In celebration of Father’s Month we caught up with adventure biker – Mojaki Rammoneng and talked about his passion for motorcycles and what biking means to him.

Vuyi mpofu – editor

Fantastic Father: Mojaki Rammoneng (39)

Married to: Tumi (37)

Full time job: Husband and Fantastic Father of two gorgeous girls Kabelo (12) and Tshegofatso (2)

Between 8 & 5: Works as a Quality Assessor

Brrrps around on a: Honda Africa Twin Adventure CRF 1000 D (2018 model)

When I arrived home on a super bike my wife didn’t speak with me for 3 full weeks!

– Mojaki Rammoneng

1. H&H: What sparked your interest in motorcycling? 

MR: I did a bit of off-road driving and enjoyed the adrenalin rush. When I stopped due to financial reasons, I realized that a cheaper way of getting the same adrenalin rush would be on 2-wheels; so I decided to explore biking. 

2. H&H: Who taught you how to ride, what was your first motorbike? 

MR: Surprisingly, I am self-taught. I simply dived into it! First, I bought a 250cc scrambler and headed for the bush. A couple of falls later, I started to get the hang of it. Next, I bought a road legal 250cc Motomia and hit the road. 6 months after that I took a deep breath and went for a Suzuki GSR600. Since 2018 I have been in the saddle of a Honda AfricaTwin Adventure and have made many happy memories.

3. H&H: What made you choose the Honda Africa Twin Adventure CRF 1000 D over other adventure bikes on the market?

MR: To be honest, I stumbled into the Adventure Bike category by sheer luck. I was a super bike rider at heart but decided to enter an off-road biking competition in 2018, the Honda Quest. To my delight and I emerged as the first placed winner! In fact, I won the bike I currently ride. Immediately I got home I sold the super bike because I had fallen in love with adventure riding.

Riding with Kabelo has provided us with invaluable bonding sessions

– mojaki rammoneng

4. H&H: What do you like most and least about your bike?

MR: I have a lot more likes than dislikes, hence I haven’t sold it yet. The things I like most are:

1. My bike is a DCT.  Riding a bike with an automatic transmission makes a world of a difference especially when I go off-road.  It gives me confidence and takes away a lot of things that would otherwise run through your mind during a ride..  On a manual transmission bike I would worry if I am in the correct gear; if I might stall the engine. I would also have to constantly wonder if I need to drop a gear in order to get more power.  All those thoughts are not particularly conducive to a safe riding environment.  The environment in an off-road situation can change in a heart beat and riders need to focus on staying upright more than anything else. 
2. I only need to service my AfricaTwin Adventure every 12000kms. This is a much longer interval than most brands.  I like that I can ride for much longer periods without having to frequently take my bike in. 
3. Cost of ownership is “wallet-friendly”.
4. My AfricaTwin Adventure is incredibly comfortable, a feature whis comes in handy when I go on long haul rides.  I have hardly ever arrived at a distination with a sore back. 

The only think I dislike about my bike is that it is now what I would consider an older model.  It lacks the latest rider-aids and technologies such as heated grips and cruise control. 

I’ve learnt to enjoy my own company and often have the most enlightening conversations with myself!

– Mojaki Rammoneng

5. H&H: When you initially started out, how did Tumi feel about you taking up on 2-wheels?

MR: She didn’t take it well at all! She was ok with the 250cc scrambler. No disrespect but a 250cc isn’t very intimidating so maybe she didn’t quite consider it as a real motorbike. That all changed though, the day I came home on a super bike. The best way I can describe it is to say it became World War 3! She didn’t speak to me for full 3 weeks but I didn’t back down.

6. H&H: How do your daughters feel about you being a biker?

MR:  My 12 year old daughter Kabelo loves it to bits, she insists on riding with me every chance she gets. As you can imagine it was nerve wrecking the first few times, but having her as a pillion has enhanced my safety consciousness. I find that riding with Kabelo makes me even more careful on the road. I am extremely grateful to my wife for supporting Kabelo to ride with me given her personal misgivings. It is a true testament of her trust in me and support of Kabelo’s obvious passion. My riding times with Kabelo have proved to be invaluable bonding sessions. Soon she will be teenager and it is vitally important to me that she sees me as both a parent and confidant. At age 2, Tsego doesn’t have an opinion as yet!

