WANTED in Christchurch, NZ
 

I am arriving in Christchurch early Feb 2010 and shall be touring the southern island for 4 weeks.
I've looked at bike hire companies but before I book, thought I'd drop a post here to see if there was anyone willing to loan / hire their bike to me for the trip. I am only 5' 2" though so need a bike with a short seat height.
In return we can either agree a price, house or bike swap in the future.

I'll ask around for you Elaine. I have a friend who is thinking about selling an old Suzuki GN400 which would be good re seat height, but it is an old bike. It may be worth while to buy and sell if you are planning four weeks. I can help you sell, even after you leave. If you are buying, just remember in NZ that the roads and police don't really allow lots of high speeds and plenty of people tour on older smaller bikes quite happily. An old FT500 Honda lives in my shed most of the time, that belongs to a friend from Tasmania who comes to NZ twice a year for three weeks touring and he loves it. He leaves him 900cc bike behind and looks forward to some relaxed riding.

Kind regards

Nigel in NZ (Christchurch)

Lowered F650 in Wellington...?
 

Hi there

Helen my wife has a 1996 BMW F650 "Funduro" which has lowered links and a lowered seat and would suit someone your height great. She's about half an inch taller and could have ridden it higher.

We just rode London to Cape Town, shipped them (mine's an R100GS) here and have spent plenty getting them road worthy, registered, warranted etc. Also we now have a 3 month old baby so it isn't getting used in a hurry!

The bike has (pretty beaten up eg not rain proof but useable and lockable) Zega panniers and is generally geared for the big trip. Top box an optional if you needed the space, plus tank bag etc.

If that works for you drop us an email (theprinceofmince@yahoo.co.nz). Probably the main issue is where its based, but its a nice ferry ride and you still get to do the round trip!

cheers !
Gareth and Helen

Nigel
Many thanks. The Suzuki would be ok - unsure about pulling power if I was 2 up with gear though. My daughter is currently living in Dunedin and has passed the 1st restricted license test - a GN250 is what she is looking for. Not sure how long the restriction is but the 400 may be an ideal bike for her to buy.
Thanks for the offer to assist selling a bike - it's one of the reasons I am hesitant to buy.

Gareth and Helen
This bike sounds ideal but unfortunately I have already booked my flights to Christchurch and may be costly to change them but I will enquire.
Again, this bike would suit my daughter when she passes the unrestricted test but unsure when that will be.
If I aimed the bike in a direct route, how long would it take me to ride down to Dunedin?