South African ADVrider.com members

A4A - Oh Brian! The gift that keeps on giving. We’ll defend ourselves once against this twisted version of reality, then leave it at that.
The bottom line is that you three guys did ZAR 23,000 worth of damage to the bikes, and we only charged you for ZAR 17,000 doing 1500km over 5 days, and you need to take responsibility for your actions. Our company is not a charity. All our other responsible riders are very happy and of the few who have the odd mishap, and on what little damage they do, they man up to paying.

B - We headed out of Capetown toward the coast but before we got there we decided to bypass crowds and bad weather so headed north and then west again. It is hard to remember all of the places we were since the Afrikans names don't stick in my mind.


A4A - These guys claimed they were advanced off-road riders who ride 1200 GSA’s back home. We mapped a reasonably technical 5 day intermediate bordering on advanced (but all on gravel roads) route out for these guys maximising gravel to follow into the Small Karoo (Anysberg), down to Stormsriver mouth, back into the Karoo to Sutherland, via Swartberg staying over in Die Hel.

B - The best place we did was Del Hiel "The Hell". Awesome! Found a secluded camping spot at the bottom that was great. In fact three of us camped the whole way. We love your country. The South African Riders we met were great.

A4A - We do agree on some things.

B - We found a company to rent from that had good bikes and would put on Heidenau Tires. Since they were the first company I found I went with them instead of someone like Karoo. I've rented a lot of bikes over the years and at every point along the way this was a high maintenance and difficult endeavor.

A4A - If you’d have read the paper work first time, filled in the forms required and didn’t ask the same questions over and over again it may have been slightly less arduous on all of us.

B - Just when I was ready to switch companies things seemed to get resolved so I stayed the course.

A4A -Reality is we were 3 weeks away from the tour start date and we were still waiting for your deposit payment after 4 weeks (which we require a min of one month before the tour) we emailed you to say that unless we received it by the end of the week the deal was off. Suddenly the payment materialized.

B -Then after everything was paid, we were informed the day before that the panniers that we had aggreed to and rented weren't available.

A4A -This is the sort of requirements we had to work with – instead of ticking exactly what they want we get these mixed messages at different times:



No! Our panniers are free (for the second or third time) … Ok so you are bringing your own soft luggage…. Later on the form, we get this…



B - When I told him this was our agreement and we needed space for all our camping gear he kick saved a workable solution. But again, difficulty was the name of the game.


A4A -Thanks to Advrider.co.za in Paarden island not being open for 4 days before the ride started to buy an extra set of panniers, we had to run around borrowing private panniers from mates to make sure they were happy. I now know I can go to Flying Brick – note to self: Won’t make that mistake again in a hurry. My bad. Oh, wait - if deposit had been paid in time none of this would have happened – #JustSaying

B - When we got back from the trip we had more surprises as we got dinged on everything imaginable financially. He charged for worn down rear brake pads. That is right... worn down rear brake pads.

A4A -Ooooh that nose is growing again Brian! no Completely missing brake shoes, not simply worn. Also metal on metal brake disc scratched, which we didn’t charge you for – see below.



B - I should have seen the signs. Before we embarked on our journey I found out he doesn't know much about bikes when I realized he didn't know how to read a BMW sight glass. There was only a bubble of oil in the bottom and he said that was normal. I've put 100k miles on GSes over the years and do my own maintenance. I said it wasn't normal and put more oil in for him.

A4A – We said we aim to make sure the engine is warm, then level and then check and fill it to between half-way up around 50% to 70% between the marks. We had done so before he arrived so ignored his theory. We prefer to go by the BMW manual than everyones’ personal theory, especially when the bike was not level and cold. See below:



B - Since he doesn't know anything about bikes, when we got back he took all three bikes to a BMW dealer and had them go over them with a fine tooth comb and then paid them their rate to do things that didn't need to be done.

A4A – As mentioned to you, we are obliged to have most stuff fixed by BMW for the warranty in SA.

B - Then he charged each of us a $90 service charge. and then a $40 service charge that wasn't the BMW tech hourly rate. I have no idea what the $520 was for but since we had to prepay a $5,000 deposit via paypal we had no recourse.


