Yamaha Grizzly 700FI

‘n Beer in Beer klere.

Hierdie is nie net nog ‘n vierwiel motorfiets nie. As ek hierdie vierwiel motorfiets moet beskryf in ‘n paar woorde sou ek verrassing en ongelooflik ‘n paar keer gebruik. Met eerste oog opslag kan jy sien hier is iets anders as die speel speel vierwiel motorfietse wat mense irriteer op Sondag middae.

Eerste indrukke -Eerste ding wat jy sien is hoe groot die fiets is. Dis ook duidelik dat hy veeldoelig is. Daar is oral rakke en gaaitjies waar jy goed kan vasmaak of bere. Hierdie voetuig is ideaal om te gaan kamp, verken, jag, boer, visvang, watookal. Daar is selfs ‘n kragpunt om jou matras mee op te blaas!

As jy op hom sit kan jy sommer dadelik voel hy is duidelik in ‘n ander klas. Die elektroniese instrumentpaneel is lekker groot en wys vir jou of jy in 4x4 is, hoeveel petrol jy het, ens. Dis ‘n moderne voertuig met moderne tegnologie. Petrol inspuiting, onafhanklike vering, ewenaar slot, noem maar op. Ja, hierdie is ‘n ernstige voertuig. Maar genoeg lofliedere. Hoe ry hy?

Gemaklik, Doeltreffend - Op so groot vierwiel motorfiets verwag jy dat hy lomp gaan wees en veral swaar gaan draai. Dis nie die geval hier nie. Die Grizzly ry heel gemaklik. As jy dan gaan oplees kom jy agter dat hierdie fiets spog met die eerste kragstuur op ‘n vierwiel motorfiets. Dit, saam met die onafhanklike vering maak hom ‘n plesier om te bestuur.

As ‘n viertrek voertuig is die Grizzly ‘n baie voortreflike masjien. Daar sal min plekke wees waar die Grizzly nie kan ry nie. Dis die gewig en kraglewering verhouding wat hom so bevoordeel. Ek wou graag die fiets regtig toets, maar oral waar ek moes deurry was kinderspeletjies. Op, af, modder, sand, noem maar op. Ek het lag-lag by twee wel bekende fabrikaat 4x4’s verby gery. Hulle sit toe al amper vir 2 ure vas…

Veelsydig - Verkoop syfers van die sogenaamde sport vierwiel fietse neem nou al ‘n geruime tyd af. Die veeldoelige segment toon egter steeds groei. Meer en meer mense kom agter dat, tensy jy regtig gaan kompiteer, die veeldoelige fietse meer pret kan wees. Hulle is gemaklik en uiters maklik om te ry. Jy durf moeilike pad toestande met selfvertroue aan en maak kinderspelletjies daarvan. Hulle raas ook nie so verskriklik dat elke persoon by wie jy verby ry jou nek wil omdraai nie. Verder is hulle ontsettend veelsydig. Jy kry ‘n hele reeks bybehore vir die fietse (wat selfs insluit geweer houers, waentjies ens.) en jy kan hom regtig inrig volgens jou behoeftes.

Kies een! - Met die nuwe fokus op die meerdoelige segment van die vierwiel mark het Yamaha raakgevat met hulle reeks vierwiel motorfietse. Daar is nege modelle om van te kies wat wissel van die Grizzly 80 tot hierdie vlagskip Grizzly 700FI. Die Grizzly 700FI verkoop vir R 79 995 en glo my, hy sal jou nie teleurstel nie.

Bike supplied by Loerie Yamaha


Grizzly 700FI Tech Specs






.

Two Little Monsters on the Mountain

Well, what a weekend! It started on Friday with the new YFM700 Grizzly I had to test for the local paper.

We ended up playing with all sorts of 4x4’s on that day… More on that here.

Saturday we took LGF’s monster into the mountain and Sunday was spent with the family – on the bikes of course. After the kids saw the pics of LGF’s ride there was no way I could keep them off the mountain on Sunday.

