NORTHRIDING – A group of South Africa’s finest motorcycle journalists gathered in Northriding on 31 July in order to participate in Pirelli Tyres’ Bike of the Year initiative.
Bike manufacturers like Ducati, BMW, KTM, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki provided the team of journalists with the finest specimens of motorcycles off their showroom floors, in the hopes that their model will be chosen as South Africa’s Bike of the Year.
Four of the 14 journalists taking part in the prestigious contest are proud Randburg residents: Matt Smith of Robin Hills – journalist for Offroad and Adventure magazine, Mat Durrans of Sundowner – presenter of the Bike Show on the Dstv Ignition channel, Donovan Fourie of Fontainebleau – journalist for Randburg-based Bike SA magazine and Clinton Pienaar – editor of Superbike magazine, also based in Randburg.
“The bikes are nominated by the journalists and they have to be 2014 models,” Donovan Fourie said. “They also have to be factory standard, so no modifications on the original bikes are allowed.”
The group kicked the contest off at Biker’s Warehouse on Malibongwe Drive before making their way to Hazyview in Mpumalanga, alternating the motorcycles between the journalists as they went along some of the country’s most scenic and best riding routes.
Votes are currently being tallied and the winning motorcycle will be announced at the AMID Motor Show being held at Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on 7, 8 and 9 August.
