Many thanks for your responses. I am thinking of a one off trip but still want to take in both islands. I am very happy to be pretty much continually on the move so while it might be a bit of a rush at times it suits me.

Another question is would I be better off choosing November or April, to avoid high season but still get reasonable weather?

I've toured NZ a couple of times on a motorcycle, once for 3 weeks and once for 2 weeks. With a month of time and a vehicle, you won't see everything, but you can see a lot of both islands.

One trip was in late October-early November, and one was in April. I think the weather was slightly warmer for the April trip. Both trips were dry and sunny about 80% of the time, with the occasional rainy day.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

If you can do late Feb/early March, you'd be better off.

Regards
Nigel in NZ

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Why is that Nigel?

I'd think that is the end of school and others holidays - so less demand on accommodation, possibly cheaper rates too.

I have travelled in NZ a few times by car and motorcycle. In 2016 I hired a bike and toured North Island for three weeks and this year I shipped my bike to Christchurch and toured South Island for a month. Both motorcycle trips were mid Feb to Mid March. The reason for this timing is both weather and the fact that schools have to be back by the end of the first week in February (approx). The timing makes accommodation a bit easier. Keep in mind that there are many events (national rowing champs and river festivals etc that impact on available accommodaation).

I always carry camping gear and camped, used cabins and B&B in both islands. Old pubs are also worth a look. I had to book a cabin in a couple of occasions in the south island this year because of community events taking accommodation. Cabins have communial cooking facilities and showers etc but are of good standard. Spend more money and you can get self contained facilities. This can be a bit expensive for solo travel.
My advive is to book the first day or so and see how you go later. Also be flexible as the weather can change and you may want to go east or west for better weather.

The advice from previous posters is correct and I have personallt found Nigel Marx to be a knowledgable and helpful person regarding motorcycle travel in NZ.

My couple of months of motorcycling in NZ only makes me want more! People are helpful and friendly; quality of foor/produce is high; there is much to see; road travel is much like UK, Australia. Take your time - NZ cannot be seen in a week. South Island is less populated and the scenery is diverse and spectacular. North Island is more populated but Coromandel, North East (Bay of Islands), and west coast are great places to visit.

Hope this helps.
Cheers

Sorry, I should have explained myself better. As other have said, the local tourist pressure is off at that time and, most importantly, the weather tends to be a bit more settled.

If you decide to buy a bike, feel free to use my address for registration purposes. Also remember that insurance is not mandatory here, so if you can decide if you want that. There are a couple of options for online insurance companies that are quite good value. I had a Canadian couple who insured a bike for about $45 a month for full insurance. I can get the details if you want. I would offer to help with selling but I think Me Darlin' has had enough of bikes sitting in the yard waiting for new owners for a while.......

Please feel free to get in touch, and drop in for a coffee/tea/ and ride advice. We even have a little hut in the mountains at Arthur's Pass that you might like to visit. It's only accessible by foot or bike.

If you plan of touring the whole country, my usual recommendation is 1/3 North Island, 2/3 South Island.

I'm alway happy to answer questions, either here or via PM.

Best regards

Nigel

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Thanks Nigel, that's a huge help and thank you for your very kind offer of help. I will bear it all in mind when I get that far 'down the road', so to say.

I'm not looking at going until either (NZ) summer 2018 or 2019 - I've got to see where life takes me before I make a final decision which.

My initial thought is that I currently ride an ST1300 but I keep looking at an F800GS (or F800GSA) and if I hired one it would be a good test to see if I liked it before deciding whether to change a bike that I absolutely love but is also heavy to push. I could also maybe try a couple of other hire bikes.

It would be amazing to air-freight my own bike down there but having thought about it I really couldn't be bothered with the paperwork etc.

I live in Christchurch and have toured around all of NZ so I am happy to help you out with information or a place to stay and organize when you get here or leave. Just message when your closer to the time for dates etc

Hello
I've shipped my motorcycle with Daniel who is specialized in shipping peoples own motorcycles between the UK and New Zealand.
His website can be found if searching for "New Zealand motorcycle adventures".
He provides a excellent service that is so easy taking your own motorcycle and all your gear together with other peoples.
Highly recommend checking out his website for additional information too.
I are certainly looking at using his service again.

Hi Rachel - just wondering if you've made it to NZ yet? I see you've already had some great advice so throwing in my 2c:
1 - have a look at the Top10 range of campgrounds, they're over 45 of them throughout NZ and have all sorts of accommodation options plus they're in some fantastic locations.
2 - Mar/April/May is one of my favorite times for riding here, the roads are much quieter, the weather very settled - you may get a cold night but then a beautiful sunny day. Jan can actually be too hot especially if you're a ATGATT type of rider.
3 - I've had guests caught out trying to buy fuel at a 24hr pump but unable to do so as their card is 'sign only' ie no PIN number, something to watch out for.
4 - Shout out or pm me if you need any advice, happy to help out.
5 - Nigel's hut is one of the nicest places I've ever stayed :-)

Hi, just catching up on your questions...

The main time to avoid is the school holiday period between Xmas & early Feb. Many businesses close down for 2-4 weeks so camp grounds & touristy areas can be heaving, so unless you book in advance, you will struggle to find an available cabin on the day.

February/March is a much better time to visit. Those months are still warm & sunny, but accommodation will be easier to find, especially during the week (weekends may still be busy as Kiwi's love the outdoors).

November & April can have good weather but it varies, just like the UK!
I'm writing this in the middle of winter yet yesterday was t.shirt weather & today is bitterly cold wind and lashing rain.
Summer can be just as weird

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

Hi,
Have to agree with Phoenix. Both times I have ridden a motorcycle in in NZ have been in Feb-March by design. School holidays finish in the first week in Feb and weather is generally good Feb/March. Keep in mind there are many events - national rowing competition; river festivals etc that can occur in Feb/Mar but this is not as much a problem as trying to get suitable accommodation when all the parents and school children are travelling. Many types of accommodation available in NZ. Great country for motorcycling.

Mal

Hi all , we are heading over from australia to the Greymouth street races , we are hiring some bikes out of Christchurch. For a 12 day quick trip of the South Island including a look at greymouth . Have done some research, was after any local knowledge or must see things . Was thinking of backpacker private room,airbnb / pub room accommodation. Have some experience with the Island having lived in Queenstown for a snow season, a few years ago now. Travelled the west coast down to Stuart island, did the Milford sound walk . Was younger then ....
Cheers

Sounds like you've seen most of the west coast, did you do any touring when living in Queenstown? Are you looking for ideas of roads to ride, places to see or walk? Does the hire company permit you to ride a gravel or dirt road? There's some great back roads in Central Otago

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way