Managing weather hazards for New Zealand motorcycle touring.

Kia ora! If you're planning a motorcycle tour of beautiful Aotearoa with Moto New Zealand, it's important to be aware of the weather hazards you may encounter on the road. Our weather conditions can be unpredictable, so it's crucial to be prepared for various situations. Here are some tips on how to safely manage these hazards:

• Tūrama (Bright sunshine) can cause significant dazzle, making it difficult for motorists to see you. Be mindful that drivers in front of you may struggle to spot you before they overtake or change lanes.

• Whitianga (Sunrise) and ahiahi (sunset) can make it challenging for other motorists to see you. Exercise utmost care while riding during these periods, as visibility could be compromised.

• Pōuri (Fog) can greatly reduce visibility and your perception of speed. Reduce your speed and expand your buffer zone to enhance your ability to avoid accidents, allowing yourself ample time to respond. Resist the urge to tailgate another vehicle in order to observe its lights and antisipate its movements.

• Ua (Rain) can significantly decrease visibility, and water on the road will affect your braking. slowdown and increase your safety cushion to provide yourself with additional reaction time. Remember that following a period of wet weather, the road surface may become slippery, necessitating an increased stopping distance.

• If wai whakararuraru (spray from other vehicles) makes it difficult to see, slow down and drop back until you have clear visibility.

• Whakararuraru (High winds) can cause strong gusts, especially when entering or emerging from under bridges or riding into open country. This can affect the handling of your motorcycle, especially if it's a high-sided vehicle. Keep your speed down and create space from other vehicles to minimize the impact of wind buffeting.

• Avoid whakairo (painted arrows) and taputapu ara (road markings) when they are wet, as they can be very slippery.

• If you encounter a roto whakararuraru (deep puddle), ride slowly in a low gear. After you've cleared the water, test your brakes to ensure they are functioning properly.

Riding in unfavorable weather conditions can be tiring, so it's important to watch for signs of fatigue. If needed, take a break and rest before continuing your journey.

Moto New Zealand is here to provide you with an unforgettable motorcycle tour experience. Remember to stay safe and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of our beautiful country. Haere mai ki Aotearoa! (Welcome to New Zealand!)

The Five Essential Bits of Motorcycle Gear for Maximum Protection on the Road

When it comes to motorcycle riding, safety should always be a top priority. One of the most effective ways to ensure your safety on the road is by investing in the right gear. In this blog post, we will discuss the five essential pieces of motorcycle gear that provide maximum protection, allowing you to ride longer and safer. Let's dive in!

1. Helmet:

The helmet is arguably the most crucial piece of gear for any rider. It protects your head from potential injuries and can be a lifesaver in the event of an accident. When choosing a helmet, it's important to buy a new one rather than a used helmet. Used helmets may have been dropped, compromising their safety features. Additionally, ensure that the helmet fits properly by selecting the right shape for your head. A well-fitting helmet should be snug but not uncomfortable, providing optimal protection.

2. Jacket:

A sturdy motorcycle jacket is essential for protecting your upper body from abrasions and impacts. Look for a jacket that is designed to withstand slide time, meaning it has durable materials that can withstand friction against the road surface. Additionally, ensure that the jacket has built-in armor pockets and you have armour inserted in the key areas such as the shoulders, elbows, and back. Consider the season you ride in and choose a jacket that offers appropriate ventilation or insulation accordingly.

3. Gloves:

Your hands are vulnerable in the event of a fall, making gloves an essential piece of gear. Look for gloves that offer padding in the right areas Such as the palms and knuckles to protect against slide time and impact. They should fit well, allowing you to maintain a comfortable grip on the handlebars and work your controls with ease. Consider gloves made from durable materials that offer both protection and comfort.

4. Pants:

Protecting your lower body is equally important, and that's where motorcycle pants come in. Look for pants that are designed to withstand slide time and have armor in critical areas such as the knees and hips. These protective features can significantly reduce the risk of injuries in case of an accident. Choose pants that fit well and allow for freedom of movement while riding.

5. Boots:

Last but not least, investing in a pair of specialized motorcycle boots is crucial for protecting your feet and ankles. Motorcycle boots are designed with reinforced soles to prevent foot crushing injuries. They also often feature ankle and shin guards for added protection. Additionally, consider boots that are waterproof to keep your feet dry during wet rides. Comfort and a good fit are essential, as they allow for better control of your motorcycle.

When it comes to motorcycle riding, safety should never be compromised. By investing in the five essential pieces of motorcycle gear discussed above, you can significantly enhance your protection on the road. Remember, always choose a new helmet, ensure proper fit, and select gear that is designed to withstand slide time and impact. With the right gear, you can ride longer and safer, enjoying the freedom of the open road with peace of mind. Stay safe out there!

