Appies Bike Shop

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Appies Bike Shop At Appie's Bike Shop, we live and breathe motorcycles.

While we are specialists in off-road performance—keeping your dirt bikes, enduros, and motocross bikes in peak condition—we are just as passionate about keeping our road-riding community safe.

🎙️ FUN FACT FRIDAY: THE HUNT FOR GOLD NUMBER 20! 🥇🏔️When it comes to the "Mother of Hard Enduro"—the Roof of Africa—ther...
23/10/2026

🎙️ FUN FACT FRIDAY: THE HUNT FOR GOLD NUMBER 20! 🥇🏔️

When it comes to the "Mother of Hard Enduro"—the Roof of Africa—there is one man who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Enter William "Wild Will" Gillitt.

If you don't know Wild Will, you need to know this name. His stats are simply mind-blowing:

🏆 19 Roof of Africa Gold Finishes. Let that sink in. He has conquered the grueling mountains of Lesotho and claimed Gold an incredible 19 times. And this year? He is officially hunting for his historic 20th Gold.

🛠️ The Ultimate Coach Wild Will isn't just a racer; he is South Africa’s most experienced motorcycle enduro coach. With over 20 years of hands-on practical coaching, his business—Wild Will Coaching, Tours, and Bike Setup—is the gold standard for riders wanting to improve their skills and get their suspension dialed.

🚲 Humble Beginnings Like many greats, his journey started young. He got his first taste of two wheels at just 12 years old on a trials bike. That early foundation of balance and precision paved the way for a lifetime of relentless pursuit of excellence across multiple disciplines.

He has unmatched expertise, an infectious passion for off-road motorbikes, and a deep love for the dirt bike community.

Have you ever been coached by him? Let us know in the comments! 👇

🚨 NEW PARENT PROFILE ALERT! 🚨While Aiden races, Mom and Dad run the show. We sit down with the Retiefs to discuss the jo...
21/10/2026

🚨 NEW PARENT PROFILE ALERT! 🚨

While Aiden races, Mom and Dad run the show. We sit down with the Retiefs to discuss the journey from PeeWee to Protea Colours, the challenges of local sponsorship, and the dream of racing in Europe.

A story of resilience and unwavering family support.

Read the full feature below! 👇

🛡️ STOP EATING ROOST: WHY YOUR FENDERS DO MORE THAN YOU THINK! 🛡️**We all love getting dirty on the trail, but there’s a...
20/10/2026

🛡️ STOP EATING ROOST: WHY YOUR FENDERS DO MORE THAN YOU THINK! 🛡️**

We all love getting dirty on the trail, but there’s a big difference between a muddy jersey and taking a rock to the radiator. Your motorcycle fenders (mudguards) are the unsung heroes of off-road riding!

They aren’t just there to look good—they play a massive role in your safety and your bike's reliability.

👇 The Core Functions:
Debris Deflection: They act as a shield, blocking flying rocks, branches, and the brutal "roost" kicked up by the rider in front of you.
Safety & Visibility: By deflecting mud and water, they keep your goggles and face shield clear. If you can't see, you can't ride!
Component Protection: They take the beating so your bike doesn't. Fenders protect vital, expensive parts like fork seals, radiators, and exposed engine casings from direct impact.

⚙️ HIGH FENDER vs. LOW FENDER: Which is right for you?

🏔️ High Fenders (Mounted below the triple clamp)
Best for: Serious off-road, Enduro, and deep mud.
Why: They provide massive clearance between the tire and the fender. In deep clay or thick mud, a low fender will pack up and completely lock your front wheel. A high fender lets the mud shed away!

🛣️ Low Fenders (Mounted close to the tire)
Best for: Adventure bikes, high-speed gravel, and heavy road rain.
Why: They offer better aerodynamics at speed and do a great job of stopping water from blasting directly onto the engine. However, they clog very easily in sticky off-road conditions.

Need to upgrade your plastics? Whether you need a high-fender conversion kit for your Enduro bike or replacement plastics for your ADV, Appie's Bike Shop has you covered!

📍 Pop in and let’s get your bike trail-ready!

🎙️ FUN FACT FRIDAY: THE POWER OF DREAMS! 🏁It is hard to imagine the automotive world without the red "H" today, but did ...
16/10/2026

🎙️ FUN FACT FRIDAY: THE POWER OF DREAMS! 🏁

It is hard to imagine the automotive world without the red "H" today, but did you know Honda started with army surplus parts? 🚀

🔧 The Humble Beginnings In 1946, Soichiro Honda founded the Honda Technical Research Institute. With a need for cheap transport after WWII, he started by fitting surplus generator engines onto bicycles! The company was formally incorporated in 1948 as Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and by 1949, they produced their first true motorcycle: the Model D "Dream."

