Going to ride through NZ in the end of November

[Rurider]

Hello, everyone!
Me and my friends r going to be in NZ soon
Can someone please help us with advice about:
- Bike rental in NZ (some not very expensive companies)
- shiping bikes from one isle to another
- bikeshows or festivals during 20nov-10dec
- fuel price
- is it enough to rent choppers and classics or it's better to take enduro?
Thanks in advance and hope to see NZ bikers soon!
Now I'm making a trip plan - am I write that western part of south isle is the best to see nature beauties?
Good Luck!
Dmitry

[The Big J]

- Bike rental in NZ (some not very expensive companies)
Everything I looked into was expensive. I would suggest a web search, sorry not my specialty
- shiping bikes from one isle to another
Motorcycles NZ$40-50, Passengers $35-65 depending on booking online, booking ahead of time etc. Bluebridge Ferry or Interislander are your options.
- bikeshows or festivals during 20nov-10dec
- fuel price
Currently NZ$1.60 /litre
- is it enough to rent choppers and classics or it's better to take enduro?
Obviously depends what you want to do. You can see all of the country on well maintained and paved roads. On country roads you will be able to find gravel if going off the main road. For example look at a map of Queenstown. Checking out the road to Glenorchy is a beautiful stretch and the further up you go you will leave tarmac. I would suggest cruisers are fine as long as you are happy taking it easy when going really far out and you are happy not riding trails. The great mountain passes will make up for it!

www.kiwibiker.co.nz could give you their more experienced opinions about bike choice as well as upcoming bike events.

have fun

[The Big J]

Oh and yes I would suggest you spend the most time in South Island.
West coast (past the mountain range) is very wet all year. Obviously dress for wild conditions, we still get storms at that time of year (rain and wind not cold)
Otago is the most stunning landscape in my opinion.
Then west coast, Nelson, Bay of Islands (north), Coromandel Peninsula also rate highly.
I would spend 2/3 time in South Island
1/3 in North.

[Rurider]

I think I found a company which will give us bikes in Auckland and take them back in Christchurch
Thanks alot for suggestions!
Dmitry

[sunflowers]

Hi,

It looks like I might be putting my South America trip on hold and be going home to NZ for December instead. Even though my family knows that I can ride a motorcycle I don't think that they are going to believe it until I show up on the door step on a bike.

Can you please pass on the details of the motorcycle rental company that you found in Auckland?

Thanks,
Annette

ps. the South Island is nice but don't miss the beautiful Bay of Islands.

[artig]

There are several rental companies that will let you pick up the bike in Auckland and drop it off in Christchurch. Have a look at:
http://www.kea-motorcycles.com/
http://www.motorcycle-hire.co.nz/
http://www.gotournz.com/
that all offer this service, although one or two of them charge extra for this.

I don't have any personal experience with them, but have heard from satisified customers of each of them.

[sunflowers]

I really just want it to ride up to the Bay of Islands for a couple of days and then return it to Auckland. It is just so that my family can see that I can ride.

Thanks for sending those along.

Originally Posted by artig

There are several rental companies that will let you pick up the bike in Auckland and drop it off in Christchurch. Have a look at:
http://www.kea-motorcycles.com/
http://www.motorcycle-hire.co.nz/
http://www.gotournz.com/
that all offer this service, although one or two of them charge extra for this.

I don't have any personal experience with them, but have heard from satisified customers of each of them.