Little Red 650F's big adventure

**sels1** · 17th December 2006, 17:09

Belated welcome aboard the site, Shiner. My last bike was just like your one - good choice! If you are coming up the Kapiti coast anytime there is a couple of gravel roads within striking distance I could show you.

**Ruralman** · 18th December 2006, 20:26

Originally Posted by Shiner

umm...! That sounds like fun! Not sure if the 650 can swim and thinking that sounds abit much for us... will check it out with some of the locals when I get near there. Thanks for the information.

Don't worry about that story too much - like he said that was after flood rains in the area. By mid Jan those streams will be well down and the locals will have done something about any really awkward approaches etc. It will still be challenging, but in a group and taking your time to find the best line etc, and not going if the rivers are high you will get there OK.
Cheers
bruce

**paulj** · 19th December 2006, 04:49

Originally Posted by Ruralman

Don't worry about that story too much - like he said that was after flood rains in the area. By mid Jan those streams will be well down and the locals will have done something about any really awkward approaches etc. It will still be challenging, but in a group and taking your time to find the best line etc, and not going if the rivers are high you will get there OK.
Cheers
bruce

Yeah - I'm with Bruce - I was in there a week back - went up 15 river crossings and back - Commissoners Creek is boldery on the bottom and one or two crossings are slightly bluffed on the exit but there are alternatives - I gave up stopping for a look first and ended up over the tank and soaked - too much gung-ho! But that's what it's about - no CP coverage but lots of activity if help was needed.

The unpleasant part is the lift up onto Duffers Saddle from the seal (Bannockburn end) - the road is very rough and hammers the bike and rider - there is talk of ripping the bedrock and grading but I don't see this happening soon.

And the most important part - great pubs at each end.

**Ruralman** · 19th December 2006, 19:58

Originally Posted by paulj

Yeah - I'm with Bruce - I was in there a week back - went up 15 river crossings and back - Commissoners Creek is boldery on the bottom and one or two crossings are slightly bluffed on the exit but there are alternatives - I gave up stopping for a look first and ended up over the tank and soaked - too much gung-ho! But that's what it's about - no CP coverage but lots of activity if help was needed.

The unpleasant part is the lift up onto Duffers Saddle from the seal (Bannockburn end) - the road is very rough and hammers the bike and rider - there is talk of ripping the bedrock and grading but I don't see this happening soon.

And the most important part - great pubs at each end.

Thanks for that update Paulj. I have been up that road at the Bannockburn end a year ago on my dirt bike. Sounds like it has got a lot worse - at least on a bike you can chose a line for only one set of wheels!
Look forward to meeting you and get intouch if you are down this way any time (I actually took my bike to a meeting in Alex. today - nice ride, shame about the H Patrols!!)

**paulj** · 19th December 2006, 21:27

Originally Posted by Ruralman

Look forward to meeting you and get intouch if you are down this way any time

Yes me too Bruce- I'm no spring chicken and a fairly 'conservative' rider (for the moment) - doing my first sorte into Poolburn/Manorburn on Sat weather permitting. Then after Xmas right through Dunstan Road, Serpentine ... and swing into Lawrence for some steak, ale and clean sheets at the motels.

An interesting variation on Nevis is to head out of the Bannockburn pub and up the Carricktown Walking Track - past Quartzville and on to the Young Australian water wheel and stamping battery - then along the ridge to Duffers and down into the Nevis - rough as hell but with the speed kept down it is a fun ride.

So much to do ... so little time!!

**Shiner** · 19th December 2006, 21:30

Thanks for the updates on the roads guys. I am thinking of a quick leg extention before I come down. Might need it for bouldery rivers. Hey will see what the situation is when I get closer. I do not have hard out nobbly tyres but a fairly deep cut dwell purpose tyre, as I will be doing a fair bit of sealed road riding also.
Cheers

**Jantar** · 19th December 2006, 23:15

I've just checked my roster, and I'm available to join in on rides in Central Otago on 5th - 7th, 15th & 23rd - 25th. I'm also available for half day rides on 9th - 12th and 20th - 22nd. If any of these match with a possible Nevis, Dunstan track or Thompsons track ride then count me in.

