Spokey

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)

I saw this on the MCN FB page. The proposed Yammie R9 with the absolutely gorgeous MT09 engine. I first road an MT09 at one of the Kyalami shows when the machine was new to SA. What a stellar engine. This would be a beautiful use of the triple engine. I miss an MT09 from my collection. This moves me big time, the colours of the ‘98 R1……..wow! My 60 year old brain says stick with my T7 ADV…….Actually the T7 with the CP2 engine is certainly a keeper. Lovely engine too.

That little lot was a little over 24000 Swiss Francs. A lot of cash. So much was used because of the thick ice layer below the snow. Sadly the available hangar to rent was already booked. It also a tight squeeze for a Global 7500 so the handlers are reluctant to use it for anything larger than a Global 6000. Anyways, we do not de ice often so I guess we can’t grumble…..not that there is any choice if you need to go flying!!

Yeah, was very lekker. I like St Gallen where we stay. Came in from St Maarten in the Dutch Antilles then 2 days in Kuwait followed by a long flight to Nassau in Bahamas. Sitting in Bahamas now.

I was recently at WEF in Switzerland. we parked at Altenrein for 3 days. Lots of rain followed by freezing conditions and snow. Took 57 mins and a 24000 litres of Type1 to clean the aeroplane for flight. Fortunately no anti icing required on departure, very light snow flurry did not last. Was - 8 overnight and -6 when we arrived at the aerie at 0800.

I may even be in SA as there is a chance will be sent home during Ramadan (10 March for a month). I head to Swartburg Pass 6 to 8 times a year……love it there. Would be good to join if you fancy company! I ride all over the Klein Karoo when I get home off contract.

Thats a bit sad…….the reason for the ADV bike, pack flask or better still, pack MSR cooker and Stanley drip filter coffee kit or even a small Stanley French Press and hit the trail! Coffee with an outlook of your choice!

Before you buy that GS, get yourself to Hoekwil and have a go on a small selection. I do need to be home of course! I would even welcome a Harley parked in the drive way……… seriously though I do not know your off road skills but I caution against a big old GS (as good as they are) in the dirt unless you have some dirt track knowledge!

Yeah, a talented but troubled young man who grew into a talented but troubled adult. What a shame. I have had a scenario in my own extended family some years back ,with a talented young adult ( mountain biking) passing to soon due various reasons. It is very sad to deal with. Strength to his family.

I am super happy with mine. Yes as Ice Cream Man says perhaps a bit down on hp but I truly do not miss that from my 150 hp KTM 1190. Sure it is over 120 lbs heavier than my KTM 690 with about 4 hp more but that CP2 engine is a dream. It pulls well in any gear with a beautiful torque spread. It is very easy to ride in the dirt. The faults are well documented but I will live with them and address them over time (not the hp obviously!) I have a few mods on mine……..crash bars, proper engine bash guard, a swing arm chain guide (IMO essential for off tar riding) a headlight protector, Bark Buster’s and a Black Widow end can . In addition I have had the paintwork VPS protected. I wanted to carry my soft luggage but I find the racks available are wide and ungainly on the narrow bike. To this end I bought a set of Turkana bags with their rackless mounting system. The cost was similar to a Touratech rack and they fit brilliantly. Next change are the tyres to a more dirt focussed pattern. I recommend the bike but if you will carry a pillion perhaps look at the GS 800/850 range.

I also think the cheaper kit will do the job on a bike tyre but not with my Hilux. I helped my brother with a plug on his Fortuner tyre…….aye, that was very difficult. I am going to try the 12v drill route too, just to see if it works/ helps.

This is great, l love how that ‘Busa is airborne on some of those ramps!

Okay, Orange brand, not GS but I am a big fan of Anakee Wilds. The rear does not last long though, 3000 kms and a bit, with traction control on, perhaps a lot less if off. The Adventures are great, I tried them on a trip from Hoekwil to Josie and back, excellent tar touring tyre and (for me) very dry dirt roads. Currently I run Dunlop Trail Max Missions on my 1190. Excellent on tar, wet or dry but sketchy on all but dry dirt roads (the front surprisingly good in sand). They look like they will get well over 15 000 kms. I am awaiting the Trail Max Raid tyres to arrive in SA before I change on the 1190 as I would like to get a more dirt focussed tyre back on there but one with some longevity. I now have my Yam T700 which has become my go to ADV bike if riding with no pillion. Standard Pirelli Rally STR’s are not my favourites. I will be changing to Anakee Wilds or Pirelli Rally MT21 when next in SA. The Wilds have good tar handling and may be a bit more suitable on the T7 than the MT21’s which are more heavily dirt focused. Generally I don’t mind the noisy knobblies, the benefit is the confidence in the dirt on the heavier mid to large ADV bikes. The cost of tyres appears to be going up with nearly every shipment to SA, the Wilds have been quoted at around R5500 for the pair for the T7. Be even more for a GS (only a 150 size rear on the T7). Hope that gives you an idea.