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I fear that the bug's got me again

Do dealers actually let people do this? I've heard a couple of times that they stopped letting people take bikes for test rides like this. It would be amazing to be able to test it for a full day though. I assume it's only if they have demo models though.

I guess it depends whether they know you're actually interested in purchasing the bike and have a valid licence.

I generally do this.

1. Spend a day and go to various dealers, meet and greet only and learn about what the bike has and go through the sales pitch (some of it is valuable), sit on it but decline a test ride for now if offered. Take notes! (literally)

2. After visiting all the dealerships of brands you're interested in go do it again and visit the same bikes but compare with your list of things like price, maintenance, features and if you're really care ask about how much dick swing hp it puts out haha.

At this point the dealer will know 1. you've done a valid comparison of competition, 2. You're back, so someting peaked your interest and the possibility of a sale is realistic.

3. Go back to the dealers again (different day) and now it's time to ride, if the dealer has not already offered after step 2, then ask if it is possible to take the bike out for a quick loop. Build trust so they can see you're not just bumming a weekend toy. Do this with all brands, If a brand declines a ride (Unless they don't have a demo avail at that moment, try organize a later date) i respectfully walk away as in my mind if i'm laying down 200K+ for a bike then i'm riding it. Bike shops have insurance and generally dealerships do have demo's (Why i go to the brand dealer not a bike shop).

At this point you will have narrowed down what you like and what you don't. If you're actually interested in making a purchase then go to the dealership of choice (maybe 2/3) and say okay i have heard all dealer offerings on all the bikes and narrowed them down to what i like and whats withing my immediate budget. I would like to spend a bit longer on the bike and if this could be organised from closing Sat to Monday first thing id get a better feel for the bike to make my final decision; at this point don't be that guy with empty pockets leading them on with zero intention.

Generally the dealer will know trust your genuine interest and will allow a longer test ride.
This is the way i go about it. I feel it satisfies my need to know what i'm buying without being unfair or misleading to a dealership.

With your notes on service fees, maintenance, extras and purchase price that you jotted down you can clearly show the dealer what offerings you got on other brands to neg a good deal whether it be a free service, an extra, a discount or some other loyalty offering.

My 2c.
 
ersion that's apparently a lot easier and a bit "tamer" than the gen 1 and gen 2 bikes.
Lies I tell you. I got a go on the gen 3 before launch here in SA on RSR, and though it really pulled my interest towards a SDR, it was just too much to handle on the track for me. she as quite ze handful :p
 
So this weekend I had some time to think and discuss what I want from a bike and where I would like to go with it.
The most obvious type would then be an ADV because you get to go where ever the hell you please. It might not be great for a track day, but it's a good way to see how small or large your balls are (people tell me).

Also, this will let me and the missus go on tours to places like Namibia and whatnot.

I'm not a fan of 1 ton bikes the size of a small hatch-back, so the big ass BMW's are out.

The Honda Africa Twin looks like it could be a pretty smart buy.
 
So this weekend I had some time to think and discuss what I want from a bike and where I would like to go with it.
The most obvious type would then be an ADV because you get to go where ever the hell you please. It might not be great for a track day, but it's a good way to see how small or large your balls are (people tell me).

Also, this will let me and the missus go on tours to places like Namibia and whatnot.

I'm not a fan of 1 ton bikes the size of a small hatch-back, so the big ass BMW's are out.

The Honda Africa Twin looks like it could be a pretty smart buy.
I also used to not be a fan of the "1 ton bikes" but then, for some unknown reason, I traded my GS in for a K1200 GT and it is the bike that has broken all other bikes for me.

Sure it's not the fastest but it is plenty fast - I've done 250 KM/H on cruise control through the Karoo.

It's not the lightest bike but is agile enough for sport touring, The weight of the bike is not nearly as intense as you think - I find it FAR easier to ride my 1200 than my gf's 400 baby ninja.

You will probably not find anything more comfortable (and more enjoyable) on a trip than one of these beasts - in fact, I'm close to trading mine in on the K1600.

Before you throw away the concept of the big tourers go ride one first - their size is intimidating to most but you soon realise how brilliant the engineering is that go into them.
 
I also used to not be a fan of the "1 ton bikes" but then, for some unknown reason, I traded my GS in for a K1200 GT and it is the bike that has broken all other bikes for me.

