Is motorcycling allowed?

[Spokey]

So……my smallest and largest bikes are per chance Yamaha. A dinky FS50 from last century boasting 5 HP and no torque as it is perhaps less than thrilling! The next is a 2005 MT01 of 1670cc but a less than impressive 90 HP but torque figures that do impress……Tis a very lazy engine and a delight to ride. 

Edited March 2, 2025 by Spokey
Content

[Spokey]

4 hours ago, WaynejG said:

Been a few changes in my bike life. Any ride on the Rocket that is longer than 30 minutes and my lower back is killing me. My L5/S1 fusion from a few years back does not help I suppose.

I have been wanting to get some type of dual purpose bike for the better sitting position and ability to do non technical gravel roads. Purchased a KLR650 with a 685cc big bore kit, reworked suspension and doohickey done. A bit rough cosmetically but a nice blank canvas.

Coming from the rocket, I was a bit underwhelmed by its tar road performance but happy with it's off road performance. Well truth be told anything after a rocket is going to be underwhelming. 

A very nice WeeStrom 650 popped up on Wild Dogs forum and my hamster started the treadmill working 🤣. Long story short, my son in law is buying the KLR and I am getting the strom.

Now I just need the rocket to sell.

Gosh…..a Rocket would be an interesting addition to my collection……however, Katoom 950/990, old Africa Twin or Triumph Thruxton 900 have my attention right now.

[Hairy]

15 hours ago, Spokey said:

Gosh…..a Rocket would be an interesting addition to my collection……however, Katoom 950/990, old Africa Twin or Triumph Thruxton 900 have my attention right now.

I took the old girl (950) out for a gravel travel experience yesterday from Engen on the N1 before Stellies, via a series of back gravel roads to The Bike Forge for around a 115km gravel trip, not counting the tar trip to the Engen, and the stretch home. All in a quick 350km'ish ride.

The group was big enough to split up into a fast and a slow group (Slow group pic below) .... slow was perfect for me

Been a little while since I have been on gravel and dirt, so the first few km were a bit on the scary side till the nerves settled and I started getting used to the bike moving around underneath me.

There were a couple of deep sand sections, that I was rather proud to have cleared cleanly, while standing and not doing the waddle of shame while going through the sand.

All in a good ride out, and met a couple of rather nice people too.

 

 

[Hairy]

This morning was a spin out on the Harley to Noordhoek to meet with a new client on site and then back again.

Left early enough to miss most of the traffic, and the wind was nowhere to be seen yet.

What a perfect day to be on the bike........should have stopped to take pics!

[RocknRolla]

17 hours ago, Hairy said:

 

There were a couple of deep sand sections, that I was rather proud to have cleared cleanly, while standing and not doing the waddle of shame while going through the sand.

 

It's called the duckwalk, and it's a perfectly acceptable riding style to navigate deep sand.

As with MTB, if there is no separation, then it's not a fall...

[Gnarly]

The lightie's new whip.... Although I sell Husqvarna in UAE. Always had a soft spot for Yamaha. My Pops opened Petersen Yamaha like a week before he passed away. 

 

[Hairy]

Namibia looks like it was made for ADV bikes

 

Edited March 4, 2025 by Hairy

[Spokey]

I have been up to Namibia twice in the last two years. Just the south and central up to Windhoek. The dirt roads in this region are awesome for bikes, particularly the south. I was traveling in my Hilux with the Missus, camping, doing my tax tours. I fly to work from Windhoek and she drives home. Long trip for her but she enjoys the solo drive over 3 days. I would love to return on my bike. Would take my Yamaha T7. I look forward to traveling north and then across to Bots to travel to work from Gabs……but it is a long way!

[IceCreamMan]

23 hours ago, Hairy said:

Namibia looks like it was made for ADV bikes

 

Did a few ADV trips in Namibia….nothing gnarley though but along the caprivi strip in the north entering  from the top of Botswana. And re-entering Botswana. Beautiful landscapes and one can truly get lost. Some things I really miss about Africa , the desolateness is something I will never find on this island that’s for sure. 
 

then of course I did a number of trips in the 80’s, fun trips delivering Ratels which we thoroughly thrashed and abused on the way. But that’s a story for another day. 
 

beautiful country 

[Hairy]

10 hours ago, IceCreamMan said:

Did a few ADV trips in Namibia….nothing gnarley though but along the caprivi strip in the north entering  from the top of Botswana. And re-entering Botswana. Beautiful landscapes and one can truly get lost. Some things I really miss about Africa , the desolateness is something I will never find on this island that’s for sure. 
 

then of course I did a number of trips in the 80’s, fun trips delivering Ratels which we thoroughly thrashed and abused on the way. But that’s a story for another day. 
 

beautiful country 

Have you seen the open spaces that Itchy Boots is going through in Saudi Arabia at the moment 😍

[Hairy]

Couple of hair pin bends.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1901833643683198

[mazambaan]

On 3/3/2025 at 11:46 AM, Gnarly said:

The lightie's new whip.... Although I sell Husqvarna in UAE. Always had a soft spot for Yamaha. My Pops opened Petersen Yamaha like a week before he passed away. 

 

Very nice and I may have dodged a bullet as my son is a water boy and slightly cheaper; but you are "in the business" as it were.

Quick question please; what do you see as the future for Husqvarna - I have two (501 and 701) so am an "interested and affected" party?

[Gnarly]

1 hour ago, mazambaan said:

Very nice and I may have dodged a bullet as my son is a water boy and slightly cheaper; but you are "in the business" as it were.

Quick question please; what do you see as the future for Husqvarna - I have two (501 and 701) so am an "interested and affected" party?

It's a really hard question to answer, short term, I'd stock up on spares. The delay getting spares from the factory is getting really lengthy.  Creditors have agreed to the "bail out" plan so this is a positive. 

Personally, can't see the KTM group folding, Indians and Chinese have invested to much in to manufacturing plants. As for brands in the group, still not even sure why they bought the GasGas brand in the first place. I think the mind set is save the KTM brand first and the other two will follow. 

Lets see. 

[mazambaan]

2 hours ago, Gnarly said:

It's a really hard question to answer, short term, I'd stock up on spares. The delay getting spares from the factory is getting really lengthy.  Creditors have agreed to the "bail out" plan so this is a positive. 

Personally, can't see the KTM group folding, Indians and Chinese have invested to much in to manufacturing plants. As for brands in the group, still not even sure why they bought the GasGas brand in the first place. I think the mind set is save the KTM brand first and the other two will follow. 

Lets see. 

Thank you,  point taken and I will do that. Luckily, touch wood, these bikes do not need much in the way of spares. Fuel, tyres, change oil (ah, oil filters - there are alternatives I believe!) and go.

[IceCreamMan]

https://www.thebikespecialists.com/vehicle/honda-rvf750-vm-rc45-race-bike-in-sheffield-635cca03-4569-4ef4-9122-2f2f60ed03a6

[IceCreamMan]

Sexy bike

 

https://youtu.be/nMeXoEVFOpw?si=T4ZM5tBns_yIrFsg