Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
How 'smashy smashy' the peistes? How 'smashy smashy' the peistes?
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



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Sep 2014
davebetty's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 221
How 'smashy smashy' the peistes?
I'm of to Maroc in late april next year and have turned my thought on to preping the bike.

It' not the usual kind of bike, but is very good off road. I can do a pretty good job on some of the harder green lanes in the UK and am thinking about toughening up the old girl with some steel bars and a mig welder.

I aim to be having a go at some of the harder trails in Chris Scotts book and know that falling off a lot is going to be part of the fun of it all, especailly with luggage.

I was wondering if anyone could give me sone sort of idea of the lumpieness of some of the routes like ME4, MH4 and MH1.

I quite enjoy boulder riding but wonder if I need to beef up the protection to the bottom of the engine if I am going to have a pop at some of the rougher peistes.

saying that I also want to keep the weight down and running on some rough trails the plastic engine guard has done a good job so far!

cheers

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 Sep 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,483
Of the routes you mention MH1 is the hardest, I did it last October and almost rolled the truck. I'm not a biker but I guess its slightly easier than in a 4x4. It took us 3 hours to do about 10km along river beds. It was oly a short section through. Just make sure you allow enough time, we tried it in a day and it was hard work

Also did MH4 last year the southern half is very easy driving not sure about the north as we branched off on another route.

ME4 we did in 2012, very straight forward but lots of washed out river crossings to negiotiate but no water in October. Make sure you stop a mengoub station, its fantastic. From here there is a route straight to Figuig rather than follow the route in the book. Also a dam has been built across the last section in the book
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Sep 2014
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,119
Depends on your ground clearance. I'm currently on a 2013 KTM 690 Enduro R (less clearance than pre-2012 models) and as yet I have not touched down on the bash plate despite doing some quite tough pistes. In fact I was so confident this would be the case I didn't bother to replace the plastic bash plate with the aluminium one I bought second hand.

The reason most people fall is because they are going too slow. You need momentum for the gyroscope effect of the wheels to keep you upright.
__________________
"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)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Oct 2014
davebetty's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 221
Whatever way I write piste, it never looks right. I am so sure of two e's... Should have listened harder at school.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I think I will stick with my own placky engine guard to keep weight down. It has taken a hammering in the past with only light damage.

Ground clearance is pretty good, I think I will get the engine guards though. not too bothered about cosmetic damage, but the engine is rather important!

Yet again it comes down to weight. I will have little chance to drop stuff off to do pistes, so we will keep on the weight saving programme!

cheers dudes

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Oct 2014
davebetty's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 221
another question to all of you frequent visitors to morroco....

I want to go in spring 2015, but don't really need to set a date and can be quite flexible.

I want to (impossibly of course) balance, the best weather all around with it not being too hot in the arid south but with conditions in the Atlases being passable and also comftable to ride in.

I am looking at a month away, initially I thought of mid april to mid may with racing down to the arid areas first and then slowly heading back over the atlases.

any advice always most welcome. thanks

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Oct 2014
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,119
Your first thoughts are quite sensible. Weather in Morocco is never as predictable as people imagine. April could be cold. Or hot. Ditto May. All you can do is to keep an eye on the ten-day forecasts for various places, eg Ouarzazate, 13, Morocco 10 Day Weather Forecast - uk.weather.com

May is my favourite time as the daylight hours are so long. Morocco is on 'summertime' with dates of time changes coordinated with Europe, so both months will be summertime.
__________________
"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)
Reply With Quote
Reply

« 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

 
 

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. 11-15
  • 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 20:40.

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