And the Winner is…

Well it certainly wasn’t this group pictured here, however ‘We’ did achieve a highly commendable third place out of 40-odd teams. Now that’s quite impressive for a dubious mix of various journalists and their partners, and the reward was a 3rd placed medal to proudly display at their homes, made from a not very exotic material - tremendous all the same.

A far better result than Hazel and myself achieved last year when a violent front wheel puncture ended our quest for fame, and we sadly had to retire. This traumatic retirement haunted us for the rest of the year, well maybe a little. Not so in 2024 and the iconic Suzuki Weekend Away was a resounding success of note. Held once again at the Numbi hotel in Hazyview from the 8th to the 10th of June, and yes, it was a bit chilly seeing as we’re well into winter and hence the shrinking of the reproductive organs and chattering teeth was mandatory, well mine at least. Still the games and activity venues were memorable on every count once again, as you can see from these images. 

The very clever adoption of phone technology was once again used to direct riders, and car drivers, to their next destination where various activities commenced. There were also numerous questions to answer before the next route opened, covering around 200km+\- before returning back to the hotel. The whole event takes around eight hours depending on how clever (questionable) you are and how long it takes to take photographs (copious giggling hinders this), to load onto the App for your specific team, which are relayed to Base Camp at the hotel. These photos are primarily what wins you the event and according to the judges ours were the best - so there! Still didn’t win though. In fact ‘We’ were told we only lost to first place by around 100 points (what a picture carries), so it must have been the girls fault somewhere along the line, right girls? I look forward to the response, which’ll probably be strong verbal abuse and a flat hand.

Anyway, childishly pointing fingers aside we did enjoy the new bikes we rode over the weekend, being the new GSX-8R and the GSX-S 1000 GX. I’ll cover those in our New Rides section in the near future. The scenery around this area of SA is truly spectacular and well worth a visit if you’ve never been, even for Adventure bikes. There was a class for ‘them’ this year but with a poor turnout of only ONE, after many requests to do so, that part was a little disappointing. So I’d predict it’ll be road riding only in 2025. 

Solving puzzles, taking pictures, discovering things, is all what the Suzuki Weekend Away event is all about, and of course bonding with team mates and other competitors. You don’t have to ride a Suzuki bike either to enter, so there’s no excuse to not participate next year?

Let’s not forget one of the main reasons for attending a Suzuki Weekend Away, it’s one hell of a party. The night after the riding finishes, in the main hall, is filled with alcohol consumption, more games, lots of prizes, and awards, all expertly performed by the Dream Team who host the event. Not forgetting the input and arranging from Suzuki motorcycles HQ and all from there, oh, and the Numbi hotel for exceptionally nice food and accommodation. 

Be warned, by the time you return home on the Sunday you’ll be exhausted both physically and mentally, which shows you’ve had an outstanding experience, which we most evidently did. Suzuki motorcycles, The Dream Team, plus all the staff involved need a medal for hosting this 2024 event, but they’re definitely not having mine as I wear it daily, perhaps? Make it a plan for next year folks, you won’t regret it, that’s for sure.

Check out   www.dreamteam.co.za/about-us  and please use them for any event you choose, because their expertise is exemplary.  

Also use www.hotelnumbi.co.za for accommodation in that stunning area of SA, at any time of the year - all motorcyclists welcome.

And of course the www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za tribe, Mbali, Stuart, Kyle and Corrie for another wonderful time. 

4am and we’re on our way to Knysna, a massive 1200km +/- journey through the centre of South Africa. Oh yes, Jo’burg to this coastal town is certainly not a short excursion to complete in one day, but ‘we’ did it.

Stuart Baker (motorcycle boss for Suzuki SA) and myself began the drive in their new van (not a Suzuki), for the first 300km, and then we had the pleasure of the last 900km or so in a new Suzuki Swift Sport, the one with the turbo, much better. It was covered in fancy racing graphics for the forthcoming event, as were two more.

Eventually we arrived and in surprisingly good condition, regarding the buttock muscles, and we’d gone through 327 wine gums, one large sausage roll, and various chocolates, decorating the floor well with remnants of the above. 

Anyway, that was over and the posh Knysna hotel was a welcome reward with a room fit for a King. However I wasn’t just here for fun and sweet consumption – I was here to ride the all-new Suzuki GSX-S 1000 GX up, and hopefully back down, the iconic 1.7km Simola Hill Climb racetrack. Now being an ex British Drag Race Champion this was right up my alley, or hill, to be more precise. 

