Buying a Motorcycle in New Zealand
Travel Info > Traveling Basics > “Buying a Motorcycle in New Zealand”
If you're planning a motorcycle tour of New Zealand, picking up a second-hand bike can be a great way to explore on your own terms. Plus, there’s nothing quite like experiencing NZ's epic landscapes from the seat of a motorcycle. Here’s a guide to help you through the process of buying a motorcycle in New Zealand.
Buying for a Short Visit?
If you’re in New Zealand for a few months, you may want to weigh up low-cost rental and buying options. The key is to find a bike that gets the job done without breaking the bank. You can snag a decent bike for between $2,000 to $8,000 (NZD). Keep in mind, though, that when you buy a used motorcycle, you're not always privy to its full history. So, take your time, inspect the bike carefully, and make sure all the paperwork is in order.
Where to Buy a Used Motorcycle?
- Trade Me: New Zealand's online auction site is a go-to for bikes. You’ll find a wide range of options, from small-town scooters to full-on touring bikes. People generally don’t barter over TradeMe listings.
- Motorbike Dealerships: If you're after a bit more security, dealerships offer used bikes and often have the bike's history available, and a (generally) good service condition.
- Online Communities: New Zealand motorbike Facebook groups often have listings and can be a great resource for finding a second-hand bike. Otherwise, simply set your location to where you’re flight is bound and search Facebook Marketplace. Facebook listings are free-game for bartering.
As with any second-hand buying, approach cheap bikes that have a matte-black-spray-can-paint-job with skepticism; it’s probably stolen. Carjam is a good tool for checking if the bike stolen - you just need to get registration number (from the plate) to enter into the website search box.
Inspecting Your Motorcycle
Don’t let excitement cloud your judgment—inspect your potential two-wheeled steed thoroughly! Bring along a mate who knows their stuff, and if possible, try to inspect the bike in good weather so you can spot any wear and tear and take it for a good test drive. Be weary of sellers stating “as is, where is” - this often indicates that there are things wrong with the bike and that the seller is trying to remove their liability if the vehicle is faulty. Private motorcycles only require a WoF and Registration (collectively referred to as on-road costs or ORCs), however insurance is recommended too.
Warrant of Fitness (WOF)
Motorcycles in New Zealand need to have a current Warrant of Fitness (WOF), which ensures the bike is safe for the road. WOFs are required every six months for older bikes, and annually for younger bikes (the sticker on the bike will let you know when the next inspection is due). If the bike does not have a WoF, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent 3rd party is recommended. During a WoF, they will inspect things like tyre condition, lights and bearing play.
Registration (Rego pronounced “redj-oh”)
Motorcycles in New Zealand must also be registered, which is basically a road tax. Make sure the registration is either current or “on hold” when buying. “Lapsed” or “expired” rego means additional costs, with some vehicles no longer valid for re-registration due to being insurance write-offs or no longer meeting road standards. Registration can be renewed online if you hold a New Zealand licence, otherwise a form (MR1B) can be filled out at an AA centre, post office or VTNZ centre (you’ll want to do this after filling out a change of ownership form) - take your passport as ID.
After You Buy
Change of Ownership
Once you've bought the bike, both you and the seller need to notify the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) about the change of ownership. It’s quick and easy, and you can do it online if you have an NZ driver’s licence, otherwise, you’ll need to go to an AA centre, post office or VTNZ centre to fill out an MR13B form - take your passport as ID. Get it done, and then you’re ready to hit the road!
Motorcycle Insurance
Unlike many countries, insurance isn’t compulsory for motorcycles in New Zealand, but it's highly recommended to have at least third-party coverage. You never know what might happen on those winding Kiwi roads. Check out travel insurance providers or go with one of New Zealand’s bigger insurance companies to get sorted.
Things to be aware of
Service costs: Parts can be both expensive and slow to acquire. For example, a new set of tyres will typically cost from $500 NZD (excluding fitment costs) - checking tyre condition is important when inspecting your motorbike. Additionally, if you pick up an uncommon or old bike, new replacement parts may need to be imported from overseas. This can take from weeks to months, depending on dealerships and brands (filters and other common consumables are usually pretty accessible). Looking at bikes listed on Trade Me is a good proxy for how common a bike is in New Zealand.
Buying and selling seasons: Generally, bikes are more expensive to buy during the spring and summer seasons and quite hard to sell in the winter.
To make the most of this seasonality, you should look to buy during late winter and sell in late summer/early autumn.
Alternatively, listing bikes for sale in your final NZ destination weeks in advance can help pre-sell the vehicle.
Heavily discounting a bike is also a good way to sell it quickly. Don’t list your departure date on the sales listing as buyers are likely to wait until your departure date is close and offer you very low prices.
Offering to deliver the bike (which can save hundreds of dollars for a buyer in time and domestic airfares) can be a good way to collect more cash from the sale too.
Safe storage: New Zealand is a very safe country. However, it is common for motorbikes to get stolen. Consider a basic wheel/disk lock to deter the opportunistic thief. Otherwise, during the evenings park the bike in locked storage or (at the very least) out of direct sight from the road/public areas.
Gear: If you’re bringing in your own gear from overseas, be sure to check out our article on clearing customs with outdoor gear.
A note from us (the rental company telling you how to buy bikes)
Obviously, we are a motorcycle rental business and have an interest in you choosing to rent instead of buying. However, we hope this guide has provided some useful information in deciding if you would like to rent a motorbike in New Zealand or go to the effort of buying; it’s a balance of cost and effort and everyone has different preferences. We’re developing a pricing model that is friendly to long term rentals so that may work better than buying for some? Our bikes all come serviced and ready to go when you pick them up, along with comprehensive insurance and luggage.
Alternatively, if you want some help with the bike purchasing or selling process, we might be of assistance. Let us know!
Enjoy the Ride!
New Zealand’s roads offer some of the best motorbike riding on the planet, but be sure you’re familiar with local road rules and safety tips. Once you're all sorted with your bike, gear, and insurance, you're set for the ride of a lifetime. Whether it's cruising past Lake Pukaki, navigating the Southern Alps, or hugging the coastline on your way to Kaikoura, you're in for an unforgettable journey.
Happy riding, and remember—always take time to stop and admire the view!
