By: Séan Hendley
Pics: By Everyone
“Are you joining us for Suzuki Weekend again this year, my Buddy?” was the question from Jannie Jordaan from Bike Shop Boksburg – Suzuki East.
My answer? A resounding, “HECK YEAH!”
This annual pilgrimage to the legendary Numbi Hotel in Hazyview has cemented itself as one of the must-attend weekends of the year for anyone remotely interested in Suzuki, bikes, cars or just a flippen good time.
What’s the Suzuki Weekend All About?
If you’ve never been (sorry for you), here’s the lowdown:
You pay your entry fee to Suzuki SA, and in return, they hook you up with a lekker room at the charming Numbi Hotel. It’s buffet-style dining all weekend, three generous meals on the Saturday day, including a fully catered lunch somewhere in the bush or next to a waterfall. You rock up on Friday, settle in, and immediately start bumping into familiar faces. There are hugs, handshakes, high-fives, and yes, a few beers too.
Friday night kicks off with a welcome dinner and briefing. Think Michelin Star quality braai with enough food to feed a small nation. It’s a festive start, and everyone’s buzzing for the weekend ahead.
Saturday morning starts early with a big buffet breakfast (you won’t go hungry here, ever). Then it’s into the conference room for a quick admin session: downloading the GO TEAM app, getting your briefing, a group photo and then it’s game on!
This isn’t just a ride; it’s an interactive, team-based treasure hunt. The “Dream Team Catalyst” crew runs the show through the GO TEAM app, an impressively slick bit of tech that only unlocks your next challenge once the current one is completed or skipped. Whether you’re solving riddles, taking mad ass selfies, decoding musical clues, or brushing up on Suzuki trivia, there’s constant action and laughs.
Then it’s onto the bikes or into the bakkies to follow the Suzuki GPS dots scattered around Mpumalanga. From one checkpoint to the next, each location brings new challenges, and plenty of chances to engage with locals, who love getting involved too. Importantly: “IT’S NOT A RACE!” (Though let’s be honest, no one wants to finish last.)
This year, I grabbed a Suzuki V-Strom 250 DS for the Adventure ride… me, all two metres of me, on Suzuki’s featherweight adventure bike. The jokes came thick and fast, but by the end of the weekend, a lot of folks were eyeing that little machine with fresh interest. More on that in a full review coming soon, but spoiler alert: It held its own like a champ.
The off-road route is where the magic really happens. Sweeping tar passes gave way to rock-strewn tracks, hidden waterfalls, and forest roads that wound their way beneath towering trees and through tiny hamlets. One highlight was finally riding the forestry trails below Long Tom Pass, a bucket-list tick!
Suzuki doesn’t mess around. Routes are well-planned, marshals pop up here and there, and medics are on standby, just minutes away if needed. It’s safe, legal, and absolutely breathtaking.
Not Just for Bikers.
Let’s bust a myth, this weekend isn’t just for bikers. It’s for anyone who loves anything and everything Petrolhead related. Got a Swift? Bring it. A Vitara? Perfect. A GSX-R or a Jimny? Even better. The more the merrier. And it doesn’t even have to have a Suzuki badge, if it is road legal and safe to operate, come along and join the fun.
It’s the ideal mix for groups too, maybe “Die Manne” want to tackle the forest on their ADV bikes, while the rest of the family tours the area in comfort. Whether it’s your missus in her sportscar, students piling into a hatchback, or a group of mates in a 4×4, the weekend welcomes all comers.
Heck, that’s how we met Anand last year, a lone rider on a 650 Burgman from Benoni who saw the event online, booked, showed up solo, and was quickly absorbed into our team. Now he’s a regular at motorcycle events.
The route eventually brought us back to Sabie for more challenges and checkpoints before tackling “The 22” and a final dirt detour to the hotel. Then it was time for a quick rinse and the final round of GO TEAM games, pub quiz style during dinner!
Dinner was semi-formal (yes, shoes required), and the prize-giving buzzed with excitement. We were convinced we were podium contenders, but alas… we didn’t even crack the top three. Still, the vibe was electric when our mates from Bike Shop Boksburg – Suzuki East took the win. Pure mayhem. So much noise. So much joy.
Only one person had a proper fright, Don tried to overtake a T-junction on Saturday and has been clenching ever since, hence the funny gait in his stride. But that was it.
One tiny hiccup in an otherwise perfectly executed weekend.
Massive Thanks To…
Stuart, Yvonne, Mbali, Kyle, Corrie, the Suzuki SA team, Dream Team Catalyst, the medics, the marshals, and the incredible Numbi Hotel staff—you legends made it all happen.
See You in 2026? If you’ve never been, now’s the time. Book it, bring your mates (or come solo), and experience a weekend that’s more than just a ride, it’s a celebration of all things petrol driven,(heck even HEV’s and EV’s are welcomed), of adventure, and of good times with great people.
See you next year, you’ll be hooked after your first one. Promise.
