Well done for recovering from an awkward situation without injury.I was impressed you carried on the next gravel rd and put your mishap behind you.I would probably just gone home
I was already injured, so that saved me the hassle of getting injured again. I felt obliged to show the other end of the road given that I failed to get there using the intended route. Also, it was only a slight detour.
I used to be a technician with the Post Office in the 70's and we used to service the microwave station at the gorge end. On occasion we would take a land rover through there, and I believe at that time it was possible to get a Falcon or Holden station wagon through. I went through a few times on a 1971 Triumph 250 single that I had then. That would have been a more suitable bike than yours, apart from the lack of reliability that it had. More recently about eight years back my wife and I took a 97 Nissan Patrol through. We met an Army Unimog coming the other way. Even then, the road was much better than it is now, although not wonderful. As far as I know it is actually a public road, and it used to be signposted North Range Road at both ends
Yeah. It's public, but it's not maintained by the council. I doubt that anyone would organise a grader to go along the road. It's popular with the 4WD community so they wouldn't want it to be flattened. I would have been much better on a small bike. I would also have been better if I had more skill and didn't have an injured leg.
Great Video, I have had quite a bit of experience on North range Road including getting my Suzuki SJ 413 stuck in a rut a bit further on one afternoon, I have seen a few 4WD club videos that would suggest it's only passable to walkers. the politics of it being a boundary of 2 councils and power companies that prefer not to have visitors, The road was upgraded for the Mercury Wind farm, but they used private wind-farm roads to bring their "Long" and "Heavy" loads through to the top of the Pahiatua track! I appreciate your comment about the Dash 8 crash I was working in Dannevirke when that happened! The only thing I would have appreciated would be had you gone on another 1 km from when you had turned(the second time) to find out if the farm gate was "locked" as i heard it was some time ago! I love that area as i have taken some of my best Photos up there, Don't give yourself a hard time about your riding skills it's been an "un-maintained" road for the 30 years +/- that I have known it! thanks for sharing
Good effort, there are a few more bigger holes further on that are even more challenging, in the middle of summer it's a lot easier with less mud. . . But even then the holes stay wet
Hey mate I enjoy watching your explorations of back roads in NZ , I’ve been noting some of the interesting gravel stretch and hope to check them out. I’m curious , are you still on a ‘stock’ road style tyre or running something more off road focussed? Cheers, keep up the vlogs
I changed to a more 50/50 tyre when I upgraded to the Tiger 900 Rally. I think they have made a difference on some of the roads (obviously not in this video - I don't think any tyre can make up for a lack of talent). The 50/50s are definitely not as good on the road. I might get something a little more road biased next time.
Lol North Range Road was my 1st experience off road as well, scared the shit out of me as a complete newb. Ill have to try it again, see how far I get this time. I only got to that 1st flooded puddle,(which was alot more flooded when I went there) and said nope, nope, I'm going home lol
I'm jealous of people who were brought up on dirt bikes. I don't have any of that instinctive balance and throttle control.... or any other skills really. I need to find some tracks that are less difficult before I try that one again.
@@theNZbv True, I just started practicing my figure 8s in a hall carpark in colyton. A few tip overs but I eventually got use to it and still practice it. Helped me heaps.
Hey mate. I'm in Hawke's Bay myself and wouldn't mind a ride when you're keen. I'm no offroad expert but at least we can help each other picking up bikes. 😂
There are lots of different styles of tires. Some suited to the road, other to off-road. But the problem here was more with the rider being inexperienced, unskilled, and an idiot. I would have done better if I fully committed rather than being too timid.
I wouldn’t beat myself up too much for not getting a 228 kg bike through that four-wheel-drive stuff. I don’t know how many regular road motorcyclists wouldn’t have a problem with that? I think the guys that can do it have got a lot of dirtbike experience. I don’t think I’ll be trying it on my bike. I’ll just stick to the gravel. If I do try it I will get a lighter bike, and put it on the back of a pick up truck.
I think the 228kg bike was fine. It was the 140kg rider that was the week link. Maybe I would have chucked a smaller bike into the road with a bit more gusto. I am jealous of these people who have grown up with dirtbikes.
I went through that track yesterday, would not recommend your bike for that road, the worst bits you show repeat over and over for quite a long way, was a struggle on my KLX400 with knoblies.
Thanks. I guess I'll scrub that ride off the list. I recently watched a video of some 4WDs doing part of the track. Looks like those vehicles chew up the road quite a lot.
Well done for recovering from an awkward situation without injury.I was impressed you carried on the next gravel rd and put your mishap behind you.I would probably just gone home
I was already injured, so that saved me the hassle of getting injured again. I felt obliged to show the other end of the road given that I failed to get there using the intended route. Also, it was only a slight detour.
