Spokey

Right, so I went and did it. Bought the 1190 R. I was sold on a ZZR1400 and then realised that I do not need such a road bike. I took my ZRX1200R around my local tar loop and decided the roads are shite! So…..my Big Orange 1190 S now becomes my road bike and this is my new dirt bike. Okay……..this is a ridiculous big enduro bike. I will never be able to ride it to its full capability but am willing to give it a go! It is a delight in the dirt despite its weight. The difference to the S model is absolutely evident. The S is way superior on the road and this undeniably offroad. I reset the suspension to standard as the previous owner had it on comfort. Way to wobbly for me. So…….swapping the crash bars between the bikes and semi restoring the S model Big Orange! Pics to follow. The exhaust is an interesting thing. It is a KTM option extra but is surprisingly quiet. The baffles can be removed but with a lot of extra work.(drilling out the rivets) I will leave it as is. The Ostriches in the Klein Karoo were not disturbed by my passing!

Seems that this little 1190 R may just follow me home in the next day or two. 2015, just 24000 kms on the clock. I am looking to put the panniers on to my old S model and all the off road bits from the S on to the R. I am a big fan of these LC8 engines. My S model has 76 000;kms on her.

So I decided I need to try motorcycle camping…. Eeisshhhh, okay, was great, but my choice of destination was perhaps a bit much…. I left home for the Roggeland plateau and Sterland Camping. It was a good 400 kms, Kamanassie road to Oudsthoorn then the tar to Seweweekspoort with a lekker breaky at Bella de Karoo on the R62. Dirt to Laingsburg and a bit more to the Sutherland road. In camp and fire on by 1730………..and the cold set in……OMG, the kipsack was not up to it. Tonight was due to be colder, so I broke camp and road down to the Tankwa via Ouberg Pass…..that was a huge work up with a loaded bike! Travelled via an exceptional dirt road to the Maitjiesfontein road then dirt to Laingsburg again. Tonight in a hotel in Prince Alfred, no camping until I upgreade the kipsack!!

I lost my Mom during Covid, not from Covid but I believe as a result of the isolation from friends when she was ill from an unrelated issue….so Covid, anyways, it has brought my brother and I closer together. He is looking to do his bike license and I hope wevan ride together some day. Hope you and your boet can be involved together in the bike way.

Gosh. This is stupid money!

Certainly sounds like it. Mine is similar…..encouraging my bike purchases, well, to a point! She still thinks we need a yellow Ducati to go with the red 1098 and Matt Black “dark” 749.

Jeeze, sorry to read this. I have a bit of an interest in a 950 in Josie at a dealer……..lots of rands though……then I take my T7 on some trips and wonder why I still feel the need for the earlier Katoom…..and I am a Katoom fan boy!

I need to find a nice 1980’s XT 600 in same colours to be a garage partner!

I took my T7 for its first “long….ish” jaunt to visit the Hederberg Motorcycle Museum. What an excellent few days. Meed to rethink my packing but overall was a good trip. Bike did not disappoint with easy enthusiastic cruising on both tar and dirt. Pics show a little of the home stretch around Greyton and the dirt roads south of van Wyksdorp.

Instead of flying to Josie for my aviation medical, I chose to ride Big Orange up. Has been an excellent trip, crossing the Orange River on the R717 and a short dirt track to Springfontein. Hot during the day in Josie. Tomorrow I head back……..looks to be a cold ride and a really cold start on Thursday after my overnight tomorrow in Middleberg.

This past week we left Kuwait to take the aeroplane to Biggen for a 3 week long maintenance event. The pics show the end of the Red Sea with Aqaba and Eilat then the Suez Canal from FL430. There is Charles de Gaul with Le Bourget behind. The Nice photo displays a bit of our aerie’s performance. Zero pax and 14800lbs fuel at take off. Airborne of 04R at Nice, cross wind turn, downwind turn and just about to turn right to cross the landing threshold at FL120……Yes, headings, released from the SID.. Finally the gorgeous IWC sponsored Spittie!

