February 2009

BIKE TALK

KZN • February 2009

FREE copy

REVIEWS ‘09 ‘09 ‘09 ‘09 ‘09

Yamaha V-MAX BMW F800GS BMW F1200GS Adventure BMW G650 Xcountry Hyosung GV650 Aquila

OTHER

Become a good Pillion Motorcycle Types God’s Half Page Dealer Dialogue Rider Training Youth Rally

NEWS

Honda Pinetown Honda Racing Just for Fun Drag Racing

Road • Off-Road • Water

In UMHLANGA ROCKS (behind Gateway)

2009

Place your order now!

Your one stop dealer for all your Kawasaki & Triumph needs

Free Genuine Triumph Side-Panniers worth R15 500 with any new ‘08/’09 Triumph Tiger 1050 purchased limited offer while stocks last

E0109/11926/2135

Tel: 031 566 3024 • Fax: 031 566 5177 10 Meridian Drive, Umhlanga Ridge ian@eastcoastkawasaki.co.za

E. & O.E.

5&- %0--"3 %3 6/*5 3*$)"3%4 #": +"$0 7*7*&34 $&--

53"$&5&$ 41&$*"- 3 %&7*$& '*5.&/5 #*,&4 3 QN $"34 3 QN 4"-&4 t 41"3&4 t 4&37*$&4 t "$$&4403*&4 "7"*-"#-& '03 "-- .",&4 "/% .0%&-4 /&8 .0%&-4 13*$&4 (49 3 3 (49 3 3 (49 3 3 %- 3 -5; 3 -53 3 "/ 4$005&3 3 &/ 3 7; 3 7;3 3 (49' 3 13& 08/&% 13*$&4 (493 3 (493 3 (493 3 $#3 33 3 :;' 3 3

8F BSF BO "QQSPWFE 'JUNFOU $FOUSF GPS 5SBDFUFD 5IF 5SBDLJOH %FWJDF GPS CJLFT RVBET KFU TLJ T

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Yes! It’s back into the swing of things for most of us; the pressures of work, life and family are upon us and then there’s the PLEASURES OF RIDING A MOTORCYCLE! Sweat, sweat music to the ears, rhythm to the bones and food for the soul. Get the picture? Then why are you s ll si ng here reading? Put on some gear, get on your bike and go have breakfast at your favourite nook up or down the coast somewhere and finish reading it there!

This industry is taking a knock on sales due to the Rand’s plunge late last year causing prices on new bikes to surge upwards with 20-30%. This will see used bikes sales rise un l such me, around April, when prices should be returning to almost normal. Dealers will have to diversify and selling clever to see them through this me. Gone are the days of si ng behind a salesdesk wai ng for business, this is the me where you’ll see the real salesman come out of the box and do some hard selling to get the business. I know it’s tough out there, but maybe now is a good me to take the bike for a service, replace old or worn-out gear, give the old horse a new paint-job, put on new tyres or kit your ride out with a few a er-market goodies; no harm in that.

This issue, once again, is packed with interes ng ar cles and news bits sharing a few pointers with you as passenger/ pillion, dressing for a wet ride, I give some insight on the different types of motorcycles out there, our drag racing club and future race dates, some feedback from our academy students, the first youth rally in KZN and then there are the usual reviews. Boy what an exci ng month!

Further to all this and in an ongoing a empt to promote our adver sers I thought it a good idea to have regular interviews with some of our dealers to find out what makes them ck and what they are up to in our community. Read the first interview of many to come on page 24 ...

Later this year or even early next year Bike Talk will a empt to host a Motorcycle ONLY Show at The Crescent behind Gateway allowing the general public, and you, to view the latest and greatest in the local motorcycle industry under one roof. Ac vi es like demo rides, wheelie machines, lucky draws, biker fashion show and dealer talk are just some of the plans we have on the table.

In closing; mes are changing and it waits for no-one. 2009 is yet another year where you might’ve had a few “New Year’s Resolu ons” to start the year off and looking back now you see yourself standing with nothing the show for it.

Whose fault is it? Me, myself and I! God is in control of our lives, so why do we s ll refuse to acknowledge that? Think about it next me and seek Him first in all things! Blessings ...

Name Postal Address

[ ] 12 issues @ R120

[ ] 24 issues @ R240 of BIKE TALK to:

Telephone Email

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ____________________ Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____________________ Cell _______________ ____________________ Date _______________

Signature

______________________________________________

Fax this Form and Deposit Slip/Proof of Payment to 0866 4898 55. If paying by cheque please make payable to BIKE TALK and along with this form post to PO Box 902, Amanzimto , 4125.

BANK DETAILS: ABSA - Amanzimto , Acc. No: 4069657294, Branch: 632005 4

SUBSCRIBE

PLEASE SEND ME

CONTENTS EDITOR Hein Jonker

REGULARS A word from the Editor

PAGE 4

(Lend me your ear)

DESIGN & LAYOUT Hein Jonker

Subscrip on Form

4

(Get the Mag in the post)

ADVERTISING SALES Carin Jonker

Keeping it Up

6

(Just a few pointers that could save a life)

ACCOUNTS Carin Jonker

What’s on Calendar

7

(KZN Biking Events an’ all)

PRINTING Colour Planet

In the News

10

(People and Places in the news)

CONTRIBUTORS John Brisco - Gearing Up You, the Reader and Adver ser

Why we ride Motorcycles

CONTACT US Tel: (031) 916 6902 Fax: (086) 648 9855

Who to Buzz

Carin: Hein:

(Rain, Rain, Rain Everywhere!!)

083 777 8716 083 793 7975

Postal: PO Box 902 Amanzimto 4125

10

(Find out what you are missing out on)

12

(Contact details of adver sers)

Gearing Up God’s Half Page

14 28

(This can change your life)

CMA in your area

28

(Find a CMA Chapter in your area)

Email:

carin@biketalk.co.za hein@biketalk.co.za

Rate Sheet

28

(See how affordable it is to adver se)

Web:

www.biketalk.co.za

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the informa on and reports in this magazine, the publisher, editor, produc on personnel, printer and distributor do not accept any responsibility whatsoever for any errors or omissions or for any effect there from. The views expressed by correspondents are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.

All rights reserved; artwork in this publica on has Copyright and may not be used in other publica ons without the wri en concent from the Editor.

REVIEWS / PRESS RELEASE ‘09 BMW G650 Xcountry ‘09 BMW F800GS ‘09 BMW F1200GS Adventurer ‘09 Hyosung GV650 Aquila ‘09 Yamaha V-MAX

10 18 19 26 30

OTHER Rider Training Feedback Insurance Dealer Dialogue: John Briscoe Just for Fun: GSX-R1000 Drag Racing Youth Rally

9 13 24 26 29 29 5

KEEPING IT UP: Become a good Pillion It’s fair to acknowledge that there are many ladies out there who are happy never to own their own bike, but want to experience motorcycling. Being a pillion takes concentra on and experience, It may come naturally to you, but take a look at these pointers anyway - your rider may be too shy to tell you what you need to know or what you are doing wrong.

As an experienced pillion you will be able to: 1. Iden fy the best grab points on a motorcycle.

