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Bike Review: Bongiwe Didiza ticks the BMW R NineT Pure off her bucket list at the 15th International Female Ride Day

vuyi on May 17, 2021

Motorcyclist journalist Bongiwe Didiza took part in the 15th International Female Ride Day astride a bike she had long wanted to ride.

I had marked the 1^stof May on my calendar as International Female Ride Day (IFRD), the only day in the year which celebrates women motorcyclists from all walks of life. For me, the 2021 Ride was going to be particularly exciting because the motorbike I would be riding, the BMW R nineT Pure, is one I have been drawn to for quite a while.

First introduced in 2013, the R nineT range has grown to include the R nineT Urban G/S, the R nineT Scrambler, and the R nineT Pure. Sporting a combination of classic design meets modern technological invention, the R nine T derivatives carry the signature BMW roadster styling cues, reminiscent of early BMW Motorrad days.

Also fetching their rides at the same time were Zanele McMurray and Crescentia Ndimande

– Bongiwe Didiza, motorcycle journalist, DRIVING IN HEELS

I collected my loan motorbike from BMW Motorrad Fourways, two days prior to the Ride. I wanted a bit of time to get used to its features ahead of the big day. Looking at it, I was struck by its stylish vintage design, which complement its seemingly playful look.

At first glance, the air/oil-cooled, 1170Cc boxer engine of the R nineT Pure didn’t look like much, which made it all the more difficult to believe it could produce 81kW of power and 116 Nm of torque.

Also ferching their rides at the same time were Zanele McMurray who would be riding the BMW R 18, and Crescentia Ndimande who had chosen the the BMW F 900 XR.

Following a brief meeting with the dealer principal – Rodney Serfontein, and a bike orientation, we took possession of the keys for our respective bikes and rode out of the dealership.

As usual when I am on a bike, I have a gigantic smile under my helmet but while I was cheerfully enjoying my ride home a warning light came up on the circular instrument cluster.

When I arrived at home, I gave it a quick check, hoping I might spot the problem. Satisfied that everything looked fine to me, but opting to err on the safe side, I made arrangements to take it back for an assessment the following day.

I had not known that the R nineT Pure did not have a fuel gauge indicator.

– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

Arriving at Motorrad Fourways, Sales Executive Gift Gumbi whisked the motorbike into the workshop but returned almost immediately. He was in stitches, laughing hysterically and between bursts of fresh laughter he spluttered that the warning light was the fuel light indicator and that the bike was very low on fuel.

When he had calmed down reasonably enough to hear me, I tried – with little success – to explain why I had misinterpreted the fuel icon. Of course I know what a low fuel icon light looks like but the R nineT Pure does not have the standard icon we are familiar with in a car.

Added to that, I had not known that the R nineT Pure did not have a fuel gauge indicator; instead, its warning light is a simple triangular orange light.

The more I tried to explain my rationale to Gift, the more he laughed and teased me

– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

If there was a fuel guage I would probably have noticed that the fuel was low and may have made a connection between the warning light and the low fuel indicator.

The more I tried to explain my rationale to Gift, the more he laughed and teased me. Suffice to say, the experience taught me 2 things; the first being just how basic the R nine T Pure is and the other being that I will probably never live down this ‘oopsie’.

On a positive note, the blunder taught me that the R nineT Pure has a 17-litre tank and consumes 5-litres per 100kms. As I rode home, still chuckling to myself in disbelief, I was immensely grateful that the bike had not completely run out of fuel, leaving me stranded and bewildered at the side of the road.

Arriving at our meeting venue, I couldn’t help but notice how stunning the ladies looked, most of whom wore gear matching their rides.

– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

From then on, I became acutely aware of just how basic the R nineT Pure is and soon realised it does not come standard with my favourtie creature comforts being riding modes, heated grips, and cruise control. That said, heated grips and cruise control are available as optional extras which customers can fit at will.

Putting the humbling moment firmly behind me, I eagerly awaited IFRD. Organized by The Lithas , the 2021 Ride comprised of two routes, on an on-road. Had I not chosen to ride the sexy little roadster, I would have elected to ride on gravel.

The long anticipated day arrived, uncharacteristically accompanied by light winds and drizzle. Undettered, I headed out and arrived at Triumph Motocycles, Sandton, our meeting venue. The ladies looked stunning on their machines, most wearing riding gear that matched their bikes.

