VTR1000.ORG

Hi all, ok so this isn't strictly motorcycle related but...

I'm heading over to NZ at the start of March for a friend's wedding, I have wanted to visit New Zealand for years as it sounds almost purpose built for me!

At the moment my plan is to go over on 3rd March, returning on 25th April, which gives me around 7 weeks to explore etc. I am currently applying for a 12 month work visa, with a view to finding work (of any description) to prolong my stay.

It would be great to meet up with any of you guys while I'm there, I'm also looking at buying/hiring a motorcycle (of any description) to explore on, I have been looking on TradeMe (NZ ebay) for things to scoot around on. If any one knows someone with a second bike or anything they would hire out to me for a short period I would be really interested!!

In order to boost my funds before I leave the UK, I will be selling some VTR bits and if I'm really motivated I might sell my 2nd storm (Red one, not black one!), but I really want to avoid that!

I have no set plans as yet, except for attending the wedding and trying to stay and explore for as long as possible, if any of you fine chaps have been to NZ or can offer any advise to me with regards to finding a bike, where to visit or find work I'd be eternally grateful

(of course if you fancy lending me your bike for a week, there will always be a nice black Storm sitting here in the UK for you to borrow too!)

Anyone been to NZ?

Jamoi wrote:Anyone been to NZ?

I was there a few years back absolutely love the place
stayed in Auckland and traveled to Rotorua and the the coramandels
the whole island is covered in geothermal activity seen a hotel that had its heating hot water taken straight from a river bank that had loads of blow holes everywhere
the people are very friendly loads walk around in their bare feet (take your shoes off when entering a house )

My sister lives in Wanganui at the bottom of the north island she is coming home at the end of march for a month
her husband could probably help with getting or storing a bike for you


http://www.newzealand.com/uk/coromandel ... ew-zealand

http://www.rotoruanz.com/

Jamoi wrote:Anyone been to NZ?

Im sitting here now.

Your gunna love it. What city are you flying into?

Also happy to help with a bike hunt.

don't know if its right but I have heard (from my cousin, who,s emigrating there this year ) that bikes and cars are v pricey in relation to here?

no help but that's all I heard about biking and NZ.

oh yes and my step father and his partner were over there for 4 or 5 weeks this time last year and would not shut the f*** up until about July about what a brilliant place it was

have a great time mate

My uncle lives just outside Auckland mate, am sure he could help with bike storage/fettling.

you wont want to come back it bloody lovely there and great people. Rotarua is fab.

Good lad Jamie, enjoy it mate. As your signature says "Here for a good time not a long time"

Thanks so much guys I've heard so many great things about NZ, I really must have a look before I settle down/ it's too late, this is the most I've spoken about it to anyone, talking/writing about it is getting me more excited and helping me think of more things I need to get sorted!

macdee wrote:

Jamoi wrote:Anyone been to NZ?

I was there a few years back absolutely love the place
stayed in Auckland and traveled to Rotorua and the the coramandels
the whole island is covered in geothermal activity seen a hotel that had its heating hot water taken straight from a river bank that had loads of blow holes everywhere
the people are very friendly loads walk around in their bare feet (take your shoes off when entering a house )

My sister lives in Wanganui at the bottom of the north island she is coming home at the end of march for a month
her husband could probably help with getting or storing a bike for you


http://www.newzealand.com/uk/coromandel ... ew-zealand

http://www.rotoruanz.com/

Brilliant info mate, thanks for taking the time. If you don't mind me asking, did you work there? Or purely sightseeing?

NZSpokes wrote:

Jamoi wrote:Anyone been to NZ?

Im sitting here now.

Your gunna love it. What city are you flying into?

Maybe in a couple months I could be sitting there, sharing a few with you

I'm flying into Auckland, then finding my way down to Hamilton for my friend's wedding (I've seen him once since we were 16!).

What's the biking scene like there?

Lumpy, yes I've heard the cost of living is quite pricey, I'm certainly on a very tight budget, so finding work would be fantastic. Not sure I can afford a bike yet, but I'm keeping the dream alive!

Yahhh Go for it Jamie !

There is a Storm FB page here. Recently posted up on there is guys in Hamilton and Queenstown offering beds to traveling Stormers.

Great bike scene here. Im in Auck and work by the airport. Let me know what bike style you want. But a tourer would be best so you can take your crap with up. Also there is a big bikers website here which does help visitors to the country.

I can help with the buying a bike and can sell it for you when you leave and send the money on to you. Sucks trying to sell something before you leave.

MacV2 wrote:Yahhh Go for it Jamie !

Cheers dude

NZSpokes wrote:There is a Storm FB page here. Recently posted up on there is guys in Hamilton and Queenstown offering beds to traveling Stormers.

Great bike scene here. Im in Auck and work by the airport. Let me know what bike style you want. But a tourer would be best so you can take your crap with up. Also there is a big bikers website here which does help visitors to the country.

I can help with the buying a bike and can sell it for you when you leave and send the money on to you. Sucks trying to sell something before you leave.

That's very kind of you NZS, if I can get enough together to buy a bike, it would have to be about the cheapest thing available! So a tourer would be perfect, but a barely legal moped would make me just as happy as long as it's legal and cheap, hehe. This could be me...


Wow that's pretty cool, I'm on FB so I'll have a search for the page.

A couple of years back, I cycled to Africa via France and Spain on mountain bikes with 2 mates, we took tents and cooking equipment. It was the best thing I've ever done!

I'm guessing NZ might be pretty hilly for a North to South cycling trip?

Jamoi wrote:

MacV2 wrote:Yahhh Go for it Jamie !

Cheers dude

NZSpokes wrote:There is a Storm FB page here. Recently posted up on there is guys in Hamilton and Queenstown offering beds to traveling Stormers.

Great bike scene here. Im in Auck and work by the airport. Let me know what bike style you want. But a tourer would be best so you can take your crap with up. Also there is a big bikers website here which does help visitors to the country.

I can help with the buying a bike and can sell it for you when you leave and send the money on to you. Sucks trying to sell something before you leave.

That's very kind of you NZS, if I can get enough together to buy a bike, it would have to be about the cheapest thing available! So a tourer would be perfect, but a barely legal moped would make me just as happy as long as it's legal and cheap, hehe. This could be me...


Wow that's pretty cool, I'm on FB so I'll have a search for the page.

A couple of years back, I cycled to Africa via France and Spain on mountain bikes with 2 mates, we took tents and cooking equipment. It was the best thing I've ever done!

I'm guessing NZ might be pretty hilly for a North to South cycling trip?

Im friends with Lloyd on FB so track me down through him and I can link you to the FB page.

Yes we have some hills it would be fair to say but nothing like Europe.

Remember with buying a bike you will get most of it back when sold.

From what I've heard from friends that have gone you won't want to come back, have a great time
wish I could go out there but it'll most likely never happen now, could have done it years ago but then would probably never have raced, you make your choices and all that. maybe i'll get there in my retirement.