Three riders. Three completely different motorcycles. More than 500 kilometers through some of Mpumalanga’s finest scenery—and just enough mechanical quirks, questionable directions and friendly competition to keep things interesting.
For this edition of The Adventure Report, Tiaan, Ben and Reginald headed to Dullstroom before tackling a full day through the Lowveld and Panorama Route.
Watch the Complete Adventure
The Ride to Dullstroom
Our weekend began on a Friday afternoon with approximately 230 kilometres between us and Dullstroom.
After filling the motorcycles, connecting our communication systems and taking the obligatory team photograph, we set off to complete the first two hours of the journey.
By the time we reached Belfast, darkness had arrived. Ben had only packed a dark visor, which made the final stretch considerably more challenging, while a tyre issue on Tiaan’s motorcycle slowed our progress further.
It wasn’t the smoothest beginning, but we eventually reached Dullstroom and settled in for the evening before the real adventure began.
Our base for the weekend was Lakeside 12 at Critchley Hackle Lodge—a peaceful lakeside unit offering a comfortable place to recover before and after a long day in the saddle.
Three Riders, Three Very Different Motorcycles
The following morning, we introduced the three motorcycles facing the route.
Tiaan — 2016 BMW R1200GS Adventure
Tiaan’s R1200GS Adventure brought the familiar combination of long-distance comfort, generous fuel capacity and all-road ability. It was arguably the most conventional choice for a full day through Mpumalanga’s mountain passes.
Ben — BMW R18
Ben’s BMW R18 was the wildcard.
With its enormous 1,800 cc boxer engine, low-slung riding position and substantial weight, it wasn’t designed for tight mountain passes in quite the same way as the two adventure motorcycles. That didn’t stop Ben from repeatedly scraping its foot pegs—or enjoying every opportunity to prove what the big cruiser could do.
Reginald — 2023 Ducati DesertX
Reginald’s Ducati DesertX was the lightest and sportiest motorcycle in the group. Its responsive engine and agile chassis made it particularly effective through the bends, although its smaller fuel range meant more frequent visits to petrol stations.
With the introductions complete, we left Dullstroom and began the day’s route.
Into the Lowveld
Mpumalanga’s roads offer an incredible mixture of open countryside, dramatic elevation changes and technical mountain passes.
The early kilometers allowed us to settle into the ride and build confidence. Tiaan’s uncertainty about his tyres gradually disappeared as the BMW began feeling more secure through the bends, while Ben discovered just how quickly an R18 could use all 101 millimetres of its suspension travel.
The day soon became less about reaching a destination and more about enjoying each section of road.
There were smooth, flowing corners where the motorcycles could carry momentum, followed by narrow and uneven stretches that demanded complete concentration. On some sections, the road felt barely wide enough for two vehicles, making every blind bend an exercise in restraint and awareness.
Blyde River Canyon and the Panorama Route
One of the day’s most memorable stops came near the Blyde River Canyon.
Rather than visiting only the official lookout point, we found a roadside view that offered its own spectacular perspective across the canyon and surrounding landscape.
It was a reminder that some of the best moments on a motorcycle trip aren’t planned. They happen when someone spots a view, the group turns around and three motorcycles are parked beside a road while everyone takes in the scenery.
The Panorama Route continued delivering enormous views, twisting roads and the kind of scenery that makes Mpumalanga one of South Africa’s great motorcycling destinations.
Riding Through History at Pilgrim’s Rest
Our route then carried us over Robber’s Pass and into Pilgrim’s Rest.
Originally developed during the region’s late-1800s gold rush, the pass connected fortune seekers with the historic mining town. Today, its bends, climbs and descents create a rewarding ride through a landscape filled with South African history.
Pilgrim’s Rest itself feels like a town preserved in another era. Its corrugated buildings, historic general dealers and old petrol pumps remain reminders of the prospectors and communities that once built their lives around the search for gold.
After roughly 200 kilometres, what should probably have been breakfast became lunch at The Vine Restaurant and Johnny’s Pub. A proper meal and cold drink gave us the energy needed for the second half of the journey.
From Pilgrim’s Rest to Sabie
The roads leading towards Sabie provided some of the day’s best riding.
The Ducati DesertX felt at home in the faster changes of direction, while the GS Adventure delivered the stability and comfort expected from a big BMW. The R18 required a little more commitment, but Ben continued pushing it through the corners—occasionally touching down a foot peg as a reminder of the motorcycle’s available ground clearance.
