SA Bike Festival by Kyalami komende naweek

[Bundu]

An absolute awesome event guys.  Take time to browse the stalls.  I got plenty bargains.  The leading brands are on display, and then some.
Then, then, theeeeeennnnnnn... I got my change on the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT... i never scraped by boots in the corners before.  My adv helmet peek was vibrating like a 48v roger rabbit at 230kmh down the straight.  I thought I was hauling, but I could not keep up with Dave from RAD on the 1290 Super Adv with a pillion... that man can ride!

Saw a customer builder stall, Reconstructed, where he took a brand new 1200GS Adv and converted to a knobly cafe racer.  Looks pretty bad ass!

If you don't go, you'll just be f**ked off with yourself come Monday.  Don't be that box

  yeah, Dave on his 1290SA  very few will keep up with him, even when he's pillion up  the man CAN ride!

Ja!  I watched him .... in my mirrors!   

you must have been parked in front of him then 

[TheBear]

An absolute awesome event guys.  Take time to browse the stalls.  I got plenty bargains.  The leading brands are on display, and then some.
Then, then, theeeeeennnnnnn... I got my change on the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT... i never scraped by boots in the corners before.  My adv helmet peek was vibrating like a 48v roger rabbit at 230kmh down the straight.  I thought I was hauling, but I could not keep up with Dave from RAD on the 1290 Super Adv with a pillion... that man can ride!

Saw a customer builder stall, Reconstructed, where he took a brand new 1200GS Adv and converted to a knobly cafe racer.  Looks pretty bad ass!

If you don't go, you'll just be f**ked off with yourself come Monday.  Don't be that box

  yeah, Dave on his 1290SA  very few will keep up with him, even when he's pillion up  the man CAN ride!

Ja!  I watched him .... in my mirrors!   

you must have been parked in front of him then 

 

[BlomC]

I doubt I will go. Nothing I cant see there that I cant see at full throttle/dealer/agent/etc.

Test rides will have to be paid for as I understand it. Test rides at dealers normally free.

Where will you get a chance to ride a Ducati Panigale, Triumph Rocket 3, BMW X1000XR, KTM 1290 Superduke R, and a Yamaha R1 all in an afternoon on the new Kyalami racetrack???
If you calculate the cost you are paying no more per lap that if you would do a trackday, and the dealers have costs after all, tyres/insurance/fuel/staff. I think it is a bargain.
Don't think they will miss you if you don't go, there will be plenty people enjoying themselves on the day.

Hey Straatkat, if you get your kicks giving people loads of money to ride 2 laps behind a marshall on a superbike at 80km/h then good for you. I prefer to be more discerning...

Like being in bed with a supermodel but can only touch it....

Maybe you need Viagra...

Let us know how it works out

Ha Ha Ha Ha.... 80km/h...more like 180km/h...scraping boots on  the 1290 Super Adventure.

Bliksem it was lekker!!!!!!! 2nd ride (1290SA), 1st lap, the marshall (and me just keeping on his tail) created a gap between us 2 and the rest. So he thought it was just us 2....then he pinned it...passing people like never before...having a blast!!!

Then there was the short dirt outride, having the chance to ride almost ANY adventure bike on a small +/- 3km outride....So Sunday we went back - me and the wife tested bikes back-to-back....Triumph 800+1200, KTM 1050,1290,1290R,690, Ducati 800Scrambler, 1200Multistrada, Husky 701, BMW 1200GS and the Africa Twin.
Bliksem it was lekker!!!

Jiss, I feel sorry for a friend who likes bikes, but also did not go... but I guess each to their own. I hope you enjoy your free test rides at the dealers Ice Cream Man

[Mikie]

I went on Saturday, R220 to get in, Ouch!!
Looked like a Bike rally to me, Some hot promo girls, loved the Superbike magazine stand, 701 rally edition

All in all a waste of money in my opinion, if you have been to one bike show you have been to them all, I could honestly rather go dealer hopping to see all those bikes.

