New Zealand - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

[intern]

You won't regret it!

 

I only really started riding when I moved to NZ. It has been one of the best ways to explore.

 

One can rent a KTM 690 Enduro in Christchurch for approx $160/day, just saying   

I've never really ridden a dirt bike - how easily do MTB skills transfer to a mud scooter?

[intern]

How NZ is this - LOL

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12075632

[hayleyearth]

H....Jacinda beat you.

 

Where is that baby???

 

We want to meet her.

Her due date was 6 days before ours... Ours are tomorrow! But yes, she can come any time and even late too, the waiting game is killing us!

 

I do feel 'different' the last 2 days, this past weekend I could still go hike 7km and 10km on the two days, but now walking from the lounge to the room takes forever with a weird walk.

 

It's such a waiting game, and all papa wants to do is stay home with me and his daughter, but his daughter is sending him to work every morning.. Haha

[patches]

I've never really ridden a dirt bike - how easily do MTB skills transfer to a mud scooter?

 

Hmmm, this is an interesting one and I guess it differs for everyone that transitions mud-scooter to MTB or MTB to mud-scooter.

 

Here's what I found could translate from MTB to mud-scooter.

 

Easy

• Balance
• Body positioning
• Descending (descending steep hills on a dirt bike is a lot more tricky than it looks, but being comfy doing it on an MTB is definitely an advantage.
• Line choice (MTB riders have to pick their lines a lot more carefully. A good skill to translate onto the dirt bike)
• Forgiveness. Some of the rocky, rutty, descents I rode in Christchurch felt like a breeze on the dirt bike. The travel just soaked it up and the extra weight added momentum to roll over just about everything.
• ...and of course... not having to pedal!

Hard

• Brakes! I ride right lever rear brake on my MTB. Not having that as a front brake, plus having a foot operated rear brake that is so hard to feather, especially when wearing MX boots. It takes some getting used to.
• 2 Finger lever operation. Almost a standard based on a looong levers. and trying to operate a clutch with only the index finger on technical trails can require rock-climber hands. There is a solution though. I installed a special clutch lever designed to be shorter with better leverage ratios for 1 finger operation. Did similar with my front brake too
• Standing and "pedaling". Standing and accelerating on a dirt bike can be scary. One feels like they're going to fall off the back if they don't hold the bike with their knees. Added to that is the "whisky throttle" effect. The more you freak out and fall backwards, the more you twist the throttle open and compound the issue. At the end of the day it just takes practice. Stand as much as you can. Practice changing up and down in the gears while standing, even if you're just on a straight countryside road.
• Weight. If one gets stuck on an MTB a quick dab, or lift up and over an obstacle is an easy fix. Not so easy with 100kg plus to heft around. Some of the most physically drained times i have had are while trying to get the dirt bike out of a flooded, muddy swamp area or trying to gain traction on a clay infested climb.

 

And just to note, if you get addicted to the combustion powered version of the 2 wheeled vehicle, and you neglect your MTB for a while, when you do get back on and ride semi technical things, your MTB will feel super sketchy. I remember ring an average rocky trail on my MTB after having not touched it for over 1yr. I thought I was going to go over the bars at nearly every bump.

 

So yeah, you'll definitely be at an advantage over someone who doesn't ride 2 wheel transportation at all, BUT there will be some MTB habits that feel dodgy on the dirt bike, and after time, visa versa.

[intern]

Hmmm, this is an interesting one and I guess it differs for everyone that transitions mud-scooter to MTB or MTB to mud-scooter.

 

Here's what I found could translate from MTB to mud-scooter.

 

Easy

• Balance
• Body positioning
• Descending (descending steep hills on a dirt bike is a lot more tricky than it looks, but being comfy doing it on an MTB is definitely an advantage.
• Line choice (MTB riders have to pick their lines a lot more carefully. A good skill to translate onto the dirt bike)
• Forgiveness. Some of the rocky, rutty, descents I rode in Christchurch felt like a breeze on the dirt bike. The travel just soaked it up and the extra weight added momentum to roll over just about everything.
• ...and of course... not having to pedal!

Hard

• Brakes! I ride right lever rear brake on my MTB. Not having that as a front brake, plus having a foot operated rear brake that is so hard to feather, especially when wearing MX boots. It takes some getting used to.
• 2 Finger lever operation. Almost a standard based on a looong levers. and trying to operate a clutch with only the index finger on technical trails can require rock-climber hands. There is a solution though. I installed a special clutch lever designed to be shorter with better leverage ratios for 1 finger operation. Did similar with my front brake too
• Standing and "pedaling". Standing and accelerating on a dirt bike can be scary. One feels like they're going to fall off the back if they don't hold the bike with their knees. Added to that is the "whisky throttle" effect. The more you freak out and fall backwards, the more you twist the throttle open and compound the issue. At the end of the day it just takes practice. Stand as much as you can. Practice changing up and down in the gears while standing, even if you're just on a straight countryside road.
• Weight. If one gets stuck on an MTB a quick dab, or lift up and over an obstacle is an easy fix. Not so easy with 100kg plus to heft around. Some of the most physically drained times i have had are while trying to get the dirt bike out of a flooded, muddy swamp area or trying to gain traction on a clay infested climb.