🛵 The Global Phenomenon Honda’s growth was explosive. By 1959, they became the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer! They transformed the market with the Honda Super Cub, which is still the best-selling motor vehicle in history (yes, more than any car!).

⚡ Changing the Game
Marketing: Their famous slogan "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" revolutionized the image of motorcycling in the US.
Performance: In 1969, they launched the CB750. With its inline-four engine and front disc brake, it set the new standard for reliability and speed in the superbike world.

🪽 The Wing Logo Did you know the Honda "Wing" logo was inspired by Nicé, the Greek goddess of victory? It symbolizes reliability, speed, and global success.

What is your favorite Honda model? The legendary CRF dirt bikes, the Africa Twin, or maybe the classic Gold Wing? Let us know in the comments! 👇

🏁 MX VS. ENDURO: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU? 🌲🤔They might look similar and use the same engines, but Motocross (MX) and ...
13/10/2026

🏁 MX VS. ENDURO: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU? 🌲🤔

They might look similar and use the same engines, but Motocross (MX) and Enduro bikes are built for two completely different missions. If you’ve ever wondered which one suits your riding style, here is the breakdown! 👇

🛣️ Road Legality
Enduro: Think of these as the "Swiss Army Knife" of bikes. They are road legal! That means they come equipped with lights, indicators, mirrors, quieter exhausts, and speedometers so you can ride to the trails.
MX: Track specialists. These bikes are built for the dirt only. They do not have road gear and are not street legal.

🔧 Suspension & Comfort
MX: Stiff suspension with lots of travel to handle big jumps and landings. They handle like a dream on the track, but they are NOT comfortable for long journeys.
Enduro: Softer suspension tuned for comfort and durability over rough terrain (like rocks and roots) and long distances.

🛞 Tyres
MX: Knobby tires designed for maximum grip on loose dirt.
Enduro: All-terrain tires designed to handle both tarmac and dirt. Because they have to be versatile, they aren't as grippy as MX tires on a loose track.

⚙️ Gearing & Power
MX: Shorter gears designed for rapid acceleration and explosive power.
Enduro: Taller gearing for better top speed and fuel efficiency. They also have a larger flywheel for smoother power delivery.

⛽ Fuel Tank & Weight
Enduro: Needs to cover miles! They have larger fuel tanks, but because of the added road-legal gear, they are heavier.
MX: Light and nimble, with smaller tanks to keep the weight down for racing.

So, do you want the track aggression of an MX bike or the go-anywhere freedom of an Enduro?

Unsure? Come chat with the team at Appie's Bike Shop! We can help you find the perfect bike for your next adventure. 🏍️

🎙️ FUN FACT FRIDAY: SOUTH AFRICA’S WORLD-CLASS MX TRACKS! We know the Eastern Cape is beautiful, but did you know South ...
09/10/2026

🎙️ FUN FACT FRIDAY: SOUTH AFRICA’S WORLD-CLASS MX TRACKS!

We know the Eastern Cape is beautiful, but did you know South Africa is dotted with some of the most prestigious motocross facilities in the world? From KZN to the Cape, we have tracks that rival the best internationally.

Here is a bucket list of the country’s premier venues:

🏁 The Titans of National Racing
Teza Motocross Track (Richards Bay): This is arguably the crown jewel of SA MX. It’s a world-class outdoor track that frequently hosts the MSA MX National Championships. If you want to race where the pros race, this is it.
Terra Topia Dirt Bike Club (Johannesburg): Located near Midrand, this is a massive facility known for its modern, extensive layout. It’s often the chosen venue for the SA National Motocross Championship finale, meaning the championship is decided here!

🌲 The Rider's Playgrounds
Legends MX (Pretoria): This venue is massive! It offers specialized tracks but is famous for having up to 34km of diverse, challenging trails—perfect for getting those enduro miles in.
Thunder Valley (Pietermaritzburg): A historic track in KZN that is beloved for hosting national events and challenging the best riders in the country.
BORC (Bloemfontein): Known for a substantial 2km+ senior track and hosting big national rounds in the Free State.
Zone 7 (Cape Town): The Western Cape's premier facility, keeping the Cape riders sharp.

👇 The Question: How many of these tracks have you ridden? Which one is at the top of your bucket list? Let us know in the comments!

