Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
Anyone rented a 4x4 Duster for Mk pistes? Anyone rented a 4x4 Duster for Mk pistes?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree11Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Nov 2022
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,920
Anyone rented a 4x4 Duster for Mk pistes?
How was it?
If nothing else the angles look good.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Nov 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
Posts: 384
We haven't (yet), however we rented in Iceland for a 5 week trip, and chose a Tucson, knowing that the angles and clearance were marginal at best. It did OK, and forded the access routes into Landmannalaugur (from both directions) OK, as well as being adequate for the main F roads. However it was too low to get very far into Þórsmörk.

The point of this being that we saw a fair number of Dusters, had a look at one more closely, and decided that the next time we'd try one. They do look capable.

PS: we rented the Tucson rather than a bigger vehicle because the latter were twice the price, which was already not cheap(!).
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Nov 2022
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,920
Thanks.
I think we rented a Tucson somewhere once. Sounds familiar.
According to this:
https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/com...ster-2013-suv/
Duster has another 1.5" of clearance.
On gnarlier pistes that and angles are what matters.

Was out last week in a well used Prado TX. 3 x the price.
A lot of scrapes and thuds down MA6, Jebel Timouka.

(Both are auto diesels - a new thing since I last drove a small 4x4).
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Nov 2022
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 334
Not sure how helpful this is, but the Agents Rurals (forestry police) use them here, and they have to get along some pretty rough old donkey trails that larger 4x4s struggle with
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Nov 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: granada,spain
Posts: 350
Here in Southern Spain the Duster is very popular in the farming communities and spend most of their time on pistes similar to Maroc. I would think you would be happy with it
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Nov 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
Posts: 384
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post

Duster has another 1.5" of clearance.
On gnarlier pistes that and angles are what matters.

.
Yes - we were working our way into Þórsmörk and it was slow going to avoid dinging the underside. After covering around 20 km from the "main" road we realised that unless the track improved we were not going to get anywhere soon. A Prado with a lift showed up in the other direction. We said hello and exchanged pleasantries, then asked how the track was further on, the driver said that it was much the same and that we needed 35 cm minimum clearance. The Tucson has 17 cm! We stayed to enjoy the surroundings for a while and then headed back...

Made it to the lighthouse at the point on the alleged "Worst Road in Europe" however...

- tried adding a photo but I am clearly incompetent. Here's a link to the post - the photo of the "worst road in Europe" is the last one in the post.

Last edited by Alanymarce; 2 Nov 2022 at 20:50. Reason: add photo
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2 Nov 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 498
Hi I owned a 4x4 duster for three years......they are very capable off road vehicles . They have a six speed box 1st being a crawler gear . Tons of engine braking for coming down hills . It's heavier then the 2wd version so fuel consumption is a little worse . Also it gets a spare wheel so the boot is slightly smaller . The 1.5dci has tons of poke too . I drove it off piste in maroc , mostly flat piste tbh and I think it stayed in 2wd.......it is selectable btw . It would have to b seriously bad terrain to bog down in one......but that's going to depend on ur driving skills I would suggest . We used to go lamping with mine and u wouldn't believe some of the terrain it went thru......again it depends on u having a look before u go wading in. I wouldn't hesitate to hire one........
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 Nov 2022
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,920
I just took one round the backstreets in Marrakech.
Seems nice enough; clutch is a bit heavy but not driven a manual for years.
There is a rotary switch on the dash to go from FrWD to 4WD and '4WD Lock'.
Not sure what '4WD Lock' means unless '4WD' has some slippery coupling for road driving. Afaik, part time doesn't have a central diff, but maybe I am behind the times.
There is no Low Range; as mentioned by chris, 1st is unusually low. Can't say I noticed it was that low but you'd hope it'll do the trick and spare the clutch. Looking forward to renting one later in the winter.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 21 Nov 2022
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 334
Out of curiosity I looked it up, the "4WD Lock" locks the front-rear power delivery 50/50 up to 60kph, the auto 4x4 mode is FWD and the rear only kicks in if the front is slipping
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 21 Nov 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: granada,spain
Posts: 350
Chris,
The Duster is usually sold with a crap temporary tyre repair kit rather than a proper spare wheel and tyre. You can probably pick up a proper spare at the local wrecker or,better still get the renter to arrange it for you if they will
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 21 Nov 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 498
I can't speak for other countries but the 4x4 version comes with a proper spare in the UK.....hence the smaller boot capacity......well my 2016 version did anyway .
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 21 Nov 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 498
In relation to the selectable 4wd button......the manual explains what to select and on what terrain .
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 5 Mar 2023
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,920
We rented one. Didn't get much done but pretty impressive for what it was.
Lightness makes such a big difference and great value for money too.
A Prado costs double with just 60% of the fuel economy.

Long version.









Last edited by Chris Scott; 28 Nov 2023 at 11:28.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 6 Mar 2023
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 334
Looks like fun!
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 28 Nov 2023
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,920
We got a 2023 model this time for 10 days down towards WS.
110hp for the same weight and same 45mpg. Very nice.
More here:
https://sahara-overland.com/2023/11/...-in-morocco-2/



Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
FOR SALE! Subaru Leone 4x4, Buenos Aires, December 2016 juleytim TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 28 Oct 2016 16:45
4x4 hire for 3 months trip SA, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia jeremiah sub-Saharan Africa 3 29 Feb 2016 19:54
Wanted in Europe in Dec: LHD 4x4 Camper Snoah Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 17 May 2015 17:50
For sale: powerfull 4x4 Suzuki in Chile sept-okt '13 Wi-to Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 28 Aug 2013 00:53
TATA military 4x4 truck Bundubasher Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 2 Jun 2012 19:43

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:26.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top