I have been home for a week during my normal work rotation. The Boss is chilling on his boat so sent us home. I have managed two long “ish” rides on my smaller ADV bikes. 400 kms on the 690 around to Calitzdorp via van Wyksdorp and Rooiberg Pass and then 380 km’s on the T7 to Calitzdorp via Outdshoorn and back along the track running just south of the Swartberg. Different bikes and different experiences. The lightness of the Katoom is a winner but the CP2 engine in the T7 is a dream on any tar stretches. Over all the comfort of the T7 would likely win the day……though I cannot get rid of the 690 yet! Perhaps the tyre choice has much to do with it. Pirellii MT21 on the Katoom and Michelin Anakee Wilds on the T7…….The MT21’s are harsh on the tar.

I do like this bike……a lot!

I was in London for RIAT but decided that the return travel on public transport was too much trouble. I would have loved to see some of those aeries but the thought of 2 to 2, 5 hours each way did it in for me.

Old ballie is having a laugh! Missus less than happy….. the nature of things!

I have been home for a bit. Had a few cool rides. I took the Chunky Munich Bier Fraulein for a trip over Outeniqua Pass and enjoyed many rides on the Big Katoom. Yam T7 had a grand day to Swartberg Pass yesterday.

N + 1 Hairy, that is how it is……….. N being 15 for me…….3 not useable, waiting in line for rebuilding…..To be honest it is proving a little difficult to keep them all happy! Sorry that your Katoom has had some issues but once sorted I think you will have a fine machine there. I do fancy one in my garage!

Prepping the Baby Honda for a show at Sedgefield this Sunday. Big brother 750 will be there too.

Congratulations Man! Wish you happy travels on that beast……shout if you end up in the Hoekwil area at all!

This……..go Nike…..just do it! Hairy, your post above re the comparison of the two bikes. Of interest My KLR weighs 194 Kgs dry, the KTM 1190 is 217 dry ( big girl yes) both 23 l fuel. power is 42 hp vs 150 or 100 in dirt mode. The KTM belies its weight in the dirt but I am no Chris Birch and I do not treat it like an enduro bike. That 950 would be superior in the dirt. The big KTM is my go to bike. It puts a smile on the face on every ride, it can bimble along at low revs with a soft growl from the engine or above 6000 it howls…….

My brain would say XT and my heart KTM………despite the sensible option of the XT, I know I would go with the KTM all day long. The 950/990 is a reliable motorcycle without all the electronics of the modern bikes. Both tend to hold reasonably high second hand prices if in good condition. There is a reason, both are very good models for their purpose. As the guys have said, any longer trips and you will wish for the bigger bike. For dirt roads and tracks I would still choose that big Katoom as they are so capable. The XT may be lighter but it is still no Enduro bike!

I was in London recently and bought this book on DC8’s to see this pic inside. I was sure I may have been on the crew that day. Turns out I was! I checked my log book when home in SA for a brief time off.

On the various groups I belong to there have been some interesting machines turning up. I rather fancy either of these but have vowed to the Missus there shall be no more bikes until………………next time!

My back yard,thats why you received the trophy ha ha….. I absolutely love this area. I ride this pass many times a year despite only having 3.5 months off in SA per year. Luckily I do not need any more than spares and tools for a day ride and generally use my Katoom 690. It is such an iconic pass. Next time in the area, if time permits, meander down into Die Hel. It is a fantastic ride but quite challenging on a large motorcycle.

I have been lucky to have a few days at home during my time on duty so made the most of it with a short ride on the T 7 to try the reworked suspension. The bike is all I wanted now. Front end is smooth over the corrugations and the back seems very easy to control sliding in the corners. Super happy! The tail tidy was made in George to a design by George Yamaha. Those guys also fitted the spots as I like, no excess wiring around the crash bars. I sold the Black Widow end can and bought this Remus. Not too loud but a nice deeper burble.