The formalites and safety briefing dispensed with and the weather clearing up, the ladies got into formation and rode to our first stopover – Fire it Up in Randburg, then onto ROC Harley Davidson in Alberton where we were received with excitement, refreshments and gifts.

Even in the sea of other beautiful motorcycles, I was aware of motorists admiring my R nineT Pure as they drove past us.

– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

The Ride was leisurely and the ladies maintained a steady pace. I was amazed at how smooth my bike rode even at such low speeds. It cornered beautifully and maintained its balance.

Even in the sea of other beautiful motorcycles, I was aware of motorists admiring my R nineT as they drove past us. It had already caused a stir from the start of the day, and at each stopover. My fellow lady Pure riders truly appreciated it, commenting on its unique and classical good-looks. A few ladies who own more than one bike expressed a desire to add it to their existing motorbike collection because of its sassy beauty.

The R nineT Pure is a no-frills, “shut-up & ride” sort of bike.

– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

At our final destination, Bikers Warehouse in Randburg, a stunning high tea had been setup for us to mark the close of a safe and successful Ride as well as recognize and celebrate the Biker Queens we all are.

The R nineT Pure is as its name suggests a no-frills, “shut-up & ride” sort of bike. As basic as it is, it offers absolute riding pleasure and is aimed at anyone on the market looking for an uncomplicated motorbike.

That said, it is a very capable machine and is suited for leisurely trips to scenic destinations or unhurried rides around suburbia for a coffee meeting with the girls. It is the type of bike I ride to attend a vintage motorbike show. Similarly, I would pack it onto a train for use to tour the Garden Route in summer.

If however, you are looking to buy a newer R nineT Pure, the 2021 derivatives come with the following standard features:

80kW power, 116Nm of torque
Road and Rain riding modes
ABS Pro with Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
LED headlight and white LED indicators
New suspension strut with travel-dependent damping (WAD)

Priced from R203 400-00

About Bongiwe Didiza

About Bongiwe Didiza Bongiwe Didiza is a motorcyclist with 10 years riding experience on various type of motorcycles; ranging from superbikes and cruisers to dual-purpose and adventure bikes. She is the first Black female motorcycle journalist registered with the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists. Bongiwe is the biking contributor for Driving In Heels where her test ride reviews and bike travel articles are published. She currently rides an R 1200 GSA but has owned a Suzuki GSX-R 750 and a BMW F 800 GS in the past.

READER REVIEW: Crescentia Ndimande takes charge of the BMW F 900 XR at the 15th International Female Ride Day

vuyi on May 10, 2021

Anyone who has ever met me would be hard-pressed to use the word ‘tall’ to describe me, so, when it came to selecting a bike, I had to be mindful of which it would be.

– Crescentia Ndimande

Anyone who has ever met me would be hard-pressed to use the word ‘tall’ to describe me. Not that I am diminutive but rather it is important that any motorcycle I chose has to accommodate my particular height. So, when it came to selecting a bike to use at the 15^thInternational Female Ride Day 2021 I was careful in the iron horse which I would champion.

The models on display at BMW Motorrad Fourways, were all appealing and at first, I gravitated towards the R 1600 RT; but after sitting on it I realized I would need to choose something much lower. Gift Gumbi, Motorrad Sales Executive, suggested I try the F 900 XR and I immediately remembered it as the bike which Vuyi Mpofu had used on her Pride of Africa Ride the previous year. Knowing that Vuyi is approximately the same height as me, I was hopeful that the F 900 XR would ‘fit’ me too.

Jumping onto the bike and switching on the engine, I discovered yet another pleasant surprise – the 6.5-inch TFT screen with BMW Motorrad Connectivity.

– CRESCENTIA NDIMANDE

The model available to me was Galvanic Gold and from the moment I sat astride it I was confident the F 900 XR would suit me just fine.

To be sure, however, I asked to take it for a quick spin and discovered, to my delight, that it was a Keyless ride, further scoring it points in my book.

The convenience of it being keyless signaled I would not have to worry about searching for the key in the numerous pockets of my jacket and pants.

Jumping onto the bike and switching on the engine, I discovered yet another pleasant surprise – the 6.5-inch TFT screen with BMW Motorrad Connectivity. Fitted as standard, I knew this feature would be handy during this and any other ride.