A4A – Let me remind you what damage you did (not $520 but $441). How you managed to crack the front headlight through an intact headlight protector not quite sure? Riding at night perhaps? Another big no-no which you guys simply chose to ignore. no



B - I could go on and on but enough negative vibes. Bottom line is I wouldn't reccomend Africa4Adventure.com to anyone.


A4A – Works both ways! – We could publish all the damage you racked up, but it would only embarrass you more, so we won’t.

Warning to any Motorcycle rental companies out there before you deal with this guy! It’s hard work before, during and long after the event as you can see. There is always 1 in a 100 and you are looking at him right here.

Thanx, Kevin. I found out afterwards that we were the 13th rental in his history. I don't know what others feedback is. I don't know if there is anything else to "get to the bottom of." We have had endless communications with him. If someone stumbles on this thread and it helps them to make a better choice, so be it.

This will be my last post on this, Charles. We paid all our damages to get the bikes back to original condition. It was all the other complications and unnecessary charges that left a bad taste in our mouths. I just want to give other potential renters a broader knowledge base before they rent.

Good clear well backed up response Charles

Hi South Africa,

Great thread! I just found it and I see many hours of reading ahead.

I bought a plane ticket to Johannesburg for a ten day trip over Christmas to vist your beautiful part of the world.

I'll be travelling by myself with a plan to rent a bike to get me to my hotel out in the wilds somewhere, then have over the ten days to tool around. I'll have one backpacke.

I assume a motorcyce would be cheaper and more fun than a car.

I ride a '82 Yamaha XT550 and a '07 BMW Dakar. I'd like to rent a dual sport with knobbies as that's what I'f always used.

More questions to come I am sure. The usual ones. Where to rent? How much I can expect to pay? Where to go?

Anyways, Cheers
Futura

I have been in Capetown for a couple of weeks, last weekend I rode with a group of collegues on some rented Harley's and rode down to Cape Point. That was fun, but I am really a dual sport rider and wonder if anyone here might like to meet up for a day trip one sunday. I plan to be here for 4-5 more weekends. I don't have a car so getting a rental from one of the local venues may require hiring a delivery each way unless someone would like to help out and pick me up before the ride.

I have ridden 17,000 km the past 9 months on my XR650L Honda back in the states and I am spoiling to try out the 660 Tenere...

PM me if anyone is interested in a Sunday day trip.. I'm only off on Sundays.

Sadly, renting a motocycle is going to run way more expesnive that a car.... its the way it is here..i guess due to insurance /supply/demand etc....let me know ehn here ...beer is always available.

Not sure you will find a Tenere660 to rent in ZA to be honest.

Join the Wilddogs forum , its a ZA based Forum like ADVrider catering for dual sport ridders.... hellovsa helpful bunch of ppl and loads situated in cape town ,they will point you in the right direction

cheers

Every one that want to do some serious difficult long rides are most welcome to contact me . We a group of serious riders , we dont stop for smoke brakes , sorry.

Big Micheal got a 300km route for u via matsulu, numbi , Whiteriver and back to the old Airport. Whole day workout.

I take u on the Route to malelaan via the Gorge , kaalrug and LowsCreek and back to Nespruit.75 km there , serious hard riding in 1h20 minutes , then a more relaxed ride back

Lots of other lovely routes like the Koppie towards Kaapse Hoop with a long very difficult stoney uphill section. Then towards Ngondwana , filling station and back home.


All bikes welcome , except slow ones.

Johan Visagie
WHATSUUUUUUP 083 234 7128

All bikes welcome , except slow ones.

Slow one



https://plus.google.com/11617259082...6046299903847139682&oid=116172590825728152094

Hello riders in South Africa,

I need some advice regarding the language spoken in your country.
I want to run some ads in facebook and google, and I'm wondering if I should write them in English or in Afrikaans. I read in wikipedia that both languages are official there, and I see the demographics. But what do you think could have a bigger reach? An ad in English or in Afrikaans?

If you believe I would have better success with Afrikaans, could someone help with translating? It's just a 2-3 sentences, nothing much, but I don't trust varius online translation tools, they often give poor translations.

