Dirt an Trail July 2022
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Ride More Stress Less<br />
www.motomedia.co.za<br />
JULY <strong>2022</strong><br />
JUNE <strong>2022</strong> RSA R40.00<br />
9 771815 337001<br />
22007<br />
CR 50th<br />
honda<strong>an</strong>niversary<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
ERZBERG RODEO - LOCAL TEST APRILIA TUAREG 660 - TRAX AND TRAIL FUNDURO 3<br />
GATSKUUR PART 2 - HONDA RX’S - INLAND MX - LINEX JUNIORS AND LOTS MORE
P<br />
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you will inst<strong>an</strong>tly feel the plush interior <strong>an</strong>d quality of the materials used, it’s like putting your feet inside your<br />
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Intro. Keeping the wheels turning...<br />
JULY Edition <strong>2022</strong><br />
We w<strong>an</strong>na hear from you info@motomedia.co.za<br />
Read our back issues at www.motomedia.co.za<br />
Mick <strong>an</strong>d Paddy sneak onto the<br />
racetrack in the middle of the night<br />
with their br<strong>an</strong>d sp<strong>an</strong>kin new bikes<br />
<strong>an</strong>d hare off at top speed for a few<br />
laps.<br />
As happens the racing starts <strong>an</strong>d<br />
pretty soon they are b<strong>an</strong>ging bars<br />
through the corners.<br />
Of course - it all goes pear shaped<br />
when Paddy goes flying off the bike<br />
into the night <strong>an</strong>d bashes himself<br />
up.<br />
Mick hops off <strong>an</strong>d dials emergency.<br />
Where is the accident sir?<br />
On Eucalyptus corner at the<br />
Gumtree race track.<br />
“Ok Sir” comes the reply. “ We know<br />
where Gumtree is, but could you<br />
please spell Eucalyptus for us to be<br />
sure to be sure”.<br />
There is dead silence on the end of<br />
the line.<br />
“Sir? SIR?...”<br />
Eventually Mick comes back on.<br />
“OK I’ve m<strong>an</strong>aged to move him to<br />
OAK...”<br />
Have a great riding month!<br />
PUBLISHER:<br />
Glenn Foley<br />
foleyg@mweb.co.za<br />
ADVERTISING AND<br />
EDITORIAL:<br />
Se<strong>an</strong> Hendley<br />
se<strong>an</strong>@motomedia.<br />
co.za<br />
071 684 4546<br />
OFFICE &<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS:<br />
Anette<br />
<strong>an</strong>ette.acc@ mweb.<br />
co.za<br />
ONLINE &<br />
DESIGN LAYOUT:<br />
Kyle Lawrenson<br />
kyle@motomedia.<br />
co.za<br />
Cape Town Sales <strong>an</strong>d<br />
News:<br />
Lorna Darrol<br />
lornad@motomeda.<br />
co.za<br />
074 122 4874<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
Stef<strong>an</strong> v<strong>an</strong> der Riet<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
Shado Alston<br />
Donov<strong>an</strong> Fourie<br />
Trist<strong>an</strong> Foley<br />
Kurt Beine<br />
Mike Wessels<br />
Morag Campbell<br />
Kyle Foley<br />
The Garth Taylor<br />
WWW.MOTOMEDIA.CO.ZA<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
Copyright © <strong>Dirt</strong> And <strong>Trail</strong> Magazine: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,<br />
distributed, or tr<strong>an</strong>smitted in <strong>an</strong>y form or by <strong>an</strong>y me<strong>an</strong>s, including photocopying, articles, or other methods,<br />
without asking nicely...<br />
Certain<br />
Models
2<br />
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IN 30 SECONDS!<br />
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Certain models may be shown with optional equipment. Prices are subject to ch<strong>an</strong>ge without notice. For your safety, always wear a helmet, eye protection <strong>an</strong>d protective clothing.<br />
Models are for riders aged 16 <strong>an</strong>d older. E&OE
KISKA.COM Photo: R.Schedl<br />
KTM 450 SMR: 2023 model unveiled<br />
When it comes to race-spec, track-only supermotos they<br />
don’t come more potent th<strong>an</strong> KTM’s 450 SMR – nor more<br />
adv<strong>an</strong>ced th<strong>an</strong> this br<strong>an</strong>d new 2023 version, unveiled<br />
last month by the Austri<strong>an</strong> br<strong>an</strong>d.<br />
While racing supermotos cover m<strong>an</strong>y capacities <strong>an</strong>d<br />
street-legal versions, such as KTM’s own 690 SMC-R<br />
c<strong>an</strong> boast up to 700cc, the premier world championship<br />
racing class is for 450cc ‘S1’ bikes.<br />
The 450 SMR (Super Moto Racing) is KTM’s st<strong>an</strong>d-out<br />
performer <strong>an</strong>d is a multiple world championship winner.<br />
And now there’s a new one.<br />
For starters, the 63bhp SOHC single has been tilted two<br />
degrees further back for better mass centralisation, <strong>an</strong>d<br />
is housed in a new hydro-formed <strong>an</strong>d laser-cut frame<br />
with a revised shock position.<br />
The riding position has also been tweaked, with the<br />
footpegs moved inwards for better ground clear<strong>an</strong>ce,<br />
<strong>an</strong>d there’s a new h<strong>an</strong>dlebar pad.<br />
There’s also tweaked bodywork to match the revised<br />
riding position, aiming to give improved knee grip.<br />
What’s more, the revised graphics cast a nod to KTM’s<br />
early 1990s designs with a flash of purple added to the<br />
traditional or<strong>an</strong>ge <strong>an</strong>d white.<br />
Suspension, as with all KTMs, is by WP <strong>an</strong>d comprises<br />
massive 48mm forks, with a lighter rear shock. There’s<br />
also two engine maps, switched via a button on the left<br />
bar, adjustable traction <strong>an</strong>d launch control, <strong>an</strong>d a topspec<br />
radially-mounted four-piston Brembo brake caliper<br />
biting onto a monster 310mm single front disc.<br />
www.ktm.com
KISKA.COM Photo: R.Schedl<br />
defy<br />
the norm<br />
For those who like to push the limits of exploration, the new<br />
KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S is the ultimate high-perform<strong>an</strong>ce<br />
traveler. This new generation V-Twin powerhouse challenges<br />
the status quo with refined ergonomics, perform<strong>an</strong>ce-enh<strong>an</strong>cing<br />
technology <strong>an</strong>d high-end componentry.<br />
SEE MORE AT KTM.COM<br />
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing <strong>an</strong>d observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations!<br />
The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models <strong>an</strong>d some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.
New Dakar-inspired 400cc GasGas prototype<br />
spied…<br />
GasGas have their sights set on the low-capacity<br />
rally raiding top spot, developing a new road-legal<br />
Dakar-inspired 400cc single. It’s apparent that the new<br />
machine is inspired by the desert racer on which Brit<br />
Sam Sunderl<strong>an</strong>d won this year’s Dakar Rally. It’s also the<br />
firm’s first new road-legal adventure bike.The new bike<br />
is expected to enter production in 2024 <strong>an</strong>d could form<br />
the basis of other capacity versions r<strong>an</strong>ging from 125<br />
to 700cc.<br />
Sp<strong>an</strong>ish br<strong>an</strong>d GasGas started life in 1985 specialising<br />
in trials <strong>an</strong>d enduro machines. Jordi Tarres then Adam<br />
Raga won the world trails championships in 1993-1995<br />
<strong>an</strong>d 2005-2006 respectively while British rider Paul Edmondson,<br />
most recently seen doing the stunt riding in<br />
Bond flick No Time To Die, won the 125cc enduro world<br />
title in 1994 then took the 250cc class win in 1996, too.<br />
Motomate Rivonia:<br />
Motomate Rivonia in the Rivonia Crossing<br />
shopping centre just of Witkoppen road is quite a<br />
shop. It looks small from the outside – but when<br />
you walk in… it’s massive with a huge section<br />
dedicated to road – <strong>an</strong>d separate store just for<br />
the dirt bike crowd. They stock a huge amount<br />
of clobber – all of the popular br<strong>an</strong>ds from<br />
service items, to tyres, sprockets, chains, rider<br />
gear helmets, goggles… Go <strong>an</strong>d see for yourself.<br />
There’s a lot.<br />
Upstairs, there’s a clear<strong>an</strong>ce store with some of<br />
the older stock severelly marked down. Nothing<br />
wrong with <strong>an</strong>y of it – maybe just last years<br />
colours or styling.<br />
And this month, they celebrate their 9th year in<br />
the trade <strong>an</strong>d tell us that there will be loads of<br />
specials through the month. Pop in <strong>an</strong>d say hello.<br />
www.facebook.com/motom8 sales@motomate.<br />
co.za (011) 234-5274/5<br />
Since then, however, GasGas has struggled. They were<br />
taken over in 2015 <strong>an</strong>d finally sold to Pierer/KTM twoyears-ago.<br />
That KTM link was a factor in Sunderl<strong>an</strong>d’s last-minute<br />
GasGas Dakar ride <strong>an</strong>d also, as with other ‘sister’ br<strong>an</strong>d<br />
Husqvarna, explains much of the new bike’s specification.<br />
At its heart is <strong>an</strong> all-new – likely 399cc – liquid-cooled<br />
single that’s being developed by KTM <strong>an</strong>d has already<br />
been spied in the new 390 Duke expected next year.<br />
The 40bhp lump is also set to power <strong>an</strong> expected new<br />
Husqvarna Norden 401.<br />
All-new bodywork is inspired by Sunderl<strong>an</strong>d’s racer<br />
complete with high, steeply-<strong>an</strong>gled screen <strong>an</strong>d, as is the<br />
case with Husqvarna’s street models, expected to house<br />
bespoke instruments.<br />
Imported by Autocycle. Chat to your dealer.<br />
Photos: R. Schedl, H. Mitterbauer husqvarna-motorcycles.com<br />
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing <strong>an</strong>d observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations!<br />
The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models <strong>an</strong>d some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.
husqvarna-motorcycles.com<br />
901<br />
N o r d e n<br />
Photos: R. Schedl, H. Mitterbauer<br />
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing <strong>an</strong>d observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations!<br />
The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models <strong>an</strong>d some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.<br />
ä<br />
the entire globe is a<br />
playground just waiting for<br />
you to explore.<br />
inspired by the north<br />
<strong>an</strong>d built for the world,<br />
the norden 901 is a rugged<br />
travel machine ready<br />
to face the unknown.<br />
1 0 5 h p<br />
Le<strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>gle traction control<br />
Easy shift st<strong>an</strong>dard<br />
204 Kg<br />
4.5 lires / 100 Km<br />
TRUST<br />
IN THE<br />
NORTH.
Energica Experia electric tourer revealed at<br />
<strong>2022</strong> Mugello MotoGP <strong>an</strong>d available to order<br />
now:<br />
You’ll remember that a while ago we tested the two Energica<br />
models that are available in SA? Well now there’s<br />
<strong>an</strong> Adventure bike.<br />
Itali<strong>an</strong> electric bike firm Energica has revealed a new<br />
road-biased adventure bike called the Experia. The plugin<br />
tourer made its world debut at the Mugello MotoGP.<br />
Available to order, the Experia is <strong>an</strong> upright, luggage<br />
laden packhorse that rolls on road-focussed 17in rims,<br />
with a carrying capacity of 112 litres with all three<br />
boxes attached.<br />
Said to be the first of a r<strong>an</strong>ge of models in a new Energica<br />
Green Tourer program, it also produces a claimed<br />
circa 101bhp at 7500rpm <strong>an</strong>d is limited to 112mph –<br />
with no gear ch<strong>an</strong>ges required to get there.<br />
Although slightly down on petrol-powered competition<br />
it gets a healthy claimed torque figure of 85ftlb at the<br />
wheel. It’s also stuffed with six-stage traction control,<br />
four riding modes, le<strong>an</strong>-sensitive Bosch ABS <strong>an</strong>d more.<br />
“We melded high-tech electric mobility with the roaming<br />
spirit of the motorcycle traveller,” Chief Technical<br />
Officer, Giampiero Testoni said in a statement. “The<br />
intention was to create the first electric motorcycle<br />
specifically for long-dist<strong>an</strong>ce bike lovers.”<br />
Powering the Experia is <strong>an</strong> all-new motor <strong>an</strong>d battery<br />
combination, with Energica claiming to have increased<br />
battery capacity whilst reducing weight. The bike is<br />
also said to be more centralised, with a lower centre of<br />
gravity for greater control at low speed.<br />
This battery capacity now st<strong>an</strong>ds at a maximum of<br />
22.5kWh, which Energica say is the largest of all on <strong>an</strong>y<br />
electric motorcycle. It c<strong>an</strong> also be charged from 0-80%<br />
at a Level 3/DC Fast Charger in 40 minutes at a top rate<br />
of 24kW, with the option to also use conventional 240V<br />
<strong>an</strong>d 120V plug-in points for longer stops or overnight<br />
charging.<br />
Once juiced <strong>an</strong>d ready to go, the motorcycle is propelled<br />
forwards by a new perm<strong>an</strong>ent magnet motor, positioned<br />
lower in the bike th<strong>an</strong> on other Energica models. It’s<br />
also counter-rotating to reduce inertia – a system also<br />
used in topflight superbikes to keep the front of the bike<br />
pl<strong>an</strong>ted on the tarmac under acceleration.<br />
But just how far c<strong>an</strong> you go on a full charge? Well, Energica<br />
are claiming 240KM’s, or 420 kilometres in urb<strong>an</strong><br />
areas. That’s not bad at all, but longer stops <strong>an</strong>d charge<br />
points will need to be factored into every tour, which<br />
could be fun in SA.<br />
Those interested in owning <strong>an</strong> Experia: The first Launch<br />
Editions sold with hard p<strong>an</strong>niers <strong>an</strong>d a top case. There<br />
will also be bar ends <strong>an</strong>d bolts finished in back, plus<br />
heated grips <strong>an</strong>d aluminium rims complete with red<br />
detailing.<br />
All bikes will also get two USB ports in the dash, plus<br />
two more in a waterproof lockable storage compartment.<br />
It is said that the accessories list will grow over<br />
time, too.<br />
Imported in to SA by Electronia: www.e2u.co.za
Water Rite Motorcycles – Fochville<br />
Water Rite Motorcycles is in the small town called<br />
Fochville They’ve been in business since 2004 building<br />
<strong>an</strong>d repairing motorcycles, ATV’s <strong>an</strong>d Side x Sides of<br />
all shapes <strong>an</strong>d sizes. Race preps, services <strong>an</strong>d repairs/<br />
rebuilds.<br />
They also have a load dyno <strong>an</strong>d love to dyno tune<br />
everything <strong>an</strong>d <strong>an</strong>ything motorcycle or ATV. They have<br />
a specialised Kawasaki Mule 4010 4X4 Diesel division<br />
where they supply full equipment, mainten<strong>an</strong>ce <strong>an</strong>d<br />
repairs for Kawasaki Mules for <strong>an</strong>y <strong>an</strong>d all underground<br />
mining needs. They are agents for Kawasaki, SYM <strong>an</strong>d<br />
Big Boy <strong>an</strong>d have recently acquired the agencies for<br />
Polaris <strong>an</strong>d Linhai.<br />
The premises are in a really lekker little complex for<br />
the Petrol Head type lifestyle. Not only are they a wellstocked<br />
motorcycle shop with professional workshop,<br />
fitment centre, well stocked showroom, parts <strong>an</strong>d<br />
accessories bar, they also have <strong>an</strong> old school gym<br />
upstairs to keep your body in full <strong>an</strong>d fit riding shape.<br />
Out back they have a professional Tattoo parlour, a top<br />
notch car <strong>an</strong>d bike wash <strong>an</strong>d a little pub to enjoy a coke,<br />
coffee or <strong>an</strong>y beverage of your choice in a cosy, friendly<br />
atmosphere.<br />
You c<strong>an</strong> find them at 23 Skool street, Fochville or you<br />
c<strong>an</strong> call them on 018 771 5050.<br />
Worx Switchdriver<br />
20V Li-Ion 2.0Ah Kit: Drill or screw…<br />
The 20V ‘Switchdriver’ holds multiple bit<br />
pairings so you get your work done twice as<br />
fast. No more fumbling around for loose bits.<br />
Just give the head a quick twist <strong>an</strong>d switch<br />
from drilling to driving in <strong>an</strong> inst<strong>an</strong>t. And since<br />
the Switchdriver is part of the 20V Power Share<br />
platform, you c<strong>an</strong> share batteries with other<br />
20V WORX tools you already own, saving time<br />
<strong>an</strong>d money.<br />
It’s a drill… (with 2 speed gearing that delivers<br />
the speed <strong>an</strong>d power you need to tackle <strong>an</strong>y<br />
project with ease). … <strong>an</strong>d with a twist… (the ¼<br />
inch chuck rotates 180° clockwise or counterclockwisewith<br />
the push of a button so you c<strong>an</strong><br />
switch from drilling to driving in <strong>an</strong> inst<strong>an</strong>t).<br />
… it’s a driver (the compact <strong>an</strong>d lightweight<br />
‘Switchdriver’ is equipped with <strong>an</strong> electronic<br />
torque control which prevents your screws from<br />
stripping <strong>an</strong>d eliminates <strong>an</strong>y potential damage<br />
to your work surfaces or materials.<br />
The Rotating dual chucks let you switch<br />
between bits on the ‘Switchdriver’ drill quickly.<br />
Electronic torque control prevents the stripping<br />
of screws. Cordless driver/drill variable 2-speed<br />
gearing tackles all common drilling & driving<br />
functions. 1/4″ hex quick-ch<strong>an</strong>ge chucks for<br />
easy bit ch<strong>an</strong>ge-out. Work in dark or dusty<br />
spaces with the trigger-activated LED light.<br />
WORX is a leading br<strong>an</strong>d at Vermont Sales <strong>an</strong>d<br />
is available from all leading outlets countrywide,<br />
for more information contact, Vermont<br />
Sales on 011 314 7711 or visit their web site<br />
www.vermontsales.co.za - Trade enquiries<br />
welcome. Support suppliers who support our<br />
sport.