Sure it's not the fastest but it is plenty fast - I've done 250 KM/H on cruise control through the Karoo.

It's not the lightest bike but is agile enough for sport touring, The weight of the bike is not nearly as intense as you think - I find it FAR easier to ride my 1200 than my gf's 400 baby ninja.

You will probably not find anything more comfortable (and more enjoyable) on a trip than one of these beasts - in fact, I'm close to trading mine in on the K1600.

Before you throw away the concept of the big tourers go ride one first - their size is intimidating to most but you soon realise how brilliant the engineering is that go into them.
I forgot - the easiest way in the world to get your SO into being okay with you riding (and riding with you) is making the ride for your pillion as fun and comfortable as possible.
 
So this weekend I had some time to think and discuss what I want from a bike and where I would like to go with it.
The most obvious type would then be an ADV because you get to go where ever the hell you please. It might not be great for a track day, but it's a good way to see how small or large your balls are (people tell me).

Also, this will let me and the missus go on tours to places like Namibia and whatnot.

I'm not a fan of 1 ton bikes the size of a small hatch-back, so the big ass BMW's are out.

The Honda Africa Twin looks like it could be a pretty smart buy.

Great Bikes the AT, for the love of all things holy do not get the DCT / Auto, get the good old manual.
 
The Wife and i spent the weekend on the Tenere 700's.

So when i initially saw this bike a couple of months ago at launch i was unimpressed to say the least. the lack of tech (It has no TC, no rider modes, no colour TFT, no high hp engine.), price and in general the long wait that probably made me wish it was more than what it is when it came out.

With all that initial disappointment i never opted to ride it and honestly never gave it a second thought when the competitors really have the tech game going.

We decided recently after testing the 790 ADV R's for the weekend that we should just ride them all to give a fair comparison and ultimately who will take my money.

So after a 250Km test ride (85% dirt) i have one word. Incredible! My initial thoughts as soon as i got on it was as most reviewers say; its comfy and plush. The engine is bliss even with the 20hp less than the 790 i never once felt it was under-powered on both and road and dirt; and it sounds flippen awesome without a pipe and even better with (personally it sounds way nicer than the comp).

i kept thinking this bike should not be this good and maybe its because were so sold into number and techy things that you forget about the grassroots of adv riding. Its simple, very easy to ride and ride fast (on dirt too), traction is excellent with that raised sprocket and the KYB forks are very responsive to the clickers.

If you're an adv rider, not a road tourer or a 15% dirt rider but a individual who wants to have a road legal dirt bike that will give smiles for days and tears when you have to give it back then this is for you. This feels like the closes thing i can find to a race setup plastic (Enduro 300) and as some have said its the closest thing they have felt to a race prepped Dakar bike.

I wont go on about it but its great and anyone who has not given this bike the time of day go and ride it, hit the dirt and feel how playful and stable it is. My wife and i are absolutely sold on this black sheep adv bike and so the process starts to make space in the garage for 2 ;)
 
Guys, how the dickens do you register for a learners license? There's no slots available on eNatis.
Do you have to go through some different channel or what?
 
Guys, how the dickens do you register for a learners license? There's no slots available on eNatis.
Do you have to go through some different channel or what?
Not learners, but I went through a driving school for my license renewal.
They got it for me within 24hours for R100
 
I guess I'll have to start getting friendly with a driving school then.
Maybe tell them that I'll use them for the actual license if they get me slots.

Anyone know of some decent motorcycle driving schools that can do this in PTA?
 
The one I used didn't even care about being friendly. :ROFLMAO:
Sent a whatsapp saying I want a booking, day later they sent me banking details and the time slot I was supposed to be there.
Stopped by them to pick up the paperwork needed.

They even offered to hand deliver my card back to me for another R70
All this was in Krugersdorp though.
 
I just found a couple of schools really close to myself. Lets see how quick they get back to me.
 
Allright, so it looks like stuff's moving now.
I got into contact with a driving school that was highly rated and pretty close to where I live.

They are in the process of finding a slot for me and also sent through the learning material for the test. Blasted through that yesterday evening and it just made me more excited about going on an adventure to wherever.

Hopefully the test slot is soon because I like to get stuff done as soon as it's in play.