The screen is big enough to read comfortably while riding, which is great news for people like me who wear glasses or contact lenses. Satisfied with my final choice, I left the dealership and spent the next few days familiarizing myself with the features of the F 900 XR.

The day of the Ride finally arrived and to my dismay, it was cold and wet. Fortunately, the mid-range F 900 XR is fitted with “Rain” and “Road” riding modes as standard. I simply selected the appropriate mode to suit the wet tarmac and set off to meet the other women from all across Gauteng who would be attending the ride.

Powered by an 895cc engine, and with a fuel capacity of 15.5 litres, I didn’t have to worry about performance nor fuel efficiency. The F 900 XR weighs 219kg and at first, this had been a concern for me because I had had a tennis elbow operation on my right hand. 219kg is a hefty amount of metal but instead, the sports adventure bike proved light and easy to manoeuver.

Powered by an 895cc engine, and with a fuel capacity of 15.5 litres, I didn’t have to worry about performance nor fuel efficiency.

Of all the things I found impressive about the F 900 XR, I was most taken by its upright, yet relaxed riding position. I could quite easily see myself riding very long distances without fear of discomfort and lower back pain.

Overall, my time on the F 900 XR was too short – as if any amount of time would suffice – and I would highly recommend it to any lady looking for a motorcycle that isn’t a superbike. That said, I would want BMW Motorrad to make the Electronic Suspension Adjustment, a standard feature to make it easier for short riders to get on and off it safely and with ease.

Priced from: R 217 000 – 00

Thanks to BMW Motorrad Fourways for the bike loan

About Crescentia Ndimande

Crescentia Ndimande, mother of two, has been riding motorbikes since 2006, after being introduced in the biking fraternity by her late brother in law in 1991. Crescentia is part of Cancervive, and co-owns Dynamic Road Safety alongside her husband. Over the years, Crescentia has ridden a variety of bikes namely the Indian Chieftain, Triumph Rocket, Thunderbird 1700cc, Commander, Tiger 800cc, Harley 1200c, Hayabusa 1300cc, Honda Blackbird 1100cc, VFR 1200cc.

Pride of Africa Ride 2020 perched upon a BMW R 1250 GS

vuyi on March 26, 2021

To mark the end of a difficult 2020, my Editor (and sister), Vuyi Mpofu and I, put on our big girl drawers and set off on our annual Pride Of Africa Ride, aptly themed the “Mbokodo Edition”.
– Bongiwe Didiza, motorcycle journalist, driving in heels

Pride of Africa Ride (POAR) celebrates and highlights various historical, cultural and geographical elements in South Africa while focusing on societal values that embody the meaning of Ubuntu. Unlike the 2019 PAOR, the 2020 ride was an all female team, which served as a good platform to raise awareness for Gender-Based Violence.

Riding out in style on the morning of our long-awaited departure day, Vuyi looked confident on her Racing Red BMW F 900 XR, while I perched upon a Black Storm metallic BMW R 1250 GS. We were ready for the trip ahead and determined to enjoy the adventure to Durban, KZN. Having already taken ownership of the bike a few days before the ride, I was looking forward to playing with the riding modes on my R 1250 GS, which comes standard with two riding modes (Road, Rain), Automatic Stability control, and Hill Start Control.

I was fortunate that the bike was still brand new, leaving it up to me to break in the stallion under my command.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

I happily discovered that my bike was fitted with the Pro riding mode, an optional extra which features additional riding modes (Dynamic Pro, Enduro/Pro), ABS Pro, Hill Start Control Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, and Dynamic Brake Control. I felt assured about my safety on the 600km journey which lay ahead.

The BMW R 1250 GS’s 1254 cc engine produces a power output of 100kW and a max torque of 143 Nm, which made me want to open the throttle and just get going.

Prior to leaving Johannesburg I had adjusted the bike’s seat height to its lowest position, so as to experience the as the ride from a different angle from what would be my normal. The standard seat height of the 1250 GS can be adjusted between 850mm(low) and 870mm(high).

I was fortunate that the bike was still brand new, which left it up to me to break in the stallion under my command. That said, this meant we had to ride easy for the first 200-250kms so that I could wear the new tyres in. The pace of our gentle ride turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it allowed us to have much more fun than anticipated. We frequently stopped to enjoy the scenery, take pictures and wave at passing truck drivers who tooted their foghorn-like horns at the sight of two women on motorcycles.

