Zambian Joyride

[CAR6850]

MJ , I would love to get your and Hennies opinion on the 800

 

[Metaljockey]

wow - awesome!!

We're planning a trip (in the 4x4) through Zim and Bots next year - I suspect setting a week aside for Chobe might be well worthwhile!

Do you think it would be worthwhile to skirt Kariba around the North (Zam) or the South (Zim)?

The South would be more rewarding for a cage, loads of parks and animals and usable roads. The North side is challenging terrain for a bike, but it will be downright unpleasant for passengers in a cage. There is also a substantial section that has been abandoned and you will have to clear bush and build road quite often, good for the Rambos but not a family outing.

 

[bradleys]

Just finished reading this epic story, what a trip ,well done,hats off to you sirs.I really enjoy reading your trips,looking forward to the next one. Hopefully see you at the ec bash  :thumleft:

 

[Metaljockey]

Absolutely brilliant, thank you so much for sharing your adventure and for putting in the time and effort to produce yet another stunning ride report, I think I speak on behalf off all who read it.

It is clear that you had issues with the X-Challenge, and we will read about in the relevant thread, but how did the Hennie's bike hold up. Apart from the foot peg, was there any other issues? I would think the 800 would be a bit on the heavy side for a trip like this?

Thanks!!

:thumleft:

No, that 800 is 'n yster. Hennie upgraded the front suspension through I think Martin Paetzold, and since then he cannot be happier. The bike had no issues whatsoever and ran cooler than mine when we were plowing into grass forests.

The 800 is heavier than mine and I am epic about going as light as you can, but the bike is very well balanced. Honestly the only place I could see that the 800 was not keeping up was when having to lift the front over obstacles at speed. I could get the front up at will to clear holes and ditches and the like where Hennie had to shave off speed to prevent too hard a hit.

The one benefit with a heavier bike is that it deals better with added weight such as luggage. Our water was carried by Hennie for instance, his bike didn't feel it.

I only ever get to ride the 800 in the heavy technical **** where there is a good chance of damaging the bike (Hennie is of the shortlegged variety). Obviously it is limited to the slowest clutch controllled kind of riding but I do not like the twitchyness of the throttle off idle at all, nor the grabbiness of the clutch. That bike is a lot harder work when you are riding slippery cambers and the like.

 

[cloudgazer]

It is clear that you had issues with the X-Challenge, and we will read about in the relevant thread, but how did the Hennie's bike hold up. Apart from the foot peg, was there any other issues? I would think the 800 would be a bit on the heavy side for a trip like this?

I was thinking about this trip and the bikes last night.
the 800 and X  performed just as well as a smaller bike would have. I think any bike would have got bogged down, pontooned, etc. no matter the size.
A smaller bike of course, would just be easier to extract from those situations.

 

[doublediamond]

BWANA,

I am humbled by your spirit of wanderlust, thank you for sharing. Your passion is infectious.

FREEDOM

 

[Would I?]

BWANA,

I am humbled by your spirit of wanderlust, thank you for sharing. Your passion is infectious.

FREEDOM

Hi jack on.

DD ......... you owe us the rest of your RR....  ot: ot:  I hope this inspires you to finish it  :lamer:

Hi Jack off.

 

[wooly bugger]

awesome RR!  :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:
respect!

 

[HennieHoliday]

MJ , I would love to get your and Hennies opinion on the 800

MJ, thanx for wording our xperience in a way only you can do.
As you all know by now i had the privilege to do a few trips with MJ & Nardus, & you have to choose your buddies very well when the going gets tough.
There were times on this trip when we both wanted to throw a ***** Fit or get a piss paal to xcrete your frustrations on. Not once did MJ ever loose his cool or used me to piss upon.
You are my NR1 buddy for xtreme trips like this. ( Hereby do i confirm that i am not under the influence of drugs upon writing this. )

From all the available scoots the 800 is my weapon of choice. I can do a trip like this and back home use it as my vehicle to get along on the tar. The fuel consumption is great which is a thing when fuel is skaars. The only mod really necessary is the front forks.
But then again any bike is cool as long as you are on it.

 

[Dewie]

Couple of questions if you don't mind:

How much weight did you and Hennie loose during the trip? And why did you only eat once a day –due to unavailability of food or limited packing space?
We did'nt check but I am almost back to original. We ended off the trip with three days at Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane with our wives. Dinners are buffet affairs and we did our bit to resupply. Watching Hennie apply himself to a buffet is something to see. No conversation, not even eye contact with the other people at the table, just focus and dogged determination. He sees abuffet as a personal challenge.
The eating only once a day is not planned, it just turns out that way on trips. At home I normally have breakfast at 10 or 11, so we are not used to eating that early in the morning. We don't eat during the day because we are riding.

