Motorcycle Tips For New (& Experienced) Riders: Part 2
Motorcycles are cool and fun to ride, but in truth, they are much riskier modes of transport than cars.
Motorcycles are cool and fun to ride, but in truth, they are much riskier modes of transport than cars.
Following an invitation to go on a motorcycle road trip to Lesotho, I began preparing for the 1160km return trip oblivious to what I was signing up for.
Press Release: Honda Motor Southern Africa
The winners were announced at a victory ceremony held on November 10, 2021 at Kaleo Guest Farm. The champions were ‘crowned’ by Yuishi Fukuda, President of Honda Motor Southern Africa.
This year’s pairs were particularly strong and the 7 teams got a taste of some of the most breathtakingly beautiful landscapes in South Africa whilst putting their riding skills to the test.
Just 9 days before the final event, the 14 contestants were strangers; polite and formal around each other. But within a very short period of time, no one would have believed that they had just met. It wasn’t the dust and travel grime that made them gel so well; rather, it was the adventure journey that had irrevocably changed them.
The final tally of the adventure was very close amongst the heroic group; however, Ruan and Neil’s infectious energy, ability to approach every challenge with a smile and unwavering consistency both on and off the bike saw them richly deserving of their grand prize the Honda Africa Twin motorcycles which they competed on.
My relationship with motorcycles started out on a Honda NC750X in 2019. Granted, I had had an on / off relationship with motorbikes since 2015 when I first straddled a motorized bike, but it would take the better part of 4 years for me to finally commit to learning how to ride.
The Honda Quest 2021 boot camp held in the Koue Bokkeveld in the Cederberg came to conclusion on Thursday October 14th.
The 28 semi-finalists were put through their paces during an extensive 3-day bootcamp which tested them on various tasks that involved more than just riding a bike.
The selection panel had the arduous task of eliminating 14 of the 28 hopeful semi-finalists by conducting theoretical and practical tests that varied from adventure related general knowledge questionnaires to African geography quizzes. The semi-finalists were also asked to perform various practical and mechanical tasks with the added pressure of time limits per task.
The individual tasks also included the assembly of adventure essential accessories to the CRF1100 Africa Twins, one of the finest adventure motorcycles, and the bike they will be using to compete in the Honda Quest 2021 competition. Additional tasks over the 3 days included the assembly of a camp, motorcycle maintenance, tyre and tube repairs among others.
The selection panel were constantly on the lookout for individuals who demonstrated the competitive spirit and determination to complete the necessary tasks that would stand them in contention to compete in the final of Honda Quest 2021. Individual interviews were also conducted with each of the 28 semi-finalists which gave the panel insight into the behavioural responses of each semi-finalist.
The finalists (in no particular order) are:
Ellio Marcello Striglia |
Hein Kumm |
Peter Wilhelm Siegling |
Murray Ross Campbell |
Clemence Neil Rieck |
David Johannes Gouws |
George Hugo Minnaar |
Andrew de Bruin |
Hendrik Schalk Visser |
Shaun Engelbrecht |
Ruan Carl Ueckermann |
Daniel Francois de Kock |
Jaco Swiegelaar |
Tom Andrew Stewart |
The seven teams of two will now have the opportunity to embark on a life changing adventure from 1 – 10 November as they navigate through the challenging terrain in the Northern Cape’s Richtersveld, Namakwa Eco Trail, Tankwa Karoo and Cederberg whilst competing for the title of Honda Quest True Adventure 2021. The winning team will ride off on the very bike they will have competed on.
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
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.
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.
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
MR: I have a lot more likes than dislikes, hence I haven’t sold it yet. The things I like most are:
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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!
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/
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!
MR: There’d probably be 3 bikes on that trailer.
You can follow Mojaki’s adventures on @mojakirammoneng (Instagram)