Hey bud, full respect to you for having done Sani Pass on a GS 1250! I did it a few years ago on my Dakar 650, and that was quite a challenge! It was icy and muddy at the time, and I was very happy to be on my Dakar, rather than my GSA 1150! You nailed it on your big dog so kudos to you! Well done, and thanks for sharing your experience with us! 👊😉👏
As a below average rider, watching an average rider do this rough climb I really felt inspired and motivated. It's not my intention to undermine professional riders. I do respect their skills and knowledge but, I think this is very likely one of the best "tutorials" I've seen. Metaphorically speaking, in a grade school, a grade teacher is far more qualified than a university professor! I'm really glad I watched this.
Hey there! Thanks so much for watching and for the kind words! I'm so happy you're feeling motivated to take on some more technical riding. Aint nothing to it, but to do it!
@@xplrsouthafrica the tittle immediately caught my attention. Although lacking the necessary skill and experience, I'm going to be tackling the Bartang Valley, in the Pamirs, in June (Google it). It may manageable for most but, there is a section which is steep and rocky with numerous switchbacks. That section rises from 3000m to 4100m. Pro's may insist on correct lane picking but, as showcased in your video there is a lot more to it for an ordinary rider. Lane picking may be forced on an average rider by multitude of conditions. Uneven terrain, stubborn rocks, loss of momentum and why not, fear. The definite possibility of fear overcoming an inexperienced rider. The reality of fear is what your video showcases so well, and what you've successfully demonstrated is, "Don't let fear overcome you". I loved that!!! That is a skill which I will definitely use and will have on the top of my mind when I set off on my trip! Thanks man!
ok WOW! I had a look at Bartang Valley - incredible! I'm very jealous! Thanks for the compliments! You can't let fear dictate your adventure, otherwise it's not an adventure. Tag/Send us some of your photos when you go in June!
So proud of you my brother to have such confidence. I'm planning to do the pass on my XR500R 82. It has enough power but I have 0% offroad experience. I only just bought this bike last year October and I never get a chance to ride because of work. But I'm inspired to do the Sani
thanks for the kind words! Sani is incredible! Be sure to do some gravel roads before Sani so you can get used to how the bike moves beneath you off road.
When you feel out of breath, take a minute to really focus on catching your breath back while riding. Try breathing in deep through your nose then quickly out the mouth. Really fill your lungs up. Do this until you feel you've recovered and you'll be good to go. Also helps keep the dryness of your breath to a minimum because inhaling through the mouth is what kills all the moisture
Well done. You riding skills are 'far' better' than you appreciate. So next challenge I put to you is to do Sani (RSA side) in decending fashion. The going down challenges a different set of skills & confidence. Hoping to see that video soon. If you do not want to go through Lesotho then start at the RSA Control gate and go up & down.
Howsit! Thanks for the confidence inspiring words! I did descend maybe 15 minutes after that beer, but I didn't record it. It was a very different experience. Those steep sections were quote nerve wracking and I had to feather the brakes to make sure the rear didn't lock up.
@@xplrsouthafrica Well well well... well done. If you do not reside too far from Sani then do frequent 'up&downs'. It is a perfect practice gravel pass to skill you for any other RSA gravel mountain pass. I am planning a 5x repitition of 'up&downs' during February. Hoping you can join me.
Hi what a great video. Well done. Can you please tell me what settings you used on the 1250. Enduro or enduro pro? My turn next week on my 1250 gsa. Thx alot.
Well done. On my bucket list. Seeing as you now local, 😁, what would you say would be the best time of year to do it? Coming from Cape Town will need min of 10 Days.
Thanks! It's definitely worth it! I was there in the beginning of November. I had an average of about 25 degrees during the week I was there. It's difficult to say when the best time is because a week before, it was snowing in October. I would suggest Spring time. Not too cold on the pass. A tip that I will suggest is be flexible with your routes. I changed my plans and delayed Sani because the day I planned to do it was pouring with rain. There's SO SO SO many roads in the area that you can explore. Check out my KZN playlist and you will see the variety of terrain that I got to explore.
Well done, I felt your pain. We did Sani pass many times each time was different, the trick is exactly what you did 1. KEEP MOMENTUM 2. KEEP IT WIDE Great video and a great achievement
Hey bud, full respect to you for having done Sani Pass on a GS 1250! I did it a few years ago on my Dakar 650, and that was quite a challenge! It was icy and muddy at the time, and I was very happy to be on my Dakar, rather than my GSA 1150! You nailed it on your big dog so kudos to you! Well done, and thanks for sharing your experience with us! 👊😉👏
thaaaanks bru!