2. Grip ghtly with your knees to cope with all but the heaviest braking/accelera ng situa ons.

3. Iden fy in advance when to put a hand on the tank or the grab rail for hard braking.

4. Iden fy in advance when to grab the rider for hard accelera ng.

5. Realise when you need to concentrate hard, and when you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

6. Know when there’s me to shout a couple of words and when it might risk distrac ng the rider too much.

7. Carry a back-pack without complaint.

8. Minimise knocking helmets together.

9. Withstand numb bum for at least 80km before demanding a cuppa.

10. Inspire such confidence in the rider that it improves his cornering and he wants you there all the me.

TOURER: As a rule the “default” posi on is with 100 – 300mm gap between you both on the seat (depending on the size of the seat and if there is a separate pillion perch). Lean forward slightly and try holding on gently to the sides of his jacket - if there are straps there then use those. Grip gently to the sides of the bike and his bum with your knees, you will very rarely need to adjust your posi on for steady riding. If there is excessive braking put your hand back and grab the aptly named grab rail. If there is excessive accelera on move your arms further around his waist and hang on.

CRUISER: Usually these come with a huge so pillion seat and a “sissy bar” - which is a large metal contrap on just behind the seat which you can lean against and grip onto. You’re very unlikely to need any more help staying on.

SPORTS: This type of bike needs the most concentra on to hang on. The rider is likely to be zooming around showing off and even trying to get his knee down. If you’re da enough to get on the back then you’re probably the one egging him on and asking him to pop wheelies. I’m not knocking it! Get out there and have fun - it’s a hoot if you go with the flow and don’t worry too much.

To fit onto these machines it helps if you are less than 1.5m tall. The best posi on is tucked in as ght as possible and squeezed up as close as you can get. If you’re lucky and the bike has a grab rail then hang onto it un l your arm goes numb, then swap arms at a suitable point (i.e. stopped at traffic lights). The other arm should be ght around his waist as far as you can get it to take the accelera on. If there is no grab rail (most Super Sports bikes) then both arms should be around his waist as ghtly as possible. Your knees should be in a vice-like grip around his legs and bum.

If he’s really going hell for leather then turn the “round the waist” hand round so that your palm is towards the tank - this is so that under hard breaking you can push against the tank to stop all of your weight catapul ng into him. He’ll really thank you for this because riding a sports bike is hard enough on the arms without having to bear the weight of a pillion too. He’ll probably like the cuddling up feeling of it too!

LEAN ANGLE: You should always move your body with the bike. When you get used to it the flow will be natural and the ride will feel smooth. NEVER be tempted to sit up because you don’t think you’re going to make it round a corner. Rest assured that if you do this you will NOT make it round the corner. Have a li le faith in the rider’s abili es and recognise that bikes can lean to scary angles - watch some bike racing and you’ll see. If you don’t trust the rider then don’t get on the back!

If you are on a Super Sports bike and adop ng the posi on described above, then you won’t have any choice but to go where the rider goes. Try this on other types of bikes too if you find you are uncomfortable and keep trying to sit up - snuggling up to the rider is the best way to “be in harmony” with him and the bike.

COMMUNICATION: If you don’t have an intercom then establish a rule for various prods, signals and gestures before you set out, for instance: - Push the middle of his back = go faster, I’m bored - Tap on his le shoulder = request to get on or off - Tap on his right shoulder = indicate that you are ready to roll - Tap on his side several mes = I’m a li le nervous, would you slow down now please?

- Pat his legs or a give big hug = I’m really enjoying the ride, thanks, keep going - Wave to the side of his helmet when passing a sign = I want to go there or tell you something

6 5

WHAT’S ON CALENDAR DATE

EVENT

DESCRIPTION

Every Sunday

BIKERS CHURCH - DURBAN

ChrisƟan Fellowship Church, cnr of Edwin Swales & Wakesley Road - 6PM Contact Rui on 082 8004108

6 MARCH

BEE STING RALLY

The Beehive, Greytown. Entry R160 Contact Lee-Ann: 083 6599898 or Big T: 078 6522206 Website: www.customriders.co.za

8 MARCH

BIKE TALK DRAG RACE DAY

Toyota Test Circuit, Eston. (MAP on Website) Contact Hein: 083 7937975 Website: www.biketalk.co.za

27 MARCH

BALELE RALLY

1 MAY

PUKE RALLY

29 MAY

YOUTH RALLY

5 JUNE

PARADISE RALLY

Graskop Resort, Website: www.bikesa.net

14 JUNE

BIKE TALK DRAG RACE DAY

Venue will be announced on Website.

Contact Hein: 083 7937975 Website: www.biketalk.co.za

5 JULY

DURBAN NAPPY-RUN

Leaving Southway Mall 9:30AM for Lords & Legends in To . Great Games, Food, Refreshments and Live Music!

Contact Marius: 083 5700876

24 JULY

DRAGON RALLY

Castaways Holiday Resort, Munster Contact Jo: 083 2850815 Website: www.highwaydragonsmc.co.za

4 SEPTEMBER

FAITH RALLY

Skogheim, Port Shepstone Contact Rui: 082 8004108 Website: www.cmakzn.za.org

5 SEPTEMBER

RIDGE RIDERS BIRTHDAY BASH

12 SEPTEMBER

LADYSMITH BIKE SHOW

30 OCTOBER

RHINO RALLY

15 NOVEMBER

BIKE TALK DRAG RACE DAY

27 NOVEMBER

PIG RALLY

Utrecht, KZN. Entry R180. The only Rally in KZN hosted in a game reserve.

Contact Phillip: 083 3000461 Ivala Lodge, 30kms from Greytown.

On the banks of the Mooi River Contact Marius: 082 7106366 Email: ironmaidenmc@mweb.co.za Camp Johnathan, Eston. Hosted by CMA for School and Varsity Biker Youth.

R320/p (meals and accommoda on) Contact Hein: 083 7937975 Website: www.cmakzn.za.org

Venue to be advised. Time: 12:00. Entry R40pp inclduing Metal Badge. Bring a Tent and stay over.

Contact Nick on 082 4058291 Elite Motorcycles in Ladysmith, FREE ENTRY, lots of prizes, great fun.

Contact Nikki on 082 971 9290 or Jannie 083 627 1077 or 036 6375626 Harrismith, Website: www.bikesa.net Venue will be announced on Website.

Contact Hein: 083 7937975 Website: www.biketalk.co.za Ladysmith Motel, R170.00 pp, beer mug, cloth and metal badge. A er 6th November R190.00. Live Band, Chalets or camping.

Contact Nikki on 082 971 9290 or Jannie 083 627 1077 or 036 6375626

7

HONDA NEWS

Seen here from Le to Right is James, Tyron, Hudson who a ended the event on 31 Jan where Honda Wing Pinetown showcased the new HRC Honda CBR1000RR, CBR600RR and CB1000R. All three of them will be racing for Honda this year, this is truly exci ng for the brand to invest in young blood and promo ng the sport at the same me. Keep your eye on these guys as I’m sure they will not disappoint their sponsors and supporters out there! Keep it up boys, make us proud, riding one of the best products on the market.

