Hello,

I am currently looking for a bike in Dakar and figured I would share the info I gathered today. Here are some (new) bike models available in Dakar as of 2009-10-20 :

At dealer "CFAO Motors Senegal" - Address : Km 2.5 Boulevard Du Centenaire (CFAO, Leader de la distribution spécialisée en Afrique et dans les Collectivités d'Outre Mer)

• Model : Yamaha YBR-125 (street) - Price : 1 425 000 FCFA
• Model : Yamaha YBR-125 "cross" - Price : 1 525 000 FCFA
• Model : DT 125 (dual sport) - Price : 2 550 000 FCFA
• Accessory : Yamaha rear "top case" - Price : 50 000 FCFA
• Note : the YBR-125 "cross" model is a city model on which the rear tire is replace with a knobby type tire and the front one is replaced with the one from the rear

At dealer "La Senegalaise de l'automobile" - Address : Km 2.5 Boulevard Du Centenaire (www.senegalaise-automobile.com)

• Model : Suzuki EN125-2A (street) - Price : 999 000 FCFA
• Model : Suzuki TF125 (dual sport) - Price : 1 850 000 FCFA
• Model : Suzuki DR 200 (dual sport) - Price : 2 950 000 FCFA
• Model : Suzuki DR 200 "Trojan" 2008 (dual sport) - Price : 2 550 000 FCFA
• Note : the En125-2A is apparently a new model sold at a "promotional" price. Some say it's an evolution of the GS125.
• Note : the DR200 Trojan looks a bit more rugged than this year's model, has longer mud flaps, headlight guard, bigger rear rack, but is otherwise the same bike as this year's model. The price I was quoted on the Trojan is the result of a deal whereby I would be taking photos and doing a bit of publicity for the dealership (stickers on the bike)

At dealer "Renault Sera" - Address : Km 3.5 Boulevard Du Centenaire (www.sera.sn)

• Model : Honda NXR-125 KS - Price : 2200000 FCFA

At dealer "ETS DK Moto" - Address : 44 Faidherbe, Dakar

• Model : Lifan LF125-J (street) - Price : 750 000 FCFA
• Model : Lifan LF125-15 (street) - Price : 750 000 FCFA
• Model : Lifan LF125-GY (dual sport) - Price : 750 000 FCFA
• Model : Lifan LF150GY-3A (dual sport) - Price : 850 000 FCFA

Side notes

1. The prices quoted above are all inclusive.
2. All dealers seemed very professional, expect perhaps the Lifan which was more like a shop, rather than a full fledged dealer
3. Other (bigger) Yamaha models are seen everywhere on the street, but the dealer had none in stock

Insurance
The AXA guy told me they no longer insure bikes for theft nor collision. They only insure for a) "responsabilité civile" (they pay if you hurt someone), b) "Défence et recours en cas de sinistre" (they pay for lawyers if you get sued) and c) "Carte Brune" CDEAO - proof of insurance if you travel outside of Senegal, translates to "Brown card".
Insurance for one year for a 125CC is 43 000 FCFA
Insurance for one year for a 200CC is 50 000 FCFA

Paper work
All salesmen have told me they can take care of all the paper work and have the bike ready in 3 to 5 days. Here's what happens : you put a down payment on the bike, they give you a "chassis number" which is required for insuring the bike (which some can do for you). Once the insurance paper work is complete, they get the bike ready, take care of registration stuff and voilà, 5 days later, the bike is yours, all paper work in order.

Accessories

1. Everyone here tells me I will *never* be able to find a tank bag nor side luggage cases (neither soft nor rigid).
2. Sturdy chain can be bought for about 4000 FCFA / meter at any "quincaillerie"

I brought my own lock, helmet, gloves and jacket.

Visiting neighboring countries
All dealers have told me that I will be able to cross borders without any problems...which remains to be seen! I have read multiple posts on the HUBB about carnet requirements and am still not sure how this will work out.

Reselling concerns
The CFAO dealer told me that a motorcycle riding permit is not required for bikes 125CC or less, which is why they are so popular, thus probably much easier to find a buyer for.

Used bikes
A popular web site for used bikes is : Expat Dakar - Le site incontournable des expatriés de Dakar

Advice please : Tubeless or not?
I am told that tubeless tires will be harder to fix when punctures occur and are more
likely to be problematic if ever the wheel gets bent or deformed. Since I don't really
know much about this, does any one perhaps have an opinion to share on the matter? The YBR-125 has tires with tubes, the EN125-2A ones are tubeless.

Cheers,
Jean-Philippe

I prefer tubeless as punctures can be simply and quickly plugged without removing the wheel from the bike (providing you have the necessary plugs with you).

But with a new bike and riding carefully I'd like to think you won't get one. I've only had one puncture in the last 150,000 miles.

Good luck with the roads in Dakar.

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Thanks for the tip Tim. I've been reading about tubeless tires for a bit now and think they'll do just fine. I'm just concerned about finding plugs or a proper repair kit here in Dakar.

Jean-Philippe