Spokey

With just 1800 kms on this lovely little T7 was in danger of being moved on. The first bike in 25 to have that hanging over her head. Despite the various mods I would return from a ride and feel …….well, nowt! A CBX 1000 of similar value was calling my name and arguably the CBX is a way better investment! In fact, not arguably, factualy! And then the red and white tart and I took a 400 km ride on mixed tar/dirt and she revealed her strong points. Now, baring in mind I have a KTM 690 Enduro and an 1190 s ADV, this T7 proved to be the perfect mixed medium tourer for me. So her place in the stable is ensured, so much so, that the suspension has been removed by Yamaha George and sent to CT to M P Suspension to be re valved and adjusted to my weight. I have sole the Black Widow end can and replaced it with a Remus system. Slowly building it into an inclusion in my final bike stabel !

Yes, I read too that this is an issue. So far none with my big Orange 1190……

My December 1994 FZR 1000 Genesis EXUP has returned from a mild refurb……..though not entirely mild in price. Anyways, 127000 kms on the machine, 119000 added by me over the years. I have owned her for 24 years now. Still rides like a dream, is fast as I require!

Jeepers, this is a thing of beauty……..must sound absolutely awesome with those pipes!

Thanks, sounds awesome. For now there is no room. I need to reorganise and reevaluate what I would like out of my bikes. I am keen to pick up some XR/XL 600/650 while the prices are almost reasonable. I fancy an Africa Twin, the old 750 and perhaps KTM 950/990…………. Road bikes, the CBX or a CB1100 RC or RD but I think that dream is gone. Prices far too salty for me. Anyways, in the meantime I will look after these old things and try and keep them all happy….ha ha!

Thank you, yes a CBX would be great……….It might not be difficult to get the Missus into that, she does like them! Prices rising though……

Hairy asked for some pics……..here are a few. The bike room is undergoing some rearranging so some of the wall mounted pics need moving. I plan to build a platform for the small Yam FS 50 to sit against the wall above the CB 400 and CB 750. The big Yam FZR will park alongside the Aprillia 125 when it returns from the respray and refresh in CT. The big German Fraulein needs the Certificate of Authenticity from BMW Heritage in Munich to be mounted on the wall near her parking. Currently the DT125, KLR650 and XL600s are in my old mud brick garage. The XL awaiting rebuild, the KLR awaiting repairs from my “close terrain inspection” in Baviaans and the little DT is simply keepling the two company!! The Big Katoom was waiting for me to get the back wheel in (done). The Yam T7 was jolling outside and missed the photos! The Ducati shirts are from Montreal, Barcelona and London. There are a lot of small boxed models, Tamiya kits(to build), coffee cups and general “bike stuff” that are in another part of my bike room. Al but the FS50 and XL600 are on battery chargers and kept running. All have papers and are licenced.

A strong possibility, just not for the next few weeks as I am off to work again tomorrow. Bikes are all packed up and snoozing!

Despite my earlier comment re the bike collection and the Missus being happy…………… we drove to the Mother City today to take a look at a reasonably rare potential addition to the stable. A 2006 Ducati 749 Dark. Bike has just 13000 kms on and is almost perfect, just one or two tiny marks on the plastics. The Missus decided it would be a great stablemate to the 1098. So……..long story short, I have become the custodian of this fine little motorcycle and hope like heck its value increases as I believe it should. These Pierre Terblanche bikes (999 included) did not have the popularity of the preceding Tamburini designs. I personally feel the 749 and 999 styling is still relevant today. So here she is, Dark edition in Matt Black. Completely original including the tool kit behind the right fairing and Ducati exhaust. Tyres are Bridgestone S23’s so they will need a change to some appropriate Pirelli hoops.

Ha ha yeah, easy to hide behind the big Orange!

That Trials bike is really lekker. I fancy an older Montessa or such. For some reason the Missus is less keen. Apparently I have enough bikes to keep me happy………

Yeah…..it is.

I have just been home 9 days, heading back to the Sand Pit on Monday for my annual simulator recurrent. Biking time at home has been busy….. I rode the FZR1000 down to Cape Town for a respray and clean up. New Annakee Wilds on the Yam T7 and the Beemer……..welll, that just needed to burn some fuel! In addition the big Orange 1190 has had new chain and sprockets fitted, new rear suspension bushings and a service. Shame to be heading away again so soon.

