BenReaper

Will keep you posted. I'm 1,79m tall and weight in at 101kg, my wife is about 1,76 and pretty close weight wise. To give you an idea here we are on the DR before the 2018 Canola run, the first and last offroad trip we did together as we realized this is not exactly a 2up bike.

The Triumphs look like great bikes and a great contender for the GS, but unfortunately they are mostly out of my price range. I did see an older V-Strom 1000 for a good price this morning. Would be a great bike to get by on for a year or three until I can afford to upgrade to a DL1000xt.

Have contacted two dealers this morning whom advertised bikes in my price range and both were unfortunately gone already.The others I see are either unfinanceable or out of my price range.......or in Gauteng. The missus and I are going to go have a look at a friends 800gs this afternoon to get a feel for it and check how it is for us comfort wise. Also going round to another friend who owns a V-Strom to have a look at that aswell. Think this will let us distinguish which would be a better suited option for us. I am however starting to rethink my decision in the light of the uncertainty of what impact the Covid-19 virus might have on our economy in the near future.

I've spoken too a buddy who has owned the F800GS for the past three years and he has nothing but praises for the bike. I would however like to hear from others aswell who might have some experience with owning these bikes or other options regarding these bikes.

Speaking of, I'm still a year off from buying something around R100k in the adventure market. I've not much interest in the GS 1200 or KTM's, although these are the benchmark bike's I'm looking for something cheaper maintenance wise in the long run. The Super Tenere has been top of my list with the V-Strom trailing shortly behind, and most recently the Honda Crosstourer has caught my attention. That said I have a itch and can't see myself waiting another year to scratch it. So decided to look for something in the R60k bracket for now. Also keeping in mind whatever I buy will need to do 2up comfortably and at highway speed (neither of which my DR600 is capable of). This has me now looking at older models like the V-Strom 650 and Transalp 650/700. But I'm leaning pretty hard towards the F800GS as of late.

Nice!!! Almost baught a 883 Iron myself over the weekend, but like they say if you snooze you loose. Only considered it as it was a great deal. Probably for the best that I mist it though as I've actually had my sight set on a adventure bike for a long time now.

Lekker bike you got there. Moerse upgrade from the KLR, even though that was a lekker bike in its own way.Many safe kilometers dude.[emoji1690]

We do indeed! [emoji108] If you go west you can ride in desert like karoo surroundings, if you go north you get beautiful bushveld, if you go east you can enjoy almost rainforest like habitat and down south we have the beautiful fynbos. Just don't go to the middle (Freestate) where it's mostly dry and flat and boring. [emoji87]

Thanks dude.[emoji1690]

A bit late, but here's a few shots from the past weekends CTCT. I nearly died. [emoji2357]

This is a lekker one, right in my backyard. If I can manage my work schedule accordingly I'll see you guy's there.

Managed to find some time for a ride again yesterday afternoon. I'm still drawn to climbing as I enjoyed it a lot to suffer up hills in the past, but lugging this extra 15 odd kg's around is making it hard.

Met up with friends for the weekend in Hartenbos, was planning on a ride to go visit @BSG in Grootbrak, but a "lekker" Friday night kuier saw me having little energy to cycle. So I opted for the touristy ride to The Point and back.

This was last week Tuesday up one of our local climbs outside town. In the past I'd never stop on the way up a climb, but now the past is in the past and I just don't have the steam anymore (yet). Edit: Skuus Bennie, daar quote ek jou in verkeerde post.

You are welcome anytime my friend. [emoji1690]

Had the belt on for my entire ride yesterday, stopped 3 times along the way looking all over the device settings and resetting the ride to see if it'll pick up, but nothing.

Not sure if my experiences will count as directly or indirectly, but what the hell. Baught my first propper mtb in December 2013, joined Bikehub shortly after. I was working as an installer at a company connected to the construction industry at the time. In the following year I would spend a lot of time at my local bikeshop and on the internet trying to learn as much as I could about bicycles and building up a few, including playing with single speeds. One day in August 2015 I got a call from my LBS asking that I came round as soon as I had a chance. I was offered a job as mechanic and salesman and I could walk over for the same salary, I grabbed the opportunity with open arms. I enjoyed this job alot and I learned a boatload of stuff about different bikes and related products and I worked with a great bunch of people. But after 2 and a half years I realized I wasn't going anywhere fast in this trade and I decided to look for something else. Worked in the steel construction industry for 9 months. My boss was a douche and the conditions were shite so I decided to get the hell out of Dodge. Stuck my pride in my pocket and went to ask my old boss of 11years (before the bikeshop) for my work back. Best move ever. Was offered a higher position as head of technical and sales for our residential department. Only downside is now I don't have so much time for cycling anymore with all of my work responsibilities.

My bad, I wasn't aware of this. I've never used the heart rate function on Strava before as my older Polar watches was not compatible with the App.

Been a while since I've last posted here. Life has kept me busy and off the bike. Let's hope this is a comeback. I've learnt that a good way to get motivated is to sign up for an event and so I'm trying to get some game back for the CTCT. Did a solo slow 70km ride this morning. From Worcester to Rawsonville via Louwshoek, from Rawsonville through the Slanghoek Valley and back to Worcester on the R43 (Ceres pad). Boy did it hurt!

I hope you don't mind me asking a question in your thread, but since everyone's attention is here regarding the Giant heart rate belt. I purchased the Neostrack computer and the Heart rate belt together this week and used it today for the first time. The GPS picks up signal and the device does everything It's supposed to.....except for heart rate, the Neostrack does not want to connect with the Heart rate belt. I picked up and connected to the bluetooth signal from the belt on my phone, but the Neostrack does nothing. Am I doing something wrong?

It should supposedly work with any App that has heart rate detection as a function, for example Strava, Endomondo or Training Peaks(I think).

Howzit guy's, haven't been on the bike much this year....new work with loads of responsibilities. Only doing the odd ride every other week and stress eating has seen me gain 10 kg's. Hoping to turn things around soon.

I was up early with good intentions but when I realized what kinda coldnes was waiting outside I chickened out. Did at least go for a nice hike a bit later. In the afternoon I saw/made a gap and slipped out for a ride. The air was still quite cold but if you stayed in the sun it wasn't so bad.

Sh@t thats beautiful! [emoji108]It's a crisp cool sunny morning after the cold front has past here and perfect weather for riding......but nooo.....we must mos go to school sports......[emoji37]

Did a short ride with the family and the doggies on Sunday morning.