Seen here Byron, Honda Wing Pinetown Sales Manager, handing over the keys to Tyron of his CBR600RR who will be the racer for the Dealership. Promising mes for the sport with new blood coming in to show their stu.

A few regulars discussing who knows what while holding onto one of the new releases for this year.

Now if only the prices would come down a bit ...

8

TRAINING FEEDBACK Bike Talk Motorcycle Rider Academy has been running for almost 3 years now and growing by demand; here is what some of our Course Par cipants has to say.

Many thanks to Hein and Carin for the wonderful course on Saturday, not only was it truly enjoyable and tremendously educa onal, it definitely gave me the confidence to overcome the fear I’ve developed for slower manoeuvres and the size of my new bike, a 650cc cruiser.

Your pa ence, encouragement, individualised advice and that li le extra push to do the “Wow, that looks DIFFICULT!” exercises gave me such a sense of achievement once I’ve realised I have done it - yippee!!

You presented the course in such a way that by just following the clear step-by-step instruc ons and understanding what were required the tasks was easy. Sunday I went for a long breakfast run down the South Coast and not once did I hit a panic bu on or not know what to do, as stern laid founda ons just popped back into mind as I needed it, I never had such confidence in the 2 years of being a self thought rider. I feel the

need to challenge other girls who have ever thought of learning to ride a bike to do so, it is such an amazing feeling to be able to ride your own bike and keep up with the guys! Once again to Bike Talk, thank you so much for taking me from my crawling stage to walking - I’ll be back for more courses! - ESTI I thoroughly enjoyed my first bike lesson this weekend. I learnt to ride a bike safely although slowly while having fun as well. I must say that the greatest thing that I learnt was that riding a motorbike is not something to be taken lightly. One has to be very, very responsible and well informed about the dangers before moun ng a bike. You have made me very aware of that. I will definitely be back for more of your valuable lessons once I get my licence and buy a motorbike and I definitely advise others who dream about experiencing the thrill of riding a bike to a end your lessons first – KRIBEN Thank you for the me and dedica on given to us ‘newbies’, It was truly an enlightening and more so, educa onal experience! Some

of the aspects seemed daun ng before you told us to “get on and do it”, but the confidence you install as an instructor is paramount to the experience; as you said, “no pressure, no progress”! Ul mately, the pressure was a pleasure… I look forward to many more days in the saddle, prac cing what you taught us. I am much more confident now that I’ve been on these two courses, and look forward to progressing onto future courses as my confidence, experience and exper se improves!

Thanks for a great course and the use of your academy bike… glad no damage was done and we all walked away feeling far more confident for our biking futures! I believe that this course should be the star ng point for all ‘newbies’; a learning curve I want to take further – DEREK So, when you decide to buy a bike or maybe you’ve been riding for years or need to go for your License, give us a call (031 9166902 / 083 7937975) or visit www.biketalk.co.za for more informa on.

Bike Talk M.R.A. - Yours in Motorcycle Rider Skills Development.

9

REVIEW: ’09 BMW G650 Xcountry REVIEW BY HEIN JONKER When you first set eyes on the func onal Xcountry, it’s quite unusual looking. It’s not an out-and-out off-road bike, it’s let down in this respect by the close fi ng front mudguard and only a plas c sump guard with a fairly wide and comfortable dual seat. Yet its wide bars, upswept exhaust, wide pegs and Metzler Tourance trail style tyres suggest that off-road riding is a possibility. I would have liked to have seen a be er finish to the frame welds though; this is a BMW a er all.

The riding posi on is very upright and forward and the way the seat is angled ps you forward into the small 9.5 litre tank which has comfortable sculpted cut-outs for your knees.

I found the cable operated clutch to be very light and smooth in applica on and the gearbox whilst s ll having a very posi ve ac on (another BMW trait) was not clunky and gear changes could be achieved with a fair degree of smoothness. The exhaust note from the large silencer is pleasant but not outstanding, raspy but fairly muted, perhaps the op onal and more stylish Akrapovic™ slip on sport silencer would improve this.

The revised engine is a big improvement; at last they’ve done away with the vibra on that is evident in the F650. This incarna on of the single cylinder engine is actually fairly smooth, this was a big surprise. Whilst the engines power delivery is quite punchy it did not seem to deliver the level of aggressive torquey response I was expec ng from a 650cc single, it’s a li le so in its delivery! The engine does pull well in the mid range though and given a long enough stretch of road should reach its claimed top speed of approximately 170 km/h. The bike is 100% naked, this makes the bike hard work on freeways (not its natural habitat) with wind blast and turbulence.

At last someone has produced a digital speedo that’s big and clear and easy to read, the Xcountry has a small instrument binnacle that has a big digital speed read out and the normal range of warning lights. A further surprise is that this BMW has the normal design indicator switch as found on most other bikes, may be this is a ploy to a ract more riders to the range? This bike is all about having fun, it’s instantly apparent that this really is a back roads bike. You can hustle it along twisty country roads and flick it in and out of bends with ease, aided by the wide bars and it’s lightweight of only 160kg. The single cylinder engine is very willing and I soon found myself really warming to the bikes ability to cope with gravely, muddy and downright potholed roads as if they where a smooth tarred freeway. The engine spins up quickly in the lower gears and is very tractable which makes off-road riding a delight. The Metzler Tourances providing ample grip for what can be impressive lean angles and are not easily thrown off line and the upright and slightly forward riding posi on soon seems to makes sense, once you get into what this bike is about.

However fun is limited, in that this is not a true off-road bike, light green lanes, gravel tracks, forestry shale trails are all with in its gambit, but the plas c sump guard, close front mudguard preclude real serious off-road riding. The wide rubber pegs, do allow you stand upright on the bike and it’s very stable; for serious off-road riding though you need to consider the G650 X challenge. However I think it’s a missed opportunity that the Xcountry’s off-road capabili es could not be extended a bit more. A er about 100km the seat seems to ge ng increasingly hard, but then this bike doesn’t have a massive fuel range, so you will be stopping for fuel occasionally and relieving your aching posterior. It only has a 9.5 litre tank and there is no fuel gauge, but a low fuel warning light comes on when there is approximately 2 litres le in the tank. BMW seem to have delivered on their promise of economy from this improved engine, so the bike has about a 190km tank range.

In the end I greatly enjoyed myself on the Xcountry, once again riding on roads not o en travelled.

PRICE: R69 000.00 - Incl. 14% VAT

Auto Umhlanga Tel: (031) 502 9800 115 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe 10

Š Bike Talk

Sheer Riding Pleasure

www.bmwmotorrad .co.za

G 650 Xcountry

115 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe Tel: (031) 502 9800 Open Monday to Friday from 8am - 5pm and Sat 8:30am - 12:30pm

Auto Umhlanga

The new BMW G 650 Xcountry See a Road. Eat a Road.

