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<strong>FEB</strong>RUARY <strong>2021</strong><br />
HONDA<br />
DOES IT AGAIN<br />
Kevin Benavides and Honda<br />
claim victory at the <strong>2021</strong><br />
Dakar Rally<br />
HONDA<br />
TAKES 1ST AND 2ND<br />
AT DAKAR <strong>2021</strong><br />
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Intro. Keeping the wheels turning...<br />
This month has been a bit frenetic to say<br />
the very least - it seems as though - even<br />
after last years lockdown, the motorcycle<br />
industry as a whole took awhile to hit first<br />
and get going.<br />
But our team put fire under saddles and<br />
managed to get together all sorts of<br />
interesting stuff that you need to know - and<br />
indications are that <strong>2021</strong> is going to be great!<br />
Sad is the fact that we know of so many<br />
people who have contracted COVID, are<br />
battling against it and who have lost loved<br />
ones to the disease.<br />
It’s a very real thing. Do the social distancing<br />
thing and look after yourselves.<br />
Of course, the best way to social distance is<br />
on your bike - so go forth and ride a lot!<br />
AND - if YOU own or know of an interesting<br />
bike out there - please get in touch! We’d love<br />
to feature it in the magazine.<br />
Who knows? We might just make you<br />
famous!<br />
Have a great Feburary. Be lekker!<br />
Feedback queries, etc -<br />
foleyg@mweb.co.za<br />
Look up Black Rock creative studio on<br />
facebook for AMAZING photographs and<br />
contact details if you want your bikes<br />
photographed.<br />
<strong>FEB</strong>RUARY Issue <strong>2021</strong><br />
PUBLISHER:<br />
Glenn Foley<br />
foleyg@mweb.co.za<br />
ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL:<br />
Sean Hendley<br />
sean@motomedia.co.za<br />
071 684 4546<br />
OFFICE &<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS:<br />
Anette<br />
anette.acc@ mweb.co.za<br />
011 979 5035<br />
ONLINE &<br />
DESIGN LAYOUT:<br />
Kyle Lawrenson<br />
kyle@motomedia.co.za<br />
011 979 5035<br />
Cape Town Sales and News:<br />
Lorna Darrol<br />
lornad48@yahoo.com<br />
074 122 4874<br />
Africa ' s<br />
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Spring Kits Available<br />
WISECO PISTON KITS Wiseco leads the aftermarket performance kits by producing the<br />
highest quality pistons on the highest quality forgings.<br />
Pic of the month:<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
Stefan van der Riet<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
Shado Alston<br />
Donovan Fourie<br />
Michelle Leppan<br />
Tristan Foley<br />
Kurt Beine<br />
Mike Wessels<br />
Mizz B<br />
Kyle Foley<br />
HOTRODS CRANKS AND RODS HOT RODS HAS BEEN MAKING THE BEST AFTERMARKET<br />
CRANKSHAFTS AND CONNECTING RODS SINCE 1993.<br />
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available online...<br />
KPMI® PRODUCT BRAND COVERAGE INCLUDE:<br />
HARLEY DAVIDSON'S, SPORT BIKES, DIRT BIKES,<br />
ATV/UTV'S, TOURERS, CRUISERS, CUSTOMS AND<br />
CLASSICS<br />
PIVOT WORKS BEARING KITS FOR MX,<br />
ENDURO, ATV AND STREET BIKES. WHEEL BEARINGS,<br />
SWING ARM BEARINGS AND LINKAGE.<br />
Copyright © Dirt And Trail Magazine: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,<br />
distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, articles, or other methods,<br />
without ASking nicelly...<br />
WWW.MOTOMEDIA.CO.ZA<br />
no 4 Fifth avenue<br />
Northmead Benoni<br />
Email:G124@mweb.co.za 011 425 1081/4<br />
www.gameservices.co.za
Kawasaki back to cross country<br />
racing:<br />
This is big news, it’s great to see other brands<br />
finally making their way back onto the startlines.<br />
Hopefully, we’ll get the opportunity to ride the<br />
new bikes soon – and we’ll tell you what we think.<br />
by Motorsport Media<br />
Kawasaki South Africa returns to the South<br />
African National Cross Country Motorcycle<br />
Championship in <strong>2021</strong> following a lengthy<br />
sabbatical. Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Motul<br />
Racing will enter a full nine-machine team in this<br />
year’s championship.<br />
“We are proud to confirm that Kawasaki<br />
Motorcycles South Africa is returning to the<br />
National Cross Country Motorcycle<br />
Championship from <strong>2021</strong> with Pepson Plastics<br />
Kawasaki Motul Racing,” team principal Iain<br />
Pepper confirmed. “We would like to extend a<br />
huge word of thanks to Chris and Kibble from<br />
KMSA for putting their faith in us to bring the<br />
Kawasaki brand back to the startline following a<br />
long sabbatical from the sport.<br />
“We are also pleased to have Motul on board<br />
as a major sponsor, along with great support<br />
from Bikewise with Pirelli, Arai helmets, Renthal,<br />
Acerbis, DID chains and SBS brakes. “Our riders<br />
will be protected by the best kit from Fasthouse<br />
SA and the Margie Smith training facility will keep<br />
the team fit, sharp and strong.<br />
“Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Motul Racing will<br />
compete across the various SA National Cross<br />
Country classes with promising pair Dartagnan<br />
Lobjoit and Craig Alcock racing in the open class<br />
OR1 on the all-new KX450XC.<br />
The experienced Taki Bogiages and Kyle<br />
MacKenzie will be the men in green in<br />
competitive OR3 aboard two KX250XCs, while<br />
Lee Thompson is our man in the Senior class.”<br />
Iain Pepper will represent the team in Masters.<br />
“We also have a competitive Junior line-up with<br />
Jake Pretorius and Clayton Human in 85cc and<br />
Dylan Human in the 65cc class.”<br />
The reborn Green Team will be racing Kawasaki’s<br />
brand new built for cross country <strong>2021</strong><br />
KX250XC and KX450XCs based on its ’21 KX<br />
motocross machines. Both benefit specific XC<br />
tuned electric start engines with MotoGP derived<br />
finger follower valve technology and plug-andplay<br />
engine mapping for precision tuning via the<br />
KX FI Calibration kit.<br />
Five-speed XC models get cross-country gearing<br />
for their close-ratio gearbox, a light and direct<br />
feel hydraulic clutch and traction control. XCtuned<br />
Showa suspension on the 450 and KYB<br />
forks on the 250 is cross country ready, as are<br />
larger diameter brakes and optimised wheels<br />
with an 18” rear and cross country tyres. The XCs<br />
carry over the narrow KX frame with adjustable<br />
handlebar and foot peg positions, minimalistic<br />
bodywork and add a side stand and skid plates.<br />
Kawasaki has a rich history of Cross Country<br />
Racing success in South Africa with legends the<br />
likes of Alfie Cox, Neil Woolridge, Chris Brand<br />
and others riding the green machines to great<br />
effect over the years. “Now Kawasaki is back<br />
and the Pepson Plastics Motul Racing team is<br />
ready to paint the South African National Cross<br />
Country Championship green,” Pepper<br />
concluded. “Let’s go racing!”<br />
Watch this space…<br />
FOLLOW US ON:<br />
@CTiKneeBrace<br />
WWW.CTI-BRACE.CO.ZA<br />
0860 888 123<br />
@cti_kneebraces_sa<br />
TRUSTED BY<br />
ELITE ATHLETES.<br />
Always at the forefront of innovation, delivering a wide range of products and services, Össur’s reputation has been built<br />
on scientifically-proven designs with the emphasis on clinical outcomes. Össur is a global leader in orthopaedics and<br />
employs the smartest minds and the most advanced technologies to help change lives. The end result is award-winning<br />
prosthetics, compression therapies, bracing and supports that make a real difference to people’s mobility.
Win a custom sticker kit for<br />
you and your loved one…<br />
The guys from RobertCo, the custom sticker guys<br />
are running a very cool valentines day promotion<br />
and it’s easy to win so don’t be a lazy ass!<br />
This is open to anyone in SA – and the kits will be<br />
delivered to you by the Courier guy.<br />
• Take a pic of yourself and your loved one<br />
any dirtbike or adventure machine. Keep<br />
it tidy and be creative!<br />
• Send it along to foleyg@mweb.co.za<br />
• If it’s good – we’ll publish all of the entries<br />
in the March, April and May issue.<br />
• Winners will be announced in our June<br />
issue<br />
Calling all<br />
ALL ADV Riders<br />
Gyppo Work Tuesday<br />
is back.<br />
It’s time to tell your Boss to take a<br />
hike on Tuesday the 16th of<br />
February. Dirt and Trail magazine<br />
will be hosting another weekday<br />
adventure ride – this time from The<br />
East Rand out to the republic of Val.<br />
And Suzuki South Africa is bringing<br />
along their DL1050 V-stroms for you<br />
to take for a spin.<br />
All welcome - It’s always fun – very<br />
chatty and informal with easy routes<br />
and some more techy stuff for those<br />
who would like a more interesting<br />
stuff. And you’ll have a great day<br />
out in the country with a lekker<br />
lunch.<br />
And chances are excellent that<br />
you’ll get your photo into the magazine.<br />
Details:<br />
foleyg@mweb.co.za<br />
sean@motomedia.co.za
<strong>2021</strong> EKS Brand LUCID<br />
Goggles are here:<br />
Man we do love this brand. The designs are always<br />
exciting and innovative and dirtbikes are all about<br />
that cool look, while using safe, practical products.<br />
This from EKS Brand “The new LUCID goggle<br />
range is characterized by clear perception. It<br />
has been created from over 35 years of R&D,<br />
experience, passion, and evolution in the goggle<br />
business. As the world evolves, so does clear<br />
vision and the need to see in the most demanding<br />
situations. The new LUCID goggle will progress<br />
vision and goggle function to the maximum with its<br />
XDO, (Xtreme Definition Optics) lens technology.<br />
The XDO lens is injection molded from the highest<br />
quality impact resistant polycarbonate material for<br />
zero visual distortion.”<br />
Great fit and so stylish. The Goggs are making their<br />
way to your local dealer as we type this.<br />
Leatts new 4.5 Enduro Boots<br />
arrive:<br />
It feels as though there are literally hundreds of<br />
boot brands on the market at the moment and Leatt<br />
enters the fray with their new 4,5 midrange enduro<br />
boot.<br />
Features include:<br />
Great fit even for wide feet.<br />
Closure: SlideLock system, Auto-locking one way<br />
sliding closure for seal at top of boot.<br />
Polymer composite buckles with Over-lock<br />
system and stainless steel base.<br />
Bike Grip: Inside of boot is flat and grippy for great<br />
bike feel.<br />
Toe-Box: Low-profile, for easy gear shifting.<br />
Ankles: Heel grip ankle design for stability when<br />
riding on your toes.<br />
Sole: Enduro pattern for grip when pushing your<br />
bike.<br />
DualZone hardness.<br />
Extended foot peg riding zone for arch and on the<br />
toes riding style.<br />
Steel shank reinforced and CE certified.<br />
Inner Liner: Breathable mesh 3D liner with anti-slip<br />
reinforcement for zero heel lift.<br />
Making its way into dealerships…<br />
1 2 3<br />
1<br />
LUCID GOGGLE FEATURES<br />
• Rugged DYAD frame, double-injected to our race proven POLYFLEX face-forming inner frame<br />
• FLOAIR ventilation system with moisture channel • 20mm thick, 3D molded, multi-stage face foam<br />
• FORCEFIT outrigger system • 45mm ultra-wide woven strap with silicone traction control<br />
• XDO injection molded lens • WAVELATCH quick-change lens locking system • XDO lens features hard coat & anti-fog treatment<br />
• Integrated tear-off posts • Ultra-wide field of view accepts 45mm Zip-Off film system • Detachable vented nose shield<br />
1 2 3<br />
2<br />
XDO INJECTION MOLDED LENS – WAVELATCH – QUICK~CHANGE LENS LOCKING SYSTEM<br />
3<br />
Henderson Racing Products - 011 708 5905<br />
www.facebook.com/Hendersonracingproducts<br />
Available at selected dealers nationwide
Bike Tyre Warehouse<br />
keeping the wheels turning…<br />
The BTW Group have been busy sourcing stock<br />
and securing deals with international suppliers<br />
for a wide range of products from brake pads,<br />
brake disc’s, chain & sprocket kits, batteries,<br />
aftermarket adventure bike accessories, wheel<br />
& spoke kits and a wider range of tyre related<br />
accessories.<br />
Off Road Cycles news<br />
New Year, new stock new faces … it’s all happening<br />
at Off Road Cycles, the busiest motorcycle<br />
shop in Pretoria. Lucindy joins the team,<br />
bringing a bit of glamour to the mob.<br />
Whether you need to book your bike in for a<br />
service, tyres and etc. or if you are in the market<br />
for some lekker new kit, Lucindy is the lady to<br />
call. And speaking of new kit, they have just<br />
unpacked a truck load of new SIDI and FORMA<br />
boots, new ARAI helmets, riding suits, jeans,<br />
Boss man Bruce reckons, “… due to the ever<br />
growing national retail foot print we are finding<br />
there are different product needs in different<br />
regions, as well as different price scales. So we<br />
have looked at these requirements and based<br />
our developing product ranges on regional<br />
market demands.”, basically Bruce and his team<br />
are listening to the buying public and are finding<br />
better ways to best serve the motorcycle market.<br />
Head down to one of their 5 stores around the<br />
country, to find the one nearest to you go to<br />
www.biketyrewarehouse.com<br />
whatever you need they have got it or can get<br />
it fairly quickly. Boss Man, Conrad personally<br />
oversees the day to day running of the workshop<br />
and does all the specialised work himself.<br />
From engine rebuilds and engineering, shockrefurbishments<br />
and even specialised welding<br />
and electrical work, there is nothing they can’t<br />
do. Visit them at 22 Blesbok Ave, Koedoespoort,<br />
Pretoria or give them a call on 087 808 3649 or<br />
087 808 3650 or you can Whatsapp them on<br />
082 823 4714 or email to<br />
info@offroadcycles.co.za<br />
Tork Craft’s new glove range.<br />
Budget gloves for the work<br />
shop, and offroad riding.<br />
Tork Craft now has a comprehensive range that<br />
covers all these markets at very affordable prices<br />
what’s more and they look pretty cool.<br />
The guys from Tork Craft are avid Motocrossers<br />
and they have been instrumental in developing<br />