BIKE SHOP BOKSBURG: Moves to new<br />
premises<br />
The huge used bike <strong>an</strong>d Suzuki Dealership has<br />
moved down the road from their old shop in<br />
Northr<strong>an</strong>d road Boksburg to 40 Northr<strong>an</strong>d road.<br />
The new shop is light <strong>an</strong>d airy <strong>an</strong>d voluminous<br />
with around 150 bikes high quality pre-loved<br />
bikes in stock at <strong>an</strong>y given time. This is over<br />
<strong>an</strong>d above all the new Suzuki products. Yep!<br />
They are the premium Suzuki Motorcycle<br />
agency on the East R<strong>an</strong>d as well as one of the<br />
top used motorcycle buyers <strong>an</strong>d sellers around.<br />
“Moving to the new premises was to make<br />
life easier for our customers, with better off<br />
street parking <strong>an</strong>d much more on-site parking,<br />
especially if you are towing a trailer.” Says DP<br />
J<strong>an</strong>nie Jorda<strong>an</strong>.<br />
They also have a great parts department <strong>an</strong>d a<br />
pro service <strong>an</strong>d fitment centre with a tyre bay<br />
<strong>an</strong>d detailing bay. You c<strong>an</strong> book your bike in for<br />
a service, a tyre ch<strong>an</strong>ge or etc <strong>an</strong>d h<strong>an</strong>g around<br />
waiting for it to get done at the Coffee Bar <strong>an</strong>d<br />
enjoy a lekker cappuccino <strong>an</strong>d a biscuit while<br />
you wait.<br />
Looking at selling your bike? They have a<br />
network of assessors countrywide that will<br />
come to you to evaluate your bike <strong>an</strong>d arr<strong>an</strong>ge<br />
immediate payment <strong>an</strong>d tr<strong>an</strong>sport on the spot.<br />
Everything from Hyper bikes, super bikes, road<br />
bikes, touring bikes, adventure bikes, cruisers,<br />
choppers, customs <strong>an</strong>d even cle<strong>an</strong> dirt bikes<br />
<strong>an</strong>d ATV’s.<br />
40 Northr<strong>an</strong>d road, Hughes, Boksburg or give<br />
them a call on 011 918 7777.<br />
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ex<br />
Oxford Original Approved AA<br />
Je<strong>an</strong> Slim Men’s Rinse Regular- RRP<br />
R2995.00<br />
For Oxford’s approved denim, material<br />
innovation was a priority. Perform<strong>an</strong>ce<br />
denim built specifically for life on<br />
two wheels. From new yarn <strong>an</strong>d fibre<br />
technologies to new finishes <strong>an</strong>d dying<br />
techniques. After continuous testing,<br />
both in the lab <strong>an</strong>d out on the road,<br />
OXFORD has introduced Armourlit a<br />
highly durable denim that maintains a<br />
vintage look <strong>an</strong>d softness… je<strong>an</strong>s you<br />
w<strong>an</strong>t to wear. To do this, they worked<br />
with skilled weavers <strong>an</strong>d warpers to<br />
include a polyamide fibre into the<br />
weave making a hard-wearing material<br />
originally developed by the military for<br />
parachute cords. A two-way stretch<br />
was added to enh<strong>an</strong>ce mobility <strong>an</strong>d<br />
comfort. They also included a quick<br />
dry technology which draws sweat <strong>an</strong>d<br />
increases water repellence.<br />
Hard wearing, protective, comfortable<br />
<strong>an</strong>d still stylish… <strong>an</strong>d you c<strong>an</strong> wear<br />
them every day.<br />
For more information or to find your<br />
nearest stockist <strong>an</strong>d to check out even<br />
more great products go to<br />
www.dmd.co.za
SOUTH AFRICA<br />
IS 80 PERCENT GRAVEL<br />
THAT’S WHY WE BUILT THE<br />
AFRICA TWIN<br />
Adventure bikes are super-popular these days, <strong>an</strong>d it’s easy to see<br />
why. They let you ride just about <strong>an</strong>ywhere. Plus, their upright seating<br />
<strong>an</strong>d sensible riding position let you rack up the miles in comfort.<br />
But they face a challenge, too: they need to combine state-of-the-art<br />
touring <strong>an</strong>d riding technology with total reliability.<br />
And that’s why Honda Africa Twin models are so far out in front of all<br />
the rest. Technology? Check out things like Apple CarPlay, Android<br />
Auto, <strong>an</strong>d of course our available automatic DCT tr<strong>an</strong>smission.<br />
Reliability? Nobody even comes close to Honda there. Comfort? Hey,<br />
you’re talking about the people who build the Gold Wing. Off-road<br />
perform<strong>an</strong>ce? Ever heard of the Baja 1000 or the Dakar Rally? All that<br />
expertise goes into every Africa Twin we build.<br />
2021<br />
NC750X/DC<br />
THE NEW NC750X: DO<br />
BETTER AFRICA THAN TWIN EVER.<br />
ADVENTURE SPORTS DCT<br />
FROM R275 800<br />
be able to do it all. Case in point: The 2021 Honda NC750<br />
appreciate both versatility <strong>an</strong>d virtuosity in their adventu<br />
model some big improvements. More power. A larger int<br />
Includes:<br />
R30 000 worth of Genuine Honda parts.<br />
<strong>an</strong>d a lower seat height. Plus some huge technologic up<br />
riding modes, new instruments, a new frame, upgraded b<br />
heart, the twin-cylinder engine produces a broad torque<br />
And you c<strong>an</strong> choose from two tr<strong>an</strong>smissions: a conventio<br />
• Top Box <strong>an</strong>d Bracket.<br />
• Main St<strong>an</strong>d.<br />
• Upper <strong>an</strong>d lower crash bars.<br />
Honda’s revolutionary automatic DCT. Either way, this lat<br />
one-bike choice for the rider who w<strong>an</strong>ts to do it all.<br />
R<strong>an</strong>dburg: 011 795-4122
F<br />
Honda wing West R<strong>an</strong>d<br />
Honda wing West R<strong>an</strong>d has a beautiful new motorcycle<br />
centric dedicated showroom stocking all the latest<br />
<strong>an</strong>d greatest that Honda Wing has to offer. CRF300L’s,<br />
CRF450RX’s, a couple of XR125’s, Elite scooters <strong>an</strong>d CB<br />
125 Aces’s for the commuter <strong>an</strong>d commercial market<br />
as well as new Fireblades, a new TRX 450 quad <strong>an</strong>d a<br />
bunch of Africa Twins <strong>an</strong>d NC750’S.<br />
The front end staff, Priscilla <strong>an</strong>d Tim, are well-versed<br />
on their products quick off the mark to greet you at the<br />
door <strong>an</strong>d get you onto your new motorcycle. Alec Roller,<br />
the Motorcycle M<strong>an</strong>ager, is always happy to do a deal<br />
<strong>an</strong>d is always looking for a good used stock <strong>an</strong>d thus is<br />
only too happy to trade in your pre-loved pride <strong>an</strong>d joy<br />
or buy it outright.<br />
So if you are looking at selling your motorcycle or<br />
trading in a motorcycle on a new Honda give them a<br />
call… from <strong>an</strong>ywhere in the country, they buy <strong>an</strong>d collect<br />
bikes countrywide with immediate payment. Then, if<br />
you are looking for a good used motorcycle give them<br />
a call as well their used stock looks absolutely superb<br />
<strong>an</strong>d every bike goes through the workshop <strong>an</strong>d has a<br />
good thorough going-over <strong>an</strong>d a cle<strong>an</strong>-up. They have<br />
a fully equipped professional workshop with fully<br />
qualified <strong>an</strong>d top rated technici<strong>an</strong>s <strong>an</strong>d a fully stocked<br />
parts department.<br />
Visit them at corner Hendrik Potgieter <strong>an</strong>d Jim Fouché<br />
Rd, Allen’s Nek, Roodepoort (You c<strong>an</strong>t miss them) or<br />
give them a call on 087 894 1400<br />
Leatt 3.5 Jr Boots: For<br />
younger riders.<br />
On the 3.5 Junior boot, Leatt<br />
has included the SlideLock<br />
closure system as used on<br />
both their 4.5 <strong>an</strong>d 5.5 Flex<br />
Lock boots along with the<br />
extended foot peg riding zone<br />
for those that like to ride on<br />
the toes.<br />
A low-profile toe box me<strong>an</strong>s<br />
easy gear ch<strong>an</strong>ging <strong>an</strong>d soft<br />
padding wraps inside the <strong>an</strong>kle<br />
area ensures comfort <strong>an</strong>d<br />
safety is achieved.<br />
- Fit: Great comfort <strong>an</strong>d fit even<br />
for wide feet.<br />
- Closure:-SlideLock system,<br />
Auto-locking one way sliding<br />
closure for great seal at top<br />
of boot.<br />
- Polymer buckles with Overlock<br />
system <strong>an</strong>d stainless<br />
steel base.<br />
•Protection: Ankles: Soft<br />
padding wraps up the <strong>an</strong>kles<br />
to give comfort <strong>an</strong>d protection.<br />
- Shin: Impact reinforced with<br />
plate <strong>an</strong>d inside protection.<br />
- Heel: Ride support <strong>an</strong>d<br />
impact protected.<br />
- Sole: DualZone hardness.<br />
At your dealer.<br />
Predator
ONE STEP FURTHER<br />
forma<br />
pilot enduro<br />
r6 995<br />
forma<br />
pilot mx<br />
r6 750<br />
FIND OUT MORE HERE<br />
FORMA BOOTS ARE IMPORTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY DMD.<br />
CALL 011 792 7691 TO FIND YOUR NEAREST DEALER.<br />
WWW.DMD.CO.ZA<br />
Predator enduro half page.indd 1<br />
6/12/<strong>2022</strong> 5:40:36 PM
The Worx Hydro Shot<br />
20V 4 AH<br />
Portable convenience.<br />
A few - as in lots of issues<br />
ago, we did a little feature<br />
on the original, entry<br />
level Worx 2.0 AH Hydro<br />
Shot washer. You could<br />
not call that a pressure<br />
washer - more a kind of<br />
a rechargeable portable<br />
spray solution to rinse your<br />
stuff down.<br />
Version 2, the 4.0 AH<br />
version has just been<br />
delivered to our offices <strong>an</strong>d<br />
it has been signific<strong>an</strong>tly<br />
upgraded <strong>an</strong>d this one<br />
gives a lot more pressure.<br />
It’s not quite as strong as<br />
a pressure washer - but<br />
it is stronger th<strong>an</strong> your<br />
traditional hosepipe with a<br />
spray fitting.<br />
The versatility is what<br />
makes it attractive<br />
because it does not need<br />
a hose or tap - or power<br />
source.<br />
Just a bucket of water, or<br />
your local dam, river or<br />
swimming pool. It sucks<br />
the water up, <strong>an</strong>d forces<br />
it out. The spray head<br />
has lots of settings, from<br />
a rinse cycle / water the<br />
garden to - well almost<br />
pressure washer pressure<br />
to knock the mud off your<br />
bike or boots.<br />
It’s very cool! Very portable<br />
<strong>an</strong>d really h<strong>an</strong>dy. Perfect<br />
for camping, or use in the<br />
garden <strong>an</strong>d for when you<br />
race a muddy moto or<br />
enduro... <strong>an</strong>d it shouldn’t<br />
hurt seals or take stickers<br />
off your bike.<br />
It will set you back about<br />
5k <strong>an</strong>d is interch<strong>an</strong>geable<br />
with all Worx product<br />
batteries.<br />
WORX is a leading br<strong>an</strong>d<br />
at Vermont Sales <strong>an</strong>d is<br />
available from all leading<br />
outlets countrywide,<br />
www.vermontsales.co.za<br />
S<br />
Purchase <strong>an</strong>y ELF product <strong>an</strong>d WIN <strong>an</strong><br />
Elf hamper valued at over R2000.00<br />
Elf Moto 4 10w40 mineral oil<br />
Viscosity controlled in relation to temperature:<br />
ELF MOTO4 ROAD 10W-40’s additives thicken<br />
the oil at high temperatures <strong>an</strong>d give it fluidity<br />
at low temperatures. The correct oil film<br />
is obtained by controlling the viscosity in<br />
accord<strong>an</strong>ce with temperature using Viscosity<br />
Index Improvers. Its viscosity incorporates<br />
superior lubrication perform<strong>an</strong>ce, ensuring<br />
easy cold start-ups, fast oil pressure rises<br />
<strong>an</strong>d low friction between moving engine<br />
components.<br />
Piston ring sealing, power gains: reduce piston<br />
ring groove fouling for optimum sealing during<br />
combustion. This ensures that the engine<br />
retains its full power.<br />
Oxidation resist<strong>an</strong>ce: <strong>an</strong>ti-oxid<strong>an</strong>t additives<br />
which neutralize <strong>an</strong>d slow down the oxidation<br />
process. Anti-clutch slippage, disk protection:<br />
because of their molecular structure, the<br />
base oils are able to form a homogenous film<br />
between the clutch disks.<br />
Distributed by Autocycle centre <strong>an</strong>d available at<br />
your PBA dealer.<br />
WIN <strong>an</strong> Elf hamper valued at over R2000.00.<br />
Buy <strong>an</strong>y ELF product. Send your receipt to:<br />
pba@auto-x.co.za
SAVE<br />
www.gasgas.com<br />
R10 000<br />
Photos: Sebas Romeo, Mitterbauer H.<br />
SELECTED <strong>2022</strong> MODELS<br />
Offer valid until 31 <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
Put the fun back into riding with R10 000.00 off selected <strong>2022</strong><br />
motocross <strong>an</strong>d enduro models. Enquire at your local dealer while<br />
stocks last.<br />
#GetOnTheGas<br />
@gasgas.official<br />
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing <strong>an</strong>d observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations!<br />
The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models <strong>an</strong>d some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.
