South Africa is the best place to go for exciting trips and sports in a natural setting. A motorcycle vacation in this part of the world can be tailored to your preferences. If you plan on taking a “asphalt journey” from Johannesburg to the parks or from Cape Town to the coast, you’ll need the help of a local guide.
The roads are generally in good condition… but don’t be fooled by the lack of traffic that allows the throttle to open: the local community crosses the road without looking, and small buses pause frequently with crazy drivers to let passengers on and off. After sundown, visibility drops dramatically, especially in rural areas, resulting in pitch-black nights and the risk of encountering animals along the way. So don’t go too fast, and don’t get too distracted by the natural wonders that reveal themselves behind every curve.
If you’re looking for a ‘raid’ type of ride, keep in mind that sandy areas with a depth of 15/20 cm are very popular on off-roads. If you aren’t an expert, you should proceed with caution. Travel with your weight on the back of the saddle and do not slow down to avoid the front axle digging into the sand (with consequent fall).
If you keep your speed to 50 km/h, you won’t have any problems in most situations. If you want to go off-road, it’s best to hire a local motorcycle guide who is familiar with the area and can fix any problems that arise.
In South Africa, you drive on the left side of the road.
Awesome Locations
You’d want to get the most out of a well-planned vacation. A common mistake made by first-time travelers is to plot a course and then label path points on anything that appears remotely interesting along the way. What happens is that you quickly discover that you’re visiting places that aren’t as appealing as you had hoped.
A church here, a cave there, or a historical site there can all become monotonous and uninspiring after a while. Your tour guide directs you to the most popular areas on the tour and to others who have specific preferences for the route you take. In turn, but always from a specific perspective or angle, you end up exploring key tourist destinations and views, providing you with something new and rejuvenating to take home as memories and photographs, rather than the backs of thousands of visitors’ heads.
The Hands-On Experience
A good motorcycle touring agency will make certain that your expectations are met. It’s not always easy to tell who will give you their full attention, lead you down an exciting and rewarding path, and take you to some of the best locations along the way, so doing your homework pays off. On the internet, look up and read their feedback. Examine their photos: are they full of elderly couples or speed demons dressed in full race leathers, or are they all drenched from head to toe in mud?
Finding the best tour operator for you can be difficult. KTM adventure South Africa caters to both aspects of life. They have a unique method of ensuring that all passengers, regardless of category, enjoy their tours as much as the next guy. They are, to put it mildly, attentive, considerate, and enjoyable. If you’re looking for some excitement and adventure, they’ll be an excellent choice.
However, you may be disappointed if a group of riders wants to stop at every cafe, natter until the cows come home, and sing songs around an open fire. KTM Adventure South Africa is a fun and energizing organization that aims to put the fun back into touring. They aren’t exactly a “two-wheel coach tour.”
What should you wear on a motorcycle tour?
When most people hear about motorcycle tours, they envision a badass guy riding a Harley Davidson in trashy denim and leather belts while wearing aviator sunglasses. There is, however, a separate truth. If you spent half an hour on a road trip in these clothes, you’d swear you’d never gotten on a ride in the first place.
When it comes to motorcycle gear, the first thing you should think about is your health. Aspects such as comfort and accessibility must also be taken into account. Helmets are also required for obvious reasons. According to the statistics, helmets are 34% effective in preventing motorcycle accidents and 67% effective in preventing head injuries.
When it comes to safe motorcycle trips, the second most important item is a good pair of gloves. In the event of a collision, our first reaction is to use our fingertips to catch the drops. That’s when having a good pair of gloves comes in handy.
According to science, our bodies were not designed to travel faster than 40 kilometers per hour. Without protective clothing, going any further will harm our skin cells, bones, and internal organs. Protective clothing, such as jackets, pants, suits, and boots, is therefore the third most important item to bring on your motorcycle trip. They are commonly referred to as “body armor” because of the padding that extends as far as possible around your body. For every item of your motorcycle clothing, you would be able to get it waterproof in case of rain or bad weather.