New Zealand tour

[SubMann]

I'll be taking a two week tour of the south island in April 2007. I have a 2000 VFR that I have recently reluctantly put up for sale. I have a couple of questions.

Would I be better off to rent a VFR for the tour or ship my bike one way and sell it in NZ? I would love to use my own bike for the tour even if I can't sell it for as much. It seems that renting is really expensive.

Is importing a VFR difficult or expensive?

Anybody have any suggestions for a tour route? or should I just follow the routes laid out by the tour companies.

Thanks! SubMann

[Hopsterman]

Your going to some of the best motorcycling country in the world.

Im an ex South Islander, lived on the west coast for 32 years then 6 years in Otago. Never had a car until I was 27. Had a bike since I was 15.

If you are doing 2 weeks, you can see all of the South Island and have some fun and stop at places for a day or two. You could do all of the main roads and never get bored.

The only boring bit would be a stretch on the east coast between Oamaru and Christchurch. Only about 300 km. Other than that, all roads are good.

Not sure about importing a bike. They dont cost too much there, even if you take the exchange rate into account. There are a few VFRs over there. Do it in summer. After Xmas is the best time, Mid January until March. generally 20 to 25 deg C there, although can get hotter.

Grab a map - Itinerary.

Day 1 - Fly into Wellington. buy a bike & Ferry trip to Picton. Ride Blenheim to Kaikoura.

Day 2 To Christchurch. To Greymouth (My ole home town) via Arthurs Pass.

Day 3 To Reefton To Christchurch via Lewis pass. To Timaru.

Day 4 To Dunedin Invercargil to Bluff to Invercargil.

Day 5 To TeAnau, & Milford Sound.

Day 6 To Queenstown

Day 7 To Wanaka

Day 8 To Haast via Haast Pass, Fox and or Franz Glaciers

Day 9 To Ross, Hokitika, Westport via the coast road.

Day 10 If you have time, Karamea and back to Westport.

Day 11 To Murchison, to Kohatu Junction, to Motueka to Takaka and Golden bay.

Day 12 Backtrack to Motueka, Nelson

Day 13 To Rai Valley, Havlock and back to Picton via stunning Queen Charlet Drive.

Day 14 Ferry to Wellington.

The only good bit missed is Inland South Island, Geraldine to Fairleigh, Twizel, and Omakau, Cromwell and Alexandra.
Road up the waitaki valley is good to, Benmore and all the dams and southen lakes are spectacular.

Keep me updated on your plans !!!

But look at map, im sure you can comfortably do it all.

[SubMann]

Thanks for the detailed reply! We'll be coming in early April. It's a little late, but we need to coordinate the timing with work. We ride in British Columbia year round, so the weather wont be a problem.

I looked a little more into shipping and I really doubt it is worth the effort.

[Hopsterman]

Weather usually isnt too bad in april. Doesnt snow usually until June at the earliest.

[Swoop]

The weather couldn't get much better at the moment. A long hot summer and the farmers are doing their usual moaning about lack of water!
The shipping cost of the bike might be prohibative. If the bike is exported from NZ within 18[?] months, there is zero import duty or tax. If it stays, you will be paying a few $$'s.
Have a look on the equivalent of ebay here. www.trademe.co.nz
That might give you an idea of prices.
Hope the trip goes well!
Just watch out for kiwi driver's. They are the world's WORST!

[SubMann]

The weather couldn't get much better at the moment. A long hot summer and the farmers are doing their usual moaning about lack of water!
The shipping cost of the bike might be prohibative. If the bike is exported from NZ within 18[?] months, there is zero import duty or tax. If it stays, you will be paying a few $$'s.
Have a look on the equivalent of ebay here. www.trademe.co.nz
That might give you an idea of prices.
Hope the trip goes well!
Just watch out for kiwi driver's. They are the world's WORST!

He he, this is an old thread. We had our trip and it was fantastic. Great roads, great scenery and great people. Coming from Canada was cool as there were many similarities. We rented bikes. 6000 km in two weeks! Funny but the Kwi drivers are the best I have ever seen, and the speed limits on your backroads are impressive. North American drivers are far far worse than any Kiwi drivers and the polices presence is oppressive.

Cheers.

[Hopsterman]

He he, this is an old thread. We had our trip and it was fantastic. Great roads, great scenery and great people. Coming from Canada was cool as there were many similarities. We rented bikes. 6000 km in two weeks! Funny but the Kwi drivers are the best I have ever seen, and the speed limits on your backroads are impressive. North American drivers are far far worse than any Kiwi drivers and the polices presence is oppressive.

Cheers.

Hi, Im back in NZ. Havnt been online for a while either. Sounds like you had a ball. How did the ride compare to north america? Thinking of an overseas riding adventure myself, once i get my bike back from Aussie.

[Timbercat]

Been looking at taking a 2 week vacation January 09'. Planning to rent through VFRNZ if I go. They have a good website.
Driving on the left side eh!

[Richard Thompson]

Been looking at taking a 2 week vacation January 09'. Planning to rent through VFRNZ if I go. They have a good website.
Driving on the left side eh!

well.....jan 09 is fast disssapperaing over here, its already the 23rd.

let us know if you do come, and if you need any support on your tour.

the weather is premo at the moment and likely to stay so thru feb & march.

there are still quite a few good events coming up for bikes thru summer too.

[Richard Thompson]

Hi, Im back in NZ. Havnt been online for a while either. Sounds like you had a ball. How did the ride compare to north america? Thinking of an overseas riding adventure myself, once i get my bike back from Aussie.

welcome back....

[RVFR]

^ figures you'd chime in huh? go figure, No?

[Timbercat]

well.....jan 09 is fast disssapperaing over here, its already the 23rd.

let us know if you do come, and if you need any support on your tour.

the weather is premo at the moment and likely to stay so thru feb & march.

there are still quite a few good events coming up for bikes thru summer too.

Ok, so I still have a wee bit of a hangover, howz about Jan 2010!!

[Richard Thompson]

Ok, so I still have a wee bit of a hangover, howz about Jan 2010!!

LOL....no worries....plenty of time to plan then. feel free to ask if you need any help with planning your itinerary.

[Richard Thompson]

^ figures you'd chime in huh? go figure, No?

bout time you got your butt over here too....