Congrats on the adventure - great acheivement. You gotta post this story on the adv forum of kiwibiker.co.nz as well.
Apart from the oil issue, any other probs? How'd the tyres last?
Would like to see a road-legal KLX450...................

 

haha, classic... fosters (*spit*).

would've been great catching up with ya thommo, but as you can see our transit through nelson was far from relaxed! next time though, I think I spied quite a few awesome looking tracks just from the main highway as I sped through... thats a whole corner of the country I haven't really seen!

 

no problems except for the oil! puuuurfect running the whole time.

Yes, a 450 version would be a god send! The 250 is great around towns, but its a bit painful on the open road when you have to work to keep it at a sensible speed...

and I've posted a new zealander friendly version of the report on the 'ride report' section of kiwibiker... I didn't classify this one as an adv ride... far too little gravel/metal/dirt/fun stuff

 

Nigel & Sam - Looks like we need a KLX250S South Island get-together sorted out so we can go ride some wickid tracks together!

GREAT trip report Sam, sounds like you had a fantastic time. Thx for taking the time to do the huge write up and post so many pics!

Hopefully get to meet you guys down the road! Shame neither of you will be on the South Coast ADV Ride we've got coming up Feb14th/15th - think I am gonna be the only one on a KLX and only one on a 250!!!!!!

Dave

 

For sure, Dave.
I realise it's 12 months away, but Im DEFINITELY going to do the Dusty Butt 1000km next January (the 2-dayer!). They reckon its a great time.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=80862
Have fun on the SC Adv ride. Post a report/pics.

 

Yeah am definitely planning on doing the 2 day DB1K next year too, even if I still only have the KLX and not a bigger beast! The reports on KB looked like it was great fun. Now I've got the Ventura Rack system(made in Hamilton, NZ!!!) on the KLX
http://www.ventura-bike.com/fitments.aspx?modelid=1005 (the horizontal part of the rack DOES go on in reverse too so towards the rider - just clears the tool bag!),
it will be much easier to do longer rides too as I can get the weight of tools out of my backpack on my back and onto the rack and still get a fuel can strapped on as well. Need to do something about the seat still - thinking of getting some additional foam to go under the sheepskin - got a car upholsterer locally am gonna check out sharpish!
Am sure there will be lots of pics from the SC ADV Ride from various happy snappers!

 

Wow arn't they legal in NZ? They are here as I keep letting out American friends know ............ often

Great write up Sam

 

Grrrrrr - aussies get another one over on us!

 

Yeah, they look good. How much a. the rack and b. the bag? Is the rack easy to fit?

 

Ventura Rack System:

L Brackets NZ$165 RRP(per the manufacturers)
Sport Rack NZ$65 RRP

Pack Rack NZ$75 RRP
Grab Handle NZ$25 RRP

I didn't price up the packs as didn't need them yet and felt could easily strap on my 25L backpack to the Pack rack if I bought that option later on.

I went for the Sport Rack as it's perfectly useful for my usual day rides but may add the Pack Rack for the 2 day Southern Coast ADV Ride mid Feb, not decided yet. Didn't want the tall rack on for everyday use. I just leave the Sport Rack on as it's not huge and looks perfectly fine, so saw no point in buying the grab handle for my needs.

Ventura(Dowd Industries) don't sell direct so ya have to go into your local bike shop and order.

Took me 20 mins to get the base L Brackets fitted, very straightforward, one end bolts up into the rear tool bag fitment(they supply new bolts of correct length) and then the second bolt is onto the frame utilizing a supplied bracket. The Sport rack then just slips on and you tighten the lock screws with the key provided. The printed instructions they include were pretty good I thought, mostly very clear.

And as I said before the rack part will reverse to face the rider and JUST clear the tool bag, but if you've done a tool bag delete it would be well clear. I think it's great that it's reversible so you can get weight forward more, as the fact that the rack when facing rearwards sits far back was my only concern. The black colour rack looks good on the bike I think, better than silver would have.