Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

You just don't want water to get into the air intake.  So you can take it to over the wheels quite safely, and a bit higher if you are careful.

Greatly appreciated Charles

Have a good one

Cheers

Pete

...if you are wading so deep as close to the intake, the consequences of an off, and the probability of it happening, are quite high.  Then you should consider pushing the bike through with engine off.

Also, remember to go slowly, and that the exit is often slippery (just when you think you have made it, and open up a bit to get out you go down).  If you go fast your bow-wave, or spray, may get into the air intake.

And always stand when going through water - you do not want to fall and end up with a leg trapped under the bike.

Get off your bike and walk it first. If no submerged surprises, then remember to keep constant throttle as much as possible and no bursts of power, as Charles said.

Guys have wiped out in a few cm of water due to losing traction on slime.

If it's as deep as the height of your front wheel and flowing fast, then you are taking a big chance, imo.

Makes sense. Although I've been riding for years, I've very seldom needed to cross water, and in fact, bar the odd little stream, haven't had any experience in river crossings with the GS yet. I'm doing Baviaanskloof this weekend though, and thought that a bit of advice pre the trip could go a long way to avoiding disasters. I'll most certainly heed your sage advice. 

Thx guys

Wonderfull trip ahead for you, enjoy!

When crossing the water at Smitskraal in Baviaanskloof, keep to the Northern side of the water. And do not rush through, but do keep momentum.

Northern side = the side where the sun is. See picture...

On the South side at the eastern end, there is a sudden deepening  ---- keep clear of that! It has caught out many a rider!!! 

I think Andyman did a very detailed post on how to ford a stream or was it how to save a drowned bike albeit a boxer twin?

if I take a tumble after all this input, I'm sure as hell never going to tell you guys about it.......

in taking a tumble.  Read about Julie and my experience at that crossing a few years ago.  About half-way through this trip report.

Some of my experience; stay in the car tracks, the chances of algae/slimes etc are reduced considerably and so is going for a swim.

I thoroughly enjoyed the read! Not sure that your wobble qualifes as a tumble though

Hi guys

Just a short note to let you know that Elaine and I had a stunning ride through the Baviaanskloof and negotiated the watercrossing at Smitskraal without any mishap, despite the water level being rather high, probably due to all the fantastic advice received. A really lengthy super slippery section of mud also proved challenging and the rutted rockclimbing on the steep sections on the exit towards the peak on the Patensie side, are not for the faint-hearted, particularly when fully loaded with the missus on the back.

The 800GS performed the round route of about 700km from my home in George, outstandingly.

Cheers

Pete

BAVIAANSKLOOF MEMORY: Good times!

Thanks Peter - did the missus complain about the 800GS fuel tank hurting her calves during standing, or did she remain seated most of the time?

On top of the Outeniqua Pass

Elaine stayed seated most of the time....literally holding on for dear life methinks, and simultaneously taking GoPro footage... but actually I'm guessing...I was so focussed on the 'road' and what line to take I wasn't looking around much....  

We do a river crossing course every now and then and deliberately drown our bikes to demonstrate how to recover from such an eventuality.  In your case, riding an 800 DON'T drown it!  It will take you ages to strip the bike down to get the water out of the cylinders so ...

When crossing the Baviaans rivers, getting through without a tumble is part luck, part skill (I've done it many times both with a group and on my own on my way to Kenton - our regular Christmas holiday venue).  I've tumbled a few times, often facing into the reeds, other times I cruised through with no problem - so don't worry about our reaction - we'll find a way to nail you anyway :-D

The advice in this thread is great, but for an 800 especially - CUT THE ENGINE WITH THE KILL SWITCH as soon as you can to stop water being sucked into the air intake.  Fortunately it's higher on the 800 than the 1200.

In your garage, have a look where the air intake is, make a visual note on the fairing as to where it is, add a reasonable safety margin (maybe mark it with masking tape) and use that as a reference point when doing river crossings. 

If you're taking a pillion, make sure you have good towing straps ie 3x 1.5m straps ... it will help her to avoid breaking her nails while hauling the bike out.