My tumble highlighted just how fragile and short life is.

– Mojaki rammoneng

7. H&H: Picture this. Kabelo announces that she too wants to ride ‘just like daddy’. What immediately goes through your mind?

MR: First thought? Absolutely! Second thought? What will Tumi say? Third thought? I’m dead! Assuming Tumi agrees I would definitely teach Kabelo to learn how to ride. Attending riding courses will be mandatory of course. I cannot overemphasize the importance of defensive riding skills. Biking will expand her horizons, give her something to focus on and hopefully keep her out of mischief! On a serious note though, I look forward to the first breakfast ride – with Kabelo commanding her own bike. That will truly be special.

8. H&H: Motorcycling is an enjoyable lifestyle. Share with us 3 most memorable highlights of your biking journey thus far.

MR: Without a doubt winning the Honda Quest in 2018 and riding off on an incredible machine is top of my list! I’ve also had the wonderful opportunity to ride with industry legends. Movers and shakers such as Mat Durrans (Presenter, The Bike Show) and Donavan Fourie , (Editor, Bike SA Magazine). I have watched these reputable bikers for the longest time and riding with them was quite surreal. Through biking, I have travelled to amazing places. I have ventured to stand out destinations such as Tankwa Karoo, Namaqua National Park, Vioolsdrif Richtersveld. Lesotho is one of my favorite destinations. Its breath-taking mountain passes and fantastic off-road routes make my heart sing!

Every now and then I feel the need for speed. I think the best tool for that job will be the R1 2011 Big-Bang

– Mojaki Rammoneng

9. H&H: It can be said that riding a motorcycle is quite dangerous. What is your scariest biker memory?

MR: Having an accident on my super bike easily comes to mind. Thank goodness it wasn’t fatal. The silver lining of that incident however, is that it changed my attitude towards these amazing machines. Motorcycles are not toys. They should be treated with respect at all times. My tumble highlighted just how fragile and short life is.

10. H&H: Biking is not just about the machine; its a life skill. What, if anything, have you learnt since taking up on 2-wheels?

MR: Being on a motorbike has reminded me to live and enjoy life to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised. Of course that can be said about any aspect of life. The reality is that long life is not guaranteed. We need to appreciate every day that we are blessed with. Furthermore, biking has taught me to be ‘alive’ and to be ‘present’ in all my waking moments. Biking has also taught me to be more comfortable in my own skin. I’ve learnt to appreciate my own company; so much so that I regularly have the most enlightened conversations with myself while riding – all in my helmet of course!

11. H&H: How often do you ride and what are some of the places you have ventured to?

MR: I ride to work at least 3 days a week and dedicate every second weekend of the month for dirt/gravel riding. I sometimes ride with friends but I usually ride alone because that’s my ‘me time’. Time alone is a critical part of my emotional and mental health. It allows me to regain balance in my life and I re-emerge as a much better man, father and husband.

Also read – https://heelsandhorsepowermag.com/dads-on-motorbikes-mnoneleli-ntshauzana/

12. H&H: If asked to hang up your helmet forever would you do so?

MR: That would be a very big ask. I would turn into an extremely miserable father and husband. I sincerely hope I am never asked to do that!

13. H&H: You win the lottery and immediately start swiping your platinum card. Which bikes does the neighborhood see being delivered to your house (on a trailer of course?)

MR: There’d probably be 3 bikes on that trailer.

1. The 2020 AfricaTwin Adventure. This bike hits all the right notes for me. It is equipped with all the rider-aids you can think of and is brilliant to ride off-road.
2. The Yamaha YZF-R1 Big-bang. Every now and then I feel the need for speed. I think this bike would be best tool for the job.
3. BMW K1600 GTL or Honda Goldwing. To prove to Tumi that you can still ride long distances with compromising on comfort. These bikes, which some people affectionally refer to as couches – are as cushy as a luxury car.

You can follow Mojaki’s adventures on @mojakirammoneng (Instagram)