JH<br />
Ph<br />
Pa<br />
Ph<br />
The first pair of TCX motorcycle boots were launched<br />
back in 1999, when the comp<strong>an</strong>y/br<strong>an</strong>d was still<br />
known as OXTAR boots.<br />
Back then, the Treviso-based technical footwear m<strong>an</strong>ufacturer<br />
patented its Torsion Control System (TCS®),<br />
which protects the <strong>an</strong>kle from possible trauma by<br />
allowing the controlled movement of the foot along<br />
the longitudinal <strong>an</strong>d lateral axis.<br />
OXTAR enjoyed immediate success as it became a<br />
leader in its sector in Italy before eventually exp<strong>an</strong>ding<br />
<strong>an</strong>d consolidating international distribution<br />
throughout Europe <strong>an</strong>d other overseas countries.<br />
The re-br<strong>an</strong>ding to TCX happened in 2007, when<br />
OXTAR was acquired by Novation S.p.A, a highly regarded<br />
global comp<strong>an</strong>y providing technical expertise<br />
to m<strong>an</strong>y of the world’s top athletic footwear br<strong>an</strong>ds.<br />
Despite the new identity, TCX continued to become<br />
the leading br<strong>an</strong>d of motorcycle boots in Europe, with<br />
a renewed emphasis on the technical aspects of the<br />
full line of products, which have set industry st<strong>an</strong>dards<br />
for innovation, quality <strong>an</strong>d protection.<br />
In September of 2020, TCX was acquired by Itali<strong>an</strong><br />
motorcycle gear maker Dainese. That is one comp<strong>an</strong>y<br />
that needs no introduction to <strong>an</strong>y self respecting<br />
motorcyclist.<br />
“Improving safety in dynamic sports has always been<br />
the Dainese<br />
mission,” said Cristi<strong>an</strong>o Silei, CEO of the Dainese<br />
Group.<br />
With its acquisition, the Dainese Group went one<br />
step closer from its goal of providing riders with<br />
motorcycle gear from head to toe, as it already has<br />
AGV helmets <strong>an</strong>d the Dainese motorcycle gear br<strong>an</strong>ds<br />
under its umbrella.<br />
“We are committing to ongoing research into innovative<br />
systems that protect athletes from head to<br />
toe. We are extremely proud of this operation. TCX<br />
shares with Dainese the passion for product <strong>an</strong>d adds<br />
technical <strong>an</strong>d development skills that are fundamental<br />
in motorbike footwear. ” Silei added.<br />
With safety in mind, TCX became the first comp<strong>an</strong>y in<br />
its sector to introduce the CE Certification (issued at<br />
Europe<strong>an</strong> level by independent bodies) on all products<br />
as a proof of the br<strong>an</strong>d’s passing of strict safety<br />
st<strong>an</strong>dards.<br />
TCX continues to offer a wide r<strong>an</strong>ge of motorcycle<br />
boots in the market, r<strong>an</strong>ging from road racing, offroad,<br />
touring, <strong>an</strong>d leisure riding footwear.<br />
TCX Boots are imported <strong>an</strong>d distributed by Henderson<br />
Racing Products <strong>an</strong>d are available at most good<br />
dealers.<br />
kt
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adventure on <strong>an</strong> epic scale<br />
limited UNITS<br />
BRAND new 2020<br />
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electronic travel pack included<br />
exclusive to rad ktm<br />
full factory warr<strong>an</strong>ty<br />
fin<strong>an</strong>ce available<br />
AVAILABLE NOW<br />
JHB: Corner Rivonia <strong>an</strong>d Witkoppen Road, S<strong>an</strong>dton<br />
Phone: 011 234 5007 Email: info@radmoto.co.za<br />
Paarl: 28 Old Paarl Rd, Z<strong>an</strong>dwyk Park,<br />
Phone: 021 879 4630 Email: info@ktmpaarl.co.za
HONDA CELEBRATES<br />
50 YEARS OF<br />
MOTOCROSS LEGENDS<br />
The 23YM CRF450R marks 50 years since the arrival of Honda’s first moto<br />
crosser intended for all riders, not only racing teams. The five decades since<br />
have been marked by a number of technological leaps that have made the<br />
letters ‘CR’ <strong>an</strong>d then ‘CRF’ synonymous with off-road perform<strong>an</strong>ce. Here is a<br />
look back at just some of those major l<strong>an</strong>dmarks.<br />
1973: CR250M Elsinore<br />
Win on Sunday, sell on Monday! The CR250M Elsinore was a product of growing motocross competition,<br />
(<strong>an</strong>d sales dem<strong>an</strong>d), in the USA <strong>an</strong>d Europe. It was Honda’s first built-from-scratch, two-stroke production<br />
MX machine <strong>an</strong>d met with inst<strong>an</strong>t success, th<strong>an</strong>ks to its user-friendliness, high build quality <strong>an</strong>d reliability.<br />
Promotional activities for the new bike included a much-loved advertising film featuring Steve McQueen.<br />
Named after the legendary Elsinore Gr<strong>an</strong>d Prix, (held by Lake Elsinore, California), the air-cooled 247.8cc<br />
engine propelled 104kg while the chassis comprised a semi-double tubular steel frame, telescopic forks,<br />
steel swingarm, twin rear shocks <strong>an</strong>d drum brakes front <strong>an</strong>d rear. Honda’s MX journey had begun…<br />
1981: CR250R Liquid-cooling <strong>an</strong>d Pro-Link arrive.<br />
A big year for development. The CR250M had <strong>an</strong> earned its racing ‘R’ in the late ‘70s, <strong>an</strong>d in 1981 Honda<br />
unleashed their factory-bike technology to the buying public with the first production, liquid-cooled machine.<br />
The engine was a long-stroke design cooled by two small radiators. Perhaps more telling is the chassis; the<br />
aluminium swingarm <strong>an</strong>d single, remote-reservoir Pro-Link rear shock pointed to the future, complementing<br />
the known qu<strong>an</strong>tities of steel frame <strong>an</strong>d double-leading shoe drum brake. Only one year later in 1982, Honda’s<br />
Racing Service Centre was reborn as the Honda Racing Corporation. HRC soon became synonymous with<br />
motocross racing success.
1985: CR500R<br />
The ‘golden era’ of 500s. Originally launched in 1984 in <strong>an</strong><br />
air-cooled form, (with over 70Nm torque on tap), the CR500R<br />
was water-cooled in 1985. Now very much a bike of myth <strong>an</strong>d<br />
legend, it perhaps defined the motocross heydays of the 1980s<br />
with <strong>an</strong> aesthetic that has inspired the 2023 CRF450R 50th<br />
Anniversary model. It tested the limits of chassis technology<br />
<strong>an</strong>d most riders’ ability to the very limit. If you have ever ridden<br />
one, you’ll underst<strong>an</strong>d.<br />
1997: CR250R<br />
The revolution begins. To make use of the adv<strong>an</strong>cements<br />
in engine technology <strong>an</strong>d consequent increases in power<br />
<strong>an</strong>d torque, Honda took the bold step of producing the first<br />
aluminium frame for a production MX bike. Tubular steel’s<br />
rigidity was replaced by twin-spar flexibility <strong>an</strong>d other parts<br />
combined for a more high tech feel, like fully adjustable Showa<br />
suspension <strong>an</strong>d disc brakes front <strong>an</strong>d rear. Recognised as one<br />
of the most influential machines of the ‘90s, the CR250R started<br />
<strong>an</strong> off-road revolution that c<strong>an</strong> still be seen in the MX bikes of<br />
today.<br />
2002: CRF450R<br />
Open-class power in a 250-sized package: Honda kicked off<br />
a new MX mission with its first generation of 450, the first<br />
four-stroke <strong>an</strong>d a direct replacement for the CR250R. And with<br />
its 250-based chassis, it was slim <strong>an</strong>d lightweight. The 449cc<br />
engine was powerful, smooth <strong>an</strong>d with a wide powerb<strong>an</strong>d which<br />
made it no less potent, but much less intimidating, th<strong>an</strong> a<br />
comparable 250cc two-stroke engine. The CRF450R made going<br />
faster, easier.<br />
2009: CRF450R<br />
An injection of technology: After steady evolution the CRF450R<br />
was reborn with a fuel-injected engine with a 50mm throttle<br />
body <strong>an</strong>d 12-hole injector. Owners were also able to make<br />
adjustments to fuel delivery <strong>an</strong>d ignition timing via <strong>an</strong> HRC<br />
PGM-FI setting tool. The engine redesign <strong>an</strong>d new chassis were<br />
built together with a focus on mass centralisation, making for a<br />
compact machine carrying its weight more forward <strong>an</strong>d lower.<br />
Suspension was by Kayaba: 48mm Air-Oil-Separated (AOS) USD<br />
forks <strong>an</strong>d compact rear shock.<br />
2017: CRF450R<br />
All-new <strong>an</strong>d made for the hole shot: Under the concept of<br />
‘ABSOLUTE HOLESHOT!’ The open-class MX machine was given<br />
a ground-up redesign, with completely new chassis, full Showa<br />
suspension <strong>an</strong>d a major top end power boost from a br<strong>an</strong>d-new<br />
engine. St<strong>an</strong>dard-fit electric start was a convenient addition a<br />
year later <strong>an</strong>d in 2019 <strong>an</strong> HRC-developed cylinder head upped<br />
power <strong>an</strong>d torque considerably; HRC launch control was also<br />
added. In 2020 3-level Honda Selectable Torque Control, (HSTC),<br />
gave the rider options to m<strong>an</strong>age rear wheel traction.<br />
<strong>2022</strong>: CRF450R 50th Anniversary<br />
Success builds success, <strong>an</strong>d celebration: In 2021, aside<br />
from the wheels <strong>an</strong>d fundamental engine architecture, the<br />
CRF450R was effectively a totally new bike, drawing heavily on<br />
developments from the 2019 MX GP championship-winning<br />
CRF450RW of Tim Gajser. He <strong>an</strong>d HRC secured the title for a<br />
second year in 2020 <strong>an</strong>d finished a close third in 2021. As ever<br />
with motocross, <strong>an</strong>d the CRF450R, the game moves on <strong>an</strong>d the<br />
latest machine is armed with a host of factory rider led <strong>an</strong>d HRC<br />
updates to engine <strong>an</strong>d chassis aimed at making going fast -<br />
really fast - that much easier.
2023 marks 50 years since the bike that started it all, the<br />
CR250M Elsinore. The CRF450R 50th Anniversary limited edition<br />
pays stunning homage to the mighty CRs of the 1980s <strong>an</strong>d, true<br />
to Honda’s roots in the sport <strong>an</strong>d to the blueprint laid down all<br />
those years ago remains <strong>an</strong> HRC-bred racer that it is possible<br />
to buy.
2023 Honda <strong>Dirt</strong> bike News:<br />
50th Anniversary Edition version honours 1980s CR models<br />
CRF450R <strong>an</strong>d RX receive signific<strong>an</strong>t engine <strong>an</strong>d chassis updates for 2023,<br />
Honda also offers a 50th Anniversary Edition of the model, featuring a<br />
livery reminiscent of the legendary ‘80s CRs that ruled AMA Motocross <strong>an</strong>d<br />
Supercross. Easily recognizable to f<strong>an</strong>s of that era, this version features a<br />
blue seat cover, white number plates, gold rims, gold h<strong>an</strong>dlebar, graymetallic<br />
triple clamp <strong>an</strong>d special graphics.<br />
Celebrating five decades of elite motocross heritage, Honda has unveiled<br />
the latest edition of its flagship motocross bike, the 2023 CRF450R.<br />
Held on the eve of the opening 2023 AMA Pro Motocross round at Fox<br />
Raceway, the function featured the entire Team Honda HRC line-up: Ken<br />
Roczen, Chase Sexton, Hunter Lawrence <strong>an</strong>d Jett Lawrence as well as<br />
Honda legends from the past, including champions Gary Jones, Johnny<br />
O’Mara, Rick Johnson <strong>an</strong>d Trey C<strong>an</strong>ard, as well as former Team M<strong>an</strong>ager<br />
Dave Arnold.<br />
Introduced 50 years after the debut of the 1973 CR250M Elsinore,<br />
Honda’s original motocross machine, the 2023 CRF450R gets key<br />
engine updates <strong>an</strong>d chassis revisions targeted at enh<strong>an</strong>cing cornerexit<br />
acceleration <strong>an</strong>d improving h<strong>an</strong>dling. “Honda is synonymous with<br />
motocross, <strong>an</strong>d that’s a direct result of our dedication to the sport for<br />
the past five decades, as well as the invaluable contributions of top<br />
riders, from Gary Jones in 1973 to Jett Lawrence in <strong>2022</strong>,”.<br />
“The 2023 CRF450R is worthy of that heritage, <strong>an</strong>d the 50th<br />
Anniversary Edition pays tribute in a way that we’re sure will be<br />
appreciated by motocross enthusiasts. We look forward to current <strong>an</strong>d<br />
future Honda champions continuing to grow our motocross legacy.”<br />
For 2023, The CRF450R’s engine <strong>an</strong>d chassis updates carry over to the<br />
off-road-focused CRF450RX.<br />
CRF450R<br />
The CRF450R’s technical updates include a narrower intake-port<br />
shape <strong>an</strong>d longer intake funnel, revised cam profile <strong>an</strong>d smaller<br />
throttle body diameter, resulting in smooth power delivery <strong>an</strong>d<br />
increased torque, improving acceleration out of corners. The frame’s<br />
rigidity has been optimized by increasing material thickness in<br />
strategic locations <strong>an</strong>d the use of steel engine mounts, (replacing<br />
aluminium), helps improve front-end traction. A higher-rate shock<br />
spring <strong>an</strong>d revised fork settings complement the rigidity-optimized<br />
frame without introducing harshness. To enh<strong>an</strong>ce strength <strong>an</strong>d<br />
reduce noise, the muffler body is constructed from heat-treated<br />
aluminium, <strong>an</strong>d a new inner-pipe design is used.<br />
CRF450RX<br />
To improve corner-exit acceleration <strong>an</strong>d h<strong>an</strong>dling, this model<br />
receives the same chassis <strong>an</strong>d engine updates as its motocrossfocused<br />
relative, the CRF450R. Built with off-road specific features<br />
like dedicated ECU <strong>an</strong>d suspension settings, <strong>an</strong> 18-inch rear<br />
wheel, <strong>an</strong> aluminium side st<strong>an</strong>d, a large 7.95lt fuel t<strong>an</strong>k <strong>an</strong>d h<strong>an</strong>d<br />
guards, the championship-proven CRF450RX is ready for the track<br />
or trail, which is why it’s the motorcycle of choice for a variety of<br />
off-road racers, including the SLR Honda <strong>an</strong>d JCR Honda teams.<br />
CRF250R<br />
The CRF250R has accumulated <strong>an</strong> enviable list of championships<br />
over the years, <strong>an</strong>d it’s consistently among the top sellers in its<br />
class. Noted for its exceptional h<strong>an</strong>dling, (th<strong>an</strong>ks in part to a<br />
narrow layout <strong>an</strong>d low weight), excellent acceleration, (achieved<br />
through notable torque <strong>an</strong>d low-to midr<strong>an</strong>ge power), <strong>an</strong>d<br />
endur<strong>an</strong>ce over race dist<strong>an</strong>ce.<br />
CRF250RX<br />
Now in its second generation, the CRF250RX is <strong>an</strong> excellent<br />
choice for off-road racers. The model is based on the<br />
motocross focused CRF250R but tailored for woods racing, offroad<br />
gr<strong>an</strong>d prix competition, desert racing <strong>an</strong>d trail riding.
