Thug

I see Leon has surged into the lead on the 700k race and only 107k from the finish. I would imagine that he short-circuited and joined the 400k route at Masakala.

Definitely looking like there will be quicker times this year.

The mud caused chaos last year, so hopefully it's not as muddy.

I see that Triumph have an end of season clothing sale with up to 50% discount.

I passed my licence on a KDX200, 36 years ago!!

I have another mate riding in the race but at the bottom end of the field, Patrick is from Belgium and has visited SA a couple of times. I met him in 2021 at Silk Road and he went back to Silk Road last year. So he's getting around!

Rowan is a machine and has completed a couple of Freedom Challenges and If I recall broke 16 days last year. I rode with him on R2R in 2016, lekker guy as are his brothers!

Pirelli Scorpion, equally as ****. 😂

Not really, looks worse cause the bikes filthy.

Correct!

Fitted the Barkbusters and Heed Crash Bars this week.

I'm looking at between R3.6k - R4.3k for a set of tyres for the Tiger. Dunlop Trailmax Missions for the former and Michelin Anakee Adventure, the latter.

Anyone have any experience with CountryTrax Training courses? Thinking of enrolling for the introduction to off-road riding course, either that, or Triumph have something similar. But 1st to get some new rubber. https://www.countrytrax.co.za/train

Unboxed the Heed crashbars. Certainly been packaged superbly.

Heed Crashbars were delivered from Poland this morning, took a week to arrive. Barkbusters from PE on Monday. Unfortunately not going to be able to fit this weekend as I'm away. Ideally, I could have taken the bike but SWAMBO is coming with.

Some shots of the Tiger from this mornings ride. Stock tyres are Bridgestone Battlewings which I want to swop out to Michelin Anakee Adventures (80/20). The Barkbusters should be here tomorrow and the Heed bars, later in the week.

Will take some over the weekend.

So first accessory ordered for the Tiger. I'm replacing the factory crash bars with Heed aftermarket ones. One of the mounting points on the factory bars is actually on the lower engine block and I've seen a number of reports that in the event of a crash, the bolt mounting to the block breaks off. Which means a new bottom crank case. Also going to be ordering Barkbusters when the local agent gets stock in.

No reason why it shouldn't work. I've been using Google off-line maps for years albeit with a cellular connection.

Thanks for you thoughts. Will look at a dedicated GPS.

Mainly tar but hopefully a bit of off-road A dedicated GPS going missing is one thing, but a phone.....eish.

Link I referred to has a weather cover so that should take care of the rain and dust.

What GPS's do people use? Options are: - use my iPhone and Google Maps/Waze - Garmin Zumo 396 (XT is ridiculously priced) - Tomtom 550 Seems to me that with a decent case such as https://www.bikekings.co.za/collections/phone-gps-protective-mounts/products/sp-connect-moto-bundle-iphone-13-pro the iPhone will be easiest and cheapest.

So it looks like I'm buying a later model than I initially planned. 2019 Tiger 800 XCa I just need to re-wire the heated passenger seat to ensure that the minimum setting is around 40Deg C

SWAMBO has been giving me grief that she can't ride on the back of the Thruxton (damn, she found me out ), so I'm thinking of selling and getting a Tiger 800XCX (probably 2017). I don't ride enough to warrant buying a 2022/23 900 and a 1200 I think is too large (as are all Adventure orientated bikes).