I'm posting this here, because my ad is related to motorcycles, hoping I'm not offending anyone. And because I don't want to break rules of the forum, we could do this with private messages so that it would not be considered as an indirect way to advertise here.

Thanks

Merry Christmass !

We have 11 official languages in South Africa. English and Afrikaans being
two of them. :)

I'd say English is your best bet (it's our language of business as per the
rest of the world) even though we have a strong Afrikaans population
group when it comes to motorcycles etc.

Why not do it in both English and Afrikaans? Happy to help translate if
you want to go that route.

OK heading to Jo'burg in April as a tourist! Alas, no bike . This will be my ( our, Mrs Rider coming too ) first trip to RSA. We are staying a day in Johannesburg before heading of on a "safari" to Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and on to Kruger.

What tips do you have security wise etc etc. I guess the first is not to look like an ATM. What else can we expect? Night time passion is a JD and coke on ice. Is ice safe in South Africa? I know it can be iffy in SE Asia.

Any tips, hints, suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We are soooooo looking forward to this trip!

Sent you a PM Rider

Security wise - just be vigilant. Avoid going out at night alone. Unless you in a super dodgy part of JHB though you should be fine. In Namibia and Bots you should be perfectly safe out in the bush. Criminals generally don't go that far out of their way. Just keep things locked up and valuables safe. Petty theft/opportunistic crime is more common. Zim Nationals see tourists as targets for their crappy souvenirs and as targets for begging, they can be annoying sometimes. Avoid any forex exchanges with street peddlers.

Ice while in JHB will be 100 percent ok. Water out in the bush though can be more dodgy even at top game farms. Bottled water is usually the source out there. Never had a problem with any ice provided if you can find. All depends how remote your safari trip is. If you staying at mainstream lodges with bars and restaurants you have nothing to worry about.

Weather wise April is still hot during the day but it can get cold out in the bush at night. More so in Namibia and Bots if you out in the desert.

Other than that expect super friendly people and a stunning trip.
You gonna wish you were on bikes. :)

Thanks for the responses Gobby and DjfLoYd.

As a young man ( a week ago :eek1 or so it seems ) I had a dream to do Cairo to Cape Town. This was waaaaaay before Ewan and Charlie did the Long Way Down. I guess life got in the way. Oh well.
I have seen Cairo and Egypt up the Nile and what a trip that was. Even into the bowels of a pyramid.
Now for the other end of the dream. However we won't be able to make Cape Town. That might have to wait a few ( but not too many ) years.

So now I and my wife are going to enjoy 3 weeks in a dodgy truck/bus thing and sleeping in tents and hopefully not too much bush meat! ( I will take some biltong if offered ).

I want to see an elephant, a rhino and a zebra. To me those 3 epitomise Africa along with thornbush and Native villages.

The camera will be coming and I post a "ride report" when we get home.

Hi there,

DjfLoYd covered almost everything to be as safe as you can in RSA.

From my side, I have the following to contribute:
Always keep laptops, cameras, cellphones out of sight whilst driving and when parking. "Smash & Grab" incidents are at the order of the day. Always be attentive when waiting at an intersection, and do pity the beggars on street corners - they distract the occupants of vehicles so that their accomplices have an opportunity commit crimes.

I have never experienced a problem with ice or water in RSA, but to be safe you can use bottled water. I would recommend beer rather than water, though.

South Africa is also in a state of emergency concerning electric energy supply. Be sure to have a torch / candle / paraffin lantern / personal coal-fueled power station ready at the moment of your arrival. It's flippin' dark at night.

Keep safe and enjoy (what is left of) our beautiful country.

Regards,

Rocket

Anyone had any dealing with this company http://www.bikegear.co.za/

They have some unique items I would like to order from them. There has been email exchange back and forth and they sent me an invoice asking for EFT as pmt. They are out of Swartkops, Port Elizabeth.

Just thought I would ask as I know there is a healthy SA inmate population on the forum that might know of or about them.

Very good bunch of guys, no worries dealing with them.

Ice is safe, just watch out for the polar bears, one tip, DO NOT put cameras, lap tops etc in your checked in luggage, carry it in hand luggage or it WILL go missing.