Archive for category: News

GS Africa has expanded, and the future has never looked brighter. On the 10^th of October, GS Africa launched it’s new retail space GS Motorcycle Sales on the top floor of their beautifully located building in the heart of Green Point. Creating an upmarket environment that matches their lifestyle, it is spacious, beautifully appointed and contains not only a selection of magnificent bikes, such as Harley-Davidson, BMW, Triumph, KTM, Ducati and more, but also a wide range of the most superior quality apparel and accessories.

Taking the motorcycle retail experience to a whole new level GS Motorcycle Sales is to be run by Craig Preston, who is a widely renowned name in the South African motorcycle industry. Moving to new bike sales at Harley Davidson in Cape Town in 2014, Craig Preston also went on to win the new top salesman for 2015 with an average of 9.2 bikes per month for that year. Dynamic, inspirational, energetic, exciting, and passionate about excellence and making an impact on people’s lives through helping them choose the right bike for their lifestyle, Craig has also been a road captain and marshal for the HOG Chapter of Cape Town and also headed up the Harley Davidson Demo Truck for the Africa bike week in 2017 and 2018.

Launching an awesome retail space for those who want to bask and ride in the glory of all the iconic American brands, GS Motorcycle sales, took the opportunity to give away a 2 nights stay at the Hilton in Cape Town, a Harley Chauffeur ride worth R2500, and 3 off-road training session vouchers.

Did you know that driving a motorcycle is 27 times riskier than driving a car? While there is no better way to enjoy the freedom of the open roads than a two-wheeled journey, unfortunately, a motorcycle is one of the most unsafe vehicles on the road today. In fact, according to MSI, the leading organisation on Motorcycle Safety & Risk Awareness in South Africa, lack of rider skills is the biggest contributing factor to motorcycle accidents on our roads today.
If you’re ready to feel the wind in your hair, it is of vital importance to put safety first. As the leading motorcycle rental agency in the Southern Hemisphere, we’ve recently become ambassadors for MSI and have put together a list of important safety tips that every rider should know before heading out onto the big open roads.

• Practice the brakes – unfortunately, sharp stops can result in nasty accidents, which is why riders must know their stopping distance at different speeds. It’s important to practice slowing in, stopping gradually, and learning to never hit the front brake first.

• Visibility is everything – in a car, you have your windscreen wipers, on two wheels you have nothing. For this very reason, be smart and don’t take your motorcycle out if the weather is bad.

• Ride motorcycles you’re able to handle – you will be amazed by the performance of today’s motorcycles. Of all vehicles, motorcycles accelerate the fastest and being more powerful than they were a few decades ago, riders are advised to choose a motorcycle that allows them to stay in their own comfort zone.

• Conduct a motorcycle safety inspection before each ride – just as one would take their car for a regular service, it’s of vital importance to take your motorcycle for regular maintenance check-ups to carry out the required maintenance routine. But that’s not all, before each ride, it’s imperative to make sure you check your tyres, brakes, lights, mirrors, and leaks.

• The right gear is imperative (no exceptions) – the motorcycle gear you wear should provide you with protection from the wind chill, debris, flying bugs and road rash. You cannot put a price on your life, so be prepared to spend quite a bit on the right riding gear and helmet.

There’s no doubt that riding a motorcycle is way more dangerous than driving a car. Thrilling as it is dangerous, riders need to take full responsibility for their safety and learn to anticipate any oversights that others on the road may make. With that being said, it’s totally possible to avoid road dangers while riding a motorcycle.

While there are a good number of riders out there that have never been involved in a motorcycle accident thanks to their proficient riding skills, if riders keep the speed within the reasonable frames, conduct motorcycle safety inspections before each ride, stay vigilant on the road, be dressed in the proper motorcycle gear and stick to the basic road rules, they will enjoy the incredible benefits their motorcycle has to offer, without any risk.

As the only active organisation that monitors Motorcycle Crashes in South Africa, collecting and analysing data for the sake of Risk Awareness and Safety among motorcyclists – along with GS Africa – MSI are asking that all our riders become Ambassadors for Motorcycle Safety. Join MSI and GS Africa and be the change you want to be! Ride to Live, and Live to Ride!

It’s that time of the year again, a time all about sunshine and blue skies. Yes, summer in South Africa provides one with a true African experience, with its dynamic and diverse cultures, breath-taking scenery, and wildlife like no other. And although South Africa and beyond makes for pleasant and exciting adventure motorcycling all year round – with some of the best subtropical weather in the Southern Hemisphere and with over 2500 kilometres of the best beaches in the world to ride and explore, summer in South Africa is a brilliant time to be spent riding the coastline and open roads, chasing waterfalls, tasting award-winning wines, braaing, and photographing unbelievable sunsets and wildlife.

