[pikes]

Howzit Gentz,

Thought I would do an introduction post before the I collect the bike in next week.

Im 24, and I live in Cape Town South Africa. By the map on the forum im the only member on the forum on continent of Africa  Will have to ask the dealer how many bikes have been sold so far. The Mts are incredibly scares here. I wanted a grey one, but they don’t bring them in. So I settled for Blazing Orange, which is gorgeous in the flesh. Lets back track quickly.

A bit about me. Im a financial planner by day so often need to see clients and traffic is a problem when in the car. So I bought my first road bike, a 650 Honda TRANSALP about 2 weeks ago from a friend to test out life on the road with a motorbike. I found it easy to get use to as I spend a lot of time (about 25h a week) training on my road bicycle for cycling racing. I was out looking for a nice jacket at the local Yamaha dealership when I saw a race blue MT. Wow! I knew I needed it in my life to spice up my 2 week old morning motorcycle commute.

Now I know you’re thinking that the MT09 might be a bit of a big step up from the TA. However after racing national motocross from 12 until the age of 22, ending with the 2012 F.I Kawi 450 beast. I think I can manage the MT. I just have to be cautious in the beginning, but that’s what the break in period is for right? OTD price is R119 000 ( I know, our economy is stuffed…). Problem is, I don’t have a motorbike licence. Writing my learners exam this Wednesday at 8am. Then sign at the bank and go pic up my baby.

I have added some extras of the get go. Mesh Scoops, transformer style radiator guards, fly screen. The Frame sliders and tail tidy is on back order and ill have to wait for those. I also plan to add some Arrow bar end mirrors, and thinking of an Akrapovic pipe, but they are 28K here… perhaps later.

In the mean time, I gave the TransAlp back to my mate, and he will try sell it for me. I have upgraded to a Hoon style helmet. Icon Variant, got the gold shield as I think it will look badass with the orange tank and gold forks. Looking forward to posting pics & gopro vids of our beautiful coast line & mountain roads.

Update to follow when I collect. Now I have to go study for that learners exam.

Regards,
Pikes

 

[Willowbilly]

Welcome. I'm at the other end of the planet in Alaska, but we have the same tastes in helmets. Love the Variant. I've never been to Cape Town, but my wife has, and she enjoyed the trip. Post some pics when you're up and running.

 

[marthy]

Lekker!

Welcome to the forum Mate! Been to SA once, wife is from Jburg. (Got married there actually) Ride safe...

 

[Niner]

Welcome to the addiction!

 

[triplethreat]

Hello, and welcome to the forum. I'm going to move this over to the introduction area for ya.

 

[beck]

Unfortunate you had to settle for Orange, liquid Graphite is the fastest color but we won't hold it against you!

Welcome and ride safe.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[pikes]

thanks for making me feel welcome guys.

question regarding break in, motoman style or as per manual?

Also, i poped in the gold shield for the varient. Wohw!!! looks badass!

 

[DNFDOUG]

Welcome, Motoman here. 680 miles and fully broken in.

 

[knobbyaddiction]

welcome, and Orange is by far the fastest color and nobody will laugh at your wheels.

 

[Paul G]

Unfortunate you had to settle for Orange, liquid Graphite is the fastest color but we won't hold it against you!

Welcome and ride safe.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Liquid Graphite is only available on the lesser FZ09.
We're talking about MTs here:evil6:

 

[LehighLuke]

Are you from SA?....do you have that awesome accent?....congrats...somehow I imagine that riding the MT in Africa would be incredible

 

[Mothy]

Welcome! Will be interesting to hear your impressions of the FZ with your background. :thumbsup:

 

[pikes]

Hahaha, yes I have a accent. But to me, so would you guys.

I have done some online shopping, got arrow bar end mirrors (shipping alon is $57) ouch… should be interesting to see if its still cheaper than buying it locally. Also got a Helmet Lock II, anyone have any experience with these? As I will be commuting most of the time, and I don’t want to spoil this gorgeous bike with a top box on the back.

Got some Icon Hooligan jeans and Alpinestar Fastlane shoes. Now im all good to rock come Wednesday. I hope it all works out, might have to get it Thursday as Wednesday afternoon I am helping out a local charity. Lets hope for the best.