Kyalami is looking good though

[IceCreamMan]

I doubt I will go. Nothing I cant see there that I cant see at full throttle/dealer/agent/etc.

Test rides will have to be paid for as I understand it. Test rides at dealers normally free.

Where will you get a chance to ride a Ducati Panigale, Triumph Rocket 3, BMW X1000XR, KTM 1290 Superduke R, and a Yamaha R1 all in an afternoon on the new Kyalami racetrack???
If you calculate the cost you are paying no more per lap that if you would do a trackday, and the dealers have costs after all, tyres/insurance/fuel/staff. I think it is a bargain.
Don't think they will miss you if you don't go, there will be plenty people enjoying themselves on the day.

Hey Straatkat, if you get your kicks giving people loads of money to ride 2 laps behind a marshall on a superbike at 80km/h then good for you. I prefer to be more discerning...

Like being in bed with a supermodel but can only touch it....

Maybe you need Viagra...

Let us know how it works out

Ha Ha Ha Ha.... 80km/h...more like 180km/h...scraping boots on  the 1290 Super Adventure.

Bliksem it was lekker!!!!!!! 2nd ride (1290SA), 1st lap, the marshall (and me just keeping on his tail) created a gap between us 2 and the rest. So he thought it was just us 2....then he pinned it...passing people like never before...having a blast!!!

Then there was the short dirt outride, having the chance to ride almost ANY adventure bike on a small +/- 3km outride....So Sunday we went back - me and the wife tested bikes back-to-back....Triumph 800+1200, KTM 1050,1290,1290R,690, Ducati 800Scrambler, 1200Multistrada, Husky 701, BMW 1200GS and the Africa Twin.
Bliksem it was lekker!!!

Jiss, I feel sorry for a friend who likes bikes, but also did not go... but I guess each to their own. I hope you enjoy your free test rides at the dealers Ice Cream Man

wish I was wealthy like you....in pocket and legendary status for scraping boots.

My mates who went said it was not really worth the entrance fee, and they had free tickets

But I guess some people are pack/herd animals and love standing in queues to get a pizza or a beer etc and pay through the nose for it.

Hope it was a financial success for everyone, we do need these kind of events to keep ppl on bikes

[Pom]

Personally I enjoyed the show, did not do any test rides just went for a look see and to spend some time with mates.
As somebody else mentioned if these things go unattended they won't happen again, and R190.00 for a ticket is a sniff compared to overseas prices. I paid R575.00 for a day at a similar event in the UK 2 months ago. I must add that Kyalami is looking world class now

[Manic]

So wie het almal die 1290 Duke GT gery en wat is die verdict?

[bud500]

2) Storage \ locker space for helmets and jackets.  Would have been great if there was storage facilities available. Pain in the ass to walk around with jacket, helmet and gloves while trying to browse the exhibits.

You missed the ThinkBike stall?  They always do a "gear watch" for a small donation.  Look out for them next time.

BikeSA also had a truck there where you could have your helmet and kit stored.

[IceCreamMan]

So wie het almal die 1290 Duke GT gery en wat is die verdict?

Buy the Duke, its the most fun motorcycle you will ever own.

[bud500]

I was at the show on Friday and Saturday.
Straatkat, I tried greeting you at the test rides but you seemed very preoccupied...

I have to echo Straatkat's overall assessment of the event. It was really enjoyable and totally worth it. Especially since I booked early and only paid R90/day. Also having pre booked my test rides I experienced no queues,  except for when BMW's bikes ran out of fuel. Getting to do 3 laps behind an instructor that would show you some lines and then let you get on with it was great fun. I'm sure I did 80km/h at least on top of the hill at Wesbank corner, was hard to go that slow anywhere else...

My comments for improvement:

1. More bike lanes at the main gate;
2. More dustbins that get serviced more often;
3. More card facilities or alternatively more ATM's. The only ATM on site was offline on Saturday.

I am really impressed with the upgrades at the facility and on track. My understanding is Toby spent about R208mil acquiring the facility and another R250mil to date on upgrades...

