Two Wheeled Speedster
There is no doubt that bikes are much, much faster than the vehicles around them. Anyone who has spent any amount of time on a motorcycle will tell you that the impression of speed on a motorcycle is vastly different from that of a car. Travelling at speed in a car feels impressive, while the same speed on a bike feels like a snail's pace. This often leads motorcyclists to travel at speeds not suitable for the traffic around them.
Related: Lane filtering for bikers in SA - What you need to know
Unfortunately, those speeds are often in contravention of posted speed limits, and bikers can find themselves in great trouble, especially those riding large displacement sportbikes.
Are motorcycles allowed on highways?
Under the Road Traffic Act, a bike is categorised as a motorised vehicle and is, as such, subject to the same laws that govern our roadways for cars. Motorcycles are generally required to follow the same rules as automobiles. The only exception is the grey area around lane splitting.
Motorcycles are required to follow the posted speed limits on freeways as well as urban and suburban roads without exception, those being:
-120km/h Freeway
-60km/h Suburban
-60 - 80km/h Urban
-50km/h Rural
These are a rule of thumb unless otherwise posted. Pay attention to posted signage on the roadside or be prepared for the financial implications of a traffic fine or worse.
