First proper ride in NZ
First proper ride in NZ
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Esceptico

Original Poster:

8,897 posts

139 months

Wednesday 25th December 2019
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I have taken the GSXR 750 out a few times but not managed a long ride. I don’t really know the roads here yet so just looked at the map to find some with lots of bends. Meant riding for about 45 mins on the motorway to get south of AAuckland but it turned out to be worthwhile as finally found some amazing roads. A real selection of open sweepers, tight bends, scenic route following the coast with great views of the ocean and even some mountain roads. Road quality was generally good and as I went out early, traffic was light.

One of the best rides I’ve ever had. Bike performed amazingly and even though I’m running it in and limited to 7000 revs I didn’t really feel it as you don’t need the top end power to have fun in the bends and on the straights I was trying not to go quickly anyway (not sure where they have speed cameras here).

Certainly a great way of starting Boxing Day!

NNK

1,169 posts

229 months

Thursday 26th December 2019
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Lots of great roads both North and South of AKL but serious police presence and high penalties mean being very careful.
Great roads around Coromandel but prob not over holiday period as caravans, campers, tourists.
The standard of driving here is pretty bad and car drivers will often object to filtering, etc.

klootzak

687 posts

246 months

Thursday 26th December 2019
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Don't know what side of Auckland you're on, but if you head out on SH16 past Kaukapakapa you can pick up West Road road just past Gibbs Farm, that will take you over to Warkworth. 30km of twisty fun that barely ever gets patrolled by the Police.

k


moto_traxport

4,264 posts

251 months

Thursday 26th December 2019
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Mate of mine emigrated out there and set up a motorbike training company in Auckland called

riderskills.co.nz

They do ride outs, advanced riding wotsits all very sociable stuff if you wanted to learn the local bikey roads & culture.

He took his Pan European out there that he bought new from Abingdon Honda in Oxfordshire. I borrowed it and left fair amount of the footrests on the Coromandel peninsular! Think it might be retired now and replaced with another one.


Esceptico

Original Poster:

8,897 posts

139 months

Thursday 26th December 2019
quotequote all
On the ride south on a 1 I saw five police patrol cars but didn’t see any once I was on the more minor roads. I’ve heard that fines here are high for speeding so trying to be careful.

I am in central Auckland so getting to decent roads a little bit of a trek (compared to when I was in the UK), although it seems the roads here are much better once I get to them.

I did both the IAM and Rospa advanced tests in the past but always keen to work on my riding so might do some extra here (finding new roads and getting tips on how to avoid speed traps would be worth it anyway).

mak

1,445 posts

256 months

Thursday 26th December 2019
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Pics man, of everything, house, roads views everything, living the dream . I could show you some pics of this st hole but I guess its still fresh in your memory. To be honest I still believe the uk could be a nice place to live with a lottery win in the bank.

klootzak

687 posts

246 months

Friday 27th December 2019
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Esceptico said:
I’ve heard that fines here are high for speeding so trying to be careful.
The fines aren't so bad (see here ... https://www.police.govt.nz/faq/what-are-the-fines-... ), the bigger problem is the certainty of an instant 28-day licence suspension if you're doing more than 40kmh over the posted limit. You're not even allowed to ride home. Utter PITA. Plus you get 50 demerits (100 max).

On the plus side, you only get demerits or the suspension if you're caught by a cop. If it's a speed camera, you just get the fine.

k

moles

1,860 posts

274 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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Did you ship the bike over with you or buy it over there?.

Esceptico

Original Poster:

8,897 posts

139 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
quotequote all
moles said:
Did you ship the bike over with you or buy it over there?.
I did think about shipping my bike - which in the UK was a K1300S Motorsport. However after emailing a BMW dealer in Auckland it seemed that my bike was worth less retail in NZ than my local dealer was going to give me cash so I sold and bought new here. Got an amazing deal here - new GSXR 750 for £7500.

moles

1,860 posts

274 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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Interesting. Is it just the jap stuff that’s cheaper I take it KTM/Aprillia/Ducati are more expensive than over here?.

Esceptico

Original Poster:

8,897 posts

139 months

Thursday 2nd January 2020
quotequote all
moles said:
Interesting. Is it just the jap stuff that’s cheaper I take it KTM/Aprillia/Ducati are more expensive than over here?.
Actually the prices of new bikes is pretty much the same - the GSXR was just on special offer.