bonova
Race Dog
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2008
- Messages
- 3,139
- Reaction score
- 0
- Bike
- KTM 950 Adventure S
OK, so it's a long story, but i was on my way to malawi and my X-challenge started giving hassels.
I've been stuck in Hillcrest for the last 3 weeks (don't get me wrong, it's been a blast!!)
I ended up trading in in on a Yamaha Tenere 660.
2 days ago though, Roger from Ryder-motorrad in hillcrest and i were chatting, and he asks if i want to go ride some sand? HELL YEAH!!!! i love sand riding, and it'll be a chance to really test the new bike out.
We chucked his bike (800GS) and mine on his bakkie and drove through to Sodwana, where we stayed in te Sodwana lodge for the night.
Up early the next day, we headed out to find some riding around lake Sibaya.
WOW, it was awesome.
We started off getting lost a bit, and bashing our way through overgrown tracks that appeared to be used by only small antelope or something ;D dodging and ducking while riding deep sand was interresting and challenging. One thing to note - who the hell designed the yamaha bark busters - they got a nifty hook on the front - just right for a vine to grab your bars and try chuck you off
happened a few times but fortunately only at low speed so no falls.
this is the 'track'
we followed the tracks, just on a directional GPS idea, and had to turn back a few times. Finally tho we got to the lake - WOW, what a beautiful place!
trying to find a way through a marshy area
then we headed back west and headed around to the northern shore. it was here that we met the water/mud monster. there was no turning back though and we had to manhandle the bikes through some thick black mud and some deep water.
i hit a few massive holes, one at speed, and the suspension on that bike (turned in to full preload on the front) handled it with flying colours to put it lightly. once i headbutted the screen, but otherwise it just flew on.
the mud starts
Thanks for the roosting bud! - thats what happens when you push bikes in shin deep mud!
speed speed speed!
the pace was astounding - none of this pussy-footing around - wide open throttle was the only way to keep up.
we then headed around the eastern shore, saw some hippo's, had a snack with a fish eagle calling in a nearby tree. stunning.
Hippos
this dude helped with directions
taking a break
then it was onto the tree lined roads on the eastern side of the lake, and we took it a little easier what with with the bark busters taking a pounding.
Just before the 'entrance gate' into the heritage site, we pulled up behind a bakkie. lucky for us, the dude was a legend, and without us even really knowing it, he gave the guard a beer to let us through after the guard thought we were together and started pointing at the bikes and gesticulating ;D
(evidently bikes are not allowed but we didn't know that... and there is no gate in the north..... go figure.)
most of the way i was following Roger. Wow, that dude can ride. he rides that 800 like a motocross bike, and if i was in any doubt before, i now have a 100% understanding.... anyone who says thats not a bike you can ride offroad - you talking bull!
anyway, after the gate, i got a turn in front- back towards sodwana on a sandy track. i was balls to the wall speeding, thinking any moment i'm gonna write myself off, and all i hear is the akropovic of Rogers bike breathing down my neck. I twist it more and the bike just loves it - sand surfing, my favourate :biggrin:
i actually can't put into words how much fun it was, or how absolutely buggered i was after, or how much respect i now have for both those bikes. I've finally bonded with my bike, and i think it'll be a good relationship :ricky:
anyway, just thought i'd share a quick one :thumleft: sorry for the rushed job, but time is catching me
I've been stuck in Hillcrest for the last 3 weeks (don't get me wrong, it's been a blast!!)
I ended up trading in in on a Yamaha Tenere 660.
2 days ago though, Roger from Ryder-motorrad in hillcrest and i were chatting, and he asks if i want to go ride some sand? HELL YEAH!!!! i love sand riding, and it'll be a chance to really test the new bike out.
We chucked his bike (800GS) and mine on his bakkie and drove through to Sodwana, where we stayed in te Sodwana lodge for the night.
Up early the next day, we headed out to find some riding around lake Sibaya.
WOW, it was awesome.
We started off getting lost a bit, and bashing our way through overgrown tracks that appeared to be used by only small antelope or something ;D dodging and ducking while riding deep sand was interresting and challenging. One thing to note - who the hell designed the yamaha bark busters - they got a nifty hook on the front - just right for a vine to grab your bars and try chuck you off
happened a few times but fortunately only at low speed so no falls.
this is the 'track'
we followed the tracks, just on a directional GPS idea, and had to turn back a few times. Finally tho we got to the lake - WOW, what a beautiful place!
trying to find a way through a marshy area
then we headed back west and headed around to the northern shore. it was here that we met the water/mud monster. there was no turning back though and we had to manhandle the bikes through some thick black mud and some deep water.
i hit a few massive holes, one at speed, and the suspension on that bike (turned in to full preload on the front) handled it with flying colours to put it lightly. once i headbutted the screen, but otherwise it just flew on.
the mud starts
Thanks for the roosting bud! - thats what happens when you push bikes in shin deep mud!
speed speed speed!
the pace was astounding - none of this pussy-footing around - wide open throttle was the only way to keep up.
we then headed around the eastern shore, saw some hippo's, had a snack with a fish eagle calling in a nearby tree. stunning.
Hippos
this dude helped with directions
taking a break
then it was onto the tree lined roads on the eastern side of the lake, and we took it a little easier what with with the bark busters taking a pounding.
Just before the 'entrance gate' into the heritage site, we pulled up behind a bakkie. lucky for us, the dude was a legend, and without us even really knowing it, he gave the guard a beer to let us through after the guard thought we were together and started pointing at the bikes and gesticulating ;D
(evidently bikes are not allowed but we didn't know that... and there is no gate in the north..... go figure.)
most of the way i was following Roger. Wow, that dude can ride. he rides that 800 like a motocross bike, and if i was in any doubt before, i now have a 100% understanding.... anyone who says thats not a bike you can ride offroad - you talking bull!
anyway, after the gate, i got a turn in front- back towards sodwana on a sandy track. i was balls to the wall speeding, thinking any moment i'm gonna write myself off, and all i hear is the akropovic of Rogers bike breathing down my neck. I twist it more and the bike just loves it - sand surfing, my favourate :biggrin:
i actually can't put into words how much fun it was, or how absolutely buggered i was after, or how much respect i now have for both those bikes. I've finally bonded with my bike, and i think it'll be a good relationship :ricky:
anyway, just thought i'd share a quick one :thumleft: sorry for the rushed job, but time is catching me
