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SUZUKI DL650 IN THE CAPE<br />
This includes a fuel gauge, fuel range and a trip computer. To the left<br />
is also a 12 V socket should you wish to run a device or two from this<br />
socket.<br />
The seat is comfortable and relatively soft. Even after three hours in the<br />
saddle, with regular stops, I still found it very comfy.<br />
On the road, I was immediately impressed with torque that this engine<br />
offers. It is in the mid-range where the 90-degree, V-twin engine felt at<br />
its happiest to me. You can rev it out to the redline at 10 000 r/min, but I<br />
rarely felt the need or urge to do that. It is the middle of the rev range that<br />
small twists of the wrists result in decent acceleration. It is here, at 6 400<br />
r/min that the 69 N.m of torque is delivered, while the peak power of 50<br />
kW arrives at 8 000 r/min.<br />
Leaving Somerset West I headed up Sir Lowry’s pass with my first stop at<br />
the lookout point at the top. It is truly a gorgeous view of the Helderberg<br />
region all the way to Cape Town. The sun was still hidden behind the<br />
clouds and the wind was pumping and it was only 11 degrees Celsius. As<br />
I headed down and over the Steenbras Dam, the wind dissipated and only<br />
a few kilometres later, you can either pull over at The Orchard farm stall or<br />
carry on and stop at Peregrine farm stall.<br />
This area is much loved by trail riders, but the road I have in mind is a<br />
much easier piece of gravel.<br />
If you turn off the N2 onto the Viljoenshoop Road you will note that one<br />
of the next turn offs are Appletiser Road, (yes, this is apple country).<br />
Continue straight on Viljoenshoop and this twisty road leads to the<br />
Highlands Road. The first part is tarmac that twists between the farms<br />
and then it turns into gravel as it heads up the mountain.<br />
The moment I hit the gravel I switched the traction control off. There is<br />
a “1” and “2” setting, but these settings are irrelevant for gravel riding as<br />
they are still too intrusive. This specific mountainous area is not very high,<br />
but within 1 km you are at the lookout point. Here you have a near bird’s<br />
eye view over the beautiful Elgin Valley.
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