Hi all - after trawling the website the last few weeks, my TTR is finally on it's way to me (and hopefully it will arrive safely tomorrow sometime). To say I am excited is completely understating it. The bike is pretty much stock form from what I can see - tail tidy will probably be my first mod, and I will have to source a headlight, the current one seems to have made an acquaintance with a fast moving stone somewhere along the line.
It is coming from up-country (Johannesburg). Been researching bikes for such a long time (with many a visit to yours truly) and the TTR was top of the list, but could not get one close to me for sale unfortunately, so it is being transported the 900 odd miles to Cape Town. I was considering 650's (BMW, DR, KLR) - they are extremely popular here and I could get quite a few in the time I was shopping around, but I wanted something lighter and "simpler".
Boertjie, good choice. I have a few m'çycles, the newest, a TTR. They are not easy to find in SA - I live in Bloemfontein, lived in Ficksburg on the Lesotho border for many years and found mine in Port Shepstone. Trailer-ed it the 800Km back home after a diving weekend at Aliwal shoal, Umkomaas.
Short story as to why it is such a great choice -
Sept. 2014 decided to do a three day cross-country (roads not on Garmin nor on Tracks-for-Africa at the time) from Seshote near Katse dam wall, direct to Mokhotlong. Back via Thaba Tseka and Katse Lodge to Ficksburg. Lovely trip. Did it twice way back in '84 on a KDX 175. Roads were slightly better then and KDX no problem - just thirsty for fuel!
BUT - I broke my own rules of nothing over 250cc, 120Kg and minimum luggage. Being Sept was nervous of being caught out in the open possibly in snow at 8,000ft altitude in winter in Lesotho. Can easily drop to -20C by morning.
So, decided to use my 2004 F650GS. A small tent, sleeping bag and extra warm clothes. As it happened days were perect, warm, nights of course freezing.
Was a good ride starting in Ficksburg, but the first 35 Km after Seshote was 6 hours of hell. Schlepping 220Kgs of 650 and luggage over some bad rocky roads.
On that section did not meet any other vehicels, 4x4 or otherwise. Oh yes, there was one wooden sled pulled by oxen, some riders on horses and a few donkeys.
After our overnight at St Marten's, a Catholic American sponsored mission hospital, where they kindly let the two of us stay over in the vacant maternity section, the roads improved and no more suffering was experienced lugging the heavy bikes around. Trip went well after that.
I was cursing myself for not having taken the TTR. Would have been way easier. If you're interested, will have recovered enough by November 2016 to do the route again. On the TTR. Or maybe over Matibeng pass out through Ramatsiliso's Gate to Matatiele. Many options back from there - Sani, Rhodes, Semongkong are a few.
What a co-incidence, we use to play Ficksburg in rugby during my school days, Vrede is where my parents still live on the farm! So I know that neck of the woods that you are referring to so well, beautiful part of the world; when did you stay in Ficksburg?
What a wonderful ride - really sounds like an epic adventure, getting off the beaten path, on the KDX it must have been fun yes. And yes, thanks for confirming that I made the right choice! The worst snow we ever had on the farm (and area) was September 1981, hundreds of telephone poles between Harrismith and Warden bent under the weight of snow, even Johannesburg was covered under 15 to 20 cm of snow. So yes, September you just cannot tell - so it was a brave decision indeed.
Would definitely be keen on the November 2016 ride, thanks so much for the kind invitation; really will be great to do exactly why I have chosen the TTR.
Will report back when the bike arrives, but yes, cannot wait. Should be today or tomorrow hopefully.
The bike is pretty much stock form from what I can see - tail tidy will probably be my first mod, and I will have to source a headlight, the current one seems to have made an acquaintance with a fast moving stone somewhere along the line. 