At our last rest and refuel stop, I noted that the bike’s fuel consumption which was at about 4.5l/100km
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

We encountered many forced stops along the way because of road works and the ever changing weather. That said, we were fully prepared, thanks to the rain riding modes on each motorcycle and the protective riding gear we had on. I was kitted in a GS dry suit and GS Pro boots, while Vuyi wore a GS Rallye suit and BMW Venture Grip boots.

At our last rest and refuel stop, I calculated that the bike’s fuel consumption which was averaging 4.5l/100km. It differed to the estimated fuel consumption of 4.75l/100km, which was rather strange. I had expected the consumption rate to be higher or at least much closer to BMW Motorrad’s estimated consumption rate.

Then it me dawned on that the 4.5l/100km was on account of the moderate riding we had done over the first 200kms as well as the rain and road works which had required us to further adjust our riding speed.

After refueling, we headed back onto the main road and continued on our trip. Aware of the fading daylight, thinning traffic and improved weather, we picked up the pace and finally arrived safely our destination. Still in high spirits we settled into our lodgings for the next few days.

As I drifted off to sleep, I reflected on the superior build quality of BMW motorcycles which are well known for long-distance comfort; in this regard, the R 1250 GS had affirmed one of the German manufacture’s long standing brand promises.

One man admitted that we are putting the male gender to shame as most men are too afraid to ride motorbikes
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

Day 2

We spent our time riding in around Durban, visiting the many tourist attractions offered by the seaside city. This included riding along the Golden Mile – a bustling stretch of beachfront, and well-known holiday destination.

We also visited many other popular destinations, such as the Blue Lagoon, Moses Mabhida Stadium and uShaka Marine World and the beachfront markets which are always filled with a rows and rows of brightly colorful Zulu arts and crafts, some made on the spot by the cheerful and skilled vendors.

At one stall, we successfully negotiated an agreeable price with one of the vendor’s for Vuyi’s traditional Zulu skirt – something she had wanted since the beginning of the trip. She wore it immediately, hopped onto her motorbike and started the engine much to the surprise of the small crowd which had loosely gravitated towards the “Joburg girls on big motorcycles”.

We had caused quite a stir from the very start of our trip when leaving Joburg. Motorists and the public in general seemed bemused at the sight of 2 Black women riding unaccompanied. Not that people have never seen women on motorbikes before, but rather, that we were on dual purpose bikes which are not usually associated with our race and gender. Some on lookers gave us disapproving scowls while other greeted us with encouraging curiosity.

That said, we were generally met by more people who enthusiastically shared positives attitudes towards us. They were inspired by what they called our bravery and demonstration of fearlessly going against the customary grain of what is traditionally acceptable behaviour, from African women.

With our Pride Of Africa Ride, Mbokodo Edition nearing the end, we visited BMW Motorrad Umhlanga, where we had our bikes inspected in preparation for a safe trip back home.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

At one rest stop, a man admitted that we are putting the male gender to shame as most men are too afraid to ride motorbikes. He added that the large majority of men were incredibly intimidated by women who rode motorcycles.

On the opposite end of the spectrum and at a different destination, a woman, accompanied by her husband, gushed about her secret desire to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Judging by the look of alarm on his face, he was hearing this for the first time. Undeterred she asked how we had gotten into the world of motorcycling, before asking how to climb onto a motorbike. As they drove away, Vuyi and I joked about the perceived mood in the car.

On an afternoon when we felt too tired to leave the hotel, we opted to do a basic maintenance chain check (clean and lubbe) on Vuyi’s F 900 XR.

We did not need to check the R1250 GS since it has a drive-shaft. The drive-shaft however does need maintenance even though its maintenance frequency is less than that of a chain. If the drive-shaft is neglected and not maintained well, rust can get to the seals and cause damage to the bearings.

Though not entirely surprising to me, I found the R 1250 GS suspension much harder in comparison to that of the R 1250 GS Adventure.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

With our Pride Of Africa Ride, Mbokodo Edition nearing the end, we visited BMW Motorrad Umhlanga, where we had our bikes inspected, in preparation for a safe trip back home.

The inspection included the paramount checks which bikers should never ignore or bypass prior to any ride: tyre pressure, front & rear brake, throttle & clutch response, lights and turn signals, hooter, oil & other fluids, and checking if the engine power cuts when the side stand engages.