Things did not start well. 1^st Mrs. TR could not go with so I had to leave my bike at home and ride hers (which was already on the farm) and then the car left with the kid’s elbow & knee guards, as well as their helmets.

At first I suggested that we ride the quad till the car gets back. That did not go down well. Maar Paaaaaa. Quads is dan vir sissies! OK. Lets use Mrs. TR’s helmets. Who got stuck with the full face helmet was another fight. The little one agreed to wear it if he could wear the chest protector we had as well.

Let’s ride! (At last!)

First stop at the dam to unlock the gate.

And then into the mountains. We took a road I have not taken before (yes, there are that many!).

Running the risk of repeating myself (again) – this area is breathtaking.

After exploring for a while we got a phone call – the helmets are back! Rest assured we rode back to the farm without delay. Some people get rather attached to their gear is seems.

All kitted out they were a much happier bunch. Let’s go already!

We have an indigenous forest on the farm dubbed: “Die feetjie plek” That would be our next stop.

This area is well used in summer. It’s cool and you get that wonderful forest smell. The water is clean and delicious.

Well, this is beautiful and all, but the kids want to ride! I took them through a deep slippery valley where two very capable 4x4’s got stuck for 2 and a half hours on Friday.

Kids of this age are amazing. They’re kind of a blank slate. No bad habits like the ones we struggle with. Also, at this age dad is the smartest and strongest guy in the world. You stop before the obstacle and tell them how to ride it; what to do when and where. OK Dad! And off they go and ride the thing as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

No problem…

What a privilege to ride here and do it with your family.

Forum ride report and comments here

The Monster on the Mountain

We've done a couple of rides into the Outeniqua Mountains. It's the most amazing and spiritual place and it's a privilege being able to ride there. So far only trail bikes have been up there, but I've had some requests from the big boys. Today it was my friend LGF's turn.

We picked a beautiful day to ride too.

It was to be me, LGF, Clinton and Sir Gravellot on this ride. Sir Gravellot:

We started to ride higher & higher to see the view Eisbein and I bragged about last week.

This was quite a steep incline, but LGF & the KTM handled it beautifully.

My trusty steed

What a view

That's one happy rider! You can almost see the grin!

This is the spot where Eisbein and I wondered which way to go. We took the high road. Today we took the other...

Time for some trailriding: Mud, stones, tree trunks etc.

Being here makes it all worth while

Every so often we'd cross the river. We stopped and had some water to drink here. The water is ice cold and tastes as sweet as wine. This truly is the land of milk and honey.

Next up was a very steep & rocky uphill

No problem!

LGF's KTM handling the situation beautifully – this man can ride!

We were riding and riding and did not want to turn around, would you?

You know KTM's got the grin factor when even the rider riding behind the KTM can't stop grinning.

We were running out of daylight. None of us have been on these roads before and we did not know exactly where we were. The road did seem to start heading in the general direction we came from...

At this stage we had to decide – are we going to backtrack, or follow the road and see where it leads? Decisions decisions.

But not before we admired this waterfall. I wonder how many people have seen this before?

We bravely decided to carry on. And then, about a km down the road we happened upon this little technical piece of rocky road where a "driffie" used to be and I knew exactly where we were! Surprisingly this amazing piece of road turned out to be a circular route!

And what a route it is...

Nothing was going to stop us today…

More trees

Clinton roosting it

Light was fading, but we were close to the farm. The road here was graded and in good condition. We were riding along enjoying the scenery, happy about our accomplishments for the day. It's when you relax like this...

I suddenly heard a sickening sound behind me. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed my fear. The KTM went down hard.

Luckily we had a paramedic (Sir Gravellot) and a photographer (Me) close at hand.

LGF had some sore ribs, but he was well enough to give the camera the bird

O well, alls well that ends well

Thanks guys for a remarkable ride!

Forum ride report and comments here