A Dane in Dire Distress!
 

I'm currently in New Zealand for three months, fulfilling a long-time dream of riding around this beautiful country on a motorcycle, followed by another three in Australia. I actually took my motorcycle license not many months ago for this specific purpose, and before I came here, the lessons were the only riding experience I had. Some people thought I was crazy, but I believe that dreams are there to be pursued.

Unfortunately, the second-hand Honda XR250 I'd bought gave out a couple of days ago, and I don't have any space in my budget for buying a new one. I'd figured that, even though minor repairs might be necessary, a generally indestructable XR250 which had only gone 21000kms on purchase (and looked like it was in good condition) would last me the trip. I was to be proven wrong! All I got out of it was just over two weeks of travel and 1500kms

I bought it as-is, knowing full well that if anything went wrong the problem was mine. Here's how it all happened

This saturday, I was cruising along on my way to Te Anau as the engine started making funny noices. Shortly after, a very loud metallic rattling sound came from the engine, and I immediately pulled the clutch which stopped the noise. As I pulled over, the engine was still going (I'd put it in neutral), but as I stepped off to see if I could find any outside damage, the engine died for no apparant reason and I couldn't start it again. Every time I tried, the clanking sound came back. Fortunately, a local girl I'd met was travelling the same way as me not long after I'd taken off and she brought me to her aunt's farm. She arranged for her aunt's husband (John) to fetch it in a pickup truck.

The next day we got it going after a good amount of thinking and pilfering. Believing it was alright, I was very relieved to set off again. After around 10k, the same thing happened, and this time the gears got stuck too. John came and picked me up again, and in the evening we took it to the mechanic. I was praying it was fixable, but I knew it'd probably be expensive. Yesterday he called me and told me the engine was dead. I went to see it, and it probably couldn't have been much closer to utter destruction. The piston was cracked, the cylinder walls were ruptured, the valves were bent, and something (don't remember what) was destroyed in the gearbox as well. Total write-off. The mechanic offered me 400$ for it to use for spare parts and, having no other options, I took it.

The mechanic said there was nothing I could have done, it was just normal wear and tear and it was probably already on it's way out when I bought it (I don't blame the seller though, I don't think anyone would've seen it unless they opened up the engine.) It is just too bad since the bike (and motor) is generally considered to be so reliable (or so I'm told.)


What a bummer! I've had so much fun riding it, and I had hoped it'd take me all the way to Auckland. In the end I only got 1500kms out of it. I can't afford a new bike, much as I'd love to, so my only options from here-on out is hitchhiking.


What I'm doing now is writing everyone and anyone I know in NZ who has anything to do with motorcycles and see if there's some unforeseen opportunity that opens up. Who knows, maybe I'll find a kind soul who'd let me borrow a bike for the rest (or part) of the trip. I have no real money to offer, but I'd be happy to offer something else (such as ads on my blog, which is seeing a steady increase in traffic, and currently have around 50 individual kiwi readers.) I am open for suggestions.

If I hear of a really good offer I might consider it, but this write-off is quite a cut in my budget so I really don't know how much I'd give. Having set my nose up for a bike trip around NZ, it's a real let-down having to complete it hitching. And I haven't even considered what this'll mean for my Australia plans.


Anyways, just thought I'd throw a line. As I said, if (against all hope) you know anyone who could help in whatever small way to get me back on a bike, please let me know. Other than that, I'd be happy if you just spread the word about this dane in need.



If it takes time for me to answer this post, it's because internet is expensive and/or hard

Hi jophiel,

Can't offer any specific help but you may also like to try the forums on kiwibiker.co.nz

You may find someone there who can assist.

Hope it all goes well.

As you have a lot of time, you could buy a bicycle and continue on a smaller scale. you'll save the gasolin money, its cheaper to get it to Australia. It can be brought on a train, plane or bus and probably you could hitchhike a ride with a pickup in the outback.

