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28 Aug 2008
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London- Dakar on 3 XR400s
Hi there,
Without trying to sound too naive and unprepared, two friends and I are planning a trip next july/august through France and Spain before attempting to follow the 2006 Lisbon- Dakar route on 3 XR400s through morocco/mauritania. If anyone is willing to help I have a few questions!
(1) Is this a good route?!! We're only 18 but are looking for a challenge..and want to make the trip last roughly 6 weeks
(2) The budget is roughly £5000 each, is this too high/low?
(3) Bikewise, how expensive should the modifications be? obviously we're not going to buy the whole touratech catalogue, but basics like new fuel tank/shock absorber etc..
Thanks in advance,
Tom
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28 Aug 2008
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I met some blokes in Mauritania (in 2005) on XR400's on their way to Cape Town (west coast route). They made it by the way. Great bikes - as far as I know they just had big tanks and fancy luggage. (Are you there Andy B?)
However - like the Dakar, that was in January rather than July/August. I can't help thinking it might be a touch warm at that time of year.
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28 Aug 2008
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A good choice of bike, but that time of year is too hot to be taking Dakar routes through Mauritania on laden bikes. The coastal tarmac maybe, but that is something different. Also, many of the Dakar sections are not possible without logistical support of some kind. Sorry to rain on your parade...
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28 Aug 2008
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If you are going to follow the 2006 route closely I think you might have problems with stage 6, TanTan to Zouerat, as that area is under military control. "Dakar Inc" are obviously able to pull a few strings that the rest of us cant. The only way round it would be TanTan to Nouhadibou to Atar.
The Dakar is usually held in the winter for good reason. It's going to be hot, hot, hot in July and August. Too hot, I would suggest, to be safe in the desert stages and possibly too wet further south.
Bikewise, I've done a similar route twice on a XR600 and my basic mods were:
Michelin Desert tyres - last for ever (good) but very stiff sidewalls so that lowering pressures on a light bike (like a XR400) doesn't do much (bad).
Acerbis 40L tank - holds loads of fuel (good) very top heavy when full (bad). I very rarely filled it up completely.
Made my own luggage - need welding equipment (bad), cost next to nothing so I didn't care if it got bent / broken (good) (you will fall off!).
I stuck with the std rims, rear shocker, forks. Nothing went wrong with them. The kickstart snapped on the last trip and had to be remade (several times). Biggest tip with breakdowns like this - learn some French.
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28 Aug 2008
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There is a lot of valid points here (summertime, restricted areas, logistics ++).
I have traveled a few of stretches that have been used in Paris Dakar and I always go way slower then Coma and the guys. There is several reasons for this:
- I’m not as good driver as they are
- I’m not in a hurry
- I don’t drive on the edge (healthcare and parts are hard to find and I’m my own mechanic)
- I carry luggage (incl food, water and petrol)
- My bike don’t have the “I’m in problems pick me up”-button
- I seldom go in the coldest season
I have used somewhere between 1-4 days to drive one stage and that’s mean I have to carry loads of water, which again make me drive slower.
But with the right attitude it’s amazing what you can be able to do.
Good luck, keep us informed!
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28 Aug 2008
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Thanks very much for the swift replies! So helpful already. Fortunately the two other guys I'm travelling with are native french speakers.... so at least that's the language barrier sorted.
The main issue so far seems to be the temperature one, the reason we initially proposed the dakar route was purely due to...well...ignorance! Clearly there will have to be a significant compromise, this will be my first serious trip of any kind, and the only time as a group we can spare time is july/august.
Currently I'm passionate about going for the real desert experience through mauritania, is there a route which could be considered more feasible without completely sticking (lol) to the roads...I will be in no hurry throughout the trip and am definitely not as good a driver as the dakar guys, but that doesn't stop me lying awake at night thinking about next summer!
I'm headed up to the RGS tomorrow to have a serious look at some maps so any advice would again be appreciated
Tom
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28 Aug 2008
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__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !
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28 Aug 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by firstimeflyer
Currently I'm passionate about going for the real desert experience through mauritania, is there a route which could be considered more feasible without completely sticking (lol) to the roads...I will be in no hurry throughout the trip and am definitely not as good a driver as the dakar guys, but that doesn't stop me lying awake at night thinking about next summer!
I'm headed up to the RGS tomorrow to have a serious look at some maps so any advice would again be appreciated
Tom
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Every great plan starts somewhere..
In terms of a route through you could look at the beach piste from Nouadibhou to Nouakchott through the Banc D'Arguin - you will have a desert experience and the Atlantic climate will save you from the worst of the heat.
Otherwise, perhaps make a diversion to Atar by road from Nouakchott and test your Summer endurance with shorter tours from there.
Last edited by Richard K; 28 Aug 2008 at 20:30.
Reason: clarity
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