Kiwi KTM bash hits new heights

When it comes to top adventure motorcycle destinations, New Zealand's South Island has to fall mighty close to the top of the list – and so it served as a fine backdrop for the recent KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye.

Held recently, this second running of the event saw 112 riders from seven different countries – plus 25 support staff – set out from the base of Mount Cook on a week-long adventure as epic as the scenery was spectacular.

Beautiful weather was the icing on one very sweet cake, as participants covered a smorgasbord of tracks of varying degrees of difficulty for between 180 to 380 kilometres each day – staying overnight at Alexandra, Cromwell, Wanaka and Queenstown.

The routes were planned with the assistance of local legend Joe Forsyth and they showcased the absolute best New Zealand's Southern Alps and Otago regions have to offer, with the various private land access routes, the Snow Farm and Nevis Valley proving outstanding highlights for all.

Jeff Leisk, KTM New Zealand's General Manager, said the event was a memorable affair for all who took part – and one that showcased the best of the KTM lifestyle.

"People buy our bikes because they are capable of taking them on extreme routes," he said.

"We have proved this with the Adventure Rallye concept. It's kind of strange – I wind the clock back four or five years ago at our sales meetings and we talked about wanting to have adventure ride events. We had all these crazy ideas, but the facts were we really didn't know where to start or how to do it.

"We spent a lot of time talking about these events and dreaming about them and what they could be and where they would go and here we are a few years later on our second annual New Zealand event in such a beautiful location and taking part in an incredible week of riding."

KTM's Official Adventure Ambassador, Chris Birch, was also along for the ride, the off-road ace mixing it throughout the pack all week. And it was V8 Supercars legend Greg Murphy's inaugural Rallye, the former racer having a brilliant time until an untimely encounter with a savage rut ended his week early – rest assured he'll be back for more next year.

The ride was capped off in fine style with a night of revelry in Queenstown, which also saw a slew of awarded handed out to deserving winners. And the biggest question on everyone's lips? "When's the next one?" Watch this space…

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