** The Official NZ FAQ Thread** Bike hire, trip planning, NZ info etc look here first

[kiwipeet]

Originally Posted by Lovin' it Strom

I know I'm asking a broad question, what kind of weather - generally- can we expect in March? Cold, wet, dry, clear, rainy?

I had a quick google and found this: http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealan....html#regional which contains average temps and rainfalls by season for each region.

Lonely planet has a little info as well: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/weather

Our national weather bureau can be found here: http://www.metservice.com/national/index

NZ has some wild and varied terrain and we also have weather to match. Weather here changes quickly. If you really want to know why, read this.

For biking, the vast majority or NZ is rideable all year round. The most southern parts of the South Island may be under snow for a few months during the peak of winter, but main roads are regularly serviced and seldom closed for long. However, high passes can close quickly and with little notice.

Our best advice is carry gear for all conditions. Removable layers are a very good idea.

However, one advantage of our terrain and being a small country is that in many cases you can ride around or out of the weather within a few hours. If you keep your plans flexible and keep an eye on the weather forecast you can stay dry while it's raining only an hour away.

[Lovin' it Strom]

A buddy of mine, during his research found there was some warning of virus issues in the water?

I will be there traveling with a Katadyn Hiker PRO water filter, however it has limited virus filtration. We plan on topping off the Camelback at stops along rivers and at campgrounds.

Is there a viral issue in the rivers/streams we may be filling our Camelback with, or will we be OK with a standard filter?

Thanks

[Box'a'bits]

Originally Posted by Lovin' it Strom

A buddy of mine, during his research found there was some warning of virus issues in the water?

I will be there traveling with a Katadyn Hiker PRO water filter, however it has limited virus filtration. We plan on topping off the Camelback at stops along rivers and at campgrounds.

Is there a viral issue in the rivers/streams we may be filling our Camelback with, or will we be OK with a standard filter?

Thanks

The major issue is Giardia. Dependent upon your filtration system you should be fine. Otherwise fill your Camelbaks at fuel fill time (most have outside taps somewhere) & at cafes etc.

[Dino3310]

watch out for algae bloom in some of the lakes in summer, i know some of the smaller lakes around the waikato get it from time to time, there are public warning signs. But i wouldnt think you would need the water out of the lakes up here as communities arent that far apart. ie: pubs

you can pick up filterd straws for Giardia, most hunting stores have the filters and info, but like Box'a'bits said top up at fueling points and ya should be right.

[Crazykiwi]

Has anyone shipped a bike from the UK, just thinking about a low Km Africa Twin, wanting to know what total cost break down would be??

Or is this just not worth my time and money??.

Is there anywere else that is worth importing from? Japan?????

[kiwipeet]

Originally Posted by Crazykiwi

Has anyone shipped a bike from the UK, just thinking about a low Km Africa Twin, wanting to know what total cost break down would be??

Or is this just not worth my time and money??.

Is there anywere else that is worth importing from? Japan?????

Hi. It's been discussed a few times in the NZ forum. You'll find many of the basics in this thread here: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=702718

Costs vary depending on several factors. (explained in the thread above). Whether it's worth it or not is a personal choice. The short answer is if the bike is rare or desireable, has sentimental value to you or you're just busting your nuts to have one, then maybe yes.

If you could reasonably buy one here... then probably not.

If it's purely a money thing I would say youd have to be able to buy it overseas for $3-5k cheaper than you can here just to break even, let alone make it worth while. If you're doing it to make money then it'll need to $4-6k cheaper to make it viable.

[BOOTLACE]

Originally Posted by Crazykiwi

Has anyone shipped a bike from the UK, just thinking about a low Km Africa Twin, wanting to know what total cost break down would be??

Or is this just not worth my time and money??.

Is there anywere else that is worth importing from? Japan?????

http://aussiebikeshipping.com.au/

[Three Dawg]

I'll be over in NZ early next year (been there several times before, but only once on a bike) and this time I'm getting a Super Tenere to do some gravel riding. All good info here, but given that I'll be 2 up on a big bike, what would a 'gnarly' road/track be defined as?

[clintnz]

Originally Posted by Three Dawg

given that I'll be 2 up on a big bike, what would a 'gnarly' road/track be defined as?

One that you shouldn't do 2-up on a big bike

Unless you are Chris Birch

Cheers
Clint

[Three Dawg]

Ha ha, yeah OK, stupid question. Although it isn't the gnarlyness I'm bothered about so much as the potential damage to someone else's bike. And my wallet.