South African ADVrider.com members

[Britome]

I'm an American coming to Johannesburg sometime in the next year. I've been to the area and cape town several times but this time I ride!

I need recommendations from you native pros. Route? Where to rent a 1200gs/a? Should I go with a touring outfit? Anything else I'm not thinking about.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Rocket_Rookie]

Originally Posted by Britome

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Well, just know that you should lock everything up when you leave the bike unattended. Then safety would not be a problem.

Try doing some wine routes near Stellenbosch. It is beautiful countryside.

[Britome]

Cool. Thx. If you had 4 days with a startin point of joberg what would u do?

[Rocket_Rookie]

Originally Posted by Britome

If you had 4 days...

I would start from Johannesburg, and drive east, towards the Indian Ocean and a little town called St. Lucia where there is a Nature Reserve/ Sanctuary.
One would pass through these major towns:
-Bethal, Ermelo, Piet Retief and then St. Lucia.

St Lucia is a wetlands nature reserve, and one can stay overnight camping or in a cabin in Cape Vidal, a beautiful oasis 40km north of St Lucia. This was one of my favourite places I ever visited. One has to pass through St. Lucia to enter Cape Vidal.

The weather is pretty much summer all year round, so I would suggest Cape Vidal.

The route there may be a bit dangerous, but there are many alternative routes that may serve as fun Dual Sport riding. And you won't have a problem finding petrol.

Check this link out, and use google maps to plot your route. Enter the following text in "Get Directions":

From: O.R. Tambo, Kempton Park

To: Cape Vidal, St Lucia Park, KwaZulu-Natal

About 583 km - 7 hours 46 mins


http://www.kznwildlife.com/index.php...-Overview.html

Regards

[stevh0]

Originally Posted by Britome

Cool. Thx. If you had 4 days with a startin point of joberg what would u do?

Joberg to Clarens (5hours) Go through Lesotho 1 day - down to Durban, drink a beer on the beach. Sleep. Shoot back to joburg via Tar (5hours)

[Rocket_Rookie]

I would recommend that too...

[Britome]

Thank you Steveho and Rocket Rookie. I love this site.

[XR650L]

Originally Posted by Britome

Thank you Steveho and Rocket Rookie. I love this site.

Give me a shout if you do get down to the Cape

[Rocket_Rookie]

It is quite easy to find accommodation and supplies along the road, where ever you go.

I would suggest that if you decide to sleep over, or if you are interested in camping, that you would find a designated camping spot where there is facilities.

South Africa is not a crime ridden place. One just needs to be careful about where one sleeps and park a bike. Then it is one of the most amazing countries to visit...

If you have decided on a route, let me know and I will help do some research and recommend places to go.

If you are not interested in the seaside, the Dakensberg is also 5 hours drive away from Johannesburg, where there is magnificent views of one of the biggest mountains in South Africa.

Regards

[infra80]

hi mates,


just arrived in Durban this week.

So, now I'm actually urgently looking for a (cheap, I'm a student) Steed.


Actually, if any of you guys can give me a tip, I'd be happy.

Like, how much are things like plating/licencing costs, how much (roughly) are 3rd party damage insurance etc.

I've already watched the gumtree ads, or might it be better to go to dealerships.....or any of you guys selling a bike?

I've kind a found an interesting gsx750 on gumtree, seems to run well just needs service&speedo cable....guess thats not took expensive here?



Sorry guys for boring you with my questions

steve

[Mark950]

Originally Posted by infra80

hi mates,


just arrived in Durban this week.

So, now I'm actually urgently looking for a (cheap, I'm a student) Steed.


Actually, if any of you guys can give me a tip, I'd be happy.

Like, how much are things like plating/licencing costs, how much (roughly) are 3rd party damage insurance etc.

I've already watched the gumtree ads, or might it be better to go to dealerships.....or any of you guys selling a bike?

I've kind a found an interesting gsx750 on gumtree, seems to run well just needs service&speedo cable....guess thats not took expensive here?



Sorry guys for boring you with my questions

steve

Hi Steve

Welcome to SA and Durban ( my old home town) . I work at the family Yamaha dearlership in Empangeni (about 160km north from Durban along the coast) if you don't come right with the gsx give me a shout. We have a 2nd hand 600 Fazer and a BMW 1150 boxer on the floor. Maybe they might be in your price range.

cheers

Mark

[Rocket_Rookie]

I would recommend Gumtree.

I bought both my bikes and all my gear (second hand) from gumtree, and I have been quite pleased.

Just check all the models and makes and variations of the bike you are looking for, and I am sure that you will be satisfied...

Remember to be safe when buying from private owners, let someone know about your whereabouts or even take a friend along. Check the bike for oil leaks, and ask permission to start the engine. Wait a minute or two so that it warms up and then check for blue smoke.. Make sure you have a document (self-written) stating the buying terms and make sure to get the guy's ID number/copy of ID on paper. Request a police clearance certificate from the buyer before you decide to buy to make sure it is not a stolen bike.

That is about the best advice I can give.

Take care, and let me know when you are in Pretoria so we can have a beer.

Regards,
Rocket_Rookie

[infra80]

Many thanks guys,

endet up with buying a chinese gomoto fact 200cc......rides quite nice, 1 year old and only 100kms on it.

Best is, still one year warranty left which kinda matches my time down here.


So, after my obligatory puncture on my first ride........thought about aa membership for a year

so, my question now is, do they include motorcycles? 'cause in their conditions n terms is stated only motorcar, caravan, trailer, 4x4 or light commercial vehicle....


Or do you have any better ideas?

cheers
steve

[Rocket_Rookie]

Yes well AA membership will be just fine.

Too bad you didn't buy the GSXR?

Anyway, take care.

[infra80]

thanks for all the advice

yeah, gsx would've been fun but it was totally wasted, like, blown fork seals, leaking engine, crashed several times...

and the guy didn't bother at all and kinda revved it up like hell.....so clearly a no-go for me


Chinese bike is quite funny , never had a bike below 600cc


....and, like with all my previous bikes i found a nice nail on my first day.......and got a lesson what the african meaning of

"it is ready in 1 hour" means

well, all fixed so, small bike touring is on for me

cheers&hope to meet some of ya for a beer in the next months