Bikers know how to save fuel
André Schoeman aboard a BMW F700GS clinched the title of South Africa's most fuel-efficient motorcyclist during this weekend's RFS Motorcycle Economy Run.
NEW CHAMPION. Shado Alston, the winner of the 2012 and 2013 RFS Motorcycle Economy Run, hands over the trophy to 2014 winner André Schoeman. Picture: Suppied
Schoeman completed the 34th edition of the event over a challenging route of more than 1 000km from Pretoria to Hazyview, with an average fuel consumption of 3.2975l/100km.
A winning margin of a scant 0.0037l saw Schoeman pip Keith Parry (Honda NC 750X) and 2012 and 2013 winner Shado Alston (Honda CBR 500 R) to the post.
Alston missed making it three in a row by a mere 0.0058l, but still managed to win Class A.
Rounding out the top five were Grant Scott (Honda NC 750) and Willie Duvenage (BMW Sertao).
Bavarian Motorcycles secured the team challenge, boasting no fewer than seven class winners from their 10-member team.
The team challenge highlights the spirit of camaraderie, which epitomises the event, ensuring
motorcycles return to compete year after year – none more so than
veteran motorcyclist Clive Strug-nell on his KTM 1190, who was placed 33rd in his 34th outing.
The highest-placed woman was Glynese de Villiers on her Ducati ST4S, who finished the event in 11th place overall.
Competitors tackled a demanding route while trying to maintain maximum fuel efficiency in extremely windy conditions.
The event demands a high degree of skill and concentration, requiring competitors to follow a route schedule, while constantly monitoring their stopwatches to ensure they reach predetermined checkpoints on time to avoid penalties for clocking in late.
Veteran rally driver Jerry Paice teamed up with his Total Blind Navigators Rally Championship navigator Bonita Blankenberg in the pillion class.
The pair’s expertise in regular rallying events saw them clinch the pillion class victory with a BMW R1200.
With entries divided into 12 classes, based on motorcycle capacity and type, there was plenty of silverware up for grabs – with the added incentive of cash prizes, made possible by Retirement Fund Solutions, the event sponsor.
Class A (Motorcycles up to 501cc): Shado Alston (Honda CBR 500 R), 3.3033l/100km.
Class B (Single cylinder motorcycles above 501cc): Denver Biggs (BMW G650GS), 3.5850l/100km.
Class C (Two cylinder road motorcycles between 501cc and 800cc): Keith Parry (Honda NC 750 X), 3.3012l/100km.
Class D (Two cylinder road motorcycles 801cc to 1000cc and three and more cylinder motorcycles 501cc to 1000cc): Glynese de Villiers (Ducati ST4S), 4.0247l/100km.
Class E (Road motorcycles 1001cc and larger): Mike Peel (BMW R1200R) 4.3395l/100km.
Class F (All dual-purpose motorcycles up to 1000cc): Andre Schoeman (BMW F700GS), 3.2975l/100km.
Class G (All dual-purpose motorcycles above 1001cc): Reg Gurnell (BMW GS 1200 LC), 4.4796l/100km.
Class I (Cruisers above 1000cc): Mark du Plessis (Honda VTX), 5.8610l/100km.
Class J (All motorcycles fitted with panniers 1000cc and larger): Alan Dougherty (BMW R 1200 RT), 4.3684l/100km.
Class K (Pillion Class): Jerry Paice / Bonita Blankenberg (BMW R1200 RT), 4.5323l/100km.
Class L (Open Class): Willie Duvenage (BMW Sertao), 3.5772l/100km.