Readers Ride:<br />
BUCKET LIST ITEM<br />
# 11 – CHECK !<br />
A two week trip around South Africa.<br />
The 26th March <strong>2022</strong>, at the age of 56, a lifelong<br />
dream beg<strong>an</strong> to materialise, a dream that I had before<br />
I was 24, which is my son’s age, who I was privileged<br />
enough to have accomp<strong>an</strong>y me on this journey. Byron,<br />
th<strong>an</strong>k you for taking the time to join your old m<strong>an</strong> on<br />
this epic 2 week motorcycle trip around South Africa.<br />
Proper pl<strong>an</strong>ning, <strong>an</strong>d by that I me<strong>an</strong> consulting maps,<br />
investigating places to stay etc, probably started mid-<br />
J<strong>an</strong>uary, with the all-import<strong>an</strong>t fold up paper map (yes,<br />
those from the 70s <strong>an</strong>d 80s) spread out on the dining<br />
room table. When it coms to pl<strong>an</strong>ning a trip like this,<br />
use a paper map to identify routes <strong>an</strong>d just consult the<br />
trusted iPhone GPS for actual dist<strong>an</strong>ces <strong>an</strong>d travelling<br />
times between towns or places of interest.<br />
A combination of the two resulted in us having a very<br />
clear picture of what lay ahead, before D Day.<br />
I did splash out on a Garmin Zumo396 GPS, but my<br />
rationale was that at my age it should last me a<br />
lifetime. Each of the daily routes were programmed<br />
ahead of time in the Trip Pl<strong>an</strong>ner feature, so each<br />
morning I just clicked on that day’s route <strong>an</strong>d away we<br />
went. There would be nothing wrong with a h<strong>an</strong>dlebar<br />
mounted cell phone for the GPS though, as long as<br />
you have access to a 12V charging port. I am by no<br />
me<strong>an</strong>s mech<strong>an</strong>ically inclined, but found myself, 3<br />
weeks before the trip, with fairings off <strong>an</strong>d a headlight<br />
cluster to one side, with me trying to find the elusive<br />
ACC002 to which I knew I needed to connect the GPS<br />
charging wire, in order to ensure that power was only<br />
being drawn when the ignition was on. After <strong>an</strong> hour or<br />
three <strong>an</strong>d a quick test ride, I was suitably chuffed that<br />
I had m<strong>an</strong>aged to get the Garmin properly connected,<br />
without damaging <strong>an</strong>ything or blowing <strong>an</strong>y fuses.<br />
My attention then turned to what equipment, apart<br />
from normal day to day clothing <strong>an</strong>d riding gear,<br />
would be required on such a trip. Being a novice at<br />
this, it would be very easy to try <strong>an</strong>d cater for EVERY<br />
eventuality, but I soon realised that this was not<br />
possible – there is no way I was going to carry spare<br />
tyres, so a tyre repair kit <strong>an</strong>d a Desert Fox compressor<br />
(the connector cables also masterfully being<br />
connected directly onto the battery terminals).<br />
The Red OX in Upington<br />
I invested in a cheap h<strong>an</strong>dlebar pouch in order to<br />
ensure easy access to the petrol card for the pesky<br />
tollgates <strong>an</strong>d a Tool Tube mounted inside the luggage<br />
framework took care of basic tools <strong>an</strong>d, unexplainedly,<br />
ensured a certain level of comfort just knowing they<br />
were there.<br />
When I purchased my 2014 KTM 1190R two years<br />
ago, I also invested in some soft luggage. After much<br />
research, I opted for Rigg Gear, which I obtained from<br />
the very helpful guys at Guts n Gas. Saddlebags <strong>an</strong>d a<br />
38 litre (I think) Duffel Bag, provided more th<strong>an</strong> enough<br />
packing space for a two week trip. Super strong <strong>an</strong>d<br />
100% waterproof, as was tested for a solid 4 hours in<br />
the heavy rain on the last day of the trip.
Father <strong>an</strong>d Son Kevin <strong>an</strong>d Byron<br />
Byron had <strong>an</strong> aluminium top box <strong>an</strong>d I must<br />
say that, although I am not a f<strong>an</strong>, it was very<br />
h<strong>an</strong>dy having it available for easy access to<br />
the all-import<strong>an</strong>t (good quality) rain suits, as<br />
well as the flask of hot water <strong>an</strong>d Eet Sum Mor<br />
shortbread biscuits. An excellent tip, th<strong>an</strong>ks<br />
to my good Mate Russell, is to place inst<strong>an</strong>t<br />
coffee, sugar <strong>an</strong>d cremora in small Ziploc bags<br />
<strong>an</strong>d take those along with a flask of hot water,<br />
as opposed to making a flask of coffee every<br />
morning. Hot water you c<strong>an</strong> get <strong>an</strong>ywhere,<br />
as I proved in a tiny little café in Springbok,<br />
Northern Cape.<br />
There’s nothing like a scenic roadside coffee in<br />
the middle of nowhere, with just the sound of<br />
the wind in the sunflowers for comp<strong>an</strong>y.<br />
Day 1: Edenvale to Zastron.<br />
We left Edenvale <strong>an</strong>d headed past<br />
V<strong>an</strong>derbijlpark to Kroonstad, then Steynsrus (a<br />
number of roadworks resulted in great riding<br />
on the m<strong>an</strong>y detours), Senekal, Marquard,<br />
Clocol<strong>an</strong>, Ladybr<strong>an</strong>d, Wepener <strong>an</strong>d on to<br />
Zastron – 610km for the day <strong>an</strong>d a solid 5h45 in<br />
the saddle. The roads on this last stretch were<br />
absolutely disgusting <strong>an</strong>d, even on Adventure<br />
bikes, the huge <strong>an</strong>d numerous potholes had us<br />
travelling at 35kph at times. Definitely don’t try<br />
these roads in a car. A very pleas<strong>an</strong>t evening<br />
was spent on Tienfontein Farm, roughly half<br />
way between Zastron <strong>an</strong>d Rouxville.<br />
Day 2: Zastron to C<strong>an</strong>non Rocks.<br />
A fresh early morning start saw us heading<br />
to Rouxville, then on to the N6 towards Aliwal<br />
North, Queenstown, Stutterheim <strong>an</strong>d around the<br />
outskirts of East London down to Port Alfred<br />
for a quick pizza on the beach front, Kenton on<br />
Sea <strong>an</strong>d into C<strong>an</strong>non Rocks, where we would<br />
be spending the night at Oh Hello, <strong>an</strong> excellent<br />
little B&B where you step off the ver<strong>an</strong>da directly<br />
onto the beach. We could easily have spent two<br />
or three nights there. 605km for the day, around<br />
5h30 of riding, on awesome, scenic roads.
Of particular interest was the start of the wind farms, some 60km from<br />
Port Alfred. M<strong>an</strong>, those things are impressive!<br />
Day 3: C<strong>an</strong>non Rocks to Knysna.<br />
A dodgy battery saw us making our first stop in Port Elizabeth to buy<br />
a new one <strong>an</strong>d, th<strong>an</strong>ks to the guys at Battery Centre, we were soon on<br />
our way again. Jeffrey’s Bay, then on to Storms River Bridge, Bloukr<strong>an</strong>tz,<br />
Plett <strong>an</strong>d on to Knysna for the night.<br />
On trips like this, always make sure you make use of big name petrol<br />
stations, that have high volumes of turnover, to ensure as much as<br />
possible that you don’t end up with dirty fuel going into your bikes. Also<br />
pay attention to your fuel consumption, as some serious headwinds,<br />
hour after hour, will make a signific<strong>an</strong>t difference to your consumption.<br />
We experienced <strong>an</strong> increase of as much as 24% on a t<strong>an</strong>k. Overnight<br />
accommodation was at Paradise Heads – adequate, but Knysna has a<br />
serious amount of awesome accommodation available. 431km for the<br />
day, at around 4h20 in the saddle. Not much dist<strong>an</strong>ce, but a very scenic<br />
part of the country – a must do for <strong>an</strong>y biker.<br />
Day 4: Knysna to George.<br />
<strong>Dirt</strong>y fuel in Byron’s bike unfortunately me<strong>an</strong>t that the smart decision<br />
was to rather not tackle the Prince Alfred pass through to Uniondale.<br />
A quick hop through to George <strong>an</strong>d then the Montagu Pass, followed<br />
by <strong>an</strong> unmarked gravel road all the way into Oudtshoorn (we never felt<br />
the need to deflate tyres at all <strong>an</strong>d it never had <strong>an</strong>y negative influence<br />
on h<strong>an</strong>dling). Make a point of visiting this part of the country so as<br />
to tackle the Montagu <strong>an</strong>d Swartberg Passes (we did the Swartberg<br />
in 2021). The Outeniqua Pass back into George is also a must, with<br />
awesome twisties <strong>an</strong>d some breathtaking scenery. A gentle 238km<br />
for the day, but some brilli<strong>an</strong>t gravel road riding. We spent the night in<br />
George with <strong>an</strong> old friend of mine, George. Th<strong>an</strong>ks again George <strong>an</strong>d<br />
Karen for your very warm hospitality.<br />
Day 5: George to Herm<strong>an</strong>us.<br />
Mossel Bay, Swellendam <strong>an</strong>d down to Cape Agulhas, the most<br />
Southerly tip of Africa. The wind was such that it blew my fully loaded<br />
bike over during a fuel stop in Bredasdorp. Riding in winds like that<br />
makes it interesting, to say the least. Cape Agulhas back through<br />
Bredasdorp, on to Napier, Caledon <strong>an</strong>d into Herm<strong>an</strong>us for the night at<br />
S<strong>an</strong>dbaai Woonstel.<br />
443 very interesting kilometres for the day – I guess there is a good<br />
reason why there are so m<strong>an</strong>y wind farms in that vicinity.<br />
Day 6: Herm<strong>an</strong>us to Cape Town.<br />
A short 164km for the day, but a very scenic one from Herm<strong>an</strong>us<br />
to Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay, Rooi Els <strong>an</strong>d Gordon’s Bay. This has to<br />
be some of the best riding in the country. We arrived in Cape Town,<br />
having covered 2 525km along some of South Africa’s most scenic<br />
routes <strong>an</strong>d was looking forward to spending a week with my Daughter,<br />
Gr<strong>an</strong>ddaughter <strong>an</strong>d son-in-law, before heading home via the Northern<br />
Cape. Being based in Cape Town for a few days, one has to do the likes<br />
of the DuToitskloof Pass in Paarl, the Fr<strong>an</strong>schoek Pass <strong>an</strong>d Chapm<strong>an</strong>’s<br />
Peak, to name but a few.<br />
Day 7: Cape Town to Springbok.<br />
We knew this day was not going to be one of the greatest from a<br />
scenery point of view, but there was a reason for taking this route back,<br />
which becomes known on day 8.<br />
Malmesbury <strong>an</strong>d Piketberg came <strong>an</strong>d went <strong>an</strong>d then we got into<br />
Citrusdal, where the Cedarberg Wilderness Area beg<strong>an</strong>. A trip definitely<br />
needs to be pl<strong>an</strong>ned into the Cedarberg mountains – what a place.<br />
Cl<strong>an</strong>william <strong>an</strong>d Garies lead us into Springbok <strong>an</strong>d the overnight stay at<br />
Spergebiet Lodge, a small oasis in the middle of nowhere, about 10km<br />
outside of town. 586 long kilometres in the saddle, at around 5h20<br />
riding for the day.<br />
Day 8: Springbok to Upington via Augrabies.<br />
A breakfast at the Pofadder Inn was a welcome surprise for such a<br />
small town <strong>an</strong>d we were soon re-energised for the road through to the<br />
Augrabies Falls National park. I’ve w<strong>an</strong>ted to go there since 1983, when I<br />
did basics at 8 SAI in Upington, <strong>an</strong>d it most certainly didn’t disappoint !
Cycle Technology ccT/A<br />
Overnight accommodation at Affinity Lodge, with a cold one <strong>an</strong>d riverside<br />
dinner to finish off a great day. 471km for the day <strong>an</strong>d just over 4h30 in<br />
the saddle.<br />
Day 9 : Uppington to Vryburg.<br />
Dark skies would make the 411km to Kameelboom Lodge in Vryburg <strong>an</strong><br />
interesting one, but we timed things just right <strong>an</strong>d after 3h45, we checked<br />
into the overnight accommodation without needing the rainsuits. Never<br />
did I imagine spending my 57th birthday in Vryburg, with <strong>an</strong> early br<strong>an</strong>nas<br />
& coke <strong>an</strong>d T-Bone, followed by watching the only thing on TV, Tit<strong>an</strong>ic, but<br />
that’s what happened.<br />
Day 10: Vryburg to Edenvale.<br />
The last day of our journey was going to be a wet one <strong>an</strong>d my decision<br />
to stay off the N14, because of the combination of heavy rain <strong>an</strong>d large<br />
trucks, turned out to be the wrong one. We went via Schweiser-Reneke<br />
<strong>an</strong>d Wolmar<strong>an</strong>sstad, which has to be one of the worst stretches of road in<br />
the country. I’ve heard of people saying roads are like s<strong>an</strong>d with patches<br />
of tar, but stretches of this road is exactly that. The local municipalities<br />
should be embarrassed, at least, <strong>an</strong>d fired on the spot. The N12 to<br />
Klerksdorp, Potch <strong>an</strong>d then on to Parys, V<strong>an</strong>derbijlpark <strong>an</strong>d home, was<br />
without <strong>an</strong>y potholes to speak of, but the vast majority of the day’s 469km<br />
<strong>an</strong>d at least 4 hours of the day’s 4h40 ride, was in heavy rain. The Rigg<br />
Gear performed perfectly, as did the Oxford Rainseal rainsuits.<br />
Don’t skimp on these two items. The day eventually came to <strong>an</strong> end with<br />
the total dist<strong>an</strong>ce covered over the two weeks, at 4 865km, with a total<br />
saddle time of 50h40.<br />
All accommodation on the trip was booked through Lekkeslaap.co.za,<br />
which I find to be the best platform for accuracy of accommodation<br />
descriptions, as well as ease of booking, payment etc. Accommodation<br />
cost <strong>an</strong> average of R800 per night for the two of us, but a lot of cheaper<br />
options are available, should you w<strong>an</strong>t to keep a tighter rein on the<br />
budget.<br />
Fuel consumption varied depending on wind conditions but, overall, we<br />
finished off around R1 per kilometre across the two bikes. Please bear in<br />
mind that this was at Pre June fuel price hikes.<br />
We learned m<strong>an</strong>y things on this trip, but probably the main thing was<br />
to not hesitate – just get out there <strong>an</strong>d do it. This is such a wonderful<br />
country we live in, with so m<strong>an</strong>y places to see <strong>an</strong>d so m<strong>an</strong>y interesting<br />
people to meet.<br />
Yes, I have the map out on the dining room table again <strong>an</strong>d pl<strong>an</strong>s are well<br />
under way on the next epic trip….<br />
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The third rendition of Gautengs Trax And<br />
<strong>Trail</strong> Funduro was a resounding success.<br />
It was the second time that the Legends venue opened some exclusive farml<strong>an</strong>d<br />
for the running of the event <strong>an</strong>d enduro riders of all br<strong>an</strong>ds, shapes <strong>an</strong>d<br />
sizes <strong>an</strong>d skill sets were treated to some tough, muddy laps.<br />
It’s a great event because you c<strong>an</strong> enter on your own - or with a group of<br />
mates - <strong>an</strong>d decide whether you’d like a reasonable challenge or if you’d like<br />
some proper hard enduro.<br />
Its not a race - its a challenge <strong>an</strong>d riders were rewarded with great prizes <strong>an</strong>d<br />
trophies for their effort.<br />
Watch this space for the next one.<br />
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The Aprilia Tuareg 660<br />
About a year ago, we did a story on the Aprilia RS 660 road bike in RideFast<br />
Magazine. Back then we said that it would be quite something if Aprilia were<br />
to fit that engine into <strong>an</strong> adventure bike. They have the tech <strong>an</strong>d expertise,<br />
you might remember the 1000 Capornord <strong>an</strong>d before that, the Aprilia 650<br />
Pegaso that was built in the same factory as BMW’s GS650, albeit on a<br />
separate production line. Well, they listened.<br />
It’s been a long time since Aprilia dabbled in this market, they must have a trend<br />
department, because as the more traditional superbike market dwindles, the ADV<br />
segment has remained quite solid. If the Tuareg is a sign of things to come, then<br />
hopefully the motorcycle world is in for a few treats from this br<strong>an</strong>d. Locally, stock<br />
is very limited. Chatting to their marketing guys, lots were ordered <strong>an</strong>d only a few<br />
arrived. This is a theme with most importers at the moment. But… Luckily they did<br />
turn one of the bikes into a demo so that customers c<strong>an</strong> go <strong>an</strong>d ride. If you are<br />
interested in a mid-sized ADV then you absolutely should get down there for a<br />
spin.<br />
Amazingly, we were given the bike for four full days. We say amazingly, because<br />
these days we are lucky to get a bike for <strong>an</strong>ything longer th<strong>an</strong> a day. Over those<br />
four days, we racked up four hundred kilometers of tar <strong>an</strong>d dirt. And by dirt, we<br />
don’t me<strong>an</strong> just gravel roads. The secret to this bike is undoubtedly that sweet<br />
parallel twin engine. It’s only a 660, but it produces torque <strong>an</strong>d speed of a much<br />
bigger machine. It’s a modified version of the engine in the RS 660 <strong>an</strong>d Tuono<br />
660 sportsbikes, <strong>an</strong>d that engine is derived from the front cylinder b<strong>an</strong>k of<br />
the 1,099cc RSV4 superbike. The engine is tuned to supply a flatter, wider<br />
powerb<strong>an</strong>d. It shares the 81mm bore from the RSV4 as well as the heads <strong>an</strong>d<br />
pistons from Aprilia’s proven World Superbike Championship engine. You need<br />
to feel it to underst<strong>an</strong>d. They have given that mill four very simply actuated<br />
rider modes, so you c<strong>an</strong> make it as aggressive or as smooth as you like.<br />
The electronic rider aids, which include cruise control as well as multiple<br />
modes for throttle response, engine braking, ABS, <strong>an</strong>d traction control.
