2009 DT BOOK ONLINE

WWW.MOTOMEDIA.CO.ZA 

SA FIRST 

September 2020 RSA R35.00 

20009 

9 771815 337001 

IN THIS ISSUE 

YAMAHA YXZ1000 

Back in SA.... 

Sherco X Ride - World Back Flip Record Smashed - 

SWM Adventure - Inland MX - World news & Lots more...

Diverse and innovative filters – 

S 

S 

S 

also for motorcycles. 

S S S S S S 

The largest filter range for maximum workshop performance. 

Our filters protect not only the engines, but also the people in the vehicle. With our comprehensive filter range in uncompromising quality and 

with maximum market coverage, we ensure that the right product is available for every requirement to keep dirt, abrasion and the finest particles 

away from the powertrain and the occupants. With MAHLE, your workshop delivers 100% performance, today and tomorrow. 

www.mahle-aftermarket.com

Intro. Keeping the wheels turning... 

September Issue 2020 

September. Spring has sprung. 

Lockdown is almost done away with. 

Brad Binder made history for South Africa 

and KTM. 

How much better can it be? 

Well - even better because we managed to get 

RideFast and Dirt And Tail Magazines back into 

print! 

How cool is that? 

Meet the team: 

Kyle Lawrenson rejoins the Motomedia fold - so 

we welcome him back...He has been with our 

group on and off since he was in high school - a 

great rider and his design work has come along 

in leaps and bounds. 

Stefan van der Riet joins us fresh out of varsity 

with his unique eye for Photographs - he is an 

avid motorcyclist which always helps. 

Sean Hendley is an old Ducktail who has been 

around bikes since he was a tjoggertjie. You 

cannot beat knowledge and experience - he 

brings all of that in. 

He is going to make sure that we don’t go too 

awry with all of the editorial. 

Glenn Foley is the handsome one - he is the 

slowest out there, takes blurry photos, his 

spelling is wobbly - good spelling but it wobbles. 

He somehow manages to keep the ships sailing. 

Exciting times - and this is going to be a real 

team effort from all of us to deliver what you have 

come to expect. 

And remember - this is your off-road magazine. 

Tell us what you’d like to see and we might just 

listen! 

Got a cool bike ot ATV that you’d like featured, a 

classic rebuild, anything interesting? 

Please keep in touch - any queries, 

foleyg@mweb.co.za 

The Dirt And Trail Team 

Pic of the month: 

PUBLISHER: 

Glenn Foley 

foleyg@mweb.co.za 

ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL: 

Sean Hendley 

bestbikemagazines 

@yahoo.com 

071 684 4546 

OFFICE & 

SUBSCRIPTIONS: 

Anette 

anette.acc@ mweb.co.za 

011 979 5035 

ONLINE & 

DESIGN LAYOUT: 

Kyle Lawrenson 

kyle.lawrenson@icloud.com 

011 979 5035 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Stefan van der Riet 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Shado Alston 

Donovan Fourie 

Michelle Leppan 

Mieke Oelofse 

Kurt Beine 

Mike Wessels 

Mizz B 

Kyle De Bruin 

Videos and more 

available online... 

Piston and Gasket Sets 

Cranks, Conrods and Camshafts 

Cylinder Kits, Rebores, Main Bearings and Clutch Plates 

WWW.MOTOMEDIA.CO.ZA 

Email:G124@mweb.co.za 

no 4 Fifth avenue 

Northmead 

Benoni 

011 425 1081/4 

Copyright © RideFast Magazine: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, 

or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, articles, or other methods, without the prior 

written permission of the publisher. 

VALVES,STEM SEALS AND SPRINGS

C 

M 

Y 

Triumph South Africa officially announces the 

opening of Triumph Cape Town on 1 August 

2020. 

The dealership is situated in the Cape Town city 

centre in the “premium motorcycle” precinct and 

offers the full range of Triumph products and 

services, including motorcycle sales, apparel 

and accessory sales, parts sales and motorcycle 

service. 

“While Triumph has always offered aftersales 

support in Cape Town, it is now time to ensure 

that our motorcycle brand is represented 

in the manner that we had planned 2 years 

ago when Triumph South Africa became the 

official distributor of Triumph motorcycles. We 

need to ensure that our dealerships represent 

the Triumph brand in a way that ensures 

a comprehensive and premium customer 

experience, which Triumph Cape Town will now 

be able to deliver” says Bruce Allen, CEO of 

Triumph South Africa. 

“Triumph Motorcycles is delighted with the 

confidence shown by Triumph Cape Town with 

the opening of a new Triumph dealership in 

these challenging times. The Western Cape is 

one of the largest motorcycle markets in South 

Africa, and we are pleased that customers will 

once again have the opportunity to buy and 

ride Triumph motorcycles locally. I want to 

congratulate once again the Triumph SA team 

for this achievement.” says Paul Stroud, Chief 

Commercial Officer, Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. 

Triumph Cape Town will welcome its customers 

with the highest level of service, thanks to the 

factory trained sales and technical personnel, 

and with a wide range of demo motorcycles that 

covers all our product families, customers will be 

able to view and test the full Triumph range. The 

dealership is already well stocked with men’s and 

ladies’ quality Triumph apparel, which includes 

boots, rider wear, and an exceptional variety of 

casual wear. 

Contact details for Triumph Cape Town are as 

follows: 

125 Buitengracht St. Cape Town 

Tel: 021-300-5217 

https://www.triumph-motorcycles.co.za/ 

dealers/south-africa/locate-a-dealer 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

A QUANTUM LEAP IN CAPABILITY, FOR MAXIMUM ADVENTURE IN EVERY RIDE. 

The new Tiger 900 line-up represents a quantum leap in adventure motorcycle capability, with an all-new and more responsive 

900cc Triumph triple engine, new lightweight modular frame, innovative ride-enhancing technology, and a more aggressive style 

and poise for a benchmark-setting new ride. 

Available in two exciting ranges – the Tiger 900 GT Pro, designed for even more urban adventure; touring, commuting and 

everything in between and the new Tiger 900 Rally Pro, designed for maximum off-raod adventure riding and all-road comfort 

and style. Each Tiger 900 delivers 10% more torque than the previous generation, with even more torque low down, and higher 

overall power (95PS peak) across the entire rev range. 

Find out more, Triumph Johannesburg: 011 444 4444 | Triumph Cape Town: 021 300 5217 | triumph-motorcycles.co.za

Suzuki Mecca 

moves to Gezina 

This well-known and long established Suzuki 

and SYM dealership headed up by sister and 

brother team Suki and Symm Grobbelaar have 

moved from their shop on Paul Kruger street to a 

prime location on the corner of Steve Bhiko and 

Myburgh streets in Gezina Pretoria. This part of 

town that has become synonymous with horse 

power and the smell of hi-octane fuel burning 

machines. 

Pat Scott, formerly of Bike Crazy joins the team 

of Aaron and Neels on the front line with great 

service and a friendly smile. The shop is well 

stocked with bikes, scooters, parts, accessories 

with a professional workshop to keep your dream 

machine in tip top condition. Drop into at the 

corner of Myburgh and Steve Bhiko in Gezina, 

they are on the left, you literally can’t miss them. 

012 362 5572 mcmecca@global.co.za . 

TOTAL CONTROL 

by eddy2race, 

Zone 7 Cape Town. 

eddy2race and Mario Reeh of Garage 68 have 

joined forces to run a specialist suspension 

shop out at Zone 7. Mario Reeh is not only a 

top MX rider but also an A-grade mechanic 

having spent around 9 years racing and swinging 

spanners on the UK and European race circuits. 

He then came back and worked as a mechanic 

for SA Champ MX racer Paul Cooper. Mario 

has represented SA at MXON and even done a 

bunch of AMA races with great success. 

A top racer that is also a top mechanic will 

have complete understanding of racer speak 

and translate that into mechanic speak. As you 

would have read a few months back in this fine 

magazine, eddy2race has invested a huge chunk 

of change in all the latest machinery, tools and 

technology. 

Definitely worth the while letting them have a look 

at your suspension whether you are a racer or 

a weekend warrior. Give them a call on 086125- 

0300 or surf on down to www.eddy2race.co.za 

Antonio Cairoli: 

90th Grand Prix 

Win… 

One of the Greatest Of All Time… 

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Antonio 

Cairoli has long been a legend of the sport, 

probably from the moment he took his third or 

fourth World Motocross Championship titles in 

2009 or 2010, some ten years ago. It was then 

that he became the greatest Grand Prix rider from 

Italy, passing another legend Alessio Chiodi, who 

had won three World 125cc championships at the 

backend of the 1990s. 

Still, the championships kept coming, winning 

in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and finally his last 

one in 2017. It wasn’t just championships 

though, the Italian was also racking up Grand 

Prix victories, and during the triple Grand Prix 

extravaganza in Latvia, he won his 90th GP, 

putting him just 11 GP wins away from Stefan 

Everts at the very top of the all-time GP winners 

list. 

The opening round in Latvia wasn’t easy for 

Cairoli. Bad starts and a twisted knee caused 

him more problems than the competition, but 

still, as the Italian legend does time and time 

again, he fought through the pain and collected 

as many points as possible. 

“Today was very tough,” Cairoli would say after 

the Sunday opening. “To restart everything after 

five months meant it would be tricky because 

we didn’t know the race pace, but I knew I had 

trained well and could do good. The only problem 

was my starts and we saw it at this track where it 

is difficult to come through the pack. 

I felt really good to come back to 7th in the first 

race and was happy. I was determined to do 

better in the second and was thinking about going 

for victory to be honest. I had a better start but 

had trouble again on the first corner and was 

hit by another rider. I twisted my knee again. I 

was not feeling 100% at the beginning and was 

taking it easy but made another mistake and 

was outside the top thirty. After that I tried to 

re-group and bring it home. This is not the result 

we wanted but I saw a lot of people had troubles 

this first race. We won’t panic too much but we 

want to be further forward. I want to get behind 

the gate again and prove that I can get there. 

It is so important lately to be at the front at the 

start of races. We need to work a bit more on this 

direction.” 

No doubt, a shock to many in attendance, Cairoli 

turned it around, got the starts and won his 

90th Grand Prix. Looking as good as ever in the 

opening race the KTM rider made the youthful 

MXGP performers chase his dust and stand 

below him on the podium…

JB Motorcycles 

News, Pretoria. 

A little bit further down Steve Biko street in 

Gezina you will find JB Motorcycles. These guys 

have a fantastic workshop that can resurrect just 

about any motorcycle, ATV or side by side from 

the brink of the scrap heap. For instance, check 

out the pics of the Rustlers, these are not new 

quads, but refurbished units that actually look 

better than new. Boss man Johan Botha has a 

particular passion for quads and has several very 

tasty custom built units that will get you talking. 

They also have a great showroom and parts 

department to complement their workshop 

and are official agent s for Linhai, Polaris and 

CF Moto, but are also looking at opening a 

motorcycle fitment centre in the near future 

specialising in tyres, brakes, chains, sprockets 

and etc. Pretty much like a car tyre place … just 

for bikes. 

825 Steve Biko street, Gezina, Pretoria on the 

left, just across the road from Tyre Mart. 

079 079 1158, they collect and deliver anywhere 

in Gauteng and if you ask them nicely I’m sure 

they will extend that within reason. 

F61 Performance 

A Proudly South African product range 

by Autocycle... 

Compression Stabiliser 

A little can of head ache and aggravation relief, 

sorely needed in every workshop. It removes gum 

and varnish from carburetor throat and combustion 

intake systems. We have all tried to clean a 

gummed up carb before and understand that you 

have to do it properly or you are just going to have 

to do it again and again and again … Well F61’s 

Compression Stabiliser is a bit of a short cut and 

will spare your Missus your foul temper. It also 

cleans dirty sparks plugs while reducing emissions 

while improving acceleration, performance and fuel 

economy. You know you need it … 

Brake and Parts Cleaner 

How many times has your missus growled at you 

for nicking your handy andy or nail polish remover 

to clean your bike and brake parts? Yeah, so Brake 

and Parts cleaner not only brings about marital 

bliss but it also effectively removes grease, brake 

fluid and other contaminants from brake disc and 

pads while stopping that horrible squeaking noise 

from the brakes and enhancing brake performance. 

Also great for getting grit, grime and dirt off engines 

and etc in those hard to reach place that your 

wife’s tooth brush won’t get into. 

Check out www.autocyclecentre.co.za for your 

nearest stockist. 

RICKY 

CARMICHAEL 

PARTS WAYS 

WITH SUZUKI 

AFTER 15-YEARS 

Ricky Carmichael announced on Wednesday 

afternoon of August 26th that he has parted ways 

with Suzuki after working together with the brand 

as a racer, team owner and ambassador for 

15-years. Ricky hasn’t mentioned which brand he 

will be riding next, but it sounds like he’s open to 

opportunities outside of just motocross. 

If there is one thing that is a fact – change is 

constant… 

He sent this letter to Suzuki and his fans: 

“To all of my fans and everyone in our motorcycle 

community, 

“After 15 years with Suzuki, I wanted to take this 

time to say thank you and express my gratitude 

to the entire staff at Suzuki of America, Suzuki 

Japan and to all of the other regions I have been 

fortunate enough to work with over the years. 

We were able to accomplish some great things 

together, both as a rider, and as a team owner 

and I am very fortunate to have made many great 

friendships along the way. 

“As times change, I have been looking at other 

opportunities within the motorcycle industry and 

exploring options where I feel my experiences 

can best be applied to help grow our great sport. 

As everyone knows, I also enjoy challenges and 

seeing what a team of people can do to produce 

a great result when working together on new 

projects. As I continue to build upon my years of 

experience as a racer, I am now transitioning to 

enjoy other aspects of the motorcycle community. 

“This hasn’t been an easy decision, but the future 

is exciting for me. My love of bikes has grown 

beyond just off-road riding and I am looking 

forward to exploring those opportunities more in 

the future. I will forever work to promote our sport 

and continue to give back to the up and coming 

riders who hope to see their dreams realized, just 

as I did many years ago. 

“With that, I want to wish everyone at Suzuki 

continued success in the future. Friendships go 

well beyond working relationships, I am fortunate 

to have many of you as friends, and look forward 

to seeing you at the races and on the road! 

“My warmest regards, 

RC”

TrickBitz 

Lots of bitz for your bike 

The good guys at TrickBitz bring in a bunch 

of really nice stuff for your bike and do 

carry some very desirable bits for older 

generation bikes as well, check out their 

website on www.trickbitz.co.za to get your 

juices flowing. Then chat to your dealer 

about stocking their stuff... 

We asked for a walk through their 

warehouse and had a bit of a scratch around 

and found some very interesting mergafters. 

Here are a few of our favourites: 

Chiaravalli Chain and sprocket kits 

Not a new concept, but a handy one, 

sprocket and chain kits by Chiarvalli, 

They come with the correct front and rear 

sprocket, master link and chain in one 

blister pack kit, so you can be sure that 

everything fits together nicely on your bike 

and are the correct ratio’s and pitch. You 

can be certain that the product is high 

quality made by power mad Italians and 

wont let you down in a pinch, and they are 

reasonably priced as well. 