While at Umhlanga Motorrad, I decided to adjust the seat height to high for a different experience. The bike felt more comfortable riding with the high seat adjustment so I decided to use that seat level on our journey back home.

We proudly raised our fists in salute to the man whose sacrifices had made it possible for us as Black women to enjoy the freedoms we now do
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

Journeying back home

Though I was not quite ready to head back home, the day finally came and the return journey back was greeted with an all-seasons type of weather conditions. Although accustomed to inclement weather, which tests both the rider’s skill & endurance and the bike’s handling & comfort capabilities, I always approach such a ride with caution and due respect.

Heading out of the city and onto the N3, our route back home first took us to Howick where we visited the Nelson Mandela capture site. Here we sealed the end of our 2020 Pride Of Africa Ride with raised our fists in salute to the man whose sacrifices had made it possible for us as Black women to enjoy the freedoms we now do.

Unlike superbikes, the GS is more forgiving in curves and bends.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS

The remainder of the ride was peppered with intermittent downpours of rain and crosswinds, but my iron stallion held firmly to the road and I confidently darted between trucks and other slower moving traffic. The power of the 1250 GS never ceases to take my breath away.

As I opened the throttle and weaved my way through the delicious twists of Van Reenan’s Pass, I let loose a scream of delight then immediately heard myself laughing happily inside my helmet; if you are a biker, you’ll understand.

Another impressive thing about the 1250 GS is its leaning ability, which, if one is not accustomed to may feel daunting; but to a more seasoned rider feels as graceful as a professional ice-skater gliding effortless across the rink. Unlike superbikes, the GS is more forgiving in curves and bends. It allows you to adjust minor mistakes a rider may make as they enter the bend, making the 1250 GS a menace to superbikers on track day.

Though not entirely surprising to me, I found the 1250 GS suspension much harder in comparison to that of the 1250 GS Adventure. The dynamic pro riding mode made the bike even more responsive; the kick and the punch it produced, made me feel as though I was riding the 1250 GS.

The 1250 GS is in the adventure category, but in my opinion, informed by my 10 years riding experience and due to all the things it encompasses, the 1250 GS truly cannot be contained in just one specific category as it can be whatever you want it to be.

I can honestly say, and without hesitation that if one is looking for a versatile bike then the 1250 GS is the two-wheeler for you. That said, be warned, once you straddle this horse, there will be no coming back as you will most probably get hooked.

The BMW R1250 GS is priced from: R 322 900.00

First ride: BMW S1000XR, F900XR & F900R

vuyi on July 31, 2020

Bongiwe Didiza recently attended the media handover of the latest motorcycles from BMW Motorrad and spent the day playing with all three new bikes.

I won’t mention my excitement and the feelings of anticipation leading up to this day, because that will be a year long page of reading!

bongiwe didiza – biking in heels

Arriving at Gemelli Restaurant in Bryanston, for registration and Covid-19 screening I was well received with friendly smiles, exotic elbow greetings, a steaming hot cup of tea and nice breakfast. I took time to marvel at the beauties on display, the S 1000 XR, F 900 XR and F 900 R that BMW was about to handover to the media.

Being the the only rose amongst 5 young-at-heart-gentlemen bikers I felt a hint of intimidation.

bongiwe didiza – biking in heels

I could hardly contain myself, even as the presentation was well underway. Thoughts of experiencing first-hand, the various features being mentioned were making me fidget and I wondered if it was obvious to others in the room. This being my first-ever motorcycle event I felt like all bikers do when itching to get into the saddle of a new iron horse – energized.

Being the the only rose amongst 5 young-at-heart-gentlemen bikers I felt a hint of intimidation. Although my riding experience more than qualified me to be in their midst, the age-old debate about which gender is the better biker gnawed at my brain. I didn’t entertain it. I knew I was spending a day with friendly colleagues experiencing the thrill of the ride.

I figured the F 900 R might be an interesting pick for daily commuting.

bongiwe didiza – biking in heels

Daydreaming about the S 1000 XR, I marveled at how it combined the different strengths of various BMW motorcycles. by producing the S 1000 XR, BMW have effectively carved out a new and niche biking category as the S 1000 XR combines the performance capabilities of a BMW S1000RR with touring bike abilities.

I brought myself back into the moment of the presentation. My resolve didn’t last long though and I smiled slowly as I the imaged myself riding the F 900 XR adventure sport bike. It’s upright GS seating style would make me feel as though I was on my F 800 GS and that in itself, would be reassuring.