What kind of stretcher did you use as a bed?
It's an ATG stretcher.

I have been through a myriad of blow up and self inflating matresses. My problem is that I often bush camp, and it is just impossible to avoid punctures, no matter how hard you try to avoid thorns and the like.I have punctered every single one and I have never been able to find a stretcher that is light weight and compact enough to take on the bike.

This one is. Both light weight and compact. I carry it in my bag with my clothes and stuff.
Check it out.

Michnus is the guy to speak to. ATG is his brand, focused on quality light weight stuff for bikers.

What front tyre did you fit on the BMX?

MJ, from what i gather is that Hennie did not have this stretcher, is there any reason for this, or was the one you took along a prototype?

Looks like a nice bit of kit  :thumleft:

 

[[email protected]]

MJ  - this RR is what it is all about (for me). The challenge and the reward - physical and mental hardship and the obvious elation where you just have to make a plan even when there is at first no easy answer – fantastic. The combination of all the components of your trip experience coming together, in a very well conveyed RR with the perfect combo of pics and commentary has us all chomping at the bit.

I read your discussion on the 800 (and the x) which is an area of interest to me. I would appreciate your opinion - I am also of the VERY Shortlegged variety. For those of us short ***** – what would your bike of choice have been for this trip?

With your “pack as light as possible”, was there anything you could have left or should have taken with?  Also would you share your full packing list between the 2 of you.
MJ & Hennie Brilliant stuff - TM

 

[fat b]

Great great great great great RR !

 

[Berm_Rooster]

Truly a great trip gents.

How manyth RoH report would this be for you MJ?

 

[CAR6850]

MJ , I would love to get your and Hennies opinion on the 800

MJ, thanx for wording our xperience in a way only you can do.
As you all know by now i had the privilege to do a few trips with MJ & Nardus, & you have to choose your buddies very well when the going gets tough.
There were times on this trip when we both wanted to throw a ***** Fit or get a piss paal to xcrete your frustrations on. Not once did MJ ever loose his cool or used me to piss upon.
You are my NR1 buddy for xtreme trips like this. ( Hereby do i confirm that i am not under the influence of drugs upon writing this. )

From all the available scoots the 800 is my weapon of choice. I can do a trip like this and back home use it as my vehicle to get along on the tar. The fuel consumption is great which is a thing when fuel is skaars. The only mod really necessary is the front forks.
But then again any bike is cool as long as you are on it.

Thanks hennie - great to have you on the forum - RESPECT man :thumleft:

 

[ngj874]

This is what adventure biking is about! You cant do anything like this anywhere else in the world.Africa is the only continent for adventure biking in my opinoin! Brilliant Ride report MJ! The most entertaining read out there!

 

[Vosperd]

Great RR.

Respect.


:ricky:

 

[Thump]

Welcome Hennie
And again, well done guys and thanks for posting this. was and awe inspiring read.

 

[Madala]

Thanks for posting such a well written, grabbing report. Respecting your "vasbyt"!
  :notworthy:

 

[Brakenjan]

MJ , I would love to get your and Hennies opinion on the 800

MJ, thanx for wording our xperience in a way only you can do.
As you all know by now i had the privilege to do a few trips with MJ & Nardus, & you have to choose your buddies very well when the going gets tough.
There were times on this trip when we both wanted to throw a ***** Fit or get a piss paal to xcrete your frustrations on. Not once did MJ ever loose his cool or used me to piss upon.
You are my NR1 buddy for xtreme trips like this. ( Hereby do i confirm that i am not under the influence of drugs upon writing this. )

From all the available scoots the 800 is my weapon of choice. I can do a trip like this and back home use it as my vehicle to get along on the tar. The fuel consumption is great which is a thing when fuel is skaars. The only mod really necessary is the front forks.
But then again any bike is cool as long as you are on it.

HennieHoliday, please go and introduce yourself at New Member Introductions.  :deal:

eepwall:

Before I get banned for three years, I'm just kidding of course.  You guys have inspired my first adventure bike trip and you continue to do so. I have made peace with the fact that I'll never be able to do such a hard core trip myself, but doing it yearly vicariously through you guys is almost just as rewarding.

Thanks for sharing guys - much appreciated!!  :thumleft:

 

[plonker]

MJ back to the bikes,would anything heavier than the 800 be to much to handle the type of terrain you guys rode ie the 800 was as big as you would go on such a trip.And is the 800 a tough bike as far as handling the constant offs.