Riding New Zealand
by Dave Firman
We arrived in Auckland to be met by horrible cold, windy and wet weather. Apparently it was the kick back from the terrible earthquake and tsunami that hit the Samoa Islands a week before we arrived.
After a week of getting used to the beer, weather, local roads and driving I collected the F650GS Beema I had hired for a 3 day trip up North to see the various sites. The bike was fitted with a top box (Panniers were available but not taken) and a brand new helmet thrown in. The cost per day was R885 (eina) but most things are expensive in New Zealand and with a conversion rate of R5.60 to the $NZ it hurt my budget but what the hell.
My son-in law, Roger, on his GS1200, me on the 650 and the wives and grandchildren in the VW Touran left early on Friday morning in nice sunny and warm weather. After an hour we stopped at a quaint seaside resort for some sightseeing and coffee. As we left the town, the first rains of the trip started but fortunately I had taken my rain suit with me from SA so I was prepared for it and after a quick change we continued on our way. We had decided to keep off the main highways (maximum speed 100kph) so as to enjoy the beauty of the coastal areas. The roads are kept in very good condition with no potholes, broken surfaces or bits of truck tyres to worry about. We rode in and out of rain until we stopped for lunch at a town called Whangarei - a beautiful place on a river close to the sea. The speed limit in built up areas is an enforced 50kph AND everyone sticks to it. Breaking the speed limit can cost you a minimum of close to R900.
After a good break we left for our destination Paihia on the Bay of Islands. Wow what a place – beautiful beaches and lots of pubs. The road into Pahia winds down around the hills through dense forests and is a biker’s delight with clearly signed and banked corners every few hundred metres. Some are real hairpins that need 2nd gear as they can be very sharp with limited forward vision. The last 20kms on this road was really scary because the Heavens had opened up. We were riding virtually blind and the spray from passing cars didn’t help. Despite all this I really enjoyed my first day’s run of about 280kms on the Beema.
After a lazy start to a sunny Saturday Roger and I decided to explore the area around the Bay of Islands. We rode out of town and caught the car ferry (an open flat decked boat) to a nearby island while the girls caught the passenger one from the town and met us there. After some sightseeing around the island we hopped back onto the ferry and then did some serious riding on those fantastic roads before stopping for a pie and a pint further up the coast. We happened to pass a bunch of Harleys who I must say were very friendly waving and hooting. If the weather is clear biking in New Zealand is really great.
All too soon Sunday dawned and it was time to make our way back to Auckland. Not trusting the weather I donned my rain suit before we left Pahia. Going back up the twisting road to meet the main road was great – no rain this time and little traffic. We’d decided to take it easy (100kph when allowed to) and to stop off, let the kids stretch their legs, and enjoy the local places of interest. We stopped at a historic riverside town called Warkworth for lunch at the local betting shop cum casino cum pub cum tea garden cum meeting place of the townsfolk. Great grub and local ale.
We had a clear run back to our base in Auckland and after unpacking I returned my iron steed to the hire company (A one man show operated from his house overlooking the beach – shame). He has a good selection of bikes ranging from 250 Yamahas to the big Triumphs and the BMW 1200 range. I was sorry to have to return the 650 because I had over the 3 days and 700 kays become very fond of it. After my old 1983 R65 this bike was a dream to ride and I felt no discomfort to my 71 year old body on the entire trip. It was fun to ride, comfortable, plenty power when needed and the heated grips were great for drying out my wet gloves while riding.
As I mentioned biking in New Zealand is, apart from the weather, great. Bikes are allowed to use the special bus lanes, so it is safe to commute into the city where car parking is scarce and extremely expensive. The most popular bikes on the island are Ducati, Harley and Triumph. Unfortunately while I was there the powers in office were trying to push through a new law to introduce very heavy taxes on bikes over 600cc. In reply over 600 bikers pitched up at the transport Minister’s house on a Sunday morning in protest. They have threatened to de-register their bikes and ride illegally until caught. Bikers are the same all over the world when someone stands on their toes. Can’t we organize something similar here to protest against the toll fees that are being legally stolen from us?