Rubber tech sprockets by Ognibene and JT 

Yes, another ‘not so new concept’, but one 

we have forgotten about as the sands of 

time leave us behind. Also manufactured by 

some crazy Italians with a lust for speed but 

with an ear for symphony and harmony. So, 

besides being manufactured of the highest 

quality materials, induction hardened 

process and attention to detail, they are also 

designed with the new Silent Technology. 

One of our biggest gripes, especially on 

road bikes is the rattle of the chain on 

the sprockets. This rubber technology 

significantly reduces that rackets as well 

as helps extend the life of your chain and 

sprockets, but does not negate the need for 

proper cleaning and maintenance. 

Spare wheels for your paddock stands. 

Huh? We never knew that … and they come 

with new stub axles and everything, even 

fancy pants colours. Now that old paddock 

stand lying in the back of your garage can 

be brought back to life, they even stock the 

bobbins to fit onto your swing arm as well as 

the adjustable swivel adaptors and pins to fit 

into the yolk of your bike. 

Branded Key Rings 

Clean, soft, elegant, sturdy and simple and 

branded with your favourite bike brand. 

They won’t damage your triple clamp or 

paint work and they look good. 

Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations! 

The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optionalequipment available at additional cost. 

PLAY 

DIRTY. 

The FE 250 is the smallest capacity 4-stroke in the enduro line-up, which also means it’s the lightest. 

With an array of features and advanced technologies, this advanced enduro machine shines in 

tough technical terrain while delivering torquey, enduro-specific 4-stroke performance when you 

need it most. Designed and assembled using premium components, including WP suspension, 

selectable engine maps and a Magura hydraulic clutch, the FE 250 is a complete collection of 

unsurpassed quality, performance and reliability.

GIVI GRT711 

25 Litre Rucksack 

The guys and girls at DMD do bring in some 

really cool gear and accessories, for instance 

the new GIVI GRT711 is a practical off-road 

backpack with plenty of compartments. It has 

been developed by the Givi R&D department to 

offer the market a backpack actually designed for 

motorcyclists. Dedicated mainly to off-roaders, 

with its 25-litre capacity, it is water resistant 

and anti-UV thanks to its high tenacity 1200D 

polyester exterior. 

Equipped with a thermoformed back panel in 

breathable EVA, it offers greater comfort to 

the rider wearing it, avoiding heat build-up and 

sweating by allowing the air to pass through. The 

backpack is secured to the body using padded 

shoulder straps and adjustable chest and waist 

straps to prevent uncomfortable bouncing and 

ensure perfect adherence to the body. 

This well organised backpack has several 

compartments; it has a removable inner bag 

and is equipped with a handy, easily accessible 

zip pocket for keys, small objects and a smart 

phone. This is also waterproof thanks to the 

hot-taped seams. At the bottom of the backpack 

there is also a special separate compartment 

designed to store tools or clothes. An additional 

compartment is available on the back, accessible 

from the outside with a bellows opening and 

space has been provided for an optional liquid 

bag. A removable boot bag is also included 

and can be attached externally. It is made in 

fluorescent yellow Nylon/PVC. The extraordinary 

modularity offered by this Gravel-T backpack 

also makes it possible to directly connect bags 

and small “additional loads”, such as the Givi 

GRT717 tool carrier. Finally, there are side 

slots to attach small objects using a set of 4 

accessories for the M.O.L.L.E. System, provided 

as standard: 2 D-rings and 2 universal hooks. 

The new GRT711 has everything it takes to be 

the ideal travel companion for everyone, not just 

enduro bikers, because it not only meets the 

needs of the most 

extreme riders 

but also of those 

who use their bike 

every day and 

need a backpack 

that is strong and 

technical. 

For more info 

and to find your 

nearest stockist 

www.dmd.co.za 

Dean Hoffman 

Racing, Zone 7 Cape Town… 

Dean Hoffman has been racing Moto Cross 

since the early 80’s at the well-known Killarney 

MX track, winning the Western Province high 

school class in ‘89. Shortly afterwards he started 

receiving requests for coaching and mentoring up 

and coming junior riders. 

Fast forward 30 years and he is still a full time 

Motocross coach offering group and private 

coaching sessions to both complete beginners 

and seasoned national champions. He started 

coaching at Killarney and the Melkbos MX tracks 

way back in 1991and eventually moved full time 

to Zone 7 in 2001. Soon much of his time was 

being taken up dispensing advice on anything 

and everything off road, from which Tyres to buy, 

oils, helmets, accessories, suspension set up etc. 

In 2016, he decided to take the leap and opened 

Dean Hoffman Racing at Zone 7. He stuck with 

what he knew and specializes in fitment and 

accessories, offering a full selection of Tyres, 

Sprockets , Chains , Brake pads, oils as well as 

Helmets , Boots , MX kit, Neck braces and so-on. 

They offer these services on site at Zone 7 and 

will soon be offering an online store with a wide 

range of off-road accessories to choose from. 

078 133 3619 info@mxcoach.co.za Zone 7 

Raceway 

New VR1 ADV 

helmets A proudly South 

African designed Helmet by Autocycle. 

A while back our Kyle was asked to assist with 

the designing of the new adv helmets. the first 

shipment has landed. 

South African design for South Africans. The 

VR1 come standard with Double D rings, Dark 

Visor, Chin vent and removable washable liners. 

Retailing at R1895 incl Vat.

Bent frame? 

Wheel alignment? 

AS Racing’s - Rapid Laser Alignment system: 

Now, here is something that caught our attention, 

something that we have wondered about from time 

to time. Do you need to do wheel alignment or any 

kind of alignment on your bike and if so - how? 

As it turns out you do. You can do a quick and 

easy test on your own bike... Find a flat, smooth 

paved surface like a concrete slab or something. 

Grab some baby powder or even a bit of very 

fine sand, anything that will make a print. Spread 

it over the surface at about a metre wide and 

about 3 metres long. Then push your bike through 

it as straight as you possibly can. If your bikes 

alignment is true then there should only be one 

line made by the tyres, as the rear wheel should 

track directly behind the front wheel. If there are 

two lines … well then you need to get your bike 

down to Alfie at AS Racing out on Van der Hoff 

road on the western side of Pretoria. 

Alfie has just procured the latest in motorcycle 

alignment technology by HealTech Electronics. 

The RAPID LASER ‘Professional frame and 

chassis check-up tool’ uses some pretty fancy 

lasers, measuring tapes and a whole bunch of 

other cool tech that we don’t quite understand to 

check the whether your frame is twisted, (even if 

it is ever so slightly), same with your swing arm, 

sub frame, head stock, triple clamps and can 

even be used to make sure your chain is running 

true between the sprockets. Sadly, those little 

marks on your swingarm are not exactly micromillimetre 

perfect. So when every milli-second 

counts during a race so does every micron that 

can rob you of that little bit of advantage over your 

competitors. Thus a true and straight race bike will 

be more stable and agile in the corners, more a 

focused under acceleration and braking and more 

compliant and confidence inspiring to the rider. 

But how does this affect us mere mortals you may 

ask? 

Well, for one, as in alignment with cars, your 

tyres should last a bit longer, as would your chain 

and sprockets, wheel bearing, swing arm and 

head stock bearings. And in today’s day and age, 

anything that can save you a bit of money is a 

good thing. But there is also the safety as well as 

the fun factor. A proper handling bike is always 

more fun to ride, being able to out manoeuver your 

mates in an impromptu dice and whip their asses 

is even better fun and being able to do that with a 

bike that won’t try kill you with a sudden wobble or 

try to chuck you off … well … need we say more? 

Give Alfie a shout on 084 523 9229, or drop him a 

mail on asracing123@gmail.com 

Gas Gas Is 

Coming: 

A quick look at Taddy Blazusiak’s 

GASGAS EC 300 

Is it another red KTM? 

We can see a similar set of components and parts 

you’d expect from any factory race bike from the 

same stable. 

The running gear includes the WP XPLOR forks 

and XACT Pro Components rear suspension, 

Brembo brakes, Motomaster discs, Renthal Bars, 

SuperSprox sprockets, Akrapovic exhaust system 

and more. 

Composite rear subframe? 

Taddy’s factory bike has the TPI two-stroke engine 

inside the trademark steel cradle frame but we 

can also see no obvious signs of the aluminium 

subframe from a KTM. It looks more likely to be 

running a composite rear end though which does 

not look the same as the Husqvarna part. We’re 

used to seeing the Husky enduro bikes having the 

lightweight composite sub frame but didn’t expect 

something like it on the GASGAS range. 

Blazusiak, who rode GASGAS trials bike to the 

European Trials Championship in 2004, is stoked 

by the new project, “This is a really cool and 

exciting change in my career, the start of a new 

chapter for me.” Says Taddy. “It’s an honour to 

lead the GASGAS brand back into enduro and I 

really want to do everyone proud.” 

Linkage chassis 

The bike is running the linkage chassis rather than 

the PDS rear suspension system favoured on 

the KTM EXC models. The red production bikes 

are expected to be a slightly lower spec option if 

Husqvarna’s are more premium and KTM bang in 

the middle. We await the production bike details 

later this year to see if they run a linkage or PDS 

system. 

When GASGAS’s new motocross bikes, the MC 

250F and 450F, were revealed earlier in 2020 we 

got our first glimpse of the new Gassers – though 

at the time they were basically red KTMs. It was 

impossible at that stage to know how the enduro 

bike would look, but these images show a genuine 

new model for the first time although we’re still 

wondering if the production bikes will vary from 

what we can see. 

“By joining this project from the beginning, I 

feel like I can really help to bring some value by 

using my experience to develop the bike and to 

show people what we are all about. There’s a 

freshness and a lot of energy about everything 

and I’m excited for people to see what we’ve been 

working on. Everyone that knows me knows how 

competitive I am, racing in new colours definitely 

makes me more determined to challenge for more 

race wins.” 

New look bodywork 

Aside from the fresh colours, there’s a sharp look 

about the brand. 

Some of the old Spanish heritage lives on in that 

front fender design and the single-piece side 

panels sweep across to meet the nice, big and 

white side number boards. GasGas is coming to 

SA and we know of quite a few dealers who are 

looking at stocking and selling the brand. As soon 

as everything is confirmed… 

We will let you know.

Pics by: 

SCOOP TEST 2021 KTM 

exc-f 350 & exc-f 500 

SHADES 

of Grey 

Two 2021 KTM Enduro’s 

We heard that the 2021 model range 

of KTM’s was starting to arrive in SA, 

so we kept an ear close to the ground. 

We got wind that a 350 and a 500 were 

in KTM’s demo fleet – and Lucky for 

us… being the good, kind folks that 

they are, they agreed that we could 

get in a quick spin before the bikes 

headed out on a national roadshow. 

So that’s exactly what we did. 

With global demand and global delays 

being caused by the pesky COVID 

virus, everyone is receiving new bikes 

– but in limited quantities. For now 

KTM only has these two 2021 models 

in their demo fleet, but as the others 

arrive, we will be sure to grab a ride 

and tell you all about them.

This bike is so much fun to ride fast. Not 

nearly as serious or aggressive as a 450, 

but you also don’t need to wring its neck 

like you do on a 250 four-stroke. Kyle 

has not ridden the latest engine – his 

comments: way more torque than the 

previous KTM 350 engine (Kyle owned 

a 2018). If there is one outstanding 

improvement, it is in how much torque 

this bike has. The engine feels more 

balanced in terms of the way it makes 

power. Seamless, predictable and so 

easy to control. 

The lack of aggression makes it one 

of the quickest turning four strokes out 

there – a 450 will spin if you ride too 

hard, while with a 250 four, you tend to 

gear down to find more torque. The 350 

is generally simple squirt and go with lots 

of midrange. 

We need to chat about the new colour 

schemes. In photo’s and such they look 

a bit underwhelming – but in the flesh – 

the new bikes look absolutely amazing. 

The Grey accentuates the orange in the 

plastics (Howzat for a big word?). The 

rims are black anodized with polished 

hubs. Pretty pretty! Attention to detail 

is pretty awesome with the KTM logo 

proudly embossed into the sidecovers. 

You need to zip along to your local dealer 

to have a look. 

KTM’s 350 2021 XC is just such a wellbalanced 

motorcycle. 

So much fun to ride… 

Include the standard KTM fare 

like Brembo brakes, upgraded WP 

suspension with Braided brake lines, the 

svelte new styling found on the 2020’s… 

Even the bright yellow Maxxis Logo on 

the tyres look cool! 

For 2021, they have built bikes that look 

as good as they go… 

And go they sure do! 

For this feature we needed to promise 

faithfully that we would not harm the 

bikes in any way. We were to steer clear 

of rocks and stuff because the bikes 

were leaving for a countrywide tour the 

following morning BEFORE the sparrows 

started and, understandably, KTM did not 

want the bikes looking second hand just 

yet. 

So we took them for a good cross country 

run and played in the river, found some 

single spoor and generally spent the 

morning hooning about. 

And it was AWESOME! KTM is known as 

a Hard Enduro brand, so we usually head 

for the rocks in order to get some Manny 

Lettenbichler like shots. This time we 

did not need to try and look like we were 

racing The Roof or trying to keep up with 

Scotty B and national rock hoppers. We 

had a good old fashioned morning of fast, 

dirty fun. 

And guess what? This is where these 

bikes truly shine. 

The 350 EXC-F 

We have said it before and we’ll say it 

again – we have no idea why most other 

manufacturers have not cottoned on to 

this capacity for their dirt bike lineup. The 

350 is a full size motorcycle that is faster 

than most 250’s and far less of a handful 

than a 450. 

‘Strue! 

If you don’t believe us – go and ride one 

yourself. It’s a blend of torque and speed 

in an incredibly nimble chassis that 

does everything really well. When KTM 

said they were going after the handling 

character of a 250F, they were not 

kidding. Even when revving this engine, 

the bike stays light with a very flickable 

chassis and light steering. Tell the 

chassis where you want it to be, and it 

obliges with a smile. Big hits and jumps? 

No problem. 

In standard out of the box setup like we 

rode it, fast racer boys might find it a bit 

soft. it’s easy to stiffen up a bit via the 

new compression and rebound settings 

– tool free at the top of the forks. We had 

no complaints and hopped over ditches 

and hit every hobble that we could find. 

The 500 EXC-F 

“We love the 500 EXC-F for its powerful 

yet controllable engine character, 

well-rounded WP suspension, nimble 

handling, light weight, and top-shelf 

Brembo brakes.” 

We often sing the praises of this brands 

500 – and often people kind of don’t 

believe us. I mean what the heck are 

you going to do with a big, modern 500 

engine these days? 

Well – quite a lot actually – and it is easy 

to understand why these bikes sell so 

solidly in SA. Sure it’s big bore – and 

sure it’s a big bike to ride – but it actually 

does not feel much different physically 

to the 350. It’s no taller and it’s just as 

slender. 

