Is motorcycling allowed?

[RocknRolla]

Not all GS riders wear crocs.

But like ICM says, go ride a 12GS, and then buy one. 

[sawystertrance]

Looks like a fun ride and I like the new surface on Bain's but why, oh why, have they removed all parking spots and added all those rocks to the one or two that remain? Surely it can't be in the name of safety?

Look forward to seeing photos of your first motorbike. 

[sawystertrance]

Sorry Hairy that was a bit rough for a first post of the year. Happy new year guys and I hope this thread stays as cool and rewarding as it is. If anyone is interested I just finished a video of a trip I did last year. Slack I know but if anyone is interested, here it is:

 

 

[IceCreamMan]

Seriously considering this lil bike. Damn it’s sexy. Like ultra sexy. 
 

https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/Supersport/2024/Ninja_ZX-4RR_40th_Anniversary_Edition/overview?Uid=092BCg1fXAxZXF1eC1AOXF5cXwoLC14KWlkJUFwNDFAMClA&aa_click=14894039010203691

 

put it in perspective. On this island owning large capacity motorcycles is as effective as a chocolate tea pot. Country lanes are impossible to speed on just due to the roads themselves and the motorways are where you lose your licence for speeding. Very few opportunities to open up a big bike. Loving my RC390 so maybe this lil kwak will fit the bill. 
 

and well, revving a bike to 16k is an aphrodisiac. 

[Andymann]

35 minutes ago, IceCreamMan said:

Seriously considering this lil bike. Damn it’s sexy. Like ultra sexy. 
 

https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/Supersport/2024/Ninja_ZX-4RR_40th_Anniversary_Edition/overview?Uid=092BCg1fXAxZXF1eC1AOXF5cXwoLC14KWlkJUFwNDFAMClA&aa_click=14894039010203691

 

put it in perspective. On this island owning large capacity motorcycles is as effective as a chocolate tea pot. Country lanes are impossible to speed on just due to the roads themselves and the motorways are where you lose your licence for speeding. Very few opportunities to open up a big bike. Loving my RC390 so maybe this lil kwak will fit the bill. 
 

and well, revving a bike to 16k is an aphrodisiac. 

https://www.cycleworld.com/2020-kawasaki-ninja-zx-25r-first-look/

Those frames look very very similar.  I wonder how long it will be before some mad Asian dude shoehorns the 400 engine into his ZX25 frame......

[IceCreamMan]

Just now, Andymann said:

https://www.cycleworld.com/2020-kawasaki-ninja-zx-25r-first-look/

Those frames look very very similar.  I wonder how long it will be before some mad Asian dude shoehorns the 400 engine into his ZX25 frame......

Think it’s the same frame and bottom end , bored out and longer stroke to take it to 399cc. 
 

apparently quite easy to liberate another 15 or so horses as it’s throttled for emissions. 
 

wont lie, I am lusting hard. 😂.  But only for this colour scheme which may already be sold out. I await word from the K. 

[Hairy]

On 1/2/2024 at 7:47 AM, sawystertrance said:

Looks like a fun ride and I like the new surface on Bain's but why, oh why, have they removed all parking spots and added all those rocks to the one or two that remain? Surely it can't be in the name of safety?

Look forward to seeing photos of your first motorbike. 

went to look at the CT Beeemmeerr dealership yesterday .... still a little early for me, we just bought a new family car, so will be saving up a little to get to a GS, though now I have a fair price point in mind and expect the pricing to drop a little more once the 1300's are snapped up locally.

will test ride one closer to the time, but I do like the "fit/feel" of the bike when seated and standing.

[IceCreamMan]

Don’t discount the 850/800 GS range. More capable off road and enough grunt for high speed days in the saddle. 

[WaynejG]

So yesterday we took a ride out to Patensie. As we about to leave my son notices his R1's tyre is flat. A friendly 4x4 dude who is also a biker offered his compressor. Pumped the tyre and it went flat again. Piece of metal in the tyre. 

One of the guys in our group hauls out this kit https://www.agrimark.co.za/product/shield-tyre-repair-kit-tubeless?sku=39649_1&gad_source=1

4x4 dude chuckled and said those plastic handled tools won't get you far and he hauled out something similar to this https://www.adendorff.co.za/mac-afric-vehicle-motor-cycle-tyre-repair-tools-gtyrer001?gad_source=1

So the question is, was he right concerning the cheaper kit?

[IceCreamMan]

57 minutes ago, WaynejG said:

So yesterday we took a ride out to Patensie. As we about to leave my son notices his R1's tyre is flat. A friendly 4x4 dude who is also a biker offered his compressor. Pumped the tyre and it went flat again. Piece of metal in the tyre. 

One of the guys in our group hauls out this kit https://www.agrimark.co.za/product/shield-tyre-repair-kit-tubeless?sku=39649_1&gad_source=1

4x4 dude chuckled and said those plastic handled tools won't get you far and he hauled out something similar to this https://www.adendorff.co.za/mac-afric-vehicle-motor-cycle-tyre-repair-tools-gtyrer001?gad_source=1

So the question is, was he right concerning the cheaper kit?

My opinion, and I stress my opinion. The cheaper kit can do the job. 
 

 

[sawystertrance]

The kits use the same plugs so yes the cheaper kit will work. Just not a shiny or comprehensive 

[mazambaan]

10 hours ago, IceCreamMan said:

My opinion, and I stress my opinion. The cheaper kit can do the job. 
 

 

Agreed but note that for the harde vier by vier manne the plastic handle has a risk of shattering and the back of the tool go through your hand, particularly as some of the 4x4 tyres need serious effort to get the tool or plug in (some guys use a 6mm drill, I kid you not). Have a glance at bike specific kits from say Flying Brick (hub member methinks).  Pack a can of tyre inflator for luck.

[mazambaan]

15 hours ago, IceCreamMan said:

Don’t discount the 850/800 GS range. More capable off road and enough grunt for high speed days in the saddle. 

For sure although maybe you mean 800/850/900 now but very nice, smooth bikes and IMHO, pretty reliable. However quite a few options from Yamaha 700, KTM 790/890 etc, Honda AT and even Suzuki Vstroms; not that I have any experience on any of these.

TIC, the only advantages of the 1250, 1300 boxers etc is that they mostly doesn't fall over completely but rest on the pots, making it easier to pick up. Downhill tip over and you will need a winch or mates x 3 or 4.

[WaynejG]

12 minutes ago, mazambaan said:

Agreed but note that for the harde vier by vier manne the plastic handle has a risk of shattering and the back of the tool go through your hand, particularly as some of the 4x4 tyres need serious effort to get the tool or plug in (some guys use a 6mm drill, I kid you not). Have a glance at bike specific kits from say Flying Brick (hub member methinks).  Pack a can of tyre inflator for luck.

That was why he chuckled. The plastic handle.

[i24]

12 hours ago, WaynejG said:

4x4 dude chuckled and said those plastic handled tools won't get you far

My son broke the plastic handle in cheap tubeless repair kit fixing a car tyre. I have a slightly more expensive one from Midas (still < R100) with a single metal handle that is shared between boring and plugging tools and have successfully plugged a number of car tyres. You sometimes need a lot of force on that handle, particularly if the tyre is under inflated.

[WaynejG]

One lesson learnt from this is that we are hopelessly under prepared for this type of thing which is something that will be remedied.