Is motorcycling allowed?

[Andymann]

On 1/22/2022 at 11:12 AM, ouzo said:

Dakar for sure

If you think those guys are not fit then you're kidding yourself. Even behind the wheel of a car/truck it takes enormous amounts of fitness to drive like that for those periods of time

Ralph Pitchford is the Chairman of the VMC Club and he was chatting to me at one of the meetings about when he was part of the Red Bull VW Touareg team for the Dakar.  He had to present himself at the Red Bull Fitness Center in Austria (where all the Red Bull sponsored Athletes train) in October three months before the Dakar started for a fitness test before he was even allowed to start driving.

 

 

 

[Hairy]

2 hours ago, Andymann said:

Ralph Pitchford is the Chairman of the VMC Club and he was chatting to me at one of the meetings about when he was part of the Red Bull VW Touareg team for the Dakar.  He had to present himself at the Red Bull Fitness Center in Austria (where all the Red Bull sponsored Athletes train) in October three months before the Dakar started for a fitness test before he was even allowed to start driving.

 

 

 

imagine if they did that for the epic

[Hairy]

https://fb.watch/aKgnxuOi-v/

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

28 minutes ago, Hairy said:

https://fb.watch/aKgnxuOi-v/

*** funny......

[Hairy]

Not the best pic, but it was still a great spin out to Melkbos before starting work, and clearing the voices in my head.

A nice cool sea breeze, and the smell of fynbos with a touch of salty sea air = awesomeness

[Andrew_Smith]

 

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

There is an interview on The Race's podcast with Danilo Petrucci.
What an amazing guy, also gives some insight to just how well he actually did and how tough the Dakar is.
 

[Andrew_Smith]

Link to podcast here

Edited January 28, 2022 by Andrew_Smith

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

The biggest thing I took from the interview was how little time he had on the bike before the race. Add in an injury, he should get another go in 2023.

[Spokey]

On 1/21/2022 at 6:02 PM, WaynejG said:

There was a slight deviation from what was originally planned. Improved the sound no end and still keeps the Rocket look.

This is a beast of a bike. It must be pure pleasure winding that throttle open………..in a different way to my tiny little ZRX1200R who also has a silky smooth engine.

[Spokey]

On 1/24/2022 at 8:48 AM, Andrew_Smith said:

The bike is back in the garage and took her for a long ride to Velddrif over the weekend. Don't know if I was stupid to tackle it in the heat but the mechanic said she needed to get some long miles in. Waited for the family in Velddrif, whereby I camped at Columbine Co. for an iced coffee. Small world, realised that the owner (Albert) is family. Fun fact, Itchy Boots stopped at the place as well on our journey up to Namibia.

Stopped at Port Owen to jump into the water to cool down. Afterwards, we went back to Yzerfontein where we spent time with the family returning back on Sunday late afternoon.

This is a fine looking bike. I am enjoying my 690 Enduro R but the bike sure has some faults. Nothing that some Randellas thrown at it won’t fix. I am short at 177cm or around 5’8’’ in old money. I can touch toes done on the tar but that is not enough for me off road. I have a Rost Racing lowering link but ran out of time to install and set up as I am off back to the Mid East to work. Fuel range at 220 kms is a bit little in the Karoo. I have the underseat tank which is a great help, holding 6 litres but the engine runs off the rear tank and the aux drains into that. So any top up after about 100 kms means you are only fueling the rear.  Max range means taking the seat off and that is a hassle with soft luggage. I am going to look at the Safari Tank and see how that may do. Sure the bike won’t be quite the over sized dirt bike but will be a light weight ADV bike!

[Spokey]

Yesterday’s quick run up to Swartburg Pass via Montagu Pass and Outeniqua Pass on the way home. Trip was cut short when I received the call to return to Dubai tomorrow. Sat in Oudtshoorn ages sorting tickets and hotels!

[WaynejG]

47 minutes ago, Spokey said:

This is a beast of a bike. It must be pure pleasure winding that throttle open………..in a different way to my tiny little ZRX1200R who also has a silky smooth engine.

It is mind numbing how it makes power. No matter what the revs are or gear, twist that throttle and it just goes. It feels as though the power will never stop.

[Andrew_Smith]

On 1/28/2022 at 5:56 PM, Spokey said:

This is a fine looking bike. I am enjoying my 690 Enduro R but the bike sure has some faults. Nothing that some Randellas thrown at it won’t fix. I am short at 177cm or around 5’8’’ in old money. I can touch toes done on the tar but that is not enough for me off road. I have a Rost Racing lowering link but ran out of time to install and set up as I am off back to the Mid East to work. Fuel range at 220 kms is a bit little in the Karoo. I have the underseat tank which is a great help, holding 6 litres but the engine runs off the rear tank and the aux drains into that. So any top up after about 100 kms means you are only fueling the rear.  Max range means taking the seat off and that is a hassle with soft luggage. I am going to look at the Safari Tank and see how that may do. Sure the bike won’t be quite the over sized dirt bike but will be a light weight ADV bike!

I am loving the G650X, couldn't ask for a better bike, to begin with. Sadly, she doesn't see too much dirt often since I mainly commute with it and the occasional long trip to Yzerfontein. We probably do a group ride once or twice a month if we all are not too busy.

177cm short... Damn, you are my height and I thought I am tall. The bike is lowered since the previous owner was 1.6m but if you look at the bike you would see that the seat is lower than the front fork, I have got quite a few comments regarding that. I still want to that it down to MP Suspension (he installed the shock for this bike) and ask him to dial it in according to my weight and height.

Yeah, my fuel range is not far at all, probably 200km or 210km if I really push it but I am also in reach of the next gas station. My fuel consumption on the bike is 4.02L/100km, so I am not complaining.

An extended tank would be awesome but they are super expensive for the G650X and needs to be imported... In all honestly, I cannot keep up with the bike off-road, definitely more capable than my riding skills at the moment.

Edited January 30, 2022 by Andrew_Smith

[Andrew_Smith]

Quick golden hour ride along the train track. Sadly, ended up with a puncture in the front wheel... Part of the adventure/game I guess. Will need to go fix it later in the week at our local Trac Mac.

 

[Andrew_Smith]

If you need a hook for your gear, please consider supporting my friend who 3D prints these brackets. Works like a charm holding my full suit and helmet.

https://www.bike3d.co.za/