BenReaper

I migh have my Hubbers confused, but I think you've posted before that you have a custom set of ear plugs. I think that post was one of the first things that got me thinking about ear protection. Also there was a interview on the Gravel Travel Podcast with a lady who gave a little insight into why ear protection is actually a necessity.

I got an orange foam pair a while ago at a local agri/ammo supplier, think they were something like R10. I had read somewhere about the benefits of ear plugs and when I saw them for that price I decided to see what the hype is about. Having seen/felt the benefit of using them now I will look for something proper. These foam ones dont fit so nice in my ear, they pop out easily. I want to see if I can find something more rubbery and similar in shape to my Samsung earphones.

Had to be in Struisbaai for work on Monday and decided to take the bike. Wind was a bit crappy, but enjoyed the ride none the less. *I learned two new valuable things on this trip. On a previous work trip I ended up coming home in the dark and realized that the chrome reflective part of my headlight was burned to sh@t. A replacement unit is extremely expensive so I decided to fit a decent pair of spotlights instead. *On Monday's ride I officially tested the spots out for the first time and they made an hell of a difference. I could actually see where I was going in the dark instead of only relying on the reflection of the cat eyes in the road from my shoddy OEM light. *I also decide to use ear plugs for the entire ride and this also made the worlds difference. Previously I felt extremely fatigued from having to concentrate very hard in the poor light as well as having "ringing ears" from the wind on the helmet. This time round I was much more relaxed with better lighting and some ear protection. Oh and I also got a m@erse surprise coming round a bend in the dark.....

So took my boy to go riding at Zone7 in Cape Town this past Sunday. Even though his bike started developing a feuling issue the little guy was extremely chuffed to have finally ridden here. I also had the F800GS on the bakkie but was told at the gate that my bike would not be suitable for the enduro track, so on the bakkie it stayed.

I'm not very tall, but I do take a bit of wind even over the taller screen, a lot less than on my previous DR600 thought. At an combined weight of approximately 200kg for the wife and I a 1200GS might have been more powerful, but I'm not keen on lugging that heavy bike around and I haven't felt the 800 to be underpowered yet, other than when riding with the bigger bikes at speed on tar. However I did not buy the bike for this purpose, I have GSXR 750 for going fast. I felt the 800gs would be the best midway between a light dual sport and a big adventure bike and I got exactly what I bargained for![emoji108]

So I've been enjoying the hell out of my bike lately with mostly Sunday outrides every 2nd or 3rd Sunday depending on my wife's work schedule. This F800GS was one of the best purchases I've made in a long time. Found a group with some lekker okes in my area to ride with and my boy is usually on the back with me. I recently also got my wife on the back for a ride aswell. She hasn't been on a bike with me in over a year and was pretty hesitant, but after a 280km Ceres, Op die berg, Katbakkies, Tankwa Padstal and back through Ceres Sunday ride she's caught the bug again with me. Now she's already starting to plan longer weekend trips. I've even started using the bike for some work trips now and again. Did a biggish ride last Tuesday from Worcester to Malgas, the new Pond is not in operation yet so I had to go all the way round to Buffeljags and down to Witsand and back to Worcester again through Swellendam. I wish I'd found this adventure riding thing more appealing earlier on, could have been enjoying this lifestyle long ago already. Here are a few pics taken over the past month or so.

Ironically it is a Scott(y).......[emoji23]

I'd stay away from Ti if I were you, they are notorious for doing what you are becoming notorious for doing....[emoji6] I'm with Hairy on the Steel frame suggestion. If I were you I'd definitely consider getting something custom made and reinforced in the right places for you. It's gonna cost more for the initial purchase, but I'm sure it'll save you money in the long run.

Did a leisurely peddle around our local farm trails on Saturday morning with a work colleague. Lekker kop skoon maker.

That's the way to fo it![emoji108]

Had a lekker ride with a group this past Sunday. Enjoyed some beautiful scenery around the Keisie/Koo area and stopped for lunch at Saggy Stone breweries. They have some amazingly good food there.[emoji108]

The XT's are excellent dual sport bikes if you're going to ride solo, going to be a bit cramped and underpowered two up.

The new soft tail bag works a charm, I use two bungy cords to strap it down for extra piece of mind, think this cargo net would also work perfectly.[emoji106]

For the coffee side of things I run the small gas stove as in the picture above.For a roadside braai we just build a fireplace with rocks and usually look for sticks and wood where we stop, but this time round I took a bit of charcoal with to make it easier. I do however have a small portable camping braai on the way from a friend.

I have a small aluminium "Fire Maple" kettle that I bought from Cape Union Mart. Still want get a foldable wind screen for this setup.

On Saturday I did what has now become my monthly bike ride. With hectic work hours during the week and some poor weather over the weekends my cycling has taken a knock. This was a lekker mind clearing relaxed solo ride just enjoying my bike and my surroundings. [emoji108]

Lekker man! Daai klong het meer skills as ek.[emoji16][emoji1690]

Did a lekker 260km daytrip on Sunday with a colleague who recently purchased a brand new BMW F850GS. Took him on some smooth dirt roads around McGregor, Greyton and Villiersdorp to get some easy kilometers in as he is new do adventure riding. As per usual my kettle went with and there was a coffee stop with rusks early on and later we stopped to braai a worsie for boerewors rolls. [emoji108]

That's a lekker big ride. Fortunately that bike is a propper "kilometer eter".[emoji106]

I have a generic plastic topbox that I use for town and road use, have taken it offroad once and strapped it down with bungee cords but it's not preferable. Bought an expandable soft bag recently and it works great for day trips.[emoji106]

Awesome, hope you enjoy the hell out of that bike![emoji123][emoji1690]

That happened to me once about 4km on a ride in another town.[emoji2357] Fortunately I was always over prepared at the time and would lug my toolbox and some bike spares around in the bakkie including a spare set of pedals.

Did a lekker Sunday ride with a few guys from a offroad group I recently joined. We did a loop from Ceres through PA Hamlet to Op-Die-Berg, from there we turned right towards Katbakkies Pass. We stopped before Katbakkies under some trees for coffee and some of the guy's played in the sandy dry riverbed. After coffee and rusks we went over Katbakkies and stopped on the other side at some roadside picnic spot to braai for lunch. After lunch we went through the kloof into the Tankwa Karoo and headed to the Tankwa Padstall for some refreshments. From there we headed back on the Tankwa Karoo Road all the way to Ceres. A day well spent making memories with my boy and cementing some new friendships.

I once test rode a mates KLR and it was a very nice bike and for a long time it was on my wishlist, however......Since this F800GS accidentally came my way I now feel more strongly that this is the best bike for me at this moment. Slightly bummed that I sold my DR600 recently, but you have to know when to cut your losses and not hang on to a bad apple for nostalgic reasons. Maybe someday when I can afford it I'll replace the 800 with something bigger to pillion with and also get a thumper again for those more technical solo rides.

Practically is what adventure bikes are for....the rest are fait game.[emoji6]