Not to mention the effects on your health ;o)

I'll see you in Australia ;o) I'm bicycling Adelaide-Oodnadatta-Darwin from 16 of march to 12 may

Poul
Odense

Adelaide
 

Hi, it won't exactly be cold for you then will it! Travel. Ain't it great. Linzi.

I have an old Suzuki AC50 with an A100 motor fitted you could borrow for the South Island... Don't laugh, it's already done a 5 month lap of NZ with a German girl aboard. Come to the HU travellers meeting here on the 21st Feb, whatever happens. See link above left.

Regards

Nigel in Christchurch

Woohoo! go the AC50/100! :scooter:

If you make it to Nigels on the 21st we'll see you there. :thumbup1:

Cheers
Clint

I very much hope to be at the bike meet, but I can't say anything for sure as my schedule has been screwed up a bit.

Poul, you're a hero for doing it on a bicycle, but it's not for me :)

100cc sounds quite small for a trip. I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I can do it feasibly on anything less than 250.

I'll try the other forum as well for sure, thanks!

I read something on here where a student rode a 50cc scooter from Gibralter to Skagen and down to Arhus. it took him 3 weeks and he loved it.

100cc is big enough and beggars cannot be choosers. You would see so much more at that speed.

Steve

It would make one great story if you took up the 100cc and went onto finish your NZ part of the trip. I would do it.

Yep, 100cc will do fine. Last year I travelled 8,000kms in China in one month on a 125cc. New Zealand is tiny by comparison and easily done.

Garry from Oz.

Take it!
 

Hi Jophiel

I'm with you Steve, what a sincere and generous offer to turn down, plus the invitation to an HU event just a few days away, which will give you a fine group of contacts and future mates. If I were you, I'd reconsider and move that event to the top of your schedule.

That 100cc bike will do about 70MPH (downhill) and cruise near to 60MPH, just a little less then the highly geared XR250 you seem to have blown up. Sounds like to many revs and not enough oil to me.

I'd also find a job for a couple of weeks and earn a few hundred dollars to buy another bike with. Easy!

Sorry if I sound a bit angry, I don't mean to be, as it's probably more jealousy, but to me sitting here in the slush and cold that is England at the moment, the perfect solution has been laid out for you and you are walking away from it.

I (and others at the time) never had these fantastic networking oportunities, such as HU and ADV via the internet, when I was travelling RTW in the 80's.

With what's in place this century, from now on travellers are almost guaranteed to find like minded people along their journey, rather then just having to wonder how close you are to a friendly local, as you trudge through a quiet town or busy city feeling lonely and sorry for yourself. But then when you do find friendship and hospitality, it makes the trip worthwhile and restores your faith in fellow man (and woman)

Journeys always work out and from being out on the 100, you will soon get an offer to borrow a bigger bike, which may even happen at the HU event.

Wish I could make it, but at least I will be at the Ace Cafe this Sunday for the HU event that is happening there.

Good luck with your trip.

Chris

mmm
 

gee a great offer like that ,i rode a vespa from bali to bangkock no probs ,i would ride a cow if i had to do my trip and no money ,yeah, beggars cant be choosers

I did!
 

I agree! Oh and by the way, I did ride a few cows :blushing: during my travels!!!

Cheers


Chris

I'll take the 100! sounds like an adventure!!!!

Looking for a bike
 

100cc is absolutely fine. I also toured two up across the Rajastahni desert with dunes deep across the roads. Was really glad of a light bike and was the first vehicle back from the camel race traffic maelstrom.
100cc has advantages and will work fine with oil.

I'm coming to Christchurch 19 Feb, just before the HUBB meeting for 2 weeks trekking/traveling unfortunately without a motorbike before Aussie HUBB.
I'd be jealous of such an offer too.
If anyone knows a good place to rent/obtain any old reliable bike suitable for dirt road.
Cheers, Rob

Hi rob. Are you coming to the HU meeting too? You don't need to be ona bike to be there. The beer will be just as cold and the spit roast lamb will taste just as good!