Lugging that 250kg up the pass was a challenge in itself, but I'm very happy with how the big bike performed.
As a below average rider, watching an average rider do this rough climb I really felt inspired and motivated. It's not my intention to undermine professional riders. I do respect their skills and knowledge but, I think this is very likely one of the best "tutorials" I've seen. Metaphorically speaking, in a grade school, a grade teacher is far more qualified than a university professor! I'm really glad I watched this.
Hey there! Thanks so much for watching and for the kind words!
I'm so happy you're feeling motivated to take on some more technical riding.
Aint nothing to it, but to do it!
@@xplrsouthafrica the tittle immediately caught my attention. Although lacking the necessary skill and experience, I'm going to be tackling the Bartang Valley, in the Pamirs, in June (Google it). It may manageable for most but, there is a section which is steep and rocky with numerous switchbacks. That section rises from 3000m to 4100m. Pro's may insist on correct lane picking but, as showcased in your video there is a lot more to it for an ordinary rider. Lane picking may be forced on an average rider by multitude of conditions. Uneven terrain, stubborn rocks, loss of momentum and why not, fear. The definite possibility of fear overcoming an inexperienced rider. The reality of fear is what your video showcases so well, and what you've successfully demonstrated is, "Don't let fear overcome you". I loved that!!! That is a skill which I will definitely use and will have on the top of my mind when I set off on my trip! Thanks man!
ok WOW! I had a look at Bartang Valley - incredible! I'm very jealous!
Thanks for the compliments!
You can't let fear dictate your adventure, otherwise it's not an adventure.
Tag/Send us some of your photos when you go in June!
@@xplrsouthafrica sure thing. If I ever manage to learn how to edit on the insta360 app, I might even post a video or two. Will keep in touch.
Hard work when you pick the heaviest, big off road big to do Sani with !
It sure is a lot of work!
So proud of you my brother to have such confidence. I'm planning to do the pass on my XR500R 82. It has enough power but I have 0% offroad experience. I only just bought this bike last year October and I never get a chance to ride because of work. But I'm inspired to do the Sani
thanks for the kind words!
Sani is incredible!
Be sure to do some gravel roads before Sani so you can get used to how the bike moves beneath you off road.
When you feel out of breath, take a minute to really focus on catching your breath back while riding. Try breathing in deep through your nose then quickly out the mouth. Really fill your lungs up. Do this until you feel you've recovered and you'll be good to go. Also helps keep the dryness of your breath to a minimum because inhaling through the mouth is what kills all the moisture
Great video but it would have been so much better if it was recorded in landscape.
Well done. You riding skills are 'far' better' than you appreciate. So next challenge I put to you is to do Sani (RSA side) in decending fashion. The going down challenges a different set of skills & confidence. Hoping to see that video soon. If you do not want to go through Lesotho then start at the RSA Control gate and go up & down.
Howsit! Thanks for the confidence inspiring words!
I did descend maybe 15 minutes after that beer, but I didn't record it.
It was a very different experience. Those steep sections were quote nerve wracking and I had to feather the brakes to make sure the rear didn't lock up.
@@xplrsouthafrica Well well well... well done. If you do not reside too far from Sani then do frequent 'up&downs'. It is a perfect practice gravel pass to skill you for any other RSA gravel mountain pass. I am planning a 5x repitition of 'up&downs' during February. Hoping you can join me.
Thanks!
I'm based in Cape Town. I was in the area for work, so I flew up a few days early to conquer this "once in a lifetime" opportunity.
Hi what a great video. Well done. Can you please tell me what settings you used on the 1250. Enduro or enduro pro? My turn next week on my 1250 gsa. Thx alot.
Hey Theo!
I used Enduro Pro but you could probably get away with Enduro.
There's plenty traction. Very rocky. Enjoy the cold beer at the top!
Well done. On my bucket list. Seeing as you now local, 😁, what would you say would be the best time of year to do it? Coming from Cape Town will need min of 10 Days.
Thanks! It's definitely worth it!
I was there in the beginning of November. I had an average of about 25 degrees during the week I was there.
It's difficult to say when the best time is because a week before, it was snowing in October.
I would suggest Spring time. Not too cold on the pass.
A tip that I will suggest is be flexible with your routes. I changed my plans and delayed Sani because the day I planned to do it was pouring with rain.
There's SO SO SO many roads in the area that you can explore.
Check out my KZN playlist and you will see the variety of terrain that I got to explore.
Well done, I felt your pain. We did Sani pass many times each time was different, the trick is exactly what you did
1. KEEP MOMENTUM
2. KEEP IT WIDE
Great video and a great achievement
Thanks man!
Yep, follow those rules and you should be fine!