T<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
CM<br />
MY<br />
CY<br />
CMY<br />
K<br />
There are presets in the four ride modes,<br />
Urb<strong>an</strong>, Explore, Off-road, <strong>an</strong>d Individual <strong>an</strong>d a<br />
simple switch next to the right grip allows easy<br />
scrolling between them.<br />
Explore <strong>an</strong>d Urb<strong>an</strong> are street-focused ride<br />
modes, with ABS activated at both wheels.<br />
Explore offers more aggressive throttle<br />
response <strong>an</strong>d less traction control intervention<br />
th<strong>an</strong> Urb<strong>an</strong>. Off Road provides the softest<br />
power delivery <strong>an</strong>d ABS c<strong>an</strong> be disabled at the<br />
rear wheel or switched off entirely. Individual<br />
gives you the choice to set the bike up as you<br />
wish <strong>an</strong>d import<strong>an</strong>tly, the bike remembers <strong>an</strong>d<br />
stores it all. The TFT dashboard where all of<br />
this is displayed is clear <strong>an</strong>d easy to read even<br />
in the bright sunshine.<br />
That engine is mated to a fairly big chassis.<br />
But it’s not bulky. Its comfortable <strong>an</strong>d well<br />
thought out for riders of all sizes <strong>an</strong>d it has a<br />
bigger bike feel to it. Its tubular-steel frame<br />
has cast swingarm plates, welded up as a<br />
single unit with the rear subframe. The engine<br />
is a stressed member of the frame with six<br />
mounting points, creating a rigid chassis to<br />
meet the dem<strong>an</strong>ds of off-road riding. The<br />
engine is rotated back by 10 degrees. The 21<br />
inch <strong>an</strong>d 18 inch tubeless wheels tell you that<br />
they me<strong>an</strong> business. They are bolted on to fully<br />
adjustable suspension by Kayaba, with 43mm<br />
inverted forks <strong>an</strong>d a piggyback rear shock with<br />
a progressive linkage, <strong>an</strong>d there’s 9.5 inches of<br />
travel at both ends.<br />
Ergonomically it’s great, we have a big cross<br />
section of riders from Se<strong>an</strong> who is tall like a<br />
giraffe, to Stef<strong>an</strong> who is one of the smallest<br />
guys in town. Everyone fits <strong>an</strong>d has nothing<br />
but compliments about the comfort, st<strong>an</strong>ding<br />
in the dirt or sitting on the freeways. And even<br />
though the screen is not adjustable it does a<br />
great job for a bike like this. It’s pretty too, just<br />
have a look. The Itali<strong>an</strong>s do make beautiful<br />
things.<br />
They missed some tricks in our opinion.<br />
There’s no sign of <strong>an</strong>y kind of carrier or tie<br />
down points. On <strong>an</strong> ADV bike? Maybe there<br />
is one as <strong>an</strong> optional extra. We have seen<br />
luggage options too, so chat to the boys at<br />
Aprilia. Also, although it has rear pegs, there<br />
is nowhere for a pillion to hold on to. They<br />
have, however included a neat recess where<br />
you c<strong>an</strong> grab the rear frame if you need to<br />
muscle the bike around. You have to pay extra<br />
for the privilege of using the quick shifter<br />
<strong>an</strong>d the Bluetooth system for your phone.<br />
They have taken cues from some of the other<br />
Europe<strong>an</strong> m<strong>an</strong>ufacturers.<br />
For the rest, Aprilia really has delivered a<br />
serious dose of fun to the Adventure market.<br />
Road or dirt, the bike is quite simply brilli<strong>an</strong>t.<br />
The r<strong>an</strong>ge seems good too, we rode the 60<br />
KM’s odd from Aprilia Bry<strong>an</strong>ston to our base,<br />
filled her 18 <strong>an</strong>d a bit liter t<strong>an</strong>k <strong>an</strong>d returned<br />
her with 400 KM’s extra on the clock without<br />
refueling. The average consumption we saw<br />
according to the onboard system was 5 liters<br />
per 100 KM’s.<br />
Se<strong>an</strong> shares his thoughts:<br />
Gooood Golly Miss Molly!!!!! Huffa… huffa…<br />
huffa… I am having quite a bit of trouble<br />
breathing right now. YES! This bike is that<br />
good… but R265k for a 660? Smack me<br />
sideways seven ways from Sunday, WTF is<br />
happening to this world <strong>an</strong>d the out of control<br />
inflation? Just gl<strong>an</strong>cing through our buyers<br />
guide there are a number of similarly or<br />
even better priced options with bigger, more<br />
powerful mills that are signific<strong>an</strong>tly better<br />
kitted out as st<strong>an</strong>dard…. The Tuareg really has<br />
to be something special to justify the ticket<br />
price.
Triumph Tiger 1200 - PRINT.pdf 1 <strong>2022</strong>/06/15 09:51<br />
C<br />
M<br />
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CMY<br />
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Ts&C<br />
While I dumbly <strong>an</strong>d numbly pick my jaw up<br />
off the floor, I need to tell you that the all<br />
new Aprilia 660 Tuareg is a phenomenal bike<br />
in most respects <strong>an</strong>d quite a revelation to<br />
ride. That little 659cc mill is nothing short of<br />
revolutionary, redlining somewhere around the<br />
10k mark <strong>an</strong>d blowing by most bigger capacity<br />
bikes like they were st<strong>an</strong>ding still. My take<br />
way from riding this bike is that it is 1000cc<br />
perform<strong>an</strong>ce packaged in a 660cc guise. But<br />
that raises <strong>an</strong>other question: That much strain<br />
to produce that much delicious power, what<br />
effect is that going to have on the longevity of<br />
this little beauty?<br />
In Urb<strong>an</strong> mode, from idle to about 2,300rpm<br />
the throttle response felt a bit lack luster to me<br />
<strong>an</strong>d then she suddenly comes alive <strong>an</strong>d really<br />
puts a grin on your face, somewhere around<br />
6,500rpm <strong>an</strong>other definite power boost comes<br />
in <strong>an</strong>d the Tuareg really gets going even faster.<br />
I had to roll off at 203kmh when I r<strong>an</strong> out of<br />
clear freeway to avoid ploughing into the back<br />
of slow moving traffic… <strong>an</strong>d that was running<br />
up quite a serious <strong>an</strong>d long uphill.<br />
Let’s chat about the suspension. 43mm forks<br />
upfront with 240mm travel front <strong>an</strong>d rear <strong>an</strong>d<br />
they work <strong>an</strong>d work very well with the tubular<br />
chassis set up. At 115kg’s in my birthday<br />
suit, I had no problems soaking up the bumps<br />
<strong>an</strong>d the ANC footprints in our roads <strong>an</strong>d the<br />
small section of dirt I did to avoid a beeeg<br />
traffic snarl up I got a lot of feedback <strong>an</strong>d<br />
response from the suspension so much so<br />
that I really gave it horns <strong>an</strong>d did some dumb<br />
stuff on a bike I had only just spent 15 minutes<br />
in the saddle of. Not once did the machine<br />
feel awkward, cumbersome or out of control<br />
which I really appreciated considering I have<br />
buggered up my left shoulder <strong>an</strong>d have to have<br />
it surgically repaired in the not too dist<strong>an</strong>t<br />
future.<br />
At this point I was almost forgiving <strong>an</strong>d<br />
possibly underst<strong>an</strong>ding of the price tag, still…<br />
R265K for a 660cc?<br />
The kicker for me is the Tuaregs ergonomics.<br />
At 2 meters tall most bikes these days are<br />
cramped, particularly the smaller capacity<br />
bikes. My daily ride is <strong>an</strong> Africa Twin <strong>an</strong>d I love<br />
that bike for it space <strong>an</strong>d comfort… especially<br />
when I am st<strong>an</strong>ding up in the dirt. The Tuareg,<br />
surprisingly for a 660cc is equally as spacious<br />
<strong>an</strong>d comfortable whether I was sitting on the<br />
hard but comfortable saddle or st<strong>an</strong>ding up<br />
<strong>an</strong>d going balls to the wall in the dirt.<br />
Wind protection is also surprisingly good, in<br />
fact the aerodynamics were particularly good<br />
all the way past the 200kmh mark.<br />
In summary, we all really, really do like<br />
this bike, 1000cc perform<strong>an</strong>ce in a comfy,<br />
lightweight, nimble package.<br />
It is unique, brilli<strong>an</strong>t, desirable <strong>an</strong>d all things<br />
Itali<strong>an</strong>. You will, absolutely st<strong>an</strong>d out from the<br />
crowd.<br />
Go ride one for yourself <strong>an</strong>d make up your own<br />
mind.<br />
Website: www.itali<strong>an</strong>mi.co.za<br />
Specs<br />
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, tr<strong>an</strong>sverse<br />
parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cylinder.<br />
Displacement: 659cc<br />
Bore x Stroke: 81.0 x 63.9mm<br />
Horsepower: 80 hp @ 9,250 rpm (claimed)<br />
Torque: 51.6 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (claimed)<br />
Tr<strong>an</strong>smission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/<br />
assist wet clutch<br />
Final Drive: O-ring chain<br />
Wheelbase: 152.4CM<br />
Seat Height: 86.1CM<br />
Wet Weight: 203.663 KG’s<br />
Fuel Capacity: 18.17 litres
Feeling lucky?<br />
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plus other amazing prizes!<br />
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Ts&Cs apply.
Pics by: Future7 Media <strong>an</strong>d Redbull Content pool
Erzberg<br />
Rodeo <strong>2022</strong>:<br />
Brought to you by Redbull Content pool<br />
1500 starters. 8 finishers. Two of them South Afric<strong>an</strong>s…<br />
It’s difficult to believe that the last Erzbergrodeo was in in 2019. That<br />
saw Graham Jarvis take his fifth win at Erzberg in what was then the<br />
WESS championship which has since been replaced by the FIM Hard<br />
Enduro World Championship. In the intervening years the Iron Gi<strong>an</strong>t<br />
Mountain in Eisenerz hasn’t been resting. The quarry is active <strong>an</strong>d has<br />
been busy. It’s ch<strong>an</strong>ged shape in places me<strong>an</strong>ing some of the familiar<br />
sections of the course were not the same as riders expected…<br />
Eisenerz, the town that hosts the four-day event, swells tenfold as<br />
40,000 f<strong>an</strong>s flock to the tiny Styri<strong>an</strong> mining town to see hopefuls take<br />
on the ‘Iron Gi<strong>an</strong>t’ with this year also doubling up as the third stop of the<br />
<strong>2022</strong> FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.<br />
During the Friday <strong>an</strong>d Saturday prologues, 1500 riders got two attempts<br />
to qualify. Start positions were determined in time order with rows of<br />
50 starting the main Hare Scramble from down in the very depths of the<br />
quarry on the Sunday.<br />
Rumour was that top riders would enjoy around two hours of riding the<br />
course this year but the new sections, plus a long slog through Carl’s,<br />
me<strong>an</strong>t the race headed deep into a third hour – the longest it has ever<br />
taken a winner. This was “The toughest ever” Erzberg according to<br />
Mario Rom<strong>an</strong>.
M<strong>an</strong>i takes the crown:<br />
M<strong>an</strong>i Lettenbichler was a class act as he dominated one of the toughest-ever<br />
Red Bull Erzbergrodeo events. Having finished third <strong>an</strong>d second<br />
in the previous two editions, M<strong>an</strong>uel Lettenbichler became the first son of<br />
a Red Bull Hare Scramble winner to also win the toughest one-day race in<br />
the with a brilli<strong>an</strong>t perform<strong>an</strong>ce.<br />
Lettenbichler’s father, Andreas, was one of four winners in 2015 when the<br />
riders were thwarted by a new section that took them into a deep, wet<br />
ravine surrounded by trees. Known as “de Grüne Hölle” (Green Hell). That<br />
event made a return this year as the Motorex Highway <strong>an</strong>d the massive<br />
obstacle nearly undid the five-minute lead Lettenbichler had built by the<br />
22nd checkpoint. The Motorex Highway knocked Lettenbichler out of his<br />
groove. Having ascended up a mountain stream, he was faced by a steep<br />
climb up a near-vertical slope covered in slippery vegetation.<br />
After four attempts, he created enough of a line up the slope to clear the<br />
obstacle, but by the time he was going down the other side, Mario Rom<strong>an</strong><br />
was already at the foot of the hill.<br />
Following his rival’s line, the Sp<strong>an</strong>ish rider cleared the climb at the first<br />
attempt <strong>an</strong>d was hot on his heels.<br />
“That nearly killed me,” said Lettenbichler at the finish line. “I was the first<br />
guy to arrive <strong>an</strong>d there was just no line. I had to try several lines <strong>an</strong>d then<br />
I pulled some logs out of the way, which made it a little bit easier for the<br />
rest of the riders. But I was so done after that.”<br />
This all set up a f<strong>an</strong>tastic chase to the finish, as the Sherco rider pursued<br />
the KTM m<strong>an</strong> through the super tough Dynamite section. With Lettenbichler<br />
looking str<strong>an</strong>ded on a new climb, Rom<strong>an</strong> drew up to the start of Dynamite<br />
just 50 yards behind, but the Germ<strong>an</strong> was able to clear the section,<br />
put the hammer down <strong>an</strong>d speed off to the final climb at Lazy Noon.<br />
After 2h 58m 51s of racing, Lettenbichler crossed the finish line to take<br />
a spectacular victory <strong>an</strong>d his second consecutive win of the FIM Hard<br />
Enduro World Championship season after victory at Xross Serbia.<br />
Tryst<strong>an</strong> Hart - Watch out boys!<br />
“When I cleared Lazy Noon, I was like, ‘Oh m<strong>an</strong>, how sick is this’. Literally,<br />
the last push wasn’t too difficult <strong>an</strong>d it was <strong>an</strong> unbelievable feeling. I’m<br />
over the moon. It me<strong>an</strong>s so much that both my dad <strong>an</strong>d I have won this<br />
race. Not m<strong>an</strong>y people will do that.”<br />
Rom<strong>an</strong> takes the 2nd step.<br />
With most of the field still trying to reach the first checkpoint at Wasserleittung<br />
(Water Pipe), Mario Rom<strong>an</strong> crossed the line a mere three minutes<br />
behind Lettenbichler to take a brilli<strong>an</strong>t second place. Clearly emotional,<br />
the Sp<strong>an</strong>iard dedicated the result to his gr<strong>an</strong>dfather, who had passed<br />
away earlier in the week. Having won the opening race of the championship,<br />
the Minus 400 in Israel, the Sp<strong>an</strong>iard is squarely in the title race.<br />
“I made a decent start, but there was a crazy amount of dust <strong>an</strong>d I lost a<br />
lot of positions, but then I reached the forest. I kept calm, r<strong>an</strong> at my own<br />
pace <strong>an</strong>d started to make up some places one-by-one. Second place was<br />
the best I could m<strong>an</strong>age this year. The race is getting harder <strong>an</strong>d harder<br />
every year. For sure, this was the hardest one yet. The toughest part is<br />
that there were some surprises on the track. We walked the track on Saturday<br />
<strong>an</strong>d thought we knew every section, but there were several sections<br />
I didn’t recognise.”<br />
Tryst<strong>an</strong> Hart the Big Surprise:<br />
A big surprise to everyone was Tryst<strong>an</strong> Hart. The C<strong>an</strong>adi<strong>an</strong> endurocross<br />
star, who’s leading the US hard enduro series. He is competing in four<br />
races in the world championship this year. He produced <strong>an</strong> amazing run,<br />
even recovering from a slip that dropped him to seventh on the run up to<br />
Double Fault. Hart climbed back up to third through Carl’s Dinner, passing<br />
our Wade Young, Billy Bolt <strong>an</strong>d Freddy Gómez to take third place <strong>an</strong>d<br />
become the first C<strong>an</strong>adi<strong>an</strong> on the podium at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. An<br />
astonishing achievement on his debut. Next year Hart is rumoured to be<br />
racing the full season, watch out boys.