WHO TO BUZZ ES BROKERS Phone: 031 5021922

PINETOWN SPORTBIKES Phone: 031 7012115

EXTREME MACHINES Phone: 033 3942646

R B S YAMAHA Phone: 031 7011311

AFFORDABLE BIKES Phone: 035 7511000

FAST KAWASAKI Phone: 035 7896378

RIDER TRAINING Phone: 083 7937975

ALFIE COX RACING - KTM Phone: 031 7022034

GEAR UP Phone: 031 5664932

RIDE HIGH YAMAHA Phone: 035 7871651

APRILIA DURBAN Phone: 031 5665464

HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1000HILLS Phone: 031 7675350

ROADMASTER Phone: 031 7660126

AUTO UMHLANGA - BMW Phone: 031 5029800

HONDA WING ZULULAND Phone: 035 7974894

RYDER MOTORRAD - BMW Phone: 031 7658877

BIKE FANATIX Phone: 083 4881972

HONDA MARITZBURG Phone: 033 3456287

SCOOTER INN Phone: 031 3068826

BIKE CITY Phone: 031 4648505

HONDA WING PINETOWN Phone: 031 7143600

STARTLINE Phone: 031 7050715

BIKE XPRESS Phone: 072 5481164

HONDA WING UMHLANGA Phone: 031 5807950

STRAPS WITH IMPACT Phone: 082 8030259

BRP POWER SPORTS Phone: 031 5804117

JEFF’S BIKES Phone: 031 3012073

SUZUKI MARGATE Phone: 039 3172671

CARGOL KZN - GRYYP Phone: 031 2074853

JORDAN MOTORCYCLES Phone: 031 9162293

SUZUKI RICHARDS BAY Phone: 035 7894205

C.I.T. MOTORCYCLES KZN Phone: 031 9169350

LORDS & LEGENDS Phone: 031 9034534

UMPLEBY SUZUKI Phone: 031 3038323

CUSTOM CRAFT Phone: 031 7093514

MARSHALL MC Phone: 031 7057235

VICTORY MOTORCYCLES Phone: 039 6822168

CMA KZN Phone: 083 9520000

MONTCLAIR MC Phone: 031 4622210

THE JUNCTION Phone: 033 2666116

DUCATI DURBAN Phone: 031 5665464

MOTO-TOUR AFRICA Phone: 082 4474833

TIDAL MOTORCYCLES Phone: 031 3123990

EAST COAST CHOPPERS Phone: 032 9461844

MOTORCYCLE CENTRE Phone: 033 3946941

TOTI MOTORCYCLES Phone: 031 9032067

EAST COAST KAWASAKI Phone: 031 5663024

NORTHWAY MOTORCYCLES Phone: 031 5696106

XTREME OUTDOOR Phone: 031 9038904

EAST COAST TRIUMPH Phone: 031 5663024

PAZ SPRAYPAINTERS Phone: 031 4622007

TAZ MOTORCYCLES Phone: 031 4632565

EKEROLD YAMAHA Phone: 033 3453503

PERRY YAMAHA Phone: 031 5667411

12 11

MASSIVE SALE !!!

20% OFF ON SELECTED OFF-ROAD GEAR

F ULL R A

ETS - PANTS - BOOTS - GLOVES NGE OF JACK - SHIRTS

2 Murray Smith Rd, Winklespruit • 031 916 9350 • www.citsports.co.za

GEARING UP Rain ! Rain ! Rain ! Everywhere !

Wri en by John Briscoe of Gear Up Motorcycle Accessories

“Every condi on makes some one happy” is an old perspec ve passed down through the ages! So for bikers the only guys who could possibly be happy right now are the farmers!!

How the hell are we meant to enjoy these two wheel beasts of ours when it is so wet? First of course is your gear! Make sure every nook and cranny is covered or sealed. Water is unbelievable it gets in everywhere!

Just recently a customer popped in at the shop and complained about ge ng wet in his new rain suit. A er a few quick ques ons I established that his gloves were ‘inside’ his rain suit sleeve and his collar was not ghtly adjusted. It gets down your neck and se les in the crotch area. We then blame the suit for ‘leaking’.

Sure this can also happen when the sealed s tching is broken – but more of this later. In essence then make sure the suit fits you and that you u lize all the features available to you. If it has a hood use it (inside the helmet), make sure the boo es are also used. If you’ve got waterproof gloves – use these as well.

Some riders prefer one piece suits. Whilst these supposedly keep more water out due to having fewer pieces my view is they’re more difficult to get on and not as flexible in terms of riding comfort. Some mes one just wears the pants to keep out wind. With a one piece it is not possible to do this. However there is no right and wrong in this case! Go with what suits your riding style. There are also race rain suits now available i.e. very li le flapping and they allow for knee sliders!

On the topic of seals and s tching please remember the slightest bit of strain on the joins will result in minute stretches in the material itself. If it is a rela vely cheap material it won’t be able to accommodate these stresses and ul mately the ‘seal’ will be broken and result in a leaking suit. This happens regularly in the crotch area especially if the pants are bought one or two sizes bigger to allow for the expanding waistline. The crotch then hangs lower and as soon as the leg is li ed to get on the bike the stretch occurs and the seal is broken. The solu on is to try and ‘hook up’ the pants as high as possible so that no strain is put on the crotch area!

A quick few thoughts about riding in the rain. If you can avoid it – do so! Avoid anything shiny on the surface – off road guys can find virgin territory, road guys s ck to the black top and avoid the lines and any areas where diesel / oil build up can occur! In all cases be ultra smooooooth!!!!! Any drama c ac on results in your balance being tested to the extreme! If you’re off road remember to keep those legs wide-open and gentle thro le.

May the riding condi ons improve in 2009 and I will strive to keep these ar cles informa ve!

14

TEL: (031) 566 4932

-/4/2#9#,%3 !##%33/2)%3

giving you confidence to ride The Crescent (upper level) Umhlanga Ridge GPS S29째43.371 E31째03.675

11 Goshawk Rd, New Germany, KZN. 0861 782 7854 orders@startline.co.za www.startline.co.za

SHIFT ‘07 Blowout Specials

Avenger S-XXL

R1 499

Jerseys from R199 Pants from R498

Enduro S-XXL

R1 198

P4 R299 FHS R314 FHS Alloy R944

VP781

Youth Elbow & Knee Guard Set R301

ProFLEX

T-REX

Polycarbonate

Lexan Kids R498 Adult R599

VP783

Knee Guard R241

Small R499 MediumR559 Large R599

VP 772

ProFILE Polycarbonate

Adult R489 Youth R389

Kevlar Re-Inforced Jeans

Elbow Guard R144

Reflex

Kidney Belt L/XL R359

Nylon/PVC Rainsuit R241

Cargo from R599 Ladies Straight from R499 Mens Straight from R499

NEMESES Body Armour Sizes: S-3XL

R1086

Kidney Belt Sizes: Adult R239 * Prices subject to change without notice

250X10 80/100X12 60/100X14 90/100X14 90/100X16 70/100X17 110/100X17 100/100X18 110/100X18 120/100X18 70/100X19 110/90X19 80/100X21

R141 R289 R193 R257 R327 R260 R427 R427 R447 R530 R291 R489 R341

Chain Wax 120ml R59 500ml R155

* Prices subject to change without notice

603

R668

606

R668

Shadow 2 Piece Sport Touring R2,699

* Limited Stocks Hurricane 2 Piece Leathers R3,399

Fibreglass Blowout Specials

310 Junior R668

Limited Stocks

JEB’S-PRO-X R499

Youth Sizes

Balaclava Only Black

606 II

R47

R668

Mirrors

Off-Road Lift Stand R679

Universal & Fairing

Kenny Wolf R499 For All ATV’s and Motorcycles

Motrix Sprockets

Big Range Best Prices

Brake Pads Every Goldfren brake is H.H. rated. All Goldfren pads use sintered metals and ceramics

From R228

Aluminum Gear Levers CR KTM KX RM YZ

R228

BATTERIES

Brake/Clutch Levers C45 Steel

Big Range Best Prices • Standard • Maintenance-Free

For current generation high powered Superbikes, Sportsbikes, Dirtbikes and ATV’s.

