Adventure rides are supposed to take you somewhere different, and the Northern Explorer delivered exactly that. Over three days, riders covered between 300 and 350 kilometres a day through some of Northland’ s best backcountry riding country, taking in gravel roads, private farmland, coastal sections, forestry tracks, and challenging breakout routes. Starting near Kaikohe at Northland Honda, the event catered for a wide range of riders with both standard main routes and optional“ challenge” sections. The ride passed through areas including Ninety Mile Beach, Waitangi, and the Bay of Islands, the Rawene Ferry on the Hokianga, Tane Mahuta and much more, giving riders access to terrain and scenery many would never normally experience.
THE BEAUTY OF SMALLER BIKES The ride began near Kaikohe, at Northland Honda, where riders gathered with bikes fuelled, tyres checked and anticipation running high. Riders were welcomed by Blue Wing Honda General Manager Nick Snelling and National Sales Manager Lance Turnbull, both enthusiastic adventure riders. It created a strong atmosphere from the beginning as everyone signed on, collected their gear, and prepared for the next stage of riding. I have been attending quite a few rides of late with my little CRF300 Rally doing the business amongst the myriad of larger and more sophisticated machines. I find the lighter 300 manageable in all situations and being able to pick it up is a huge bonus if you have a little lie down. I tried the Africa Twin recently and,
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