We are arriving in NZ at the beginning of September and are willing to travel across both islands for three months on a motorcycle. So maybe someone is planning to finish their trip at around the same time we are arriving and is willing to sell their bike..? Preferably would be a dual sport with some sort of luggage. We are planing 2-up riding for most of the time but not long distance as we should have enough time not to hurry anywhere so not really in a need for a big liter bike. Other (not dual sport) bikes would also be considered, but would really love something that could go on dirt roads as I have heard there are many "have to ride" ones out there. We are not at the high end of the budget also so that is one more reason to look more in a single cylinder DR, XT, KLR sort of direction.

I also have a KTM 950 ADV with hard luggage in Europe, Latvia so some sort of swapping/selling is also possible.

That's a good time to buy in NZ as it's still colder/winter here and the market will be lower. If you buy here and sell three months later you'll hit the summer market so you may not lose much, if you buy carefully. The website to look at in NZ is Trademe.co.nz and I suggest you buy in the north and sell in the south at that time of the year. If you find a bike you like around christchurch (South Island, I know), I'd be happy to check it out for you.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

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Thank you for the information. Still have some time but I checked the site and it looks promising to find something suitable.

I also have a question regarding WOF? What does it take to get it if the bike does not have it or if it ends during the trip? I kind of understand the REG thing and already checked the fares for that.

Another thing I saw that some bikes had something called LAM approved. What does that mean?

The WOF, as you probably know, is the standard safety inspection that is done on vehicles in NZ every 6 months on vehicles made before 2000 and every 12 months if it's made in 2000 or later. Every small town has a repair garage somewhere that will do it. In big cities there will be hundreds of places. Only the smallest repair garages are not licenced to do WOFs. In cities there are a number of specialised WOF places where you just arrive any time. Repair garages usually like you to book a time but if they are not busy, they will do it on the spot. Motorbikes usually take about 20-30 minutes including the paper work and cost about NZ$35. If the bike fails the inspection, you usually have 21 days to get the problem fixed and then the re-inspection is free if you take the bike back to the same place.
LAMS is short for Learner Approved Motorcycle. It's a bike that can be ridden by someone on a learners permit.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask more questions.

Cheers

Nigel in NZ

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Thank you Nigel for clearing that up for me. Some quality information! I have been advised to postpone my trip till October cause in September the weather could still be on the cold and wet side. It already felt too long to wait till September!

Regards

The issue might have been up to discussion before - but can a foreigner legally buy and own a motorbike in New Zealand?

I consider doing this if possible and if not finding a decent and reasonably priced shipping option from Australia.

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Hi,

Yes a foreigner can own a vehicle in NZ and it is one of the easyest countries to do so. I am also going to do that still so I can not give you a detailed view on paperwork but it is nothing complicated as far as I have read.

Regards,

Valdis

Rest easy! Not every country makes it hard.

Anyone can own a vehicle in NZ as long as they can fulfill the following criteria:

1) Carry a driver's licence with the details in English. (If your own country's license doesn't include English, then obtain an International Driver's License from the issuing authority in your country).

2) Can give a valid New Zealand address for mail to be sent to. This mail will include speed camera and parking fines. Some people have been known to use a fictitious address to avoid these fines. This only works for a short time, until word gets out, especially to the customs and immigration people at the airports...... It's a bit embarrassing to have to explain to the family waiting at the airport at home why you aren't there with them and are calling from a NZ police cell.

3) Have NZ$9 in your pocket, when you arrive at the NZ Post Office/VTNZ Inspection Office/AA Office anywhere in the country, for the paperwork fee. If you have an NZ driver's license and credit card, you can do it online.

You don't need any registration paperwork for the vehicle. This means you could, in theory, register a car that you see in the street in your own name. Why would you? All that will come of it is that you will get the bills.

Why isn't everywhere this easy?

Cheers

Nigel in NZ

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Sorry Valdis if I hijack your thread again....

Great information Nigel and thanks for the info provided. So if arrive NZ in a week or two and use a week or so to buy a bike and get it ready to ride and all paperwork done - then ride around NZ for approx 2 months and then it will be late may and probably not such a good time to sell a bike again?? And it could take a good while to sell it again - thats one concern I have if doing it now. How about that Nigel?

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Yes, that's all easily do-able. There's not a big difference in prices between the summer and winter market; maybe 20% but it could take a little longer to sell in May. Where are you thinking of buying and selling? Auckland is the big market but Christchurch tends to be a little cheaper. I'd be lining up a bike before you arrive via Trade Me Motors - Used cars, new cars, motorbikes, boats and more for sale on trademe.co.nz. Ebay is very seldom used in NZ. If you need someone with an account there to sort the auction, let me know. I can bid for you and then let you sort the payment details via PayPal.
As regards to which way to tour New Zealand, I'd say start in the South Island while it's still warmer and dry and then head north. If you're into riding the back country roads then you could spend the whole time in the south.

Cheers

Nigel in NZ

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Yeah - that was really easy. I purchased a bike, got the rego transferred to me, purchased insurance - in less than than two hours. I arrived Wellington thursday 11 pm and by friday 3 pm the deal was done. May have melted some plastic along the way but who cares.....

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Your bike registration includes personal accident insurance for you and anyone you injure. But you should take at least third party insurance in case you cause an accident. This is not compulsory even though it should be. If you leave your bike in Nelson I can help you sell it. We make it very easy here.

Well - Valdis, I have a bike that will be for sale in mid/end of May. Its a Suzuki Dr650 - well equipped for travelling.

Its a 2013 modell, it had 10 k kms on the clock when I bought it and it will probably have around 20 k kms at the time its for sale. It got Happy Trail side panniers and pannier frame. I think theyre 27 liters each. And a big rear carrier plate. It easily carries a 90 liter dry bag. Comes with several straps.
It got a aluminium skid plate under the engine. It got big Barkbuster plastic and metal hand protectors. Its got a wind screen. And it got a GPS - Garmin Zumo 550. Its got an Acerbis 21 liter gas tank. It gives me a range of 450-500 kms. I have experienced a fuel consumption of between 23-24 kms pr liter fuel.

I will sell it with a camping chair, a NZ road atlas and a bike lock too

WOF is good until march 2017 but rego expires june this year.

Tyres and chain/sprockets will be a bit worn at the end of my use but I can replace if agreed about.

Its been a very good bike for the back roads and gravel roads of the south island and will hopefully be the same for the next owner.

Photos can be sent on mail.

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PM sent!

Hi Folks,
I arrive in christchurch in a few days and i am also looking for a bike. my preferred bike would be a japanese one cylinder enduro from 250cc to 600 as my bike at home is a xt600 and i know the engine a little bit.
i dont mind it being a lttle older since my budget is not too great. i am hoping to get a bike around 1500$ but i need it to have everything necessary for wof
feel free to send me an offer or contact me if you know something.
cheers
frosty

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