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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 28 Nov 2002
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Location: Bielsko-Biala, Poland
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Desert oriented bikes
Hello,

I've few questions to desert bikers.

I'm going to buy motorcycle which will be good enough for desert riding.

What choice will be better. Yamaha XT600E or TT600R (bouth of them will be new and of course I plan to special prepare any of them prior my departure to Africa).

I know that XT has a nice torque in low rpm's. It influence better control in a sand. I didn't hear anything like that about TTR. Maybe someone here has some experiences with this bike.

Another question is about cooling system. Is it necessary to mount oil-cooler to prevent overheating of those bikes. I plan to visit mauritania in winter months (february/march).

Thx in advance

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Pawel Kanik
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  #2  
Old 29 Nov 2002
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The XT is good enough. Oil cooler desirable but not a necessity. If you fit a cooler, take the original pipe so that you can replace it if the cooler is damaged beyond repair. Synthetic engine oil recommended. Replacement synthetic Mobil 1 available in more and more places over there now.
Also the XT is designed for a pillion so you can use the footrest mounts if you intend to add a rack and carry a jerry can or baggage. Ascerbis do a good long range tank but you will need more range for the Dakhla convoy.
Can be difficult to find a replacement 17" rear tyre.
Make sure you take replacement air filters and/or sand sock for filter.
Knobbly tyres required after Dahkla.


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David
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  #3  
Old 29 Nov 2002
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hi.

IMHO ttr is not really desert/trail bike.

but XT600 model 3Aj is the best.
oil cooler is necessary.
if you want to go deeper in desert you muast make any modyfication with tank, cooler, and racks and with tyres naturally.

pozdrawiam


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Grzegorz Zajac

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  #4  
Old 29 Nov 2002
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Quote:
Originally posted by gregor:

IMHO ttr is not really desert/trail bike.
Maybe you're right. In stock version it isn't ideal bike for long distance travelling. But it can be. There are many accessories making this bike real sahara machine.

For example look at www.off-the-raod.de
They have 20l tanks (made by Acerbis), oil coolers, pannier systems and more..

Quote:
Originally posted by gregor:

if you want to go deeper in desert you muast make any modyfication with tank, cooler, and racks and with tyres naturally.
Off course, i'll prepare my bike carefully.

Quote:
Originally posted by gregor:

pozdrawiam
ja rowniez

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Pawel Kanik
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  #5  
Old 29 Nov 2002
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www.off-the-road.de off course

Greetings

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Pawel Kanik
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  #6  
Old 30 Nov 2002
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There is no longer a convoy between Dakhla and NDB. You can come and go as you wish, but the guards will not let you through the border if you are not early enough to make it to NDB before dark.

The distance between Dakhla and the 1st fuel station in NDB is about 245 miles, I'm not sure of the position of the last fuel station coming out of Dakhla (I seem to remember one maybe 20 miles to the south), but the position of the 1st in NDB is N20 57.9 W17 02.4
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