A Battered Billy Bolt:<br />
2 South Afric<strong>an</strong>s out of 8 finishers<br />
Billy Bolt crossed the line in fourth, having ridden through the pain barrier.<br />
Nursing <strong>an</strong> injured right foot <strong>an</strong>d left h<strong>an</strong>d, the defending FIM Hard Enduro<br />
world champion came into the weekend as joint leader of the championship<br />
needing to minimize the damage to his campaign. He stuck with Lettenbichler<br />
at the start before falling back <strong>an</strong>d taking a heavy tumble in Carl’s Dinner.<br />
He held off challenges from Gómez <strong>an</strong>d Young, crossing the finish line – his<br />
jersey in shreds – in fourth place to take vital points <strong>an</strong>d retain the championship<br />
lead.<br />
Alfredo Gomez pips Michael Walkner:<br />
Two-time winner Alfredo Gómez – who now heads up his own GasGas team<br />
– came across the line in fifth place ahead of Michael Walkner. 20 year old<br />
Walkner is the first <strong>an</strong>d highest highest Austri<strong>an</strong> official finisher at the event.<br />
He crossed the line to riotous <strong>an</strong>d deserved applause from the home crowd. A<br />
star is born.<br />
South Afric<strong>an</strong>s Amaze:<br />
Wade Young <strong>an</strong>d Matthew Green, were the last of the finishers, Young nursing<br />
what was left of his bike <strong>an</strong>d its buckled wheel over the finish. The final kilometres<br />
got the better of Wade Young’s bike after he was running in fourth. He<br />
limped home in seventh just ahead of the final official finisher <strong>an</strong>d compatriot<br />
Matty Green in eighth.<br />
What happened to Jarvis?:<br />
After bike drowning problems right off the start, Graham started the race one<br />
hour late. From 500th <strong>an</strong>d last, he was inside the top 50 by checkpoint 13, by<br />
Udo’s (CP18) he was top 30, after Carl’s he was top 20, the Motorex hill (CP22<br />
of 27) was as far as Graham could m<strong>an</strong>age, knocking on the door of a top 10<br />
finish as the four-hour cut-off arrived.
Sadly, after org<strong>an</strong>isers deemed him to have received outside assist<strong>an</strong>ce,<br />
he was later disqualified. Had he started on time – who knows what<br />
might have been?<br />
This guy is absolutely a force to be reckoned with.<br />
T7 Ins<strong>an</strong>ity:<br />
Also impressive was Pol Torres, riding the Yamaha Téneré adventure bike.<br />
CP 17, Stony Party is as far as he got. S<strong>an</strong>dra Gomez was the highest<br />
places female rider this year. Her ride also ended at Stony Party.<br />
The riders have just three weeks to put their bikes <strong>an</strong>d bodies back<br />
together ready before Round 4 of FIM Hard Enduro World Championship<br />
Red Bull Abestone in Italy.<br />
Alfredo Gomez
Michael Walkner<br />
Lyndon Poskit<br />
Brett Sw<strong>an</strong>epoel<br />
Matthew Green celebrating his finish<br />
Pol Tarres on his T7<br />
Wade Young
F
Fastis Fast…<br />
A day out with the Sleepover Honda Tork Craft crew… but team owner <strong>an</strong>d m<strong>an</strong>ager Harry Grobler roped in the talents of two<br />
“Hey guys! You have seen that Honda is making waves of his other riders, Tyrone Beverly who competes in the 450 class <strong>an</strong>d<br />
the talented John Botha who has just moved up from 125’s to a 250.<br />
in the off-road scene… How would you like to meet one<br />
Both riders are on other br<strong>an</strong>ds for the 22 season, but the idea for the<br />
of our teams <strong>an</strong>d put the bikes through their paces.” team was to start preparation for next year already. That’s racing for<br />
That was Honda South Africa. Calls were made to the you.<br />
Sleepover Tork Craft Honda team <strong>an</strong>d we met for a little Also present for this ride was Tork Crafts Gerhard Vorster who, they tell<br />
us is the teams “Pit Poppie”. He’s a more social rider who is back after a<br />
ride with the boys at the legends track out near Cullin<strong>an</strong>.<br />
20 year break from riding… Cool huh!, He’s competing in all the more fun<br />
club racing series. So… from our point it was cool to ride the Honda’s<br />
The team had a very slick set up when we arrived. The bikes were<br />
again <strong>an</strong>d this time two race prepped machines. Previously we have only<br />
gleaming in the cold winter sunshine. It’s refreshing to see such a professional<br />
set up. The teams Durb<strong>an</strong> Based Honda national riders Gareth<br />
ridden the bikes in st<strong>an</strong>dard trim. But it was even more interesting to get<br />
feedback from some very quick racers who got to ride this br<strong>an</strong>d for the<br />
<strong>an</strong>d Hayden Cole could not make it to the day,<br />
very first time… You have heard our views,
Honda builds some great bikes. Three bikes were present for<br />
duty on the day, two CRF 450 RX’s <strong>an</strong>d the CRF 250 RX. All the<br />
bikes have been off-road race prepped. We chatted to Gerhard<br />
about race prep.<br />
No engine upgrades. For Enduro, guys tend to spend tin on lots<br />
of protective gear, but for Off-road, the upgrades are minimal.<br />
St<strong>an</strong>dard brush flaps. Zeta foldable levers. Polisport Engine<br />
guards. Aftermarket MSD brake levers with a brake snake. The<br />
st<strong>an</strong>dard chains are replaced with DID O-Ring units <strong>an</strong>d the<br />
guys have done a bit of Renthal gearing on the bikes. Fast, Offroad<br />
racing is not about rocks, so they have left the st<strong>an</strong>dard<br />
Honda front brake guard in place, along with st<strong>an</strong>dard chain<br />
guides. Tyre choice for the team are the Dunlop MX 33’s. “Great<br />
all round tyre. Great grip.” An Akrapovic exhaust system is<br />
fitted on the 450. Naturally, the st<strong>an</strong>dard Showa suspension on<br />
both bikes is tweaked <strong>an</strong>d set up for each rider.<br />
Ride impressions.<br />
Our guys took a lap of the Legends park loop <strong>an</strong>d chopped <strong>an</strong>d<br />
ch<strong>an</strong>ged bikes as we went along. The Honda’s are both, very<br />
focused off roaders, light, nimble <strong>an</strong>d very quick. We’ve always<br />
appreciated the bikes agility <strong>an</strong>d small feel.<br />
The 450RX:<br />
A simple h<strong>an</strong>dlebar-mounted button lets you dial in engine<br />
power delivery character with a push of your thumb. Choose<br />
between St<strong>an</strong>dard, Smooth <strong>an</strong>d Aggressive, depending on track<br />
conditions. Choose the fastest of the three maps <strong>an</strong>d the 450<br />
c<strong>an</strong> literally be like a h<strong>an</strong>d grenade, point <strong>an</strong>d fire <strong>an</strong>d ch<strong>an</strong>ces<br />
are excellent that you’ll actually be slower in the tight stuff.<br />
Why? You tap off sooner to negotiate the corners, this rider<br />
spent half the time overtaking the turns trying to look fast. In<br />
the tight stuff, it’s quicker <strong>an</strong>d more forgiving in the intermediate<br />
setting. So!... save ‘’ mode for desert race stuff, in tighter,<br />
twisty stuff stick it in intermediate <strong>an</strong>d you literally have a powerful<br />
bike that does it all at the push of a button. Technology is<br />
gr<strong>an</strong>d. There is nothing wrong with the st<strong>an</strong>dard Honda pipe,<br />
but the Akrapovic, aside from shaving off some weight seems<br />
to make the power delivery just that little bit better without<br />
blowing your eardrums to pieces. And besides, they do make<br />
pretty pipes. The Hydraulic clutch is among the softest in the<br />
business <strong>an</strong>d always a nice touch on a dirt bike. And… Well…<br />
It’s a 450, so it’s bloody fast!<br />
S1<br />
R<br />
15<br />
4,<br />
R3<br />
R<br />
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R1<br />
10<br />
4 R<br />
3<br />
R3<br />
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B<br />
Here’s what Tyrone Beverly had to say a couple of laps in on his<br />
first ride on the bike. Last year he was on a Husqvarna. This<br />
year he is competing on the Kawasaki 450.<br />
“The Honda feels quite rigid, but in a good way. The front end<br />
is very direct <strong>an</strong>d precise. It’s super good in the corners. The<br />
rear end is nice <strong>an</strong>d stable. Good holdup, it doesn’t feel like<br />
you are blowing through. It’s got a lot of power <strong>an</strong>d I love the<br />
way it’s delivered. Plenty of midr<strong>an</strong>ge for short shifting, which<br />
ultimately saves you energy. It took exactly five minutes to get<br />
comfortable on the bike. I played with two of the power modes.<br />
Fast is … FAST! Great for MX <strong>an</strong>d so-on, but I’d choose the mid,<br />
smoother, mellower setting for what we do…”<br />
The 250RX: Less is more.<br />
This has become one of this here magazines favorite 250 four<br />
strokes, simply because Honda has really spent time getting<br />
it developed <strong>an</strong>d sorted. For the <strong>2022</strong> year model, the Honda<br />
250 really went under the knife <strong>an</strong>d all of the upgrades <strong>an</strong>d<br />
improvements made a huge difference to what was already a<br />
pretty good machine. The most obvious ch<strong>an</strong>ge was the fact<br />
that Honda fitted a single silencer rather th<strong>an</strong> the two that we<br />
became used to. Increases of 10% more top end power <strong>an</strong>d<br />
15% torque across the rev-r<strong>an</strong>ge reduce the gear ch<strong>an</strong>ges <strong>an</strong>d<br />
allows you to hold the same gear for longer with more flexible<br />
power. They also played with gear ratios, so where we complained<br />
about a lack of torque on the earlier models, they got<br />
it sorted with this one. The ratios are also adjusted with first
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• Fro<br />
• 1 Y<br />
For th<br />
IM<br />
BBS_D&T_J<br />
gear being taller, second a little shorter, third taller again <strong>an</strong>d fourth &<br />
fifth both shorter. It’s light, fast <strong>an</strong>d comfortable <strong>an</strong>d… well, just so easy<br />
to ride. And this absolutely became apparent in the tighter terrain that<br />
we enjoy. It does not have as much torque as some of the more focused<br />
enduro models out there, but it also does not stall all over the plsce in<br />
trickier terrain <strong>an</strong>d s<strong>an</strong>d. This bike also comes with riding modes, but<br />
this time, we just left it in fast <strong>an</strong>d let the bike do the rest. It is just so<br />
much fun. Quick through the trees <strong>an</strong>d tight sections <strong>an</strong>d more th<strong>an</strong><br />
fast enough in the flat-out stuff. Quick, forgiving <strong>an</strong>d easy to ride. With a<br />
proper quality all round feel.<br />
We asked John Botha who has just moved up from the 125 class to give<br />
us his take:<br />
We need to mention that although he’s still young, John is tall like a giraffe<br />
<strong>an</strong>d he climbed off his extended 250 Kawasaki onto the far smaller<br />
Honda for this test.<br />
Conclusions.<br />
It’s awesome to see other Jap<strong>an</strong>ese br<strong>an</strong>ds reappearing on our race circuits.<br />
It’s great to see teams taking it all so seriously… <strong>an</strong>d… results are<br />
starting to trickle through. The bikes are light, fast <strong>an</strong>d competitive. We<br />
hope that this is the start of greater things for South Afric<strong>an</strong> Off-Road<br />
Racing.Chat to your Honda Dealer.<br />
www.honda.co.za<br />
He says:<br />
“Moving from a 125 2-stroke to a 250 four stroke this year was quite a<br />
big jump but a bike like this Honda makes it quite easy. It’s easy to ride<br />
<strong>an</strong>d that makes a big difference. The bike feels strong with great bottom<br />
end <strong>an</strong>d when you wring her she’s fast at the top. The bike is nimble,<br />
h<strong>an</strong>dles <strong>an</strong>d corners so well. I’m really impressed. I’ll need to do some<br />
setup, my bike is sorted for my size, but getting a Honda ready won’t<br />
take much.”<br />
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BBS_D&T_JULY'22.indd 1 <strong>2022</strong>/06/13 11:19<br />
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Ride Train Race<br />
Gives Back to<br />
the Community<br />
Through Youth<br />
Development.<br />
Giving back:<br />
The Ride Train Race academy (RTR) is<br />
all about introducing youth to Off-Road<br />
Motorcycling <strong>an</strong>d Motocross by offering<br />
training programmes that encourage both<br />
boys <strong>an</strong>d girls to get into the sport.<br />
Through their extensive network of contacts<br />
throughout the industry, the founders<br />
of Ride Train Race are uniquely well-placed<br />
to inspire the next generation to achieve<br />
their full potential in the saddle <strong>an</strong>d hopefully<br />
nurture future champions.<br />
Tony Riddell <strong>an</strong>d Ry<strong>an</strong> Hunt (Director<br />
Vermont Sales/Tork Craft) are both<br />
former MX champions. They won multiple<br />
championships, retired, <strong>an</strong>d then came<br />
out of retirement to win again. Today, with<br />
support from leading br<strong>an</strong>ds including<br />
Tork Craft <strong>an</strong>d Motul, they are focusing on<br />
helping young RTR riders achieve their own<br />
goals.<br />
Tony & Ry<strong>an</strong>’s aims in establishing <strong>an</strong>d<br />
supporting RTR are to give back to the<br />
sport <strong>an</strong>d to the Motocross <strong>an</strong>d off-road<br />
riding communities. Along the way, they<br />
are helping kids to have fun, stay safe<br />
<strong>an</strong>d compete in the Inl<strong>an</strong>d, Regional <strong>an</strong>d<br />
National Championships.<br />
Ry<strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>d Tony are committed to making<br />
the sport more inclusive, <strong>an</strong>d as such their<br />
training programmes are geared to both<br />
boys <strong>an</strong>d girls aged from 3 to 16 years old,<br />
starting with 50cc all the way up to 125cc<br />
classes.<br />
The young riders c<strong>an</strong> choose their own<br />
br<strong>an</strong>d of bike, <strong>an</strong>d as members of RTR they<br />
get great value from their monthly training<br />
package fees. This includes four training<br />
sessions per week.