the kit. The Blue Air Mesh and the Spandex Red<br />
gloves are ideal and on a par with anything out<br />
there. Testers were very impressed, with the<br />
range. The palms are reinforced and padded and<br />
the closures are on the bottom side which makes<br />
a lot of sense. One cool thing on the red ones is<br />
the terry cloth on the back of the thumb which is<br />
handy to give your goggles a quick wipe on the<br />
fly, or even to wipe away sweat when you stop for<br />
a break.<br />
CAPE TOWN<br />
Sho! Sho! Sho! Cape Town is super<br />
busy with more and more motorcycle<br />
stores opening, seemingly almost on a<br />
daily basis. Our lady in the Cape, Lorna,<br />
has been run off her feet trying to<br />
keep up with everybody. If she has not<br />
made it to you yet and you would like a<br />
mention in our magazines please give<br />
her a call or drop her a mail and she will<br />
definitely drop in for a chat. Also ask<br />
her about some of our great advertising<br />
rates and social media exposure rates.<br />
Here are some of the great bike shops<br />
she has visited on the Peninsula<br />
They have been designed by multiple SA<br />
Motocross legend, Ryan Hunt, who certainly<br />
knows about good gloves after his 30 years of<br />
racing and his recent comeback after a 10 year<br />
layoff, to attempt to win 3 SA National titles over 3<br />
decades.<br />
They fit very comfortably, are very reasonably<br />
priced and offer an impressive value for money<br />
package. Tork Craft also offer “Work” and “All<br />
Purpose” gloves which are great for anything<br />
from working in the garden, the workshop to<br />
working on your motorcycle, these are made more<br />
robustly and offer great protection and a good grip<br />
on tools.<br />
As you may be aware Tork Craft is a leading<br />
brand of accessories in the Vermont Sales<br />
operation and are available at all leading<br />
specialist stores countrywide for more information<br />
talk to your retail outlet or<br />
www.vermontsales.co.za -<br />
Trade enquiries welcome
FORMA PREDATOR 2.0<br />
ENDURO RRP R9450 (incl VAT)<br />
Now, we all like a really good looking pair of<br />
boots that really offer quality construction and<br />
excellent protection, and the Forma Predator 2.0<br />
have a really cool name to boot …<br />
(snick! … ‘scuse the word play). Not only do<br />
they have a cool name and really look the part<br />
but they are also jam packed with all the latest<br />
technology and at a price that is reasonable.<br />
Here are some of the specifications on the<br />
Predator 2.0’s:<br />
PU and microfiber material upper; Moulded<br />
and adjustable front plate; Personalized extra<br />
grip Enduro/Adventure compound rubber sole;<br />
Moulded front panel; Dual Pivot F.C.S. (Flex<br />
Control System) with anti-torsion and double<br />
rear stop; Elevated TPU flex and traction<br />
resistant Ergonomic Dual Pivot connector;<br />
Injection moulded plastic protections; Safety<br />
double density rear PU flexor with cushioned<br />
inserts; Ultra shaped double density heel cup;<br />
Reinforced lateral-bottom insert to better support<br />
the entire Dual Pivot F.C.S.; Incorporated back<br />
and side air intake windows; Fitted flexible<br />
collar to keep out mud and debris; Personalized<br />
rubber heat gripper inserts (also on Dual Pivot<br />
connector); Adjustable double Velcro closure;<br />
Replaceable/adjustable aluminium articulated<br />
“Evo Security Lock” buckles; “Security Lock”<br />
strap holder; Personalized Zama toe cap; Highly<br />
resistant and breathable inner and quick-dry<br />
lining (black); Personalized and thermoformed<br />
upper inner lining (red); Polyurethane nylon<br />
reinforcements; Soft polymer padding with<br />
memory foam; I.N.&F.S. (Incorporated Nylon &<br />
Fiberglass Shank) midsole; EVA padded<br />
anti-bacterial replaceable footbed with A.P.S.<br />
(Air Pump System)<br />
At your dealer or www.dmd.co.za<br />
Cape Bike Travel - Rentals –<br />
Tours – Workshop,<br />
Triumph Dealer.<br />
Cape Bike Travel has been renting out<br />
motorbikes since 2005. Situated at 125<br />
Buitengracht Street they offer a large fleet of<br />
latest BMW, Harley-Davidson and Triumph<br />
motorcycles for long and short term rental.<br />
Also available for rental are panniers and topboxes,<br />
GPS units as well as rider gear. They do<br />
arrange motorbike tours from 1-14 days through<br />
South Africa and Namibia with different guided<br />
and supported as well as self-guided options<br />
available. They also arrange several off-road<br />
riding courses and track days every year. The<br />
Workshop is open to all makes of motorbikes and<br />
being in the city centre offers the convenience of<br />
a “while-you-work” service to commuters.<br />
The mechanics have wide experience with all<br />
major brands as well as in racing. The Workshop<br />
does stock a wide variety of spares, tires and<br />
accessories. You can visit Cape Bike Travel at<br />
125 Buitengracht street, Cape Town or you can<br />
give them a call on 021 424 5013 or drop them a<br />
mail at info@capebiketravel.com, They are also<br />
your point of call for anything Triumph in Cape<br />
Town as they are the agents for Triumph on the<br />
Peninsula.<br />
www.gasgas.com<br />
GET<br />
ON THE<br />
G A S !<br />
Take your offroad riding skills to the next level! The <strong>2021</strong> GASGAS trial range builds upon<br />
the proven technology that has clinched over a dozen world titles since the 1990s. Now<br />
it’s easier than ever before to get yourself on a new GASGAS Trial bike and have a blast,<br />
thanks to our expanded global dealer network.<br />
Visit www.gasgas.com or phone us on 011 462 7796 for your nearest GASGAS dealer.<br />
#GetOnTheGas<br />
Photos: Future7Media, Mitterbauer H.<br />
@gasgas.official<br />
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations!<br />
The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.
Craig’s Motorcycle Fitment<br />
Centre – Parow.<br />
“The trusted name in motorcycle tyres in Parow.”<br />
This shop is massive with a huge range of<br />
accessories, parts and a proper workshop.<br />
These guys Carry a huge stock of tyres across<br />
all the popular brands. They fit and balance all<br />
tyres purchased from them for free using the<br />
correct tools to make sure all nuts and bolts are<br />
re-torqued properly and they include free chain<br />
cleaning, lubing and tensioning as part of the<br />
deal. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff are<br />
also happy to give you a free assessment on the<br />
condition of your chain, sprockets, brake pads<br />
and discs and etc and they are also quite happy<br />
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This is Mad Macs’ second dealership in the<br />
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and participate in lots of adventure rides. Led<br />
by some industry legends Rob Cragg, Stewart<br />
Thom, David McFadden & Harry Clifton.<br />
official Dealers for ‘Suzuki’, ‘SYM’ & ‘Kawasaki’;<br />
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do scooter rentals, sellaccessories,<br />
spares and parts and have a very experienced<br />
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Shop 10, 2 Long Street, Cape Town,<br />
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021 488 9997 wafieka@madmacs.co.za or<br />
k@MadMacsCityCentre<br />
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Motorcycle World Cape<br />
Town:<br />
Motorcycle World is one the oldest and most<br />
well know Motorcycle store in Cape Town.<br />
Established in 1993 and more than 28 years of<br />
experience in the Industry. They claim to have a<br />
huge client base stretching all over South Africa<br />
& beyond. Their clients are like family and have<br />
been dealing with them from Grandfather to Son<br />
and now Grandson`s. They offer a large range of<br />
clean pre-owned motorcycles from Sport,<br />
Adventure and Cruisers.<br />
No Limit Quads<br />
No Limit Quads is situated in Kuilsriver in the<br />
northern suburbs of Cape Town. It was established<br />
in May 2006 by owners Jan and Salome<br />
Du Plessis and continues to be run as a family<br />
business. Although No Limit Quads is a small<br />
enterprise it is driven with a lot of passion and<br />
commitment to their customers as far afield as<br />
Namibia. No Limit Quads as the name would<br />
suggest specialises in Quads of all makes and<br />
sizes.<br />
Finance is available through all the major banks<br />
with their onsite F&I. Their store also has a big<br />
range of riding gear and apparel and they have<br />
recently added an online store. They have a fully<br />
equipped workshop for all services and repairs<br />
and their parts department carries a wide variety<br />
of spares. Situated at 220 Voortrekker Road<br />
Parow Cape Town where you are more than<br />
welcome to pop in for a cup of coffee and a chin<br />
wag or you can find them on the net at www.<br />
motorcycle-world.co.za you can also call them<br />
on 021-9305917 and chat to their sales<br />
executive Ryan Neves.<br />
As the business and their customer base expanded<br />
they had to cater to a bigger market.<br />
Currently they are a official dealers for South<br />
African Motorcycles (Pty) Ltd, housing brands<br />
like BIG BOY, JONWAY and GOMOTO. They<br />
also offer a workshop ready to work on all makes<br />
of motorcycles and quads as well as a wide<br />
array of spares, tyres and consumables. Visit<br />
them at 44a Van Riebeeck Road, Kuilsriver,<br />
Cape Town or contact them on 021-9035985 or<br />
0835824947 or e-mail them on<br />
nolimitsquads@mweb.co.za<br />
FLYING BRICK<br />
MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES<br />
Why the name Flying Brick?<br />
The story BEHIND the name….<br />
Back in the day, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and<br />
Kawasaki ALL had water-cooled 4 cylinder bike<br />
motors and BMW was under pressure to bring the<br />
same to its home market (…and the World!)<br />
BMW thus approached Peugeot for help with a<br />
car-based 4 cylinder water-cooled motor; Peugeot<br />
had an unused development model sitting ‘on the<br />
shelf’, but had no plans for it, BMW took over the<br />
development, and then the designers rotated it 90<br />
degrees to fit into a bike frame! It was NOT what<br />
the Germans were wanting, was something of an<br />
“ugly duckling” and was ‘affectionately’ known as<br />
the “FLYING BRICK” … OK, UN-affectionally!<br />
Chris owned a Café’d BMW K100, the original<br />
‘Flying Brick’, so the name has always resonated<br />
with him. At the same time he developed a luggage<br />
bag, dual compartments; a mentor helping<br />
out with design input commented it looked like<br />
an Air Brick (used in building…), and again, the<br />
name ‘Flying Brick’ stuck.<br />
Why open a motorcycle accessory store?<br />
They never actually wanted to Retail because<br />
“Its bloody hard work!” Chris, however needed an<br />
outlet to display his newly designed Flying Brick<br />
Luggage System and an opportunity presented<br />
itself inside a Yamaha store in Cape Town.<br />
No sooner had he started; when other requests<br />
came in for alternative soft luggage items and<br />
accessories and the need to supply, and just<br />
maybe be better and bigger was triggered! So the<br />
little monster was born and 9 months later, they<br />
then moved into their own premises; surrounded<br />
by complimentary businesses and the area is now<br />
affectionately known as Gasoline Alley. 10 years<br />
on, the business employs 8 people, and it has<br />
expanded twice since it started. This is their 10th<br />
full year in business, and to celebrate ,they will be<br />
re-designing their logo for some products/items,<br />
and this redesigned logo should provide some<br />
smiles/laughs! Watch out for it around mid-year!<br />
They have a FITMENT CENTRE where they fit<br />
whatever they sell, they have a qualified motorcycle<br />
electrician on call for installation of after-market<br />
electrical/electronic items, such as indicators,<br />
hooters, GPS’s, etc. They cater primarily for the<br />
Adventure Market, with some overflow into road/<br />
scooter and commuters.<br />
They are also an EXPERIENTIAL Store: you<br />
can TRY the spotlights out, you can borrow a<br />
windscreen spoiler for 72 hours, free-of-charge,<br />
you can try out their comfort seat cushion – their<br />
emphasis is on DO touch!<br />
If you are on the peninsula experience Flying<br />
Brick Motorcycle Accessories for yourself at 8<br />
Shropshire Street, Paarden Eiland, Cape Town<br />
info@flyingbrick.co.za www.flyingbrick.co.za
THE <strong>2021</strong><br />
DAKAR RALLY<br />
Honda 1st and 2nd. Was it just us or was Dakar<br />
hype a bit less than usual this year? We have no idea<br />
why – maybe COVID, maybe we were a bit Dozier that<br />
usual (OK that was it), but compared to previous years<br />
– there was just so little in the way of expectation and<br />
excitement. And that’s not due to the race at all – this<br />
years edition was loaded with excitement, drama and<br />
heartbreak as those amazing people slogged it out up<br />
there. To us it felt as if it was missing something…<br />
But there is so much to write about and so many<br />
things to tell… have a read.<br />
At a glance:<br />
• Argentine Honda rider Kevin<br />
Benavides won the motorcycle<br />
race.<br />
• Chilean duo Francisco Lopez<br />
Contardo and Juan Pablo<br />
Latrach Vinagre’s Can-Am took<br />
light car honours.<br />
• Argentine Yamaha rider Manuel<br />
Andujar took the quad win.<br />
• Dimitry Sotnikov, Ruslan<br />
Akhamdeev and Igliz<br />
Akhmetzianov led a crushing<br />
all-Russian Kamaz 1-2-3 in the<br />
Trucks.<br />
• Stéphane Peterhansel’s 14th<br />
win at the Dakar tore<br />
up the record books.<br />
Honda did it for the second year running:<br />
This year, Honda put two bikes on the<br />
podium. Fantastic! It was an awesome<br />
race and the athletes were awesome to<br />
watch. After the final stage, the overall<br />
rankings in the bike category were Kevin<br />
Benavides taking the win with Ricky<br />
Brabec in second, both from Monster<br />
Energy Honda Team powered by Motul,<br />
and Sam Sunderland in third from the<br />
Red Bull KTM Factory Team.