I used to be a technician with the Post Office in the 70's and we used to service the microwave station at the gorge end. On occasion we would take a land rover through there, and I believe at that time it was possible to get a Falcon or Holden station wagon through. I went through a few times on a 1971 Triumph 250 single that I had then. That would have been a more suitable bike than yours, apart from the lack of reliability that it had. More recently about eight years back my wife and I took a 97 Nissan Patrol through. We met an Army Unimog coming the other way. Even then, the road was much better than it is now, although not wonderful. As far as I know it is actually a public road, and it used to be signposted North Range Road at both ends
Yeah. It's public, but it's not maintained by the council. I doubt that anyone would organise a grader to go along the road. It's popular with the 4WD community so they wouldn't want it to be flattened. I would have been much better on a small bike. I would also have been better if I had more skill and didn't have an injured leg.
Great Video, I have had quite a bit of experience on North range Road including getting my Suzuki SJ 413 stuck in a rut a bit further on one afternoon, I have seen a few 4WD club videos that would suggest it's only passable to walkers. the politics of it being a boundary of 2 councils and power companies that prefer not to have visitors, The road was upgraded for the Mercury Wind farm, but they used private wind-farm roads to bring their "Long" and "Heavy" loads through to the top of the Pahiatua track! I appreciate your comment about the Dash 8 crash I was working in Dannevirke when that happened! The only thing I would have appreciated would be had you gone on another 1 km from when you had turned(the second time) to find out if the farm gate was "locked" as i heard it was some time ago! I love that area as i have taken some of my best Photos up there, Don't give yourself a hard time about your riding skills it's been an "un-maintained" road for the 30 years +/- that I have known it! thanks for sharing
I might try this again next year. Maybe my skill level will have improved... but probably not.
Still a good vid mate, we've all bitten off more than we can chew, it takes a real rider to admit it.
It was a good ego check.
That truck looks rough for those of us who didn't grow up on dirt bikes. I'd have been over as well, so good on you for giving it a go.
I'll need to acquire a few more skills before trying it again.
Good effort, there are a few more bigger holes further on that are even more challenging, in the middle of summer it's a lot easier with less mud. . . But even then the holes stay wet
That's good to know. I was wondering whether that was the main obstacle, and it'd be plain sailing afterwards.
Hey mate I enjoy watching your explorations of back roads in NZ , I’ve been noting some of the interesting gravel stretch and hope to check them out. I’m curious , are you still on a ‘stock’ road style tyre or running something more off road focussed? Cheers, keep up the vlogs
I changed to a more 50/50 tyre when I upgraded to the Tiger 900 Rally. I think they have made a difference on some of the roads (obviously not in this video - I don't think any tyre can make up for a lack of talent). The 50/50s are definitely not as good on the road. I might get something a little more road biased next time.
Made me nervous 😮
It made me nervous too. I should not have attempted it while I was injured. One day I'll go back and do it.
Some huge craters on that track!
Yeah. Not ideal for an adventure bike. I'm sure experienced riders would be able to nail it.
Thats a good road for my Honda Grom.
Man, that'd be fun.
Lol North Range Road was my 1st experience off road as well, scared the shit out of me as a complete newb. Ill have to try it again, see how far I get this time. I only got to that 1st flooded puddle,(which was alot more flooded when I went there) and said nope, nope, I'm going home lol
I'm jealous of people who were brought up on dirt bikes. I don't have any of that instinctive balance and throttle control.... or any other skills really. I need to find some tracks that are less difficult before I try that one again.
@@theNZbv True, I just started practicing my figure 8s in a hall carpark in colyton. A few tip overs but I eventually got use to it and still practice it. Helped me heaps.
You sir are a bugger for punishment, resting your injuries just didn't come to mind,
I had to laugh, couldn't help it
I honestly thought I was going to have a gentle ride through the countryside.
Hey mate. I'm in Hawke's Bay myself and wouldn't mind a ride when you're keen. I'm no offroad expert but at least we can help each other picking up bikes. 😂
Hi. Yeah, we could team up for a ride sometime. I don't often ride with other people.
Don’t they have all terrain tyres for motorcycles.???
There are lots of different styles of tires. Some suited to the road, other to off-road. But the problem here was more with the rider being inexperienced, unskilled, and an idiot. I would have done better if I fully committed rather than being too timid.
The camera never does justice to those sort of track conditions! Good effort though!
Thanks. A little more commitment, and a lot less traction control, would have made a big difference.
I wouldn’t beat myself up too much for not getting a 228 kg bike through that four-wheel-drive stuff. I don’t know how many regular road motorcyclists wouldn’t have a problem with that? I think the guys that can do it have got a lot of dirtbike experience. I don’t think I’ll be trying it on my bike. I’ll just stick to the gravel. If I do try it I will get a lighter bike, and put it on the back of a pick up truck.
I think the 228kg bike was fine. It was the 140kg rider that was the week link. Maybe I would have chucked a smaller bike into the road with a bit more gusto. I am jealous of these people who have grown up with dirtbikes.
I went through that track yesterday, would not recommend your bike for that road, the worst bits you show repeat over and over for quite a long way, was a struggle on my KLX400 with knoblies.
Thanks. I guess I'll scrub that ride off the list. I recently watched a video of some 4WDs doing part of the track. Looks like those vehicles chew up the road quite a lot.
A little faster in the "technical" stuff and look where u wanna go... 👌
Yep. I was far too timid, and indecisive.