Racing Panda's AWESOME AMAGEZA 2014: START TO about halfway.

[MaxThePanda]

1x eye-wateringly expensive morning and I have tyres for Amageza:



One set for pre-event training and bike setup, and two sets for the race. It better be enough! If my debacle of an off-road racing career this year has taught me anything, it's the value of timeous preparation. Forseeing an entirely likely situation of "Sorry Meneer, next shipment of those tyres is in December." I decided to strike early. Great prices and service from Pete at Outriders, as always.

Meanwhile, bike preparation http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=156398.0 continues at pace. Which means I've spent precisely four hours on it in two weeks. Sat on the plane last night studying wiring diagrams (Greek), reading an amusing instruction manual on bike wiring and messing around with McCad's 'Scematics_Lite'. I now have my connectors library sorted and can start drawing a wiring diagram tomorrow. I'm still not entirely sure how I'm wiring the headlight relays and dimmer box, but I'm assuming the soup will clear eventually.

My fitness plan got done from behind by a nasty bout of the flu. The blue-rinse lady at the chemist told me it would last three weeks and I nearly choked. Well, it's been two, and despite regular bouts of coughing I'm going to do some exercise this weekend, dammit. There's a conveniently packed off-road racing calendar over the next two months, so I hope to fit a few of the races in.

Oh, and I notice Alex has canned the water-on-bike requirement. Well, keeps it simpler - there wasn't going to be any easy and properly robust solution on the 450, so happy days. If I crash and die of thirst, sobeit.

[Dwerg]

What are those fronts?

[Scooterbike]

Looks like Deserts, and E09 rear. I will run the same.

[MaxThePanda]

Yup. 6 tyres cost less than 4 for my car and will bring a lot more enjoyment, so perhaps I should consider them a bargain.

[MaxThePanda]

Looks like Deserts, and E09 rear. I will run the same.

Team regulations. Now we just need branded kit and cheerleaders. Actually, forget the branded kit.

[LoopSoosStroop]

Yup. 6 tyres cost less than 4 for my car and will bring a lot more enjoyment, so perhaps I should consider them a bargain.

Until you consider the difference in km that you'll get from them 

[Pistonpete]

1x eye-wateringly expensive morning and I have tyres for Amageza:



One set for pre-event training and bike setup, and two sets for the race. It better be enough! If my debacle of an off-road racing career this year has taught me anything, it's the value of timeous preparation. Forseeing an entirely likely situation of "Sorry Meneer, next shipment of those tyres is in December." I decided to strike early. Great prices and service from Pete at Outriders, as always.

Meanwhile, bike preparation http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=156398.0 continues at pace. Which means I've spent precisely four hours on it in two weeks. Sat on the plane last night studying wiring diagrams (Greek), reading an amusing instruction manual on bike wiring and messing around with McCad's 'Scematics_Lite'. I now have my connectors library sorted and can start drawing a wiring diagram tomorrow. I'm still not entirely sure how I'm wiring the headlight relays and dimmer box, but I'm assuming the soup will clear eventually.

My fitness plan got done from behind by a nasty bout of the flu. The blue-rinse lady at the chemist told me it would last three weeks and I nearly choked. Well, it's been two, and despite regular bouts of coughing I'm going to do some exercise this weekend, dammit. There's a conveniently packed off-road racing calendar over the next two months, so I hope to fit a few of the races in.

Oh, and I notice Alex has canned the water-on-bike requirement. Well, keeps it simpler - there wasn't going to be any easy and properly robust solution on the 450, so happy days. If I crash and die of thirst, sobeit.

1x eye-wateringly expensive morning and I have tyres for Amageza:



One set for pre-event training and bike setup, and two sets for the race. It better be enough! If my debacle of an off-road racing career this year has taught me anything, it's the value of timeous preparation. Forseeing an entirely likely situation of "Sorry Meneer, next shipment of those tyres is in December." I decided to strike early. Great prices and service from Pete at Outriders, as always.