It does not matter what brand you support –<br />
we reckon that every single South African was<br />
rooting for the Kalahari Ferrari Ross Branch.<br />
He really took the fight to the guys flying the<br />
Yamaha flag high – and mark our words – there<br />
is a win in him sooner rather than later. We were<br />
all devastated when mechanical issues put him<br />
out of the race.<br />
The guys from Motul SA invited us to join them<br />
for a live link to Dakar a couple of days before<br />
the race ended. It was quite fascinating to<br />
wander through the pits and pose questions to<br />
riders, team managers and some of the Motul<br />
Technicians.<br />
If you did not know – Motul has a test facility<br />
at Dakar and quite a few other major events<br />
around the globe where teams can submit any<br />
oil samples for analysis and advice. We chatted<br />
to the guys about some of the breakages – and<br />
they indicated to us that in their opinion, faulty<br />
and dirty fuel was to blame for many of the<br />
engine failures.<br />
In a world where everything is becoming mobile, you should be too!<br />
Honda’s Massive Year:<br />
Honda factory rider Kevin Benavides won the<br />
rally this year, with teammate Ricky Brabec<br />
in second. A couple of other Honda riders<br />
were in the hunt until the final stages. It’s a<br />
big change from South American days, when<br />
riders like Paulo Goncalves and Joan Barreda<br />
would put in solid riding but were let down<br />
by their machinery. This year, Honda had no<br />
bike problems. The combination of new team<br />
management and careful mechanical updates<br />
is really working. Benavides becomes the first<br />
rider from Argentina to win the Dakar Rally in<br />
the motorcycle category, with the only other<br />
triumph for the nation coming in the Quad<br />
class.<br />
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Word out there is that Honda might cut its team budget.<br />
Barreda is rumoured to be considering retirement after a<br />
head injury, so Honda might save some money there, by<br />
replacing him with a new rider on a smaller contract. We<br />
hope that the Honda team can stay competitive, it has<br />
been awesome watching them take the fight to the giants<br />
that have dominated this event for so long. Honda gave<br />
established and up-and-coming riders a different option<br />
for a properly-backed factory ride.<br />
The winners have also shaken European domination –<br />
Benavides is an Argentine, Brabec is an American… Dakar<br />
will get a boost in those continents thanks to these guys.<br />
KTM had it tough…<br />
This is racing for you. Things started off badly when<br />
Matthias Walkner lost his clutch in the sand dunes in Stage<br />
2. He managed to finish the stage, but in any normal year,<br />
the hours he lost would have ruled him out of contention<br />
for a top-10 finish.<br />
That was tough, but it got worse when their top ranked<br />
rider Toby Price Picked up a massive tear in the sidewall<br />
during the first part of the marathon stage during stage 7,<br />
almost knocking him out. The consummate professional<br />
went on to finish second in Stage 8 on that damaged tyre.<br />
But it all ended in stage 9 when he crashed and did his<br />
collar bone…<br />
Laia Sainz on her Gas Gas<br />
When he went out, Sam Sunderland and rookie Daniel<br />
Sanders were KTM’s best hope for a podium. Sunderland<br />
finished a very respectable third, an amazing result is you<br />
consider all this guys past injuries. The Red Bull KTM rider<br />
had the unenviable task of opening the final road from<br />
Yanbu to Jeddah after winning Stage 11 and suffered as a<br />
result, finishing 13 minutes off the pace of Brabec in 12th<br />
and losing out to the American for second place overall by<br />
02m17s.<br />
Sanders finished fourth on his first outing. This is a guy to<br />
watch.<br />
Walkner managed to finish ninth overall.<br />
Kalahari Farrari Ross Branch<br />
Brian Baragwanath and Taye Perry<br />
A busy Yamaha workshop
KTM loves to win, and they didn’t get it right this year, but<br />
watch this space…<br />
Sanders seems to be the real deal, and if Price, Walkner and<br />
Sunderland all return next year, that’s a list of Dakar royalty.<br />
Any one of them can win. The wind just needs to blow in<br />
their favour.<br />
Sad Times For Yamaha:<br />
Up front, Yamaha looked really good. Jamie McCanney, last<br />
year’s top rookie was back, along with Adrien Van Beveren<br />
and Franco Caimi. And there were two significant additions:<br />
Andrew Short moved over from the Husqvarna factory<br />
team, and our own Kalahari Ferrari, Ross Branch came on<br />
board, moving from Bas Dakar.<br />
Bad fuel stopped Short short. Terrible luck at any event.<br />
Later in the race, all of Yamaha’s other riders were forced<br />
out due to mechanical problems. The rules around engine<br />
maintenance have changed since South America where<br />
top riders were more likely to take the time penalty for a full<br />
engine swap. Now it seems that the engines just don’t hold.<br />
We hope to See Yamaha Japan step in with more funding<br />
and development.<br />
As we understand it, at the moment, Dakar is all up to<br />
Yamaha France – and they are competing against full<br />
factory backed teams. Yamaha does have the money to be<br />
successful in Dakar’s ATV segment. They won it again this<br />
year, so the mother corporation has the ammo. Maybe it<br />
just needs to fund the team with money from Japanese HQ.<br />
Other bits: We told you about this last year when we<br />
covered Dakar and we knew that it was coming…<br />
The organisers need to slow things down…<br />
Tyres: Flat out, those 450’s are mighty fast, so Dakar officials<br />
included a few new rules for <strong>2021</strong>. Elite riders were limited<br />
to six rear tyres. The idea was to make the riders nurse them<br />
so that they last. To nurse it, you need to ride a bit slower…<br />
Navigation: In the past, the big factory teams employed<br />
“mapmen.” The mapmen would analyse the roadbook for<br />
potential shortcuts, giving their riders ways to shave time<br />
off their day. This year, rule changes saw races only getting<br />
their roadbooks a few minutes before the start of the<br />
stage. The idea was to even the playing fields and it made<br />
navigation just as important as speed and talent. We saw<br />
factory riders frequently losing big chunks of time as they<br />
made nav errors. Now they really need to concentrate…<br />
and this slows things down a bit.<br />
Airvests: Became compulsory for all riders. It makes sense<br />
and we think they are here to stay.<br />
<strong>2021</strong> saw much success from the smaller guys and top<br />
privateers.<br />
• Fourth overall and top rookie went to<br />
Daniel Sanders (KTM). The Australian Enduro<br />
Champion took fifth on Stage 12, just behind<br />
Skyler Howes (KTM)<br />
• Skyler Howes sold everything he owned to<br />
return to Dakar, after his good result in 2020. This<br />
year he finished an amazing 5th overall on the<br />
Bas Dakar team, the top privateer. Someone sign<br />
him up already!<br />
• Lorenzo Santolino put in a great race for Sherco,<br />
finishing in sixth. This is Sherco’s best result.<br />
• Privateer Stefan Svitko finished eighth, riding a<br />
KTM under his own Slovnaft banner, and Martin<br />
Michek took another KTM to 10th overall, for the<br />
Orion team.<br />
• The 50 year old, Botswana legend ‘Kalahari Madala,<br />
Night Rider Mr Teapot James Alexander the Great<br />
completed Dakar <strong>2021</strong> in 64th position. He now has<br />
legions of fans, including us!<br />
• Gas Gas lady Laia Sanz finished 17th overall. The top<br />
lady finisher in her 11th consecutive Dakar finish<br />
Amazing.<br />
2022?<br />
Rumours abound that Saudi’s borders might open and<br />
neighbouring states will welcome Dakar and that would be<br />
amazing for sure! But until the pandemic is over, this is unlikely.<br />
The logistics involved with cross border racing are challenging<br />
to say the least, and until we beat this thing, we cannot see it<br />
happening. We are told that due to COVID restrictions, this years<br />
route was put together mainly through satellite maps. It all<br />
seemed to work out OK. But it’s simply not sustainable.<br />
Dakar by numbers: Some fast facts:<br />
• 104: A total of 310 vehicles lined up on the start line<br />
of the <strong>2021</strong> Dakar. The number was comprised of 108<br />
bikes, 67 cars, 58 UTVs, 42 trucks, 26 classics and 21<br />
quads. By the Rest Day we had already lost 68 of those<br />
machines. Completing the entire 7,646km loop from<br />
Jeddah and back – including 4,767km of timed special<br />
stages – were a grand total of 206 vehicles.<br />
• race vehicles dropped out before the finish, with 19<br />
re-entering the rally under Dakar Experience rules.<br />
• 14: Stéphane Peterhansel’s 14th win at the Dakar tore<br />
up the record books. The Frenchman led the rally from<br />
Stage Two and now has eight victories<br />
behind the wheel of a car to add to the six wins he<br />
claimed in the bike category. Peterhansel now<br />
stands alone as the biggest winner in a single category<br />
thanks to his eight car race wins.<br />
The legendary Frenchman had previously shared that<br />
record with Vladimir Chagin who won the truck<br />
race seven times for KAMAZ. Peterhansel said: “For<br />
sure, it is one or two more records for me. 14 victories<br />
on three continents and also on the anniversary of my<br />
first victory 30 years ago today.”<br />
Although Nasser Al-Attiyah eventually had to settle for<br />
second place overall, he did manage to make<br />
some history of his own. The three-time Dakar winner<br />
is now the only competitor in the rally’s history to win at<br />
least one stage at 14 consecutive editions.<br />
• 18 years (and 118 days) old: New for the <strong>2021</strong> Dakar<br />
was the introduction of the Lightweight Vehicles category,<br />
grouping together T3 side-by-side machines and T4 UTVs on a<br />
single leaderboard. Cristina Gutiérrez of the Red Bull Off-Road<br />
Junior Team won Stage One of the contest to become the first<br />
female stage winner since Jutta Kleinschmidt’s last stage win<br />
in 2005. More history was made when Gutiérrez’s team-mate,<br />
Seth Quintero, won Stage Six. Later that day he found out in the<br />
bivouac that he was now the youngest-ever stage winner at<br />
the Dakar. The 18-year-old rookie doubled down on his historic<br />
achievement by winning Stage 11 as well. Quintero said: “We<br />
came out swinging and proved our point that we’re here to stay.<br />
The Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team is not a team to be messed<br />
with. We’ll be back next year and we’ll be back better.” Coming out<br />
on top overall in the Lightweight Vehicles category were Chaleco<br />
López and co-driver Juan Pablo Latrach Vinagre who picked up<br />
five stage victories of their own.<br />
• 1-2-3: The worst stage result for truck driver Dmitry<br />
Sotnikov at this Dakar came on day 11 when he finished fourth.<br />
The Russian finished in the top three on every other stage and<br />
it was that consistency that handed him his first Dakar win.<br />
Sotnikov became the seventh different Team KAMAZ Master<br />
driver to win the Dakar as he delivered them their 18th title.<br />
Sotnikov said: “I just have no words, only emotions. We have been<br />
moving towards this victory for several years, gradually approaching<br />
it. And now I’m very happy, I’m proud of all the guys.”<br />
Sotnikov was joined on the overall podium by team-mates Anton<br />
Shibalov and Ayrat Mardeev, who finished second and third<br />
respectively. The victory makes it five wins on the bounce for<br />
KAMAZ, a feat they last achieved between 2002 and 2006.<br />
South African crews:<br />
Giniel de Villiers driving with Spanish notes man Alex Haro Bravo<br />
ended eighth after taking a stage win in another Gazoo Toyota Hilux,<br />
while teammates Shameer Variyawa and Dennis Murphy ended<br />
20th.<br />
SA Dakar car rookies, former quad podium finisher Brian<br />
Baragwanath and ex biker lass Taye Perry’s made in SA Century CR6,<br />
starred through the race but were significantly delayed en route to<br />
finish 32nd.<br />
What a race! What a show! Dakar is always a real spectacle!<br />
Roll on 2022.<br />
Daniel Sanders - Rookie of the year
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Triumph South Africa<br />
committed to the S.A. Motorcycle market..<br />
In the turmoil of the past 10 months or so there have been<br />
very few good news stories going around. Amongst all the<br />
doom and gloom there is a little company quietly and fastidiously<br />
just getting on with business and steadily getting<br />
stronger each day. Bruce Allen and his team at Triumph<br />
South Africa’s head office and flagship store have<br />
recently gone through a major revamp of the premises and<br />
we popped in for a quick chat and a look around. They truly<br />
do have good reason to be proud. Here are some<br />
interesting stats about Triumph SA, they have doubled their<br />
market share in Johannesburg in the 500cc plus category<br />
since taking over the brand. Within 5 months of opening<br />
their Cape Town store in August 2020, they are back up<br />
to the same market share for 2020 which Triumph had<br />
previously in the Cape. It has been just on 11 months since<br />
launching the all-new Triumph Rocket 3 and an<br />
unbelievable 50 exceptionally happy Rocket 3 owners are<br />
enjoying their machines. Largely thanks to our great feature<br />
on the bikes in RideFast Magazine. The new Tiger 900<br />
(MCN 2020 Bike of the Year), is also seeing impressive<br />
sales – we hope you read our features in Dirt And Trail<br />
Magazine.<br />
On Triumph’s global customer satisfaction ratings, Triumph<br />
SA is proud to be rated in a close second out of Triumph’s<br />
26 global markets. This is testament to their truly customer<br />
centric approach to doing business. In a retracting market<br />
in 2020, Triumph has managed to maintain their sales volumes.<br />
And how have they managed to do that? Well, since<br />
the business started, there has had virtually no change to<br />
the friendly faces. The team has a great working relationship<br />
with each other and with their customers, creating a<br />
welcoming, familiar and friendly environment. Bruce says,<br />
“You will be warmly greeted the minute you walk through<br />
the door by one of the team, they may even catch you in<br />
the parking lot. We have a strong team of skilled, qualified<br />
and attentive technicians in the workshop keeping each and<br />
every Triumph in top running condition”.<br />
Triumph’s steady progress is largely due to truly loyal<br />
customer support, the opening of Cape Town and some<br />
exciting new models. Triumph JHB and Cape Town have a<br />
demonstrator bike for every single model in the line - bums<br />
in saddles sell bikes, and every single one of the brand passionate<br />
team believe that once you have ridden a Triumph<br />
you will be hooked. Couple that with good value for money<br />
and better pricing than you might expect for their bikes<br />
and services, and you have a winning formula. Walking<br />
around the newly revamped store you get a sense that it is<br />
designed to make the shopping experience so much easier<br />
with the clothing and protective wear being incorporated<br />
into the motorcycle sales floor. The brand, being premium is<br />
now being represented correctly, yet it still has that Triumph<br />
familiarity and passion. A lot of brands make the mistake of<br />
becoming too cold and sanitised when they revamp or<br />
modernise their corporate identity or upgrade their dealerships.<br />
Bruce as CEO of Triumph South Africa sits on the sales<br />
floor in a glass walled office and the door wide open and<br />
welcoming, the new workshop is also walled in glass so<br />
you can sit and watch them work on your bike.<br />
Leather couches, TV’s, a well-stocked fridge, great coffee,<br />
free WiFi and a long table to sit and work at while waiting<br />
for bike to be serviced, encourage you to park off for a<br />
bit and just absorb the atmosphere and the essence of<br />
Triumph.<br />
Get down to the corner of South & Dartfield roads Eastgate<br />
Ext 13 in Sandton and experience it all for yourself.<br />
They also have a very slick online apparel store at www.<br />
triumph-store.co.za if you are a bit too far away for a quick<br />
pop in, otherwise give them a call, their number is super<br />
easy.<br />
011 and a lot of 4’s ... 011 444 4444 ...
