Surviving an Adventure Motorcycle Crash in the Karoo: Why Every Adventure Bike Rider Needs Backup...

"Maybe I should have stopped when the first problem happened on this trip, but I didn’t and carried on – maybe it was an omen I missed..."

I've had a motorcycle since I was a teenager, primarily for pleasure. I never engaged in extreme off-road biking like enduro or motocross. However, I did take a couple of long trips around the country on an old 197cc Villiers in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) before the Rhodesian Bush War made that kind of travel unsafe.

After moving to South Africa, I acquired a Yamaha RD 400 that I kept for many years. Later, my son purchased a BMW F 650 GS, which I then ended up buying from him when he upgraded to a BMW 800 GS. And when he got his first car, I acquired that from him as well. Interestingly, he managed to profit each time on those transactions.

My son and I embarked on several adventure bike tours into the Baviaanskloof, which marked my introduction to this thrilling world.

While riding my 800 GS, I was invited to join a friend's motorcycle trip. One of the international riders, an American, broke his leg and was hospitalised. His medical insurance covered a paramedic to escort him back to the US in business class. This highlighted the importance of having good medical insurance for such trips.

Having now got a taste of adventure motorcycling and wanting to hone my off-road riding skills, I did a couple of BMW adventure riding courses. These courses are fantastic and teach you the skills and confidence needed to ride within your own limits. I was hooked!

I loved the thrill that only two wheels can provide, so when a friend of my son was selling his 2006 BMW 1200 GS, I bought it. It was going to be used for long-distance trips, while my 800 would become my everyday transport. Looking for off-road adventures on the 1200 GS, I found Tim Skelton and his company, Motorrad Adventures, online.

I was drawn to Motorrad Adventures because of its extensive experience leading overland motorcycle tours in South Africa, with well-organised trips that included support, sweep riders, a medic, a back-up vehicle with an off-road trailer, and a satellite phone. I also appreciated not having to carry my gear, all luggage is carried in the support vehicle, leaving you free to enjoy the ride. The support vehicle is also fully equipped with tools for basic repairs, tyres, a compressor, even a welding machine, a medic bag and a fridge filled with cold water.

Comfortable accommodation at the end of each adventurous day is now a must for me. In my youth, I did a 7-month overlanding trip from Cape Town to London, mainly camping with 5 others, so now I prefer comfort.

In February last year, I joined the Motorrad Adventures team and others on their 5-night “Karoo is Calling” tour, doing tar and gravel from T’Zamenkomst near Gariep Dam down to Nieu Bethesda, Graaff Reinet, Victoria West and back to T’Zamenkomst.  The trip was fantastic – very well organised, with amazing accommodation and good food, all at a very affordable price.  The only thing Tim couldn’t organise was the heat; +40 degrees in the Nieu Bethesda area, which was a challenge when wearing full riding gear and a pair of hastily purchased riding boots 2 sizes too small. 

Eager for more adventures, I considered the "High Mountains" tour through the Eastern Cape's mountain passes, including Rhodes, Tiffendel, and Bidstone, but I wasn't sure if my skills were up to the challenge. So, when Tim announced the "Karoo Wanderlust Tour" on the Motorrad Adventures website, promising 7 nights exploring the Karoo and Garden Route, starting and ending in Graaff Reinet, I immediately signed up and looked forward to it for months.

The day I was set to ride to Graaff Reinet, I left work early, packed the 1200 GS, and hit the road in the scorching afternoon heat, which quickly reached 40 degrees Celsius. Nearing the small town of Jansenville, my bike suddenly died, and I coasted to a stop near the main garage.

After consulting with locals and my BMW specialist, Guy, we determined the fuel pump controller was faulty. Fortunately, Tim had just arrived in Graaff Reinet and drove 80km with the tour support vehicle and trailer to pick me up, so I could join the tour group for the welcome dinner.

That evening, Guy sent instructions for a temporary fix, and Tim found a soldering iron to try the fix, but the repair failed. The next day, a public holiday in South Africa and the first day of the tour, Tim had an idea and tasked me with finding some cable. After breakfast, Tim and I worked on the bike and managed to bypass the fuel pump controller! Now, I just needed to wire it securely for the ride back home.

As the group excitedly departed on day 1 of the tour, I spent the morning at a local bike repair shop (thanks, Dennis of Greeezmonkey!) securing the temporary fix, which allowed me to get the bike home.

Perhaps I should have resigned myself to the situation, but determined not to miss out, I got a new set of off-road tyres fitted to my BMW 800 GS the next day and rode to Knysna to rejoin the tour group that afternoon.

The following day, we took back roads to Wilderness, then George, and ascended the Outeniqua Pass. On the Karoo side of the pass, we turned onto a well-maintained gravel road. I was near the back of the group, a bit unfocused, when I made a mistake. I think I entered a corner too fast, and to avoid braking hard and causing the bike to slide, I fixated on an approaching sisal plant – you know, the ones with large leaves and sharp, black thorns at the end of each one.

My BMW motorcycle training taught me to always look where you want to go, trusting the bike to follow. I must have become captivated by that sisal plant because I stared right at it, thinking, "This is going to hurt". At the last second, I swerved, and remember the plant flashing by, a brief moment of relief before a massive impact as I hit either a boulder or a bank – I'm not sure which. My next memory is of lying on the road, my right shoulder in intense pain...