Meanwhile, bike preparation http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=156398.0 continues at pace. Which means I've spent precisely four hours on it in two weeks. Sat on the plane last night studying wiring diagrams (Greek), reading an amusing instruction manual on bike wiring and messing around with McCad's 'Scematics_Lite'. I now have my connectors library sorted and can start drawing a wiring diagram tomorrow. I'm still not entirely sure how I'm wiring the headlight relays and dimmer box, but I'm assuming the soup will clear eventually.

My fitness plan got done from behind by a nasty bout of the flu. The blue-rinse lady at the chemist told me it would last three weeks and I nearly choked. Well, it's been two, and despite regular bouts of coughing I'm going to do some exercise this weekend, dammit. There's a conveniently packed off-road racing calendar over the next two months, so I hope to fit a few of the races in.

Oh, and I notice Alex has canned the water-on-bike requirement. Well, keeps it simpler - there wasn't going to be any easy and properly robust solution on the 450, so happy days. If I crash and die of thirst, sobeit.

Thank you for the order...you going to rock!

[MaxThePanda]

Yup. 6 tyres cost less than 4 for my car and will bring a lot more enjoyment, so perhaps I should consider them a bargain.

Until you consider the difference in km that you'll get from them 

Sssshhhhh!! We don't mention such vile subjects.

[Scooterbike]

Looks like Deserts, and E09 rear. I will run the same.

Team regulations. Now we just need branded kit and cheerleaders. Actually, forget the branded kit.

our cheerleader will be a boertjie called Braam!! 
 Ja need to find a name 

[voorvel]

If you don't mind me asking; why did you go for the uber expensive E09's?
A set of M404's would do the job just fine at ~ a 3rd of the price.
I'm probably wrong but AFAIK, the premium we pay for E09's and the like is due to its ability to handle high speed and Hp - read 950SE
You will hardly see 150KM/h on a rally rigged 450 with a stock motor.

It would be nice if we all had the money to burn but for an average Joe like myself, this is what I'd do for Amageza:
Extra under-seat tank is barely noticeable:

I would only add an additional aftermarket long range tank...and parachute 'cause these Berg 650's take off
Not only way cheaper but nimbler and faster.

But I might be wrong  

[MaxThePanda]

What brand is an M404? E09 in 130/18 is just over R1200. They last super long and are uber tough in desert conditions, and Dakar proven. I chose it more for the puncture resistance than anything else. Had two on my 690 and really liked them. I'll get a lot of use out of the part-used tyres after Amageza.

That Berg looks fantastic but I guess it feels quite esoteric and I'd be concerned about parts and reliability. But that may just be ignorance talking. Why do we hear so little about them in these parts?

[BlueBull2007]

AFAIK the bergs have basically been discontinued pretty much; always been seen as a model that protypes KTM stuff ahead of commercial KTM breeding. Given Husaberg is owned by KTM why market something else when the orange Brand is so successful?

[BiG DoM]

Ja Husaberg is no longer ... read now Husqvarna 

[sidetrack]

Yup. 6 tyres cost less than 4 for my car and will bring a lot more enjoyment, so perhaps I should consider them a bargain.

Until you consider the difference in km that you'll get from them 

Don't spoil a good story with facts !

[voorvel]

What brand is an M404? E09 in 130/18 is just over R1200. They last super long and are uber tough in desert conditions, and Dakar proven. I chose it more for the puncture resistance than anything else. Had two on my 690 and really liked them. I'll get a lot of use out of the part-used tyres after Amageza.

That Berg looks fantastic but I guess it feels quite esoteric and I'd be concerned about parts and reliability. But that may just be ignorance talking. Why do we hear so little about them in these parts?

Yes  
They are quite exotic: unlike the conventional design, the "cylinder" and bottom end is one unit. To change the piston, you split the motor into 2 halves, which reveals a cylinder suspended by big O-rings between the cases. The gearbox has straight cut gears; it's designed to allow full throttle clutch-less shifting  
The gearbox sounds like a can of nails.