Bikes I rode:
Ducati Multistrada S:
I did not bond with the bike in 3 laps, was actually quite disappointed. It felt really unstable on corner entry and midcorner, maybe I'm just too slow.

Ducati Panigale 1299S:
What a machine, awesome power and what a beautiful noise! Really enjoyed the bike, the power and the quickshifter. I don't really fit on the bike though...

Ducati XDiavel:
My favorite of the 5 I rode. 160HP on a cruiser type bike was a total hoot. Great acceleration, great brakes, just a slight wallow midcorner at speed.

BMW1000RR:
Always wanted to experience this bike. Very smooth, awesome brakes and great power, especially past 9000RPM. Unfortunately I'm probably way too slow for this bike.

Honda CRF1000 Africa Twin(MT):
Very smooth, refined and clinical. Therein lies the rub, I found it a bit characterless. It probably has enough power, you just don't feel it. Coming off my 990, the suspension felt really soft. I could cane it around the track with no surprises.

I for one was happy to see such a great attendance, this bodes well. The bike manufacturer stands were impressive, lots of accessory stands made it easy to compare products.

Lastly those food trucks, man alive did I eat lekker.

PS: ICM, go piss on another thread. Your comments based on hearsay carries very little value.

[BlomC]

wish I was wealthy like you....in pocket and legendary status for scraping boots.

My mates who went said it was not really worth the entrance fee, and they had free tickets

But I guess some people are pack/herd animals and love standing in queues to get a pizza or a beer etc and pay through the nose for it.

Hope it was a financial success for everyone, we do need these kind of events to keep ppl on bikes

  What a guy  


Anyway, for those interested, the whole weekend was just a lekker vibe! Lekker environment - Kyalami is excellent!, chatting bikes, comparing all the adventure bikes without costing anything, having a beer or two, there seemed to be some good music sometimes, but we did not even go there, did not even go see the freestyle or the stunts or whatever.
We went back the Sunday after getting blue exhibitor 'armbands' from friends the Saturday (my wife had for the Saturday as well so I only had to buy one ticket for the Saturday)...Must say the food was nogals expensive (R50 for a jaffle or panini   )...so the Sunday we packed a moerse picnic mandjie and left it in the car to go back and enjoy when we were hungry.

It was just lekker, even just to have the sound of bikes in the background, "racing" down the straight. Everyone had the chance to feel wealthy (in pocket and legendary status ) on ANY bike on a world class track for a very small price I believe...

I rode two KTM's @ R90 each. As my post above the 1290 is just an amazingly fast and excellent handling machine (for me that is). The track just gives you a ton of confidence!

1190 Adventure R:
Was nice, but I was waiting for the dirt-road to start... Was average through the turns, feels nice and light, but could not get everything out of it (on tar) that I was looking for. A good adventure/dual purpose bike.

1290 Super Adventure:
Fokkit, this thing is a monster! The torque was just insane. The handling through the turns was so stable, it just feels as if it wants to go more...accelerating out of the corner was good - it just stays where you've pointed it and powers out so steadily and nicely... I don't know what I'm saying....it was just so good!!!

Off-Road outrides - from best to worst (for me personally and my riding style):
1. Honda Africa Twin
2. KTM 1190 Adv R
3. BMW 1200 GS
4. KTM 690 Enduro, KTM 1190 Adv, KTM 1050,
5. Triumph 800
6. Triumph 1200
7. Husky 701
8. Ducati 1200 Multistrada (also rode the 800 scrambler - what an absolutely fun thing on the dirt!!!..but not an adventure type bike).

Thats me, over and out.

(Sometimes, replies like the above makes me wonder why I even bother to post on this forum...but maybe I'm just an over sensitive metroman   )

[caconcepts]

Congrats to everybody involved in the event. I think it was awesome. Did the mass ride on Sunday, 2 laps on the track.

Stands were good, food was good, drinks were good, entertainment was good.....

We need events like this, so all you moaners, stop moaning and start enjoying.

