[Paul]

Bikes have been a passion of mine since I was a kid and saw the bikes going to the sprints at Ramsgate Esplanade in the early 60’s the sound of Triumphs, BSA’s, Velos, Vincent’s etc just brilliant. I do prefer the older machines because they looked like motor cycles chrome and polished alloy and you can see the engine. The newer ones imho are very good but seem to lack the individual character of an old bike somehow.
I imported a Ducati MH900e, made as celebration of Mike Hailwoods Isle of Man Victories, in to South Africa in 2000 because it looked like a 60’s era bike but the handling and power are awesome. I thought for the first real trip I would ride down to Durban from my place a little matter of 300Km, no big deal I thought done it on the Hog many times, by the end of the first 50Km I was feeling very wrist and shoulder sore and by Durban I was ready to sell the bike as riding slow in traffic was agony especially under breaking. Fortunately I was staying over for a few days and felt that I could handle the ride back but it was still a mission.
My other running bike is a Custom Softail a lovely bike for cruising and just listening to that lovely sound coming out of the exhaust.
There are some great unique and distinctive motor sounds imho a big American V8, Harley’s, Ducati, MV and no doubt there are a few more.
I have a great wife who is also a motor head and doesn’t mind the bikes sleeping in the lounge.
Andre I am moving down to De Rust in April and I am going to enjoy those Cape roads on the bikes and in the GT40 when she is on the road.