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The <strong>2021</strong> Husqvarna family.<br />
Husqvarna launches their <strong>2021</strong> team…<br />
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna.<br />
The team is called Rockstar Energy Husqvarna for <strong>2021</strong> and<br />
we were introduced to the guys at a cool, social distance<br />
acceptable introduction a couple of weeks ago.<br />
If there is a brand in SA that is pro-active, this is one of them.<br />
For us it was quite interesting to see the new blood that has<br />
been infused into the team – and it’s great to see some really<br />
talented youngsters being given such a great opportunity for<br />
the <strong>2021</strong> season.<br />
Husqvarna is focused and ready to go racing – and we see some<br />
great results in the pipeline for this season.<br />
• Leading the charge in the Offroad and Enduro segment<br />
is the very affable, hard-working Brett Swanepoel. He<br />
made history last year by winning both the E2 and OR2<br />
and also the overall national Cross Country Champion<br />
ship. An amazing achievement for sure! If you<br />
follow our magazine, you’ll know his<br />
story – despite massive injury setbacks<br />
he blew everyone away…<br />
This year he is biting off quite a lot…<br />
He is Racing 2 classes – national OR1 on his FX450 and national<br />
Enduro, E2 – on his TE 300I He’ll also be competing in the new<br />
Extreme series.<br />
He is joined by two exceptionally talented youngsters who have<br />
kind of – appeared and shaken up the race industry.<br />
Last year, we went along for a little ride with him and were<br />
blown away by this mans talent. And he’s a very likeable guy<br />
on top of all that. He raced for a dealer team last year and<br />
was seconded to the national team for a few of the big races.<br />
He must have impressed, because this year, he got the call<br />
to represent the factory team on his 150I.<br />
• The Third member of the team is Dynamite Davin<br />
Cocker. Davin will race the OR3 championship on<br />
his FC250.<br />
Davin just kind of appeared out of nowhere from an MX<br />
background and took the fight to the big guns last year. He<br />
is very, very quick. This young Zimbabwean is flying Solo in<br />
SA, his parents are in Zambia while he lives, goes to school<br />
and races in JHB. Hard work pays off and he got the call<br />
to go racing with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team for<br />
<strong>2021</strong>.<br />
Motocross: Two multiple champs in the team…<br />
• In our previous issue’s you see that David Goosen<br />
is back in the hunt with Husqvarna. He is racing<br />
MX1 and MX2 on his FC 450 and FC 250<br />
respectively.<br />
Multiple national champ David, you’ll know is a consummate<br />
professional and one of the unassuming guys in the<br />
paddock. We’ve watched him become one of the statesmen<br />
in the South African MX scene – and he is, absolutely one of<br />
the fastest, most consistent riders out there.<br />
He has a task this year and will be competing in both the MX<br />
1 and MX 2 classes for the season. Based in Cape Town,<br />
he has taken Husqvarnas other national MX racer under his<br />
wing…<br />
• Neil VD Vyver is last years national 65cc champion<br />
and will be racing Pro mini 85 series on his TC 85<br />
big wheel.<br />
Early on, when Neil was racing 50’s, Zygmund Brodalka who<br />
shoots most of our national MX stuff called. “Guys! You have<br />
to watch this kid! He is a future world champ.”<br />
Well if you look at the lighties repertoire so far we think that<br />
he might just be correct… he is a talent to be reckoned with.<br />
Husqvarna South Africa’s Brand Manager Fred Fensham<br />
waxed lyrical, “We couldn’t be prouder of our young Neil.<br />
To be a four-time national champion at 12 years old is an<br />
incredible achievement – we look forward to seeing what the<br />
future holds for him.”<br />
Watch out for this lot – a thoroughly professional outfit for<br />
sure! It’s going to be a great season of racing…<br />
Happiness is... a brand new race bike. Neil VD Vyver.<br />
Mr and Mrs Goosen<br />
• During lockdown, you might have caught our feature on<br />
Young Heinrich Aust. For <strong>2021</strong>, he will be racing national<br />
Enduro E1 on his TE150I. He will also be competing in<br />
the National Extreme Enduro championship.<br />
The ever smiling Brett Swanepoel. Heinrich Aust with his 150i. Davin Cocker
Photo by:Ray Archer (KTM Images)
Rolling into ’21 with 5<br />
MID-SIZE<br />
ADVENTURES…<br />
Adventure bikes are more than just a mode of transport.<br />
Pretty soon they become a lifestyle as you go<br />
in search of the next horizon. Here’s a collection of<br />
smaller adventures that should be on your list of bikes<br />
to buy…<br />
This feature was actually s’posed to happen in our<br />
Jan Issue – but remember all the rain at the end of last<br />
year? It interrupted play something horrible and interfered<br />
with our deadline plans… so we got to see the<br />
new year in at play on some of the best adv trails that<br />
Gauteng has on offer. Most adventure riders know or<br />
have heard about the famous canal roads near harties –<br />
so after another big downpour we decided to head out<br />
that way via some of the back roads that we know.<br />
In SA, generally speaking, the mindset is that bigger is<br />
better. Why buy a 600 when you can ride an 1100.<br />
You’ll never pull chicks on an 850 – rather go with a 1250 –<br />
and so-on.<br />
Look deep inside – and you’ll know that we are correct.<br />
But the simple truth is that:<br />
A – Most (normal) people do not even ride the big bikes to<br />
their full potential.<br />
B – The price of many of bigger machines is putting them<br />
further and further out of the average motorcyclists reach.<br />
Luckily, the manufacturers – well most of them anyway –<br />
know this – and so they make smaller, both in girth – and<br />
capacity bikes that – well everyone can ride and enjoy.<br />
Many might scoff at the though – but most of these bikes<br />
are actually a lot more than the average Joe needs in order<br />
to get out into the great outdoors… and quite frankly, many<br />
of our lot actually prefer the smaller, more manageable<br />
bikes when it comes to riding. Especially in the dirt.
Cycle Technology ccT/A<br />
Our run was around 50 percent tar and 50<br />
gravel with about 10 percent tricky gravel<br />
thrown in for good measure up and down a<br />
rocky pass we know. We had a cross section of<br />
riders from a wannabe Graham Jarvis to a more<br />
conservative predominantly road weekend rider.<br />
We took along 2 pillions in the form of Megan<br />
McCabe from The Bike Show and our own<br />
Stefan – and made them hang on for dear life<br />
as they attempted to get the best shots of the<br />
day.<br />
And what a cool day it was! Roughly 200<br />
kilometres of absolute riding pleasure – and<br />
we would have done more had we not been<br />
delayed by a nasty flat – and a TV camera…<br />
There is a lot to be said for tubeless tyres, we<br />
had to find a tube, find the correct tool, get it all<br />
sorted…. Ok we know we should have<br />
perhaps been better prepared – but carrying<br />
parts and tools for 5 different bikes is an<br />
interesting challenge…<br />
We all congregated at BMW Fourways for a<br />
coffee before heading out. They supplied us<br />
with the GS850 Adventure for the day. Routes<br />
were plotted while we waited for the other bikes<br />
to arrive.<br />
We headed out towards the Cradle, over the<br />
Koppie, around Harties and then onto the<br />
canals. All the way out to Brits – where they<br />
have, in our opinion, the coolest Wimpy in SA.<br />
All along the route we chopped and changed<br />
bikes – giving the guys a chance to showboat<br />
and to shoot pics at the most scenic spots.<br />
What is cool is that we each swap notes and<br />
comments on what we think about each<br />
machine and at the end of it all – we can tell you<br />
lot what we think.<br />
It’s a long feature, but hey – our job is to get you<br />
varying opinions on all sorts of bikes –<br />
especially given the way that prices are<br />
climbing. Have a read – go and ride them all.<br />
The Bikes:<br />
If you look at the cross section of machines that<br />
we were on you’ll see a real variety of scoots –<br />
and that’s our intention here. Smallest to largest<br />
– SWM lent us their…., Linex Yamaha supplied<br />
the T7, RAD KTM supplied the 790R, BMW<br />
Fourways, the GS850 Adventure and Triumph<br />
SA, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro.<br />
Simply put – the SA bike market is littered with<br />
machines and there really is a bike for<br />
everyone. What we did pick up through the<br />
day is the fact that the SWM, the T7 and the<br />
KTM790R are the hooligans in this crowd… as<br />
evidenced some of the pics. The 850 Beemer<br />
and the Triumph 900 Tiger are, perhaps a bit<br />
more conservative. But each bike has its place.<br />
And each bike handled this trip with ease…<br />
We’ll give a rundown of each bike with our riders<br />
opinion – from smallest to biggest.<br />
Accessorising of all<br />
makes of Adventure<br />
Motorcycles<br />
Stockists & Fitment of<br />
proven Adventure<br />
Motorcycle Equipment<br />
& Accessories<br />
Prepare & Equip all types of Adventure<br />
Motorcycles<br />
Service & Maintaining of BMW Classic,<br />
Touring and Adventure Motorcycles<br />
Tyre Stockists, Recommendation,<br />
Fitment & Electronic Wheel Balancing<br />
Manufacture & Design Parts to Specific<br />
Requirements<br />
Customisation Consultancy<br />
Repairs, Trueing and Lacing of Wheels<br />
Tubeless Conversion<br />
Puncture Repair Kits<br />
PUNCTURE REPAIR KITS<br />
EST. 1978<br />
Adventure, Classic and<br />
Custom Motorcycle and<br />
Accessory Specialists<br />
Battling to find BMW<br />
Motorcycle Parts?<br />
Exclusive stockists of a<br />
comprehensive range<br />
of New, Aftermarket,<br />
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of all BMW Motorcycles<br />
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Distributors for<br />
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(011) 433 8850 info@cytechmotorcycles.co.za<br />
61 Port Road, Robertsham, Johannesburg<br />
www.cytechmotorcycles.co.za
The SWM 650 Superdual : Dirtbike on ‘roids.<br />
This one was loaned to us by SWM South Africa:<br />
It’s kind of strange that the 650 market has diminished so<br />
much in SA. Some of the bikes disappeared thanks to<br />
Homologation legislation – and believe it or not – emission<br />
control laws. Yup! ‘Strue!<br />
So affordable single cylinder bikes like Kawasakis venerable<br />
KLR and Suzuki’s DL650 quietly fell away leaving a bit of a<br />
void in our market. SWM stepped in and introduced the 650<br />
Superdual.<br />
Now we’ve featured the SWM lineup a few times in this here<br />
magazine – and for those of you who do not pay attention – it’s<br />
a bike that is designed and manufactured in Italy and is<br />
powered by the old Husqvarna engines.<br />
We have ridden this specific bike quite a few times – and it is<br />
really good fun. Since the last time, the guys fitted Arrow pipes<br />
so now it has the sound to match its performance. The<br />
smallest of this batch, the SWM is also the most off-road<br />
biased of the lot. It’s no slouch – happily keeping up with the<br />
rest of the pack without revving its brains out and will happily<br />
run along at the 145 KPH mark all day and top out at just more<br />
than the 160KPH mark displayed on the digital clock.<br />
The bike is solid comfortable and even at speed it does not<br />
shake rattle and roll or vibrate nearly as much as you’d expect<br />
it to. If you were to describe this bike it would be – Unpretentious<br />
fun. No electronic settings to distract you – simple get on<br />
and pull that massive wheelie.<br />
Good brakes, great handling, a decent size tank for a range at<br />
around the 260 mark. Lots of bottom end grunt and midrange<br />
for day to day use. This is the kind of bike that will guzzle the<br />
bad mountain passes in Lesotho without breaking a sweat and<br />
you can use the bike to work and back every day.<br />
Best of all is the price. Just less than 100k. Think about that.<br />
A quality (Yes we are very impressed) adv that costs less than<br />
just about any dirtbike on the market. Go and ride it you’ll see<br />
what we mean.<br />
The Yamaha T7:<br />
This one came from Linex Yamaha in Randburg:<br />
www.linexyamaha.co.za<br />
Smaller, lighter Rally inspired adventuring.<br />
If you follow the mag, you’ll know that we made a point<br />
of spending a lot of time in this ones saddle. The T7<br />
is a flippen brilliant machine – so capable on the road<br />
– and she really shines in the dirt. To be quite frank, a<br />
few of our guys were not convinced after riding the first<br />
demo that came through our door – but after this, we<br />
have a few believers.<br />
Once again – a very unpretentious motorcycle that<br />
simply gets along with the day to day business of<br />
putting smiles on faces.<br />
There has been a lot of criticism levelled at this bike by<br />
people. The question that always comes up: “Why no<br />
electronics?”<br />
Yamaha takes a “no gimmicks” approach to electronic<br />
rider aids. The 2020 Yamaha Ténéré 700 sets itself<br />
apart from its rivals in the space by eschewing ride<br />
modes, traction control, and even cruise control, in<br />
favor of simplicity and go-anywhere maintainability.<br />
However, it does have ABS.The vertically<br />
mounted LCD instrument cluster allows the rider to<br />
scan information at a glance without looking down. The<br />
dash is not TFT, though it tells you all of the essentials,<br />
including trip information and current and average fuel<br />
consumption. Just as cool is the accessory bar above<br />
the LCD panel designed to mount a smartphone, GPS,<br />
or a rally roadbook. A standard 12v socket is conveniently<br />
located to power it all—you will need an adapter<br />
if your component uses USB.<br />
It is quite true that modern motorcyclists want all of the<br />
nanny features that modern bikes offer – but we’ll say<br />
it again – many of our lot enjoy not having to sukkel<br />
with buttons and settings – and it’s great just to swing<br />
a leg over a saddle and go for a ride. Yamaha has the<br />
tech to include a TFT screen and more electronic<br />
trickery – but that would, of course drive the costs up.<br />
And the cost is already a point of contention in SA.<br />
200K is nothing to sneeze at – especially when you<br />
consider that there is currently another similar bike<br />
with a lot more features at a little bit more money…<br />
But we do need to point out, that that bike is about to<br />
be replaced with a bigger, more expensive new model<br />
which will then, perhaps make the price of the T7 a bit<br />
more attractive. Also remember that in terms of costs<br />
of bikes - we are beholden to the value of our mighty<br />
Rand VS the Japanese Yen.<br />
A very capable bike for very little money.
