Bike Fixed! Tickets bought!
November 15th, 2006 by JonnoLadies and gents, a bit of plastic welding and one new (blue) screen later, I give you…. one very kick-ass looking CBR 250!
I’m really happy with how it came up. Took it to my parents place over the weekend, where my Dad and I give it one hell of a polish and installed the newly repaired fairing. Put a classified for it on trademe pretty much straight after we had finished, so hopefully it will sell pretty soon… after checking out the prices of other CBR 250’s around the place, I’ve decided my asking price is $5,500nz.
If your keen, flick me an email 
She’s done 27,500 k’s and in fantastic condition.
urrrrrg.
Air tickets have been bought. Strangest feeling ever… standing at the counter of the travel agent, 5 button pushes later and $2800 disappears into thin air. Well, disappears into some fancy bits of paper that let me on to the airplane.
I need a US Visa.
New Zealand is one of the few countries involved in the US Visa waiver program - meraning that an NZer can stay in the States for 90 days or less without needing a visa. HOWEVER, to qualify for this you need to present an air/bus/something ticket showing that you are leaving Canada, the US or Mexico within 90 days. My exit ticket is from Sao Paulo, Brazil in four months down the track…. so I don’t qualify. Josh had an excellent suggestion - that we pre buy bus tickets from Mexico to Guatamala to show the US customs people that we ARE leaving within 90 days. In the end i’ve decided that I had better cross all my tees, and dot all my lower case jays - the worst thing that could happen would be for us to get to the US and have it all turn to custard.
US Visa’s can only be applied for in Auckland. *sigh* They invlove a half an hour interview, a background check for convictions, and a finger print record… so i’m heading up for a quick roadtrip to AK in a few weeks time.
Thats all for now, peace,
Jonno
November 30th, 2006 at 3:45 am
Just a suggestion on the leaving the US requirement. You probably have it figured out but, just in case not. I imagine the person that has the paper form just needs assurance you will leave. So, buy a one-way ticket from San Diego, CA to Tijuana Mexico. Probably a $10.00 fare. That gets you out of the US and lets him fill out the paper. We are in San Francisco area in case you get up here, 925 330 7571. Lots of great roads in this part of the state. Several of the guys in AYU a local club have recently ridden lots in Mexico and about 4 years ago, four of us rode to Puerto Vallerta from the San Francisco area. A five day trip. We went down the Baja peninsula and took ferry across the sea of Cortez. ANyway, I am sure you have lots of help but, or write if need be. Bruce Westphal
November 30th, 2006 at 9:12 pm
thanks Bruce
December 3rd, 2006 at 11:15 am
Offering advice is impertinent. However courtesy and patience are my watchwords. Cops and border officials are badly paid. They are used to being thought of as the enemy. I always open by apologising for wasting their time. They respond by being helpful and every border crossing was easy and friendly. Entering Honduras was the only delay. The Head of Customs had me into his office to drink his beer and watch the World Cup on TV!
I had my bike serviced at the agents in most big towns. They got a kick out of being part of my trip and either undercharged me or did the work for free. I ride a Honda - however I am sure this refers to all bike agents.
I hope we meet somewhere along the trail before I fall off my perch. Oh, oh, oh to be your age! Good luck. Have fun (you will) and avoid the gringo trail. Simon EL VIEJO