TTR-250: Swaziland Border & Verkykerskop.

[Rodlau]

That is a great RR.  Thanks a lot

 

[MAT250]

Standard ratio in SA is 14/44 but I’m also running a smaller front sprocket, so the ratio now for a long time has been 13/44 and I find it much better than the standard ratio for touring and commuting.

The TTR has got a very smooth 6 speed gearbox and with 13/44 it cruises very comfortably at 90-95km/h all day long with less than half throttle on a flat road. (With or without camping gear loaded)

Some amazing trips have been done with TTR250s:

This guy rode a TTR250 from Europe to Asia - 52,554km
https://www.j-hoppers.com/waruida/menumain_e.htm

And Lois Pryce rode a TTR250 from London to Cape Town, crossing the Sahara through Algeria and Niger and continuing down the west coast through the Congo and Angola to South Africa unsupported.
https://www.loisontheloose.com/africa/index.html

 

[GSLaaitie]

Flippen goeie RR. There is just something about a solo trip. I love how strangers just approach you for a chat when you're alone with your bike.

 

[Misty]

Well done for finally posting a "the" RR - looks like you had great fun!!  :ricky: that's what it's all about  :mwink:

 

[Dusty Rusty]

Kry mens hierdie bikes nog nuut te koop Mat?

 

[Garfield]

Nice RR MAT250!  :thumleft:

 

[Kykdaar]

Great RR - thanks for sharing :thumleft:

 

[wiledog_X]

WOW! fantastic trip, great pics and history lessons!.......Awesome bikes those little TTRs :thumleft:

agreed! nice one!!  :thumleft:

 

[SmokenFly]

Really Nice RR, planning a trip that side soon. Thanks for sharing :thumleft:

 

[MAT250]

Kry mens hierdie bikes nog nuut te koop Mat?

Sadly the TTR is no longer sold new in SA and they seem to be quite scarce second-hand too .... there was one with about 1500km on for sale on the floor at Yamaha Centurion, not sure if it still there.

 

[Dusty Rusty]

That's a pity.  Thanks for the reply Mat!  :thumleft:

 

[ThomTom]

Nice, show you, small bikes can be fun!

 

[mtbbiker]

Great Report, thanks for sharing. I also grew up in the "Eastern Transvaal" and believe there is lots of routes around Utrecht, Piet Retief and Wakkerstroom to ride and explore. The TTR is a great bike, saw a guy (ex Saffer) that rode his from Alice Springs via WA to Perth in 3 days - more than a 1000 km's  :thumleft:

 

[Beserker]

Great RR ...grew up in Utrecht ('71) and can remember those mountains and the gravel roads towards Paulpietersburg, to Natal Spa.

Great riding.

 

[ClimbingTurtle]

Great RR MAT250 - nicely done!

My wife & I rode the Sterkfontein/Verkykerskop/Memel/Standerton route in Feb - in the rain - that rocky pass 2-up on the GSA with full luggage 

It's really stunning  in that area - pity the pub/butcher/shop was closed at Verkykerskop when we got there  :biggrin:

And we often do dirt rides to Val for breakfast - lots of nice gravel in that area!

Thanks for sharing! :thumleft:

 

[MillionMiles]

What a RR...thanks for sharing.

Makes me wish for a catergory for "Simply Bestest Solo Trips" in the forum...any takers?

I love your way of writting. The 13km to by-pass Newcastle i have also riden, its simply awesome!

Now can you please tell us more about the cable way across the swazi border, or do you have a link to a site about it, please?

MM

 

[roxenz]

"I guess bike travel somehow takes you further than the places you have been to."

Good way to describe the essence of biking the rural areas.  Thanks for an excellent RR, Mat!  :thumleft:

 

[MINZI]

Very nice. Now tell me, how long have you had that tent of yours ?  :ricky:

That was the first thing that I noticed. In my mind still the best tents around. :thumleft: Very nice and very informative RR. :ricky: A lot of research went into this. :thumleft:

 

[Lem]

great RR Mat!

its been a while since we've had a proper one with a thumping scrambler and some camping stuff strapped on the back that was actually used on the trip.

 

[DirtRebell]

What a lekker RR - thanks for sharing!