In this guys opinion – the T7 is a great bike for the less aggressive<br />
ADV rider who wants to try the more technical stuff. The<br />
engine supplies such exciting but smooth, user friendly power.<br />
The 689cc Crossplane twin, pinched from Yamaha’s MT07 road<br />
bike (CP2) is a real treat. On paper, 72 horsepower at 9000<br />
rpm and 50 ft/lbs of torque at 6500 rpm are not necessarily<br />
mind-blowing. However, in the saddle, the CP2 engine is a bona<br />
fide grin stretcher. With plenty of power in first through third<br />
gears, plus a robust linear pull with outstanding over-rev, the<br />
CP2 engine is a standout feature of the 2020 Yamaha Ténéré<br />
700. The Yamaha Ténéré engineers created different fuel injection<br />
mappings, aspiration, exhaust, cooling systems, and final<br />
drive ratio to optimize torque and throttle response for off-road<br />
use.<br />
It’s a marvelous thing.<br />
On the tar and on the gravel, the Chassis, brakes and suspension<br />
are more than up to the task of managing the power delivery<br />
and the bike offers a fun, comfortable, predictable ride.<br />
The average rider who loves gravel travel and exploring SA will<br />
feel right at home. If, like our Kyle Lawrenson you are a more<br />
aggressive rider who enjoys big jumps and treacherous terrain,<br />
then in the faster, harder dirt stuff, you may need to spend a bit<br />
of time setting up your suspension – but the beauty of KYB is the<br />
fact that it is almost infinitely adjustable.<br />
This bike is amongst the most comfortable for the day – you sit<br />
in the bike, rather than on it and space around the rider is roomy<br />
and natural – perfect for that long road trip that you’ve been<br />
dreaming about.<br />
The T7 is a great choice.<br />
So user friendly, predictable and easy to ride. It’s also a damn<br />
fine looker for any wannabe Dakar rider…<br />
What to do when you have a front puncture.<br />
YOUR NEXT HORIZON IS HERE.<br />
With rugged, rally-bred features, outstanding<br />
reliability, a versatile engine and true on and<br />
off-road capability, the Yamaha Ténéré 700<br />
opens a new world of possibilities for riders.<br />
The Ténéré 700 is designed to deliver classleading<br />
handling and agility on and off-road.<br />
Your next horizon is here.<br />
www.yamaha.co.za · +27 11 259 7600 · Facebook: Yamaha Southern Africa · Instagram: @yamahasouthafrica
The KTM 790R: Tech aggression.<br />
This is a used unit from RAD KTM in Rivonia.<br />
www.radmoto.co.za<br />
It has been a long time since this guy got to ride one of<br />
these. At the bikes launch in Morocco a couple of years<br />
back, he was seen gushing about how good it is… and<br />
guess what?<br />
Nothing has changed. The bike is aggressive and really,<br />
really good fun to ride.<br />
We collected the bike, where Miguel the big boss spent<br />
some time on a refresher course on the electronics package.<br />
Simply put – it’s quite mind boggling how much<br />
electronic tech KTM put into this bike – and we won’t bore<br />
you by running through it all, but the bike hosts electronic<br />
bits also delivered on their highest spec machines.<br />
Ready to Race: Yip – KTM delivers on that promise from the<br />
moment that you climb aboard and open the throttle. The<br />
bike is tall and wide with aggressively positioned bars. The<br />
Akarapovic pipe fitted on this one emits a luverly snarl…<br />
and whilst it is only a 790cc engine – the parallel twin is<br />
feisty and fun to play with. With 95 horsepower and 66 ft/<br />
lbs of torque, the compact 799cc parallel twin packs a lekker<br />
punch. The broad torquey feel comes on early with a linear<br />
build and peaks at 6500 rpm, providing plenty of torquey<br />
arm stretching acceleration. Dual counter-balancers create<br />
a smooth ride. Blitzing through town to our meeting point in<br />
Fourways was fun – the bike has a presence that makes the<br />
cars quickly clear a path.<br />
When we got going, we soon found that Rally Mode is<br />
our favourite setting. It provides the most direct throttle<br />
response, and allows the rider to select traction control settings<br />
on-the-fly—from a nanny level 9 to a sideways hauling<br />
and barely perceptible level 1. We chose levels 1-4 for<br />
off-road situations and popped her into 9 for the tar sections.<br />
The Quickshifter+ is seamless. We are fast becoming believers<br />
in this tech on any adventure machine. It makes you<br />
a bit lazy simply because it is so simple. Coupled with the<br />
PASC slipper clutch, the overall operation works flawlessly.<br />
As expected brakes and suspension are top shelf – and<br />
they seem to work better the faster you go.<br />
The WP Xplor suspension on the 790 Adventure R matches<br />
the power and chassis so well. We went as fast as we could,<br />
jumped every<br />
obstacle that we could find, and also rode the bike like the<br />
gentlemen that we are – and the 790R never once got out<br />
of shape. The Trouble is, like many KTM ADV bikes, you<br />
sometimes forget that this is not actually a dirtbike… so<br />
you could get into some trouble if you don’t stay sharp! For<br />
increased stability, a WP steering damper is a great standard<br />
feature.<br />
Other Bits:<br />
The bike is tall with a wide, comfortable seat. The cockpit is<br />
spacious and comfortable in any terrain. Standing is natural<br />
when the going gets a bit rougher.<br />
With a bright five-inch TFT display, information on the 2019<br />
KTM 790 Adventure is easy to read in all light conditions<br />
and from all angles. If you are someone who enjoys techy<br />
stuff – the screen allows the rider to easily view pertinent<br />
information and smartphone Bluetooth connectivity is supported<br />
via the KTM My Ride app for music, phone calls, and<br />
navigation.<br />
Standard items like a 12v socket on the dash for powering<br />
phones or a GPS and under-seat USB charging is great.<br />
The bottom of the seat on the 790 Adventure includes cell<br />
phone storage, and there is tool or innertube storage behind<br />
the left side plate, both of which are appropriately accessible<br />
without tools. All Practical stuff that any adventurer will enjoy<br />
With the 890 arriving on showroom floors soon, and the<br />
price of bikes steadily increasing, you’ll be hard pressed to<br />
find a deal like this again.<br />
Currently, Brand new, the KTM790R retails for 210k. This<br />
includes all rider modes and quickshifter +.
BMW’s 850 Adventure: Luxury Travel.<br />
This one from BMW Fourways.<br />
www.bmw-motorrad.co.za/cedar-isle<br />
BMW is all about comfort and mileage eating exploration<br />
and the GS850 delivers just that. This is aimed at the<br />
discerning buyer who wants every mod-con known to<br />
man, who wants to look the part and loves long days in<br />
the saddle.<br />
The F 850 GS Adventure was launched last year, succeeding<br />
the old faithful F 800 GS Adventure. Like the<br />
rest of BMW’s dual sport range, the new model had seen<br />
an increase in capacity of 50cc. BMW has made the new<br />
F 850 GS Adventure more refined than its predecessor,<br />
with a smooth parallel twin engine and updated styling.<br />
The Adventure models always look big and imposing<br />
thanks, largely to the massive fuel tanks up front – but<br />
BMW got it right – and once you get rolling she feels like<br />
– well – a smaller motorcycle.<br />
We headed out along the highways and byways and<br />
then onto the smaller winding roads which really gave<br />
us the opportunity to explore the Adventures comfort<br />
and handling. Smooth, predictable , comfortable and<br />
oh-so-civilised.<br />
Confidence inspiring is a phrase that gets over used lot<br />
these days, but that’s exactly what the F 850 GS Adventure<br />
is. It is a pleasure to ride on the road. The seat,<br />
the pegs, and the bike’s controls are all well placed. The<br />
saddle is comfortable. Looking straight ahead, the TFT<br />
dash sits nicely just below your eye line. It’s excellent,<br />
very clear, even in bright sunlight, and there’s a lot of<br />
information on display. Coupled with the BMW ‘Wunderwheel’<br />
controller on the handlebars, it’s possible to<br />
navigate through the menu on the run, and it’s all very<br />
intuitive and simple to use. BMW has nailed the TFT<br />
dash from a usability perspective.<br />
When we hit the dirt – stand up, look up and all that –<br />
The GSA has a dual-action brake pedal. If you flip up<br />
the first part, it becomes better positioned for standing.<br />
Riding off-road really got to showcase the handling of<br />
the bike on its 21-inch front, and 17-inch back wheels.<br />
It’s actually quite impressive how well this girl handles<br />
the dirt. Just relax and let her do all the work. She<br />
gives great confidence in the rough stuff, particularly<br />
in enduro mode which is accessed by the flick of a few<br />
buttons. The standing position is excellent for off-road<br />
riding. It just feels so natural and comfortable, and – we<br />
need to mention that the electronic suspension is quite<br />
something. We aimed her at quite a few speedbumps<br />
that turned into jumps and we were impressed at the<br />
manner in which she took then in her stride.<br />
The F 850 GS Adventure is fitted with tubeless spoked<br />
wheels. They’re so much easier to handle a roadside<br />
puncture with, why don’t all manufacturers fit this type?<br />
The BMW F 850 GS Adventure comes in two versions;<br />
the standard F 850 GS Adventure and the F 850 GS<br />
Adventure Sport. The standard model comes with ABS,<br />
automatic stability control, engine and hand guards,<br />
luggage rack, an adjustable touring screen, enduro<br />
footrests, slipper clutch, riding modes pro (dynamic pro<br />
and enduro pro), power socket, LED lights, and a TFT<br />
screen with connectivity.<br />
The F 850 GS Adventure Sport builds on all of that<br />
by adding daytime riding lights, an additional LED fog<br />
light, LED indicators, dynamic traction control, gearshift<br />
assist pro, riding mode pro (dynamic pro, enduro and<br />
enduro pro), and ABS pro.<br />
If you are looking for absolute luxury on the road with<br />
decent, go and explore gravel-road prowess then you<br />
need to take one for a spin.<br />
The F 850 GS Adventure is fitted with cruise control,<br />
which is great for long journeys. The screen has two<br />
positions, well thought out and works perfectly deflecting<br />
air effectively and creates a comfortable, bubble around<br />
the rider. Performance wise, the 850 parallel twin engine<br />
is torquey and revs smoothly. The addition of standard<br />
road and rain engine modes, along with optional enduro<br />
modes, that can be chosen on the fly enhance it. Clutch<br />
actuation is smooth, light and progressive – and once<br />
you discover the quckshifter – well you won’t use the<br />
clutch much after that. She comes with powerful brakes<br />
and ABS that is very unobstrusive.<br />
R18, First Edition 2020<br />
4,000km E X Demo<br />
R299 000<br />
S 1000 RR, 2014<br />
45,000km - Too many extras to mention<br />
R149 000<br />
R1250 GS HP 2020<br />
2 000km EX Demo<br />
R245 000<br />
R1200 GS Adventure 2017<br />
48 000km - Top box, Full Akrapovic,<br />
Tinted Screen<br />
R189 000<br />
R 1200 R, 2015<br />
25,000km Panniers<br />
R129 000<br />
R1250RT, 2019<br />
18 000km<br />
R249 000<br />
F 850 GS Adventure, 2020<br />
3,500km<br />
R199 000<br />
F700 GS 2014<br />
33,000km<br />
R69 000<br />
BMW Motorrad Fourways<br />
// NEW BIKE SALES<br />
// USED BIKE SALES<br />
// WORKSHOP<br />
// SPARES<br />
// ACCESSORIES<br />
Cnr Witkoppen and Cedar Road.<br />
Fourways, Gauteng.<br />
Tel: (011) 367-1600<br />
Email: rodney.serfontein@cedarisle.co.za
Triumphs 900 Tiger. Civilized excitement…<br />
www.triumph-motorcycles.co.za<br />
Man. It’s quite easy to understand why this<br />
bike was voted bike of the year by quite a few<br />
international media houses last year. Not only<br />
did Triumph re-invent the Tiger, but they made<br />
a bike that easily matches just about anything,<br />
not only in this midrange but also in the bigger<br />
classes.<br />
If you follow the mag – you’ll know that this<br />
writer love the old 800, so much so that three<br />
of them have made their way into our garage.<br />
But members of our team were not so easily<br />
impressed, citing things like a weird seating<br />
position and various other maladies.<br />
The Tiger 900 is all-new, from the front wheel<br />
to the back, and from the screen (in any of its<br />
five, easy to adjust positions) downward. The<br />
old 800 was a great bike, but the development<br />
team started with a blank sheet.<br />
This was the first time that our whole team got<br />
to ride the 900 and this time round, the bike<br />
received a serious thumbs up from everyone<br />
and a grinning “I told you so” from the editor.<br />
And it all starts with that 900cc triple engine.<br />
Somehow Triumph – and we won’t go in to<br />
lots of detail here – changed the firing order<br />
on the bike to change it from a civilized cuppa<br />
