Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
1st time trip - UK to Morocco. 1st time trip - UK to Morocco.
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Feb 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 1
1st time trip - UK to Morocco.
I'm planning (using the term loosely..) a trip to Morocco from the UK via France/Spain at the starting around 18th March for a couple of weeks on an Africa Twin.

It's my first trip of this type and I'm a little nervous. I'm planning to travel fairly light with no specific itinery. I think I'm comforatable with the insurance, visa requirements etc. What I do wonder is what people do about break downs? If I have a failure in the middle of Morocco, how do I get the bike back?

Thanks for any replies and apologies for asking such a basic question!

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Feb 2002
Ian Ian is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 443
I guess this is the perennial overlanders worry.

1. Make sure your bike's up to it. Have it checked by a trustworthy mechanic if you're not sure yourself.

2. Carry a few basic spares, ensure they fit and know how to fit them (or fit the new parts and carry the old ones as spares). See AMH or Sahara Overland for lists.

3. If it does break down and you're stuck you can either have the spares shipped in or ship the bike back.

4. Prepare well and you won't have reason to worry. There's usually a way round things.

[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 27 February 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 27 February 2002).]
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Mar 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: France and UK
Posts: 156
Dear Mark
We all worry about breakdowns and forget that Moroccans have them regularly too. Trust that something will come along and the breakdown will not be the disaster we might anticipate. Moroccans are good in a crisis and love to help stranded travellers.
Catastrophes are a regular part of north African life. The locals solve problems with patience, something Europeans could learn!
Good luck
Kitmax
__________________
Kitmax
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Mar 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 249
I know that the ADAC in Germany (the equivalent of the AA in the UK)issue a European covering letter which includes Morocco and Tunisia. They will arrange for your bike or car to be shipped back free of charge in case of a breakdown or accident. It costs about €40 a year or so. Seeing as they work with the AA in the UK together maybe they offer this service too?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Mar 2002
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
Hi Mark:

One way to put your mind at ease would be to look at it this way: In a worst case situation (the motor falls out in the middle of the road), your out of pocket expense is limited to whatever it costs you to ship the bike back to your home base - which would probably not be too much, since you could ship it by land (truck) with a common carrier.

My experience living and working in Africa is that the people there are much more ingenious about making repairs - inexpensively - than those of us who live in more developed countries. In other words, if you had a choice of where to have it break down, probably best that it be in Morocco - it will probably cost you less to fix it there than it would at home.
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 15:20.

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