the_wes
Grey Hound
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
- Messages
- 8,751
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Brackenfell, Cape Town
- Bike
- Harley Davidson (all models)
I had a new bike to shakedown, Karl hadn't taken his wife as pillion on a proper gravel ride yet, Soulforge hadn't been on dirt yet, Clyde (non-WD) had just bought an Africa Twin after owning a CBR 1000, and of course, the_priest was not about to let us ride without him. So it was decided that we would take an easy gravel ride to Riebeeck Kasteel and that non-pillon wives (and baby) would take the car and meet us there for brunch at Tujays.
This is the route we took, from Kraaifontein all the way to Riebeeck Kasteel, mostly gravel highways with little bursts of tar inbetween... (click here for the google map) It's an incredibly scenic route, and very easy so if you've never tasted dirt, or you're keen to introduce dirt to your pillion, I can recommend this ride as a starting point.
When we reached Tujays in Riebeeck Kasteel, we were faced with the sad truth that it had closed down. So, on John's recommendation, we headed down to DeJonge Cafe in town. The menu was limited, but the food was great.
After brunch we headed towards Malmesbury via gravel, without Clyde who had to shoot home. Coming into a corner (I was behind him), Soulforge realised too late that he was going to fast, grabbed a handful of brake, and high-sided. It was spectacular, and left me wishing I had a helmet cam. The XT was looking a little banged up, but still rideable. Soulforge was visibly shaken, but he was back on in no time and showed good form for the rest of the day (despite another, slower drop a couple of corners later). In fact, I was impressed with his pace and handling the whole day through...
Clyde had also almost overshot a corner earlier, but instead I watched him put his boot out and sort of powerslide the twin through. I think he's under the impression he's still on a superbike!
I had a good time on the Husky, but the day did reveal some niggles - the fuel consumption is horrible, which it shouldn't be, so I need to look into that. The speedo also under-reads, horribly. Saw 125 on the speedo and couldn't understand why I was holding on for dear life (150 on my phone's GPS)! Lot's of power though, me likey!
Here are the pics from the day...
This is the route we took, from Kraaifontein all the way to Riebeeck Kasteel, mostly gravel highways with little bursts of tar inbetween... (click here for the google map) It's an incredibly scenic route, and very easy so if you've never tasted dirt, or you're keen to introduce dirt to your pillion, I can recommend this ride as a starting point.
When we reached Tujays in Riebeeck Kasteel, we were faced with the sad truth that it had closed down. So, on John's recommendation, we headed down to DeJonge Cafe in town. The menu was limited, but the food was great.
After brunch we headed towards Malmesbury via gravel, without Clyde who had to shoot home. Coming into a corner (I was behind him), Soulforge realised too late that he was going to fast, grabbed a handful of brake, and high-sided. It was spectacular, and left me wishing I had a helmet cam. The XT was looking a little banged up, but still rideable. Soulforge was visibly shaken, but he was back on in no time and showed good form for the rest of the day (despite another, slower drop a couple of corners later). In fact, I was impressed with his pace and handling the whole day through...
Clyde had also almost overshot a corner earlier, but instead I watched him put his boot out and sort of powerslide the twin through. I think he's under the impression he's still on a superbike!
I had a good time on the Husky, but the day did reveal some niggles - the fuel consumption is horrible, which it shouldn't be, so I need to look into that. The speedo also under-reads, horribly. Saw 125 on the speedo and couldn't understand why I was holding on for dear life (150 on my phone's GPS)! Lot's of power though, me likey!
Here are the pics from the day...