 

And just to note, if you get addicted to the combustion powered version of the 2 wheeled vehicle, and you neglect your MTB for a while, when you do get back on and ride semi technical things, your MTB will feel super sketchy. I remember ring an average rocky trail on my MTB after having not touched it for over 1yr. I thought I was going to go over the bars at nearly every bump.

 

So yeah, you'll definitely be at an advantage over someone who doesn't ride 2 wheel transportation at all, BUT there will be some MTB habits that feel dodgy on the dirt bike, and after time, visa versa.

Awesome Patch, thanks for that. I rode a lot of road motorbikes and have always had my brakes set up 'moto style' since the beginning, so brakes wouldn't be an issue. I am kinda keen to get a dirt bike , and my Mrs is intrigued too...

[patches]

Awesome Patch, thanks for that. I rode a lot of road motorbikes and have always had my brakes set up 'moto style' since the beginning, so brakes wouldn't be an issue. I am kinda keen to get a dirt bike , and my Mrs is intrigued too...

 

Oh yeah, the you're more than halfway there! I reckon you'd pick up the dirt bike side pretty quickly.

 

And as you can see from those pics I posted, it's a great way to explore this beautiful country.

 

And you don't have to be into the hard enduro stuff either. Here in NZ, Suzuki DR650's are the equivalent of Subaru Foresters. kiwis love them and treat them like part of the family.

 

And each year there are 2 awesome multi-day events, The Dusty Butt (Canterbury & Otago) and The Long Way Round (around Lake Taupo), where one will see dozens of DR650 & DR400's taking in the countryside and exploring.

 

Riding skill is beginner - intermediate. Heck, I did the Dusty Butt after only 6 months on the bike.

 

So yeah, sell the dream to the Mrs!

[SwissVan]

How do you train a dentist without doing restorative work?

 

Did some dentistry myself the other day on a hubber who broke a crown off... emergency glue back on... broke off yesterday and he swallowed it.... now needs to be retrieved... ????????????

 

Has held up for longer than I thought it would... must be 3 weeks now - even surprised my old man who is a retired maxillo facial that it worked as a temp fix.

Lol

Super glue again Bob....?

[V12man]

Lol

Super glue again Bob....?

yup - the real stuff

[davetapson]

Hello Auckland folk, wonder if you can provide some advice...

The missus has an offer in Takapuna. 

 

We don't know Auckland, but from what we've heard if you work in Auckland city, and live in the north, park and ride is the only way to go due to traffic congestion on the bridge - so at some level it is immaterial where you live in the north, as long as it is accessible to park and ride.

It also seems that as you move north rent gets cheaper.

 

So we're thinking of Mairangi Bay or Browns Bay or somewhere around there on the assumption that the City/Takapuna would be accessible from there.  

We also need to organise school for 8 yo twins, so that's part of the deal.
 

Are we on the right track?

[Honkdonk]

My ex wife has now decided that she is looking to up sticks and relocate to NZ our two daughters. She seems fairly far down the line with job applications and immigration agents etc.

She has done a 180deg about turn on SA and its outlooks.

 

It leaves me in a predicament as I could work anywhere in the world in my industry but its an industry of who you know and network of professionals and recommendations. So would have to see how things could pan out for NZ.

Its just so damn far from anywhere..

[intern]

Hello Auckland folk, wonder if you can provide some advice...

 

The missus has an offer in Takapuna. 

 

We don't know Auckland, but from what we've heard if you work in Auckland city, and live in the north, park and ride is the only way to go due to traffic congestion on the bridge - so at some level it is immaterial where you live in the north, as long as it is accessible to park and ride.

It also seems that as you move north rent gets cheaper.

 

So we're thinking of Mairangi Bay or Browns Bay or somewhere around there on the assumption that the City/Takapuna would be accessible from there.  

 

We also need to organise school for 8 yo twins, so that's part of the deal.

 

Are we on the right track?

Takapuna is one of the most desirable suburbs on the north shore and very handy to Mairangi Bay/Browns Bay. You could consider anywhere from Northcote all the way through to Whangaparaoa as viable options for a pozzie. We lived in Silverdale/Red Beach for a couple years, very nice up there. Gulf Harbour probably a bit far. Bus networks very good that side, if you find a place close to a bus station (less than a km) walking then riding the bus a viable option to get to work. Plenty school options in the area, Takapuna itself has some top ones. ANd whatever offices the Mrs is in in Taka, it is handy to the bus network....