The new GX with its, first time for Suzuki, electronic Showa suspension, where you can adjust every setting by using the left side button on the ‘bars, is basically superb. We will bring you the full review in the very near future. My brief was to show off (I’m good at that), destroy the rear tyre for crowd excitement and entertainment (easy), and more importantly DO NOT damage the bike, as it’s currently the only one in SA. If so, Stuart said his fist would violently connect with my chin and nose – point taken. I therefore softened his concern with another large bag of wine gums.

There was also a white Hayabusa with us as well, for Jaco Viviers to perform on in a similar manner; he’s the proud owner of Richard’s Bay Suzuki and Drag race Champion in SA. Corrie and Kyle, from Suzuki SA, were also in attendance and basically made the whole adventure fun, special, and most memorable (especially the orange cloth, eh guys)? Anyway sticky moments aside the team from Suzuki Auto and everyone else involved deserve a massive ‘big-up’ on all counts for such a memorable and rewarding time – I owe you ‘all’ a thousand beers, maybe?

Knysna is one of the most exquisite places in SA, stuffed full of friendly inhabitants, great restaurants and bars, and of course the ocean. Two 200hp outboard Suzuki engines took us out into the ocean on some inflatable contraption, which widened the eyes to say the least, well worth a ride out if you’re there.  If you’ve never been to Knysna, or the surrounding area do so, at any time of the year. Makes one wonder why so many people go abroad for their holidays, what’s wrong with you?

Only during lunchtime were we let loose on the 1.7km track to showcase the two Suzuki motorcycles. This road-derived track is easy to learn but difficult to master, and immense fun to attack. Meanwhile the three Swift Sports were cleaning up in their class in full competition mode, interestingly all three using the auto option for superior getaways, they said. So Jaco and myself sadly had no official times so to speak, and after three days we unfortunately destroyed the rear tyres, in a professional manner of course – sorry Stuart, you did say we could, would you care for a wine gum?

One thing I can say is the new GX is a very good choice to attempt a ‘climb’, and a few wheelies too, just for fun. The electronic suspension is very easy to set to your liking, but for competitive reasons I cannot divulge my preferences, well maybe on the forthcoming review.

When it all came to end I was quite sad to say the least. I made new friends, saw old ones, and was impressed how the event was run, one of the best things I’ve ever been too. Everything from classic cars to old F1 machines, 1,000hp+ brutes, to road going cars were all attacking the ‘hill’ trying for the best time. I believe the best time in some open-wheeled monster was around 36 seconds, with speeds close to 240km/h and above – amazing!

The Suzuki Auto Race Team also won their class, well actually dominated the top three, with a new record time in the process. A truly remarkable little car in the right hands and well worth a test-drive if you’re after a sporty, superb handling, and a surprisingly good touring car too.

I, on the other hand would certainly love to be there again next year, I’ve already ordered the wine gums and orange cloths (aye Kyle?). I cannot recommend attending this race event more, which will be from the 1^st to 4^th May 2025 – so book your accommodation today, or why not enter your car? 

A huge thanks to www.suzukiauto.co.za. For taking care of us, also go there to book a highly recommended Swift Sport test drive at your local dealer.

And of course all the guys from www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za for everything you’ve read about. Go there for more information on the new GSX-S 1000 GX, and the new GSX- 8R.

See you all in 2025…

We adore the Indian brand for many reasons, and here are even more reasons to own one of the most iconic motorcycles in the history of motorcycling.

Not only are these demo bikes available for you to ride they're also on sale, with very low milage, at  huge cost savings. So get in touch with the listed dealers below for more information and bookings, to try out these models listed. If you've never ridden any Indian motorcycle we highly recommend you do, and what better time to do so, you might just win R10,000?

Demo bikes at all four dealerships around the country: Cape Town – Droomers Indian, Durban – SMG Indian, Johannesburg – Linex Indian Santon, Pretoria – Linex Indian Lynnwood.

Each dealership has the following demo’s

Scout

Chief

FTR

Sandton and Lynnwood also have a demo Challenger and a demo Roadmaster

Demo rides can be booked either by making contact with the dealerships directly, or via the websitewww.indianmotorcycle.co.za

We are offering a lucky draw for a R10000.00 Indian hamper to all demo ride bookings. T & C’s apply

Buy an Indian motorcycle and receive R15000.00 worth of Indian accessories for free!

5 Day service turnaround, including bike collection and post service delivery within 50km radius of any dealership. This offer is limited to standard services, not major repairs.

IMRG – Indian Motorcycle Rider Group – free membership to the international IMRG, which includes membership card, IMRG colours and badge, and inclusion on the local IMRG Whatsapp Group. We have a local (South African) Chapter, and we hold a monthly IMRG ride, which is free to attend. We also put together a minimum of 1 IMRG weekend ride away per annum.  

Updated: 10th May 2024