520-RO-118L 520-UO-118L 525-UO-118L 530-UO-122L

R663 R964 R1062 R1207

Tyre Repair & Inflation Kits

The #1 Replacement Sprocket in South Africa!

• Big Range • Best Prices

Indicators & Tail Lamps

Big Range LED & Bulb Type

Sludge Uni-Seal The Longer Lasting Formula

R57

No More Flat Tyres

REVIEW: ‘09 BMW F800GS REVIEW BY HEIN JONKER BMW is con nuing its assault on every market segment with a bike that is beau fully behaved on-road, and very effec ve off-road given the proper tyres. The F800GS is so seduc ve that you find yourself wondering if it isn’t the ideal size for an urban bike as well as for virtually every type of touring, especially solo.

The GS concept (Gelande Strasse) - bet you didn’t know that or Off-Road/On-Road features longer travel suspension and a spring/shock combo that gobbles up bumps and ruts with the greatest of ease.

The ver cal Twin in the F800GS delivers 85 ponies and produces readily available torque right off the 2,000 rpm mark. Smaller and lighter than the R-Series older brothers, it uses a balancing connec ng rod on a third cranksha pin to reduce the vibra ons produced by the two pistons moving in unison. Combus on occurs at each revolu on, producing a smooth, turbine-like effect.

Thanks to the six well chosen gear ra os, a light clutch and the absence of heavy masses high on the frame, the bike is significantly easier to ride and change direc on than the heavier R1200GS. The electronic injec on and igni on systems seem flawless, delivering immediate thro le response whatever the rpm.

The F800GS clearly loves uneven roads, with which we are all too familiar with in our part of the world. You can hear the tyres working hard to gobble up holes and bumps, while you sit undisturbed and the bike never seems to be jumping around unduly. The ABS brakes work well on normal road surface, as you would expect, but also on more slippery surfaces, ensuring your safety on wet or dirty roads. And if you decide to hop off the road for some play me in the dirt, the system can be deac vated in order to allow you to use the appropriate braking and sliding techniques.

The driving posi on is rather straight up, allowing your hands to fall effortlessly on the grips, and the levers and controls are easy to use. Let’s talk about the seat, well propor oned but a bit s ff for my taste. I even wonder if you can actually get used to it. The rather small wind deflector blocks the storm up to shoulder height, leaving your head to deal with headwind and turbulence, which is what some riders prefer. For wimpier riders, a larger windshield is available at no extra cost, as well as the hand guards missing from the bike we tested.

Its torque, agility, comfort and easy-to-use controls make it an ideal bike for those who learned the basics on a 125 or similar bike and want to upgrade to a large machine. The 85 ponies won’t scare anyone, and the brakes and suspension know how to win your trust. For the older, oops, more experienced among us, the F800GS delivers enough performance for 99% of our solo ac vi es, and it also easily accommodates a passenger. On the road, the 800GS can quickly accelerate to illegal speeds. Thro le response is instantaneous, and passing a car is done effortlessly and more o en than not without having to downshi .

Comments on the looks of the bike have always been posi ve: it’s simple and well propor oned, and without the somewhat spidery look associated with its older, well known and well loved sibling, the R1200GS. The F800GS hits the bulls-eye with enthusiasts looking for generous performance, easy comfort and a motorized toy at home in town, on the road and off. And if the devil pushes you towards spor er ac vi es, it won’t embarrass you!

Now all this come at a price, but it won’t take you long before you realise that you are at the top of the world when it comes to shear riding pleasure when the adventure takes you places you’ve only dreamt of; the choice is yours!

PRICE: Basic @ R101 000.00 or with ABS and Heated Grips @ R106 000.00 - Incl. 14% VAT

Ryder Motorrad

18

Tel: (031) 765 8877 Heritage Market (underneath the Keg Restaurant) Old Main Road, Hillcrest

REVIEW: ‘09 BMW F1200GS Adventure REVIEW BY HEIN JONKER Heat, cold, drought, wind and rain - it all quickens your heartbeat, because it lets you know you are on the road.

If you see yourself in all this, this motorcycle is the right companion for you. The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure defines the standards for the ul mate indestruc ble adventure motorcycle. It is a perfect synthesis of agility, touring suitability and off-road capability - as standard!

Here, the popular strengths of the R 1200 GS Adventure have been combined with true endurance quali es: an increased range thanks to the 33-litre fuel tank, even more effec ve wind produc on due to a newly designed, robust windshield, stable cross-spoke wheels, a raised chassis for the best possible combina on of powerful off-road quali es and dynamic touring capabili es, a more off-road oriented seat and extensive protec on for greater robustness.

Like the basic R 1200 GS version, the R 1200 GS Adventure places its trust in a completely reworked 6-speed transmission which, with its shortened transmission ra os and a shorter secondary ra o, provides clearly improved trac on and accelera on. Combined with the reworked engine, the R 1200 GS Adventure is much more lively and dynamic in the upper half of the engine speed range, while s ll providing more trac on in the lower ranges.

Power and spor ness, dynamics and technical elegance in equal measures characterize the R 1200 GS Adventure through a deliberate contrast between black components and two new colour variants.

Its 33 litre tank, for example, allows the rider to ride for much longer stages. At a constant speed of 90 km/h, the theore cal range is around 750 kilometres. In this way, the new R 1200 GS Adventure can cover far greater distances than any of its compe tors.

On fast stretches, the windscreen of the new R 1200 GS Adventure deflects air flow past the rider largely without any turbulence, thus effec vely reducing the burden on the head and upper body at high speeds in par cular. The angle of the windscreen can be adjusted, providing outstanding wind and weather protec on for riders of all sizes. Wide enduro footrests and adjustable levers for the foot brake and gear shi lever take account of the o en changing requirements in off-road use in par cular and can be adjusted both to personal riding styles and habits and to different styles of shoes. The rough condi ons on long-distance trips and over extreme terrain away from surfaced roads are taken into considera on by the new, double-bu ed handlebar in aluminium, which can be mounted in two posi ons, depending on the intended purpose, and new hand protectors, now mounted directly on the handlebar.

As previously, a stable, sturdy tube structure made from high-grade steel protects the tank and frame effec vely from the consequences of accidental contact, especially over land. In addi on, high-quality aluminium covers protect the valve covers against tough impacts. As in the predecessor model, tough, prac cal luggage fixing devices are provided by the spacious, stable luggage bridge, made from high-grade steel, which will also take the aluminium top case, available on request. The two-part bench seat, which can be adjusted to two heights in the rider sec on, gives an op mum seat posi on, as previously. In the upper posi on, at 915 mm seat height, it offers the rider the comfort of a con nuous seat surface without level changes and allows the necessary freedom of movement over land too. In the lower posi on, the seat height of 895 mm gives good ground reach and a stable posi on.