All the gentlemen were already suited up, however, a lady being a lady, I still had to get into my riding gear.

bongiwe didiza – biking in heels

Letting my mind drift to the dynamic F 900 R, I figured the F 900 R might be an interesting pick for daily commuting. Most commuter bikes are generally powered by engine capacities smaller than 900cc. I couldn’t wait to discover how a bike of this engine size would fare in a commuter-type environment.

The presentation at an end, it was time for us to formally meet the motorbikes in the metal. All the gentlemen were already suited up, however, a lady being a lady, I still had to get into my riding gear.

The bike’s responsiveness is refreshing, ithi “phuma uze kudlala”.

bongiwe didiza – biking in heels

I started off with the dynamic power of the S 1000 XR. I fumbled, before I remembered BMW has a keyless start, then laughed at myself. Off we went on my ice grey horse down Bryanston, through Krugersdorp and all the way to Magalies for our first comfort break.

That was a long enough ride for me to fiddle with the 6’5inch TFT screen and explore the different riding modes – Dynamic Pro, Dynamic, Road. I didn’t tamper with the Rain mode though, knowing it would test better on a rainy day. In Dynamic mode, I felt the S 1000 XR punch forward. Although expected, it felt exhilarating. The bike’s responsiveness is refreshing, ithi “phuma uze kudlala” directly translated that means – “come out and play”. Corny I know.

The F900R, could be just perfect as it does not restrict you because of your height

bongiwe didiza – biking in heels

The break over, it was time to hop on to the F 900 R – the Hockenheim silver/racing red commuter bike with its sizable engine. Although offering a comfortable seating position, my tall frame dwarfed it considerably and it felt too snug for me. I recalled conversations with ladies who only ride superbikes because of the tallness of the other bike models and realized that I could now confidently talk about the F 900 R as it’s height would suite most not-so-tall people. For those who may want to try something different, the F 900 R could be just perfect as it does not restrict you because of height; and while most may not want to admit it, height is not a female problem so a few guys might want to try out the F 900 R too!

The F 900 R lived up to my earlier day dreams when I had envisioned that it could easily be one of the best commuter bikes. As I rode it, it proved to be light and swift and given the capacity of its engine I can confidently say that the F 900 R would give you the freedom to quickly get out of sticky commuting situations with ease during an urban ride. Soon I was living my best life, playing on the curves along the road leading to our lunch destination, at the Cradle Moon Lodge, Muldersdrift.

Over lunch my colleagues and I shared our individual experiences thus far and discussed various features of each of the motorcycles. Oh, the joys of being in the company of those who share the same interests as yourself.

A short distance from our starting point, we had a motorcycle-journalists gone wild moment.

bongiwe didiza – biking in heels

Then came the big surprise reveal, in the form of the BMW R18 cruiser prototype. Seemingly, everyone else already suspected it lay in wait under the cover of the platform it perched on. I was the only one taken completely by surprise.

With our tummies refueled, it was time for me to saddle up on the F 900 XR. Presented in the perfect colour for me – galvanic gold metallic – I settled onto the bike I affectionatly regarded as the S 1000 XR’s little sister. The F 900 XR has loads of personality and ease of comfort for everyday riding. Riding the F 900 XR you’d be forgiven if you ‘mistakenly’ found yourself venturing on a mini adventure without a destination in mind – just to keep riding it.

A short distance from our starting point, we had a motorcycle-journalists gone wild moment. I let the ‘boys’ go wild on their powered-up toys, while I followed with my own hearty “cry-laugh” moment. The time to return the bikes had come and the ‘rowdiness’ was our way of signing off the end of an incredible experience.

Going home later on, I felt all sorts of sweet happiness. my first-ever handover experience had been amazing. the BMW Motorrad team and my media fellows had just a fantastic bunch of people and besides, its always a good day when one rides a well engineered motorbike.

I hopped into bed to remininse about the day and simultaneously made a mental, (albeit sleepy) note to book all three bikes for longer test rides as soon as possible. As my head hit the pillow I visualized myself astride the new BMW R18 cruiser set to arrive in SA in October. It gave me a glimmer of hope that even through the global coronavirus pandemic there was something to look forward to but until then I was just happy to have had a phenomenal day.

#MakeLifeARideSA