Two weeks ago myself and a friend went on an epic motorcycle trip here in Southern Africa - something I had been dreaming about for years, but never managed to fit in somehow.  This time round we got past the planning stages.  Although on/offroad motorcycles are very popular here due to the stunning unpaved roads in remote areas, we decided to stick to paved roads with our road bikes.
Me: 2005 BMW 1200LT.  My friend, Regis: brand new Honda VFR 1200 with touring package.
On average we did 450 miles per day.  We were prepared for camping, but also stayed in bed & breakfast establishments.  We were LOADED:  tent, fold up chairs and table, inflatable mattress, gas stove, flask, pots, cutlery, etc,, etc.  The duffle bag I carried on my pax seat weighed 70 pounds!
We rode in all imaginable weather conditions, and got drenched a few times.  Two days were HOT, with 41 degrees centigrade!  (With those "Michelen man" suits it was quite unbearable, but I don't ride without full gear)

Our aim was to cover all the "corners" of South Africa, and to travel through the countries of Lesotho and Swaziland.
Obviously I cannot give an account of the whole trip, but suffice it to say that it was absolutely fantastic, with great scenery and people we met along the way.  Some parts of Southern Africa are simply divine for motorcycling: long, twisty roads with fantastic surfaces.  The mountain passes of Lesotho are mind boggling!  We rode to the Katse dam: 100 miles of the tightest twisties and steepest passes you can find anywhere in the world.  The summit is at 3090 meters! (10140 feet)

I'm quite impressed with our half century frames actually faring so well!  After 3 days we actually felt less fatigued in the evening...
We had absolutely no problems with either bikes, neither any close shaves or mishaps.  We each had to replace a tire  due to punctures though.

OK, so this is a watch forum!  Here is a pic of the one and only beater I took along: Orient blue Mako with a model of my bike.

  The watch scored a 10!  I never took it off once, and it took a beating with a lot of vibration and shocks. It ran +16 seconds in 2 weeks.

This shows my bike and the bulk I carried!

 

On the way, loaded up



The VFR in front



Mountains in Lesotho



...and more......



.....and some locals admiring these horses........



..............when they are only familiar with these:



Part of the Lesotho Highlands water project, spanning miles and miles of flooded valleys



No kidding!



I think it said: road signs save your life...



No comment...... (me on the right)



One of our stopovers



Scenic falls



We had plenty of those too!



Fantastic riding



Camping!



Typical African highlands huts



Wide open spaces....



A lonely gas pump high up in the mountains



Look carefully - the road is way down below!



Summit in Lesotho.  Note snow marker.



Camp time!



At the ocean on the East coast



One of the many border crossings



Ready for the next trip!



Sorry if this long post bored you!

Last edited on Thu Mar 25th, 2010 11:08 am by Graham