Bo om-line is; Live your dream of freedom and infinity - take a ride on the R 1200 GS Adventure!

PRICE: Basic Spec @ R145 500.00 or Full Spec @ R159 500.00 (ESA, H GRIPS, ABS, ASC, TPC) - Incl. 14% VAT

Ryder Motorrad Tel: (031) 765 8877 Heritage Market (underneath the Keg Restaurant) Old Main Road, Hillcrest

19

MOTORCYCLE TYPES: Bike or Scooter Motorcycles have, in recent years, become more focused and specialized in their func on. Here are defini ons of a few key types of bikes; to get a visual sense of the differences between these motorcycles.

Adventure/Touring, Dual Sports The offspring of rugged dirt-bikes and long-distance Tourers, these bikes boast lots of suspension travel and upright postures that are comfortable for lengthy rides.

Choppers Epitomized by the Harley-Davidson Panhead in the film Captain America, choppers tend to have extremely raked forks, reclined seats, and lots of showy chrome.

Cruisers Cruisers are like sedate choppers; their fork rake is less extreme, and they’re designed for laid-back riding.

Dirt Bikes Dirt bikes generally refer to motorcycles designed for off-road riding, and typically feature knobby res, long suspension travel, and minimalis c frames and bodywork. Variants of dirt bike designs compete in Enduro, Motocross, and Trials events, among others.

Enduro Bikes Designed for long distance off-road compe ons, Enduro bikes are usually equipped with headlights and taillights for night- me riding, and can be ou i ed with mers and roll chart reading devices that aid riders with naviga on and mekeeping.

Naked Bikes Naked bikes recall Bri sh motorcycles of the six es, and lack bodywork or a fairing that would normally hide their engines and inner-workings.

Scooters Typified by Italian-made Vespas, scooters are like small motorcycles with bodywork that allows the rider to “step through” and sit without ge ng his or her clothes stained by oil. Scooter engine sizes can be as li le as 50cc.

Sport Bikes Designed purely for performance, sport bikes tend to require arms-forward posture, powerful engines, and ght handling.

Super Moto Bikes Based on race machines that compete on a combina on of road and dirt surfaces, Super Moto bikes combine off-road characteris cs such as deep suspension travel with road res and bodywork reminiscent of so-called “street fighter” bikes.

Touring Bikes Created solely for long-distance comfort, touring bikes o en feature backrests, large windscreens, and creature comforts such as radios and naviga on systems.

Trials Bikes These specialized compe on bikes are tailor made for trials events, in which motorcycles are manoeuvred around offroad or man-made obstacles, and riders are penalized if their feet touch the ground. Extremely lightweight, trials bikes lack seats and feature s ffer suspension than most dirt-bikes.

20

MOTORCYCLE & SCOOTER DEN

SALES SERVICE REPAIRS 031 5696106

1461 NORTHCOAST ROAD

WE MANUFACTURE

17 BRAKENHILL PARK, BRAKENHILL RD. WATERFALL | TEL: 031 766 0126 - we’ll collect and deliver in Durban -

CANISTERS - Oval & Round PIPES - Shotgun, Drag & Slashed REINFORCEMENT - Tail Racks - Crash Bars - Nerf Bars - Bull Bars EXHAUST SYSTEMS - T304 Stainless Steel Exhausts - Branch & Turbo Manifolds - Boost & Induction Pipes

DEALER NEWS

Lucky has been going for more than 20 years with his shop “Lucky’s Superbike Spares” in Gaile Street, Umbilo and recently decided to move the showroom to North Coast Road where Breakeven Motorcycles used to be. Stockists of Korean, Indian and some known Chinese brands, hoping to tap into the market segment in that area but s ll keeping the current customer-base, offering product sales, service and repairs on all the motorcycles, quads and scooters they offer.

WHAT TO WEAR XKULCHA Easy Over A XKULCHA original, the easy on/off protec ve garment to wear over everyday wear. Yes, you can wear a pair of shorts underneath or even your normal pair of work pants and s ll be protected.

Quick to put on and easy to take off, folds up into a compact parcel for easy storage.

It’s perfect for inner city transport or even long distance touring.

Every me I wear them to a training session and take them off in-front of my students I get a very in my face; “HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” reac on.

That’s just what it is, you can take these anywhere and take them off anywhere, which will prevent you from looking like an idiot riding without any protec ve gear.

-

Easy Over offers you: - tough nylon spiral 10 gauge zips - water repellent Cordura - Ballis c nylon for addi onal protec on - reflec ve strips for added visibility - hip protector pads - adjustable waist band for easy fit - wind-chill factor elimina on As for it by name: XKULCHA

22

DEALER DIALOGUE: John Briscoe John and I met early one morning over a hot cuppa coffee in his shop and here’s what we talked about: Hein: What is your mission statement?

John: Our mission statement revolves around the customer, their safety through wearing the right gear which in turn makes their ride more enjoyable and gives them confidence to ride.

Hein: How long has Gear Up been in business?

John: About 4 years Hein: From a rela vely small shop to more than double the size, why?

John: Well, customers were trying on jackets and knocking fellow customers in the jaw, so we had to do something to give the customer a more relaxed and enjoyable shopping experience.

One would’ve thought that doubling the space will double the profit, but that is sadly not the case.

Hein: How many different brands do you stock?

John: That’s a difficult one but I reckon we stock close to 400 different brands in the store at any me with 20 to 30 main-stream brands although we don’t stock all items from each brand at the same me. Ini ally I looked at the overseas market and magazines as to what was going on in the market and I rely a lot on he reps from suppliers to keep me informed which helped me with carefully selec ng the items you see in the store today. Sure I’ve made some mistakes in the past and some suppliers have not supported their own brands as they should’ve, but we learned from these mistakes.

Hein: Would you go the extra mile for a difficult customer?

John: Yes, difficult customers are exactly that, we try and my philosophy is that if you were wrong to begin with, how do solve the problem and s ll keep the customer happy. If however the customer doesn’t know exactly what he’s looking for or need advise, we do go the extra mile and if we do not stock the item we will source it for them. If we made a mistake in selling the customer an incorrect item we do sort it out for them and we are not afraid to admit when we are wrong.

Hein: What type of rider do you cater for?

John: I’d say, looking at the market, the adventure market is more domina ng compared to others and apart from that we strongly cater for the off-road and enduro market sectors. I admit we find ourselves weaker in the superbike and cruiser accessories departments. We do “order in” for some of these customers but clearly that is not the ideal situa on. Bo om line is the guy who really enjoys his motorcycling are the guys/girls we cater for.

Hein: What are your future plans for the shop?

John: Well I’d love to open a store in every major centre in the country, I think everyone looks forward to sustainable business growth but in the end it is finding the right people to help take the shop to the next level. Our inten on is to expand in KZN ini ally, depending on how it goes and maybe on a na onal level but that is s ll far off in the future.

Hein: What advise do you have for riders out there?

