Below are the reviews by
2016 Ford Everest off road review
2015 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
GT HumpZ: Range Rover Evoque convertible
The SA 4x4 & Outdoor Show 2016
check out the Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0 Bi-turbo 4x4 2019 Launch
You may have come across George Orwell’s book called the Animal Farm. Somewhere in the book they speak about “all animals being equal but some more equal than others”. Is this just not the irony of life in general?
Ford South Africa recently added the new Ranger Raptor into its product range. I will not judge you if you are inclined to compare this bakkie to VW’s Amarok, which is similarly priced. Nor will I blame you should you claim that it is just another bakkie on the South African market. The truth is it is not your average “off-the-shelf-4×4” bakkie we have come to know from this segment.
BMW R 1250 R, RS and RT Review (2019)
It was earlier in the first quarter of this year (2019) that BMW South Africa introduced their all new 1250 boxer engine. For over 35 years that flat twin boxer was used in the outgoing RT, R and RS models. The new 1250 engine was first launched in the GS and GS Adventure derivatives of the product range.
Worth noting, is the new technology introduced in the engine upgrade – what BMW calls ShiftCam Technology, which see Bavaria Motor Works ditch the old four-valve technology they trusted for the past 25 years. Essentially, the introduction of the new advancement, sees the engine running more smoothly, with reduced emissions and fuel consumption, and finally, enabling increase in power throughout the entire rev-range, in almost any gear. That may sound like some marketing gimmick, but having experienced the technology myself, I am still besides myself.
Honda Africa Twin 2019
There are still some people out there who think Africa is just one lump of jungle, where wild animals roam free and its inhabitants walk around in animal skin wrapped around them, as part of their clothing. To those of us who live here, Africa is one huge playground, especially for the adventure lover. There is endless land and rolling hills to explore, valleys and riverbeds add to the adrenalin flavour.
We recently rode to Lesotho with a group of friends, we could not resist the urge any longer and felt compelled to explore some routes not often ridden. The Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin was our mode of transport, and how appropriate, seeing that Lesotho is synonymous with horses used for ferrying locals almost anywhere.
Thirty years ago, in 2018, Honda XRV650 Africa Twin was introduced to us, and it was in 2016 that the CRF 1000L Africa Twin was launched and shared no common part with its fore runner.
New Nissan Micra
By the time your old bones have figured out the “gwara-gwara” dance moves, if you are anything like me, the rest of the world have moved ten steps ahead and even “matorokisi” is not only a song, but it too, has new dance moves, which you probably have not heard of, yet again.
The last quarter of 2019 sees Nissan South African launch the new Micra, in a similar way in South African music circles, as various production houses and artists dash for song of the year that will make vibrations throughout the country.
The new kid on the block is a trend setter in the upper class-B vehicle segment and is not shy to strut her newly acquired cosmetic upgrades, in full view of her opponents. She is a stunner.
Suzuki Katana 2020
The story of the new Suzuki Katana could be something out of a science-fiction movie. This does not only expose my age, but one literally gets to travel in time. In the dawn of the 1980’s when I was much younger the Katana was launched. Even at the time, its design was unconventional with sharp lines that intimidated its rivals. It called for attention from everyone, biker or not.
Fast forward into more than three decades later, the Katana has made a comeback, and to be honest, much to my surprise. Personally, I came to know and like the bike on my first Swazi Rally back in 1996.
KIA SELTOS 2020
We all know that one item of clothing that is ever so popular, yet so impractical. One such item for me is the All Star “tekkies”. Everyone seems to like them except me. In summer, they are oven hot and winter it feels like I am walking barefoot on ice. They are a lousy excuse for covering our feet. And, one cannot even classify them as bedroom sleepers either.
February sees KIA South Africa penetrate a very tight B-segment SUV market with the recent launch of the Seltos. As a brand they have come a long way, 21 years in the market that went by quickly, and a chunky dealer network to ensure they remain accessible, thus growing client confidence of their products. The Seltos is not a replacement model but an entirely new product.
So popular is the new-comer that even before being launched nationally, it was already selling like hot cakes off showroom floors by as early as mid-November of the previous year. And, according to the brand CEO, Gary Scott, these figures are on a bullish upward trend. On the launch I had first-hand experience why they are becoming so popular, and far more practical than the All Stars.
BMW R1250 RS
Late last year BMW launched the new R 1250 GS range with a bigger and better engine. Not long after that the same engine was used in the RS (sports tourer), RT (tourer) and R (naked) line. Of course, I was there to witness all of this. On launch, it is not always easy to decide which model suits me most. The last week of February I got to ride the RS the entire week, and I had lots of fun (and kilometres).
BMW R1250 R
They say dogs are men’s best friends. I should know, I have six. Having ridden the BMW R 1250 RS the previous week, the wind in my face and on my chest was undeniably noticed on the naked version, the BMW R 1250 R. It now made sense why dogs always stick their heads out when driving in cars.
The new BMW R 1250 R is as free as the vast rolling hills of our country. As confident as the rivers that flow in our valleys. It is for the bold. For the free spirited. For those that live a life beyond any worry. Whether fuel prices go up, or whether the corona virus has hit our African shores, they live to ride another day. It is the epitome of absolute freedom.
SUZUKI GSXR 1300 AKA HAYABUSA
When we were growing up, we used to say, and in fact we still continue to do so, that Sesotho and Chinese are the same. Sesotho phrases like “hang hang”, “che, ho hang” pretty much sound like Chinese to anyone who’s not Chinese. Loosely translated they mean “immediately” and “not at all”, respectively. Little did we know that the Japanese were not so far behind, trying to be Basotho. My first impressions when first finding out about the Hayabusa name, exactly that it must be from Lesotho. And this is besides the fact that this is a modern horse.
At no point in my biking life would I have ever even considered a 1 300 (1 340cc to be precise) bike, considering that I am a dwarf that weighs a mere 70 kilograms. This heavyweight beast comes in with an athletic guise of 266kg. Definitely not a Baby Jake.