This is exceptional value.I have always liked these bikes since riding the first models years ago at the AMID bike event at Kyalami. However, despite now spending a bucket load more on my Yam T7 with all the upgrades I fancy, I am still more than stoked with my T7. Keep in mind I have my Orange 1190 and a Ducati 1098 (amongst others) if the need for speed comes up!!!

This is gorgeous……I may just develop a close interest!

I promised myself to wait until well into the year but this has caught my eye…….would look great next to the 2022 T7 with its similar paint scheme.

Ha ha, yeah, I get a kick out of riding my little 125’s around just as much as the big bikes. To be honest though the thrill is related to the distance ridden…..so not too far then! I am lucky to be the custodian of Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM and Yamaha……there was once a time a Harley almost joined the garage, but as of now……none!

Ha ha, at least I don’t know where it is! …….for now.

Congratulations, enjoy the bike!

This looks super good. The plastic tank on my Aprilia RS125 needs some attention, seems I need to ship it to these guys.

I do a lot of chain cleaning and lubing and adjustment…..they last ages. I do actually carry a motorcycle chain breaker and suitable links in my two tool kits. I in the 1190 size and one for the smaller bikes…..the 520 link can double to 525 I am told but the 1190 needs 530.

Both gorgeous, man, that 990 is something lekka for my collection! Please Do Not reveal where it is, nor its price ha ha! See if you can ride the 1190, that acceleration will make you smile! Then take the traction control off…… On a serious note, I find the TC on these bikes to be excellent, you do not feel it being intrusive as I have heard can be so on other models. The dirt mode allows ample spin up when required. It still has 100hp in dirt and rain mode. I use Rain mode too when on the tar in the wet. If not it easily spins the back wheel on a top gear acceleration from 100 kph to pass traffic! LC8 engine is magic…..that thing will sound awesome with that pipe. sorry…..rambling now……you realise too that I am an 1190 fanboy!

This little machine is a keeper for me too. Worth buggar all now, this very well used 2013 KLR 650 ha been a wonderful bike to learn dirt for a superbike guy. I di enhance it with a Leo Vinci end can and progressive suspension which made a big difference. This was bike through the Baviaans in December for my 60th birthday. I chose this for its simplicity and the fact promised the old thing the trip. All good until I dropped her on a ridiculous piece of road……..tired and a bit fu..ed! Anyways, made it home via Antonniesberg Pass, Steytlerville and the long trek to De Rust. Busted bars and mirror but will sort during the course of this year.

My 690 enduro and my 1190 Adventure S. These things NEVER fail to put a smile on ones dial! When I return home from a ride on the 690 the Missus says I am like a teenager who has just discovered bikes!! I will never ever sell that 1190, even when too old to ride it and using the smaller bikes, I will go into my bike garage and dribble over it! The bloody thing has been magnificent! Fast as F and glorious in the dirt considering it is a big bike…..150 hp out of a 2013 model. The 690 is over 120 lbs lighter than the T7 with just 2 or 3 hp less but of course a single. I see a place for both in my garage……..at the moment, but when sensibility kicks in, as I age, the T7 will be the keeper due to comfort on the tar.

There ya go. So the machine has about 1500kms on. I bought it standard and have subsequently fitted Bark Busters, an SW Motech bashplate and crash bars. Plus a headlight protector….a bit bulky I think, but does the job until I find a better one. I fitted a chain guide, I cannot believe they released the bloody thing to run in the dirt with out a chain guide. I have a Black Widow end can, sounds wicked. I had the baffle out but as great as it sounds it became a pain on long open roads. Baffle back in, sounds cool, a little more fruity than standard but not aggressive. I have VPS covered the bike as well. More upgrades coming from Camel Products a rear brake lever that increases the brake feel, a one finger clutch mod an instrument cluster support and fat pegs. In time I will fit the enduro exhaust mod, it works with the Black Widow can. If I really get enthusiastic and sell my KTMs this machine will get Touratech suspension front and rear!……………………..or maybe I keep the KTMs anyway! I bought the Turkana bags, 15l per side, a clever rack less system . Pricy but not paying for a set rack. I have some spot lights to fit but yet to do that, I have been indecisive on where they should go as I like the narrow look of the bike ( hence my rack less luggage system)