So this is the steps I'm gonna take, let me know if you think I should do it differently.
A point to note is that I sold absolutely all of my gear when I sold my previous bike all those years ago.
Also, I'm set on an adventure bike. I don't want to start with a beginner bike and then in 6 months swop it for something that is more advanced. I'm fairly large so I don't mind the weight of the bike so much, however there is a limit I feel where the bikes weight would become a problem. So no, I'm not looking at the 1150cc + bikes.

Anyways, here's the list:

1. Get a learners license.
2. Get a helmet at the LEAST, but preferably all the gear if I can. This includes clothing and boots, maybe gloves as well.
3. Do a riding school course specifically for getting a license. (My aim is to get all the admin out of the way before spending money on an actual bike)
4. Get a license (with the riding schools bike).
5. Test all the bikes in my list of bikes I might be interested in.
6. But a bike.
7. Do an offroad/adv course. I'm thinking the BMW motorad driving academy. They let you do that with non-BMW bike AFAIK.
8. Do at least one track day so I can get used to the bike on the road.
8. Adventure every where and take photos.


Waaaay back when I used to ride, I only had a learners and never made the effort to get an actual license. I don't want to be in that situation again, hence buying the bike is AFTER the admin.
 
2. Get a helmet at the LEAST, but preferably all the gear if I can. This includes clothing and boots, maybe gloves as well.
Only thing I would change, is get gloves before boots.
Boots are important, but gloves take priority IMHO.
Always wear a full size jacket, decent full length jeans(minimum, can get riding pants as well) and gloves.

edit:
I left out the helmet because its the law, don't ever be the guy riding without one.
Even though those piss-pots are "legal", get a full face. Get something higher than DOT rating as well.
 
Last edited:
Agreed, gloves are a necessity, not an option.
 
Only thing I would change, is get gloves before boots.
Boots are important, but gloves take priority IMHO.
Always wear a full size jacket, decent full length jeans(minimum, can get riding pants as well) and gloves.

edit:
I left out the helmet because its the law, don't ever be the guy riding without one.
Even though those piss-pots are "legal", get a full face. Get something higher than DOT rating as well.
Those 3 points !!!
and remember those designer thin jeans do not count - please use thick jeans (just for incase)
 
Don't skimp on gear, its a life saver! Your bike wont mean sh*t if you're lying in ICU.

Don't just buy a lid because it's a well know brand, do some research.

Gloves are 100% needed! Ever fallen on tar with your hands in front of you..yeah it's nasty picking those little stones out your palms.

For off-road training ADA in Hartees is lekke!

All in all., good POA! get legal first.
 
Thanks for the feedback my dudes.

I'll definitely look at the full gear then from the get go.

And yes, I've fallen on tar before, albeit with a skateboard and yes, after 15 years I still have the scar on my palm :ROFLMAO:
 
Thanks for the feedback my dudes.

I'll definitely look at the full gear then from the get go.

And yes, I've fallen on tar before, albeit with a skateboard and yes, after 15 years I still have the scar on my palm :ROFLMAO:
I have had to dig out tar pebbles from my knees, (yes I was one of those designer jeans doos'e) elbows (I skimped on decent jackets).
But now I will never go out unless I have everything (even on sweltering days)
 
Step one is almost done. Im sitting in Akasia waiting for the learners license issue system to stop being "offline"
 
Allright, so it looks like stuff's moving now.
I got into contact with a driving school that was highly rated and pretty close to where I live.

They are in the process of finding a slot for me and also sent through the learning material for the test. Blasted through that yesterday evening and it just made me more excited about going on an adventure to wherever.

Hopefully the test slot is soon because I like to get stuff done as soon as it's in play.

So this is the steps I'm gonna take, let me know if you think I should do it differently.
A point to note is that I sold absolutely all of my gear when I sold my previous bike all those years ago.
Also, I'm set on an adventure bike. I don't want to start with a beginner bike and then in 6 months swop it for something that is more advanced. I'm fairly large so I don't mind the weight of the bike so much, however there is a limit I feel where the bikes weight would become a problem. So no, I'm not looking at the 1150cc + bikes.

