6500KM around Mzanzi on a 500EXC

[Tank Slap]

I tried the touring thing a few years ago and it never really stuck as I had a 990 and always felt it was a bit big for what I wanted to do so continued with my enduro racing on my plastic bikes. 8 years later the bug bit again and I decided to try again but this time on my preferred weapon of choice a KTM 500. I purchased one of the last remaining 2018 models out the box, added a long range tank, soft luggage and a rally screen. I had been needing some time away so set aside 3 weeks to head off on a journey with no real destination. I planned the first 4 days more or less with the help of Xpat as he had been this way before. I wanted to head north west but took my laptop along so I had the flexibility to change my route at any time. I never booked any accommodation as I didn't want the pressure of having to make any destinations on time, so basically I rode until I wanted to stop and then stayed over. Sometimes my scheduled stop wasn't what I expected so carried on till I hit a town worth staying in. It was one of the most amazing trips of my life and I got to see places and things I probably would never have dared to see in a car, the beauty of traveling on a motorcycle is that you can go at great speeds comfortably over rough terrain and cover greater distances than you could ever in a car or 4x4. I will post my experiences and photos in the next coming days.

[JonW]

Lovely looking bike 

[CUZZY]

Sweet ride!! Who makes that sceen?

[Highsider]

Looking forward to this RR.


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[aka.Goliath]

Would you like to go into more details about your bike please? I like the look of the rally screen/lights, where it from and how did it work for you?

[exkdx]

Would you like to go into more details about your bike please? I like the look of the rally screen/lights, where it from and how did it work for you?

Ditto

[boland]

Dang that’s one sweet bike

[evansv]

Very nice looking bike!

[Casting from Turd]

 

[Tank Slap]

Day 1 BSR - Mahikeng 388KM

Monday 9 am I set off and it's official, I'm on my way. It had been a frantic two weeks getting the bike built and ready in time, also being my first real adventure trip so I needed to make sure I had planned for every eventuality. One great thing that I had was the Spot Gen 3 by SPOT LLC, it's a GPS tracker that enabled my loved ones to track me at any point in my ride to see where I was and put their minds at rest. It also has the added benefit of being able to send emergency SMS's over satellite should there be no cellphone reception. The wind was blowing like crazy and it proved to be a real challenge, sometimes having to lean the bike sideways into the wind just to keep heading straight. It proved a bit nerve-racking especially when it would blow me off-line into thick sand on the dirt roads ending up with some pretty severe headshake but with a bit of throttle control, I managed to save the day. The stock suspension on the 2018 KTM model is really lacking, just before the trip, I changed the springs to cater for the extra weight on the back and front but there is almost 0 dampening force on the front fork. This is unfortunately due to a very poor valve design by WP. On the positive side, I got to learn a whole lot about suspension during the trip and managed to eventually get the bike handling quite well. There was some really nice riding between Fochville and Ventersburg, all dirt through farmlands and very scenic. I Found a Black Steer in Lichtenburg and stopped for a delicious burger and coke then hit the road to Mahikeng. I spotted this little shortcut on Tracks4Africa which looked quite fun, the only problem is it leads to a farmers fence which I could not find my way around and eventually had to head back to the main road and go around. It was fun never the less. I stayed at Sedikwa Lodge in a comfortable room, no drinks or food available there but decided I was good and will top up no the road in the morning. Nothing like some Eat Naked macadamia nuts and cranberries to fill the gap.

[Tank Slap]

Sweet ride!! Who makes that sceen?

I imported the Kit from the Netherlands for testing, its a product I plan to distribute in the new year. It is the original KTM rally screen with a custom built tower, fairings and lights. I also added a 17L IMS tank to increase my range.

[Tank Slap]

Would you like to go into more details about your bike please? I like the look of the rally screen/lights, where it from and how did it work for you?

It worked out very well, the wind deflection from the screen is a great help at higher speeds allowing you to sit comfortably at 140km/h. The 17L tank can give me a range of up to 340KM which is sufficient for most rides.