**Ruralman** · 20th December 2006, 15:49

Originally Posted by Shiner

Thanks for the updates on the roads guys. I am thinking of a quick leg extention before I come down. Might need it for bouldery rivers. Hey will see what the situation is when I get closer. I do not have hard out nobbly tyres but a fairly deep cut dwell purpose tyre, as I will be doing a fair bit of sealed road riding also.
Cheers

Tyres on my Transalp are very similar to what you describe - road biased dual purpose (I have a dirt bike for the hard out stuff). For the trips mentioned here these tyres are fine providing that the ground conditions are reasonably dry, which it usually is in these places in January.
Like you say tho' - decide on the day depending on conditions - eg the bit of the Dunstan trail over the end of the Rock and Pillar range has sections of road that are not maintained much and theres a lot of clay surfaces in places from the Loganburn Lake towards the Styx end - when this gets wet it can be quite slippery which wouldn't be a problem on a dirt bike with knobbies, but I'd be pretty cautious on a 200kg T/A etc on more roady tyres. On a dry day it won't be an issue.

**Shiner** · 1st January 2007, 18:08

Bike packed up ...alarm set for very early start. Catch the 3 am ferry and our little adventure begins.
See you southerners soon!

**Ruralman** · 2nd January 2007, 20:11

Originally Posted by Shiner

Bike packed up ...alarm set for very early start. Catch the 3 am ferry and our little adventure begins.
See you southerners soon!

We'll look forward to that - hopefully I haven't got hay or balage down and ready to go when you get near here!

**RedKLR650** · 13th January 2007, 11:08

Originally Posted by Shiner

Bike packed up ...alarm set for very early start. Catch the 3 am ferry and our little adventure begins.
See you southerners soon!

Well we actually had the pleasure of meeting Shiner on her travels yesterday :-) A friend and I were riding the Meyers / Haka and McKenzie Passes yesterday afternoon when we chanced upon this lone female rider on a Red Beemer 650F cautiously navigating the shingle at the crest of the Hakataramea Pass. We stopped and after a bit of a chat offered to ride with her until she got back to the seal as she was still getting used to some of the deeper fords etc. I was in the KLR and friend Gary was on hes Africa Twin so we had an enjoyable afternoon showing this North Islander the wonderful back roads of the South Island. Attached are a couple of snaps taken during the ride..... Cheers, Stu

**SDU** · 13th January 2007, 14:45

Nice Pics. Pretty good stuff meeting another KBer like that.
Hope you all had a good ride.

**Shiner** · 27th January 2007, 21:29

After 3 weeks of excellent exploring and adventuring the beautiful South, I am back in Wellington reflecting on the fun had and trying to adjust to normality again.

Fantastic trip was had with some of my goals achieved and some saved for the next trip ( oh yes there will definately be another). Ride over Haka pass with the chance and somewhat pleasant meeting with RedKLR650 and his friend was one of the highlights. Having some company through the fords was reassuring. As RedKLR650 has mentioned we continued over MacKenzie pass and through more gravel. Most fantastic expansive scenery.

A further road ride from Geraldine to Tekapo saw my tyres used as never before...it is amazing how riding with company gives one confidence to just lean a little further, break less for corners. I am actually very impressed how the Beema handles with fast riding.

Lovely to meet up with a fellow KBer, Oldrider welcomed me in for a chat and cuppa, really lovely. Unfortunatly was not able to organise a ride. Also managed to miss Ruralman on several occasions. Next time.

Some bike repairs needed in Kurow lead me to meet a very interesting older gentleman mechanic who has a passion for Triumphs, and thus a morning ride around the lakes on a 1950 Tiger100 was a real treat.

Catching up with an old friend from school days, in Queenstown, I was to discover her hubby flies paragliders ( beautiful experience) and rides a KTM. So down the Skippers we go. As my gravel skills at this stage are still not great I ended up co pilot on my Beema with a more capable rider. Fantastic, and very enlightening experience to see what my bike can do in the gravel and dusty conditions. A dramatic and awesome part of the country.

The previous time I went over Danseys Pass was 4 years ago on a mountain bike as part of my biking tour. This time so much easier and wetter unfortunately, still amazing.

So all in all a fantastic trip with some great road riding Takaka Hill, Karamea Bluff, West Coast, Arthurs Pass, Highway to Westport, Kawarau Gorge and some challenging yet fun gravel roads The Haka, Mesopotamia, Danseys, East side of Lake Tekapo.

Some roads I loved so much ended up repeting them thus the 6 thousand km clocked up. And pleased to say only one little friendly but costly chat with Mr mufti traffic officer.

Much learnt and thinking that for further gravel roads I will try a more chunky front tyre as mine did tend to move alot on the stones. Have had some suggestions such as the Continental TKC80.

Actually this trip was a bit of a test for myself and the bike as after the fall I had at Tora on the gravel I lost some confidence and was considering a road bike again, but thought I give the 650F and myself a fair trial.
Much to my absolute delight I am again in love with the little red beema and just itching to learn more and get out there and have more little adventures.

So looking forward to meeting up with other adventure riders to go adventuring!

May try and add acouple of shots.

Sue