The New Zealand Moto Camping Guide

Kia ora! Welcome to the New Zealand Moto Camping Guide, mate! This guide is made for all you moto campers out there who want to Moto camp while exploring the stunning campsites of Aotearoa - The land of epic Moto Camping!

We've got you covered with step-by-step instructions on how to set up your campsite, sort out any hiccups along the way, and pack down like a pro. So, let's dive in and get you sorted for the ultimate moto camping adventure in the land of the long white cloud!

Daily Routines

Each day of your adventure is all about nailing four key missions: packing up your campsite at one spot, cruising to the next epic destination, setting up camp like a boss, and checking out the campsite amenities and attractions in the new area. Each of these missions comes with a bunch of specific tasks, like sorting out the route and maps, scoffing down some kai (food), hitting up the parks and tourist hotspots, exploring the new digs, getting your bedding ready for a solid sleep, and catching some mean Z's.

Lets check out this video we prepared about the must have and essential camping gear you need for a comfy Moto Camp experience!

Break Camp 

Every day on the road, campers should aim to rise and shine as early as possible. This way, they can reach their destination by early arvo and still have plenty of time to check-in, set up camp, have a good yarn with the locals, tuck into a hearty feed, and have a wash-up before ten o'clock at night. On the first day of the trip, campers can hit the road crack of dawn. Since they packed their panniers and roll bags the night before, and don't need to dismantle their camp, they can get up around four in the morning, grab a quick bite, sort out any last-minute packing bits, and hit the road before 5am.

On the following travel days, campers should respect the campground's quiet hours and enjoy a solid sleep-in until around six-thirty in the morning. When they wake up, the first order of business is to sort out their gear and personal stuff, make a pit stop at the dunny, grab a light snack, take down the tent, and pack up the bike in about an hour. If it rained the night before, these tasks might take a bit longer as campers make sure to dry out their gear as much as possible before packing it away.

Organize your personal items

Sort out your togs and personal bits. As soon as you wake up in the morning, get cracking on repacking your clothing and personal items.

Once your shower bags are packed, it's time to get your clean clothes sorted and packed, and chuck your dirty clothes into a dirty-clothes bag. Once everything is packed up, chuck these outside the tent so they're good to go.

Pack sleeping bags

Chuck your sleeping bags in the mix. After you sort your togs and personal bits, flip your sleeping bags inside out to give them a good airing and stuff them into their stuff sacks.

You'll need to squish those sleeping bags into small stuff sacks so they can fit snugly into your Moto bags or Panniers. Once the sleeping bags are all packed up, pop them into the bedding pannier or bag.

Roll sleeping mats  

Roll up those mattresses. Once the sleeping bags are all packed, it's time to tackle the mattresses. When you're traveling on a motorcycle, you'll need to squeeze out as much air as you can to make them more compact for packing. Once you've got them nice and snug, pack them into their stuff sacks and toss them into the bedding pannier along with the sleeping bags.

Fold sheet, ground blanket and pillowcases 

Get those sheets, ground blanket, and pillowcases sorted, and pack them neatly into the bedding bag, place them outside the tent ready to go. Before you step out of the tent, give it a quick sweep to clear out any dirt or rubbish.

Morning Tea

Take a breather, scoff a snack, and hit the loo. Once you've packed up all your cloths, personal bits, and bedding, it's time to kick back and relax for a few minutes. Grab a light snack to keep those hunger pangs at bay until you can stop for brekkie. And don't forget to make a pit stop at the bathroom before hitting the road.

Pack up tent

Fold up that tent. Time to strike, dry, and fold it like a camp scout. Once you've cleared out everything from the tent, start by wiping away any surface moisture with a microfiber towel, pull out the ground stakes, and remove and fold the poles. Once everything is taken apart, hang the tent, rain fly, and ground cloth on a line to dry while you tackle other packing tasks like getting the kitchen in order. After about five to ten minutes of drying time, loosely fold each part (the canopy, rain fly, and ground cloth) and chuck all three parts into the tent bag.

Make sure to save the tent folding for last, so it can keep drying and be easily accessible when you reach your next destination. Because you are traveling on a motorbike, you'll need to tightly fold and roll the tent to squeeze it into the tent bag.

Second shelter 

Take down the second shelter. It's time to strike, dry, and fold it up. Pack it away along with your tent. Start by removing and packing the poles if you have them. I often just use the bike to tie one end to, or a tree. Then, pull out the guy-line stakes, fold up the guy lines, and pack them along with the stakes in the stakes bag. Give the tarp a wipe to get rid of any surface moisture, and then loosely fold it up and pop it into its bag. This bag, along with the tent duffel bag, should be the last things you pack on the bike. Because they will be the first things you want to unpack at the other end.