MORE ADVENTURE 

AWAITS YOU 

Satisfy your restless spirit with the new KTM 390 ADVEN- 

TURE. This compact single-cylinder travel-enduro machine 

has a sporty design attitude, with the comprehensive equipment 

and proven performance credentials of the KTM AD- 

VENTURE range. Its versatile ergonomics, smooth power 

delivery and innovative technology all come together in a 

comfortable, lightweight package built for those wanting to fit 

more adventure into their daily lives. 

Phone 011 462 7796 for your 

nearest KTM dealer.

It is a bit heavier at a standstill (109 

KG’s as opposed to the 104KG’s on 

the 350) – and when you open that 

throttle, you know that it means proper 

business. 

What if we were to tell you that the 

500 is less of a handful than the 450? 

True story! 

On paper the 500 seems as if it 

should be a real monster, but KTM 

has smoothed the power out just so 

beautifully, which means, once again 

that you don’t really need to rev in 

order to go fast. On steep hills, you can 

just kind of pop her into a low gear and 

let the engines Chug-a-lug do the rest. 

Conclusions: 

Sometimes it’s so cool to hop onto a bike 

and just RIP IT. Great for your health, 

clears the cobwebs and puts a smile on 

your face every time. These two are both 

great choices. Perhaps the 350 is a better 

tough terrain bike because it is lighter 

and easy to ride. The 500 is so versatile - 

awesome for the wide open spaces – but, 

in the right hands it can still do everything 

that the 350 can. 

Pop down to your KTM dealer and have a 

looksee. This is one brand that has a bike 

for everyone. 

www.ktm.com 

For 2020, the new generation meant a 

complete overhaul of the predecessor, 

and KTM’s target was to make the 

500 EXC-F, more rideable, and 

they’ve achieved this by reworking 

key components. The engine is more 

efficient and produces greater power, 

the chassis has adjusted stiffness, 

the cooling system has been refined 

and the exhaust system is completely 

new to compliment the engine and 

electronics updates. 

What this means is that it is a great 

every day bike to play with – or 

convert for hard adventure, but if you 

want to go fast – best you hold on 

really tight. 

You can ride it like a dirt bike – 

and it really is a barrel of fun, but 

occasionally she just gives a little 

reminder that there is serious 

horsepower just waiting to be 

unleashed. So much, in fact, that it’s 

pretty easy to understand why peeps 

love to convert them to hard adventure 

bikes. You can put longer gearing on 

and still have plenty of power in a very 

light, nimble chassis. A truly versatile 

machine.

TYRE TECH TALK 

by Bruce de Kock, owner of Bike Tyre Warehouse Group 

ALL THE PREMIUM BRANDS 

THAT COUNT UNDER ONE ROOF 

Chances are good that you will need 

to refer back to this feature every once 

in a while. There is a lot of info, but it 

is important – and relevant, no matter 

what bike you ride. 

The Basic’s of Reading a Tyre: 

Wow! Provinces open & the sun is 

shining. Rider’s are getting back onto 

their bikes in full force to hit the countryside 

and enjoy the open road. 

If you have been off your bike for a 

while, make sure that you give it a 

good scrutineering when you are dusting 

it off in the garage. 

Critical is to check your tyres if your 

bike has been standing for the last 

6 months. 

If you’re not sure about the condition 

of your tyres, pop into a reputable 

motorcycle tyre fitment centre and 

have them checked out. The Bike Tyre 

Warehouse Fitment Centre Group will 

give them a free inspection and check 

you have the correct specification 

tyres for your bike as well as the correct 

tyre pressures before you head off 

into the sunrise or sunset. 

If you need new rubber, here is a very 

basic guide to reading a tyre. 

It is important for you to take the time 

to run through this content as it will 

assist you in making the correct choice 

by that I mean not the brand of tyre 

but the type of tyre specific to your 

bike and your bikes requirement which 

could - essentially save your life. 

We can’t tell you the number of times 

that riders come in with issues concerning 

road handling, road noise, tyre 

life etc – and it is usually because they 

have fitted the incorrect tyre/s to their 

bikes, 90% of the time due to 

ignorance about the basics of motorcycle 

tyres. 

HOW TO READ A TYRE’S MARKINGS : 

1.Tubeless: No tube is used, when 

mounted on a tubeless rim; abbreviated 

“TL” 

2.Rear: Direction of rotation for rear 

tire, indicated by an arrow on the tire 

sidewall 

3.Michelin: Tire manufacturer 

4.73 Load index: For example, 73 corresponds 

to a load of 805 pounds (365kg) 

per tire 

5.Radial 

6.Pilot Power 3: The tire’s model name 

7.190: Nominal section width of the tire, 

expressed in millimeters 

8.55: Aspect ratio, the sidewall height 

as a proportion of the tire width 

9.R: Radial construction 

10.17: Bead-seat diameter of the wheel, 

expressed in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm) 

Let’s kick off with the tyres LOAD INDEX 

which is a numerical code associated with 

the maximum load that a tyre can carry at 

the speed indicated by its Speed Symbol 

under service conditions specified by the 

tyre manufacturer. 

This is important, and more especially so if 

you are carrying more than just the weight 

of the bike and yourself. Loading your panniers, 

the wife’s kitchen sink, pillion etc. all 

has a dramatic effect on the tyres capability 

to do what it needs to under load. 

Again the amount of times bikes come 

in with tyres that are totally incapable of 

carrying a load, sport touring heavy weight 

motorcycles especially. 

The table to the right is self-explanatory 

so have a look see and check that the 

tyres you have on your bike are the 

correct load index. 

Just as important is the SPEED INDEX 

which indicates the maximum speed at 

which the tyre can carry a load corresponding 

to its Load Index under 

service conditions specified by the 

tyre manufacturer. 

Load index Load index Speed index 

Every bike requires tyres with a specific 

speed index. The table below defines the 

maximum speed at which a tyre can carry 

the maximum load indicated by its load 

index under the conditions of use specified 

by the manufacturer. 

The maximum speed is clear when the 

speed rating is defined e.g. J = 100, S = 

180, H = 210 etc. 

The (W) speed index is not restricted, 

(known as unbounded, shown by the use 

of brackets around the speed index letter, 

the tyre manufacturer must be able to 

supply the maximum speed capability of 

the tyre. 

It is important to know the maximum speed 

capability of the bike before a (W) speed 

rated tyre is fitted. If the bike is capable of 

a higher speed than the tyre is, the rider 

MUST be warned of this. 

This is also a consideration for off road 

biased DUAL SPORT TYRES such as the 

Michelin Anakee Wild. 

In some cases the speed index is lower on 

the Anakee Wild than the speed capability 

of the bike and the OE tyre fitment. 

Riders MUST be warned of this fact yet 

again ignorant tyre sellers do not do this, 

so it all comes down to you as the rider 

knowing the basics and servicing your 

bikes tyre requirements by professionals 

who specialize in motorcycle tyres and 

have the knowledge to advise you on the 

correct set up for your bike. 

I have decided to tackle quite a few topics 

concerning tyre technology related to 

capability & safety in the future. There are 

some specific subjects I have written about 

over the years which now need revised 

detail as the capability and technology of 

motorcycles has increased substantially 

and so does the tyre technology therefore 

it’s about updating and increasing your 

knowledge base. 

So many times I read the write ups on the 

new bikes hitting the market, most of the 

time mention of the tyres is only made if it 

is a well-known brand that is OEM fitment 

or if a brand importer has sponsored tyres 

for the bike test. Sometimes I have noticed 

that even the test tyres sponsored have 

not been the correct specification tyre type 

for the bike. 

Education is key and the Bike Tyre Warehouse 

Group is driving motorcycle tyre 

education in your interests; we are always 

available to discuss your concerns, so pop 

in at any of our branches and talk to the 

professionals. 

www.biketyrewarehouse.com 

A Big Thank you to Ryan Robertson – 

Business Development Manager, Auto 

Cycle Centre JHB for sponsoring this 

September Tyre Tech Talk in the interests 

of promoting rider safety. 

More than most, bikers have felt the lock 

down as we are so used to our freedom 

and open roads so enjoy the sunshine & 

ride safe. 

Bruce de Kock – Managing Director - Bike 

Tyre Warehouse Group Holdings Pty Ltd 

Tel: 011 205 0216 • Cell: 073 777 9269 / 083 467 1349 

Unit 9 Sable Park, 997 Richards Drive, Midrand 

Facebook @BikeTyreWarehouse • Twitter @biketyrewhse 

www.biketyrewarehouse.com

Italian 

dESTRESS 

THERAPY 

A day on the SWM lineup… 

A de-stress was required.A bunch of 

us decided that a day in the saddle 

was required, Rob Davies on his 

somewhat rare Honda Cross tourer, 

Don Gibbons on his Triumph Explorer, 

Glenn on his 800 Tiger. While we are 

at it, what else can we take, who else 

can we invite along. What about the 

guys from SWM? A few issues back, 

we introduced you to the SWM range 

of dirt and adventure bikes… 

Some eyebrows were raised – we are 

all on big mainline bikes – do we really 

want small capacity bikes holding us up? 

Sure, we are a lekker bunch of oakes 

why not! 

Phone calls were made for an impromptu 

get together – no clue where we are 

going but why not come and join us? 

Peter and Kyle from SWM jumped at the 

opportunity to ride and promised us that 

a special bike would be joining us… 

Meeting under the tree at the designated 

meeting spot, we were greeted by 

the lusty thud of a single cylinder bike 

roaring up the country road towards us. 

It was Peter with the Ace of Spades – a 

fantastically styled little street scrambler. 

He was accompanied by Kyle on the 

Dual purpose Super Dual 650X. 

The best thing about an impromptu ride 

is the fact that, very often we have no 

cooking clue which direction we are due 

to head – so a robust discussion was 

undertaken. We only had the day. We 

needed reasonable fuel stops. A mixture 

of tar and gravel is required. 

“OK – lets hit the village of Bapsfontein 

for brekkie and work it out from there!” 

Right next door to the old Bappies Hotel 

is a very cool little restaurant and coffee 

shop – Grannies. Guys, they make a 

fantastic chow. The shop has much 

personality with antiques on sale and 

to peruse while you soak in the clean 

country air – and it’s a perfect spot to 

plan your day… 

Still no clue about where to go – OK 

chaps – lets head for Bronkhorstspruit 

it’s a great ride and there we can decide 

what to do… 

Go and have a nibble at Grannies in Bappies 

The road out to Bronkies is in great 

condition – you can open wiiide and 

enjoy. We were quite impressed to see 

the SWM’s take the lead. We need to say 

that, throughout the day, we never had 

to wait. We never felt that the smaller 

capacity thumpers were holding us up. 

Both models thundered along happily 

at the 150kph mark all day – and in the 

sand monsters that we found, they were 

a lot less hard work to ride… 

In a heartbeat, the sprawling town 

appeared. We carried on for a while – 

and then found a gravel road off to our 

right. 

You know how we say that SA is full of 

little adventure riding gems? Well this 

was one of them. 

The road got progressively more rural 

and started to wind its way through the 

most beautiful mountains. If we did not 

know it, we could have been in the Cape 

– or any exotic venue in SA. Really, really 

cool. We stopped off at a little bridge 

crossing the river. The water was spotless 

– a perfect place to gather your thoughts, 

share some bench racing tales and take 

a little break. That’s what adventuring is 

all about. Great mates, great country and 

great bikes. 

As usually happens on features like this, 

we all swapped bikes and rode on. I 

chose the Ace of Spades… 

If you are looking for a head turning little 

barrel of fun, then this is absolutely one 

bike that you need to look at. It is small, 

compact and powerful and so easy to 

ride. It is not tall or intimidating in any 

way. Bar ABS, it has no electronics – it is 

a simple get on and go for it bike. 

It is equally at home in the dirt as it is on 

the tar – we were pretty impressed with 

the suspension – not a hard ride at all, 

even on the corrugations and hitting the 

odd large pothole. And it delivers real 

world power and performance. 

We fully expected to be uncomfortable 

on a long ride – but the little SWM never 

disappointed. We soon hit a signboard 

that told us we were leaving Gauteng. 

Shame. We broke the law again – and 

continued along to the tar where another 

treat awaited us… 

A great big flowing freeway with more 

curves than a pole dancer. And we did 

not even know that it existed up to that 

point. The Ace Of Spades was even 

more fun belting along through the 

twisties – like a little flat tracker – open 

wiiide, way past the national speed limit 

and lean… 

At the top of the mountain pass, we 

found a refuel station little Spaza Shop 

serving cold soft drinks and Lunch Bars. 

We asked the proprieter for tips on 

a fun route back to Bronkies. He 

looks at the Honda and Triumphs and 

scratched his head. “Ahhhh, but there 

is plenty of sand!” – he points at the 

SWM’s, “No problem – but ehhh the 

big ones… Eish!” 

Our grins got wider… sounds like 

fun and we promptly followed his 

directions. It all started quite well – we 

were wandering what he was on about, 

until we hit an ocean of thick sand. I 

was grateful to be on the Super Dual. 

It is really perfect for a ride like this, 

compact and capable with excellent 

long travel suspension and a beefy 650 

engine that puts great power to the 

back wheel.

I did have some 

concerns about Kyle who 

was on our 800 – not 

everyone likes sand – 

and repair bills are not 

needed at this time. Then 

I thought about Don on 

his old Explorer and Rob 

on the Honda… Well I’d 

rather be on the SWM 

than any of those on this 

road for Sure! 

The little SWM’s got to 

the tar first. By a long 

way. On the bigger ADV’s 

you need to be a bit more 

careful… you don’t want 

to chuck them down the 

road. Some of the guys 

on the big bikes had eyes 

like saucers – The SWM 

riders were a bit sad that 

the gravel had ended for 

now… 

What an amazing piece 

of road. No idea exactly 

where we were but we 

will be back that side to 

explore it all again soon. 

It was starting to get 

late so we reluctantly 

turned the handlebars 

towards home. Back via 

Bronkies, Bappies to our 

home base. A perfect 

day. Great bikes, great 

company – perfect de – 

stress therapy. 

It was brilliant to ride the 

SWM’s again. 

That Ace is a Peach of 

a bike. Something that 

you’d use every single 

day. The Super Dual is 

brilliant! Reminiscent 

of a bike like the 

XT660. Plush, Comfy, 

fast and simple. 

Hit the roads less 

travelled and you will 

smile all day long… 

Dirt And Trail will put 

this ride together for 

anyone who would 

like to come and join 

us soon. Watch this 

space! 

www.swm.co.za 

Cycle Technology ccT/A 

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All Lives 

Smooth as butter and a very eina 

Husaberg crasher arrived at the top - 

Four and a half hours after the tumble. 

At the top, the medics took over, put up 

a drip, assessed him and strapped him 

to a backboard. 

•Vincent Dormehl, you were a rockstar - 

guiding the different rescue services to 

the site, looking after Juan until we got 

there. You have such a calm demeanor, 

only small things gave away the fact that 

you were stressed. 

Matter! 

A good story – and some sound common sense lessons. 

