Moeras said:
Guys this problem seem to be global!!
I am a land owner & 4x4 driver!
The problems that I face does not so much come from other 4x4 owners, (I managed to get them sorted out!!) but from Bikers and more spesific Quad bikes.
Moeras, I lived in South Africa for over 20 years and do have family there too, including a 15 year old son. So, my comments are not from a "distant observer".
I fly back twice a year to visit the family and often engage in off roading on either a big bore 4-stroke two wheeler or on my son's Banshee. (Quad)
My son has a few quads, sure they are noisy, especially the two strokes.
He restricts his riding to the Benoni mindeump areas which are not too close to any residential areas. In fact, the only 4x4s and "bakkies" (South African name for any pick up vehicle) are the ones carrying or towing the bikes and quads
We also do a route from Benoni through to Hiedelberg via Brakpan. This route takes us through some privately owned land and even a few squatter camps.
I've have done this trip many a time and have never encountered an angry land owner. I have been stoned by squatters though, solely for the reason of being in the area. Fortunately body armour and acceleration saved our glow in the dark butts from the angry landless masses.
Yes, my son and I are considerare quad bikers and there are many of us out there. You said you haven't come across any "considerate quad bikers"
I can explain the reason for this: Most of them restrict their activities to the mine dumps where they do not annoy anyone at all or enter privately owned land without permission.
One thing you failed to mention to our Global members is the fact that all 4x4/4x2, 2 wheelers and quads are now banned from most if not all the beaches on the South African coastline.
South Africa offers all off roaders many places to drive or ride, however in the UK we are a lot more restricted regarding the choice of areas.
Another big difference is the lack of "organised events" in South Africa, whereas organised off road events are fairly common in the UK and these events are extremely well planned and an absolute pleasure to attend.
It's ironic that I can get more enjoyment out of a Land Rover in the UK than I ever could out of my more than capable (Japanese) 4x4 I owned when I lived over there.