[Tank Slap]

Day 2 Mahikeng - Van Zylsrus 590KM

It was a kind of unsettled nights rest, I kept on waking up and hoping it was time to start, obviously eager to get the show on the road. I got up and took a walk outside only to find a small puddle of fuel under my bike, not a good sign. I removed the tank to look where the leak was and found it to be where the fuel pump flange meets the long-range tank. The tank is distorted and doesn’t allow the o-ring to seal. As I was in the middle of nowhere I used the only tool I had for the job which was Pratley's plastic steel, a few minutes later the problem was solved. I would monitor it occasionally but the repair seemed to be holding up. I headed out of Mahikeng and decided to skip breakfast as there were sure to be some 5-star restaurants en-route. About 40km outside town the fun began, miles and miles of dirt roads just waiting to be shred. On the gas, I quickly knocked off the KM making short work of the route. By lunchtime, I was at my scheduled stop which was the Molopo Nature Reserve. I headed through the unmanned gate only to realize that the park was closed and there was no chance of camping there. Seen as it was early in the day I decided to make my way to the next town as accommodation was seemingly impossible to find. The next 230km to Van Zylsrus was a Jol. Lots of thick sand to plane over and spectacular bushveld either side. The sand was thick but by now I was loving it, feeling confident and on the throttle. I didn’t realize how hard I was riding until my fuel range went from the usual 300 to 250km. I made it to my destination with 1L to spare. I booked into the Vanzylsrus Hotel which is a must-see. It has beautiful decor, a pub, and a restaurant that made the most incredible lamb shank with veggies. Would recommend it to anyone. Chatting to the owner in the pub I got a tip to go explore the salt pans, so the following day's route would be a bit different but no doubt breathtaking.

[Tank Slap]

 

[MillionMiles]

my kind of stuff...
keep it rolling 

[Black_Hawk]

And I must also say it... Very nice looking bike 

Looks like a awesome trip, thanks for sharing 

Looking forward to see the rest.

Subscribed 

[sackett]

Good one Tank Slap - Naaais Baahik!!!  I would appreciate some comments on how the Great Basin (?) bag held up and how practical it was to use?

[Tank Slap]

Good one Tank Slap - Naaais Baahik!!!  I would appreciate some comments on how the Great Basin (?) bag held up and how practical it was to use?

The Giant Loop Coyote worked really well, I covered some very rough terrain with lots of bouncing around and all the straps and mounts held up well. It comes with 3 convenient dry bags inside which remove quite easily to take all your clothes and gear in each night. The exhaust heat shield also worked well and nothing melted.

[Tank Slap]

Day 3 Vanzyls Rus - Loch Maree 334KM

Woke up nice and early to a cool morning, had time to lube my chain and do a quick check of the bike. Not a drop of oil used thus far bike still running like a dream. Tyre’s needed a bit of air including the Tubeliss inner tube. I had a chilled breakfast and hit the road. The road to Askam was scenic with hints of the red dunes either side. I made quick work of the ride, refueled and headed out towards Klein Mier and Groot Mier and hopefully the large pan. After Groot Mier I headed left on my track which was set to take me straight across Hakskeenpan. I approached the first pan and followed tracks across through a gate that a local farmer had erected. I proceded up and got my first taste of dunes and put the bike down at the crest, I suppose the right was is to make sure you have enough momentum to get over the crest, lesson learned.  Got a bit lost behind the fence then headed back through the gate. Carried a bit further on along the track only to find a locked gate. A few KM on was the Hakskeenpan. I had no choice but to head back to Klein Mier and hit the road around. I ended up heading towards Rietfontein as I knew would find fuel there. After the refuel I managed to cut back into my original planned loop taking me to Philandersbron, across the Koppieskraal pan and eventually to Loch Maree Camp. I just rocked up unannounced but the hosts were welcoming and soon got me settled. I had a nap and then headed out to a lookout point for sunset passing eland, zebra and giraffe on the way. The view was breathtaking ontop of a dune overlooking Sout Pan. The lodge is another beautiful find, would highly recommend it.

[Tank Slap]