You guys might remember Juan 

Delport who was our appy for a 

year or so until he found gainful 

employment at the new EMD store in 

Boksburg. 

His story is a good one – and a 

lesson for anyone who rides a 

dirtbike… 

In January he and his mate Vince went 

for a little ride in the famous Chimes 

area outside Benoni. As you must know, 

mining companies are busy reclaiming 

the dumps and extracting the gold and 

stuff that is still in the sand. 

Juan knows Chimes well, but – he made 

a mistake… 

While showing Vince one of the steep, 

gnarly climbs, he took the line and 

headed up the slope. Unbeknown to 

him, since the weekend before, the 

mines had dug away the slimes dam in 

the middle of the dump… 

He was looking back, to see how Vince 

was doing when he literally flew into an 

abyss – a bit like riding off the side of a 

cliff… 

About 10m down, the bike made contact 

with the sand, the front wheel dug in 

and flipped over, burying him into the 

side of the face. Fortunately, Juans fall 

was halted and his Husaberg tumbled a 

further 400 metres to the bottom of the 

pit. Unfortunately, the bike slammed him 

in the leg and broke his femur… 

That was only the beginning… 

Vince saw him disappear and realized 

that there was a problem. He lay his bike 

down and clambered to the top. Juan 

was perched on a little ledge with his leg 

at right angles to rest of his body… 

Juan was awake and coherent – and 

luckily he had a cell phone on him. He 

was able to call his dad “Doc” Delport for 

some help… Vince made his way back 

down and around the dump to where 

Juans bike had come to rest. He was 

able to send a pin drop so that backup 

could get to them. 

Dad is a rescue medic – he packed all 

the necessaries and, with mom Noreen 

in tow they tore off to find their boy. Upon 

arrival at the bottom of the fall, Doc 

attempted to climb up, but the sand was 

too loose and he was afraid of causing 

an avalanche. Realizing that this was 

a serious problem, he made the call to 

Tauriq Mohamed, a close friend who is 

medic with CMS. 

Tauriq despatched their CMS team to 

the scene and upon arrival realized 

that this would need a specialist team. 

By now, crowds of Zama Zama miners 

were gathering at the top of the dump to 

watch the fun. Tauriq got hold of ER24 

and the East Rand EMS for assistance. 

In between all of this, Doc walked 

around the dump with water and some 

ropes and climbed up the slope that the 

boys had been attempting. At the top 

he could talk to Juan, who could feel 

that the sand was giving way. Afraid that 

the side would give way, Doc secured 

a water bottle and a climbing clamp to 

a long piece of rope and managed to 

chuck it down so that he could tie on – 

and have a bit of water. This was more 

than an hour after the crash. 

Pretty soon a father and son also out for 

a ride arrived and rode up to doc. They 

gave him a tie down to extend the rope 

and take the pressure off his hands. 

Two other unidentified dirt bikers also 

riding in the area came to help. The 

slope was very steep for a medic 

carrying a full jump bag. The guys 

popped the medics onto the back of their 

bikes and took them up to the top. 

Bikers are good guys! Big thank you 

from the Delport family. 

Doc held on to that rope until the rescue 

team arrived at the top. The EMS 

rescuer then managed to lower himself 

down to Juan and secure him. 

How to pull two people up a cliff? 

Doc turned to the Zamas and asked for 

help… 

The guys lined up, each grabbing a 

piece of the strap – and they slowly 

pulled the guys out. One pull. 

That dot is Juan on the side of the dump 

Doc secured Juan from above. 

The Zamas passed Juan from one to the 

other down the slope to the waiting landy. 

Secure and ready to be carried down the 

dune. 

Next big problem… No place for a 

chopper to land and no way for any 

vehicle to get up – and those slopes 

are so badly rutted that one team would 

never be able to carry the patient down 

safely. 

What to do? 

Much excited commotion – and the 

miners formed themselves into two 

lines right down the side of the slope. 

120 metres odd. They gently picked 

Juan up and passed him shoulder 

height, hand to hand all the way down 

and into a Landy that was waiting at the 

bottom of the slope. 

In Docs words “Amazing!” and he gets 

a tear in his eye talking about it. “Once 

Juan was in the vehicle, they let up a 

big cheer! No money changed hands – 

this was simply bunch of guys helping 

out their fellow man. No expectations.” 

“If only we could work like this every 

day – the world would be a brilliant 

place!” 

Juan was driven around to where the 

bikes were standing, where the ER24 

chopper was able to land – and get 

him out safely. He suffered Multiple 

fractures – 5 breaks in his femur and 

severe tissue damage and was in ICU 

for 3 weeks. 

5 ops. 3 weeks in a normal ward – and 

2 weeks in the Netcare rehab centre in 

Empire road. He is well on his way to 

recovery now, he walks with a lekker 

gait – and he should be up and riding 

soon…It ended well but it could have 

gone so wrong. 

3 lessons: 

•Never ride alone. 

•Always carry a phone. 

•Never assume that terrain is as it 

should be. 

From the Delport family: 

We have a very long list of thank-you’s in 

the wake of Juan’s rescue from Chimes. 

The dirtbike seems to have used Juan 

as a trampoline to save itself... typical! 

•From Mom: Doc Delport for working so 

tirelessly to get Juan to safety and to get 

treatment for him. You, my dear, were 

amazing. For being the force behind 

getting decisions made - thank you. 

•From Dad: To Noreen my wife for 

holding the family together through this 

time - a big, big thank you! 

•Tauriq Mohamed, our man with a 

plan, family emergency contact, thank 

goodness you are in the emergency 

response business. You made all 

the needed phone calls and got the 

necessary people to site and looked 

after us all. Your other team members 

were amazing, a real credit to Gau-Med. 

Please extend our gratitude. Thank you 

personally for looking after Juan! 

•Dylan Corringham, the person we can 

phone for anything, no questions asked 

“see you in 5”. Thank you for helping 

Vince, and for getting Juans bike and car 

home. Sam, thank you for lending Dylan 

to us. 

•Robert Dormehl, Vince’s dad - thank 

you for being our field ambulance - sadly 

the Land Rover was the vehicle of the 

day (after the helicopter OBVIOUSLY). 

Your help was invaluable. 

•Boksburg Fire and Rescue (Evan and 

team) thank you for getting our son off the 

hill! He apologizes for the terrible language 

used but he was in a lot of pain and 

understands that the only way out, was 

through. 

•The Netcare 911 helicopter crew, for 

getting Juan to Union Hospital so quickly 

after the rescue, for taking photos for him 

and keeping his spirits up. He loved that 

section of the day - thank you for sending 

us his “selfies” 

•The K9 policeman, you climbed in your 

van and got stuck in and helped, thank 

you! We wanted to steal your dog though, 

he is gorgeous. 

•The youngsters on their dirt bikes, thank 

you for ferrying EMS and their gear up 

the hill etc. It’s the first time many of them 

have ever been on 2 wheels, they loved it. 

•The ZamaZama’s for helping to pull Juan 

up, and for carrying him down the hill to 

the rescue vehicle. Thank you. 

•Union Hospital Emergency section and 

Howard in ICU, thank you. 

A last word to the Husaberg 300: We 

cannot believe that you started without fail 

after all the above!! 

To every single person that has phoned, 

messaged etc. Thank you for your 

support, it is appreciated by everyone. 

If we have left you out, sorry - it’s not 

intentional - a crazy time! 

The Delport Family 

A view from below 

Looking chipper but he forgot to wash his 

feet. 

Happy Family.

luggage frames are compatible with 

different types of aftermarket soft luggage 

as well. Another bonus for putting 

luggage frames on your bike is that they 

offer extra protection should you suffer 

a fall. For our overnight trip though, we 

were presented with the KTM Powerparts 

rollbag, which is easily fitted on top of 

the pillion seat without the need of any 

luggage plates or frames. The bag is also 

dust and waterproof, making it a great 

option for any weekend warrior. 

We kit up early on a Saturday morning 

and leave Gauteng heading north on 

the N1 highway towards Pienaarsrivier. 

In terms of comfort, the seat was cosy 

enough to actually sit for most of the 

loaded with the “Rally” mode option, 

which further extends off-road MTC 

functionality. This feature does not come 

standard on the KTM 790”S” model, it is 

however something I would recommend 

getting if you are planning to spend a lot 

of time away from the tarmac. 

The first obstacle presents itself when 

the road we normally take is closed and 

a big heap of sand blocks our way. No 

problem, I get over the heap of sand with 

an easy twist of the throttle, even with a 

full tank of fuel the low slung tanks as well 

as low down weight of the engine make 

the bike easy to manage when going over 

obstacles. The lower seat height (when 

compared to its “R” counterpart), definitely 

TRAX “Dirt Convert” KTM 790 S Rider Review 

The Long way to Lephalale 

Our Mizz B Muszynski continues on her Great trek to put the Dirt 

Convert Trax KTM 790 S through its paces… 

She says: 

In Part 1 of the review featured in the July issue, Trax KTM 

kindly provided me with the Dirt Convert KTM 790”S” to 

take on a lockdown ride. The Dirt Convert is the basic KTM 

790“S” model, equipped with knobbly tyres, a high front 

fender and a stand-out decal kit. We did a shortish local ride 

to get a feel for the bike. 

This is part two… 

For this ride I took it upon myself to test the bike as extensively 

as possible without contravening every single lockdown 

regulation. Needless to say this was not an easy task with so 

many travel restrictions! I’ll discuss my first impressions and 

thoughts on the different riding modes and aftermarket options. 

I’ll answer some questions posted on social media. We took 

to some single track trails and traverse a rocky pass along the 

Crocodile River and literally threw the bike into the deep end 

and honestly, it did just fine Actually it left us thirsting for more… 

Taking the long way to Lephalale 

As the KTM 790 is marketed as an offroad 

capable travel bike our review could 

not possibly be complete without taking 

it on a longer distance trip. We looked at 

the map and set our eyes on the town of 

Lephalale, which is conveniently situated 

between some of the best dirt roads and 

passes that part of Limpopo has to offer. 

When considering a travel bike, luggage 

options are important and I looked at 

some of the different offerings from the 

KTM Powerparts catalogue available to 

this model. For longer tours there are 

luggage plates and frames which can 

be used in conjunction with the lockable 

Touratech top box and hard cases. The 

combined 700km’s we did on our trip to 

Lephalale and back, the tall windscreen 

deflecting the wind with minimal buffeting. 

In “Street” mode you have full use of 

the 95hp the bike offers, which makes 

cruising along at highway speeds and 

overtaking cars a breeze, while the MTC 

(Motorcycle Traction Control) and ABS 

kept me feeling safe, even when the road 

surface was not ideal. 

I even got to practice my emergency 

braking when a naughty bakkie swerved 

suddenly in front of me, the 320mm front 

brakes slowing us down just in time to 

avoid a potential accident. 

Shortly after we passed the provincial 

boundary roadblock we reach our first 

dirt road. The bike I’m riding has been 

plays a role as it makes it easier to get 

that confident footing when doing more 

technical manoeuvres. 

Those of you who have ridden in 

Limpopo before know very well there 

is a sandmonster lurking around every 

corner. Sand on a bigger adventure bike 

can often become a nightmare and I was 

curious to see how the 790”S” would 

fare, considering that with its smaller 

wheels, this wasn’t my usual pick for 

traversing this type of terrain. As we rode 

along the tribal land towards Bela-Bela 

it became clear to me why the KTM 790 

was launched in the Merzouga Desert. 

It performed exceptionally well, sailing 

smoothly over the sea of sand like a 

ship as we made our way further north. I 

believe the ease with which it handles the

sand can again be attributed to the bulk 

of the bikes weight being situated lower 

down, as a top heavy bike tends to give 

a lot more feedback and movement 

in sandy conditions, a scary feeling 

especially if experienced by a novice. 

After topping up with fuel in Modimolle 

we head even further into the Bushveld. 

The tank holds 20L of fuel, giving you 

the freedom to really go out and explore 

before having to worry about seeking 

that fuel station again. KTM claims 

the bike gets 450km on a tank of fuel, 

which should be achievable in more 

normal circumstances, for us it was 

however a bit less as there was plenty 

of sand on our route, giving us an 

average of about 5L/100km. 

Eventually the road took us to a pass 

we haven’t ridden before near the 

settlement of Overyssel. In this area 

the roads were in exceptionally bad 

condition strewn with ruts and ditches 

and I found myself more comfortable at 

speeds between 80km/h to 100km/h. 

The KTM 790”S” sports the Apex 43mm 

front forks with 200mm of suspension 

travel, which has so far performed 

exceptionally well in both sandy and 

rocky terrain, it does however start to 

feel out of its comfort zone when hitting 

big obstacles, such as deep ditches, 

at higher speeds and I naturally 

slowed down a bit more for these. 

The bike does however have a builtin 

steering damper which helps to 

absorb these big hits and keeps you 

in control. If, ultimately riding hard 

and constantly pushing boundaries is 

something you like to do, this would 

be where the decision of purchasing 

the “S” vs the “R” model would come 

into play. 

We reach the town of Lephalale later 

that afternoon, just in time for the 

braai! 

I ask my father who has always been 

passionate about bikes, to tell me 

what he thinks of the KTM 790”S”. 

He immediately grabs the opportunity 

to swing his leg over the saddle and 

takes the bike for a spin around the 

block. He hasn’t ridden for many 

years and also hasn’t been in the 

loop with the latest biking trends or 

models, but comes back with a big 

smile on his face nonetheless. 

“I like it, it looks big, but it isn’t really, 

just so easy to ride, and ohhhh all 

that power!” he says as he dismounts. 

Well there you have it, a truly 

unbiased opinion. 

Final Thought 

A couple of years ago, when the previous gen 

KTM 950 and 990 Adventures ruled the roost, 

there were very few people who rode the taller 

“R” models, a trend which has become more 

popular in recent years. I myself rode the older 

KTM 950 Adventure quite extensively, a bike 

I truly enjoyed and believe that with the 790 

range KTM is trying to bring back the mind-set 

that you don’t need the “R” model to be able to 

venture off the beaten track. 

Overall I find the KTM 790”S” a very capable 

all-rounder, a bike that truly is in its element 

on the long road, and also more than 

capable enough to handle the adventurous 

dirt roads we enjoy riding. If you are in the 

market for a 790, I highly recommend trying 

both the “S” and “R” models, you may just 

be surprised as to what the “S” can do. 

Trax KTM 021 0190 

www.traxktm.co.za 

I want to extend my thanks to Trax KTM for 

letting me use their “Dirt Convert” KTM 790 

Adventure yet again. It’s a great conversion 

for shorter riders. 

And the handsome Fella’s at Dirt And 

Trail magazine for the media pass to get 

out and about! 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN 

BUYING USED TYRES.......... 

WE NOW HAVE TWO CASES WHERE 

CLIENTS HAVE BOUGHT USED 

TYRES FROM TYRE DEALERS 

AND FITTED THEM ONLY TO 

DISCOVER THAT THE BEADS 

HAVE BEEN CUT. 

Upon closer inspection, the cut bead was discovered. Please guys, 

be very careful. 