Anyways, here's the list:

1. Get a learners license.
2. Get a helmet at the LEAST, but preferably all the gear if I can. This includes clothing and boots, maybe gloves as well.
3. Do a riding school course specifically for getting a license. (My aim is to get all the admin out of the way before spending money on an actual bike)
4. Get a license (with the riding schools bike).
5. Test all the bikes in my list of bikes I might be interested in.
6. But a bike.
7. Do an offroad/adv course. I'm thinking the BMW motorad driving academy. They let you do that with non-BMW bike AFAIK.
8. Do at least one track day so I can get used to the bike on the road.
8. Adventure every where and take photos.


Waaaay back when I used to ride, I only had a learners and never made the effort to get an actual license. I don't want to be in that situation again, hence buying the bike is AFTER the admin.
As mentioned... definitely get gloves and as MUCH as you can ASAP.

People who want to make excuses say stuff about being "unable to feel the controls with gloves on"... sure.... I rode from day 1 with all the gear (I just didn't have leather pants for a couple of months). Look at "easy overs" (XKulcha Easy-Overs | Convenient Clothing for Motorcycling).

At this point it feels strange when I unload my bike at the track and ride it through the parking log at 5km/h without gear because my "normal" is being fully geared.

I have had one fall on the road and lemme tell you, human beings aren't designed to move at 60km/h on their own. I probably came of at like 40km/h and went sliding/rolling down the road. I broke my thumb and tore a muscle in my leg... BUT I have a working knee and ankle because of - decent boots that came up over my ankles, leather easy overs with knee padding.

The road was super slick and a braked and the front washed out, dumping the bike on its right hand side ON TOP of my leg and foot. With normal shoes/pants I would have had a MUCH longer recovery time and much worse injuries.
 
My first assesment lesson is on Saturday morning at 6. I got the helmet and gloves for now. The rest wil come before I buy a bike or even use another bike on the normal roads. The lesson luckily is only in a parking lot type setup.
 
havnt read everything yet, but what i am going to say..............


better to ask forgiveness then permission...........

i was told 1 turbo car, so i went and bought a turbo caddy(its a bakkie, not a car), and yes, i did have to sleep on the couch
 
My first assesment lesson is on Saturday morning at 6. I got the helmet and gloves for now. The rest wil come before I buy a bike or even use another bike on the normal roads. The lesson luckily is only in a parking lot type setup.
Watch this.

 
Back in 2005 when the Husqvarna SM 610 came out I was only 23 , single and had no kids.
I remember reading a news article about the husky and thought to myself that I definitely needed that bike, so I bought it for the purpose of using that instead of a car - at the time a 1.3 city golf shuttle.

It was great. In my eyes it had loads of power and I rode it everywhere. The front light looked like shit, but the rest of the bike was crazy good looking to me.

Because I had this bike, my B.I.L. invited me to go to track days at Swartkops and ride his R6. What great fun that was!
He even let me ride his CBR1000 at Pakisha and it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

Unfortunately I was pretty irresponsible and had a few minor crashes and narrow incidents with the bike and for some reason I just stopped riding it as often as I wanted to.

Eventually I let the bike go when I decided to swop that and the golf in for a bakkie.

I got married and now have two beautiful kids a mortgage and two cars that I pay off - one for me and one for the lady of the house. The responsibilities stacked up and the idea of having a bike went out the window. Every time I would bring up that maybe I want to get bike again, I would get shot down and that would be the end of the discussion.

Still, in the back of my mind, hidden in a very dark forgotten place, there was still the memories I had of the open road, the track days, the camaraderie of what it felt like to ride my own bike.

Well, those memories grew and I think it awoke the bug that I wanted...needed a bike again.

I remember 8 years ago I saw the launch video of the KTM super duke 1290. The one where the bike comes out of a hangar. I remember thinking, one day I will be big and responsible enough to have that as my bike.
It was my dream bike, even when the Ducati Diavel came out ( which I thought was one of the most bad-ass beautiful machines ever built ), I still had the super duke as my dream bike.

Last weekend, when I woke up on Saturday morning, for some inexplicable reason I started watching videos of the super duke. I have been keeping away from anything bike related for so long, so I was out of the loop on what new bikes and models were around.

To my surprise, KTM has been updating the super duke and was now on the 3rd generation of this bike. Apparently more powerful and more refined. It was a thing of beauty still!
For the last week I've been watching review after review after comparison between that and the rest of the hyper nakeds. The more I watched these videos, the more I realized that this bug is not going to go away any time soon.

