The police Eagle helicopter kept sight of the vehicle from above.
The motorcyclist then exited the motorway again at East Tamaki, and shortly after 9.45am, hit a car.
He came off his bike at the intersection of Sylvia Park Rd and Great South Rd.
"At the time of the collision, police on the ground were not actively pursuing the motorcycle, having abandoned pursuit more than 30 minutes earlier," she said.
"The rider was taken to hospital with serious injuries."
The man was not actively wanted by police but was already before the court on driving charges.
Cornwall Motors owner John Murphy said one of his staff members had driven the car out to get some paintwork done this morning.
"The motorcycle came out of nowhere," Murphy said.
Unfortunately, the driver of the car thought the motorcyclist had died, he said.
"He [the driver of the car] was shocked, but we managed to give him a cup of tea and make sure he was okay."
The police arrived on the scene immediately, he said.
"First and foremost, the safety of our staff and their wellbeing comes first.
"Cars can be replaced. I got to the accident straight away.
"I'm not even concerned about the car, a little bit annoyed."
So many resources were wasted leading police on a chase, he said.
The crash slowed southbound this morning as traffic was diverted off Great South Rd on to Sylvia Park Rd.
A local businessman who heard lots of police cars and then "a bit of a bang" said that after the crash traffic was not able to turn left from Sylvia Park Rd on to Great South Rd.
The road reopened about 11.30am according to Auckland Transport, nearly two hours after the crash.
