Southern Africa on a Honda CTX200 Bushlander

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
TechnomadicJim

TechnomadicJim

Pack Dog
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
133
Reaction score
9
Bike
AJS (all models)
Trip Conclusion : 29,000 KM's, 9 Countries in 9 months.



---

Hi TechnomadicJim here. I've been getting some help for my trip from you guys and I have agreed to do a ride report so here we go.

Time : I have 3-9 months. (I arrived a month ago on the 25th September.)
Where : Southern Africa. Maybe up to Kenya but definitely South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho.
What : Honda CTX 200 (AG Bushlander)

Here's my "Planning a ride" thread I started : https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=134555.20
Here's my Big vs Small bike discussion in "General Bike Related Banter" : https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=135182.20

I bought the Honda CTX 200 for 35,000 Rand (~£2150, ~€2500). Read the big vs small bike thread for more info on why I decided to go for the CTX. I'm keeping the bike mostly stock but I did visit PistonPete at Outriders and had some 50/50 enduro Mitas tyres put on the bike. I may tweak the back rack slightly to allow my luggage to sit lower.

I'm taking the bike on a short 2-3000km round trip of the garden route and route 62 as a test to make sure I'm prepared. This is where I shall begin my ride report :


Cape Point on my first day heading out with all my gear.
 
I started out from Cape Town and headed to Cape Point (see above pic) where I had 3 ostrich's running just in front of me. They can run! Next if followed the coast on to Onrus camp site. Spent a couple of nights there quite bored to be honest. Saw some whales. meh...

Onwards to Cape Agulhas to visit the obligatory most southern point of Africa. Was tempted to take the bike right up to the sign but there were a lot of tourists around so I just walked up.



I ended up in Swellendam where I spent 4 nights because it rained and I didn't fancy riding in it so I just holed up and got on with some work. Stayed at https://www.swellendambackpackers.co.za/ Nice place and you can camp or dorm bed it and have your bike parked safely round the back of the house next to your tent/dorm.

Next I headed to Mossel Bay for another obligatory tourist thing of shark cage diving. The sea was rough and I was very sea sick and ended up spewing over the side and feeding the little fish. I still managed to get some photo's and did get a suit on to go in the cage while they dragged a fish head in front of the sharks as they bashed into the cage. I'm not sure how humane it is really as I'm sure I saw some lacerations on the shark's noses possibly from the cage :/



After 3 nights I headed up to Oudtshoorn and sat on an Ostrich. Bit weird.



Today I drove the Swartberg pass.



And then descended into "The Hell" and what a great ride! Really awesome twisty roads and small river crossings. I truly christened the bike and cut my teeth on some good off road terrain. The little CTX really performed well.



 
Veldbrand said:
Good stuff Jim!
Please come visit if you're passing anywhere near Ladismith!!!
Click to expand...

Casting from Turd said:
Yes yes. Welcome. You coming Addo way??
Click to expand...

Two must stops on any trip through the cape  :thumleft:
 
Looking good! Was good meeting you. :thumleft:
 
ALWAYS WONDERED HOW YOU GOT ONTO AN OSTRICH TRUST YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT RIDE
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Black_Hawk
Looking for Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports (2020 - 2023)
2 3
Replies
59
Views
1K
Black_Hawk
Black_Hawk
Trail Blazer (R.I.P.)
For Sale Honda Bushlander AG200 / CTX 200 For Sale - Reduced
Replies
16
Views
2K
macker
macker
TheHoff
New member - Coming to a camp site near you!
2
Replies
38
Views
692
TheHoff
TheHoff
Vivalavida
Intro just another new guy
Replies
13
Views
859
Vivalavida
Vivalavida
frikkiwitz
Two week birthday trip
Replies
0
Views
105
frikkiwitz
frikkiwitz

Latest posts

Top