🚨 NEW RIDER PROFILE ALERT! 🚨At 56 years young, Lance Williams proves that age is just a number. 🤘We sat down with this l...
07/10/2026

🚨 NEW RIDER PROFILE ALERT! 🚨

At 56 years young, Lance Williams proves that age is just a number. 🤘

We sat down with this local legend to talk about his transition from "ride or die" to "weekend warrior," his trust in Andrew for his KTM 250 TPI setup, and the terrifying cliff drop at Hunters that changed his perspective.

From the grit of the Port Alfred Slake to the golden rule of two-wheels, this is a story about pure passion and decades of dedication.

Read the full interview below! 👇

🔧 THE HEARTBEAT OF THE ENGINE: HOW A CARBURETOR WORKS! 🏍️💨In a world of modern electronics, the carburetor remains a mec...
06/10/2026

🔧 THE HEARTBEAT OF THE ENGINE: HOW A CARBURETOR WORKS! 🏍️💨

In a world of modern electronics, the carburetor remains a mechanical masterpiece! While many new bikes use Fuel Injection, carburetors are still the lifeblood of older machines and many off-road bikes.
So, how does it feed your engine? A motorcycle carburetor acts as a precision mixing device. Its job is to blend air and fuel in the exact ratio needed for combustion.

⚡ The Science (Bernoulli’s Principle) It’s not magic, it’s physics! The carburetor features a Venturi tube (a narrowed passage).
As air rushes through this restriction, its speed increases.
High speed = Low Pressure.
This low pressure creates a vacuum that draws fuel from the Float Bowl up through the jets and into the intake stream!

🛠️ The Key Players:
Throttle Valve: The slide or butterfly valve that you control with your right hand. It regulates how much mixture enters the engine.
Jets (Main & Pilot): These tiny nozzles meter the precise amount of fuel at different RPMs.
Float System: Maintains a consistent fuel level in the bowl so the flow is steady.
Choke: Enriches the mixture to help start a cold engine on those chilly mornings.

Whether you ride a classic or a modern 2-stroke, keeping that carb clean and jetted correctly is essential for peak performance!

Having trouble with your bike's tune? Bring it to Appie's Bike Shop! 🔧

🛑 TO BRACE OR NOT TO BRACE? THE GREAT NECK PROTECTION DEBATE! 🛑Thirty years ago, the idea of wearing body armor or knee ...
29/09/2026

🛑 TO BRACE OR NOT TO BRACE? THE GREAT NECK PROTECTION DEBATE! 🛑

Thirty years ago, the idea of wearing body armor or knee braces on a trail ride seemed absurd. Today, they are standard kit. But there is one piece of gear where many trail and adventure riders are still hesitating: The Neck Brace.

Is it essential safety gear, or overkill for anything outside a professional motocross gate? Let’s look at the facts. 👇

🇿🇦 The South African Connection
The modern neck brace was invented right here in South Africa! In the early 2000s, Dr. Chris Leatt witnessed a fatal crash and, wanting to protect his own son who was starting to ride, developed the first Leatt Brace in 2004. His invention changed rider safety forever.

⚙️ How It Actually Works
A neck brace cannot prevent all injuries (nothing can if you land directly on the top of your head). Instead, it works by doing two things:
Restricting Movement: It prevents the head from bending too far forward (hyperflexion) or backward (hyperextension).
Transferring Energy: In a crash, the base of the helmet hits the brace, transferring the destructive force away from the fragile neck and onto the stronger chest, back, and shoulders.

🦴 The Collarbone Myth
Sceptics often argue that neck braces cause broken collarbones in low-speed crashes. While it’s true the brace rests on the collarbone, modern braces from brands like Leatt, Alpinestars, and EVS are actually designed with engineered "break points"—meaning the brace will yield or break before it breaks your bone.

Furthermore, medical data collected from the AMA Supercross series over several years showed a decrease in cervical spinal injuries with brace use, and no increase in clavicle injuries.

🤔 So, Is It For You? Ultimately, it comes down to your risk assessment:
The Casual Trail Rider: If you are bimbling along at low speeds, a neck brace might feel restrictive and unnecessary.
The Fast Trail/Enduro Rider: As speeds increase, the risks increase exponentially. A neck brace makes a lot of sense.
The ADV Rider: This is where braces are severely underrated. If you hit a fire road at 120kph, have a tankslapper, and go down with a 250kg bike following you—that is a high-energy impact where a neck brace could be life-saving. (This is why you rarely see Dakar riders without one).

At Appie's Bike Shop, we believe in giving you the facts so you can make the best choice for your own safety.

Address

Port Elizabeth
6001

Opening Hours

Monday 06:30 - 17:30
Tuesday 06:30 - 17:30
Wednesday 06:30 - 15:00
Thursday 06:30 - 17:30
Friday 07:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27844447709

Website

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