[HeeBs]

Great show! I've paid more money for far less of a show! I hope they can keep this going and return year after year.






and the ladies.....Joh! I'm turning into an old perv 

[Ceaser]

Went on Saturday, enjoyed the whole day. Was a great day out with like-minded souls

[Minxy]

Went on Saturday, it was super busy, but there was some great stuff on show. This was absolutely the highlight of the show for me I am going to hijack this bike 

[Gryshond]

The show was great, I went Friday to ride bikes and Saturday to browse.

Tested many bikes but have to agree that the Super Duke R and Super Duke GT are awesome.

I have previously talked about the Super Adventure so no need to sing its praises again. If after sales support was close to BMW I would sel all my BMW stuff and move to the dark side.

I was disappointed in the Multistrada, the normal Multi on the track really did not impress and this is where it is supposed to be used (on tar). The Enduro was better but I would still want to know what it is like on tar as well.

The food was good, the craft beer better and the displays excellent. Nice promo girls as well.

The track and facilities are excellent. I agree that they should have had more entry lanes and more reserved parking for bikes. It was a bike show after all.

[ClimbingTurtle]

I was there yesterday - in fact Welsh parked a black GS next to me - discovered when I went back.....

Enjoyed the show - entrance fee was steep, but all the major players were there, so great to see everything in one place. Cannot see what happenined in the VIP area for an extra R1000 per head - who had tickets...?

Eye-candy was lekker, bikes were brilliant - never tested any, food was great, but the queus at lunch time were long, whole track is pretty impressive now, and I hope the show grows in the years to come.

Will I pay the same and go again?

Hell yeah!!

Only downside was the clot who tried to move a wall with a Superduke (iirc) on exiting the top bike parking after lunch.... nothing terminal for bike or pilot, but really?

[Frog]

I went yesterday and thought it was a great show. Planned on spending 3 hours there but it ended up being 6 hours

[Fuzzy Muzzy]

I doubt I will go. Nothing I cant see there that I cant see at full throttle/dealer/agent/etc.

Test rides will have to be paid for as I understand it. Test rides at dealers normally free.

Where will you get a chance to ride a Ducati Panigale, Triumph Rocket 3, BMW X1000XR, KTM 1290 Superduke R, and a Yamaha R1 all in an afternoon on the new Kyalami racetrack???
If you calculate the cost you are paying no more per lap that if you would do a trackday, and the dealers have costs after all, tyres/insurance/fuel/staff. I think it is a bargain.
Don't think they will miss you if you don't go, there will be plenty people enjoying themselves on the day.

Hey Straatkat, if you get your kicks giving people loads of money to ride 2 laps behind a marshall on a superbike at 80km/h then good for you. I prefer to be more discerning...

Like being in bed with a supermodel but can only touch it....

Maybe you need Viagra...

Let us know how it works out

Ha Ha Ha Ha.... 80km/h...more like 180km/h...scraping boots on  the 1290 Super Adventure.

Bliksem it was lekker!!!!!!! 2nd ride (1290SA), 1st lap, the marshall (and me just keeping on his tail) created a gap between us 2 and the rest. So he thought it was just us 2....then he pinned it...passing people like never before...having a blast!!!

Then there was the short dirt outride, having the chance to ride almost ANY adventure bike on a small +/- 3km outride....So Sunday we went back - me and the wife tested bikes back-to-back....Triumph 800+1200, KTM 1050,1290,1290R,690, Ducati 800Scrambler, 1200Multistrada, Husky 701, BMW 1200GS and the Africa Twin.
Bliksem it was lekker!!!

Jiss, I feel sorry for a friend who likes bikes, but also did not go... but I guess each to their own. I hope you enjoy your free test rides at the dealers Ice Cream Man

I would have paid the entry fee just to be able to ride different bikes back to back

[ZK1]

Went on Saturday, it was super busy, but there was some great stuff on show. This was absolutely the highlight of the show for me I am going to hijack this bike 

Same here, fell in love with that bike.