So my Mom will probably have yet another heart attack when she sees this bike, as with the transalp a few weeks ago, I didn’t mention anything. I just rocked up at their house on it. She is really against the motorbike on the road thing. Probably has something to do with all the broken bones and scares we have had racing MX over the years.



My most recent one left me in hospital for a month. At the end of 2012 MX season I did a heelclicker over the +-100ft finishing table top on the last lap, my talent ran out a little and I overjumped it by about 5m to flat. Lower leg was shattered into tiny bits and I ended up getting a cadaver bone transplant to fix me up. Doing Iron Man triathlons 2 years after this was probably not a great idea.




I have a cool idea to reveal the bike to the family, but more on that later. Its quite elaborate 

Here is the Icon with the gold shield in. looks amazing I think, how do you guys think it will do on a naked bike at 75mph ish? I had already ordered this for the transalp before I decided to get the MT.

 

[LehighLuke]

Oh dude...sick. You need to follow that up with some pictures of puppies or something as a palate cleanser

 

[beck]

My mom cried when i showed up on my first bike at her house. Then she hit me when my older brother showed up with one 3 weeks later.

Love that helmet but think you may catch a lot of wind drag. More importantly what is that bike you having hanging up on the wall?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[pikes]

Will report back on wind drag on debut ride.

That my friend is a Specialized S-Works Venge. With wheels and other xtras its worth more than my MT09. Lets not even talk about my mountainbike. Luckily these bikes are sponsored, but sucks having them and not been alowed to ride for past two months due to Patellofemoral syndrome injury on both knees. Hence my spur of the moment head firts dive into bikes. Now to figure out a way to get this sponsored

 

[pikes]

So its been a hectic last two days. been studiung up for tomorrows exam.

also been a nightmare getting my finace approved by the bank as i earn commision only. hopefully that will be sorted out today. they keep missing my HR lady when they phone and not allowed to call a cell number.

anyways, i have a friend who workds at a steel place and hade this made as it would be cheaper than importing one.

 

[beck]

Will report back on wind drag on debut ride.

That my friend is a Specialized S-Works Venge. With wheels and other xtras its worth more than my MT09. Lets not even talk about my mountainbike. Luckily these bikes are sponsored, but sucks having them and not been alowed to ride for past two months due to Patellofemoral syndrome injury on both knees. Hence my spur of the moment head firts dive into bikes. Now to figure out a way to get this sponsored

Nice, I was sponsored by Cannondale back in high school early college but just ride recreationally now. Miss the downhill races though.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[pikes]

But at least on youre 09 youll get simulat thrills without all the pedalling.

Just passed my licence! Now i can collect, however its a crapy rainy day in CapeTown. Guess well to wait till tomorrow :-(

 

[Biker]

Hahaha, yes I have a accent. But to me, so would you guys.

I have done some online shopping, got arrow bar end mirrors (shipping alon is $57) ouch… should be interesting to see if its still cheaper than buying it locally. Also got a Helmet Lock II, anyone have any experience with these? As I will be commuting most of the time, and I don’t want to spoil this gorgeous bike with a top box on the back.

Got some Icon Hooligan jeans and Alpinestar Fastlane shoes. Now im all good to rock come Wednesday. I hope it all works out, might have to get it Thursday as Wednesday afternoon I am helping out a local charity. Lets hope for the best.

So my Mom will probably have yet another heart attack when she sees this bike, as with the transalp a few weeks ago, I didn’t mention anything. I just rocked up at their house on it. She is really against the motorbike on the road thing. Probably has something to do with all the broken bones and scares we have had racing MX over the years.



My most recent one left me in hospital for a month. At the end of 2012 MX season I did a heelclicker over the +-100ft finishing table top on the last lap, my talent ran out a little and I overjumped it by about 5m to flat. Lower leg was shattered into tiny bits and I ended up getting a cadaver bone transplant to fix me up. Doing Iron Man triathlons 2 years after this was probably not a great idea.




I have a cool idea to reveal the bike to the family, but more on that later. Its quite elaborate 

Here is the Icon with the gold shield in. looks amazing I think, how do you guys think it will do on a naked bike at 75mph ish? I had already ordered this for the transalp before I decided to get the MT.

View attachment 3385 View attachment 3386

Welcome to the 09' foremost forum.
I like the looks if your variant helmet. Let is know how the brow thine works at speed.