Not every moment went according to plan.
At one point, Ben indicated that it was safe to pass a vehicle when the road was not quite as clear as expected. The situation ended safely, but it created several kilometers of discussion, teasing and commentary over our helmet communication systems.
We eventually reached The Woodsman in Sabie, a well-known stopping point for motorcyclists exploring the area. It provided another opportunity to rest, review the route and realise that we were beginning to run out of daylight.
Long Tom Pass and the Sound of History
The final major landmark was Long Tom Pass.
The pass takes its name from the large 155 mm cannon used by Boer forces during the Anglo-Boer War. The weapon became known as the “Long Tom” because of its exceptional range.
Moving such a massive cannon across Mpumalanga’s difficult terrain required extraordinary effort. As the Boer forces retreated, the weapon was ultimately destroyed to prevent it from being captured.
A replica now stands overlooking the surrounding mountains—a silent reminder of the conflict and the people who moved through these passes long before motorcycles arrived.
Today, Long Tom Pass is known for sweeping bends, dramatic elevation and breathtaking views. As the sun dropped behind the mountains, the harsh glare disappeared and the landscape became a series of dark silhouettes.
It was the perfect setting for the final part of the ride.
The Freewheeling Challenge
No Torque & Throttle adventure would be complete without a slightly unnecessary competition.
The first challenge was simple: all three motorcycles entered the same downhill section at the same speed, selected neutral and allowed gravity to decide the winner.
Predictably, the enormous 345 kg BMW R18 used its weight to full advantage. Ben rolled significantly farther than the others and claimed first place.
Tiaan and the R1200GS Adventure finished second, while Reginald’s lighter Ducati DesertX took third.
It might not have been the most scientific test we have ever conducted—but the result followed the motorcycles’ weight rankings perfectly.
BMW GS Versus Ducati DesertX
The second challenge was a short acceleration run.
The R18 finished third, which surprised nobody. The real competition was between Tiaan’s R1200GS Adventure and Reginald’s DesertX.
The BMW initially held its own, but the Ducati eventually powered past it and claimed the victory.
Despite giving away engine capacity, the DesertX benefited from its significant weight advantage, quick response and strong acceleration. Over a short distance, its lighter construction allowed it to overcome the BMW’s torque advantage.
Reginald admitted that the Ducati might not match the GS at the top end, but from one traffic light to the next, the DesertX is a missile.
Fuel Consumption
After a full day of riding, the motorcycles reported the following approximate consumption figures:
- Ducati DesertX: 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres
- BMW R1200GS Adventure: 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres
- BMW R18: 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres
The figures should be treated as approximate dashboard readings rather than controlled fuel tests. Riding style, elevation, modifications and repeated acceleration all influenced the results.
The R18’s consumption also climbed dramatically whenever Ben made full use of its 1,800 cc boxer engine.
More Than Just the Distance
By the time we returned to Dullstroom, we had completed approximately 530 kilometres.
That might not sound extreme compared with some of our previous 900-kilometre days, but distance doesn’t tell the full story. Tight corners, elevation changes, uneven surfaces, narrow roads and constant concentration made this one of our more physically demanding rides.
Each rider finished the day with a different highlight.
Ben chose the smooth, flowing stretch of tar approaching Lydenburg, where the R18 could settle into the corners despite frequently scraping its foot pegs.
Reginald’s highlight was the final section through the mountains as the sun disappeared and the scenery transformed around us.
For Tiaan, lunch in Pilgrim’s Rest—and finally regaining confidence in the GS and its tyres—stood out most.
Final Thoughts
This adventure proved that the best motorcycle for a journey isn’t necessarily the most obvious one.
The BMW R1200GS Adventure was comfortable, stable and perfectly suited to covering long distances. The Ducati DesertX was fast, agile and devastatingly effective through the bends. The BMW R18 was heavy, low and completely out of its natural environment—yet it completed the route, won the freewheeling challenge and delivered some of the day’s most entertaining moments.
More importantly, the trip reminded us why we ride: remarkable roads, beautiful scenery, friendly competition and the stories created when plans don’t go perfectly.
If you have a route that Torque & Throttle should tackle in a future Adventure Report, leave your suggestion in the comments.
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