Pack kitchen equipment 

It's time to tackle the furniture, kitchen equipment, and utensils. While the tent and kitchen tarp are busy drying, fold up those chairs and pack them snugly into their bag. Next up, it's time to pack away the kitchen items. Make sure to stow them in their containers and then load them up into the motorcycle along with any foods. Lastly, give your camp tools a once-over, pack them up in the tool bag, and then stash the bag in the motorcycle. Once all your clothing and equipment is packed up in the motorcycle, place the tent and kitchen shelter on top of the gear so they're easily accessible when you reach your next campsite.

For good weight distribution, the heaviest items should go close to the center of the bike, this is usually the top box. And the lighter weighing items in the side panniers. So my tent is 3KG's, the single heaviest camp item. I pack my tent and tarp in my top box. The bedding is about 2.5KG or less, and the kitchen/furniture is about 2.5KG or less, which fit well in the side panniers.

Leave no trace  

Leave no trace at the campsite. Before saying goodbye to your temporary nature pad, be a tidy Kiwi and give it a good tidy-up, bro. Take a stroll around the camp spot, keeping an eye out for any bits and bobs like tent pegs, guy ropes, or tools that might have accidentally been left behind on the ground. Give the fire pit a thorough check too, making sure the fire's fully out, rubbish is cleared, and the pit is all good to go for the next lucky camper. Easy as, mate!

Prepair for the ride

Before you hit the road to your next adventure. Make sure to check petrol level, oil level, tire pressures and tire wear, chain tension, break and indicator lights, mirrors, and any damage to the general body of the motorcycle. On a travel day, campers can expect to ride about 200 to 400km, with a few stops along the way for brekky, morning tea, brunch, lunch, and afternoon tea! We take our snacking seriously, mate. So plan your next fuel stop for both your bike and your belly, find a loo for a quick pit stop, and grab some moto snacks to replace those calories burnt. After all, a well-fed motorcyclist is a happy motorcyclist!

By afternoon tea, it's time to start getting excited about reaching your destination for the day. Once you arrive, set up camp and get ready to explore the recreational opportunities available in or near the camp site.

Set up camp 

Time to set up camp at your new destination. Upon arrival, campers should make their way to the camp site office to complete the check-in process. Moto New Zealand will have already arranged your campsite in advance, so registration is simply a matter of informing the park staff of your arrival, confirming the bikes your on, receiving an orientation to the park and its rules, and signing a form indicating your agreement to abide by the camp sites rules and regulations.

Plan Campsite Layout 

Sweet as! Let's crack on with planning your campsite layout, mate. First up, suss out the primo spot to pitch your tent. Look for a spot that's on the highest ground, so you won't have to worry about it getting flooded if there's a proper New Zealand downpour.

Now, here's the thing, bro. Make sure you set up the tent a good few feet away from the fire ring, yeah? We don't want any bloody hot embers flying over and burning holes in your tent, do we?

Once you've sorted the tent spot, it's time to decide if you reckon you'll need the second shalter, bro. If the weather forecast is all good and there's no rain on the horizon for the arvo or the next morning, you can give it a miss. But if there's a chance of a bit of liquid sunshine, it's best to set up the canopy on the highest ground you can find. That way, you'll keep your cooking area nice and dry, mate.

Set up secondary shalter  

Righto, time to sort out that tarp, mate! Once you've nailed down the camp layout, the next move is to get that tarp set up. Usually, you'll want to pop it up above the picnic table that's usually hanging around at campsites. But before that, give the table a good clean, yeah?

Once the tarp is all sorted, you'll have yourself a sweet spot to chill, mate. It'll provide some shade and keep you nice and dry while you open up your tent and bedding duffels - your want to do everything you can to keep the sleeping bags dry. Once the tarp and table are all set up, you can use it as a proper working area to organize your tools and all the bits and bobs for your tent. Good on ya, mate!

Set up tent 

Sweet as, once you've sorted the kitchen tarp and table, it's time to tackle the tent.

First things first, clear the ground of any pesky sharp rocks, pinecones, or twigs that could cause damage to the tent floor or give you a rough night's sleep. We don't want any discomfort, my bro!

Grab the tent stakes and hammer from the tool bag, and bring them along with the tent bag to the setup spot. Lay the ground mat flat on the ground.

Now, open up that tent and spread it out on top of the ground mat. Make sure the door is facing towards the kitchen canopy for easy access. If you don't know where the door is, then don't put the tent stakes in until after it's up and you position it the way you like.

