Why would you take a 14 year old boy to Kubu on his own bike???

[DirtRebell]

Can't see shit, captain

 

[Avontier]

Linking to Google Photo is not that successful it seems. I have downloaded it to my PC and uploaded to WD. Everyone should be able to see now.

 

[luv2ride]

I can see pictures :thumleft:

 

[Avontier]

Planning the route, we wanted to avoid tar at all cost, with only short stretches of it where we had no other way. We planned on going through Mahalapye, take a dirt road shortcut through Kalamare towards Serowe, thereby avoiding the A1 to Palapye. From Serowe through Paje to Mmashoro, from where we would head straight north and look for a place to camp in the bush somewhere.

 

[Avontier]

While riding on the dirt next to the tar road -still fiddling with the 640's clutch and his GPS, Neil rode into a water drainage ditch, and the bike gave him a prompt dismount. Luckily nothing broke.

 

[Avontier]

With all the delays, we didn't much distance and did a Wimpy lunch in Mahalapye, where we tried to get the last air out of the 640's clutch system. After another few unproductive hours, we decided to take the A1 and at least try to get to Khama Sanctuary for the night. By the time we got to Palapye, it was already dark, and we checked into Itumela Lodge. Always a great place to stay. Braai.

 

[Avontier]

With the clutch now sorted (after the bike had stood for three years), the started began acting up. The next morning Neil decided to rip it out and try and fix it. The 990's one fork sprung a leak which we fixed by running a cut piece of water bottle around the shaft. The starter did not do any better after refitting it, and only upon removing the starter gears on the opposite side, was the problem revealed. A whole stretch of teeth were missing. Somewhere in the engine, and hopefully stuck against a filter screen. Ah well. Close her up, google: "how to kickstart a 640", and hope for the best. There was nothing to be done to the XL of course.

 

[Avontier]

We got going eventually, and while refueling somewhere, a man got out of his car and walked directedly to my son, Nelius. He asked him his age, and got no reply, until one of us answered him. He thought for a while and said: "Oh, okay. So this is his initiation!". This really struck me, and although initiation is not officially part of our culture, this is probably exactly what this whole thing was. This played in my mind the whole trip through.

 

[Avontier]

On day two the 640 started more and more reluctantly each time. Between Mmashoro and Mokubilo it had to be tow-started. While we were waiting up ahead.

 

[Avontier]

We arrived at Mokubilo, south of the Makgadikgadi Pans at around 14h00. We had a quick St Louis, refueled, and mounted the bikes for the last stretches to Kubu Island.

.

 

[Bikerboer1973]

Fantasties, ek sou ook die XL gekies het!

 

[Avontier]

Only this time the 640 would have none of it. We all tried to kickstart it, and eventually towed it behind the 990. The back wheel just locked up, which sent Neil flying much to the amusement of the small crowd. I also gave it a go, but it became painfully clear that the engine was well and truly fekked. So were we. We eventually commissioned a local to take Neil and his bike with his bakkie to Francis Town, 120km away, where the farm manager from Stockpoort would pick him up. His experience in the bakkie with his two beer laden couriers was hair raising, with a few close-call solid line overtakes, and running out of diesel some of the features.

 

[RobCrouch]

Without any backup nogal?

There are many valid and compelling reasons.

1. He obviously has no licence, and it is against the law.
2. Botswana drivers are some of the worst around.
3. Botswana roads are notoriously dangerous with stray donkeys, goats, and cattle everywhere.
4. Emergency services and hospitals are probably not the best.
5. Carrying his own luggage (full camping kit) and extra fuel increases the risk of a fall significantly.
6. Should anything happen to him, I would be solely to blame, and rightly so.

7. Your insurance cover would be null and void.
I would not do it. :

But as you did do it... great! :thumleft:

 

[WarrenM]

Great ride report Gys, looks like we missed a good one  :thumleft:

Regarding you son, he can hold his own on a bike

 

[Chrisl]

If that is an XL with a 23" frontwheel then your son had the best bike on the trip :deal: :thumleft:

 

[Avontier]

Great ride report Gys, looks like we missed a good one  :thumleft:

Regarding you son, he can hold his own on a bike

Thanks Warren! There has to be a next time.

 

[Avontier]

Without any backup nogal?

There are many valid and compelling reasons.

1. He obviously has no licence, and it is against the law.
2. Botswana drivers are some of the worst around.
3. Botswana roads are notoriously dangerous with stray donkeys, goats, and cattle everywhere.
4. Emergency services and hospitals are probably not the best.
5. Carrying his own luggage (full camping kit) and extra fuel increases the risk of a fall significantly.
6. Should anything happen to him, I would be solely to blame, and rightly so.

7. Your insurance cover would be null and void.
I would not do it. :

Don't blame you. Insurance not really an issue on a R10k bike though.

Sent from my SM-N920C using Tapatalk

 

[Avontier]

If that is an XL with a 23" frontwheel then your son had the best bike on the trip :deal: :thumleft:

Yes, and definitely.

 

[RobCrouch]

Without any backup nogal?

There are many valid and compelling reasons.

1. He obviously has no licence, and it is against the law.
2. Botswana drivers are some of the worst around.
3. Botswana roads are notoriously dangerous with stray donkeys, goats, and cattle everywhere.
4. Emergency services and hospitals are probably not the best.
5. Carrying his own luggage (full camping kit) and extra fuel increases the risk of a fall significantly.
6. Should anything happen to him, I would be solely to blame, and rightly so.

7. Your insurance cover would be null and void.
I would not do it. :

Don't blame you. Insurance not really an issue on a R10k bike though.

Sent from my SM-N920C using Tapatalk

:thumleft: Please note my admiration in the edit. :deal: :imaposer:

 

[Avontier]

About the XL. The 23 front is phenomenal. The seat is very comfortable and low enough for him to have both feet on the ground. The 500cc engine has enough power to pass safely, power through difficult patches, and effortlessly travel at 110kmh all week long.

Sent from my SM-N920C using Tapatalk