Advice NEEDED re f650gs rental

[Mike Whitworth]

Hi Guys
In Feb I am going for a trip to NewZealand and have booked a n F650gs rental bike for 3 weeks anything I need to know about runniing one . I have never owned a 650 and only had a short ride on one I have a 1150gs and a r100gs at home .
So any tips would be appreciated also any suggestions of Must SEE or Avoid places in NZ.
Thanks in advance
Regards to All
Mike/

 

[Gipsy]

Will the new 650's be released by then? If not you may get more responses in the 650 singles forum.

 

[rc mad]

ride it like you stole it

the singles like to be kept above 4000 if your on the move but they'll hapily pootle along at 3000 all day. Don't be scared to rev the tits off it, they like it that way

Neutral can occasionally be a bugger to find when your stationary, a bit of throttle usually helps, or put it into neutral before you stop. Other than that i can't think of anything else

 

[G.C.]

ride it like you stole it

the singles like to be kept above 4000 if your on the move but they'll hapily pootle along at 3000 all day. Don't be scared to rev the tits off it, they like it that way

Neutral can occasionally be a bugger to find when your stationary, a bit of throttle usually helps, or put it into neutral before you stop. Other than that i can't think of anything else

What he said
Coming from an 1150 it feels really small but don’t be fooled, it is tremendously competent.
If you have it for 3 weeks and are doing a few miles, give the chain a wee lube and visual every time you fill her up.
Ride it like you nicked it and have fun, it wont let you down.

 

[ahutcheon]

F650s are tough and competent - keep putting petrol in, and point it at obstacles like you're sure of getting over them (my only experience of riding one was the BMW off-road skills course a few years back, gave me a lot of respect for the bike and the people).

Must see and must avoid places in NZ, on a bike? I haven't found anywhere that needs avoiding (although I haven't been to Palmerston North yet), but I'd suggest you focus on the countryside rather than the built environment (OK, bits of Christchurch are quite nice, but you've got York, Edinburgh, Paris, Florence... on your doorstep and you'll be in a country where there are glaciers running into temperate rainforest 15km from the beach).

Most of the South Island is delightful (probably the same up north, but I've spent much less time there). I'd put in a good word for the west coast highway (Greymouth to Haast), the Haast pass to Wanaka, the crown range road to Queenstown, the inland eastern route through Tekapo and Twizel with the view of Mount Cook over the clear blue lake, Arthur's Pass (it's a rental bike, let the Kea play mechanic). Molesworth Station road if you're comfortable with gravel and can spare half a day to cover 150km. But that's just some random thoughts from a dude in Dunedin - I'm rarely disappointed when I go somewhere new. Get a guidebook, aim for things that take your fancy, don't worry about the bits you don't have time to see (they'll still be here next time).

Avoid speeding on the main state highway network (you'll probably get a ticket sooner rather than later), and remember to get off the bike and walk into the scenery from time to time (even five minutes into the west coast forest feels very different to the view from the tarseal).

You'll have a great time - used to take me forever to go anywhere when I first got here because I'd keep stoppink to gaze at the amazing new scenery that appeared round what almost seemed like every bend.

 

[Allan Clark]

Mike

I'm looking to do the same but don't know whether to rent or buy and then sell. I'm out there for 5 weeks from 3rd March. I'm looking for an F650GS. Who did you rent from? The best I can find is $160NZ a day with gotoursnz I've checked out kiwirides and motorcyclesnz.
I ride an R1200GS but decided to go F650GS because of the bike weight, the're easier to pick up. I had a 650 before and the're a great bike the only reason I sold it was because they struggle a bit two up and cruising above 80 is not easy. It tries to blow you off the back.

 

[ExploringRTW]

Hi Mike,

I'm actually in New Zeland now at the end of my RTW now on an 1150GS ADV and absolutely loving it. I started the RTW on a F650GS Dakar and used it for 2 years. They are very tough & reliable - just keeping an eye on tyre pressures and the chain should prove enough.

Whilst I love my Adventure the national speed limit here is 100km/hr so the additional power is a luxury and not necessary, and the Police are very strict anyway. The roads have so many bends in you rarely need to go above the speed limit for your kicks anyway. Definatley the best roads I've ridden on anywhere in the first world. There is also plenty of gravel tracks to play with. There is a Motorcycle road Atlas published here by Hema with the 100 greatest rides in NZ(and all the roads/tracks). I suggest you get it(it is available from most decent book stores) and use it to help plan your time here-it really is helpful. It is also small enough to put in a tank bag map holder.

Three weeks for both islands will be pushing it. We've been on the North Island since Dec 31st and have struggled to do it justice-we leave for the South on 9th, however if you are very disciplined and stick to the highlights you will go home with many memories. Kiwis and tourists alike all reckon the South Island is more beautiful and I would recommend you bias your time accordingly in the South Islands favour. The West coast has Queenstown and many adventure sports and has Milford Sounds which is known for a beautiful spot. The ferry crossing between islands takes about 3 hours each way.

If I can be of any further help, please let me know.

Regards,

Mike

 

[JoeKnow]

The Motu road(near Opotiki) in the north island is just the muts nuts,if you like gravel adventure.You will need a day though.
NZ is just the best for motorcycling,just look out for the plod

 

[JoeKnow]

Mike

I'm looking to do the same but don't know whether to rent or buy and then sell. I'm out there for 5 weeks from 3rd March. I'm looking for an F650GS. Who did you rent from? The best I can find is $160NZ a day with gotoursnz I've checked out kiwirides and motorcyclesnz.
I ride an R1200GS but decided to go F650GS because of the bike weight, the're easier to pick up. I had a 650 before and the're a great bike the only reason I sold it was because they struggle a bit two up and cruising above 80 is not easy. It tries to blow you off the back.

Talk to KEA rentals,they run out of Auckland and ChCh.They run stacks of BM's

 

[Kritou]

North Island

Mike

State Highway 1 northbound from Auckland can be a bit of a grind with heavy trucks and campervans etc. A more interesting option is to head west then north on SH16 and through Helensville - rejoin SH1 for a while but then turn west at Brynclerwyn and go to the Kauri Museum at Matakohe. Be prepared to enjoy several hours there - the history and use of these ancient trees is the essence of NZ history and settlement

Head north up the coast, don't even stop at Dargeville but continue to Opononi on Hiokianga Harbour (overnight?)

Then ferry at Rawene, Mangamuka Rd, cross SH1, and Initana Rd to the East coast. The last bit is good gravel. From here turn left to Northland or right to Waitangi and Bay of Islands

 

[GeorgeH]

Hi there....well here goes, my very first posting on the forum...
I have just got back from 3 weeks in NZ and can say it is absolutely superb. The roads are great, like our A-roads with hardly any traffic on them (unless in the likes of Nelson or Christchurch). Can't say much about the north island but here is some info for south island riding for you...
Haast to Queenstown is fantastic. Must stop at Lake Pukaki and gasp in awe.
Highway 6 Buller Gorge area. Highway 1, especially around Kaikoura. Go from Wanaka to Queenstown on the smaller road through the Cardrona pass and go down the Crown Terrace.
I have a brand new accommodation guide for NZ that I brought back with me, contact me and you can have it, 590 pages full of every type of accomodation you could possibly want. Enjoy your trip
George