Time to assemble the main support poles, mate. Place them near their designated spots on the tent canopy. If you've got a dome tent, you can attach the poles before staking the corners. Slide those main support poles through their sleeves, if there are any, bend 'em over the tent, and pop their tips into the corner seats.

Next up, place the additional support poles in their positions and attach all the plastic clips. Now it's time to deploy the rain fly, mate. Attach the Velcro strips under the fly to the tent poles. This will give your tent some extra support and keep it nice and sturdy.

Pull that rain fly tight, mate, and stake down all the stake-out loops. If you're expecting some wild weather or strong winds, make sure to attach at least one guy line on each side of the tent. Chuck on some more guy lines if storms or gusty winds are on the horizon.

And last but not least, don't forget to throw out the welcome mat, mate. Roll it out and make your campsite feel like home sweet home!

Set up your bedding.

Let's keep the momentum going and set up your bed. Here's how we'll do it:

First things first, lay down a cozy fleece or wool ground blanket on the floor. This blanket serves multiple purposes, mate. It provides extra protection from any sharp rocks or sticks, adds a bit of cushioning to the sleeping surface, and helps insulate the tent interior from the chilly ground.

Next up, unroll your mattresses on top of the ground blanket. If you've got those flash self-inflating mattresses, then this should only take a sec. Then you can grab your sheets and pillowcase, mate. Make sure your mattress is nice and firm, and then close those valves. While some campers prefer sleeping directly on the pads, using a sheet can be more cosy and make it easier to wash every week.

Place each person's sleeping bag on their respective mattress, mate. If you've got any bags or day packs filled with clothing, cover 'em up with pillowcases and place one at the head of each person's bed.

Now, let's get organized. Arrange each person's personal items along the side of the tent and in the corner near their head. And don't forget the shower bags with headlamps, mate. Place them near the door so they're easy to find when it's dark.

There you have it. Your sleeping quarters are all set up and ready for a good night's rest. Cheers!

Explore local attractions 

Once camp is set up, it's time to explore the incredible local attractions in New Zealand. With most campsites located near beautiful beaches, lakes, and geothermal wonders, there's plenty to discover.

If you're near Hot Water Beach, don't miss the chance to dig your own geothermal heated pool in the sand. It's a unique experience that will leave you feeling rejuvenated.

For even more adventure, make sure to visit Hobbiton, the famous movie set from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit." Immerse yourself in the magical world of hobbits as you explore the charming Shire.

And don't forget about the mesmerizing Waitomo Caves, where you can take a boat ride through the glowworm-lit caves. Witness the enchanting glow and be amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds you.

So, after setting up camp, make the most of your time in New Zealand by exploring these incredible attractions. From Hobbiton to Waitomo Caves and the geothermal wonders, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Before bed

Alright, time to batten down the hatches before hitting the hay, bro! We want to make sure our campsite is all set to tackle any weather or animal-scavenger challenges that may come our way overnight. Cap sites in New Zealand will have a cat or two, and the odd possum.

First things first, let's store all our food properly to keep those sneaky critters at bay. Since you are traveling by motorcycle, you can use the campsite kitchen fridge to keep your food secure, mate.

Next up, let's pack away all our gear that's lying around the campsite and on the picnic table. We don't want it getting wet or damaged by animals, wind, or rain during the night. Chairs, books, cookware, and anything else lying about should be properly packed away. We've gotta be prepared, bro, 'cause calm evenings can quickly turn into stormy nights. No one wants to wake up to wet or damaged gear that got blown off the table, right?

Now, let's take a look at the weather forecast and figure out the best way to secure the kitchen tarp. Most nights, we'll want to retighten the guy lines and make sure one corner is lower than the other three. This way, any dew or light rain will drain off the tarp. But if storms are predicted, it's time to unhook the tarp and use it to cover our tools, furniture, and kitchen gear on the table. We can secure it with a couple of ropes, heavy rocks, filled water bottles, or even firewood. Gotta keep everything safe and sound, mate!

Speaking of storms, it's always a good idea to have an emergency plan in place. If high winds start howling, we should move to a bathroom or shelter to wait out the storm. Planning ahead and knowing where to go before hitting the sack will make it easier to move quickly if hazardous weather strikes during the night.

And last but not least, if campfire is permitted at the campsite, we gotta extinguish it properly, bro. The recommended procedure is to pour water on the fire, stir the ashes, pour water again, stir again, and repeat until the fire is completely out. We've gotta be extra careful to avoid accidentally starting a forest fire, mate.

Alright, with everything batten down, we can rest easy and enjoy a peaceful night's sleep in the great outdoors. Safety first, bro!