangas to picton]

i did mine 90% solo... hooked with _intense_ just on a chance, rode with him for a day. when i left him behind, i dropped the bike, lol. [no speed drop due to missing footing in a ditch] theres a decent amount of traffic down there, someone'll come along eventually. in saying that, there were times when i wished i had someone else with me... gets a bit lonely. on the other hand, when i ride with others, i tend to push myself and risk an off to go with it. its ok on roads i know, or if i can tail and follow their lines... or, just let them go and know they will wait at any unclear turn offs.

backpackers are fine... hotels with off road parking are dearer, specially if theres just you, but you usually get your own bathroom, and the bikes security to boot. i suggest you go to a local backpacker and get the free BBH nationwide guide, and then go to the AA and get a free accomodation guide. i like to pick my sleeps the day before, so i can memorise my map routes through town etc.

**limbimtimwim** · 19th December 2007, 20:21

Originally Posted by skidMark

i am concerned about staying at backpackers though, due to just leaving the bike outside some backpackers for the night.

Why would a thief go for your bike when there will be camper vans full of clothes, cash and valuables around? Easy, lucrative and quiet pickings compared to stealing a bike.

I'm always more concerned about my other stuff than the bike.

And ++ on doing it on the 250 sports bike. I have done it on my old 250, my 400 and my 750. I enjoyed it every time and would do it again.

**Usarka** · 19th December 2007, 20:23

most places are more than happy for you to park your bike around the back if you ask nicely and respectfully. a bed for the night is just to sleep in, if its cheap then more money for travelling.

**Henk** · 26th December 2007, 10:27

On the accommodation front, take a tent, you meet all sorts of random people in campgrounds and it's as cheap as it gets. Check out the DOC campgrounds before you go, they have some of the best locations around. If the weather turns to cheese or you are sick of tenting it you can always go up market if the budget allows. Keep country pubs as an option as well. We had an awesome night at Matawai a few months ago because we got bored with riding in the rain at night. Never would have stopped there otherwise and it was half the price of accommodation in Taupo the night before. $4 a pint and $2 during happy hour was a bonus.

**99TLS** · 26th December 2007, 10:48

[QUOTE=yungatart;1346760]There is absolutely nothing worth seeing or doing in HB,QUOTE]

except the wineries

**The Pastor** · 26th December 2007, 21:54

mark needs a job first lol. and to save up for a 10r, and money to tour, he'd need to actually keep it for more than a week.

mark, you'd prob want a bike that can hit the gravel if you want to really explore nz.

**325rocket** · 26th December 2007, 22:28

if you can keep your licence long enough and you do actually do this trip there will be a bed for you here in Wellington

**skidMark** · 27th December 2007, 01:09

Originally Posted by 325rocket

if you can keep your licence long enough and you do actually do this trip there will be a bed for you here in Wellington

Awesome, cheers

license is gone for a long time, gives me time to focus on saving....

realised ive been throwing money i cldnt afford to at bikes for a long time....

and throwing $450 at a set of tyres every 4,000-6,000k's on the zxr, wasnt doing any favours for my bank balance.