M404 is a Bridgestone tire.
Preventing flats is a good idea but you better not get a flat at all, 'cause the big bike tires like the E09 is a bitch to get off the bead.
It's borderline impossible without a bead breaker.
Some dudes managed to get the E09 fitted to the rim by leveraging the tire leaver with a pipe
 

AFAIK the bergs have basically been discontinued pretty much; always been seen as a model that protypes KTM stuff ahead of commercial KTM breeding. Given Husaberg is owned by KTM why market something else when the orange Brand is so successful?

Wasn't marketing it I'm just a big fan of those bikes. 
I was "marketing" the minimalistic, yet potent Ausie approach to the Finke rally.
But as a side note, KTM doesn't make anything close to the 650 berg. It's something to experience.. my 550 berg would power wheelie in 4th, while sitting on the tank.

I was going to ramble on about how reliable those Bergs are but that's beside the point I was making.

[MaxThePanda]

Without taking this thread down another long bike merit discussion, the reason I went for the KTM was mostly because they are readily available, have huge aftermarket (tank etc) support and I thought a virtually unused 2-year old bike was better value than an older model like the 525 which often attracts inflated prices. But there are many good options, and I'm sure these 'Bergs are among them. I'd have bought a 500 rather if I could have found one, but this 450 was a great deal.

And regarding tyres - yes, I'm sure any decent DOT off road tyre would work. Michelin Desert Race have ruled the Dakar for years, for good reason, and Mitas have done well recently too. I changed a 130/18 E09 on a recent Richtersveld trip without too much difficulty using a pair of these (the short, lightweight alu ones):



I'm hoping with Tubliss, sealant and plugs I won't need to. But I'll have a 21" tube, some bead beakers and a pump just in case.

At the end of the day one pays one's monies and makes ones choices. I'm sure I've made some questionable ones, but they've all involved quite a bit of weighing up the pro's and con's. We can amuse ourselves afterwards laughing at the consequences (after the pain has worn off).

[SteveD]

Hmm, where did you get the MotionPro Bead beakers?

[voorvel]

My intent, as stated, was not to discuss your choice of bike. I actually commended it already.

They last super long and are uber tough in desert conditions, and Dakar proven. I chose it more for the puncture resistance than anything else. Had two on my 690 and really liked them. I'll get a lot of use out of the part-used tyres after Amageza.

Jeremy Clarkson: "Some say the E09's outlast 450 motors  
All I know is, my bank balance won't outlast its purchase."

Why do we hear so little about them in these parts?

Forgive me, for a moment there I thought I had kindled an interest in the berg, which led to a slight bit of verbal diarrhea from my side  
 
Was just pondering the true merit of these tower of pizza screens, compared to the above picture.. some go so far as to even reroute the exhaust headers a-la Dakar style with supertanker type fuel cells. The added weight + wind resistance results in a 450 than can barely reach 140km/h, hence my reference to the lower weight/resistance rocket ship 650.
Where does one draw the line?
How much, in terms of tanks, lights and electronics are truly needed to comfortably do the Amageza?

I would love to take part in this great event but reading these epic rally builds can be depressing to be honest. It also makes we wonder if it would not be possible to do the following:
KTM 525 =R35K
25L tank =R3K5
2000 Lumen LED lights = R500 (1 flood 1 spot http://www.extremelights.co.za/shop/high-intensity-led-10w-900lumen/)
Road book R?
2x M404 = R1K
1x AC10 = R500

Can I actually do it on a R40K budget or am I smoking the good stuff?

[LoopSoosStroop]

Can I actually do it on a R40K budget or am I smoking the good stuff?

Yes, but then you'll have to join me on a TTR. I know of a lekker one if you want it.

 

[voorvel]

Can I actually do it on a R40K budget or am I smoking the good stuff?

Yes, but then you'll have to join me on a TTR. I know of a lekker one if you want it.

 

Haha, I would actually like to.
I already have a 525 though