Triumphrat

Jeremie · 08-14-2009, 07:47 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm Jeremie, 33 years old, living in Paris and proud owner of a Street Triple 2009 which now has a little over 9000kms.
I currently work for Warner Bros but am getting the boot soon (someone up there decided it was best to externalize/delocalize all the IT) so I decided it was time for me to have some long vacation far away from France.
I've been to NZ only once and was about 10 at the time but I remember really enjoying it so I was thinking in maybe coming to visit for a month or so and, of course, renting a bike to travel on both islands.
Any suggestions, tips (like: is it possible to rent a Triumph?) would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking in arriving early November.
A picture of my baby:

Cheers,
Jeremie

Kiwi Rat · 08-14-2009, 09:05 PM

Bonjour Jeremie!

November is nice and warm but Jan-March are the most predictable in terms of warmth and lack of rainfall. Yes, AMPS in Auckland hire out Triumphs and so do GoTour (http://www.gotournz.com/) and http://www.rentatriumph.co.nz/. There may be more.

The first thing to get your hands on is the New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas by Peter Mitchell, ISBN 9781877302329. This is our bible. As well as maps, it also gives suggested routes with what to see and do. It also gives a biker "smile" rating for each route!

If you're happy to PM me an email address, I'll send you a PDF copy of our 2007 South Island tour complete with photos. In the meantime, I've got a couple of YouTube videos (best watched in high quality option).

and

.

If you wonder why I'm on a Honda Blackbird in the videos, it's because I'm in the process of swapping to a Street Triple right now!
(Reasons here: http://www.triumphrat.net/biker-hang...w-zealand.html)

Cheers,

Geoff

Corky · 08-16-2009, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremie

Hi everyone,
I'm Jeremie, 33 years old, living in Paris and proud owner of a Street Triple 2009 which now has a little over 9000kms.
Any suggestions, tips (like: is it possible to rent a Triumph?) would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking in arriving early November.
A picture of my baby:
Cheers,
Jeremie

Hi Jeremie

My name is Blair Corkran and I rent out Triumphs from Christchurch in the South island of NZ. Check out my website at www.rentatriumph.co.nz and don't hesitate to email me if I can be of assistance. Being a biased South islander I would spend 75% of my time in the South Island which has by far the more beautiful scenery and riding.

Jeremie · 08-16-2009, 07:30 AM

Thanks guys for your replies.
This trip sounds more and more like a very good idea.
I guess I'll just need a way to reduce my lodging costs now because 1 month in motels is going to be too a bit too much.
I guess I'll alternate with camping.

Kiwi Rat · 08-16-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremie

Thanks guys for your replies.
This trip sounds more and more like a very good idea.
I guess I'll just need a way to reduce my lodging costs now because 1 month in motels is going to be too a bit too much.
I guess I'll alternate with camping.

Hi again Jeremie

A couple of options. Have a look at http://www.top10.co.nz (Their site seems to be out of service today, so give it a day). This is a national chain of camping grounds and you can rent small cabins at very reasonable prices. We always use these when we go south. Much cheaper than motels. The other option is to stay at backpackers which are very cheap. NZ backpackers are pretty good quality. Lonely planet NZ will have info but do an on-line search too.

Finally, I mentioned the Kiwi Biker website in my email to you. If you join and introduce yourself, you'll probably get offers of accommodation and people to ride with. It's pretty much the done thing over here.

Stay in touch.

Geoff

Jeremie · 08-16-2009, 05:11 PM

I really owe you a beer, Geoff

:

Kiwi Rat · 08-16-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremie

I really owe you a beer, Geoff

:

Hahaha - pas de probleme!

The Top 10 site is up and running again. For backpacking, start with these sites to get an idea of what's on offer: http://www.bbh.co.nz/, http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz/, http://www.nzbackpack.com/New-Zealan..._ID=1485_.html.

Corky · 08-17-2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi Rat

Hi again Jeremie

A couple of options. Have a look at http://www.top10.co.nz (Their site seems to be out of service today, so give it a day). This is a national chain of camping grounds and you can rent small cabins at very reasonable prices. We always use these when we go south. Much cheaper than motels. The other option is to stay at backpackers which are very cheap. NZ backpackers are pretty good quality. Lonely planet NZ will have info but do an on-line search too.

Finally, I mentioned the Kiwi Biker website in my email to you. If you join and introduce yourself, you'll probably get offers of accommodation and people to ride with. It's pretty much the done thing over here.

Stay in touch.

Geoff

I personally think Hotels are also good option. Where better to meet true blooded Kiwis than in a pub. Pubs will normally always have food at the ready and the rooms are cheap enough. While I have stayed in Top10 parks and find them spotlessly clean and well maintained a room rate for a single person is quite expensive.

Kiwi Rat · 08-17-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corky

I personally think Hotels are also good option. Where better to meet true blooded Kiwis than in a pub. Pubs will normally always have food at the ready and the rooms are cheap enough. While I have stayed in Top10 parks and find them spotlessly clean and well maintained a room rate for a single person is quite expensive.

Agreed, as long as they're not "posh" hotels and are pubs with accommodation. A good example is at Blackball - had a fantastic time there. They even made my mate a birthday cake big enough to feed the whole pub!!

Corky · 08-18-2009, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi Rat

Agreed, as long as they're not "posh" hotels and are pubs with accommodation. A good example is at Blackball - had a fantastic time there. They even made my mate a birthday cake big enough to feed the whole pub!!

McManus Hotel in Westport looks after the Triumph club every year for our annual Whitebait run. All rooms have onsuites and he even locks your bike up in the garage for safe keeping.