Cheers

Nigel and Lee

Hello, figure i'd have my say.

Quite honestly the comraderie here, and open support amongst other travellers, is what makes this place so special.

An offer so sincere, and warm, does not come around that often.

I've never done a long trip, but i'd respect that kind of helping hand if it came out of the blue.

You can't be in distress if you've decided that offer doesn't suit you.

I'm sure there won't be any girls around to see what you look like.

Your call, but dissapointing attitude, for a man in distress.:thumbdown:

There seems to be a bit of a theme here Jophiel!

I'd definitely take up what is a very generous offer and have no doubt that finishing/continuing your trip on 100cc bike will only add the adventure you're having!

People do winter tours around the Apls on vespas so riding around the biking Nirvana that is NZ guarentees you'll have an absolute blast!

And at the very worst it's alot better that sitting round waiting for your broken bike to come back to life!

Whoa, steady there! I don't mean to be picky at all, it's just that (before these posts) everybody'd been telling me it couldn't be done on anything less than a 250cc.I stand corrected!

At the moment I'm travelling by hitchhiking and so far I'm enjoying it. Not the same freedom as on a bike though.

Nigel: When I come Chch I'd love to come check it out! I have some concerns about how to get it back to you when headed to the north island, but I always overthink those things so I'm sure I'll find a solution once we meet. For now I'll let it rest and be thankful for your offer :)

Right now I'm in queenstown, and I can't see further than a couple of days into the future, location wise. I'd very much like to come to the meet, but on the other hand I'm loath to rush through this country, as there's so much to see! Chances are 50/50 I think.

G'Day mate
 

Hi jophiel, nice to hear from you. Just so the others know, by the login records, it looks like you had not been back to the HUBB since the 5th, so you would not have a chance to see the replies of everyone else.

I'm looking forward to meeting you. Depending on other comings and goings, there is sometimes a caravan free for travellers.

Kind regards

Nigel in Christchurch.

Sounds good :)

I just remembered that I should probably tell you that I'm a pretty big guy (6'4"), so I don't really fit onto small vehicles. Especially with luggage. We'll see how it works out when I get there though.

And yeah, I sometimes find it hard getting to reliable connections in NZ, so bear with me if my answers are a long time coming.

Hi Nigel -Rob in Oz
 

Hi Nigel,
Thanks for the invitation. Its very appealing.I'm meeting an American mate, Tom, I last saw trekking around Darjeeling for a few days. He is an ultra marathon runner, so I'm thinking this could be a full on bolt.
I have 2 weeks in SI landing on 19/2. He asked do I want to hitch immediately from airport straight to trackhead (Mt Cook area).
I'd like to see if I can get a tourer bike for pleasure and transport or a rent a ruffy station wagon if need be as we'll camp all the way.
As there's no direct communication with Tom, also a rider with no phone and he's runs a marathon about each week in the mountains. The answer is
If we're still in CCH on 21, there is no place we'd rather be than bringing along a beer and chops to share with you and the HUBB'ers.
On Wednesday 19, we'll find if the pull of the road and mountains is so strong we can't resist getting out immediately into your great country.
I'll let you know beforehand when I land.
I've only been to one HUBB meeting at Tintaldra , NSW last year and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
If you happen to know anyone who would want to rent any off road tourers for 2 weeks. I ride an BMWR80 GS at home. Then we be happy to share the bucks around if not being used. Otherwise a dealer with a buyback in CCH might be practical. I'm sure I'll kick myself if I ride your roads in a car!
Cheers, Rob

Oooops!
 

6'4"! :helpsmilie: Blimey, sorry I was a bit heavy in my e mail to you Dane in Distress. (Dane in Thisdress, crossdresser, thinks aloud!) Ha ha (nervous laughter)

Hope you get to the meet.

Cheers


Chris