Spokey

I have been up to Namibia twice in the last two years. Just the south and central up to Windhoek. The dirt roads in this region are awesome for bikes, particularly the south. I was traveling in my Hilux with the Missus, camping, doing my tax tours. I fly to work from Windhoek and she drives home. Long trip for her but she enjoys the solo drive over 3 days. I would love to return on my bike. Would take my Yamaha T7. I look forward to traveling north and then across to Bots to travel to work from Gabs……but it is a long way!

Gosh…..a Rocket would be an interesting addition to my collection……however, Katoom 950/990, old Africa Twin or Triumph Thruxton 900 have my attention right now.

So……my smallest and largest bikes are per chance Yamaha. A dinky FS50 from last century boasting 5 HP and no torque as it is perhaps less than thrilling! The next is a 2005 MT01 of 1670cc but a less than impressive 90 HP but torque figures that do impress……Tis a very lazy engine and a delight to ride.

We blasted out of Kuwait the other morning 15 mins ahead of our 0200 departure. 33R is closed for no apparent reason and that being the closest runway to the GA ramp it was a long taxi to33L. Bumpy as……. Anyways, max fuel on board and just 1500lbs below our 114800 MTW the performance was awesome. This aerie always makes me smile even when heavy. Rock solid and stable. We climbed out to FL430 over Iraq after being told 300is our final due traffic. I had to say no to the controller, we would not make our destination. Long story short we were vectored to climb. Over Turkey we took a non standard FL 450. Over Scotland we went to FL470 for the Atlantic crossing. Smooth flight throughout but stonking headwinds of over 100kts (185kph). We climbed at 275/M.83 and cruised at M.85 versus the normal 300/M.85 and M.88. We had over 20 hours of darkness since the sun had set in Kuwait with it finally rising just prior to New York city. Anyways, my longest flight ever in the Global 7500. 15 hours 10 flight time with legal dispensation for 2 crew. It was tough but certainly not impossible!

Thanks Man, heal up well. I had surgery in 2006 for a well busted up left AC joint. Made the mistake of getting back to riding too soon, motorcycles and MTB, was a drama for years…….now I put the pain down to age Ha Ha (61) Anyways, I am in US on a work trip and have not been home for months……..I have to collect my Yamaha MT01 and the TLS when I return home in 10 days……am like a young kid at Christmas! Jeeze and a Giant Stance that I have not ridden!!

Congrats on the new bike. That is a fine one for the country lanes of The Mud Patch!

I have not seen these around much since my freight days, so was a treat to see this beast in Kuwait a few days ago.

Righty oh…..the Ducati Monster has gone the hard way. I obtained a fine deal on a new addition in my mid 90’s to mid 2000’s twin cylinder collection. Bit of a mix but I like them…….. Yamaha MT01, BMW RS1100R Boxer Cup Rep, Ducati 1098 and Ducati 749 and now one of these..…

Tis a beautiful bike, but I am after a yellow Duke. There is a 2018 821 or whatever Monster for sale in SA. However, I do really want an 1100 EVO. Couple for sale in Josie with Nicky Haden and a certain VR paint scheme…….prices too salty for me!

Merry Christmas All, well, those of you who celebrate it anyway. I decided on a quiet day of introspection in the Kamanassie, Prince Alfred Pass Diepwalle and Gouna Forests……Actually the Missus turfed me out so she could get on with her art stuff!

Jeepers, I think I would benefit with all this on my 1190R!

Yeah, the MT01, but riding home today I figure the RC8 is the way forward! I am a huge fan of the LC8 engine…….as I sure you are aware!

So…….here I am in Cape Town having ridden across from George to check out and test ride the big Yam MT01. What an interesting though off the wall bike. Rides really well and handles way better than that engine configuration would suggest. Bit of a tractor, revving to just 5000rpm but at 2500/3000 it pulls like a train…….no panniers for touring…..take the caravan!! Anyway……..to screw all my plans up a KTM RC8 has become available. This is a dream bike of mine, I am a huge fan of the LC4 and LC8 engines. Perhaps my plans will change!This bike is in the colours of my 1190R……..would be a great addition to the stable. The Laverda I posted earlier has perhaps gone the hard way…….I think there will be more drama than fun in that ownership experience. Right now I am between the RSV Aprillia 1000 and the MT01……..until this…..

Photo from advertisers page. This is a little beauty……

I have just been thrown a curve ball…. I am in Joburg heading home tomorrow and have been to see a really interesting little Laverda 750 S Formula in bright red. I expect that is even more rare but in all honesty it is unlikely I would ride it much. Very pretty Italian exotica though.

Been far too long away from my bike, had a couple of rides recently up behind Witfontein in George. Was great getting back into it though the 60 year old body did take some strain!

I am unable to get the info I require before dropping Randellas on the Ducati 748 that I was looking at. There is no service history, no books and no info on the last belt service. There are no spare keys. The bike was on display in a house. Anyways a rather interesting Yamaha MT01 has come up at a good price. I have bought from this seller before and have trust. Just wondering what you enthusiasts may think of this as collectible potential. Rare and quirky springs to mind. However a nice addition to a collection of early 2000 V twins. photo is of the bike by the seller.

Those R models will have a premium price. I do like a 999 too. I saw your XT advertised…I like it. The 748 I have been looking at does not have the Ducati books nor a spare key. No idea on the last belt service so I would feel the need to get that done. I may make an adjusted lower offer with this in mind.

Funny guy hey

Yeah, that yellow 748 would look lekker in this short line up.

Don’t be jealous, I just bought her a Giant Trance as she struggles with the little Titan hard tail. I am trying to get her into this MTB malarkey with some comfort, my old Titan was an interesting buy. I had a Soma steel hard tail frame and bought a complete Titan with Shimano XT so I could remove that to my Soma and swapped out marginally lessor components to the Titan frame. The Giant full susser will be her Christmas pressie……………the Ducati will be for me ha ha!

Only if you run off the tar………

I have several bikes that I am keen to add to my perhaps less than modest collection. I would welcome comments from you guys as to what you may think. I am totally out of the market for things like Honda CB 1100 RC/D etc and Aprilia RS250. I delayed on a Yamaha RD350 recently and now it is gone…….perhaps my moment has past. Currently enquiries are in for a Ducati 748 in the striking yellow paint job to sit alongside the 749 Dark and gorgeous red 1098. Beyond that I am after a small Ducati Monster, 600 perhaps, perfectly formed and pretty. A KTM 950/990 as not small and still perfectly formed. A Yamaha XT from 500 to 600 and even better a 750 twin. An Aprilia RSV 1000 twin as not small, still perfectly formed and a gorgeous addition alongside the 1098 Ducati for modest cost. Anyways, here is a pic of what may well be the Christmas present to my long suffering wife……..after all…….she did say the next bike must be a yellow Ducati…..this is the best I can do.

I really like the look of these bikes.

Thanks! Late reply! I am out at work, currently in US and heading to Mid East tomorrow. This 1190R is everything I expected. I am a huge fan of my S model and that old girl has 75000 kms on and is well used. She will be able to take a break!