unishaun
Pack Dog
With that ridiculous pandemic (I don't want to use the C word), loosing my job in 2020 and the usual time and financial constraints, my riding has not been as frequent as I would like it to be. I do feel though this a problem most of us, if not all us have. I was lucky enough to take part in the 2021 Honda Quest, which just made me want to spend even more time in the saddle. 2022 flew by not no major trips, just a few quick weekend excursions and day rides and I still managed to put some miles on the XR, but the trips were not long enough to get away from it all and have a decent break from the monotony of the daily grind.
We are not a few weeks into 2023 and it has been decided a proper trip must and will be done! My XR is more than ready and up for the task, however leave is usually the issue, and as with most of us, there are a few people and things fighting for this precious time. Family, friends, me time, other events and trips and of course the wife. This got me thinking of a way to at least try and kill a bird or two with the same stone. My envisaged route is form CPT, up the east coast into EC and to KZN, zig zagging to places and roads of interest, all the while visiting friends old and new along the way. My Dad is also turning 60 this year, exceeding the family age record for the men in our family, and this got me thinking of how lekker it would be add him into the mix. This presented me with another problem, although I have 3 bikes, the XR, a little YBR125 and an old KDX, I would need another bike for my the old man to join on. On the market place the 125 goes, and the hunt for a more adventure worthy machine begun.
I had my heart set on some like a CRF250/CRF300 size bike. The 300's are lovely, but I cant justify the price for a 300, even though I know they are worth it and that's what they go for. As the guys on here know me can attest, I am a anal with caring for my bikes, and while looking at some 250's, I was saddened by the state, even though I know mechanically they are good. I kept coming back to other small bike options further afield, looking here on the forum and sales platforms. I just could not bring myself to buying a bike sight unseen, even sending a buddy to have a look is a bit tough for me. So the search widened.
To be continued
We are not a few weeks into 2023 and it has been decided a proper trip must and will be done! My XR is more than ready and up for the task, however leave is usually the issue, and as with most of us, there are a few people and things fighting for this precious time. Family, friends, me time, other events and trips and of course the wife. This got me thinking of a way to at least try and kill a bird or two with the same stone. My envisaged route is form CPT, up the east coast into EC and to KZN, zig zagging to places and roads of interest, all the while visiting friends old and new along the way. My Dad is also turning 60 this year, exceeding the family age record for the men in our family, and this got me thinking of how lekker it would be add him into the mix. This presented me with another problem, although I have 3 bikes, the XR, a little YBR125 and an old KDX, I would need another bike for my the old man to join on. On the market place the 125 goes, and the hunt for a more adventure worthy machine begun.
I had my heart set on some like a CRF250/CRF300 size bike. The 300's are lovely, but I cant justify the price for a 300, even though I know they are worth it and that's what they go for. As the guys on here know me can attest, I am a anal with caring for my bikes, and while looking at some 250's, I was saddened by the state, even though I know mechanically they are good. I kept coming back to other small bike options further afield, looking here on the forum and sales platforms. I just could not bring myself to buying a bike sight unseen, even sending a buddy to have a look is a bit tough for me. So the search widened.
To be continued