John: Well I would start with the wearing of the right gear at all mes especially to the guy who “nips” off to the shops quickly to either use the car if he is not planning to put on protec ve gear. Added to that is to wear the right gear for the right condi ons, for example: rather wear cordura pants and an airflow jacket if it’s too hot instead of leathers rather than not wearing anything at all. Dress accordingly but don’t compromise your safety, look into your op ons ... A.T.G.A.T.T. (All The Gear All The Time).

24

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE ...

Hein: John:

Hein: John:

Hein: John:

Hein: John: Hein: John:

Hein: John:

What is your biggest seller?

Helmets are certainly the best seller in the store, then gloves, boots mainly the off-road side we are very strong and then accessories, consumables like lubricants, but the single biggest seller in volume terms is the Prepsol motorcycle cleaning kit. If I had to buy one item from this store it would be the motorcycle maintenance solu ons. Funny enough e-downs are also one of our biggest sellers in the off-road market.

What is disappoin ng or concerning though is the fact that protec ve clothing is not moving as we expected it would. Other surprising items are videos, people just love them.

Do you o en get people just coming in to have a look but spend nothing or very li le?

Yes, people in general are very well informed and from me to me you will get people coming in and don’t want to be bugged, they just want to come and feel and see or experience some of the products we have or just to come in and gather informa on. Our biggest challenge is when the store is packed to give an equal amount of a en on to each and everyone of them.

Why should people buy from you as John or Gear Up? In both cases I’d like to believe we offer good value for money and that our prices are compe ve, some of the best in the country. It is also in the rela onship we create with the customers, we might not achieve that with everyone but we try. We don’t believe we are just selling for the sake of selling, we always try and make sure we give sound advise based on informa on and experience at hand.

During the trying mes we are in now, how do you see yourself in rela on to that?

What we try and do is find suppliers with redundant stock and offer that at compe ve prices and also keep our overhead expenses to a minimum.

What is your policy on discount?

We live in mes where you can’t afford to give discounts on everything but what we try and do is reward the customer per say for paying cash instead of Credit Card. You can’t put a fixed rule on discount but if a customer comes in and spends R5000 for example and another spends R50 that we would obviously recognise that and pass discount where it is due. It is certainly not something we adver se as it is not always possible to give discount on items due to smaller profit margins.

How do you see compe on?

Yes, compe on is good for us, it keeps us on our toes and we have no problem whatsoever for any dealer to buy from us. In the end we’re all in business and could work together or help each other to be er serve our customers.

25

REVIEW: ‘09 Hyosung GV650 Aquila REVIEW BY HEIN JONKER There are very few Cruisers out there that truly impresses me and I thought we had run out of op ons un l Brendon asked me to ride their pride and joy. At first glance this bike took me by surprise, yes it may have more plas c “bling” bits than some other cruisers, but the looks, sound and handling of this bike truly made me think ... we have a winner here!!

Even the price, yes keeping our financial issues in mind, makes this stunning choice for affordability and style. Hyosung’s GV650 is the fastest, best equiped and most affordable middleweight cruiser money can buy.

Some tech specs to enlighten you: 647cc 2-cylinder motor with 70bhp @ 9000rpm, weighing 218kg with a 705mm seat height and running on a 16litre fuel tank.

As for the handling and comfort, the Koreans have really done their homework ... belt-drive, perfectly placed handlebars, digital instrument panel, comfy seat and very responsive on swerves and weaves. The performance of the Aquila is exactly what you can expect from a 650-twin, more than enough “ponies” through all the gears. You can easily take this bike out on the long and twisty or to work and back and kit it out with op onal accessories like a higher screen, backrest for your passenger and saddlebags for all your goodies.

So here you have it; the perfect reason to to get up and ride in style and peace of mind.

PRICE: R69 990.00 (Incl. 14% VAT)

Bike City Tel: (031) 464 8505 Shop 57/62 Malvern Centre Ridley Park, Queensburgh

JUST FOR FUN: Suzuki GSX-R 1000

Every now and then you get the opportunity to ride someone else’s bike; well I did. I don’t want to men on any names as we might’ve broken a few landspeed records that day, but a friend of mine let me ride his bike just a er he built it up from scratch ... new panels, new paint job etc.

It is not everyday I get to ride a Suzuki, seeing that Suzuki SA can not even make a Demo Model available through one of their local dealers. Who’s to blame; the Dealer or Suzuki, I guess we’ll never know. Is this a challenge to see more of Suzuki in future Bike Talks ... you bet ya!!

Well the ride started off a bit slow due to a drizzle we had in the morning, but I eventually had ample me and opportunity to push this beast to a point where I thought ... “who’s gonna give, me or the bike?” Yeah, I know, I ended up being the chicken. For a stock standard bike it performed well over my expecta ons and I could feel my helmet pushing off my head as the “horns” started to grow and grow un l ... Oops what was that flash?! Must’ve been someone playing with a torch on the side of the road.

Riding the “gixer” like I did, I couldn’t help but miss my R1 days. Well enough of that, this bike is truly a beast in blue “Bulls” and the best place to play with this type of machine is on the track. Yes, do yourself a favour, before you go scraping around on the roads, take it to the track ... no RTI, no Taxi, no Cow, no Pedestrian just you wrapped over your 1st ... OH!! 2nd love having the me of your life. Thanks “J” for a lekka ride!

26

‘09 CRF450R FI NOW IN STOCK !!

R4500 FREE KIT with every 250 or 450 purchased in-store

The Power of Dreams All prices include 14% VAT - Terms and Conditions apply

Authorised Honda Dealer

e-STORM 125 R11 499

Excellent Commuter

CBX250 Twister R28 999

CBR1000RR R125 999

Economical Transport

CB1000R from R102 999

TRX90EX R19 999

Naked Performance

Full Range of Accessories | Trade-Ins Welcome Rider Training | Test Rides

TRX250TM 4x2 R35 999

CBR600RR R98 999 NOW IN STOCK

Honda Wing Pinetown 110 Old Main Road | Tel: (031) 714 3600

GOD’S HALF PAGE No Root, No Fruit

Have you ever wondered why you do what you do?

One former Navy pilot tells how he was living a wilder life than he knew he should live. He decided his problem was that he was being led astray by his friends in flight training. So he arranged to finish his work in the program early and be transferred to another field nearby. Yet, it wasn’t long, he said, before he was back in the same old bars, with the same girls, just with different friends. One night out-on-the-town he wondered, “Why do I do this?” And he realized, “Because I like to.”

Before a person becomes a Chris an-I mean a real Chris an, not just someone who says he is-his “want-to” is broken. He is not interested in God. He is bored by church and by reading his Bible. He cannot “make” himself “want to” do right and he cannot “make” himself “want not” to do wrong. When a person is born again, God repairs his “want-to.” Even though he s ll feels the pull of tempta on, he will have a new set of desires. He will love God and want to talk to God in prayer and see what God has to say to him in His Word, the Bible.