Members of the group following behind me and the support vehicle quickly reached me and radioed Tim, who was leading the pack, to return. Being a trained medic, Tim took charge of my care, and the Motorrad Adventures support crew took action to make the scene safe. After assessing my condition, Tim safely removed my helmet and neck brace. My main concern then was heatstroke, as I was wearing a black riding jacket, dark pants, and Leatt boots, and the sun was beating down. The support crew extended the Ostrich Wing awning off the support vehicle to create shade, and then somehow managed to remove my riding jacket, despite the agony any arm movement caused me. I just wanted to be left alone to sleep, but thankfully, the team didn't allow that.

I was carried to the support vehicle, and my bike, relatively undamaged, was loaded onto the trailer. The support crew drove us to George MediClinic Hospital, and I was under Tim's constant supervision. He helped me get admitted to the Emergency Ward. Once I was under care, he unloaded the bike in the hospital parking lot and re-joined the tour group.

After my adventure motorcycle crash, the outcome of my injuries were four broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a broken ankle, which required two nights in the ICU and two more in the general ward. I still don't know how I broke my ankle through those massively thick Leatt 5.5 boots, which didn't even have a scratch on them...

Learning Points:

1. Thinking about solo rides? We all love the idea of escaping on a solo off-road adventure, but it's worth remembering that even a small spill can turn into a big problem when you're alone. Think about how you'd manage if you were injured and couldn't lift your bike or get back on the road. Even with a buddy, things can get tricky if they also run into trouble.

   
   

2. Gear is your friend! Seriously, invest in and wear all your protective gear. In my accident, my injuries would have been much worse had I not worn the gear I had on. My jacket and trousers did their job. I'm convinced I would have broken my shoulder without them. And my neck brace? It's a lifesaver! (Check out Motorrad Adventures' blog post on the gear they wear on all their tours here)

   
   

3. Backup is brilliant: A support vehicle is fantastic for carrying all the gear, water, and snacks you need for a longer adventure. And, having a trailer means you can get yourself and your bike out of a sticky situation.

   
   

4. Comms are key: If things go sideways and you need serious help, like being casevaced by helicopter or ambulanced to the hospital. A good, reliable communication system is essential to organise a rescue, especially where there is no mobile phone reception.

   
   

5. Medical help matters: Having someone in the group with medical training is a huge bonus. We might be good at fixing bikes, but human bodies are a bit more complicated!

   
   

6. Know your hospitals: Knowing you can get to a good hospital is a big comfort. I was lucky to end up at George Medi Clinic – they were amazing.

   
   

7. You'll need help when you get home: Once you're discharged from the hospital, you're going to need assistance, so make sure you have a partner or good friends who are ready to lend a hand. My amazing wife, being the kind and wonderful person she is, had to rent a trailer and drive a total of 800km to pick me up. Then she had to do pretty much everything for me that first week – getting around on crutches with broken ribs is no picnic! (Author’s note – some edits added by wife).

   
   

8. Comprehensive Medical aid is gold: If you have to choose, prioritise a good medical aid over fancy motorcycle insurance. My bike needed a relatively cheap R3k new windscreen, but my 4-day medical bill was just shy of R200k - an astronomical sum!

   
   

9. Be vigilant and drive safely! It's no fun watching the rest of your group have an amazing time on the tour WhatsApp group while they're completing the motorcycle adventure you've been dreaming about. Try not to do something silly like me!

   
   

10. But if you do... Be kind to yourself and those around you during your recovery...

    
    

    Have you ever had a moment on a ride where you thought: “What if I hadn’t had backup?” Tell us your story in the comments below 👇

    
    

    

    
    

    Why Choose Motorrad Adventures for Your Adventure Motorcycle Tour?

    
    

    If you're looking for the ultimate adventure motorcycle tour, you’ve come to the right place! At Motorrad Adventures, we bring years of experience, expert guides, and world-class support to ensure you have an unforgettable off-road motorcycle experience.

    
    

    Expertise & Experience You Can Trust

    
    

    Since 2009, we’ve been crafting and leading epic motorcycle expeditions across the globe. Our team has successfully organized tours in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Namibia, and South Africa, helping countless riders tick off their bucket-list motorcycle adventures.

    
    

    We’ve also had the privilege of working alongside some of the biggest names in adventure motorcycling, including Charley Boorman, Billy Ward, Claudio von Planta, Dylan Wickrama, SA Adventure, Moto Aventures, and Compass Expeditions.

    
    

    Uncompromising Safety & Support

    
    

    Your safety is our top priority. Every Motorrad Adventures motorcycle tour includes:

    
    

    ✅ Fully equipped support vehicle & trailer with satellite communication and tracking

    ✅ Professional lead and sweep riders for guidance and support

    ✅ On-tour medic for added peace of mind

    ✅ A dedicated backup crew so you can ride at your own pace

    
    

    With our experienced team by your side, you can push your limits while knowing you have the best support in the industry.

    
    

    A Stress-Free, All-Inclusive Adventure

    
    

    We take care of everything—from planning scenic routes to securing top-quality accommodation and delicious meals. That means you get to focus on what matters most—riding and exploring. Whether you're navigating Namibia’s desert dunes, cruising through the rugged landscapes of South Africa, or crossing breathtaking salt flats, we ensure every moment is an adventure to remember.

    
    

    So, if you’re ready to experience the motorcycle trip of a lifetime, click the button below and start your next great adventure! ⬇️

    
    

LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN