sth NZ tour Feb 2010
 

My daughter moved to Dunedin in June and I am planning a 4 week visit in February. My flights are booked to Christchurch as this seemed to be the ideal place to hire a bike and start a tour rather than Dunedin.

As I'm quite short I'll probably end up hiring a BMW 650GS Single or Twin with a low seat. Getting my own bike shipped over seems like hard work and wouldn't cost much less than hiring a bike.
My daughter has passed the first restricted license test and hopes to buy a bike before I arrive so she doesn't have to go pillion but it doesn't matter if she does as I am used to it.

My daughter has toured the south before but I haven't been at all.
I have numerous guide books but what I'm really looking for from HUBB members is recommendations of doing something or going somewhere that isn't on the usual tourist route. Especially if there are some wonderful biking roads not to be missed. We'll probably camp or stay in hostels.

Hi! We'll be heading down for some SI touring in Feb too. The best guide to biking NZ is the NZ Motorcycle Atlas - it has all the good road & gravel routes highlighted. Touring any of the gravel routes will certainly get you off the beaten tourist trail.

Also have a look over on the NZ section of Advrider: New Zealand - ADVrider
The local ride reports link near the top of the page should provide some inspiration. Also on there are the details of the D2M - Dust to Mavora Adv riders meetup which is on the 19-20th Feb near Te Anau & would be good to include in your trip if you would like to meet a few local riders.

Cheers
Clint

+1 on getting the NZ Motorcycle Atlas .. :thumbup1:

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/660394697_C5LFA-M.jpg

Have a good time Down Under.



.

Hey mate,
Anything you need to know will be here ...

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Have fun :)

I will also be in in NZ in Feb. 1 week Nth 2 weeks Sth...Cant wait.

If anyone has some must sees,(apart from the major touristy ones) please post them up.

If you have a gravel capable bike, you should include at least a couple of the unsealed routes out of the MC Atlas, great riding & definitely off the tourist trail. The Molesworth in the SI & the Waikaremoana Rd in the NI are good options for the less experienced rider or heavier bike.

Keep us posted on your travels, if you are in the South for the Adv rally as above all riders are welcome, especially international travellers.:thumbup1:

Cheers
Clint

Thanks Clint
Whens the ADV rally?

As above mate, 19-20 Feb, near Te Anau :thumbup1:

link here: ADV Rally 2010, D2M - ADVrider

Cheers
Clint

It's better the further South you come . . .
 

Phoenix

Please don't dismiss starting your tour in Dunedin - you don't know what you're missing.
Check out the link below and get in touch if you wish.
We include a (loan) copy of the Motorcycle Atlas for your convenience.:thumbup1:

Cheers
H

H, thanks for the offer but my flights to Christchurch are already booked. I did find your company & asked my daughter to enquire but we concluded the bikes you offer are too tall for me :(
a saving of £200 finally convinced me not to fly to Dunedin but I will be spending quite a few days there so may pop in to say Hello!

Hi Phoenix

I have toured the South Island twice by bike - the first time as part of a group and the second time solo. It is a beautiful island! You can get quite a lot of info from my blog. If you want more please feel free to contact me.

Peter thanks for posting a link to your blog. Just enjoyed reading it all an dgot some great tips for our trip in Feb
:clap: