Spokey

Once again guys, thank you for the messages of support/ encouragement. The saddest thing of all is the reality check that our peaceful little corner of the world is going to have to become as secure as we had years ago in Josie. It is a simple and unfortunate truth that we have a huge disparity in SA with income. Huge unemployment in my area and well…..the walls get higher. I am now installing a very sophisticated security system involving alarms,beams and cameras…….So, horse…..stable door….bolted, absolutely, but at least I will be able to monitor and control from wherever I am in the world. Perhaps there will be enough Randellas left to add the small TRX to the collection….mmmm! Thanks again

Thanks for the messages Fellas, yeah, knocks one back a bit, but we carry on hey.

You make me laugh, that Aprilia is very special. Unfortunately today I suffered a serious theft from my house, fortunately the Missus is okay but I will need to reassess my bike buying as honestly it has become a bit of an unimportant part of my life for the mo….

Hi Andyman Thanks for the detailed response. It was between the Yam and Aprilia. Unfortunately today I have suffered a large theft from my home. Fortunately my wife is okay and unharmed and as I work away from home the angst is pretty high right now as I am in Dubai. Bikes become a non issue! Depending how the next little while goes will determine my interest/ ability to buy the desired bike. At the end of it all, I still have a nice albeit modest collection and my wife is unharmed ……..most importantly.

I am thinking on those lines. I like the look of the TRX. Nice little bike for considerably less than the others.

So…..I have asked here before but……..things change. I recently sold my Tiger 800 XCx and Aprilia RS125. Reasonable money achieved. I was looking at a few bikes but my brain has been scrambled!! initial choice was 1998 Yamaha TRX 850 then a BMW RacerRnineT, 2019 then a Ducati 2016Monster 1200R. And along came a 2008 Aprilia RSV1000R Factory……..eeiiishhhhh. All fit my collection of twins but arguably the Aprilia fits better alongside the Ducati 1098, 749, Suzuki TL1000S and KTM RC8. cost wise……Yamaha, Aprilia, BMW, Ducati. That little Yamaha really is beautiful! please give me er 5 cents worth!

I love the thing, it is an awesome machine to ride and despite being a bit of a plus size she handles pretty nicely over the Outeniqua Pass. The rumble cruising at 110/120 kph is also super.

This is mine…..Karatara River behind Sedgefield.

In the meantime I am negotiating the sale of a few bikes to fund this. Well, partially fund it. The childrens inheritance is going to take a beating. 2016 Monster 1200R, apparently quite special so far as Monsters go…..

Any of you guys ridden a KTM 790R for any length of time….or perhaps owned one? I recently traded my 1190R on a Tiger 800 XCx and as much as I like the look of the bike I have not gelled with it at all while riding. In fact the longest trip I have managed is Outeniqua Pass and back, a grand day out of less than 100 kms. I have an option on a 2020 790R, which would be, according to the various U Choobers I follow, what I am looking for!! Thoughts please guys if you have gen on the 790R.

At least this guy seems thorough with your bike. You must be itching to be hitting the trails!

So……bit of a read…..the road back from Joburg to home in Hoekwil was long but enjoyable. We left toward Prieska via Kimberley. Light traffic, though a thunderstorm of near Biblical proportions on the road from Kimberly to Douglas. Anyways. Left Prieska to Carnavon on the dirt road, 170 odd kms and just one farm bakkie to deal with. Enjoyable, varied conditions, sand, dried ruts and pools of water which begged me to blast through……I did not, the surface under the pools was deep mud! Carnavon to Fraserburg on the dirt was fast and very open scenery. Big skies, not a lot to look at. Fraserburg to Sutherland, 110 kms of pure joy on a bike. The whole route was not technical at all, just attention to the ruts and sand patches. Camped Sutherland for a few days……cold…..then on to Ceres via the Forgotten Highway, a delightful 130 kms dirt across the Ceres Karoo, south of the Tankwa. It was raining in the Tankwa and the rain chased us over the Bo Swamoed Pass east of Ceres. camped at Moreson Wine Farm on the Breede……….a lekker trip supported by my Missus in the Hilux. Super nice to travel free of spares and tools which are carried by the bakkie.

Neither have I……….but red wine on the other hand!

I brought the 690 to Joburg on the X Ramp when recently up there. Had the opportunity to ride farm roads, trails and railway service roads out to the east of Josie. Was guided by my brother on his Katoom 250 Six Days……that thing is awesome. The 690 suddenly felt too big! Was a splendid day out.

I am now back in Dubai for sim recurrent, luckily I got onto last nights flight after landing from George. I was due to fly today at 1000 but turns out the flight was cancelled. That would have created a large drama for me as I have already postponed the sim by two weeks. Anyways, in the interim I took the 31 year old FZR for a burn up on the Pass. Had to fit a new front tyre as the wheels were resprayed and the muppets stuffed up the bead on refitting my tyre……..yes a very low mileage new Pirelli GT Angel…….so, new one fitted and had to see that the old girl handles as well as she ever did! Turned up all the 7’s……around 125 300 kms.