SOUTH AFRICA BIKE FESTIVAL – 26-28 May 2017
“SA’s Premier Motorcycle, Music & Lifestyle Festival”
With just 10 weeks to go, South Africa Bike Festival, powered by Discovery Channel, announces just one of the many highlights ahead of the much anticipated festival – the Circuit Test Rides, which will take placearound one of the world’s most renowned, celebrated and legendary race tracks – the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit.
This activity is back by popular demand and is a monumentous collaboration with the very best manufacturers in South Africa showcasing over 50 of the latest and greatest models of the year. This is THE ONLY opportunity in the motorcycle events calender where the public can try, test, ride, learn, compare & discuss the multiple different models on offer all in ONE day, with the guidance and instruction from the most educated and up-to-date ambassadors from each of the participating brands. Everything and anything a fan could possibly ask for, over three days of fun-fuelled thundering two-wheeled, rip-roaring live action.
Circuit Test Rides are on sale from the 15th March, via the password-protected test-ride website. Only those with tickets to the Festival are eligible to book these and those who already have their festival tickets will be sent their unique password ahead of time, giving them access to over 2,500 test rides and time slots to choose from.
Organisers are proud to announce the return of the firm favourites BMW Motorrad, Indian Motorcycles, KTM, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Harley-Davidson and look forward to welcoming for the first time, theCan-Am Spyder as well as a new motorcycle brand, just landed in South Africa, Zontes Motorcycles, bringing with them the entry level Zonte Phantom S250 which visitors can take for a spin around the track for just R60.
It is worth mentioning that one of the launch models available for test rides, Honda will be using South Africa Bike Festival as a platform to launch the much-anticipated CBR 1000 RR Fireblade. After the success and excitement around last year’s rides, organisers are pleased to announce there are more timeslots than in 2016, which is to ensure no one is left out of experiencing the weight, throttle and thrills of these stunning machines, all of which will be marshalled and run safely and professionally once again by Dirk Du Plooy’s, TD Agencies Superbike School.
Launch models and those likely to sell out first include KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R, Super Duke 390 and an ALL NEW Adventure Range. Riaan Neveling, Marketing Manager at KTM SA when asked for a comment said; “We had an amazing experience watching some of the 20,000+ visitors try, test and ride our KTM range around the newly refurbished circuit for the first time last year. We look forward to an even bigger and more exciting festival in 2017.”
This year KTM are also hosting South Africa’s hero from the 2017 Dakar, Joey Evans, in their Pit Garage. Joey, who was rendered a paraplegic less than 10 years ago, is the only South African biker to finish the Dakar, achieving his dream with the motto “I did not come this far to only come this far” pasted on his bike. Joey’s tenacity and perseverance gripped Dakar fans and competitors alike and Joey has since become a cult figure in SA and on social media.
Indian Motorcycles have a long history in the USA and are thrilled to offer up five of their stunning Indian motorcycles for just R100 a ride. Big news for the brand this year include launching the new Scout 60, the introduction of the newly aligned pricing strategy for South Africa and the launch of the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG). There will also be twelve Victory Demo & pre-owned motorcycles available to buy in the “The Nearly-New Motorcycle Shop, Powered by AutoTrader”, the trusted motoring marketplace for the past 25 years. As well as a very special raffle for a Victory Custom Judge model, worth R246 000 – of which proceeds will go to Reach for a Dream Foundation.
Harley-Davidson® Africa is participating on a GRAND level this year, planning to dominate the circuit test rides, as well as bring several of the SA finalists from the acclaimed international Battle of the Kings custom competition. For all those non-riders who want to experience what it’s like to ride a Harley-Davidson®, there will be an opportunity to ride the state-of-the-art JUMP START machine, see newly released models such as the much talked-about H-D Street Rod® as well as the highly anticipated Road King Special®, and walk away with prizes including authentic Harley-Davidson gear. As a bonus this year, you can expect to see certified H-D master technicians and a “naked workshop” on display, as well as top-secret music acts from undisclosed performers over the weekend. Harley-Davidson® is also excited to launch FREE MOTORCYCLE LESSONS to all those who want to learn how to ride and also plans to give away lots of tickets to the festival to their fan base over the coming weeks.
Circuit test rides aren’t the only excitement happening on the circuit – Organisers are thrilled to host the 1000cc class for two rounds of the DEOD SuperGP Champions Trophy, alongside official timing sponsor Tissot. Over and above the action-packed day out that the festival has to offer, visitors can now also look forward to seeing the debut of over 30 of SA’s top superbike riders battle it out for this race series. The schedule of events for the weekend will include three 20 minute practice sessions as well as one qualifying session on the Friday, with main races on Saturday and Sunday at 14h00.