To exp<strong>an</strong>d their reach <strong>an</strong>d engage with more<br />
young riders, RTR also works with other wellknown<br />
pro-riders to coach some sessions<br />
(like “Taki” Bogiages from the Pepson Plastics<br />
Kawasaki Motul Team <strong>an</strong>d Technical M<strong>an</strong>ager at<br />
Motul) at different tracks around SA.<br />
In addition to receiving training, students get<br />
logistical support at races <strong>an</strong>d events. The RTR<br />
offering has already attracted 80 riders with 35<br />
actively racing - National MX, Regionals, Inl<strong>an</strong>d<br />
series, <strong>an</strong>d Enduro across SA. Recently young<br />
riders from neighbouring Botsw<strong>an</strong>a have joined<br />
the academy choosing to travel to SA for training.<br />
“We’re delighted about the response to Ride<br />
Train Race from young riders <strong>an</strong>d their parents,”<br />
commented Tony <strong>an</strong>d Ry<strong>an</strong>. “It’s extremely<br />
rewarding to see how well our efforts to give back<br />
have been received, <strong>an</strong>d we’re excited to see our<br />
young mentees develop <strong>an</strong>d progress in their<br />
riding ability,” they added.<br />
Katelyn Pretorius part of the junior Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Motul team <strong>an</strong>d<br />
curently signed up to Ride Train Race.<br />
“At Motul we are passionate about making<br />
motorsports more welcoming <strong>an</strong>d more diverse,”<br />
commented Mercia J<strong>an</strong>sen, Motul Area M<strong>an</strong>ager<br />
for Southern <strong>an</strong>d Eastern Africa <strong>an</strong>d the Indi<strong>an</strong><br />
Oce<strong>an</strong>. “We’re delighted to have the opportunity<br />
to help nurture riding enthusiasts, whether they<br />
are future world champions or weekend warriors,<br />
as well as the trainers who are making it happen,”<br />
she added.<br />
The best way to underst<strong>an</strong>d what makes Ride<br />
Train Race so special is to hear from some of<br />
their riders:<br />
Qham<strong>an</strong>i ‘Q’ Thu<br />
Rayden Woolls<br />
Zoe Botha<br />
• Qham<strong>an</strong>i ‘Q’ Thu (8 years old), MX,<br />
currently racing in WOMSA Inl<strong>an</strong>ds, MSA<br />
Regionals <strong>an</strong>d Nationals. When asked about the<br />
sport, Q commented that, “<strong>Dirt</strong> biking needs a lot<br />
of concentration <strong>an</strong>d dedication, so be brave, stay<br />
calm <strong>an</strong>d enjoy the sport.”<br />
• Katelyn Pretorius (12 years old) offroad,<br />
currently 7th in National Cross-Country <strong>an</strong>d 9th<br />
in GXCC says that, “Making friends with kids who<br />
have the same interests, improving ourselves <strong>an</strong>d<br />
motivating each other to become better riders<br />
is what I enjoy most about being part of the RTR<br />
academy.”<br />
• Rayden Woolls (9 years old), Offroad,<br />
Current st<strong>an</strong>ding in championships: 1st MSA<br />
Free State Regional Championship, 1st MSA<br />
Northern Regions Regional Championship, 3rd<br />
MSA National Championship. Rayden described<br />
his best moment this year as, “Being chosen to<br />
represent South Africa once again in the <strong>2022</strong> FIM<br />
Africa MXOAN (Motocross of Afric<strong>an</strong> Nations)<br />
event”.<br />
• Zoe Jae Botha (14 years old), MX,<br />
WOMSA Inl<strong>an</strong>ds, MSA Regionals <strong>an</strong>d Nationals,<br />
has this advice for <strong>an</strong>y child w<strong>an</strong>ting to take up<br />
the sport, “Start joining the racing community at a<br />
young age <strong>an</strong>d don’t give up when it gets hard!”<br />
Any young rider keen to join RTR should ask their<br />
parents to DM Ride Train Race via their Instagram<br />
page: https://www.instagram.com/ridetrainrace/<br />
Springbok Motocross legend <strong>an</strong>d former MX<br />
champion Tony Riddell heads up Ride Train<br />
Race with Ry<strong>an</strong> Hunt, taken by De<strong>an</strong> Woollss.
Inl<strong>an</strong>d MX<br />
Championship<br />
Round <strong>an</strong>d <br />
Mayfair Gearbox Inl<strong>an</strong>d Motocross<br />
Championship<br />
Round 5 – Chestnut Hill<br />
Words: Uncle X<br />
Pics: Se<strong>an</strong> Versfeld - Cloud 9<br />
With almost 180 entries at <strong>an</strong> extremely cold <strong>an</strong>d misty<br />
Chestnut Hill MX Park, the day got underway almost <strong>an</strong><br />
hour late, while we waited for the mist to lift enough to<br />
allow the riders to get on with their practice laps. Most<br />
of the starts had gates of enthusiastic competitors<br />
who were itching to race after the mornings delays.<br />
The ladies again held their own, with eighteen ladies<br />
competing for top honours on the day.<br />
The125cc <strong>an</strong>d support classes are getting stronger<br />
with around 30 riders in each class. F<strong>an</strong>tastic racing<br />
was had by all as we chased the early sunset. Prize<br />
giving, (post Covid restrictions), was well attended with<br />
great support for all of the competitors.
RIDER WEAR
Mayfair Gearbox Inl<strong>an</strong>d Motocross Championship<br />
Round 6 – <strong>Dirt</strong> Bronco<br />
Words: Uncle X<br />
Pics: Se<strong>an</strong> Versfeld - Cloud 9<br />
With over 180 entries across all the classes, practice got underway<br />
at 8am sharp on this well prepped senior motocross track on the<br />
West R<strong>an</strong>d. As per usual, all of the start gates were full of cold<br />
but excited riders ready to take on their fellow riders on the fart<br />
<strong>an</strong>d challenging track. The support classes seem to be growing in<br />
support at each new event.<br />
The ladies m<strong>an</strong>aged 14 entries on the line after recent injuries<br />
had prevented some from competing, but they were still there<br />
to support their fellow riders. The 65cc <strong>an</strong>d 85cc classes were<br />
also very well supported with some of the riders having recently<br />
returned from some Europe<strong>an</strong> MX Racing experience. A great day<br />
of racing again at the Inl<strong>an</strong>d MX.
The <strong>2022</strong><br />
Linex Yamaha Junior Development Series –<br />
Round 5 – <strong>Dirt</strong> Bronco – 29 May <strong>2022</strong><br />
Words: Uncle X<br />
Pics: Cloud 9<br />
It was <strong>an</strong>other freezing cold morning at<br />
the race track. As the sun rose <strong>an</strong>d mist<br />
lifted, the enthusiastic young novice riders<br />
were excited to get racing on the longest of<br />
the junior tracks in the series. The classes<br />
included the 50cc PW class, 50cc A & B,<br />
65cc A & B <strong>an</strong>d 85cc A & B.<br />
The classes are timed during practice <strong>an</strong>d<br />
then separated into speed classes, ( A &<br />
B). This allows the competitors to ride with<br />
riders of similar speed which makes for<br />
some exciting racing in each class. At each<br />
event, the Inl<strong>an</strong>d MX committee identify<br />
riders that have improved adequately <strong>an</strong>d<br />
recommend their promotion into the Inl<strong>an</strong>d<br />
Motocross championship events.<br />
Another great day of racing <strong>an</strong>d<br />
camaraderie among these junior novice<br />
riders.
Round 6<br />
Linex Yamaha Junior Development Series – Round<br />
6 – Smoking Pistons – 19 June <strong>2022</strong><br />
Words: Uncle X<br />
Pics: Cloud 9<br />
The cold weather saw a reduced field of junior<br />
novice riders lining up to improve their skills on<br />
the MX track.<br />
Unforeseen circumst<strong>an</strong>ces saw a move from the<br />
junior MX track to a shortened version of the<br />
senior MX track.<br />
With only a short practice session on the<br />
previously unseen track, racing was exciting in all<br />
the classes.<br />
Another great day of racing with these future<br />
motocross champions.<br />
Th<strong>an</strong>ks to all the sponsors <strong>an</strong>d supporters.
Last month we introduced you to this lot:<br />
Loosely tr<strong>an</strong>slated into “riding around” is the brainchild of Gus <strong>an</strong>d<br />
Mariette Maartens.<br />
A bunch of old delivery bikes on a 10 day trip to the Karoo <strong>an</strong>d beyond<br />
<strong>an</strong>d back to GP.<br />
They sent us this feature <strong>an</strong>d even had it tr<strong>an</strong>slated into engels for us…<br />
but we decided that it was best to cut it back <strong>an</strong>d tone the taal down a<br />
bit for print <strong>an</strong>d run it in their mother tongue. What a cool adventure.<br />
What a “Lekker” read. We have had to split it over a few issues simply<br />
because it’s too long to print the whole lot in one issue. So here’s the<br />
second piece.<br />
You do need a bike in your life!<br />
DAG 4 GROBLERSHOOP – RIEMVASMAAK 259km<br />
Vroegoggend maak Jax vir almal koffie en daarna begin die groot pakkery.<br />
Ek kontak Justin Selzer by Honda SA en vra of hulle ons moontlik<br />
k<strong>an</strong> help met die herstel v<strong>an</strong> Keith se fiets by hul agentskap in Upington.<br />
Justin laat weet dat hy alles gereël het en Keith is sommer haastig dat<br />
ons moet ry.<br />
By die garage in Groblershoop, stop ons om vol te maak en eet weer ‘n<br />
garage pie en drink ‘n “energy drink” vir ontbyt. Jacques paradeer op<br />
en af met sy totterm<strong>an</strong> bril en stetoskoop tot groot vermaak v<strong>an</strong> almal<br />
daar. Hy besluit om die uitrusting ‘n stappie verder te verfraai en sit ‘n<br />
strawberry kondoom by sy bril. Dat hy belaglik lyk, is ‘n “under statement”…’n<br />
mens weet nie hoe om die m<strong>an</strong> in die oë te kyk nie.<br />
In Upington a<strong>an</strong>gekom, ry ons na die Honda agentskap en word dadelik<br />
gehelp deur Hennie Loots en Pieter Sw<strong>an</strong>epoel. Hennie en Gus werk vir<br />
sowat twee ure a<strong>an</strong> Keith se “scooter” en besluit toe dat die fiets daar<br />
moet agterbly, sodat hy meer tyd k<strong>an</strong> hê om die fout te soek, terwyl ons<br />
Riemvasmaak toe ga<strong>an</strong>.<br />
Ons eet watert<strong>an</strong>d skaapstertjies en mash by The Red Ox restaur<strong>an</strong>t<br />
op die oewer v<strong>an</strong> die rivier. Saam met ‘n pienk milkshake, loop daai<br />
besigheid soos stroop. Ons ry daarna na Keimoes. Uiteindelik is ons oppad<br />
Riemvasmaak toe. Hierdie spesiale plekkie, het Gus – jare gelede<br />
besoek toe hy nog in die weermag was. Hy vertel dat dit in 1975 was.<br />
Ek was toe ‘n ellermintige 3 jaar oud en sou toe nie veel versta<strong>an</strong> het<br />
v<strong>an</strong> wat op hierdie spesiale plek gebeur het nie. Ons was al twee keer<br />
v<strong>an</strong>tevore saam hier en dit is asemrowend mooi. Die eerste keer was<br />
die pad nog baie mooi en het ek heel gemaklik tot onder met my Beemer<br />
gery. Op daardie stadium was dit gesluit vir die publiek, maar die hek<br />
was oop en alhoewel daar klippe in die pad gepak was, kon ons maklik<br />
rondom dit ry. Ons het kaalgat daar rondgeloop en onder die sterre<br />
geslaap. Dit was nie deel v<strong>an</strong> ons bepl<strong>an</strong>ning nie, so ons kos daardie<br />
a<strong>an</strong>d was “energy bars”, ‘n paar stukke droëwors, br<strong>an</strong>dewyn en water<br />
uit ons “camel packs”. Dit was f<strong>an</strong>tasties!<br />
Die tweede keer was sowat ‘n ma<strong>an</strong>d gelede toe ons die paaie vir die<br />
toer “gerecce” het en ek het my uit my bloedgroep en my “family tree”<br />
uit geval. Die pad is baie erg verspoel en met ‘n swaar gelaaide GS is dit<br />
nie so maklik om daardie laaste sowat 3km met baie steil opdra<strong>an</strong>de,<br />
afdra<strong>an</strong>de, en moerse diep verspoelde gate te ry nie tot onder by die<br />
bronne nie.<br />
Hoe kom jy daar by Riemvasmaak, wonder julle seker? V<strong>an</strong>af Upington,<br />
neem die N14 – die Kakamas pad. Draai regs by die Riemvasmaak teken,<br />
sowat 2km voor Kakamas. Volg die tekens vir 50km tot in die dorpie.<br />
Hou reguit a<strong>an</strong> totdat jy by ‘n skerp draai na links kom. Hou links,<br />
totdat dit lyk of jy by die dorpie uitry. Daar is ‘n bruin verbleikte bordjie<br />
wat wys dat jy links moet hou na die Riemvasmaak Toeriste K<strong>an</strong>toor of
egs k<strong>an</strong> draai om Blouputs toe te ry. Jy moet heeltemal selfversorgend<br />
by die kampeerplek wees, a<strong>an</strong>gesien tot die drink water soms daar k<strong>an</strong><br />
opraak en hulle my vooraf gebel en gewaarsku het, dat daar met ons<br />
oorbly daar geen lopende water of krag sal wees nie. Net emmers water<br />
om ons poef weg te spoel.<br />
Met ons laaste besoek het ek en Gussie Blouputs om gery en daardie<br />
pad is byk<strong>an</strong>s onbega<strong>an</strong>baar en dit is waar ek twee keet, voor 09h00 die<br />
oggend, my moer toe geval het. Gus besluit om die roete te ver<strong>an</strong>der<br />
en ons ry die volgende dag weer terug Keimoes toe. Riemvasmaak is<br />
‘n nedersetting in die Noord-Kaap, en sowat 12 km noordoos v<strong>an</strong> die<br />
samevloeiing v<strong>an</strong> die Moloporivier met die Or<strong>an</strong>jerivier en naby die Augrabieswaterval<br />
en is ‘n uirgestrekte dorre gebied v<strong>an</strong> sowat 74 000ha.<br />
In die suide word dit begrens deur die Or<strong>an</strong>jerivier, in die noorde lê die<br />
Kalahari en wes lê Namibië.<br />
Die area het die laaste 3 ma<strong>an</strong>de meer reën gekry as in totaal die<br />
afgelope 9 jaar. Die gras in die veld sta<strong>an</strong> amper heup-hoogte, die plato<br />
sta<strong>an</strong> gesaai met kokerbome en bye zoem om heldergeel blomme.<br />
Vir my en Gus, is dit een v<strong>an</strong> die mooiste plekke waar ons nog was. Om<br />
daar te wees in die stilte en afsondering v<strong>an</strong> die natuur en vroega<strong>an</strong>d<br />
in die warm water v<strong>an</strong> die bron, tussen die hemelhoë kr<strong>an</strong>se, te sit en<br />
luister hoe die windswaeltjies kwetter, is die beste plek om te wees<br />
saam met jou geliefde.<br />
Toe ons by die Riemvasmaak Toeriste K<strong>an</strong>toor kom, besluit ek om my<br />
Yammie in hulle k<strong>an</strong>toor te parkeer vir die a<strong>an</strong>d en saam met die “girls”<br />
af te ry tot onder in die kamp. My lyf is seer en ek wil nie my “scooter”<br />
beskadig en my k<strong>an</strong>se belemmer om hierdie toer te voltooi nie. Die<br />
m<strong>an</strong>ne besluit almal om met hul “scooters” tot onder te ry. Daar is<br />
heelparty baie slegte plekke op daardie pad, met groot klippe, baie los<br />
s<strong>an</strong>d en gespoelde gate, wat dit selfs moeilik maak om met ‘n 4 x 4 op<br />
“low r<strong>an</strong>ge” tot daar te ry. Gelukkig is baie v<strong>an</strong> die knie diep gate met<br />
s<strong>an</strong>dsakke toegegooi. Tree vir tree, ry ons, al kruipend. Ella en Jax kwyt<br />
hulle uitstekend v<strong>an</strong> hulle taak en sowat 3km en 25 minute later is ons<br />
almal onder by die kampeerplek.<br />
Almal sla<strong>an</strong> dadelik tente op . Almal klim in die warm water, en dit is ‘n<br />
gegons v<strong>an</strong> gesels en grappe maak. Ons drink “shooters” en bier tot<br />
sononder.<br />
Die a<strong>an</strong>d lê l<strong>an</strong>k wakker en dink a<strong>an</strong> hoeveel meer ‘n mens raaksien en<br />
ervaar, as jy 75km per uur ry op jou “scooter”. Jy sien hope wild, pragtige<br />
l<strong>an</strong>dskappe en selfs die detail v<strong>an</strong> gesp<strong>an</strong>de drade en die kleure v<strong>an</strong><br />
skoenlappers. Moet ‘n mens nie die lewe ook eerder teen 75km per uur<br />
a<strong>an</strong>pak nie? Mis ons nie baie, as alles so vinnig verby ons flits teen ‘n<br />
hoë spoed nie?<br />
DAG 5 RIEMVASMAAK - CALVINIA 459km<br />
Om 05h00 was dit nog donker en ek en Gus ga<strong>an</strong> bad daar in die<br />
swemgat, dat jy net skuimbolle sien sta<strong>an</strong>. Die res het ‘n entjie om<br />
daarheen te loop en is verseker nog nie wakker nie. Ons lê in mekaar se<br />
arms in die warm water en geniet vir daardie oomblik net die stilte om<br />
ons en mekaar se omhelsing.<br />
Skoon geskrop en warm a<strong>an</strong>getrek, loop ons in die donker na die<br />
kampeerplek. Ek breek amper my nek oppad daarheen. Ek sien glad<br />
nie goed in die donker nie, my voete en plakkies is nat en die paadjie is<br />
s<strong>an</strong>derig. “Etter”, skree ek kliphard toe ek so half gebukkend vorentoe<br />
strompel. Dit was so, hit-te-te of ek het letterlik my voort<strong>an</strong>de uitgeval.<br />
Ons lag kliphard en dit weergalm dat ek seker is, iem<strong>an</strong>d in die kamp is<br />
nou wakker.<br />
By die kampeerplek a<strong>an</strong>gekom, sing ek uit volle bors: “NKANDLA”..wat<br />
‘n gespottery is oor my rooi “overall” en die EFF en volg dit op met...<br />
“Lek-ke verjaar ou maat, Le-ke verjaar! Jy…moet…le-ke verjaar…jy moet<br />
le-ke verjaar…vir Ella, w<strong>an</strong>t v<strong>an</strong>dag is haar verjaarsdag. Wat ‘n voorreg<br />
om hier op hierdie spesiale plek jou maat se verjaarsdag te vier!
