Bike SA - April 2020

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In this issue

Aprilia V4RR Tuono, KTM 390 Adventure Launch, Alan Cathcart, Charley's Chat, MotoGP plus loas more......

Giancarlo Morbidelli AN APPRECIATION

Last month, we published Alan Cathcart’s story about the sale of Giancarlo Morbidelli’s incredible motorcycle collection. As we went to press with that issue, news came through of the death of the man himself, after a long illness, at the age of 85. Here, Alan pays tribute to the remarkable life-story of one of motorcycling’s greats.

7 mins

To Lane-Split Or Not To Lane-Split?

That really is the question, isn’t it? As I mentioned in last month’s road safety column, we are a third of the width of a car so we can take advantage of this when threading through traffic. But it’s not as simple as that.

3 mins

The Game Changer

Small-Capacity Adventure Bikes Just Got Very Serious.

7 mins

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100RR

It is easy to run out of superlatives very quickly when writing or talking about the genus motorcycle in all its modern forms. We have reached such an unprecedented pinnacle in design, technology, performance, dynamics, reliability, variety, and any other measurable parameter, both physical and aesthetic, that the only criticism one can make is often purely subjective.

6 mins

Alex Briggs: Working With The Icon VR46

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP mechanic Alex Briggs knows what it means to work with champions. He was a former motocross rider who wanted to work in Europe as a motocross mechanic, when he met Peter Luczkowski, who was a mechanic for Mick Doohan. In 1993 Jeremy Burgess (Doohan’s chief mechanic) offered him a job in road racing for Darryl Beattie and Rothmans Honda.

4 mins

BMW R1250GS On The Aspoestertjie Rally 2020

Verneukpan is an alien and inhospitable place. This massive barren wasteland, approximately 50km west to east and 20km north to south, is home to nothing. Temperatures regularly exceed 40°C. Mercurial mirages shimmer the horizons and the reflection of sunlight off the white surface of the pan is blinding. It’s a legendary destination for adventure bikers. I first rode to Verneukpan in January 2008 and again in August 2010. After a decade hiatus I was looking forward to returning to the pan in 2020. The Kenhardt Hotel was our bivouac for the weekend and the venue for the 21st annual Poetic Rally. 2020 was the Aspoestertjie Rally – that’s Afrikaans for Cinderella. About thirty hard-riding men from across the country descended on Kenhardt with the express intention of riding the pan and drinking some beer in the desert. Let’s get it on!

9 mins

TRIUMPH IN THE EAST

Triumph recently announced that the company would move series production of all models to its factories in Thailand, leaving the UK factory to concentrate on motorcycle development and building the Triumph Factory Custom models. Alan Cathcart was given an exclusive tour of the Thai operation.

6 mins

A Birds Eye View

Stay safe in this crazy world

6 mins

CHARLEY'S CHAT

ANOTHER STORY OF CHARLEY AND FRIENDS’ MADCAP ADVENTURES...

6 mins

17TH ANNUAL INK&IRON 2020

This year the 17th Annual Ink and Iron – The Real Deal In Skin And Steel – fell on Leap Year – February 29. Depending on your superstitious views Leap Years are either very lucky or very unlucky.