I've gone so far as to look at what the best gear would be if I got this bike.

Now I'm at the stage where I'm afraid I might actually start planning on buying this Beast 3.0.

Please tell my why I shouldn't get this bike, or any bike for that matter.

I've been thinking about the reason I want this, the only reason I can think of it to break away from the monotony of working every day and taking care of the kids over weekends. Paying bills, making sure I send my water and light readings in every month. Book the cars in for services, renewing licenses and making sure my insurance covers me properly. It's getting old....

I would just like to once in a while, take a ride to pretty much anywhere for an hour or two to clear my mind and feel the freedom of the road again. I really enjoyed going balls to the wall on the track, so that would be great too. I'm NOT looking for a superbike at all.

The Super Duke is what I'm looking at. I've been thinking about maybe getting something else, something smaller, but then I just get depressed about doing this half assed.

IF I do decide to ignore the comments of people saying I will die in a horrible crash or lose a limb and actually buy a motorcycle, I guess there's nothing else I will be happier with other than the pure beastness of that 1300cc v-twin hyper naked.

Also I'm a bit heavy what with my lockdown bod, +-130kg and about 197cm tall, if that helps. I'm not heavy because of a boep, I just have a large frame, with a medium boep.
2 metres tall, man you're a giant.
 
Yo!

Update after my assessment lesson on Saturday.
It seems like it went well! The dude said that I shouldn't have an issue with passing the test. That's good news for me, but I don't feel 100% comfortable with the bike they are using yet. It's a little Suzuki 150cc thing but I need more lessons to ride around with the thing before I feel 100% certain I won't accidentally do the wrong thing on test day.

It's probably just because I haven't been on a motorized cycle for so long.
My balance and shit is all good, but sometimes I need to take a second to remember which side is the clutch and which side it the brake.
That might sound ridiculous, but if I have to think about all the observations and lines and indications that goes along with the test, it becomes a lot to focus on if you've un-learnt that muscle memory.

I've been toying with the idea to rather do the right thing and buy a small cc bike (400 or less) to just get comfortable before I take this any further. I'm in two minds about this though, because according to the lesson guy, I have nothing to worry about. If I don't start small, then I save a bit of cash. If I do, I should end up being a better rider. I was looking at the little Duke 390, reviews seem great and the 2017 + versions don't seem to have the reliability issues. It should be perfect to get super comfortable again and learn the slow riding skills that makes us better motorcyclists.

I think I'm going to do 2 more l3essons and just give the test a go. If I pass, then great. If I don't pass, then at least I have that experience and also a better reason to get comfortable on my own bike before I do the test again.
 
I would say riding for a few months before getting your license is a no-brainer.
Since you can ride any size bike once you're older than 18, you can also get something you are more comfortable with.
Get the learners, start riding around the block, then to the shops, then to work and back.
After 3months of daily riding, you'll pass the license practical without any issues.

Just weigh up your options, what do you lose by waiting a few months before doing the test ? What do you gain ?
You "gain" getting it done with, but you lose the experience you would have gained in those months.

Insurance might be a "bit" more expensive with a learners only, but insurance on a 400 would be super cheap anyways.
 
Some good points indeed.
I might just have to let the school know to delay my lessons a bit until I have my own ride and had some time in the saddle.

The two bikes I'm going to start investigating is the Svartpilen 401 and the duke 390. Basically the same bike that looks different with very few differences.
 
Please tell my why I shouldn't get this bike, or any bike for that matter.
Saw 2 dead bikers in 2 days in Equestria this week.
looked like they were going fast so at least they had fun y'know
 
While I don't want to downplay the dangers of riding a motorcycle, we have to think about this in context.

That context being that everything is dangerous if you are reckless.

Is riding a motorcycle more dangerous that driving a car? Absolutely yes.
Is driving a car more dangerous that flying in a plane? Also absolutely yes. The chances of dying in a plane is infinitesimal compared to driving in a car.

What's MORE dangerous than riding a motorcycle responsibly? That's driving a car recklessly.

Will I never ever be in an accident when riding a motorcycle? I can't answer that. But what I can do is to keep riding as if I'm invisible to all other road users and also adhere to the defensive driving methodology.

Within that context, I can't use other peoples deaths as a way to justify NOT having a motorcycle.
 

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