If you’re looking to rent a motorcycle this summer and ride through South Africa to Namibia, Malawi, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe or Mozambique, don’t think about it, just do it. As one of the leading motorcycle rental agencies in the Southern Hemisphere, we take care of your entire motorcycle tour adventure, so you don’t have to. What this means is that we collect riders from the airport, we plan their entire route, and we make sure they are booked into the best hotels or B&B’s along the way.

So how does one go about renting a BMW motorcycle in the sunny city of Cape Town and driving through one of the world’s most beautiful countries? Whether for yourself, a friend or a family member, the first step to an African dream adventure ride would to be over 21, provide us with a full valid national or international unendorsed Motorcycle Riders License, and a Passport or Identification Document.

Secondly, riders would have to download our daily rental rate sheet and book the number of days to rent the bike, the type of bike they would like to rent, their riding gear, and the GPS system and accessories they would like. What about insurance? On our daily rental sheet, which can be found under our frequently asked questions, you will find that our daily rental fee includes standard comprehensive insurance cover of the motorcycle with an Insurance Excess Deposit payable for each model.

To understand our insurance coverage a little better, we suggest that riders familiarize themselves with our insurance options, which can also be found under our frequently asked questions. However, it’s important to understand that once riders are off on their journey, it will be up to them to make sure that the bike is not damaged in their possession. Keeping in mind that incidents do occur – whether scratched or dented – the damaged parts will be replaced at the prevailing BMW Motorrad dealer at retail cost, including labour. A quotation will be obtained and repairs will be carried out at the cost of the rider.

What about mechanical faults and breakdowns? Unfortunately, this can happen – even BMW’s experience mechanical faults. If this should occur, riders need to ensure that they are at a fuel station if possible. They will need to call GS Africa on +27 (0) 82 904 8228 or +27 (0) 71 515 3808 and we will immediately contact the nearest BMW 24 hour On-Call Roadside Assistance service (available in South Africa only). In the event of us locating an alternative service provider (in close enough proximity), we will assist as soon as possible.

At GS Africa, we care about everything from giving you a choice of exciting rental motorbikes to guiding you through every mile, smile, and mountain road and coastline in South Africa and beyond. To learn more, visit our website and look under our Q’s and A’s, you will find everything you need to know. Or, contact Paul or Candi-Lee at GS Africa.

This could be one of the most extraordinary trips to take place now and in the world with the newborn “BMW G 310 GS”! In the “light” of the older sister who has already done several laps to Earth, this “little GS” wants to prove that the bikes also “do not measure up to the spans!”

From Portugal I have the “blessing” of Francisco, who does not have a Vatican but has the “MT MOTOR”! In South Africa take note: Paul, Petreaux and Candi from “GS AFRICA” are the most sought after by all who want to venture on two wheels in the Continent of all dreams.

“Cape Town” is a unique and non-transferable setting. You have to touch her to absorb her. I´ve been here with “mine” not long ago. This time I have time just for a brief “hello”. Even because this time the “Cape Town” did not come in the script. I landed yesterday in Johannesburg and that was where my traveling companion should be. But the “Little GS” had no transportation and basically had 3 alternatives:
– Wait 3 days for her to arrive
– Give up the motorcycle trip
– Pick up a plane and go get it at 1400Kms of distance

What did you do ?! That´s what I did!

And so began today the trip, from “Cape Town” to Inhambane, 2400Kms … Wow! In Africa! Kiss me … here are some moments when I stopped, I took the camera and shot. It always takes some courage to break the rhythm. Today especially and unexpected to me, the cold was the worst enemy. And tomorrow will continue to be … well disguised by a blessed blue sky!

Your attention now to the most extraordinary moment of the day !!!

Somewhere on the road I meet a European. Italian. On two wheels. Without motor. Coming from Tanzania! What moment! Right now while I´m having dinner, I exchange some messages with Alessandro “Seeking Ale” to find out where he is. This photo was the one who took it…

That´s life on the road. Today I made just over 430kms. I´m in Beaufort West. Tomorrow I´m going anywhere near Johannesburg which is more than 930Kms.

Because the real “Stars” of this trip are very far … a few days away … are the “Musicians of Inhambane” in Mozambique … this is the project that sets me on the road, and it´s for there we go … me and the “Little GS”!