Adventure Ride Outs will be available over the surrounding prison lands at the back of Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit for those who prefer a hair-raising off-road and adventurous experience. Test ride the 2km course on adventure motorcycles from Honda, Suzuki, KTM, Yamaha, Polaris and Linhai and depending on stock levels, visitors can either test the Can-Am Traxter utility or Can-Am Maverick sport model by venturing out with a technical instructor from the team at – ADA SA – Experiential Rider Development – to show you exactly what these bikes are capable of!
Ducati & the Scrambler brands will be featured in a pit garage inside the Kyalami Pit Building, where they will be launching 8 new models to the market.
Yamaha Motorcycles will be unveiling their new R6 in their Pit Garage and Anassis Racing are bringing with them a Yamaha R1 to giveaway to one lucky South African!
Husqvarna Motorcycles have a static display in the pit garages and are thrilled to unveil their all-new VITPILEN 401 or “White Arrow” at this year’s festival. This motorcycle will be landing in dealerships countrywide in February 2018 for this extraordinary café racer style urban motorcycle, which brings a fresh and simple new approach to the world of motorcycling.
The RocoMama’s Custom Bike Championship in association with Bike SA has a new home at the festival and will dominate the Viewing Deck on the 1st floor of the Kyalami Pit Building where registration, the main display, judging and prize giving of 14 new categories, will take place over the three days of the festival. From an international judging perspective, South Africa Bike Festival is bringing with them builder and judge, Frank “Thunder” Sander, from Germany who will be the prestigious chief judge for 2017. Frank has become a respected Chief Judge at hundreds of bike shows around the world and will be joined by builders Grant Mc Nicol and Malcolm Powrie from Ink&Iron to give input from a local perspective. SA’s master builders are getting their machines ready for the competition of a lifetime with each category winner taking home a South Africa Bike Festival 2017 Trophy, and the overall winner will receive a BikeJet stand worth over R6,500.
Another great addition is the return of the prestigious Pride of Ownership Classic Motorcycle Display. All those with motorcycles dating 1995 and older can nominate their classic motorcycle to be one of thirty exclusively hosted at the top of the stairs leading into the VIP Pit Roof. Helping with the selection is the Classic Motorcycle Club JHB and the 2-Stroke Smokers.
On Sunday, 28 May, the DUNLOP Sunday Charity Motorcycle Ride will see thousands of motorcyclists being able to ride their own motorcycles around Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit as the ride finishes with TWO laps in formation around the circuit. The Charity Ride will have FULL road closures leaving Fairland’s Shopping Centre at 8am. The public will have key viewing points from one of the bridges over the highway: Malibongwe Dr, William Nicol or Bowling Ave. The cost to participate is a “R40 Top Up” on your South Africa Bike Festival ticket, with proceeds going towards Ride for a Reason-Claw and Paws Charity organisation.
Good news for families – Children under 10 can attend free of charge. And new for 2017 is a hospitality experience aptly named the Sumting’s Superior Upgrade Experience for just R495. This ticket includes a meal voucher, compliments of a award winning food truck, Sumting Fresh, priority parking and fast track entry, access to the festival grounds for the whole day as well as all day access to the Kyalami Pit Roof with the best view of starting grid and Monster Energy Flight Night – FMX Demonstration. Details of this exciting stunt show will be announced in the coming weeks and fans are encouraged to register their interest through the festival website.
Back by popular demand, an even more exclusive VIP package returns for those motorcycle enthusiasts, corporate entertainers and industry heads that want a stress-free all-inclusive experience. The much sought after Sky Lounge Experience (R995pp) gives visitors a 180-degree view of the all new circuit and festival grounds from the Kyalami Pit Roof, includes 24hour advance first option on purchasing the Circuit Test Rides and most importantly a complimentary pop up-style restaurant serving lunch throughout the day including beer, wine and soft drinks.
Together with the participating manufacturers, related brands and industry members and associations, Clarion Events UK aim to grow the next generation of motorcycle riders from daily commuters to weekend social riders, from active sports riders to custom, café racer and classic bike collectors. This is the place where brands and the industry can showcase their machines and related accessories to a local market that have deliberately chosen to engage and participate.
Get tickets here: http://www.southafricabikefestival.com/