tea to tequila shots on the bar.’ Strue. Not that<br />
much faster – but just so much more exciting<br />
and engaging to ride. To be absolutely honest,<br />
Triumph has given the bike an almost V-Twin<br />
feel… It loves to be revved, and there’s plenty<br />
of usable power low down. It’s quick on the<br />
road and on the dirt, and the quick-shifter<br />
works perfectly.<br />
In fact – of the bikes feature in this here<br />
article, the 790 KTM and the 900 engines give<br />
you a bigger shot of adrenaline than any of<br />
the others. Absolute power is a claimed 94bhp<br />
at 8750rpm, and peak torque<br />
happens at 7250rpm, but Triumph also boast<br />
an increase across the rev range. Off road<br />
you generally use fractional throttle openings,<br />
and at 3750rpm the bike is producing over<br />
40bhp, which is quite enough to get you into<br />
all sorts of trouble if you don’t basop!<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
CM<br />
MY<br />
CY<br />
CMY<br />
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But they also paid attention to ergonomics,<br />
styling suspension – and of course – electronics.<br />
There are six rider modes on the Rally Pro and<br />
on our test, we spent most time in Off-road, with<br />
dialled down TC and ABS. Hardcore riders can<br />
enjoy Off-road Pro, which removes all the safety<br />
nets. Turn off the ignition and the bike reverts<br />
to base settings. The adventure market loves<br />
gadgets, and the Tiger come with an impressive<br />
level of equipment. You get multiple modes,<br />
heated grips, cruise control, cornering ABS and<br />
traction control and big TFT instruments. heated<br />
seats, quickshifter, Bluetooth, tyre pressure<br />
monitoring, centre stand and fog lights…<br />
The bike is comfortable and well laid out with<br />
every control falling easily to hand and an<br />
electronics control that does not require days to<br />
figure out. It has a marvelous TFT display. the<br />
windscreen is adjustable with one hand from the<br />
saddle and does a nice job of deflecting the worst<br />
of the air without buffeting. Sitting or standing up,<br />
the bike is really comfy for riders of all sizes.<br />
The frame looks similar to the old 800’s, but the<br />
rear subframe is now a bolt-on item in ally with<br />
separate bolt-on pillion footrest hangers,<br />
reducing the risk of an expensive frame swap in<br />
the event of a light spill – just replace the<br />
subframe or footrest hangers. Our Photog<br />
accidentally dropped the bike while shuffling it<br />
for a photograph (Happens sometimes) and the<br />
crash bars took the brunt with only a few small<br />
scuff marks as evidence (Sorry Triumph!)<br />
At 20 litres, the tank is marginally bigger than<br />
the old one, too and the airbox design allows an<br />
air filter change without removing the tank which<br />
was a real pain.<br />
Most of us agree that the Triumph 900 is the<br />
most balanced of the bikes in this feature. It is so<br />
comfortable, quick sharp and nimble on the road<br />
and – well just as good in the dirt.<br />
Spot the Dam under the lawn.<br />
Our Riders share their thoughts:<br />
Donovan Fourie:<br />
Yamaha Tenere 700:<br />
When we fetched this motorcycle from Linex Yamaha, we asked<br />
Gareth – da man dere – to comment on the lack of traction<br />
control, rider modes, quickshifter, TFT dash, Playstation consol<br />
and other forms of electronic brilliance we now consider<br />
essential in our cushy motorcycling lives.<br />
“It’s like an old XT,” he shrugged with a wry smile. ”It’s simple,<br />
and it will do the job.”<br />
Dammit! I hate it when industry people have witty retorts to us<br />
journalists’ cunning interrogation! Such cheek!<br />
He’s right. The T7 (the name given to its original concept bike<br />
and a name that has stuck because it’s far easier than saying<br />
Ten-uh-rey-Sev-en-hun-dred) is lighter than its contemporaries,<br />
has better suspension, a sublime (even if comparatively<br />
underpowered) motor with a fulfilling growl and a quality that<br />
Yamaha has spent decades achieving.<br />
If I were tasked with riding into the Great Unknown, equipped<br />
with nothing but my wits and a motorcycle, it would be a T7.<br />
I’d take a bunch of tubes and 19-inch Allen key with me, mind<br />
you…<br />
Triumph Tiger 900:<br />
The Triumph brand has accomplished some sort of strange<br />
affable effect on people – people of different brand orientations<br />
will wage a full-on social media war against one another with<br />
each vying for their own brand’s credibility while conveying<br />
blood-curdling discontent for the opposition’s.<br />
That’s until you mention Triumph.<br />
“Ja, no, actually, Triumphs are pretty good too,” exclaim all<br />
parties before reloading their weapons of retort to unleash hell<br />
on that other brand.<br />
There is nothing to dislike about Triumph because they produce<br />
motorcycles that are thoroughly un-dislikeable.<br />
You know the 900 will be good because it’s better than the Tiger<br />
800, and if that were in this test, we would have loved that.<br />
BMW F850GS Adventure:<br />
The 850 is BMW doing what BMW do best – building capable,<br />
intelligent, understated motorcycles that you, the reader –<br />
despite our scribes perhaps suggesting otherwise – are most<br />
likely going to buy.<br />
We can’t really knock it for anything in particular – it doesn’t<br />
vibrate, it’s perfectly comfortable, everything works with German<br />
efficiency, and it has never killed orphans – at the same time,<br />
it isn’t the best at anything. Personally, I like the dapper looks<br />
where there have been some clear attempts at styling beyond<br />
“make it look like a rally bike”.<br />
The 850 GSA will not blow your socks off, but it will get you<br />
where you’re going, both in terms of the journey and life in general,<br />
where the sock blowers possibly may not.<br />
KTM 790 Adventure R:<br />
Where the BMW comes across all adult and mature, the KTM<br />
really is a ridiculous toy. It is smaller than its peers, it’s lighter<br />
and yet wallops with very much the same punch. The KTM will<br />
go as fast as anything mid-range, but without the rider feeling as<br />
though they have a massive chunk of metal beneath them that<br />
might freight-train off uncontrollably without notice.<br />
It shoves confidence in the rider’s corner, tempting them to<br />
attempt feats that may not have been considered on other machines,<br />
making manoeuvres that would otherwise be resigned<br />
to dreamland a reality. Or hopefully a reality.<br />
It’s a motorcycle for grown-up children. If you’re the sort of person<br />
that laughs at jokes and then immediately thinks: “I’m going<br />
to hell for this,” may we interest you in a KTM?<br />
SWM Superdual 650:<br />
In a test of the elite, what the hell is this thing doing here? How<br />
very dare it!<br />
One cylinder? Nearly half the horsepower? A dash that looks<br />
like an old Casio? Absolutely no creature comforts? The absolute<br />
nerve of these people.<br />
Except that it costs R97,000.<br />
Fine, but you pay less you get less, right?<br />
Except that the SWM is rather good. It will not win any drag races,<br />
no beauty contests and no science fairs, but it has a spark<br />
that leaves the rider giggling. A well-executed thumper is has<br />
a magic all on its own, especially when twinned with a chassis<br />
that’s the lightest of the group and yet features everything the<br />
off-road junkie could want.<br />
Did we mention that it’s currently only R97,000?
Kyle says:<br />
YAMAHA T7:<br />
The first time that I rode this bike, I was not convinced. The<br />
hype behind the bike was huge, but when I rode it I was slightly<br />
confused.<br />
However - we picked up the T7 from Linex and well, I need to<br />
eat humble pie. For some reason, this bike was a lot more fun<br />
to ride than the first one. No idea why, it just was.<br />
My first question is what did they do to this bike? I jumped on<br />
the bike and opened her up and raced down the canal roads<br />
thinking I was Ross Branch.<br />
Now I am not going to harp on about the suspension, there are<br />
rumblings about it, but that can be set up. The bike is a tall bike<br />
with a seat hight of 875mm but 5mm lower than the KTM, so it<br />
not the tallest. You can feel this straight off the bat. If you want<br />
to turn around, it feels really light to maneuver in tighter areas.<br />
On this bike you sit in the bike not on top of the bike unlike the<br />
KTM. It’s a well balanced bike and after a few minutes you feel<br />
like you are on a dirt bike.<br />
What makes this bike special is the way it puts the power down.<br />
It is not intimidating at all, anything it is predictable and<br />
manageable but don’t get it in your mind that it is lazy. On the<br />
fast gravel roads you can ride it flat out and drift through every<br />
corner. It’s a really cool looking Dakar bike.<br />
KTM 790 ADVENTURE R:<br />
This is the first time I have ridden this bike for longer than 10<br />
kays. Right away you need to realise that this bike and the<br />
Yamaha T7 are two different beasts. Unlike the Yamie, the KTM<br />
has a ton of electronics. The special thing about the 790 is the<br />
rider modes that come with the bike. The one that stands out<br />
is the Rally mode. Now this mode has made off-road riding on<br />
these bikes so much fun. On the rally mode you can set the<br />
throttle sensitivity. When setting it you can choose how<br />
aggressive you want the power to be.<br />
In the same breath, the days of turning the traction control are<br />
over. You can adjust the “SLIP” on the fly while going around a<br />
corner. This means you can change the aggressiveness of the<br />
traction control as per the surface you are riding.<br />
On a fast slippery gravel corner, I set it to be slightly more<br />
aggressive - to prevent completely sliding out and on the dunes<br />
turn it completely down. Its all quite mind boggling at first, but<br />
once you have it figured it all kind of makes sense.<br />
Being the tallest bike on the day this bike has a real dirt bike<br />
seating position. You sit on top of the bike with lots of room to<br />
slide up and down the seat. The bike is well balanced with a<br />
low centre of gravity making thing this bike easy to ride fast and<br />
handle through some tight and rough spots. The one thing I did<br />
notice is it doesn’t get as hot as some of the other LC8 motors<br />
out there. This bike is also the most racey of the lot for the day.<br />
You can defiantly feel the ready to race DNA.<br />
TRIUMPH 900:<br />
This is the bike that impressed me the most for the day. We<br />
have the predecessor in our garage and well, what they have<br />
done is give this bike more personality and wow was it fun to<br />
ride. The bike feels a lot smaller and nimble with a beautiful<br />
sounding motor. Keep in mind this is the newest bike out of the<br />
lot. The motor is completely new from top to bottom. It is alive<br />
from the word go. And it handled my abuse with ease.<br />
SWM 650:<br />
Well, if you love a KLR650 – you can’t get a new one. Let this<br />
be the replacement. At R97 000 this bike is the best value for<br />
money out there. The motors have proved to be reliable. This<br />
bike feels great. It is so much fun to ride – like a dirtbike on<br />
steroids.<br />
This one bike was fitted with arrow pipes that woke up the<br />
neighbourhood but it was just so cool to ride flat out.<br />
You can ride it like a dirt bike and like we did take it on a long<br />
journey. Simple, uncomplicated adventure travel. I really had a<br />
lot of fun.<br />
BMW 850 ADV:<br />
Off the bat, it looks great and better than its predecessor, it even<br />
sounds better. This is typical, conservative BMW.<br />
The suspension on the bike is really good. Riding hard, or even<br />
getting a bit airborne, the bike did not bottom out at all. It feels<br />
well planted and comfortable. The display on this bike is lovely,<br />
it is sharp and bright. The rider ads are easily activated and<br />
enabled with one button.and on the road it is just so<br />
comfortable.<br />
#GO<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations!<br />
The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.<br />
Photo: R. Schedl<br />
KTM 790 ADVENTURE / R<br />
Get your FREE QUICKSHIFTER and CRUISE CONTROL with your new<br />
KTM 790 ADVENTURE and KTM 790 ADVENTURE R<br />
ADVENTURE MORE<br />
Developed from KTM’s offroad race DNA, the KTM 790 ADVENTURE R is<br />
a serious travel capable offroad motorcycle equipped for the most extreme<br />
escapes. With the hardcore adventurer in mind, it balances the power<br />
of a twin, with the lightness and agility of a single-cylinder offroad bike,<br />
to open up new riding possibilities. It offers an impressive fuel range<br />
without compromising agility, feeding a powerful yet compact, smooth<br />
and reliable engine. Access more extreme and distant offroad terrain<br />
thanks to easy-to-use rider aids and practical ergonomics.<br />
Phone 011 462 7796 for your nearest dealer.
