Is motorcycling allowed?

[Stoffel76]

So I did a thing...

 

Back in the year 2000 I bought one of my bucket list bikes... an old aircooled Beemer and for years it was my daily ride, but then family and life etc happened and it has been standing in my garage for years now gathering dust and in need of more and more TLC as time passed.  In the back of my mind I always hoped to do a full restoration or a customization but I realised realistically that was not going to happen anytime soon.

 

At the same time I really wanted something to ride with my son, and so I was looking online and found a guy willing to trade...  So we did...

 

And so, in the words of Monty Python, "And now for something completely different": 

 

 

I've always wanted to try trials, so here we go!! 😁

 

 

[mazambaan]

17 hours ago, Stoffel76 said:

So I did a thing...

 

Back in the year 2000 I bought one of my bucket list bikes... an old aircooled Beemer and for years it was my daily ride, but then family and life etc happened and it has been standing in my garage for years now gathering dust and in need of more and more TLC as time passed.  In the back of my mind I always hoped to do a full restoration or a customization but I realised realistically that was not going to happen anytime soon.

 

At the same time I really wanted something to ride with my son, and so I was looking online and found a guy willing to trade...  So we did...

 

And so, in the words of Monty Python, "And now for something completely different": 

 

 

I've always wanted to try trials, so here we go!! 😁

 

 

Great stuff; let the Hub know how you go. I dabbled once, an Ossa, but enduro took up my time back then although you quickly realise how very different the skills needed are to every day riding (and how easily you can scare yourself snotless at 10km/hr).

[Stoffel76]

2 hours ago, mazambaan said:

Great stuff; let the Hub know how you go. I dabbled once, an Ossa, but enduro took up my time back then although you quickly realise how very different the skills needed are to every day riding (and how easily you can scare yourself snotless at 10km/hr).

I dabbled with a KTM enduro bike years ago. Other than bouncing around in the bush on an old XT500, I had only ridden road before that. The fun factor was off the chart but I realised I needed more skills...

Hopefully this old dog can learn a few new tricks... 😄

[Hairy]

Honda are currently offering a 50K discount on the Africa Twins ... in conversation with them today, the CT branch, you can get the manual on the road for just under R205K

[IceCreamMan]

22 minutes ago, Hairy said:

Honda are currently offering a 50K discount on the Africa Twins ... in conversation with them today, the CT branch, you can get the manual on the road for just under R205K

Wow, excellent price that. New model coming out so gotta clear stock. 
 

read an article that Honda in Europe have sold around 250 000 DCT Motorcycles. Quite amazing actually. 
 

on another note, don’t know if you get the BMW CE04 in ZA. Thye available here at around 13 grand. Not seen on on the road in the uk only in dealerships. Was in Paris last week and saw loads of them in the city. Seem popular even at the price 

[The Ouzo]

3 hours ago, Hairy said:

Honda are currently offering a 50K discount on the Africa Twins ... in conversation with them today, the CT branch, you can get the manual on the road for just under R205K

If this is something you're interested in then let me know and I'll chat to the guys sitting opposite me

[Hairy]

1 hour ago, The Ouzo said:

If this is something you're interested in then let me know and I'll chat to the guys sitting opposite me

unfortunately outside of my price range for now 

[IceCreamMan]

A few thoughts after living with the 850 GSA for a few weeks and a few hundred miles. 

the motor is incredibly lively compared to the 800GT, revs far quicker and pulls like a train, which is surprising given it’s only a few more horses and torque about the same ( on paper). Given the gsa weights a lil more than the GT makes it even more surprising. Speaking of weight, the GSA is a lardy beast and carries the weight relatively high. It’s a lil intimidating to be honest and coupled with the 21 inch front wheel , the high seat height (875 mm) makes it a large beast. At slow speeds it’s something I am aware of and need to be careful. Won’t be green laning any time soon but off the beaten track on nice dirt roads is a pleasure. 
 

the electronic components of the bike are amazing. Adjust seat height etc , loads of info on the dash and the navigation works well. Never liked the sat nav systems so the gsm nvigation is great. And the app that interfaces is excellent. First time for me to have this feature. 
 

The cruise control works well , although unlikely to use it too much here but going up to Scotland in July so will use it to give my hand a break every now and again, works well. The speed shifter is something I doubt I will use. Just no need for it on a street bike and having ridden for 40 odd years without one it’s not something I would view as needed. 

BMW ownership experience is amazing. Can’t fault it. Part of the ownership experience and KTM could learn a thing or 2 here. Price of the GS and GSA is a little on the high side when comparing to other brands but the residuals are higher so all good there I spose. 
 

great bike all round. Will need to learn how to ride it properly at low speeds and being mindful of the weight. The new GSA900 is almost the same bike with the larger motor at a few grand more for one more model year and the GS900 has a few changes but at a bit more expense. The GSA models are always a year behind the GS models. Example the GSA1250 is still being built for this model year . 

[Hairy]

[Spokey]

On 2/23/2024 at 4:36 AM, Hairy said:

Honda are currently offering a 50K discount on the Africa Twins ... in conversation with them today, the CT branch, you can get the manual on the road for just under R205K

This is exceptional value.I have always liked these bikes since riding the first models years ago at the AMID bike event  at Kyalami. However, despite now spending a bucket load more on my Yam T7 with all the upgrades I fancy, I am still more than stoked with my T7. Keep in mind I have my Orange 1190 and a Ducati 1098 (amongst others) if the need for speed  comes up!!!

[IceCreamMan]

5 hours ago, Spokey said:

This is exceptional value.I have always liked these bikes since riding the first models years ago at the AMID bike event  at Kyalami. However, despite now spending a bucket load more on my Yam T7 with all the upgrades I fancy, I am still more than stoked with my T7. Keep in mind I have my Orange 1190 and a Ducati 1098 (amongst others) if the need for speed  comes up!!!

I agree, if I was going to ride up Africa it would be on an Africa twin. Horniest looking adventure bike of all of them. Probably most reliable too 

[IceCreamMan]

Dave Myers passed away, he of hairy bikers fame. ( dark haired dude) 

 

 

[Hairy]

 

[Hairy]

[Hairy]

So I made the first step to getting a bike to ride on the dirt .... bought a pair of Leatt boots 😂

Small steps

 

[Hairy]

10 hours ago, Hairy said:

So I made the first step to getting a bike to ride on the dirt .... bought a pair of Leatt boots 😂

Small steps

 

forgot to upload a pic, not pitchas and it never happened

 

colours are so so, but they were a great deal on the Leatt 5.5's for a supposedly "high end" boot.

Edited March 12, 2024 by Hairy