He wants to be around other people who love God; church a endance becomes meaningful. There is a new desire to obey God. Why do we do what we do? The answer is simple: we do what we do because of what we are. It’s like fruit trees. Apple trees bear apples, pear trees produce pears, peach trees grow peaches. The fruit is the natural result of the nature of the tree. I suppose you could e apples to a peach tree, but that would not make it an apple tree. In the same way, adding religious ac vi es to one’s schedule doesn’t make one a Chris an. Just as the fruit of the tree naturally flows from the nature of the tree, even so the a tudes, words, and ac ons of our lives reveal the true nature of ourselves.

Jesus said, “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit...” (Ma hew 7:17-20)

Adver sing artwork may be supplied set out to our guidelines. Advert design is FREE but a fee will be charged if it is used in other publica ons. Our Rates are as follows and excludes Agency Commission: Full Page - Double Page Spread Full Page - Prime Full Page - Standard Half Page Review - Full Page Review - Half Page Review - Double Page Quarter Page Editorial - Full Page

R2200 R1830 R1220 R730 R730 R380 R1220 R380 R730

bikers church: - richards bay - durban chapters: - ballito - durban - greytown - highway - kokstad - ladysmith - margate - maritzburg - new castle - richards bay - vryheid

www.cmakzn.za.org © Bike Talk

RATE SHEET

(14% VAT not charged un l we are VAT registered)

Editorial with Advert In the News Runs & Rallies What’s on Calendar

FREE FREE FREE FREE

DEADLINE: ARTWORK:

Last Friday of each month Call to confirm artwork specs

CONTACT: EMAIL: OFFICE TEL: CELL:

Carin Jonker carin@biketalk.co.za 031 916 6902 083 777 8716

28

CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION

HERE WHEN YOU NEED US JANNA: 083 952 0000 - KZN Regional President ADRIAAN: 083 459 8662 - KZN North Area RIAAN: 083 653 2626 - KZN Midlands Area RUI: 082 800 4108 - KZN South Area

RACE DATES

8 MARCH 14 JUNE 13 SEPTEMBER 15 NOVEMBER ENTER ON-LINE!!

Established, for you, to host and promote Motorcycle Drag Racing in KZN. Through these events we are able to promote motorcycling in general, give exposure to product and enjoy the sport that makes us true motorcycle enthusiasts, living for the next ride.

RACE VENUE

TOYOTA TEST CIRCUIT, ESTON MAP ON-LINE!!

Contact Hein on 083 793 7975 / 031 916 6902 hein@biketalk.co.za or visit our website for more information and On-Line Registration

School / Varsity Biker Youth: 16-20

CALL: 083 7937975 or 031 9166902 EMAIL: admin@cmakzn.za.org WEB: www.cmakzn.za.org

250cc, 4 Stroke Air-Cooled, Electric Start, Digital Dash, Manual Transmission, Steel Brake-lines 1 Year Warranty/5000km - GREAT COMMUTER!!

Š Bike Talk

VENUE: Camp Johnathan, Eston - KZN ENTRY: R320/person (meals included)

GoMoto Lynx 250 R19 999 Incl. VAT

29 - 31 May 2009

GREAT FUN : GAMES : PRIZES : LIVE MUSIC

BIKER YOUTH RALLY

031 306 8826 | 10 Umbilo Road, Durban | www.scooterinn.co.za

www.biketalk.co.za

APPLY ON-LINE!!

29

REVIEW: ’09 Yamaha V-MAX REVIEW BY HEIN JONKER Fresh from the factory, just unpacked ... the all new Yamaha V-MAX Power Cruiser!!

Cu ng straight to the point, I’m going to answer the ques on on the p of everyone’s lips. Yes. The VMAX is quicker than a Hayabusa, ZX-14, B-King, K 1200 S and everything else on the street. And yes the VMAX is even quicker than the GSX1620 monster built last year. Make no mistake, this is a wild machine that’ll knock your boots off and strain your neck. This is the ul mate in accelera on-induced adrenaline. And stupid fun. Really stupid fun!

The concept of the 2009 VMAX is simple; maximum accelera on and feeling every ‘G’ of that accelera on.

That la er part is important, as the en re project, has been designed tested and built around feeling that accelera on. But this new century V-Max also had to handle and at 310kg wet with 200hp, stopping was also high on the agenda.

Yamaha has achieved the task with flying colours, oops no, the VMAX only comes in black…

On paper the VMAX is in mida ng and powerful. Talk of drag strip mes has dominated forum discussions all over the world since Yamaha revealed the bike. Unfortunately, no drag strip tes ng was done or burnouts, so I have no 1/4-mile mes.

Throwing a leg over the VMAX for the first me reveals the he y weight of the machine. Although COG (Centre of Gravity) is kept low and forward, there’s no way to hide 310kg, however a low seat helps.

The handlebars are fantas c – solid tapered alloy at a comfy height. Controls are light and fall to hand well and although a bit high the pegs are well placed for me at 185cm. My only ini al gripe is that my knees well and truly sit either-side of the big air intakes, about 150mm above the knee cut-outs in the frame rail/seat upper area. Built for those of shorter status I suspect!

The VMAX thro le response is instant. And I mean instant like I’ve never felt before from a produc on machine.

The millisecond I snap the thro le open the VMAX slams my bu into the seat hump and hauls forward with huge pace.

From 4000rpm the bike starts to pull hard but once the revvs swings past 6500rpm the rest of the ride is a blur.

Powering the new VMAX is an all-new 1679cc liquid-cooled four-stroke DOHC 65 degree V4 engine power-plant developing 197hp @ 9000rpm, together with a huge torque output of 166.8Nm @ 6500rpm. OK, so this is no cornering sportsbike. Yes, it understeers off turns when pushed. Yes, it has limited ground clearance and of course it suffers from bump steer. But compare it to any other sports or power cruiser on the market and the VMAX handles like a sportsbike.

The braking package is sensa onal and on par with any sportsbike, the pegs touch down smoothly and the bike is composed throughout cornering, only being upset by bumps mid-turn. Rear rebound is a li le quick but the remote adjusters make life very easy.

I’ve run out of pace and I’m forcing myself to stop here but one last thing ... Apart from the price, this is no bike for “sissies” and as far as the fun factor is concerned, 10 out of 10!

PRICE R229 000.00 - Incl. 14% VAT

Perry Yamaha Tel: (031) 566 7411 7 Te ord Circle, Umhlanga Ridge 30

COURSES Learners Beginner Basic Roadwise License Experienced Off-Road

FEES R300 R300 R595 R400 R400 R595 R595

OFFICIAL INSTRUCTOR FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON, BUELL, HONDA and NESTLé IN KZN contact HEIN: 083 7937975| 031 9166902 hein@biketalk.co.za | www.biketalk.co.za

Tel: 031 566 7411 Mark: 084 353 2713 Henry: 084 567 8115 www.perryyamaha.co.za

OUR PRICE R110 000* Save R9 000

Super Sports

Normal Retail R119 000

YZF R1

7 Tetford Circle, Umhlanga Ridge

*PRICE VALID ONLY WHILE STOCKS LAST!!

Normal Retail R128 000

OUR PRICE R105 000* Save R23 000

*PRICE VALID ONLY WHILE STOCKS LAST!!

© Bike Talk

Cruiser Jetski

FX 140

‘08 FX140 or YZF-R1 AT ’08 PRICES !