Sean says:<br />
T7:<br />
As a hard core middle weight adventure bike this one it is very<br />
good … if you weigh less than 100kg’s. My chunky ass had the<br />
suspension bottoming out occasionally at speed through some<br />
of the rougher stuff. I am aware, however that it can all be set up<br />
and adjusted and knowing KYB, it’s a quick fix.<br />
Long, fast winding good dirt roads were easily ridden at high<br />
speeds with the rear wheel drifting out a bit. The CP2 parallel twin<br />
motor is fantastic and is very smooth at any speed and on the<br />
tarmac I easily got the T7 up to 200kmh. The big 21 inch knobbly<br />
shod front wheel did the usual bob and weave that all these types<br />
of bikes do at those kind of speeds and which was easily<br />
remedy by shifting my weight a bit back on the seat and relaxing<br />
my shoulders and my grip on the left handle bar. Wind protection<br />
in the cockpit is great, even for a 2 metre long slab like me.<br />
The T7 is reasonably tall with a really comfortable relationship<br />
between the foot pegs, seat and handle bars. I was easily able to<br />
stand up without having to crouch down to reach the bars which<br />
really changes your feel and confidence when riding off road …<br />
You shorter folk really don’t understand the struggle anybody over<br />
1.85 metres has with that.<br />
Ergonomics and cockpit lay out are intuitive with everything<br />
exactly where you would instinctively expect to find them. The T7<br />
is a back to basics bike with very little in the way of<br />
electronic gadgets, so for the hard nosed old school riders it is<br />
great, however I have come to really enjoy things like shift assist<br />
gears when standing up and riding technical sections and cruise<br />
control when eating up the miles on long tar sections. Unfortunately<br />
we only discovered the puncture in the front wheel when<br />
I got to ride the T7, so I didn’t get to ride it as much as I would<br />
have liked but I do think that if one ever came onto the used bike<br />
market at a reasonable price I might just buy it and spend a bit of<br />
money beefing up the suspension and maybe fitting an after-market<br />
quick shifter.<br />
790R:<br />
This is possibly one of the best kitted out bikes in this mid weight<br />
category. A little bit on the low or short side for my 2m chassis<br />
so I would definitely fit some bar raisers and possibly higher<br />
and wider handle bars. I have had the pleasure of riding a 790R<br />
through, over and around Lesotho on a 4 day trip on some of the<br />
gnarliest terrain the mountain kingdom has to offer as well as<br />
riding all the way there and back on tar for a lot of the distance<br />
and to be honest there is very little to fault on the 790R.<br />
It is genuinely an all-round good motorcycle and really good value<br />
for money. Flat out on the tar, the 21 inch knobbly gets a bit<br />
squirley, but once again just relax and let it do its thing. The cockpit<br />
is a little bit fiddly with its multi button navigation and smaller<br />
display but really only takes a few minutes to get acclimatized to.<br />
Flipping through the riders modes, traction control setting and the<br />
like really let you set the bike to your personal riding style. I really<br />
enjoy the quick shifter. Especially in the more technical stuff, just<br />
makes gear changing so much quicker and easier. Possibly the<br />
bike we all had the most sport on during the ride. I am keeping<br />
my beady eyes open for any really good bargains to be had on<br />
one of these, a bike that definitely needs to grace my garage.<br />
it was definitely the most brash. It is light and nimble with plenty<br />
of grunt, maxing out at about 165kmh on the tar and surprising<br />
stable at those speeds. In the dirt it was a huge amount of fun to<br />
ride, easily jumping over humps and bumps with wild abandon<br />
as the suspension easily soaked some of the harder landings,<br />
hanging its back wheel out on long sweeping winding dirt roads<br />
and just generally having a good time. It is reasonably compact<br />
and nimble little bike and with very little in the way of<br />
electronics to possibly go wrong. Long tar sections through the<br />
Karoo might become a bit tedious for the taller, heavier riders,<br />
but as a day to day commuter it would be a lot of fun. Narrow<br />
enough to scoot between the traffic, also tall enough to see over<br />
most cars and plenty acceleration off the line to leave the traffic<br />
in your dust … speaking from experience here.<br />
Then weekends it is off to the bush for a bit of an explore and a<br />
lot of fun … did I mention that the price is from 10 years ago?<br />
850 GSA:<br />
So … I am probably going to be shot for saying this, but I am<br />
not a huge fan of the 850 GSA’s big brother. I just find it too big<br />
and too cumbersome, even at 6 foot plenty and 115kg’s. Then,<br />
I am also not completely sold on its sibling the F850GS, a good<br />
bike but needs work on its suspension … and personality.<br />
So I was a bit non-committal about riding the ADV and left it<br />
for absolute last and then only because I had to drop it back<br />
off with the dealer and collect the bakkie to get home. Once I<br />
swung my leg over the big girl and got a few miles under my<br />
belt on her I started kicking myself! She is big, but not too big,<br />
she is plush, but not soft and when you get enthusiastic with the<br />
revs she definitely has quite a bit of pep. Honestly, I only spent<br />
about 10 kays on her in the dirt bouncing through mud and<br />
over rocks with the odd steep climb or decent here and there,<br />
but I could tell that the 850GSA is a completely different beast<br />
than its standard sibling that I used to compete in last years GS<br />
Trophy.<br />
The suspension acted and reacted very predictably in the<br />
rougher terrain, the big tank did not make the bike feel top<br />
heavy or cumbersome, the quick shifter is surprisingly smooth<br />
even at low rpm and like silk when working higher up in the rev<br />
range. On the tarmac back from the canals to Fourways was an<br />
absolute pleasure. Set the cruise control at a few kays above<br />
the posted national speed limit sit back and watch the scenery<br />
whizz by in plush comfort.<br />
Of all the brands on the market, BMW definitely has the easiest<br />
electronics package to use. The TFT screen is large and easy<br />
to read, especially for those with older eyes, navigating through<br />
the various screens is easily done with one button and a nav<br />
wheel on the left handle bar that instantly becomes intuitive.<br />
Comfort wise BMW is hard to beat and the older I get the more<br />
I appreciate things like plush seats, luxurious riding positions,<br />
quick shifters, cruise control, big easy to read displays,<br />
easy and plentiful power delivery but still young enough to enjoy<br />
a bit of rough sport in the dirt and the BMW 850 GSA delivers<br />
on all fronts but does come with at bit of a premium price.<br />
Tiger 900:<br />
The newest model in this market only having being launched<br />
early in the third quarter of 2020 where all the other bikes have<br />
been on the market for at least two years.<br />
To be honest, I was a little worried about riding the new 900<br />
Tiger, much to the chagrin of a lot of my mates and industry<br />
colleagues; I never really got on with the outgoing 800 model.<br />
It was a fantastic motorcycle in most respects bar the sitting<br />
position.<br />
No matter how much I adjusted the handle bars they always felt<br />
awkward to me, even and possibly especially when standing up.<br />
Somehow they were always too far away and yet too close at<br />
the same time, the rest of the bike I loved, especially that<br />
phenomenal triple cylinder power plant. And I am happy to<br />
report that the new 900 is an all new bike and they have sorted<br />
out the seating position dramatically. On the tar the new 900 is<br />
quite the weapon, as far as an adventure bike can be, the handling,<br />
power delivery and stopping power inspire you to try and<br />
rattle a couple of Tupperware torpedo’s through the mountain<br />
passes. Its manners are even better in the dirt almost making<br />
you forget that you are not on a lightweight fantastic plastic.<br />
I think unchaperoned and left to my own devices I might just try<br />
some stupid stuff a la Ernie Vigil on the 900 Tiger. The<br />
electronics package is brilliant and once you get used to the<br />
switches and the menu’s it is really quite easy to navigate<br />
through, the display can also be customised to your preference.<br />
Everything just works so well of the new 900. The power shifter<br />
is one of the smoothest, up and down, I have ridden with, the triple<br />
cylinder engine give excellent low down torque and delivers<br />
smooth hard revving power out the top with very little to no discernible<br />
vibration. Comfort wise the cockpit is great with plenty<br />
of leg room, comfortable angles on hips and knees when seated<br />
and the bars are comfortably high enough for me to stand and<br />
ride yet low enough not to cause fatigue on my shoulders while<br />
eating up the long distance kilo’s.<br />
All the bikes we rode are all within 10 to 15% of each other<br />
in price except for the SWM, and most of them do represent<br />
really good value for money, but if I had to choose one to do<br />
everything well from daily commuting to long distance tours and<br />
a whole bunch of bushwhacking thrown in it would be a toss up<br />
between the BMW, KTM and Triumph, they have most of the<br />
gadgets that I want, they all fit my lanky frame very well, are<br />
lightweight enough to bang around the bush on and are good<br />
comfortable long distance tourers.<br />
SWM:<br />
I have never had the privilege to ride one of these bikes before<br />
and was somewhat surprised when it felt very familiar swinging<br />
my leg over it. Reason for that is that it is essentially the old red<br />
Husqvarna 650 before they joined forces with KTM - and we have<br />
a Husqvarna Terra 650 in our fleet which we all ride very<br />
regularly. At a grand or two under a 100K it is really good value<br />
for money. It is small in stature compared to the rest of the bikes<br />
on the ride, but fitted with twin Arrow exhaust, (aftermarket),<br />
Puncture interrrupts play.<br />
The glamorous life of media. Waiting for the photographers to do their job.
Trevor says:<br />
I think the feature writer was referring to me when he was<br />
talking about the “weekend warrior”.<br />
While I have spent some time on the dirt (and once or<br />
twice in it!) I tend to view dirt with a degree of caution and<br />
I count it a good day when neither me nor the bike gets<br />
damaged!<br />
Triumph:<br />
Having owned a brace of Triumphs previously (800XC<br />
and 1200 Adv) I naturally wanted to try the newer 900. I<br />
was not disappointed – even having recently coming from<br />
the 1200 the bike felt just as comfortable with pretty much<br />
a similar sitting position.<br />
I do think the instrument cluster is laid out better – if you<br />
had to challenge me I really wouldn’t be able to tell you<br />
why but it felt familiar enough that checking the clocks<br />
and using the indicator button was pretty much where I<br />
expected it to be.<br />
What really bought the point home that the bike has been<br />
redesigned was when I went up onto the pegs – and<br />
didn’t need to modify my standing position. In both the<br />
800xc and the 1200 I got handlebar risers installed so that<br />
the standing position felt more comfortable and natural.<br />
The bike is really gutsy when accelerating and it is only<br />
once you get above the 150 mark that the difference in<br />
engine size becomes noticeable. And the speed-shifter!<br />
My previous experience with a speed-shifter has been<br />
limited – but Triumph has done a sterling job to such an<br />
extent that even an older (insert appropriate term) like me<br />
was soon happily making good use of it.<br />
The rider mods/electronic package has been upgraded<br />
and was sufficiently user-friendly that it took all of about<br />
30 seconds for me to grasp the concept of how to change<br />
things to my liking – and THAT is impressive.<br />
KTM:<br />
I was disappointed not to be able to spend more time on this.<br />
Initial impressions were that the stance is different – it seemed<br />
narrower and taller but was not uncomfortable. Obviously, the<br />
sitting position (based on the above) was different – but not<br />
uncomfortable or unpleasant. The clocks were laid out fairly<br />
well (weekend warrior speaking – not<br />
techie journalist) and things worked pretty much as you would<br />
expect them to.<br />
I did get a sense of a bear waiting to be poked when I opened<br />
the throttle a bit too much on the dirt. The bike was balanced<br />
and forgiving enough that I was able to correct my errant behaviour<br />
and not end up in the dirt instead of on top of it. Spend<br />
some time with this machine and I am<br />
reasonably certain that confidence will grow in leaps and<br />
bounds. And in the hands of a skilled rider this machine will<br />
definitely keep them entertained.<br />
Having said that, at no stage did I feel that I was about to lose<br />
it or that the bike was going to be unmanageable – as long as<br />
I rode within my limits and didn’t try to mimic the “pace” that<br />
some of the more experienced riders were<br />
putting the bikes through.<br />
Yamaha T7:<br />
Sadly, when I jumped aboard, the T7 had a flat wheel… so, it<br />
was a very short romance… It would be unfair for me to try to<br />
scribble anything about it, but I do look forward to riding it again<br />
soon…<br />
BMW:<br />
This was an interesting ride. Similar to the Triumph in that it is<br />
comfortably reserved in terms of power delivery (throw your<br />
weight behind the throttle and there is good deal of “get up and<br />
where the heck are we already – did I blink!) whilst seated on<br />
padded luxury .. sigh.<br />
The electronics package is very user-friendly and there is definitely<br />
a sense that the engineers have spent a<br />
reasonable amount of time getting feedback from the riders.<br />
There are enough settings to satisfy even the most go-gogadget<br />
boy freak out there – without coming across like something<br />
that has been designed by a bunch of techies. This stuff<br />
actually works, and it works very well.<br />
This is a bike that is comfortable on those long open roads<br />
whether they are road or dirt.<br />
Here are some interesting stats:<br />
Bike Motor Power Torque Weight Price<br />
Triumph Tiger 900 888cc triple 94hp 87Nm 201kg (dry) From R229,000<br />
KTM 790 Adventure R 799cc inline twin 94hp 88Nm 189kg (dry) From R209,999<br />
BMW F850GS Adventure 853cc inline twin 95hp 92Nm 244kg (wet) From R237,000<br />
Yamaha Tenere 700 689cc inline twin 72hp 68Nm 205kg (wet) From R199,950<br />
SWM Supertrail 650 600cc single 57hp n/a 196kg (wet) From R97,000<br />
Would I (buy this over the 1200) – hell yes! In a heart-beat<br />
– now anyone want to make a donation to my Triumph<br />
fund?<br />
SWM 650:<br />
This was the smallest bike out of the lot. It is also one with<br />
the least amount of electronics – and this was the bike<br />
that I got to ride on the loose dirt pass previously referred<br />
to…<br />
So picture a cat on a hot tin roof riding a bike that is very<br />
different to the Triumph – that’s right. The bike layout is<br />
very similar (I thought) to a dirt bike – I spent an afternoon<br />
a few years back destroying a new pair of jeans and a<br />
decent t-shirt in a muddy vlei on a borrowed Honda 230 a<br />
while back – but is obviously a bit heavier and bigger.<br />
I think the photographers were hoping to get some “action<br />
shots” – you know the sort where the bike ends up on top<br />
of the rider who is busily eating a clump of grass mixed<br />
with a healthy serving of dirt. Did I mention that I tend to<br />
approach dirt with a degree of caution?<br />
I am pleased to say that the bike is that good, that they<br />
were disappointed – and I was very relieved! I do believe<br />
there was air between the tyres and the ground more than<br />
once too.<br />
Which speaks more to the bikes overall capability than to<br />
mine I believe.<br />
Capable, nicely balanced, good torquey motor and very<br />
little electronics to distract you from keeping the top bits<br />
up and the bottom bits down. At the price – an absolute<br />
steal.