[intern]

My ex wife has now decided that she is looking to up sticks and relocate to NZ our two daughters. She seems fairly far down the line with job applications and immigration agents etc.

She has done a 180deg about turn on SA and its outlooks.

 

It leaves me in a predicament as I could work anywhere in the world in my industry but its an industry of who you know and network of professionals and recommendations. So would have to see how things could pan out for NZ.

Its just so damn far from anywhere..

This is true. It is both a blessing and a curse...

[niterider]

What intern said. Plus if you live in Birkenhead, Northcote or Devonport the ferry is also a great option to the city.

 

 

Takapuna is one of the most desirable suburbs on the north shore and very handy to Mairangi Bay/Browns Bay. You could consider anywhere from Northcote all the way through to Whangaparaoa as viable options for a pozzie. We lived in Silverdale/Red Beach for a couple years, very nice up there. Gulf Harbour probably a bit far. Bus networks very good that side, if you find a place close to a bus station (less than a km) walking then riding the bus a viable option to get to work. Plenty school options in the area, Takapuna itself has some top ones. ANd whatever offices the Mrs is in in Taka, it is handy to the bus network....

[patches]

Hello Auckland folk, wonder if you can provide some advice...

 

The missus has an offer in Takapuna. 

 

We don't know Auckland, but from what we've heard if you work in Auckland city, and live in the north, park and ride is the only way to go due to traffic congestion on the bridge - so at some level it is immaterial where you live in the north, as long as it is accessible to park and ride.

It also seems that as you move north rent gets cheaper.

 

So we're thinking of Mairangi Bay or Browns Bay or somewhere around there on the assumption that the City/Takapuna would be accessible from there.  

 

We also need to organise school for 8 yo twins, so that's part of the deal.

 

Are we on the right track?

 

As intern and niterider said, Takapuna is a a pretty good location. being on the North Shore (north side of the bridge) it makes living in the north a lot more viable.

 

A lot of businesses seem to be moving out of the city to Takapuna.

 

As for rental, Takapuna itself would be prime, but pricey. Northcote is similar. But move west to Birkenhead or Beach Haven and prices come down a fair bit.

 

Browns Bay and Mairangi Bay aren't bad either. I have some friends on the North Shore (Long Bay and Mairangi bay). They commute in daily to the City/New Market via bus and don't seem to mind too much. State Highway 1 has a dedicated bus lane for most of that trip, so commute times are fairly consistent (30 - 40min on the NEX from Long Bay to the CBD).

 

It takes a bit of a mindset change for us Saffers to adopt a commuting lifestyle. Most of us are accustomed to being alone in our car, stuck in traffic on a highway.

 

I'm all for public transport as it allows one to do other things besides sit and get frustrated with the surrounding road users.

 

So yeah, Takapuna is a good location and anywhere north of is, up to Long Bay/ Silverdale should be fine.The buses are your friends!

[Saag]

As intern and niterider said, Takapuna is a a pretty good location. being on the North Shore (north side of the bridge) it makes living in the north a lot more viable.

 

A lot of businesses seem to be moving out of the city to Takapuna.

 

As for rental, Takapuna itself would be prime, but pricey. Northcote is similar. But move west to Birkenhead or Beach Haven and prices come down a fair bit.

 

Browns Bay and Mairangi Bay aren't bad either. I have some friends on the North Shore (Long Bay and Mairangi bay). They commute in daily to the City/New Market via bus and don't seem to mind too much. State Highway 1 has a dedicated bus lane for most of that trip, so commute times are fairly consistent (30 - 40min on the NEX from Long Bay to the CBD).

 

It takes a bit of a mindset change for us Saffers to adopt a commuting lifestyle. Most of us are accustomed to being alone in our car, stuck in traffic on a highway.

 

I'm all for public transport as it allows one to do other things besides sit and get frustrated with the surrounding road users.

 

So yeah, Takapuna is a good location and anywhere north of is, up to Long Bay/ Silverdale should be fine.The buses are your friends!

Not much to add. I commute from Gulf Harbour daily and I love it. Yes, it takes a long time, but not having to think about traffic is awesome and it allows me to do my admin/emails or just look at bike hub  .

 

Silverdale/ Red Beach/Orewa is more convenient as said above, so you really have so many options.

[intern]

I used to bus into the city from Whangaparaoa - also loved it, napped on the bus, or read, or whatever. Definitely way better, cheaper and faster than driving. And if you ride the same buses at the same times, you make plenty new friends.