Tyres are one of the most critical safety components on your bike. 

New is always best - but if you do buy used do not only look at the 

tread. It might look great but there is more to it: 

Inspect the sidewalls for cuts, cracks, ballooning and structural 

strength. 

The bead is what holds your tyre on the rim. Dealers are cutting 

the beads on used tyres that are deemed unsafe so that they are 

not re-sold. 

This is a “Must Read” it is for your own good: 

It is not a debate about whether to buy a new or used tyre it is 

about people who buy and sell used tyres making sure that the 

tyres are SAFE. 

Times are tough - we get that. We have also bought used tyres 

and most times they have been OK. 

Earlier this month we received a call about a gent who bought a 

used tyre for his GS from a dealer on the East Rand. No problem - 

we have all been there, it is a saving, not everyone can afford new 

tyres, especially in our current economic climate. 

The tyre looked OK, the tread was decent, no obvious cracks etc 

- but the gent failed to notice that the bead had been cut - which 

means that the tyre is KAPUT and not good for use. He had the 

tyre fitted and headed out - and promptly got a huge tank slapper... 

Luckily he controlled it and managed to get the bike through to the 

Bike Tyre Warehouse outfit. 

Inspect the beading to make sure it is not damaged, cut or 

pulling out of the rubber. 

Check the inside of the tyre for hidden patches, gators, cuts and 

objects piercing through and the like as well as for something 

that looks similar in texture to elephant skin, this is indicative of 

the tyre having been run flat for extended periods. 

Look for cracks between and in the treads, this can show 

perishing from age as well as a further indicator of the tyre 

having been abused or run flat. 

Any used tyre has generally been replaced for a reason. What 

is that reason? Did it run flat? Is there a hole? 

Too many patches? Is it old? - look for the date of manufacture 

on the side if the tyre wall. 

As we said earlier, new is always better and there are always 

some very affordable options and great specials from most of 

the major tyre brands… ask your local dealer about them. 

Dealers, We cannot tell you how to do your job, but - If you sell 

a used tyre please inspect it properly... 

We are very glad that there was no serious injury... 

The bee's knees

Honda SA is on a mission to get all of 

the local tracks up and busy again, with 

a monthly focus on the MX tracks and 

what they offer. This month, we took 

the Trek out to Smoking Pistons in the 

South… 

Brian Capper joined the fun on his 

Honda 450R – and we invited a special 

guest, Darryl Hancock on his big Five 

Hunny two stroke to rip some laps….

Darryl is somewhat of a collector of all 

things Honda. He picked up his CR 500 

two stroke the bike as a rebuild project 

3 or four years back. The engine is a 

fully refurbished ’91 model. He used the 

bike a bit and the frame gave in – so he 

sourced an ’07 frame and built what you 

see today. 

It is one hell of a bike – the younger guys 

were really impressed by how fast it is – 

even by todays standards. 

As often happens with these old smokers, 

the spark plug gave in – so the guys from 

Honda gave Darryl a 450RX to play with. 

He was so complimentary about that bike. 

“Man it’s strong! The suspension is 

amazing – I can go flat-out from the start! 

I’m not even sure how the MX bike might 

be better than this…” 

About the track: 

We asked Darryl how often he rides…. 

His answer: “Whenever she lets me!”. 

Anyone who has been in the bike game 

for a while will remember the mad Quad 

MX meets that used to happen. Back then, 

Smoking pistons (Back then, it was called 

Zumbugs track), was a favorite haunt for 

the Quad MX guys – and we covered lots 

of features on these mad individuals. 

Good times… 

Fast forward a few years – Quad MX is no 

more and the track now hosts some of the 

most kick - ass two wheeled events on the 

planet. 

Not too much has changed, they have a 

lekker lapa where you can kuier, Braai some 

wors rolls or grab a bite to eat. Safe parking 

for spectators and teams. And quads are still 

welcome… 

Twelve years ago, the Mostert family took 

it all over (this is national Racer – Dylan 

Mosterts home track . The track is tight, with 

lots of spectacular corners and jumps – they 

make sure that the track is prepped and 

watered for competition. 

We were out on a Wednesday – 

and we were so impressed at how 

many bikes were buzzing around 

and practicing for the upcoming 

inland event – (See our feature on 

the Inland race series). 

Smoking Pistons motocross dirt 

track and junior track is situated 

on the corner of Swartkoppies 

road and Klipriver drive in 

Johannesburg. 

The MX track is open to the public 

and they host amateur racing 

events for adults and juniors. 

Facilities available at Smoking 

pistons: Change rooms with toilets 

and showers, Braai Facilities, 

Seating Area, Childrens’ play area, 

Restaurant and Bar. 

Fast forward a few years – Quad MX is no 

more and the track now hosts some of the 

most kick - ass two wheeled events on the 

planet. 

Not too much has changed, they have 

a lekker lapa where you can kuier, Braai 

some wors rolls or grab a bite to eat. Safe 

parking for spectators and teams. And 

quads are still welcome… 

Twelve years ago, the Mostert family took 

it all over (this is national Racer – Dylan 

Mosterts home track . The track is tight, 

with lots of spectacular corners and jumps 

– they make sure that the track is prepped 

and watered for competition. 

We were out on a Wednesday – and we 

were so impressed at how many bikes 

were buzzing around and practicing for the 

upcoming inland event – (See our feature 

on the Inland race series). 

Smoking Pistons motocross dirt track and 

junior track is situated on the corner of 

Swartkoppies road and Klipriver drive in 

Johannesburg. 

The MX track is open to the public and 

they host amateur racing events for adults 

and juniors. Facilities available at Smoking 

pistons: Change rooms with toilets and 

showers, Braai Facilities, Seating Area, 

Childrens’ play area, Restaurant and Bar. 

Contact Details for Smoking Pistons: 

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ 

smokingpistonsmxdirttrack/ 

Tel: 072 911 1220 

Email: 

smokingpistons18@gmail.com

2021 Yamaha 

YZ250F

WORLD Record 

WORLD Record 

SMASHED 

LUC ACKERMANN 

“Go big or go home!” 

Luc Ackermann has smashed the twelve-year-old world record 

with the most motorcycle backflips in 30 seconds! 

In doing so Ackermann surpassed his idol, American legend Travis 

Pastrana, a record had lasted for nearly twelve years. 

For three weeks he practiced one backflip after the other on his 

training ground in Niederdorla. On July 12, this year, he headed to 

the first dirt hill. 

Nine backflips within 30 seconds would have been enough to take the 

world record, but the Thuringian FMX athlete wanted to stake his claim. 

His goal: ten backwards somersaults in 30 seconds… 

The reigning FIM world champion mastered one backflip after the other. 

After landing the 10th mini flip, the watch stopped at 28.95 seconds! 

Luc Ackermann had improved MX legends Travis Pastrana’s decade 

plus reigning record by two somersaults, an incredible 10 flips in 28.95 

seconds! 

But this is not the first time that this kid has made history. In 2017 he 

became the youngest athlete to ever pull off and land a double backflip. 

With his jump on 3rd October in the Austrian village of Piberbach, at just 

19 years old, he became the youngest motorcyclist ever – and the first 

German – to pull off a Double Backflip. 

For the world record to be officially recognised he had to land safely on 

a sand piste. An elaborate ramp was built to stage the latest milestone 

in the history of this extreme sport. 

Luc began by doing the double backflip into freestyler Gerhard Mayr’s 

foam pit on 2nd October. He had practised the jump with cushioned 

landing at his training site in Niederdorla. On 3rd October the young 

Red Bull FMX rider upped the stakes, landing this time on an airbag. 

Late in the afternoon he was ready for the big one. After ten jumps onto 

the airbag, Luc executed a perfect double backflip onto dirt. The world 

record was his. 

Luc Ackermann (born on 6 of January of 1998 in Mulhouse ) is 

a German freestyle motocross rider . 

Not only was this German the youngest athlete ever to perform 

a backflip on a motorbike, but he’s also considered as one of 

the biggest rising talents in FMX, with a bright future ahead. 

He just keeps pushing himself to the next level. He handles his 

bike like an old pro, and is learning new and harder tricks all 

the time. 

He was brought into motocross sports by his older brother 

Hannes Ackermann . In 2005 began his first steps in freestyle. 

Ackermann started directly with Freestyle. A year later, performed 

his first back flip. 

In 2013, he joined the legendary Travis Pastrana on his Nitro 

Circus Germany Tour. 

In 2014 at just 16 years of age he achieved the best ever finish 

at a Red Bull X-Fighters event by a German rider when he 

finished fourth in Munich. 

There’s still a lot to come from Luc Ackermann – watch this 

space…

The Motul Pedal car just in case you 

cannot balance. 

Beginners got trained up in the basics 

before getting on the bikes. 

The bevvy of Honda Mounted 

beauties. 

Motul Empowers 

Women on Two Wheels 

that she had only started riding bikes at 

40. Since I have also recently hit that 

milestone, and in the spirit of life beginning 

at 40, I wanted to try something new and 

more daring than my other hobbies. My 

husband is a keen motorcyclist, and this 

has been something I’ve wanted to share 

with him, but until now the fear factor was 

just a little too much for me,” 

admitted Adilia. “ 

Now that I’ve had this great experience, he 

can look forward to some company on his 

weekend rides,” she added. 

An Iconic Experience for 

#IconicWomen 

Motul is one of those companies 

that really focusses on the 

motorcycle industry – and not only 

sells product – but also invests a lot 

in our favourite pastime. 

Sean Hendley went along to have a 

look at their latest initiative… 

Pics by ZCMC 

On Saturday 22 August, Motul South 

Africa demonstrated its commitment 

to the ideals of Women’s Month and 

the #IconicWomen campaign. In 

partnership with Honda South Africa, 

the Motul team hosted a LEARN TO 

RIDE A MOTORCYCLE day at ADA 

Training and Outdoor Centre. 

This event was a natural follow-on to 

the nomination of Motul’s own Mercia 

Jansen as part of the #IconicWomen 

campaign developed and managed by 

Shelby South Africa and Road to Race. 

“As part of this campaign, we have 

each created an opportunity for 

women to participate in something 

that we’re passionate about. My love 

of riding is something that I have 

always wanted to share with other 

women – hence the LEARN TO RIDE 

A MOTORCYCLE day’” explained 

Mercia Jansen, Motul Area Manager 

for Southern and Eastern Africa. 

“I have loved seeing all the videos 

and photos from our day – the ladies’ 

beaming smiles made it clear how 

much fun they were having, while 

the pride and encouragement from 

their partners and families made the 

experience even more special,” she 

added. 

Adilia Joubert, one of the participants, 

reported that she was excited to 

have had the chance to learn to ride 

machines that had previously seemed 

too intimidating. 

“I was inspired by Mercia revealing 

Mercia Jansen, Motul Area Manager for 

Eastern and Southern Africa was the 

organiser of the event. 

Throughout the day, the ADA Training and 

Outdoor Centre in Hartbeespoort, North 

West Province, echoed to whoops of joy 

as the lady riders grew in confidence and 

began to experience the feeling of freedom 

that motorcyclists often refer to. There 

was a real sense of camaraderie between 

the women and their partners, while the 

atmosphere at the venue contributed to a 

successful day for all the novice riders. A 

big thank you to Honda SA for supplying 

the bikes and allowing the attendees – the 

riders and their partners - to test out all the 

different models! 

The very talented Brian Capper was 

on hand to assist and support the 

ladies during their training, as were the 

professional trainers supplied by ADA 

Training and Outdoor Centre. The children 

who had come along to watch their Moms 

in action also got to enjoy the pedal cars 

provided by Motul. The sight of women 

riding bikes while husbands, brothers and 

uncles pushed the kids up and down the 

Izelle Hoffman takes her cue from one of 

the trainers. 

Brian Capper shows his prowess on a 

bike.

grass in the pedal cars was exactly 

the kind of role-reversal moment that 

the #IconicWomen campaign aims to 

inspire. 

The training session was followed by 

lunch, with sparkling wine supplied by 

the Boschendal Wine Estate. 

“As a racing car driver, I was delighted 

to have the chance to swap my usual 

four wheels for just two,” enthused 

Shelby SA/Road To Race’s National 

Marketing Manager Paige Lindenberg 

– the lady who first conceived the idea 

of the #IconicWomen campaign. 

“The professionalism and patience 

of the trainers meant that we all felt 

comfortable enough to push ourselves 

a little more each time we got onto the 

bikes,” added Paige. 

Jacky (back) and Josh (front) v d Merwe 

show their support. 

The more advanced ladies negotiate the cones. 

Adilia Joubert comes to grips with a new skill. 

Mercia and Paige reflected on 

how successful the #IconicWomen 

campaign has been in building 

women’s confidence and inspiring them 

to break down stereotypes that may 

previously have discouraged them from 

trying the kind of new experiences that 

have traditionally been seen as “maledominated.” 

ABOUT MOTUL: Available at your 

motorcycle dealer. 

Motul is a world-class French company 

specialised in the formulation, 

production and distribution of hightech 

engine lubricants (two-wheelers, 

cars and other vehicles) as well as 

lubricants for industry via its Motul 

Tech activity. 

Unanimously recognised for more 

than 160 years for the quality of its 

products, innovation capacity and 

involvement in the field of competition, 

Motul is also recognised as a 

specialist in synthetic lubricants. As 

early as 1971, Motul was the first 

lubricant manufacturer to pioneer 

the formulation of a %100 synthetic 

lubricant, issued from the aeronautical 

industry, making use of esters 

technology: 300V lubricant. 

Motul is a partner to many 

manufacturers and racing teams in 

order to further their technological 

development in motorsports. It 

has invested in many international 

competitions as an official supplier for 

teams in: Road racing, Trials, Enduro, 

Endurance, Superbike, Supercross, 

Rallycross, World GT24 ,1 Hours of 

Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), 24 

Hours of Spa, Le Mans Series, Andros 

Trophy, the Dakar Rally and Motul Roof 

of Africa. 

Nicole Bissick, boxer and actress, Learns to 

ride a motorcycle. 

Ladies gathered for their training. 

Paige Lindenberg. 

Mr Capper showing Mercia how to wheelie. By 

the end of the day she was doing it herself. 

ADA instructor Elrich walking the ladies through the excercise. 

Riaan from Honda SA. 

Some of the ladies were a little bit more 

daring. 

Gee Whizzz, this learning to ride business 

requires a lot of energy.

Pics By: 

When we popped into the Sherco shop 

in Pretoria the other day, we saw this 

one standing on the showroom floor. It’s 

been a while since we last rode it – so 

we asked if we could take it away for a 

spin. 

Thinking out of the box is the 

catch phrase with most European 

manufacturers. French manufacturer 

Sherco built this baby for riders to 

improve on their (extreme) riding skills. 

This from Sherco: “With a fuel tank capacity 

of 7 liters and excellent fuel economy the 

X-Ride can take it’s rider for a long distance 

without having to refuel. With a ground 

clearance of 325mm the X-Ride allows 

you to overcome obstacles of considerable 

size with ease. It has a total weight of only 

92.5 kg.” the ligt weight is due to Sherco’s 

minimalistic approach… There are no 

heavy extras to be found, kickstart, no 

battery basic lightweight engineering. 