“I love the smell<br />
of 2 stroke<br />
in the Morning”<br />
3 TPI’s same same or different?<br />
We try to enlighten you.<br />
For this issue, the guys from TRAX MOTO invited us to ride the<br />
three TPI 300’s available from the KTM group. We hear you say “But<br />
they are the same!” We hear you – and mmmm – we disagree. Each<br />
bike is different, and in this feature, we’ll try to explain why.<br />
First off , and before we even start, any one of these bikes is a great<br />
choice. The fact that they share a parent company means that<br />
important stuff like parts and technical backup and servicing is<br />
pretty easy. And more good news is that TRAX MOTO in Silverlakes<br />
is now a dealer for all three brands.<br />
When we did the feature on the GasGas ec300 in last months issue,<br />
we mentioned that it was brand new. Since then, the bike has been<br />
run in and has undergone a little bit of setup in the workshop.
The bikes:<br />
The KTM 300 XCW is one of KTM’s best-selling<br />
motorcycles. It’s been a while since we rode one,<br />
and this one was freshly run in<br />
Third up for duty is the Husqvarna TE 300. The<br />
last time we rode one of these, was at the 2020<br />
bike launch in Lesotho, so for us, it was fantastic<br />
to compare it with its siblings.<br />
It seems that the guys from the dealership were<br />
aware that crash Bandicoot AND Roley Foley were<br />
going to ride them – and they were instructed to fit<br />
every protective part known to man.<br />
Each bike was fully kitted with protective parts.<br />
PSS was tasked with radiator and rear disc<br />
protection. Acerbis skid plates were fitted on all<br />
three bikes – and Carbontek supplied the exhaust<br />
guards. Various other bits littered the bikes like<br />
Acerbis reservoir covers and so-on. The brush<br />
guards are standard with power part inserts.<br />
Other than that, TRAX left the bike standard.<br />
COMFORTABLE, SAFE<br />
& STYLISH PROTECTION<br />
WITH FREE GOGGLES<br />
The test venue:<br />
We opted to use the Mamarok facility out near<br />
Mamelodi for this feature. Mamarok will be changing<br />
soon – they have a lot of upgrades and plans in the<br />
pipeline. Watch this space and we’ll keep you posted.<br />
The track is a really lekker flowing short loop that<br />
incorporates natural and man-made obstacles. You<br />
can select the red, more tech option or you can take<br />
the chicken run at each obstacle. Either way, its great<br />
fun and at about lap 10, you’ll be pretty tired.<br />
We did not go rock hopping although we would have<br />
liked to, but this course was perfect to ride each bike<br />
on the same track over the same distance to give<br />
each rider and idea of what each bike is about. It’s<br />
long enough to feel the engine characteristics with so<br />
much diverse terrain that you get a perfect feel for the<br />
suspension and handling characteristics of each bike.<br />
Being the scientific type that we are, each rider<br />
selected a bike and did a lap. Swapped bikes and did<br />
another lap, swapped again… and so on . Each rider<br />
put in about nine laps at least three laps on each bike<br />
with some pulling an extra one on their favourite. At<br />
each stop and swap, we chatted and laughed, (a lot),<br />
and traded notes and comments.<br />
LEATT.COM
Read This:<br />
Each of us came away with a favorite bike and what was<br />
interesting is the fact that the choices were so distinct.<br />
There was no ummm’s … errs or maybe’s, each of our<br />
riders had a favorite on the day, based purely on the ride.<br />
And each rider selected a different bike as their favorite for<br />
the day. We kid you not, usually when we do a test like this,<br />
it often happens that we all lean more towards one than<br />
the other. This time, if someone handed us folding money<br />
notes and told us to choose, we’d each have a different<br />
bike on the bakkie.<br />
And each rider has a very different riding style.<br />
The Riders:<br />
Mike Wessels is a fast MX boy. He only understands<br />
speed, wheelies and jumps. But he can ride rocks and<br />
things too. And very well at that.<br />
Kyle leans a lot more towards harder enduro. He is a great<br />
technical rider and is most often found trying to ride up or<br />
down a wall.<br />
Glenn is the epitome of a decent weekend warrior without<br />
a racing bone in his body. He is happy to plod along in just<br />
about any terrain until there is food in the distance… then<br />
he becomes a racer.<br />
All three riders are very experienced. And all three have<br />
ridden various renditions of all of these bikes…<br />
Same:<br />
Each bike shares a two stroke 300cc TPI engine – the KTM<br />
groups very latest technology. Electric start, a vibration-free<br />
feel to power and incredibly smooth bottom-to-mid juice<br />
allow the off-roader to get traction and let the engine pull<br />
you over obstacles. The six-speed gearbox is well-spaced<br />
– although to be fair on this track, fourth is about as far as<br />
we went . The clutch pull on each bike is light and easy to<br />
feather with one of them better than the others. When you<br />
add good fuel economy and oil injection to the engine’s<br />
superb hitless power, you have a true enduro weapon.<br />
Some differences:<br />
They all share varying degrees of WP suspension. Of<br />
course, the KTM is the only one of the three with no linkage.<br />
Up front, the KTM and the GasGas have cast triple clamps,<br />
while the Husqvarna comes standard with very trick looking<br />
Billet units.<br />
They share the same frame – but as you all know, the<br />
Husqvarna has a carbon composite sub frame.<br />
The wheels are all different – GasGas wears silver Excel<br />
rims, KTM’s black wheels are made by Giant and the<br />
Husqvarna is fitted with DID Dirt Stars all with polished<br />
hubs.<br />
The KTM and GasGas come standard with Maxxis rubber<br />
and the Husqvarna has Metzeler six days.<br />
The KTM has a Brembo clutch and brakes, the Husqvarna<br />
has Magura clutch and brakes. The GasGas, in a nod to<br />
its Spanish heritage wears BrakeTec technology in this<br />
department.<br />
The KTM and GasGas share Niken bars. The Husqvarna<br />
has slightly higher bend Pro Taper bars. KTM and Husqvarna<br />
give you MX type brush guards. Out of the box. Gas<br />
Gas has no brush guards.TRAX fitted the Powerparts<br />
braces on all three.<br />
To define the bikes, they all have different plastic styling<br />
and colours. So the rider has a choice as to what he or she<br />
likes best.
The ride:<br />
Here is what each of us agreed upon. Please remember<br />
that each of these bikes is stock standard as you’d buy<br />
them off the floor. They have only been dressed in protective<br />
gear.<br />
• The plushest, and most user friendly bike to ride<br />
is the GasGas. Thanks to clever ergonomic design the red<br />
bike feels smaller and more compact than the other two<br />
and this had us scratching our heads … because they are<br />
actually all the same size on paper. Our guys all mentioned<br />
that it is the easiest bike to put your feet on the ground.<br />
Thanks to a clever fuel tank design, slimmer between the<br />
legs and wider at the bottom than the other two, you get<br />
the impression that it is a physically smaller motorcycle. Go<br />
and ride one and you’ll see what we mean.<br />
Ground clearance is excellent and the bike is slender and<br />
turns so well. And of all three bikes it offers the plushest<br />
ride. Not soft, just comfortable, nimble and quick. And this<br />
bike has the softest clutch pull of all three bikes ridden.<br />
husqvarna-motorcycles.com<br />
husqvarna-motorcycles.com<br />
• The KTM absolutely lives up to its reputation of<br />
Ready to Race. It feels like a wound up spring ready to<br />
explode when you open that throttle. The fact that it has no<br />
linkage makes the bike feel more connected, you are more<br />
aware of the braking bumps and the bike gives a lot of feel<br />
and feedback in any terrain. Naturally the lack of a linkage<br />
does give the bike a slight advantage over the others in<br />
gnarly terrain.<br />
Of the three bikes, the KTM seems to offer the most exciting<br />
ride and it is really easy to understand why this one has<br />
legions of fans.<br />
• The Husqvarna is, perhaps for the connoisseur.<br />
The more discerning rider or racer that wants to open wide<br />
and have the very best suspension available to keep things<br />
comfortable.<br />
husqvarna-motorcycles.com<br />
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scene. Always wear protective safety gear and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations.<br />
The illustrated vehicle may vary in selected details from the production models and may feature optional equipment available at additional cost.<br />
Feather weight<br />
enduro.<br />
Whether you are entering the new J2<br />
National Enduro class or planning<br />
to take the spoils in E1, the Husqvarna<br />
TE 150i must be your weapon of choice.<br />
Just ask Rockstar Energy Husqvarna<br />
rider Heinrich Aust.<br />
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scene. Always wear protective safety gear and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations.<br />
The illustrated vehicle may vary in selected details from the production models and may feature optional equipment available at additional cost.<br />
TE<br />
150i<br />
Composite carbon subframe<br />
Switchable engine maps<br />
Fuel injection technology<br />
Photo By: www. ZCMC.co.za
We understand exactly why the Husqvarnna costs a little bit<br />
more – and that’s all down to the ride. After much heated debate<br />
and discussion amongst all of the riders, the general consensus<br />
that the Husqvarna is like a cross between the Gasser and the<br />
KTM. It has the very best characteristics of both bikes and some<br />
feel that it offers the most refined ride of the three bikes.<br />
Which is your favourite lads?<br />
The tech stuff:<br />
It’s all good and well us telling you about the bikes feel but our<br />
job is to tell you why that is. And it all comes down to<br />
suspension and ergonomic setup. Read what we told you about<br />
the GasGas plastics. That design influences the whole feel of<br />
the bike. The Bar bend is one of the factors that influences the<br />
feel of the whole motorcycle. On any bike, you need to spend<br />
time on your bikes setup. If you are comfortable – you will be a<br />
better rider.<br />
We made a call to Riaan from TRAX and bombed him with all<br />
kinds of questions about the differences between the bikes. He<br />
suggested that we call Will Slater from TBR suspension who<br />
gave us a few answers... www.tbrsuspension.co.za (Thanks<br />
Guys!)<br />
As you might be aware, Will works with most of the top enduro<br />
boys and he is currently working with Travis Teasdale’s<br />
Gas Gas team. We asked him the differences between each<br />
bikes suspension. He took time to research it all and to try and<br />
explain why the bikes feel different. And we were pretty chuffed<br />
that our conclusions were accurate.<br />
The fork diameters etc. are all the same, but the GasGas has a<br />
stiffer spring and softer valving than the Husqvarna.<br />
KTM changes the valving on their forks fairly frequently so they<br />
are also slightly different to the other two bikes.<br />
The rear shock on the linkage bikes is identical. As are the<br />
linkages themselves.<br />
Naturally, the KTM with its PDS system feels a bit more direct.<br />
“Generally our riders find that the PDS is great for climbing<br />
mountains – and then, of course that little bit more ground<br />
clearance comes into play. The Linkage system really comes<br />
into its own when you descend. The bikes just feel more in<br />
control and planted.”<br />
“In addition to the valving, the plushness up front that you feel<br />
between the GasGas, KTM and the Husqvarna is largely down<br />
to the cast triple clamps. Cast clamps allow for a bit of flex, the<br />
KTM and the GAS GAS both have cast clamps. The Husqvarna<br />
comes with Billet unit, like KTM’s Six day – and that stiffens the<br />
front up a bit.”<br />
Never say that you don’t learn stuff reading motorcycle<br />
magazines…<br />
In conclusion:<br />
There is no wrong choice here – and although the bikes are<br />
similar – they are all a bit different. Of course, the red one is<br />
something new and exciting that will stand out from the crowd.<br />
The Husqvarna and KTM have proved themselves over and<br />
over again.<br />
We suggest that you try and get a ride on each of them.<br />
TRAX MOTO in Silverlakes is now a dealer for all three brands<br />
www.go-mx.co.za<br />
– and the Husqvarna showroom will be open at the end of<br />
March.<br />
All three brands under one roof.<br />
Now that’s cool.<br />
The GasGas EC300 R135 000.00<br />
The KTM XCW300 R141 999.00<br />
The Husqvarna TE300I R146 699.00<br />
(012) 111-0190<br />
info@traxktm.co.za<br />
Specialists in motocross gear and accessories<br />
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www.motomedia.co.za<br />
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S997