mazambaan

That picking up video is interesting and I have seen it before and done the BMW course. But I have also had er, significant experience in picking up dirt bikes. For my size and strength er, average, picking up a 150kg bike (KTM 640) is generally possible, even in mud (KTM Rally Raid) and when the bloody thing falls downhill. 200kg (KTM 990) is challenging and if you have some luggages; not possible IMHO; you have to at least start offloading. A KTM 500 / 525 at 125kg odd lightly loaded is more manageable. It is one place where a bicycle has a significant advantage.

Thanks Grebel; ja I've started such a mount a few times but something else gets in the way so I fall back on a handlebar mount for my vintage 276. Current "get in the ways" is the ignition switch has fried itself and previously was the water pump but getting there. The new 500 KTM/Husky's are good bait but I'm still wary of the fuel injection system as I ride by myself sporadically. Bigger bikes are out as I wouldn't be able to pick them up and they get you into bigger trouble.

Is that a 640 Grebel? I ask as my one shakes anything mounted on the plastic shroud to switch off. It is either handle bar or onto the shroud mounting bolts.

Damn you Duane; this just moved up my list so expect to be pestered; by me and quite a few other people it seems. Off to open a Std Bank Euro account SOONEST.

I've just spent some time in the US, Canada (ok Vancouver) and Germany and the range and number of people on every sort of bicycle from commuting to touring and training) is staggering, well, compared to SA. The majority in Germany anyway don't wear helmets and ebikes proliferate - from 999 to 5 000Euro. They must be coming.

Ja not sure why mess with why bicycles became motorcycles anyway. Go for an Alta and do it properly.

I have a similar bike carrier from XRad - works ok on a mid size vehicle - Discovery / Fortuner (IMHO). I have had a KTM 640 adventure on it - you could feel the weight but it held up ok for the 50km or so I used it. Lighter bikes are a breeze. Bit of a cumbersome towhitch fitting - it doesn't use the towball.

I ended up watching the baby Frenchies although I've never seen so many massive U20's and I should have been working. But the Pommy commentator got up my nose basically predicting that the Frogs would run out of puff (and lose). Well they did to some extent and the Poms sabotaged themselves so by then the froggies were too far ahead to be caught. Entertaining.

I'd be for resting Vermeulen - he was gigantic in winning the game and would not like to see him injured but replace him with who realistically?

Ja Steven, those things were funny but a bit nasty, even considering JL gives good coldish fish impressions. I'm pleased for Lorenzo; shakes things up a bit and boy he took some stick, often from people who I reckon would be lucky to make one lap on a MotoGP bike; let alone race one. But such is the world. I'm surprised MM didn't get sanctioned for his bump of Petrucci on lap 1 - that oke can ride but he may well hurt someone; or worse.

Should maybe be in the motorcycle thread but who remember bikes with no primary kickstart i.e. you had to be in neutral to kickstart them. What a pain!!

I was told the Karkloof trails are in good nick by someone that rode there Sunday. Good bunny also at Hollywood Springfield (give the Springfield ballet a miss even if divorced) and Govender's in Umbilo; guaranteed to shave 15 minutes off your race time.

Great stuff guys; Duane really appreciated. I'm looking forward to see if I can fade my brakes Ice Tech rotors are on; XT calipers etc next. I will avoid the sidewalks.like a plague

Good advice for sure - I tried to interest a few people but no bites yet - it may rollover to next year; sadly. At this stage I would take my Trance - rentals are too expensive from a quick Google. He he - avoid the bars !! Thanks Duane; good point about lift closing time. Can you give one or two contacts for the accommodation. The 22k (ZAR ?) for 4 for 13 nights sounds good.

Duane, this is on my bucket list although I'm not really a downhiller; more easy enduro; vintage model body. I can't make July as I'm in the US but can one go later in the season - August / September? Can I pm or call you to get some details?

The "joke" about Patricia de Lille and Benny Alexander sharing the same set of false teeth when they were ID or PAM or something. IMHO her best contribution to SA; still makes me smile just a guilty bit.

When will the hats be available & pricing? I'm liking the look of them.

I'm liking that new Honda with the auto box even. But, just because, if I was considering a new bike (I wish I could) I'd look for a KTM / Husqvarna 500.

Just a note for Duane; Bootlegger is not a franchise..................................yet. Still all run by the owner/s with store managers; they roast their own coffee, used to do it in Sea Point, moved somewhere industrial now.

On washing and ironing; also try laundromats - not cheap but gets the job done.

I can't comment from my own experience as I'm staying married (I think anyway) and still have a Landy but I can say this: I have had 2 good friends who went through messy divorces and struggled for a while. But both of them realised they were now masters of their own destiny and went on to be very successful (business, pleasure and home life); much more so than when they were married. I think you get rid of a great deal of bad baggage that holds you back at the expense of some intense emotion. I thinking this will happen to you.

Lekker BSG; those first bikes are sooo good; freedom and fun. Try get some training for him (I went to a Country Trax thing a few years ago and learnt plenty, even after 30 years of riding dirt bikes) and ATGATT, unless you have this covered.

Back to some cycling - apologies if already posted but very funny Angry cyclist; downed scooter.

Joey Evans - Para to Dakar; I won't whine about not doing well due to injuries again in a hurry.

I think I've said this before but forget the "style" , I'd like the guys just to be able to catch a high ball and kick it into touch more than 25m from where they are positioned. Oh, and I'd love them to actually find the touch line from penalties 100% of the time .