Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Newbie biker! Newbie biker!
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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Apr 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: York, Yorkshire, UK or Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 63
Newbie biker!
Hiya
I am contemplating buying a Yamaha tenere (1985, 18000km) for desert work. Ive never owned a bike, I have no UK licence. Is this utterly stupid? What do I need to look at on the bike to see what its like and what do i need to do to it when I get it? (if!)

Thanks! (sounds silly doesnt it...)

LRN
__________________
Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but wheeltracks..... tread lightly.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Apr 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bielsko-Biala, Poland
Posts: 42
Hellou... Yamaha Tenere is quite good bike for a desert... But little strange is that it has only 18000 km... 17 years of using and only 18 kilo km? If you don't have any experiences with the bikes take a friend who knows something about it.. He'll tell you to buy or not to buy this model...

Greetings
Pawel

------------------
Pawel
Dr-Big
__________________
Pawel Kanik
TT600R
Poland
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Apr 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: York, Yorkshire, UK or Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 63
I know, I had wondered about that. My friend has just bought an 85 Tenere with 25K on the clock so either we have been identically diddled or they are genuine low mileages.
My battered copy of Chris' book has been open at new chapters today.... never thought really about desert biking before.

Well at least nobody has flooded the BB with 'you are bonkers' statements! Im only contemplating this because the Egyptian government makes it so damn hard to bring cars in and I am blowed if I am going to give them hard-earned tokens merely so they can be bloodyminded. There is a Brit couple involved with the customs at Alexandria at the mo - these officials having refused to allow their Discovery into Egypt for 18 months now because their UK-sourced documents need translating into Arabic (and, one suspects, because enough baksheesh hasnt changed hands)

LRN
__________________
Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but wheeltracks..... tread lightly.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Apr 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 249
If youve never owned a bike you probably dont have much experience riding one either. Learning to ride a bike in the desert is not easy and even less so on a XT600. If you dont intend to carry heavy loads around then you are probably better off on a 250 or even a 125. They are much easier to ride and control (and to lift up) in sand than a 600. From living in Mali I know that most people get around on DT or DR 125´s. They are also much easier to repair and maintain and spares and tyres are usually more readily available I suppose if you have the height and strtength then take the 600 if not consider something smaller.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15 Apr 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bielsko-Biala, Poland
Posts: 42
You've right, but fuel tanks of the 125s are to small for any adventure activities... The distances from one fuel supply to the next one are sometimes very long... Of course I agree that 600cc is not so good for the first steps...

------------------
Pawel
Dr-Big
__________________
Pawel Kanik
TT600R
Poland
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Apr 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: York, Yorkshire, UK or Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 63
Hi all.. thanks for that. I took a friend's Tenere 600 out to the desert two days ago and loved every minute, apart from it being a real sod to kick-start and I kept stalling it (changing gear is a smidge different from a diesel Land Rover... ). Many colleages here have agreed with your comments about the size of the bike but my reasons for a 600 are ease of travel over long road distances - I am looking at runs like Cairo/Siwa (about 600 miles) with an overnight stop etc.

LRN

------------------
Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but wheeltracks..... tread lightly.
__________________
Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but wheeltracks..... tread lightly.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 1 May 2002
GWJ GWJ is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 281
HI LRN,
In the '80s and '90s Cubes ruled the desert! Here in Australia, anything less than 600cc was not given a sideways glance. But more cubes = more fuel = more weight. So a balance is all important! The new wave of light weight, high powered 400cc bikes are sweeping this country and so many others by storm. With electric start, digital ignition they give excellent power & torque without chewing through the juice (unless you are a throttle jockey). A couple of years ago a guy came 5th or 6th in the Australian safari on Suzuki DRZ250, which was run almost stock standard off the shelf. Another guy rode across the country on a Honda 110 posties bike (including the Gunbarrel- normally done by well equipped 4WDS). So with the right preparation, skills & equipment - anything can be done.
Cheers, Spl@tt
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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

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. 11-14
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 01:56.

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