Ons drink koffie, en eet oorskiet braaivleis, pak alles op en ry weer baie<br />
versigtig terug tot by die Riemvasmaak Toeriste K<strong>an</strong>toor. Skielik is ons<br />
oppad na die Riemvasmaak skool om kruideniersware en lekkergoed by<br />
die plaaslike skooltjie te ga<strong>an</strong> aflewer wat die Karoo Gatskuurders vir<br />
hulle skenk. Mnr. Sw<strong>an</strong>epoel is die skoolhoof en hy is eers half nors,<br />
maar vinnig is die kindertjies almal bymekaar en opgewonde oor hul<br />
besoekers en die goedjies wat ons daar aflaai. V<strong>an</strong>daar ry ons na R<strong>an</strong>t en<br />
Dal Koffiewinkel, vir ‘n kondensmelk koffie by Norbert. Wat ‘n interess<strong>an</strong>te<br />
mens is hy!<br />
Norbert Coetzee is ‘n veldgids en die Logistieke Koördineerder vir die Kyknet<br />
TV program, Voetspore. Norbert is ook ‘n 4 x 4 deskundige en doen<br />
aktiewe werk om die toerisme in die Riemvasmaak area te bevorder. As jy<br />
ooit Riemvasmaak toe ga<strong>an</strong>, is sy winkeltjie ‘n MOET stop.<br />
Geforseerde diep gedagte vir die dag: Maak jou brastraps los en gooi jou<br />
valst<strong>an</strong>de weg. Leef roekeloos en vreesloos! Al het ons NIKS nie, het ons<br />
almal tyd. Tyd is GRATIS, maar PRYSLOOS. Leef elke dag voluit, w<strong>an</strong>t<br />
môre is nie gewaarborg nie.<br />
V<strong>an</strong>af Riemvasmaak ry ons na Kakamas en maak vol. Ek ontv<strong>an</strong>g ‘n<br />
oproep v<strong>an</strong> Honda Upington wat bevestig dat Keith se fiets reg is. Ek reël<br />
met hulle om ons in Keimoes te ontmoet. Daar a<strong>an</strong>gekom, stop ons by ‘n<br />
pragtige tuisnywerheid, en almal koop vars, tuisgemaakte pasteie en regte<br />
egte basaar poedings. Ons sit orals voor die plekkie op die sement vloer<br />
en smul a<strong>an</strong> die watert<strong>an</strong>d kos. Hennie laat weet dat hy binne 15 minute<br />
daar sal wees. Inus voel siek en hy lê uitgestrek, met sy arm oor sy oë.<br />
V<strong>an</strong>dag ga<strong>an</strong> hy “amps” trek.<br />
Keith paradeer op en af, v<strong>an</strong> opgewondenheid, amper soos wat jy sou<br />
verwag hy moet lyk op die dag wat hy “delivery” v<strong>an</strong> ‘n splinternuwe<br />
motorfiets sou neem. Hy staar na die pad en vryf kort-kort sy h<strong>an</strong>de. Toe<br />
daardie bakkie en sleepwa daar stop, met sy Hondatjie op, toe skree hy<br />
kliphard, “Yes!, this is the highlight of my week!”. Hy gryp vir Gus en gee<br />
hom ‘n klapsoen op die w<strong>an</strong>g. Honda SA, tesame met Honda Upington het<br />
voortreflike diens gelewer en toe ons vra vir die rekening sê hulle boonop<br />
dat die herstelwerk en die aflewering GRATIS is en net daar gryp Keith<br />
sommer vir Hennie ook en gee hom ‘n stywe druk!<br />
Die m<strong>an</strong>ne laai Keith se fiets af, laai die Suzuki op die sleepwa, en ons val<br />
in die pad. Ons ry via Kenhardt en Br<strong>an</strong>dvlei tot in Calvinia. ‘n Holverskeurende<br />
370km teer v<strong>an</strong>af Keimoes, besaai met miljoene springk<strong>an</strong>e<br />
en swerms, wat die horison sommer skielik in sulke donker kolle laat<br />
verkleur. Dit lyk behoorlik soos ‘n denkbeeldige prentjies v<strong>an</strong> plae uit die<br />
Bybelse tyd en het ‘n aaklige vrot reuk.<br />
By Br<strong>an</strong>dvlei gooi ons vol en net daar weier Keith se Honda om te start.<br />
Gussie verduidelik dat die tyd ons ga<strong>an</strong> v<strong>an</strong>g as hy nou die fout l<strong>an</strong>gs die<br />
pad moet soek en dadelik word die Honda op die sleepwa gelaai en Keith<br />
is terug op daai Suzuki. Ons ry die laaste 30km in die donker en kom eers<br />
byna 20h00 by die Calvinia Hotel a<strong>an</strong>. Ons boek vinnig in en almal ga<strong>an</strong><br />
na hul kamers toe, vir ‘n welverdiende stort. V<strong>an</strong>na<strong>an</strong>d braai die hotel<br />
personeel vir die groep en ons ga<strong>an</strong> Ella se verjaarsdag vier!<br />
Ons drink ‘n paar rondtes Jägermeister, w<strong>an</strong>t Ella verjaar en dis hulle<br />
“Klitsingers” se “signature drink”. Saam met ‘n paar rumpies, gloei my<br />
w<strong>an</strong>ge en almal sing, lag en gesels lekker saam. Almal smul behoorlik a<strong>an</strong><br />
die braaivleis skilpadjies, slaai en braaibroodjies wat die Hotel bedien.<br />
Ons weet wat môre wag, maar die res partytjie te lekker, tot laat a<strong>an</strong>d.<br />
Ons is so opgewonde om vir ons sp<strong>an</strong>maats die T<strong>an</strong>kwa te wys. Letterlik,<br />
die allermooiste plek op aarde, vir ons. Ons is by die T<strong>an</strong>kwa Padstal<br />
getroud, op 25 September <strong>2022</strong>. Die T<strong>an</strong>kwa se stil en niks het ‘n bekoring<br />
wat jou hart steel. Die mooiste vlaktes v<strong>an</strong> uitgestrekte 80 000 ha aarde,<br />
wat jou omvou. Die R355 is ook die l<strong>an</strong>gste, a<strong>an</strong>eenlopende grondpad in<br />
Suid-Afrika. Die T<strong>an</strong>kwa Padstal, waarheen ons oppad is, is geleë sowat<br />
70km v<strong>an</strong>af Ceres en daar verkoop hulle die heerlikste vars bederf kos,<br />
tuisgemaakte gemmerbier en jy kry iets v<strong>an</strong> alles, tussen êrens en nêrens,<br />
maar meer hieroor in DAG 6 se inskrywing.<br />
D<strong>an</strong>kbaarheid gee sin a<strong>an</strong> GISTER, gee VREDE vir v<strong>an</strong>dag en skep ‘n<br />
DROOM vir môre! MORE NEXT MONTH
Wet W<br />
Officially Appointe<br />
Distributors for<br />
Motorcycle Equipm<br />
Accessories <strong>an</strong>d m<br />
Cycle Technology ccT/A<br />
EST. 1978<br />
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17D_Q3+_SalesBull_2pg_r2_Layout 1 4/13/17 3:08 PM Page 1<br />
E DO MATH THE M<br />
GPR-300<br />
310<br />
SPORTMAX<br />
FORMANCE<br />
MORE<br />
SPORTMAX<br />
PERFOR<br />
SPORTMAX<br />
r,<br />
Great H<strong>an</strong>dling at <strong>an</strong><br />
affordable price.<br />
E TIRE<br />
6<br />
+20%<br />
2°<br />
=<br />
L E A N AE N.S GRIP LIFE<br />
GT LR E<br />
MORE<br />
E T L..<br />
E G A<br />
TIRE = GRIP<br />
& E FIT S<br />
Offers a bal<strong>an</strong>ce of<br />
ire achieves le<strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>gles up to 62 degrees*.<br />
in the wet<br />
oved for street-legal use.<br />
<strong>an</strong>d dry<br />
require tire warmers, <strong>an</strong>d runs at street<br />
ed for chassis or electronic<br />
ANGLE<br />
adjustments.<br />
carbon black like Dunlop’s racing slicks for<br />
conditions with<br />
LONGER<br />
y uses a continuously wound strip compound<br />
LIFE<br />
) uses carbon fiber reinforcement in the<br />
ering perform<strong>an</strong>ce, braking stability <strong>an</strong>d Sfeel.<br />
P O R T M A X Q 4<br />
T R A C K D A Y<br />
area.<br />
grip across the rear tread profile.<br />
WEAR LEGAL<br />
DURABILITY THAT MATCHES PERFORMANCE<br />
320<br />
330<br />
340<br />
T R A C K D A Y<br />
350<br />
62°<br />
62 LEAN<br />
STREET<br />
0<br />
10<br />
20<br />
30<br />
40<br />
50<br />
More th<strong>an</strong> 80% of the Q3+<br />
has been redesigned<br />
compared to the Q3<br />
60<br />
120<br />
MORE<br />
PERFORMANCE<br />
20% MORE<br />
70<br />
80<br />
110<br />
90<br />
100<br />
Jett<br />
LAWRENCE<br />
AMA SUPERCROSS 250SX<br />
EAST REGION CHAMPION<br />
Perform<strong>an</strong>ce touring tyre<br />
that not only lasts longer,<br />
but performs at higher<br />
levels<br />
LESS<br />
WEAR<br />
MORE<br />
maximum grip.<br />
F E A TUR EBENEFIT S & S<br />
GPR-300<br />
Great H<strong>an</strong>dling at <strong>an</strong><br />
affordable price.<br />
Offers a bal<strong>an</strong>ce of<br />
• This purpose-built track-day tire achieves le<strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>gles up to 62 degrees*.<br />
in the wet<br />
• The Sportmax Q4 is DOT-approved for street-legal use.<br />
<strong>an</strong>d dry<br />
• The user-friendly Q4 does not require tire warmers, <strong>an</strong>d runs at street<br />
pressures, eliminating the need for chassis or electronic adjustments.<br />
• Rear tire compound contains carbon black like Dunlop’s racing slicks for<br />
conditions with<br />
LONGER<br />
• Jointless Tread (JLT) technology uses a continuously wound strip compound<br />
to optimize stability, flex, <strong>an</strong>d grip across the rear tread profile.<br />
WHERE WEAR<br />
• Carbon Fiber Technology (CFT) uses carbon fiber reinforcement in the<br />
sidewalls for exceptional cornering perform<strong>an</strong>ce, braking stability <strong>an</strong>d feel.<br />
• Dunlop br<strong>an</strong>ding on the tread area.<br />
• Made in the U.S.A.<br />
l Dunlop retailers, as well as race distributors.<br />
ze Load/Speed Part Number<br />
0/70ZR17 (58W) 45233176<br />
0/55ZR17 (73W) 45233177<br />
0/60ZR17 (75W) 45233131<br />
0/50ZR17 (73W) 45233060<br />
0/55ZR17 (75W) 45233074<br />
0/55ZR17 (78W) 45233092<br />
S594/A<br />
MOST WINNING TYRE<br />
RADIAL SPORT TIRES RACE TRACK STREET SPORT<br />
• The Q4 is available through all Dunlop retailers, as well as race distributors.<br />
“THE MAIN LINE<br />
WAS ALWAYS<br />
Size Load/Speed Part Number<br />
Sportmax Q4 Front 120/70ZR17 (58W) 45233176<br />
Sportmax Q4 Rear 180/55ZR17 (73W) 45233177<br />
180/60ZR17 (75W) 45233131<br />
190/50ZR17 (73W) 45233060<br />
190/55ZR17 FASTEST.”<br />
(75W) 45233074<br />
200/55ZR17 (78W) 45233092<br />
PERFORMANCE<br />
PERFORMANCE<br />
TOURING<br />
TOURING<br />
DUNLOP<br />
Sportmax Q4<br />
DOMINATION<br />
Sportmax Q3+<br />
Sportmax GPR-300<br />
Sportmax Roadsmart III<br />
S594/A<br />
S594/A<br />
DunlopMotorcycleTires.com<br />
©2018 *As tested Dunlop by Motorcycle Dunlop on a Tires. 2017 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 RR on a closed track at Barber Motorsports Park.<br />
@RideDunlop DUNLOPTYRESSA<br />
DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. ©2017 DUNLOPTYRESSA<br />
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires.<br />
©2018 Dunlop Motorcycle Tires.<br />
DUNLOPTYRESSA