Hello everyone & thanks to rydz for starting the thread!

I am also planning to go to Morocco this year, and would appreciate advice from the community.

Been reading up on the different threads and the advice given have helped me a lot, even if I haven't left home just yet.

I've ridden for a good ten years+ and done some off-roading as well. Not much, mostly on gravel roads. Since I don't have an off-road bike at the moment, I would need to rent one. And since I don't trust my own roadside mechanics abilities, I would assume joining a tour would be my best option, for my first trip to Morocco.

I've seen a few tips about what to look for when it comes to tour operators, and I haven't seen that many after doing some searches, so that will not be an issue. (although, if there are some I should consider, feel free if it's ok in this section of the forums) Where to go on the other hand!

I'd love to be able to ride some dunes, and do some twisty sections as well. Camping not an issue. Would rather be far from cities, than going from hotel to hotel. What parts of the country, or what routes do you recommend that I should be looking at?

I'm kind of flexible when it comes to dates, as long as it is Oct - Dec. Preferably Oct - Nov. How hot does it get in Oct? How cold are the nights in late Nov?

Cheers!
András

Unless you are a crusty, red-hot demon of dirt aboard an appropriate machine, it will take you < 15 minutes to get dune riding out of your system. It's not like the Dakar though I understand it's a big appeal if you've never tried it before.

Honestly, with 12-hour nights forget about moto camping with all the associated clobber and enjoy southern Morocco's cheap hotels, great food, ropey plumbing, wifi and other people.

Head over the Atlas and it's all there waiting for you. Oct can be too hot imo (greater water consumption), so was Nov last year though usually it's just right. But shacked up in a hotel it's all less of an issue anyway.

You will manage fine on a rented 310GS and a sensibly modest itinerary.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

I really dont know what all the fuss is about ............. been to maroc 56 times (mostly on my own on motor bikes ) and just come back after 6 weeks backpacking. Only had one strange incident in Safi , when a big morrocon wanted to kiss me !
The secret is to dress like a well worn traveller ,and dont act like a tourist !
K

Cheers, Chris!

Do I read you right, that even with no experience with tools you would recommend me renting a bike?

By heading over the Atlas, do you mean fly in/out Marrakesh or similar?

Thanks again

Ridden appropriately and with an understanding of where you are riding alone and with what resources, well prepared and maintained bikes don't break, most commonly they have punctures (usually because tyres are old) or fall over and break levers (so choose handguards). Any greater damage and you are unlikely to be in shape to remedy it.

So best thing is to rent a bike with tubeless tyres - eg 310GS rather than Tornado (which are now well and truly clapped out in Morocco - be careful). TL flats can be fixed in minutes with a plug on a spike (see youtube videos) but you will need a pump or CO2. A bicycle pump will do to get you to a garage. TL flats can be ridden slowly, if necessary. It's all online or in my Morocco and AMH books.

A multitool + motion pro + the age-old 'zip ties & duct tape' will do you. Add a mobile phone and common sense; the best tools of all ;-). Or - ignore all this, throw yourself in and take the consequences. It's all part of the adventure and it's only Morocco.

In my opinion the interesting riding in Morocco in concentrated in the Atlas ranges and south of them. RAK is ideally placed to fly in and rent.

It's easy to say having been brought up on ratbikes, but this whole thing about having to be a 'mechanic' to rides bikes is an urban myth. Let others work it out. Certainly learn about common faults and troubleshooting, and then probably forget about them. Keep an eye on oil level, tyre pressures and chain tension.

I was surprised myself years ago, but Morocco is an exception by African standards: you can rent self-drive bikes and 4x4s with - in places - near European levels of service and support. I recommend Loc 2 Roues.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Thank you once again, Chris!

I've found your book, Morocco Overland. I really should be picking up a copy before I commit to this trip, I feel.

Since I'm not on Facebook, I haven't been able to take a peek at Loc2Roues. However, Wilderness Wheels have written back to me. Don't know at what price they rent and what bikes, yet. You know of them?

I don't do FB either (or don't get it) but Loc's www is:
https://bm-attitude.com/

WW used to be in Ouarzazate and rented KTM450s but only on their guided tours including a spare 450 in a pick up. I thought they moved to Spain but looks like they are back with new, younger owners? Looks like the same deal, though.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Also,try and see from their preliminary info how many kilometers you will be driving each day to achieve it.This ,in conjunction with a map will give you a rough idea of on or off road driving content.Most organized tours in Maroc tend to have high on road content in order to give tourist time in the fabulous towns and cities.

Very well spotted, Tony! I will most certainly look out for that.

I've sent a mail to Loc and they've already sent a reply. Very quick, I must say.

Leaning towards renting, and riding without a tour group...even if it brings me out of my comfort zone.

Do I have to plan my stops at service stations well, or are they plenty around up in the Atlas and south of Marrakesh?

I recall saving small notes to use south of the Atlas due to difficulties with change 20 years ago.

It hasn’t been a problem for me in the last 15 years