“The X-Ride is not a race bike, but it draws 

from all of the vast experience that Sherco 

has gained in Trial, Enduro and Supermoto. 

Away from the race track and racing 

aspects, the X-Ride is able to satisfy any 

desire for adventure, whether it is riding on 

narrow single track, complicated trials type 

riding or on fast tracks. It is even versatile 

enough for use on city streets.” Yup it’s 

actually roadworthy in Europe – however 

we would certainly not like to try it in the 

N1.

Kyle thought he was Wade Young after a few minutes 

We were not need to be overly cautious 

because this is a very pre-owned model 

that already bore several battle scars. 

The obvious comparison would be with a 

trials bike. But’s not a Trials bike. It’s a bit 

larger and it has a seat. It is ridiculously 

slender and soft with a barrel full of 

torque all the way from the bottom. 

Because it is so small you tend to try 

your luck between every narrow rock 

and canyon that you can find. The torque 

makes it really simple to slowly hoik 

the wheel up and over just about any 

rock. The suspension is pretty soft – so 

you get a lekker comfy ride – and if you 

do happen to get it wrong, the bike is 

light enough to manually maneuver out 

of trouble. But to be fair, with a bit of 

practice, you really should not get stuck 

anywhere… 

Who is this one for? 

Novice riders who want to learn 

on a safe, easy to ride motorcycle. 

Experienced riders who want to hone 

their technical skills. Young kids getting 

into the enduro game. Once they 

understand the application, they will love 

it! Just ask the Dirt And Trail rugrats… 

This one is from Sherco SA: 

www.shercosouthafrica.co.za 

Tristan learning to pivot turn 

As soon as the kids notice any bike in 

the garage, they are considered fair 

game. While we were toiling away in the 

office, we heard several kicks and grunts 

and a small capacity two stroke engine 

coming to life. It was twelve year old Kyle 

hijacking the X-Ride. He tore off to the 

other side of the plot so that dad could 

not catch him. When Tristan heard the 

commotion, he was dressed and ready 

and the boys spent the afternoon looking 

for obstacles to conquer. 

Kyle absolutely loved the bike. “Dad! 

It’s so light and strong, like my MTB 

with a big engine. And it’s so easy 

to ride!” Tristan on the other hand in 

typical teenage fashion was not overly 

impressed. His first comment was – “Well 

it’s not very fast…” (He is on a YZ125X). 

We patiently explained to him what the 

bike is actually made for and the penny 

dropped. HE then spent the rest of the 

afternoon wrestling with his brother to 

tackle obstacles, practicing his pivot turns 

and bouncing all over the place. 

He loved every second. 

His comments “It’s so easy to ride! Light and 

predictable. A great bike to learn on 

for sure. I like the fact that I can put my feet 

on the ground when I stop.” After a short 

while with lots of stops and starts, he started 

playing a bit and the wide grin said it all. 

When we got to out rocky koppie, he was 

kicked off and we pointed it slopes and 

terrain that is usually pretty challenging on a 

conventional dirtbikes. 

The beauty of a bike like this is the fact 

that you do everything slowly. It’s got 

lots of low down torque and no real 

powerband – so the kids soon had all 

kinds of obstacles set up. A log turned 

into a challenge. A lintel became a single 

spoor jump. When mom saw them 

trying to get the bike UP the steps of 

our tree house – she intervened. But it 

did make for a pretty cool photo… The 

conversation was quite interesting about 

parental responsibility and stuff. The 

Foley Family blamed our regular dirtbike 

and everything tester Kyle Lawrenson fair 

and square. 

Even the Trailer become an obstacle 

The following day, we gave it to our 

new appy photographer (who has never 

ridden off-road before), and made him 

ride it the short distance out to the rocks. 

Seriously, Stefan had a little Aprilia road 

bike, but he has NEVER ridden off-road. 

Mom intervened...

INLAND MX Pics by Dirt Life Photography 

INLAND MX 

The first Inland MX Championship race since lockdown. 

15th August Terra Topia. Round 4. 

Making Motocross Great Again! 

The Inland MX series is a great collaboration between several 

national track owners. ERORA on the East Rand, Terra 

Topia in the North, Dirt Bronco in the West, Smoking Pistons 

in the South of JHB. Other tracks include Capricorn raceway 

in Limpopo, Manna MX Track in Mpumalanga and BORC 

in Bloem. Plans are afoot to include some of the Natal and 

other Freestate circuits in a more inclusive inter provincial 

championship for 2021. 

It is obvious that racers are completely fed up with being 

locked down. For the first event since regulations started to 

relax – 182 eager riders and their crews made the groot trek 

out to Northern Farms to blast some dirt. 

A fantastic day all round for the biggest MX Series in SA. 

Guys and girls – this is the feeding ground for future champs 

– and that is where the focus lies. Putting fun back into racing 

without the politics that spoil a great event. 

Racing got off to a late start on the day due to an impromptu 

inspection by one of the government departments. Everyone 

found this a bit odd because it has never happened before. 

Section 214 of the fire act or something similar… 

The green light was given, the gates dropped and racing 

commenced. 

Sadly many of the national racers were not present or allowed 

to race. It’s always great to have them along because 

the youngsters really look up to them. But Tristan, Jesse, 

Dalton, Dylan and Kayla among others were all competing, 

giving advice, signing magazines and having a good time! 

The next one is at ERORA for round 6 on the 12th of September. 

The inland mx committee thanks everyone for the support of 

this race series! 

For more results and info: www.womza2wheels.co.za 

www.inlandmx.com inlandmx@gmail.com 

Adriano Catalano supports the 

reintroduction of legal cigrettes. 

Jessie Wright put on a 

great show for the Out 

Of Africa MX team. 

Jadene De Lima all the 

way from KZN. 

Brough to you by:

INLAND MX Pics by Dirt Life Photography 

PROPEL YOUR CHAMPION 

INTO THE 

First Corner Masters and 

Vets.. 

Kayla Williams and family. 

Keeping it in the family - 

Tyler Tarrantino. 

Smoking Pistons Mossie on 

his Big Honda.. 

WAS R66 950 

NOW R57 950 

INC VAT 

INC VAT 

Built from the ground up, the YZ65 is 

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Tristan Purdon - a class 

act!. 

The Young Blood gang 

hit the track. 

Ladies making their 

mark.. 

47% LESS RISK. 

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Megan Jonker. 

National Ladies Champ 

Kayla Raaf on her KX. 

Young Damien Venter gets some air.. 

Brough to you by: 

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THE SCIENCE OF THRILL 

56 DIRT & TRAIL MAGAZINE JUNE 2019 DIRT & TRAIL MAGAZINE JUNE 2019 57 

LEATT.COM

FIRE IT UP IS THE MOST TRUSTED PURCHASER IN SA! 

WE PAY INSTANTLY, WE COLLECT, WE COME TO YOU! 

www.fireitup.co.za 

Fire It Up! Does it differently. 

F.I.U. PREMIUM COLLECTION Triumph Tiger 800XC-A - 1 owner, 1,600kms, 

R169,000.00. 

Selling a bike? Buying a bike? These 

guys seem to know their stuff… 

Fire It Up! Is one of the biggest pre 

owned motorcycles dealers around. We 

had a chat with them about their 

business model: 

is accurate? Has every service been 

done correctly? Has every accident been 

fixed back to OEM spec? 

Have there been any factory recalls - and 

were they done? 

Thus, an extended warranty is a good 

purchase but you need to do your 

homework and find the one that gives you 

the best cover, because some of them 

are very limited in what they will pay for 

based on age and mileage of the bike. 

Buying: 

They do not give you an estimate over the 

phone and then kick you in the nuts once 

they have inspected your bike. They will first 

inspect your motorcycle thoroughly and then 

discuss their findings with you before they 

make you an offer. 

Once the offer is made and accepted they 

do payment immediately, be it to settle your 

outstanding finance agreement and give you 

the balance or pay you directly. Naturally 

you can opt to have them use it as a part 

payment or deposit on your new dream 

machine from them. 

Fire it Up! has taken this very different 

approach in terms of their TRUST 

commitment and advertise all their 

motorcycle stock accordingly, so that you as 

the buyer can have absolute peace of mind 

when buying your motorcycle from them. 

Once they have inspected the bike they 

categorize the bikes under the following 3 

classifications: 

1. Premium Collection: This is basically 

as close to a new bike you can get for preowned 

money. 

• This is a One owner motorcycle 

with a full and traceable service 

history with the official agents 

for that brand. 

• The bike has its owner’s 

manual, tool kit and 

everything that came with the 

bike originally. 

• It has all of its Spare keys. 

• The bike is completely accident 

free including touch ups from 

small tip overs. 

• Premium bikes are sold with 

a free 3yr/ 30 000km service 

plan that covers all labour costs 

and fluids and oil filter. Worth up 

to R30 000. 

2. Quality Pre-Owned 

• This bike may have had one or 

two owners. 

• The bike has a full traceable 

service history at agents and 

other appointed dealers. 

• The bike is accident free but 

there may be a scratch on a 

panel from a small tip over 

or stone chip that has been 

repaired. 

• The owner’s manual is 

available as is the Service 

history, (be it the service booklet 

and/or invoices to as proof 

thereof) 

• It has been given the full FIU! 

Quality check. 

Now listen to this: 

The quality check includes having 

an oil sample taken and tested at an 

approved laboratory for aluminium 

content, (excessive engine/bearing 

wear indicator), carbons, fibres and a 

whole host of other things which will 

allude to the state of the valves, rings, 

clutch and etc, so as to ensure 

engine health. 

We have never heard of this before. 

Great idea! Once a quality check and 

oil sample have been performed, a 2 

year service and mechanical plan 

is available. 

Peace of mind. 

Basically what you are hoping for when 

buying a pre-owned motorcycle, an 

assurance that you are not buying a 

lemon. Obviously things can still happen. 

It is impossible to accurately predict the 

life span of electronics and such - it is a 

used bike after all. Then, we get to their 

third category and the one we are most 

interested in as Fire It Up!’s reputation 

speaks for itself on the first two. 

3. Fire It Up 2nd 

• These bikes are traded in 

and are often in perfect 

condition but may have 

an unknown service 

history meaning the owner may 

have done some of the servicing 

himself or had a mechanic mate 

do it after hours and a panel 

may need repair here and there. 

• These bikes are always offered 

at a substantial discount, so 

there is a plus for the cash 

strapped. 

• They are aimed at customers 

who love to fix, customise or 

perfect the bike themselves to 

their own taste. 

• All of these bikes are in running 

condition and more often than not 

are indistinguishable from their 

“Quality Pre-Owned” in a lot of 

ways. 

Donovan Fourie will do a semi regular feature 

on some of the delectable used motorcycles 

out there. This month in RideFast, he bumped 

into a very desirable motorcycle in Fire It Up’s 

premium collection, the Ducati 996 SPS Pista. 

By Sean Hendley. 

As a general practice most used 

motorcycle dealers put all there stock on 

their showroom floor and are sometimes 

a bit vague about disclosing the full 

history or condition of their stock. So, 

unless you as the customer or buyer are 

really clued up about the finer ins and 

outs of motorcycle maintenance, repairs 

and engine condition you would need to 

do a huge amount of research on that 

motorcycle using the VIN number or 

registration number. 

But even then where do you begin? 

Who do you go to find out all the details 

of said motorcycle and even if you do by 

some far off chance, how can you know it 

And the list of questions goes on and on. 

More often than not, as is the case with 

any pre-owned vehicle a whole bunch of 

latent and unforeseen defects can creep 

in a few months down the line. Yes, you 

do have recourse through the CPA, but 

that is such a ball ache that you really do 

not want to go that route as it very often 

costs you more money in legal fees 

and etcetera. 

To cover themselves, many dealers insist 

that you take out an extended warranty. 

They only have the word of the seller to 

go on as far as the pre-owned bike is 

concerned and what their mechanics can 

determine without stripping the whole 

bike down to its bare nuts and bolts. 

Craig and his team at FIU! tell us that 

they have done the homework for you 

and have some very nice packages on 

offer that make a whole lot of sense when 

buying a pre-owned motor cycle and in 

some instances, will even include an 

extended maintenance plan. 

They have had a good, long and 

hard think about this and have taken 

a different approach right from the 

beginning of the process and this is to 

protect you as well as them, while still 

giving you a great, clean deal. 

And it all starts with the way they 

purchase motorcycles. 

F.I.U. QUALITY PRE OWNED DIRT BIKES 2007 Honda CR250R - 

A definite very rare Unicorn - last 2t's to be manufactured by Honda - 

low hours - R39,000.00.

Brought to you by: 

P W 

EE EEParts 

www.pwparts.co.za 

Pic by Simon Cudby 

Editorial 

DUNLOP News 

PeeWee Parts 

fork Upgrade. 

How many of you lot started on 

a PW? 

Currently in our workshop, we 

have two that are being lovingly 

refurbished so that another 

youngster can fall in love with 

the sport. Usually, our first call 

for bits is to PW Parts who 

stock and distribute just about 

everything that you need… 

They have just come up with a 

fork innovation for the older PW 

models. Neil told us all about it: 

Buy a second hand Yamaha 

PW50 and chances are pretty 

good that the forks are badly 

damaged and in need of 

replacement. The forks on the 

PW50 up to 2017 were a very 

rudimentary system of spring, 

bush and grease , no real 

dampening or oil in the forks, and 

this was one of the weakest points 

of a PW50. 

In 2018, Yamaha addressed this 

issue and upgraded the forks 

from 22mm to 26mm, but more 

importantly , the newer forks 

are proper little oil filled forks 

with better spring rate and oil 

dampening. This makes the bike 

so much more enjoyable to ride 

for the little guys, and instills more 

confidence in the rider. 

PW Parts stocks both the older 

22mm and newer 26mm forks 

for direct replacement, however 

the challenge has been to offer a 

solution to upgrade the older bikes 

with the newer upgraded forks. 

PW Parts has developed a billet 

triple clamp set so that the older 

bikes can benefit from the better 

26mm oil filled forks, 

The top clamp is designed to be 

able to fit the standard handlebars, 

or they have designed bar clamps 

so that you are now able to install 

proper 22) ‘‘8/7mm) Pro Taper MX 

handlebars to the bike. 

This then allows an upgraded 

throttle body, lever set, kill switch 

and grips. 

The handlebar upgrade can also 

be done on the standard triple 

clamps. 

Peewee Parts stocks everything 

needed for the fork upgrade, or 

the handlebar upgrade, or both… 

Plastics, Decal kits, carb kits, 

suspension, cables, levers… 

everything PW. www.pwparts. 

co.za info@pwparts.co.za, or call 

081 813 5017 

Completed with New Clamps and forks 

Clamp Set 

New Clamps allow for better bars 

Bar Mounts 

New fork in the triple clamps. Old and New Forks 

GEOMAX EN91 

PRO FIM 140/80/18 

The new Geomax EN-91 is Dunlop’s answer to the needs of 

FIM enduro competition. To conquer the ever more challenging 

conditions riders have to face in today’s off-road racing, 

Dunlop has designed a completely new tyre. From the tyre’s 

contour and overall architecture, to the tread compound, 

the pattern or block arrangement, no stone was left unturned 

to make sure Dunlop riders have the most versatile fitment 

available. 

Designed from the ground up, the Geomax EN91 is designed 

specifically to be more versatile across a wider range of 

riding conditions offering a significant increase in outright 

performance in dry, wet and mixed conditions with enhanced 

feedback and compliance that boosts bike control and the riders 

confidence to push the limits through the vastly increased 

versatility and terrain coverage courtesy of Hex Shape Blocks 

and Tilted Crown Blocks, contributing to greater grip thanks 

to more biting edges which also gives improved durability on 

the tyre and better rider comfort. 

The new Dunlop EN91 enduro tyres are road-legal so 

suitable for FIM competition and trail riding and as such that 

means Dunlop’s only road legal enduro design in their range. 

Here in South African we all know and are familiar with the 

AT81 … So, What is the difference between the EN91 and 

the AT81? 

As an off-road competition tyre the AT81 doesn’t have to 

comply with the FIM Enduro regulations. The rear knob 

height for the Geomax AT81 is 16.7mm, whereas the Geomax 

EN91 complies with the 13mm FIM limit. 

Although an all-rounder in terms of its ability to work in different 

grip conditions, the AT81 tyre construction is closer to MX 

and Rally-type tyres than to European-style FIM enduro patterns. 

That means more consideration is handed to heavy-duty 

use and durability, 

The EN91 has therefore shorter tread depth but is has more 

“give” in the construction and is designed to grip better, improve 

handling and perhaps cope better with the more varied 

riding conditions 

Another difference is the sizing: EN91 complies with ECE 75R 

sizing for off-road tyres, whereas AT81 follows the usual NHS 

off-road tyre sizing. In terms of physical width an AT81 120/90- 

18 is identical to a 140/80-18 in EN91. 

From its inception the Geomax EN91 was designed to help 

maximise grip across a range of terrain but in particularly rocky 

and unpredictable surfaces – in short to perform well when the 

tyre is deforming and working hard. Dunlop’s ‘Casing Tension 

Control System,’ incorporated into the construction design, 

“improve compliance on bumps and improves the feedback to 

the rider” Dunlop explains. 

“Tilt Crown Block” technology was developed for the new 

EN91 rear tyre to help provide higher grip on hard terrain, such 

as rocks. Dunlop says the tilted blocks “improve terrain bite, 

aid directional stability and increase traction by forcing rocks 

and dirt to gather around the centre of the crown blocks.” 

Durability is important of course and Dunlop say the new 

compound has increased shearing resistance but does not 

compromise performance. By using a high-performance compound, 

Dunlop has also been able to “significantly improve the 

rebound properties of the tyre.” 

Trade Enquiries Welcome 

Contact us for your nearest stockist

Motorcyclists 

are the greatest peeps! 

Aletta Theron received the devastating 

diagnoses of cancer on the 24th of 

January 2020. 

She then underwent three sessions of what they 

call the “Red Devil” treatment and thereafter, 

twelve sessions of chemotherapy. After 

completing six chemo treatments, the results 

of Aletta’s scan indicated that the cancer was 

gone! This was incredible news and Aletta then 

completed her last 6 sessions of chemo. 

As expected, the chemo took its toll on her health 

and general well-being, yet she always remained 

brave and never complained. 

On Saturday, the 15th August, a group of 

lady bike riders decided to celebrate and 

acknowledge Aletta for her courage and strength 

of character. The ladies came together from 

various parts of our beautiful country – Boksburg, 

Rivonia, Pretoria, Fourways and even all the way 

from Middelburg, to surprise Aletta. The riders 

met at Total Garage on Atlas road to start the 

morning with a Mugg & Bean cappuccino and to 

plan the surprise meeting. It was then that two 

ER24 ambulances pulled into the petrol station 

and began chatting to the ladies and admiring 

the beautiful -2wheel machines. 

Once they heard Aletta’s story and the reason 

for our gathering, they did not think twice and 

decided to join in our mission to show Aletta 

that she is special and admired by all of us for 

her bravery and courage. Stephan Schoeman 

from Pick ‘n Pay Farrarmere, donated the most 

beautiful bouquet of flowers and pot plants to 

hand over to Aletta. And what a surprise she got! 

The arrival of the bikers and two ambulances 

ensured that there was not a dry eye in sight. 

CRF1000 manual 

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The heartfelt emotions that were shared that day 

by one brave lady, seven lady bike riders and 

four ER24 paramedics will be cherished forever. 

It was a brief encounter yet it will stay with Aletta 

everyday of her life going forward. One small, 

random act of kindness showed Aletta that the 

world is filled with love, care and support, at a 

time when she least expected it. 

“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act 

of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no 

logical end.” – Scott Adams 

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We are not fond of doom 

and gloom in this here 

publication – but man – 

there is something rotten 

in the state of SA. 

ATV and motorcycle theft 

really seems to be on the up 

and up at the moment. In the 

last month – we have had 

three families in our small 

group of riders hit - and their 

bikes stolen. 

Never mind stolen – lifted over cars and 

bakkies – often leaving lekker gash marks 

and dents in the vehicles that the bikes are 

lifted over. And it would appear that in all 

cases, the bikes were targeted – because 

nothing else in the garages were touched. 

The worst is that in some cases – dogs 

have been poisoned – bloody terrible. 

We have been in this game for a long time 

and the bike theft thing seems to come and 

Stolen Dirt bikes and Quads 

A frien dly 

warn ing... 

ATTENTION! 

go in stages. Off road vehicles are relatively 

soft targets because most of them are 

unregistered and are, therefore not easy 

to trace. There is a popular theory that the 

vast majority of quads stolen in SA end up 

in Mozambique – we have heard of people 

who have found their bikes while on holiday 

there and have been unable to retrieve 

them for whatever reason… 

Many are stripped for unrecognizable parts 

locally – I had a ZX 1100 road bike stolen 

a few years back when I parked it outside 

the old JHB Post office. Eventually I found 

my bike minus frame and engine casings, 

in pieces at a dealer in the middle of JHB. 

That dealer has closed long ago – so we 

don’t want to get you speculation on who it 

was etc – that guy has moved out of SA. He 

had purchased the parts from a well known 

mechanic at the time – so thought that the 

bike was a legitimate deal… 

We chased that mechanic almost to the 

ends of the earth and have not seen him 

since. But – how much of this goes on 

locally? 

If you do buy used parts – ask for a receipt – 

that way it will never come back to bite you on 

the butt. If you buy a frame – you can check 

that it is not stolen through police clearance 

– same with a complete motor or bottom end 

casings. On a frame, you can ask for a police 

clearance – if the seller is reluctant, rather 

look for something else. 

Toys are not as cheap as they used to be with 

top of the line dirtbikes over the 100k mark . 

I think that we have all resigned ourselves 

to the fact that if they want something, they 

are going to steal it. But, fortunately – or 

unfortunately there are various ways that you 

can protect your assets – other than the usual 

home security, electric fencing, rottweilers, etc 

etc. We cannot guarantee that they will work 

– but every bit kinda helps… 

Stay Alert: 

When you park your bikes or quads look 

out for any suspicious looking people or 

vehicles lurking around. Look out for “battle 

signs” near your house – apparently when 

the police came to investigate one of the 

thefts – they identified battle signs at the 

one guys house – these could be anything 

– a piece of rubbish on the lawn, cold drink 

tins leaning against each other – who 

knows – but clean up anything that should 

not be there… 

CLUTCH & BRAKE 

LEVERS 

NEW & 2ND HAND 

KIT 

For all motorcycle & Quad spares, 

Repairs, Sales & Accesories.New & Used Trailer 

Sales & Rentals 

Tel: 011 395 2553 

Alternative numbers: 

Cell 082 756 1008/ 

011 979 7114/ fax: 011 973 4369 

email: nickscycles@telkomsa.net 

Great North Rd. Entrance 

Van Wyk Rd. Benoni 

Mon-Fri : 7:30-5pm, Sat 8-1pm 

WIDE SELECTION 

OF OILS 

HELMETS 

ROAD & OFF ROAD ACCESSORIES 

Motorcycle parts or accessories 

TRAILER RENTALS AND SALES.

Unload your bikes: 

from the trailer. It is easier just to tow a 

trailer away than loading individual bikes. 

Keep the machines out of sight: 

If they can see them from the street, you 

are looking for trouble… Keep the good 

stuff out of sight. 

Chain the bikes up: 

Guys like Oxford products manufacture 

all sorts of locks, chains and Anti Theft 

devices. Once again – nothing is infalliable, 

but the longer it takes these swines to get 

the bike or quad out, the more chance you 

have of catching them in the act. 

Linex Yamaha: (011) 792-9999 

Rig the garage with an alarm: 

Even a piece of fishing twine connected 

to some noisy tins or your big toe in the 

bedroom… seriously – go to any security 

shop – they sell sensors that set of a 

remote alarm as soon as the door is 

opened. That will give you time to grab 

the baseball bat or Knobkierrie and dish 

out some punishment. There are plenty 

of sophisticated devices from beams to 

sensors – chat to your security specialist. 

We contacted A local company – Security 

network (011) 425-2270 for an idea on 

costs to rig the garage. The bits to do it – 

motion sensor, sensor on the door, power 

pack with battery, siren and all the cabling 

comes to just on R5000.00 

There is an additional charge for installation 

– dependant upon how much work is 

involved. 

Fit a tilt switch to the bars: 

This costs almost nothing. If you are 

even vaguely mechanical you can do 

it yourself – rig a mercury switch inside 

your handlebar on a circuit to a hooter 

or alarm on the bike. A mercury switch 

consists of a sealed glass tube containing 

two unconnected electrodes and a small 

amount of liquid mercury. As long as 

the liquid metal remains on the opposite 

end of the tube, the electrodes remain 

disconnected and no current will flow. Once 

the tube is moved past a certain angle, 

however, the mercury will pool between the 

two electrodes and a connection is made. 

The result is electricity flowing through a 

completed circuit. Once the liquid metal has 

returned to its original position, the electrical 

current stops immediately.The moment the 

bars are moved, the mercury closes the 

circuit, sending current to the alarm, which 

screams and, hopefully sends the would-be 

thieves packing… 

Even if it doesn’t, it should be loud enough 

to rouse even the heaviest sleeper. 

Insure your bikes: 

OK – we know that it makes not too much 

sense to insure a cheapie – but chances 

are good that the scumbags are not after 

those. Insurance takes the sting out of the 

theft and helps you get back on the road… 

What else? 

We have heard of guys stringing bikes right 

up on the ceilings, but that seems like a 

lot of PT. Theft is a great pain in the butt 

and we reckon that there is a very special 

place in hell for bike thieves. They rank with 

rapists and child molestors in our books... 

Tip of the month: 

Park your bike in the lounge. It’s a great 

conversation piece. Your other half will 

love it! 

Selling a bike? Wait until the money 

CLEARS in your account before you 

release it. Even very experienced dealers 

are being caught out by scamsters. Call 

your bank to confirm. 

Lock your bikes up. Don’t leave them 

standing around outside for the world to 

see. 

Alarm on the garage door. The moment 

someone opens the garage the alarm 

goes off and lights go on. Link it to your 

armed response company. 

Alarm on the bike. The moment 

someone moves the bars, an alarm goes 

off. Chat to your dealer. 

Disc lock on the bike. Not infallible but 

you get the ones with alarms and if they 

bypass that, they still need to carry the 

bike out. Disc lock alarms are stocked by 

gas Junky - www.gasjunky.co.za 

Do cameras work? Ummm we are not 

so sure. Unless you are actually awake 

and watching the monitor. You might get 

footage after the fact but unless the person 

looks at the camera without a hoodie or 

balaclava on, chances are good that you’ll 

never identify the buggers anyway. 

We understand that there is only so much 

you can do. We understand that stuff like 

this costs money. 

Crooks are smart. Look after your baby...

A couple of years ago, Yamaha brought in a couple 

of these beastys. We were lucky enough to get a 

short ride – and we flippen loved it! We have noticed 

that, after an absence of a couple of years, there are 

a few knocking around at dealerships like World Of 

Yamaha and Linex. Here’s a recap for you lot. 

Yamaha basically invented the side-by side market 

with their Rhino. Then along came the Viking, but 

for years, UTV enthusiasts clamored for a true sport 

UTV. Where was Yamaha’s answer to the Polaris 

RZR or the Can-Am Maverick? 

In 2016 Yamaha responded in the form of the 

YXZ1000R, A dune-shredding machine with 

acceleration and speed capabilities worth bragging 

about. It’s clear that Yamaha’s engineers took time 

to really determine how the YXZ could build upon 

a sport side-by-side legacy that has already been 

established by other manufacturers.

Engine and Transmission 

One of the most exciting elements of the 

YXZ1000R is its engine. Sporting a triple 

cylinder engine, the 998cc engine offers an 

exciting ride with an 11.3:1 compression 

ratio and a 10,500 RPM redline. 

Another first for the industry is the 

YXZ1000R’s five-speed sequential-shift 

transmission. This places shifting more 

completely in the driver’s control, allowing 

the YXZ to avoid some power losses that 

can haunt traditional CVT systems. 

As a result, the YXZ enjoys incredible 

acceleration. The transmission employs a 

new -21plate hydraulic clutch to ensure that 

shifting feels natural and intuitive. You need 

to try it – it’s seamless and so much fun! 

The YXZ1000R utilizes Yamaha’s On- 

Command 4WD for maximum traction in 

difficult terrain. It also uses an efficient 

drivetrain to ensure that the machine’s 

power is transmitted to the wheels in the 

most effective manner possible. 

Naturally, an effective intake and exhaust 

system is necessary to handle the YXZ’s 

powerful engine. Two air filters are 

employed for high capacity air flow. The 

primary filter is foam and strategically 

positioned to allow for easy maintenance. 

The secondary filter is viscous paper. 

To match that, the YXZ includes 

245mm disc brakes on all four 

wheels for increased stopping 

power. Additionally, electronic power 

steering (EPS) makes driving the 

YXZ easy in a variety of conditions. 

The body and chassis design of the 

YXZ1000R is all aggression, giving 

the machine a unique look to match 

your driving capabilities. 

Stand out features: 

1. Gearbox: The five-speed 

sequential transmission really puts 

the power and handling in the driver’s 

hands. The ability to manipulate the 

momentum with down shifting and the 

better control of the RPMs between 

shifting is just so much fun! 

2. Incredible Ride: Top of the line 

suspension means a great ride. We 

went fast, we jumped whoops and 

hit some rough terrain. The YXZ is 

a great ride great and can be finetuned 

to your riding preferences. 

With adjustable FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 

Shocks and ″16.2 front 

travel and ″17.0 rear travel, you can 

really put the suspension to work! 

The overall ride is enhanced with a 

comfortable, roomy cockpit finished 

out with a soft durable seat. We are 

not small guys and the cockpit felt 

roomy and comfortable. The rider 

position is just right – high enough to 

give great visibility but low enough 

to handle the center of gravity. The 

shoulder guard on the driver’s seat 

adjusts with the forward and rearward 

sliding of the seat. The seat belt 

has an optional lowered chest strap 

setting for shorter riders and much 

more. 

3. Attention to Detail: 

Exactly what you would expect from 

a high end machine… Yamaha was 

really focused with this machine. Not 

only did they push the envelope with 

the three-cylinder engine and fivespeed 

sequential transmission, but 

they did all the little things right too. 

The composite full-bottom skid plate 

has all of your maintenance areas 

accessible, making changing your oil 

easy with no need to remove the skid 

plate. The wheel and dash tilt together, 

keeping your gauges in perfect view 

rather than just tilting the wheel. The 

cargo box has a waterproof container 

for protection from the elements. 

Man we dug around for the pics when 

we last tested this machine and came 

up with a blank. 

Please Yamaha – if you do make a 

demo – you have our number. 

The YXZ1000R is available in standard 

and SE models. Go and have a look. 

They are mighty impressive. 

At a glance: 

At a glance 

• Sport-Shift paddle shifters 

• Compact, high-powered 

-3cylinder 998cc engine 

• Fast clutchless shifting 

• New gear ratio -5speed 

gearbox with reverse 

• Easy-to-operate launch 

control system 

• Recalibrated FOX® 2.5 

Podium RC2 Single Spring F& 

• 29'' Big Horn tyres on 14'' Alu 

wheels 

www.yamaha.co.za 

Both filters can be replaced without tools. 

The exhaust system utilizes equal-length 

triple header pipes and a center-mounted 

baffle tuned to capitalize on the engine’s 

power output. 

Body and Suspension 

To complement the engine and 

transmission, the YXZ1000R includes 

state-of-the-art Fox ″2.5 Podium RC2 

shocks that absorb whatever is thrown in 

their way. The front shocks extend above 

the hood, offering a unique look that 

enables the YXZ to fully take advantage of 

the travel.

Red Hot Products 

Developed by South African Enduro Experts. 

There is a new range of Motorcycle care products on the 

market by Red Hot, straight out of Benoni. 

They delivered some of their goods to our offices, told us 

to use them and to give feedback... 

Not included in this is their foam filter cleaner - we have not 

used it just yet, so we'll tell you about that in next months issue. 

But we have used their other two products: 

Red Hot Bikewash... 

We used their bike wash on the the New KTM's... always a risk 

with a new product, because we have used products that leave 

streaks on aluminium. 

No problem. Simple - spray on with a garden pump. If the dirt 

is thick, let it soak for a bit - and then spray off with a high 

pressure washer. It works great - and the bikes came out 

looking as new as when we collected them. We also tackled 

dirty two-stroke oil build-up on the Sherco and were pleasantly 

surprised that it all came off without needing to scrub. 

Great product, strong, without hurting your bike. And for milder 

dirt you can dilute first. 

GET IT. 

READ IT. 

LOVE IT! 

Red Hot Spray Foam Cleaner: 

Here is something new and it works. We use our lids more than 

anyone out there - and to be fair, they do get kind of manky 

after a bit. Without being too specific - sweat, sunblock and 

dust are not great blends for hygiene... 

Red Hot makes this Foam cleaner in an aerosol. It is a mild 

detergent that smells like lemon that you spray onto and into 

your helmet and boots. 

Allow it to soak in - and wipe it off, rinse under a tap and allow 

your stuff to dry. We love it! Fresh, great smelling and gentle 

on your helmets paintwork. 

We have seen the product making its way into quite a few of 

the dealerships. 

Trade enquiries are welcome - or www.redhotproducts.co.za 

SA’S MOST LOVED 

ROAD & TRACK MOTOR- 

CYCLE MAGAZINE. 

READ IT AT 

www.motomedia.co.za

BASEFIT 

3: REFUEL INTELLIGENTLY 

After a ride you need to refuel with clean nutrient dense 

foods. Don’t think you will lose weight faster if you don’t eat. 

Instead, you won’t recover properly leaving your system weak 

and your immune system low. 

Similarly, indulging in fast food thinking you have earned it is 

as smart as filling your bike with dirty fuel when the tank is 

empty. At this time more than ever your body needs optimum 

nutrition to clear out all the ‘debris’ remaining from energy 

production as well as to start to ‘patch you up’ where your 

muscles and other organs are worn down. Avoid dairy and 

breads, rather have complex carbohydrates such as sweet 

potato, butternut or spinach with a protein of your choice and 

some healthy fat such as avocado or olives. 

4: WAIT BEFORE YOU DRINK ALCOHOL. 

The biggest mistake we see riders make is to have an 

alcoholic drink straight after a long ride. Alcohol is an ‘antinutrient’ 

and an absolute killer for your body when it is craving 

healing nutrients. You can expect cramps, if not immediately 

then later in the day or evening. Not to mention the speed 

at which consuming alcohol while in a nutrient deficit will 

pack on the extra fat storage around your tummy. We are not 

saying don’t have an alcoholic drink after a ride, but before 

you do, make sure you have hydrated properly and have 

enjoyed a recovery meal, never before. 

At Base Fit we are committed to keeping you informed 

so you can make the right choices for sustainable health 

and fitness. I trust you found these points helpful. Mandy 

Thomas, Base Fit. 

* For more information on our programs visit www.basefit. 

co.za * For questions relating to this article mail me at 

mandy@basefit.co.za * For motivation and inspiration follow 

Mandy Thomas Base Fit Five Thirty Club on You tube. 

Real Riding 

Weight-loss 

Tricks that Work. 

With COVID and the national lockdown many 

of us have become a bit more portly thanks 

to great home-cooked meals. Not ideal for 

going fast on a motorcycle… 

We ride a lot – but we don’t lose weight… Whats 

that about? 

The peeps from BaseFit have shared a few ideas 

on how to lose some of that couch potato, Netflix 

overload extra weight…. 

You ride because you love it. Not only does riding 

have immense health benefits for your mind, but 

it is also a great way to burn calories. A lot of 

calories. What may baffle you is that if you burn 

so many calories when you ride and you ride fairly 

regularly, why does it not seem to make you skinny 

over time, or worse as the months go by you still 

gain weight? That’s because there is a catch! 

The weight that you lose after a long ride is not only 

fat weight. All those calories you burn up may also 

be coming from muscle break-down. Dehydration 

also makes you feel temporarily slimmer and 

lighter. Don’t be fooled! 

Rather hold your horses before you 

give yourself permission to indulge in 

calorie dense food thinking you have 

earned it. 

First, understand and apply the 

following 7 weight-loss principles to 

maximise fat burning during and after 

your ride. 

1: NO SUGARY DRINKS BEFORE 

YOU RIDE 

Thinking you can down a sugary drink 

before you ride is a rookie mistake. If 

you want your body to be effective at 

using up quality ‘fuel’ for your ride by 

tapping into your stored fat cells, don’t 

load your system with junk before you 

leave. Forget the Sweet stuff and other 

so called ‘sport drinks’ and replace 

them with nutrient dense vegetable 

juices such as beetroot and carrot. 

You get great options at Food Lovers 

already blended for you. Might sound 

Gross, but you will get used to it – and 

it works! 

2: STAY HYDRATED 

Did you know that your body needs water 

to burn fat? So the more dehydrated you 

get, the more difficult it is for your system 

to convert your stored fat into fuel. To 

prevent dehydration you need to drink 

before you get thirsty. Now while riding 

mild dehydration can happen very quickly 

not only though the increased energy 

demand but also thought sweating, 

so sipping regularly on a balanced 

electrolyte mix will keep you in fat burning 

mode. 

BASEFIT

BUYER’S GUIDE 

SELLING 

YOUR BIKE? 

FIRE IT UP IS THE MOST TRUSTED PURCHASER IN SA! 


www.fireitup.co.za 

BMW 

R nineT Scrambler R204,400 

G 310 GS R81,400 

F 750 GS R179,400 

F 850 GS R188,900 

F 850 GS Adventure R223,300 

R 1250 GS R263,000 

R 1250 GS Adventure R288,900 

DUCATI 

Multistrada 950 R207,900 

Multistrada 950 S R253,200 

Multistrada 1260 R232,000 

Multistrada 1260 S R284,700 

Multistrada 1260 Enduro R283,400 

Multistrada Pikes Peak R345,300 

Multistrada Grand Tour R312,900 

Sixty 2 Scrambler R119,500 

Icon Scrambler R144,900 

Full Throttle Scrambler R172,900 

Classic Scrambler R164,900 

Desert Sled Scrambler R187,900 

1100 Scrambler R199,900 

1100 Scrambler Special R216,900 

1100 Scrambler Sport R230,900 

HONDA 

Africa Twin 1100 Manual R210,000 

Africa Twin 1100 DCT R229,499 

Africa Twin 1100 AS Man R236,000 

Africa Twin 1100 AS ES R269,000 

XR190 R49,620 

XR150L R32,960 

XR125L R30,000 

CRF250L R74,999 

CRF250 Rally R77,999 

CRF110F R34,400 

CRF125F R42,900 

CRF250RX 19 R105,999 

CRF250RX 20 R116,600 

CRF250R 19 R98,900 

CRF450RX 19 R110,999 

CRF450RX 20 R122,100 

CRF450R 19 R109,999 

CRF450R 20 R121,000 

TRX250TM R98,000 

TRX420FA R154,999 

HUSQVARNA 

TC50 mini R44,699 

TC50 R44,699 

TC65 R53,699 

TC85 R66,699 

TC125 R87,699 

TC250 R99,699 

FC450 R109,699 

FC350 R113,699 

FC450 R115,699 

FC Rockstar 2019 

POD 

TE150i R107,699 

TE250i R127,699 

TE300i R133,699 

FE250 R127,699 

FE350 R129,699 

FE450 R132,699 

FE501 R134,699 

701 Enduro R141,699 

TX125 R94,699 

TX300i R123,699 

FX350 R126,699 

FX450 R128,699 

FS450 R122,699 

701 Supermoto R141,699 

KAWASAKI 

Versys-X 300 19 R79,995 

Versys-X 300 20 R85,995 

KX65 R41,995 

KX85 BW R54,995 

KX250 R115,995 

KX450 R119,995 

Brute Force 300 R74,995 

Mule SX 2×4 R145,995 

Mule SX 4×4 R179,995 

Mule PRO-MX 4×4 R209,995 

Teryx 800 ESP LE R299,995 

KTM 

50 SX R43,999 

50 SX Mini R43,999 

65 SX R52,999 

85 SX R65,999 

SX-E 5 R58,999 

125 SX R85,999 

150 SX R89,999 

250 SX R97,999 

250 SX-F R106,999 

350 SX-F R110,999 

450 SX-F R112,999 

450 SX-F FE R126,999 

150 XC-W TPI R104,999 

250 XC TPI R121,999 

250 XC-W TPI R122,999 

250 EXC Six Days TPI R130,999 

300 XC TPI R126,999 

300 XC-W TPI R127,999 

300 XC-W Six Days TPI R136,999 

300 EXC TPI ERZBERG R141,999 

250 XC-F R122,999 

250 EXC-F R122,999 

250 EXC-F Six Days R129,999 

350 XC-F R124,999 

350 EXC-F R124,999 


50 XC-F R127,999 

450 EXC-F R127,999 


500 EXC-F R129,999 


FREERIDE 250 F R101,999 

390 Adventure R85,999 

790 Adventure R181,999 

790 Adventure R R194,999 

790 Adventure R Rally R273,999 

1290 Super Adventure S R241.999 

1290 Super Adventure R R249,999 

690 Enduro R R159,999 

690 SMC R R159,999 

MOTO GUZZI 

V85 TT Evocative E5 R234,850 

V85 TT Travel Pack R249,850 

PUZEY 

EGL Madix 250cc R38,990 

EGL Madix ATV 125cc R15,999 

MXR 180 - MX R24,990 

STX200-Enduro R26,999 

STX200-Motard R26,999 

STX250 - Enduro R32,999 

Thumpa 70cc R9,499 

Whiz Kid 70cc R9,499 

XP 125cc R11,999 

XP Stomper 125cc R12,999 

SUZUKI 

TF125K5 R33,550 

DR200SEL5 R52,500 

DL650XAMO R128,500 

DL1000XAL9 R172,900 

DL1050RCM0 R221,950 

RM-Z250M0 R99,982 

LT-F250L8 R76,950 

LT-A400FM0 R131,750 

LT-A750XL9 R160,700 

LT-F400FM0 R131,855 

SHERCO 

SE 125 Racing 2T R99,000 

SE 250 Racing 2T R129,400 

SE 300 Racing 2T R132,700 

SE 125 Factory 2T R109,900 



SC Cross Country 125 2T R112,300 



SE-F 250 Racing 4T R132,300 

SE-F 300 Racing 4T R134,200 

SE-F 450 Racing 4T R138,600 

SE-F 500 Racing 4T R139,800 

SE-F 250 Factory 4T R142,700 




SE-F 455 Factory BAJA 4T R198,900 

ST125 Racing R93,900 



ST300 Factory R115,900 

X-Ride 290 R90,700 

All pricing correct as at time of publishing, but may vary due to exchange rates etc. 

All pricing correct as at time of publishing, but may vary due to exchange rates etc.

SELLING YOUR BIKE? FIRE IT UP IS THE MOST 

TRUSTED PURCHASER IN SA! 


SWM 

SD 650T R132,572 

SD 650 X R132,572 

RS 300 R R111,198 

RS 500 R R121,950 

TRIUMPH 

Tiger 800XCX R186,000 

Tiger 800XCA R205,000 

Tiger 900 Rally CN7 R192,000 

Tiger 900 Rally Pro CS7 R215,000 

Tiger 1200 XCX VN3 R226,000 

Tiger 1200 XCA VS3 R260,000 

YAMAHA 

PW50 R27,950 

TTR50E R27,950 

TTR110E R46,950 

XT1200Z R209,950 

XT1200ZE R239,950 

YFM350 Grizzly 2x4 R114,950 

YFM350 Grizzly 4x4 R124,950 

YFM450 Kodiak 4x4 R149,950 

YFM450 Kodiak 4x4 EPS R164,950 

YFM700 Grizzly R214,950 

YFM700 Grizzly SE R229,950 

YFM90R R44,950 

YFZ450R R179,950 

YFM700 Raptor R199,950 

YFM700 Raptor SE R209,950 

YZ65 R66,950 

YZ85 R72,950 

YZ125 R84,950 

YZ250 2 Stroke R99,950 

YZ250F R119,950 

YZ450F R134,950 

YZ125X R84,950 

YZ250X 2 Stroke R99,950 

YZ250FX R119,950 

YZ450FX R134,950 

WR450F R139,950 

ZONTES 

ZT310-T R74,900 

All pricing correct as at time of publishing, but may vary due to exchange rates etc.

S997

2009 DT BOOK ONLINE

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